New to Guns Question (Rem 870)

I'm new to guns and I don't know a lot about them, but I'm looking to buy a new 12 guage shotgun. I'm looking at the Remington 870 12 guage Express. I have only shot skeet with an older model 870 but I felt comfortable with it and shot about 85%. I liked this gun, or is there a better gun for me? I found a new Remington 870 12 guage 28in barrel on the internet for $266.

Is this a good deal?

Also I not sure whether to buy synthetic stock or the wood stock?

What size barrel 26 or 28?

This gun shoots both 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells. There is a magnum version that will let me use 3 1/2 shells also.

I'm going to be hunting birds mostly and probably deer, but for now I'm going to be shooting skeet.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

THANKS,

870 Express is a perfectly good shotgun; I've got one. If price is important and you don't mind a second-hand shotgun, check out gunbroker.com and auctionarms.com - do searches for and 870, and you'll likely find many in excellent shape for the mid-$100 range (you'll have to pay for shipping and FFL fee, which shouldn't be too

The 870 Express is a great gun. Many people never 'move up'.

$266 for a used one is WAY too much. Many *new* 870's don't sell for that much (I think Wal-Mart sells them for $210). Heck, for under $300, you can get a new Benelli Nova.

If that is the Express Magnum with the 3.5' chamber, that is not that bad a deal. I bought the wood stock version locally for $279, and that was about the best price I have seen. Of course, I didn't have to pay shipping or a FFL fee, just the background check fee. If he is willing to go with a 3' chamber and a synthetic stock, as you say, he can beat that price at Wal-Mart or KMart.

870 all the way. My first gun was an 870 express 12ga. still have and treasure it. Highly recommend getting a Combination package, with both barrels. Can get a combo for close to what you found that 'bird' gun for. p.s. the shorter slug barrel makes for a good home protection gun when loaded with a 'light powder load' target load. will get intruders, without too much overpenetration. just a thought.