choice of shotgun for home defense

wolfflatwin · Post by **wolfflatwin** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:54 am

I am curious about what shotguns are used for home defense/security. I have looked at and fired the Rem 870, 1100 and Mossberg 590A. What are your choices, experiences, recommendations?

Post by **Bullseye** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 12:01 pm

I'm a fan of the M-590 but I am not a shotgun person.

R,
Bullseye

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 12:34 pm

My personal preference in shotguins is either and O/U or aa SxS, I know they will always work tweice at least. For home defense on of thoise Stoefer coach guns, SAxS witha 20 inch barrel would be ideal.

Tbag · Post by **Tbag** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 8:16 am

Can't really go wrong with a Mossberg or the Remington 870, both can be had at reasonable prices and be modifications are readily available to make all sorts of different configuations.

madcratebuilder · Post by **madcratebuilder** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:05 am

The Mossberg or the Remington 870 are the most common. Check out shotgunworld.com's tactical section for tons of HD shotgun info. Here's a 870 loaded, it's a bit on the heavy side, I may go back to a more basic setup. The side saddles with ammo add a lot of weight.

Blindpig · Post by **Blindpig** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:19 am

Don't want to hi-jack the thread here, but Madcratebuilder, is that a Yankee Hill Machine flip-up front sight on your AR? Ive got one of those on my S&W MP15A SBR and I really like it. I'll bet that's a YHM 2-piece railed handguard, also, right?
By the way, welcome to the forum.
(Like your 870, too.)

toyfj40 · Post by **toyfj40** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:00 pm

Mossberg "500" Persuader 12ga pump, with the pistol grip.

when you pump a shell into the chamber,
it makes a distinctive "sound" that usually causes
a feces-deposit to be left at your back door...

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:34 pm

toyfj40 wrote:Mossberg "500" Persuader 12ga pump, with the pistol grip.

when you pump a shell into the chamber,
it makes a distinctive "sound" that usually causes
a feces-deposit to be left at your back door...

You may be correct on that one, but that noise also lets him know where you are, do you know where he is???? That is why I like a cocked and locked 1911 or the12 gage SxS same in SxS

madcratebuilder · Post by **madcratebuilder** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:31 am

Blindpig wrote:Don't want to hi-jack the thread here, but Madcratebuilder, is that a Yankee Hill Machine flip-up front sight on your AR? Ive got one of those on my S&W MP15A SBR and I really like it. I'll bet that's a YHM 2-piece railed handguard, also, right?
By the way, welcome to the forum.
(Like your 870, too.)

Thanks blindpig. Yes, it's a YHM flip up front sight/gas block. The handrail is the Surefire two piece. I just ran across a new/used Surefire foregrip for my 870 that was super cheap, so I get to strip the 870 again.

ekaphoto · Post by **ekaphoto** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:46 pm

I have owned or used the mossberg, Remington and Winchester 1300. Any is a good choice, just pick one that fits you. I use the Mossberg 590 because I am left handed and like the safety.

Dwight45 · Post by **Dwight45** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:12 pm

I too, have been in the market for a shotgun for home defense. A friend who's a real shotgun expert advised me to buy a Remington 870 in 20 gauge. A 20 will put down an uninvited guest just as effectively as a 12, without all the kick and noise. Too loud a firearm in the house can temporarily deafen you, and you need to hear the badguy. And he suggests a 26" barrell, even though a shorter barrell is best for home defense. He argues that with the longer barrell I'll be able to better shoot skeet and sporting clays, to get practice with the weapon and to have fun with it, which I want to do, and it should double just fine for defense.

A shotgun kept in the house strictly for home defense ideally has an 18 or 20" barrell. It's easier to maneuver through doorways and around corners. And there isn't as much barrell handy for the bad guy to grab onto. Ah, trade-offs, life is all about trade-offs.

Dwight45 · Post by **Dwight45** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:15 pm

Oh I forgot to mention, my friend also told me that shooting a shotgun with a pistol grip instead of a shoulder stock is hard on your hand.

lucam · Post by **lucam** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:26 pm

Well, my thoughts are....

A "black rifle" or "black shotgun" isn't going to look too good to a Jury if I ever have to defend myself for defending myself.

So I opt for a "sporting" 20 gauge Remington 870 walnut stock with a 20" deer barrel. Light, small, short, looks not so evil. Plus I've got a bird barrel for hunting around here.

Dwight45 · Post by **Dwight45** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:04 am

Way to go!

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:00 am

Dwight45 wrote:Way to go!

My preference is still a 1911, shotguns are for shooting clay targets flying through the air.