Rich Simpson

If the recent down turn in the economy and fast approaching holiday seasons have you second-guessing your need for a new duck/goose gun, you might want to consider Plan B.

Plan B - the Budget Plan - involves nothing more than shifting our mind-set from a "what I really would love to get" to a "what would actually work" mode. In this case, you might find that you can have your drake and eat it too.

What follows is an abbreviated wish list and description of a number of robust shotguns fully capable of taking a gaggle of ganders or a mess of mallards, without costing you a pocketful of greenbacks.

All the firearms mentioned today retail locally at prices that run the gamut - from a low of $120 to a high of nearly $600. Though none of these weapons would ever be confused with a high-end Benelli or Beretta in terms of finish or balance, they are all solid performers and represent lots of bang for the buck ... or should I say duck?

Topping our list are several offerings from America's oldest gun maker, Remington Arms. Thrifty waterfowlers would be wise to check out their ever-expanding line of 870 Express shotguns. Though lacking some of the refinements of their upper end 870 Wingmaster line, Express models boast the same abuse-resistant solid steel receiver and dual action bars for slick shucking of spent rounds.

Depending on your individual tastes or requirements, you can pick up an 870 Express stocked in either conventional walnut-stained hardwood (birch), a handsome and durable hardwood laminate, or my personal favorite - a weatherproof black synthetic. The 2 3/4- 3-inch chambered models retail around $277, while the 3½-inch magnum version ups the ante to $310. All 870 Express models sport ventilated ribbed barrels outfitted with the versatile Rem-choke tubes.

My very first shotgun was an 870 Wingmaster and I've never been without at least one in my gun safe ever since. They're that good.

If you're a fan of quick-shooting semi-autos, have a look-see at their synthetic stocked camo-finished 11-87 Sportsman model. Retailing at the Big Box stores for around $570, this gas-operated repeater softens the recoil of the 2 3/4- and 3-inch magnum waterfowl loads that you'll thumb into its magazine - and it spits them out as fast as you can finger its trigger.

Not to be overlooked are the offerings of another well-established New England gun maker, O.F. Mossberg. Their entry level Model 500 pump guns also feature hardwood or synthetic stocks, lighter-weight alloy receivers with dual-pump action bars, and 2 3/4- and 3-inch vent ribbed barrels with removable Accu-chokes. I really appreciate the well-placed, thumb-activated safety button sitting within easy reach of gloved hands on the rear of the gun's receiver. These rugged beauties could find a home in your duck blind for as little as $209.

Serious marsh monkeys will want to throw one of Mossberg's 3 1/2-inch chambered Model 835 Ulti-Mag Waterfowler series pump guns to their shoulder. Their overbored, ported barrels are designed to throw tight goose-getting patterns at extended ranges. Available in hardwood, black or camo synthetic, these capable shotguns sell for around $245.

Really strapped for cash so close to the holidays? If so, you might want to consider Mossberg's Maverick Model 88 pump gun. This Spartan workhorse has most of the bells and whistles of the Model 500 series, but with a less-handy cross-bolt safety button mounted on the front of the gun's trigger guard. Selling for about $170, this synthetic-stocked wonder just begs to be spray-painted autumn colors or wrapped in camo tape and escorted into the goose pits or ice-covered duck blinds.

This column would be incomplete if I failed to mention a most-worthy import line of scatterguns by Stoeger Industries. Stoeger is a subsidiary company of Benelli and sells its quality Turkish-made clones at a fraction of the cost the conglomerate's flagship Italian models. Their basic black Model 2000 semi auto features the ultra-reliable Inertia Driven firing mechanism, which unlike the conventional gas-operated systems of its competition can digest the lightest 2 3/4-inch field load or heaviest-thumping 3-inch magnum casing without adjustment ... wonderful field-proven feature for a gun that retails at about $350. The waterfowl specific camo version will cost you a few schillings more.

Prefer a pump gun? Have a gander at Stoeger's Model P-350. Available in basic black or dressed up in a marshland camo finish, this worthy self-shucker can be purchased for less than $320.

I hope you'll pick up one of these quality shotguns for someone special on your Christmas list, or maybe even for yourself. You may have been naughty, but these shotguns are nice.

Good hunting!

Rich Simpson may be reached at rsimpson29@hotmail.com.