shotgun for sale Archives

Shotgun Experts Love the Remington 870 & So Will You

October 6, 2017 | 0 Comments

Some weapons reach such a level of popularity that they become iconic. The Remington 870 is one of those firearms. Many people who own one commend the 870’s place in their arsenal – going so far to say they could not imagine not having this staple in their collection. Not only have they found a place in homes across the country, but they are the shotguns typically used for movies and theatre. But don’t let the acting fool you: these firearms are the real deal and are often used for tactical purposes by the boys in blue. Private citizens, Hollywood, and service personnel all love the Remington 870, and you will to.

The Weapon

First, let’s take a look at some of the specs on the 870. It’s a 12 Gauge, pump action shotgun with a 3” chamber and an 18” cylinder barrel. This specific Remington 870 Express features a matte black finish and synthetic stock with positive checkering. There is a vented recoil pad and twin action bars. It weighs in at just over seven pounds.

Plain and simple, this is the most common pump shotgun for sale in the States. One of the biggest reasons for this is because it comes in a variety of designs. There is essentially a good, a great, and an amazing model available. The better the model, the more money you will have to shell out for one.

The other option is to pick out what accessories you want after you purchase one of the Remington shotguns for sale. Remington firearms can be outfitted with countless upgrades and modifications. Sights, grips, lights – pretty much anything you can think of for a shotgun, you can get for a Remington 870.

Accuracy

Though most shotguns have about the same accuracy abilities, the Remington 870 for sale is on par, if not better than its rivals. Depending on barrel length, you won’t see much variation, but there are some differences that can change your accuracy. Sights are the most important. On most standard models of the 870, the sights are pretty basic. That doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade to help augment your weapon’s capabilities, but when you first get a new one, the sights are not going to be much more than a ball at the end of the barrel and a grooved channel. As with most shotguns, your spread is going to be wider the further you get past ten yards.

Reliability

There is no denying that the 870’s trusted dependability creates much of the love for this weapon. After all; hunters, homeowners, and law enforcement all trust it to get their specific job done. Though all of its components might not be the factory pinnacles in performance, when they all come together they create a weapon that is considered to be one of the most reliable firearms around. One positive outcome from its popularity is that if the rare occasion arises that you find yourself in need of a part for your 870, it is relatively easy to find a replacement. It is a 12 gauge that is going to have some kick and moving parts that are going to take some heat; but as with all weapons, parts will eventually wear down. Don’t let that discourage you from picking up one of the most trusted shotguns around.

Remington 870 at GrabAGun

Ultimately, you are getting a lot of value for your dollar with this shotgun. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for semi-automatic shotguns for sale or tactical shotguns, the 870 express can be the pump-action shotgun you are looking for. If you are already a proud owner of one and just want to upgrade to a newer model, there are still plenty to choose from. The Remington 870 Express is a great place to start your search, and GrabAGun.com has all you need to make your next Remington purchase the right one. So go ahead and grab one – you will always love owning an Remington 870.

Shotguns 101: Info On Shotguns For Sale

May 12, 2014 | 0 Comments

Buying your first shotgun? When you’re shopping for a shotgun for hunting, clays, skeet shooting, home protection, or competition matches; GrabAGun has the shotgun you seek. We offer a large selection of quality brands of shotguns, as well as other guns for sale. This guide will assist first time buyers in understanding the basics of shotguns.

Shotgun Types

Single Shot Shotguns

Single shot shotguns are typically the least expensive but only hold one shell at a time. To fire again, you must to open the breach and insert a new shell. Despite the inconvenience, they are a functional tool for many tasks. For a beginner, a single action is a good selection as it provides ample practice with loading and unloading and time to learn to aim. Single-shot shotguns are very affordable and reliable. They are one of the two most common of guns for sale purchased for beginners.

Pump-Action Shotguns

Pump-action shotguns are the most common and most are of low cost and high reliability. After each shot, you must pump the forend to eject the spent shell and load another from the magazine tube into the chamber.

Semi-Automatic Shotguns

Semi-auto shotguns enable you to fire a round by simply pulling the trigger. An increasing number of models and brands now feature the latest technology for increased comfort, accuracy, and reliability. The advantages of the advanced technology are helping semi-automatics rise in popularity among guns for sale.

Double Barrel Shotguns

Double barrel shotguns come in two varieties: over-under (O/U) and side-by-side. Over-Under shotguns have one barrel above the other and the side-by–side shotguns have the barrels horizontally.

Shotgun Barrels

Barrel length affects the handling capabilities of the shotgun and the ability to aim the shotgun accurately. Longer barrels swing more smoothly and are more accurate with a longer range. Shorter barrels are both easier to maneuver in restricted spaces and are quicker to point; they are considered better for combat or home protection, and are used by law enforcement in tactical form. A shorter barrel will produce more flash and noise.

Chokes

A choke tube is mounted at the end of the barrel and provides the function of constricting the diameter of the muzzle to create a tighter shot pattern. It maintains a dense enough pattern to engage your target. There are many sizes of chokes, including those that are adjustable for different patterns without having to change the choke. The choke size determines how wide the pellet spread will be. Wider patterns allow for greater aim error, but it limits the range.

Chokes are fixed or screw-in. Fixed chokes are part of the barrel design and require a gunsmith to change or remove. Screw-in choke insert into the end of a threaded barrel and allows for the use of different sizes of chokes.

Selecting Ammunition

Generally, shotguns are able to shoot two types of ammunition: large single pellets called “slugs” that create a large area of damage and shells full of smaller pellets called shot. These are useful for hitting small/moving targets.

Shot Size

Higher shot numbers indicate smaller size shot. For example, #9 shot birdshot is much smaller than #4. This applies to all categories of shot. Shotshells are available in either high-base (AKA high-brass) or low-base loadings. The high-base shells have more powder and are thus more powerful – use them when you need something extra. Shotshells come in various lengths. A shotgun can shoot shells shorter than its chamber (which will be marked on the barrel), but not longer. The longer the shell, the higher the recoil will be.

Bore Size

Bore size is the shotguns gauge and affects recoil. The smaller the gauge the greater the recoil as in 12 gauge. The higher the bore the less recoil will be as in 16, 20, 28 gauge, or .410 gauge shotguns. Most people of small stature lacking great strength can handle a 20 gauge or smaller

Ammo Based on Purpose

For small game or clay targets, purchase small shot like # 9 to 4. If you hunt larger game, such as ducks or geese, purchase the larger #5 shot up to #2 shot. For prey and game, such as coyotes or deer, use buckshot or slugs. Keep in mind sabot slugs are only for rifled barrels and use rifled slugs for smooth barrels.

Shotguns For Sale at GrabAGun

GrabAGun offers a large selection of shotguns as well as a full range of other guns for sale, shotgun parts and accessories, and hunting supplies. Shop our site and, if you fail to find a specific model of guns for sale that you seek, give us a call. If you are needing some help or inspiration on our various models of shotguns, check out this blog post on our best shotguns for sale!

Basics of Looking at Shotguns For Sale

March 13, 2014 | 0 Comments

The Shotgun Basics

Understanding shotguns can be confusing to many people. Shotgun ammunition is sized differently than other firearms’ ammunition. Rifle and pistol ammunition are not hard to understand, it is simply the bigger the bullet, the larger the caliber.

Shotguns are the opposite. Shotguns are sized by gauge and the lower the gauge of the shotgun, the more powerful it is. The more powerful it is, the greater the recoil. A 12 gauge shotgun for sale is more powerful than a 20 gauge, which is more powerful than a 28 gauge shotgun.

The three most commonly available gauges in the United States are 12, 20, 28 and .410 gauge. Once common, 10 gauge and 16 gauge shotguns can still be found in specialty stores, but newly manufactured shotguns for sale in these gauges are extremely rare.

Gauge

Gauge is the number of lead balls in the diameter of the shotgun bore that equal 1 pound. In other words, 12 lead balls with the exact diameter of a 12 gauge shotgun bore (.73″) weigh 1 pound. The exception to this rule is the .410; technically it is a 68 gauge, although this name is never used.

The .410 shotguns are quite useful for very young, handicapped, or small shooters; but most adults have no problem handling a 20 gauge shotgun. The 20 gauge is significantly more powerful and has more uses than a .410 gauge. It is the better choice for survival purposes. It should, however, be considered that the skill of the shooter is an element that technical data can’t account for. For defense or survival 12 or 20 gauge shotguns for sale are the best choice.

Shell Length

Each gauge has required shell lengths. These numbers are defined as the length of the shell after it has been fired when the shell becomes longer.

Shotguns are stamped with the length of shells they can fire. For example, 12 gauge ammunition is referred to as “2 3/4 inch” or “3 inch”. A common name for a shotgun that can fire a 3 inch shell is Magnum, while shotguns capable of firing 3 1/2 inch shells are called Super Magnum. Shotguns may fire a shell that is shorter than what is specified on the barrel, but should never be loaded with longer than what is specified. Ensure the proper ammunition is purchased when shopping for shotguns for sale.

Types of Shotshells

There are three basic types of shotgun shells – birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. Birdshot shells are loaded with hundreds of tiny projectiles that vary in diameter. Buckshot shells fire between a few and a few dozen smaller projectiles of various diameters. Slug shells fire one large projectile called a slug. The amount and size of the shot depend on the gauge of the shotgun and the length of the shotshell. The choice of shotshell will depend upon the intended use.

Slugs

Shotguns are extremely versatile and have far greater range than many people realize. With some slugs, hunters take game like deer from hundreds of yards away with shotguns every year. Most people use shotguns for more typical activities such as bird hunting or home defense. The versatility of the shotgun is even greater if the model enables you to exchange barrels; a factor to consider when shopping for a shotgun for sale.

Shotgun Slugs are referred to by weight, typically in ounces. The heavier and faster the slug, the more damage it will do, and the more recoil that will occur. Rifled slugs are designed to be compressed through a shotgun choke tube. Slugs typically penetrate thick barriers such as car doors and windshields without being deflected or slowing as much as pistol bullets and some rifle bullets. They can enter one steel door, and exit the other.

The sabot slug consists of a lead or copper projectile which is held inside a plastic “sabot” that flies apart when it exits the barrel. This leaves the smaller projectile to travel towards the target with a higher velocity than a larger and heavier slug. This type of shotshell is generally intended for rifled shotgun barrels, and is surprisingly accurate at 200 or 300 yards. To give you an idea of the massive trauma that a slug can inflict, consider that a common 30-06 bullet weighs 150 grains yet the lightest common 12 gauge shotgun slug weighs approximately 383 grains. That is more than twice the weight of a powerful 30-06.

Buckshot

Buckshot, like slugs, are used for hunting as well as defensive purposes.
However, buckshot does not significantly spread at close range, despite the myth of not needing to aim a shotgun. Buckshot is referred to by number. As the number decreases, size increases. Buckshot sizes include 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 00, 000, and 0000. You can roughly compare buckshot to bullets, #4 buckshot is slightly larger than .22 ammo, while “0000 buck” is almost as big as .40 caliber ammo.

Birdshot

Birdshot is generally used for bird hunting and is referred to by numbers or letter. It gets bigger as the numbers get smaller. Birdshot is generally very small, with some of the most common shot of 7 and 8, being around .1″ in diameter.

While buckshot shells are described with the size and number of pellets, birdshot is measured in weight as it uses tiny pellets in each shell. For example, a “1 oz. #8 shotshell” contains 410 pellets that are .09″ in diameter. Birdshot is designed to humanely take down birds and other small game with minimal trauma, enabling the meat to be eaten. The largest birdshot sizes, F and FF, stop just short of #4 buckshot in size comparison, and are intended for larger birds such as turkey and goose.

Rifled and Smoothbore Barrels

In addition to chamber length, shotguns have either rifled or smoothbore barrels as well as various choke tubes. Rifled shotgun barrels are intended to shoot certain types of slugs, and will provide very poor patterns and accuracy even at very close range if birdshot or buckshot is used. However, with slugs, rifled barrels are extremely accurate. For other purposes, choose a smoothbore barrel when shopping for a shotgun for sale.

Choke Tubes

The purpose of a choke tube is to force the spread of shot to a smaller diameter as it travels through the air. Choke varies from cylinder bore, which is the same diameter as the barrel, to extra full, which provides a significant constriction of barrel diameter. Some of the more common choke sizes are improved cylinder and modified, which are useful for skeet and trap shooting as well as hunting small birds at medium range.

Shot that spreads too much becomes much less effective as range increases, using a choke tube decreases the width of the shot pattern providing more hits to the target. A wide pattern may not provide enough hits, and can cause unintended damage or injuries beyond the target.

If you intend to fire slugs, choose a shotgun for sale that has a fixed cylinder bore choke, or purchase a shotgun with a threaded barrel and install cylinder bore or skeet choke tubes.

Recoil

While the operating system of the firearm has an effect on recoil, the most common way to reduce recoil with the shotgun is to choose a type of shot or slug loaded with a lighter or slower projectile or number of projectiles. Low recoil ammunition will have less shot, and travel slower. Practice with your shotgun is the best way to gain experience and accuracy and improved handling.

GrabAGun’s shotgun inventory includes more than 1,800 models of shotguns for sale. With so many to choose from, we are sure to have a shotgun for your budget. We will locate the desired model and provide the GrabAGun price discount. That’s the GrabAGun advantage.

Shotguns for Sale: The Truth Behind the .410 Shotgun

January 17, 2014 | 0 Comments

The Reputation of the .410 Shotgun

The .410 shotgun is the smallest of the traditional shotguns for sale, but seldom receive the respect it deserves. Known best for the very low recoil, those who consider these shotguns generally think of them as guns suitable for beginning youths or “squirrel guns”. The .410 shotgun also has the reputation of being difficult to hit a moving target.

Neither of these is true. Having used a .410 for over 30 years leads me to believe that the shooter and not the gun is behind the claims of a .410 being difficult to hit moving game. The question of its ability to take down game is directly related to the distance constraint of the .410. The .410 bore is typically patterned for 25 yards. However, some .410s will indeed provide greater distance with a solid accuracy.

Accuracy and Reliability

The shot pattern of a .410 provides great patterns in its range. Being the smallest of shotguns does provides a longer shot string, and therefore the pellets retain less energy in the longer shots when compared to a 20 gauge shotgun for example. The .410 shotgun provides what it is manufactured to perform and often exceeds expectations.

Through the years and the use of two .410s, two things have become apparent. First, the .410 when used appropriately is a reliable and effective firearm that is fun to shoot and has never failed to put meat on the table. Second, 3 ½ inch shells provide significantly greater recoil but the gain in performance is minimal. Due to the increased recoil, recovery for follow up is difficult. Sticking to 3 inch shells will keep you in the game.

The .410 Chambering

The .410 bore shell has resulted in some unique applications. For example, a .410 bore shell will fit into a .45 Colt chamber. Shotguns for sale today have a minimum legal length, yet pistols are not defined as shotguns even though shotgun shells can be chambered in them. This is because a pistol has a rifled barrel, whereas a shotgun has a smooth barrel. Numerous brands of pistols are now available in both derringers and revolvers with extended cylinders.

In addition, shot slugs can increase the firepower in the .410. Brenneke provides the best performance and less deformation of the slug with a 35 yard shot (Magnum 3 inch) and a 50 yard shot (Close Encounter 2 ½ inch) available.

Shop For a .410 at GrabAGun

Overall, any .410 shotgun for sale provides a lot of fun as well as being a very reliable firearm to use. Being light weight and having low recoil allows the youth or the elderly who are intolerant to severe recoil the ability to join shooters and hunters alike. It is also great for a long session of shooting practice without the need for recovery between shots when used with 3 inch shot and has never failed this writer in bringing in geese, pheasant, squirrel, rabbit, and a wild boar down with a slug. The 410 shotgun is great for its intended uses and deserves greater respect than it generally receives.

Shop GrabAGun for quality guns for sale. You will find our extensive inventory includes shotguns, rifles, concealed carry pistols, AR-15s for sale, and AK-47s. We offer the additional service of providing any firearm available on the market even if we don’t carry it in our stock. Just let us know what you are looking for and we will locate it and provide the great GrabAGun price.