Rem 870 Express 12 or 20?

[ProZack]

I've been looking to get a Remmington 870 Express Combo 12ga.
The wife is afraid that it will be too much for her and the other women folk to shoot and is putting the heat on for a 20ga instead.
Planning to do some deer hunting with this, any suggestions/comparisons between the two?
(also this will be a first firearm purchase)

Thanks
Pz

 

[HICKMAN]

Nothing wrong with going for a 20ga.

 

[Clay]

Nothing wrong with going for a 20ga.

+1

 

[Remington1100]

I actually prefer my 870 in 20 ga over my 12. You can shoot more throughout the day and it would be just as good for hunting just about anything you want.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

If your wife is going to utilize it too, then go for 20ga.

Might also want to look into one of the "youth" models, as they tend to be a little shorter overall.

Add on a Knox Spec-ops stock (recoil reducing) and you'll have one honey of a shotgun!

-J-

 

[dave29]

If it's not out of the budget, a 20 gauge semi-automatic (1100) would be a good gun for her to shoot. That's what I have for my wife to shoot.

 

[sp3worker]

I actually prefer my 870 in 20 ga over my 12. You can shoot more throughout the day and it would be just as good for hunting just about anything you want.

+1
I have a 20ga. Youth 870. Great rabbit gun for when you have on a heavy jacket. Perfect for the women I take to shoot clays, I do pretty good with it too.

 

[Whiskey Lake]

I bought the 20 for my wife and she decided after a few months to try the 12. She went back to the 20 after shooting the 12 all afternoon. Now I shoot the 20 too.

 

[JC PAINT WORKZ]

i have a 12ga and was thinking about getting her the 20ga

 

[alan robert]

Buy both, the 12 and 20 guage. You are lucky too have someone, that would actually want to shoot a shotgun.

 

[243rem700]

The 20 will do everything the 12 will with lighter recoil.

 

[ProZack]

Are there any issues with getting a decent supply of the 20ga ammo?

 

[ProZack]

I've found the 20ga at a local Walmart for just under $400 is that a decent price?

 

[pudly]

Are there any issues with getting a decent supply of the 20ga ammo?

It isn't as common as 12ga, but really isn't a serious challenge. Don't let that hold you back.

I've found the 20ga at a local Walmart for just under $400 is that a decent price?

Depends on the model. I got my 20ga Remington 870 Express 18" 7-shot model at Plainfield Shooting Supply for ~$300. Support you local gun shops...

 

[Jack Ryan]

I've been looking to get a Remmington 870 Express Combo 12ga.
The wife is afraid that it will be too much for her and the other women folk to shoot and is putting the heat on for a 20ga instead.
Planning to do some deer hunting with this, any suggestions/comparisons between the two?
(also this will be a first firearm purchase)

Thanks
Pz

Buy the 12 and a Lee Load All.

With factory shells doing equivilent jobs she won't like one if she don't like the other. With reloads in the 12 you can do anything either one is capable of with just he 12.

 

[clfergus]

This sounds kind of like my dilemma with golf and my wife. She decided she wanted to play so I built her some clubs. She was all excited the first 4 times and hasn't touched them since.

Now I have a set of womens clubs that take up space in my garage and I am out the money.

I don't know your wife, maybe she is a avid hunter and shooter. Just something to think about. Your the one who will end up shooting this gun year after year, 100X more than she will.

I am huge with buyers remorse myself. I always want something and settle for something cheaper as thats how I was raised. Then it fails to live up to my expectations and I wished I would have got what I wanted.

If you have no desire for a 12 gauge, go with the 20. But maybe you go with the 12 now and some reduced recoil loads to let her see if she even enjoys it. If she does try and pick up a used 20 gauge down the road for her.

Gonna be way more 12 gauge around if we ever do see a SHTF scenarios, for protection and to put meat on the table.

 

[ONESHOT101]

20 ga is lighter to carry and more accurate for deer hunting

 

[top hat 45]

the sabot round makes the two equal for deer hunting, with equal accuracy. for shooting wings or clays the 20 will be easier to shoot all day. winchester AA rounds come in light loads or magnums for heavy duty. daryll

 

[redneckmedic]

The 20g is a flatter shooting slug and is better for deer hunting. Easier to predict drop as there isnt much. But the best solution is.... buy 1 or each!!!

 

[Zoub]

Nothing handles like the 20 Youth gun. If she is small the issue is more about fit then gauge. There was a Remington 12 called ther Jr. made in 2008. I have only ever seen it at Gander Mt. but it was a shorter, lighter 12. There youth modesl in 12 as well.

Rarely does anyone say the gun is too short but often people say it is too long, keep that in mind regardless of gauge you buy. When hunting you carry the gun a lot and shoot a little. Like any platform 1 is none and 2 is one but you won't regret getting a light weight 12 or 20 to start with.

My daughter has shot 12 but she prefers my Beretta in 20 or a Benelli in 12. My GF has shot many 12's but she prefers semiauto as well. Just a trend I see in my family.