Thats exactly what I started with. It was great until I decided to take up turkey hunting. 3 inch magnums out of a single shot is not a pleasant experience to me. Great way to develop a flinch. That said, I did shoot my first 3 turkeys with that gun, then I picked up an 870 Express, 21 inch barrel with a turkey choke. That has been a great gun.

I am home from Basic but only for the holidays.
And Fleet Farm seems like a good place to buy a shotgun, the only thing is is that it's in store purchases only and the closest store is several hours away.

Sounds like its time for a road trip. Find a pretty girl to take with you - make the trip more enjoyable.

Would they allow me to purchase one if I lived in a different state? Because the closest one is in Wisconsin and I know here there are places that only sells guns to residents over 18.
Also I don't have a pretty girl any more(as of last week )

Isn't there anyone local that can order something for you? The gas to anyplace very far away will add a considerable amount to the price.

Well that's what I'll see when Christmas is over and they are open.

I also want to ask, what are your thoughts on Stoeger guns? I'm just curious how good of quality they are.

If it fits you like said find a old full choked 870 would be my choice.

Do an internet search for a good Winchester model 1300 XTR in 20 gauge. You get all the screw in chokes, Great looking Black Walnut stock. Gun is heavy, and built to last !!

Mossberg 500 x however many times it's been said. Generally, you avoid Remington quality issues and it's great value for the money... especially in the US where sales price can be very low.
Parts are easy to find, accessories too.

Maverick 88 by Mossberg. Order from a local gun store if they do not have in stock. Should be able to find for under $225.00. Can purchase additional chokes to extend range for turkeys.

Chris

if your headed back in a few days to the army save a little more

try some guns , I think it is worth a little more to get the shorter barrel in a quality pump

one of my favorite guns right now is my 870 police that I sent the barrel out to Carlson's to be threaded for rem chokes. 20 inch barrel and I hunt mostly with an extended full choke , I have a turkey choke and rifled slug choke for it also.

my go to gun before the 870 build was my M500 that I put a Morgan pad on getting the length of pull perfect for me

the Stogers are decent they are a Turkish copy of the Benelli

the Novas are nice Beneli makes a good product

I just prefer the American guns Rem and Mossberg , Remington is just getting back to production now. will they be the same as they were ? time will tell.

if you are right handed and right eye dominant , the 870 youth with the wood laminate stock is very easy to carry and add enough to the stock to fit larger than kids

unfortunately at the gun show I was at in early Dec everyone thinks their Remington is worth gold not kidding add $200 to the 2019 price of a new 870 they apparently are starting to make them again and get them in place.

don't be in too much of a rush , the difference between the low dollar gun and a step up is only a 100-150 dollars you can easily spend that trying to make the less expensive gun what you want.

there is also a company Blue Line importing what appears to be the almost 870 clone pardner pump now that H&R is bankrupt with Remington this is a Chinese copy

especially if your thinking turkey hunting you may want a low power optic so drilled and tapped from the factory will save you money having it drilled and tapped later.

the shorter barrels carry so nice but you reallly don't give up hardly any muzzle velocity or sight picture

so if this is for you , and you won't be able to use it for months any way , save up buy once cry once

the most important thing in a shotgun is that it fits you , your eye is the rear sight , it needs to come to the right place each time when you get your cheek weld

About 8 or 9 years ago I bought a Baikal 20 gauge side by side. I bought it for the kids after they each got their firearms licence. Price was reasonable and to date it has been a solid shotgun. I just had to buy an extra full choke for it.

Hope it helps.

Pvt. Davis. Don't know where you r in Michigan but you can go to any farm and fleet store buy The gun and walk out in 15/20 minutes fill out the 4473 form a quick phone call, that's it, assuming you are 18 yrs. or older. Don't know your local laws but I think that's federal.

If not go south to Ft. Wayne, South Bend, or Michigan City, get it there. A lot closer than Wisconsin. If you are just out of basic, and not over 25 or older, recoil of any kind will not be a problem. The adrenaline rush from shooting a wild turkey will completely erase that from your mind..

After you shot every kind of game under the sun and get more experience then buy the gun you want. As has been said, thousands maybe millions of Americans have started their hunting lives that way. You can to.

Thank you for your service, and if I ever have to say it, and I hope I don't, welcome home.
Case

I have a Mossberg 525 I bought for my boys because it had a adjustable AR style stock on it. Nice gun and I could adjust the stock to each one as they grew. Around $300 6-7 years ago not sure what they cost now. I enjoy shooting it and have shot a couple gobblers with it myself

I'll look into it, because I'm going to drive by my future unit base this upcoming week and am planning to stop by a few places that sells guns to see what they have.

Where is your permanent party posting?

I live in Mid Michigan and I'm going to be stationed in Traverse City after Basic and AIT

Great, you will enjoy being so close to home. Don't let those DI's get under your skin, your almost their, few more weeks you will be PFC. Davis. Early congrats to you.
Case

You have heard correctly.

Headed into my 43rd spring turkey season. I have used 10's and 12's ...................pumps, doubles and semi's............ You name it. For the last 5 years and for the foreseeable (ever) future I'm absolutely sold on this ugly, little, tricked-out NEF Pardner 20.