I should add that he bought a Max-4 stock and the gun could pass as being only a year old to the untrained eye.
My dad gave me his duck gun, in basically new condition. ( He still had the receipt). Winchester 1500XTR 12 gauge. Nice and shiny wood and metal. Took it to a smith and had the full choke bored out for threaded chokes, presto, brand new gun. Which only had maybe 2 boxes through it.
Nice when you can find some of those gems out there.
I find older guns are better made in general, no matter what the brand is. Kind of like houses.
You do not go to one of their auctions looking for a deal. I was looking for a rifle a few years back and the 222, 22-250, 243s were stupid expensive. Left the auction, drove to T&B and walked out with a Savage 111 for less than the used were going for at the auction. Guys get caught up in the auction and just keep putting their hand up. If you go the auction route, set a budget and be prepared to go home empty handed.
I would buy a good quality pump with removable chokes. Best that you can afford. Practice, practice and practice with a quality rifled slug. Don't believe all the hype that you need scopes and rifled barrels to shoot deer.
Ok, probably dating myself here, but when I started going to the Paris gun auction, it was around 1996 or 1997.
You could find decent shotguns for under $200, and if you were sharp enough you could get .22s for under $50.
True story, 1997 Spring Auction, bought a Win model 58 12 Gauge semi. With engraved receiver, and the "Win Light" barrel for $150. Also bought a Cooey bolt action repeater with tube mag for $10.
That Fall I bought a Win 94 in 30-30 with nice tiger maple wood on it for $200.
Darn......now I wish I had most of those back....LOL.
Watch gunnutz,you'd be surprised at what comes up. I once wasted a Saturday at a Landsborough Auction, never again! I've been to Switzer's and seen some equally stupid prices paid by people who don't do their homework to find out what a gun is worth. Usually, you have to wait until later in the auction when these people have blown all of their money and then find the deals, but even that doesn't always work. It's like watching Storage Wars - sometimes people get burned, sometimes they get a deal and sometimes they walkaway with nothing.
I have a 1980's Wingmaster that I bought for $100.00 and love it. I have hunted with guys using a BPS and I really don't think they are any better than the old Wingmasters. I am also not a fan of the bottom eject system on the BPS.
Roe+
Buy a nice pump like an sxp and h&r slug hunter. Maybe 600 bucks. If a semi is too rich. I paid 580 for my 930 with two barrels. Good for deer and turkey. Still prefer a nice semi for waterfolw. Sx3 is my choice.
I'mnot sure where you found a price of 600.00 for a Mossberg Pump. Cabelas sells a combo package 535 with 3 chokes and deer barrel for 369.00. I purchased mine last winter deleivered tax cost me approx 420.00
New gun – benelli supernova or browning bps
Used – same as above but also include as others have said older 870s, wingmaster, Ithaca esp. if you can find one that shoots 3” shells and has chokes.
IMO 3.5” shells from a pump are no fun and not worth the $ or the bruises - practice shooting, buy a HQ 3” duck/goose/turkey loads = same results as 3.5” shells
Stoeger 3000