Thanks Salty. That was a helpful link.

I finally made it to a sportsman's store today and got to hold a Reminton 870 and a Stoeger Condor. (Both fresh out of the box and assembled before my eyes. Pretty cool.) The Stoeger was intriguing but just didn't seem quite my style. Just didn't feel like a very positive lock up when it closed, though I'm sure it is fine. I think a single barrel with a pump is more to my liking. I'm pretty sure the 870 is my next purchase. It felt good at my shoulder and the action was tight yet smooth. Granted, I don't have experience with many shotguns yet, but I figure what you feel is what you feel. Now to try to find the best deal!

I'm a little biased about Remington shotguns - I like em too.

Enjoy and good luck finding the right price.

Just an update guys. Thank for all your information. Between you guys and other forums (dedicated to shotguns) I have really read up on a lot of different shotguns. Was planning on getting a Benelli or Beretta semi-auto in the neighborhood of $700-900 to start with. What I really wanted was a nice Browning or Beretta O/U, but I really don't have $1200-2000 to spend.
Well, today I stumbled on a used Browning Citori O/U in really "almost perfect" shape.......and for only $600! I couldn't belive the price and i couldn't pass it up. Now I can't wait to shoot clays!

Originally Posted by RightTurnClyde

Ha! You beat me to it. Mind if I ask where you found one for only $200? Sounds like a great deal.

Also, I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good link that describes the different chokes. I don't know much about how they work. For example, what is the Modified Rem Choke on an 870? Does that mean it's set at one choke and you can't change it?

Sorry for the late reply ...

I was at a Court Days festival (Harvest Festival) not too far from me. There are tons of dealers all up and down the streets. All in all I found some great deals on stuff. One guy had some Federal XM193 5.56/223 rounds (20 per box) for about half what you see them for at stores. There more and more FFL dealers showing up at these festivals around here. It makes gun shopping really fun.

Like Salty said chokes are all about making shot patterns for whatever you might be trying to shot at. Full and extra full chokes choke down the inner diameter of the barrel to create a smaller pattern for like turkey hunting. Modified, improved cylinder are a little bigger. You will see the inner dia. on most chokes you buy. Also make sure to look to see if a given choke can be used for steel shot if you intend to use steel shot. Three are even chokes that have a twist for slugs.

Sor