Anybody know anything about SHOTGUNS?

[cheapthrillz]

You guys did a great job of helping my first handgun (I ended up getting a Glock 19C) and now I think I want to invest in a shotgun for the house.



I think i definitely want a 12 ga but I need it to function and shoot well. I would like to be able to shoot clays every now and then, but care nothing about hunting. But the main purpose of the gun would be for home protection.

I think I will get this gun used since the performance difference for a new shotgun is just about the same as a slightly used one. I would also like to find one for $300 or less.

Anybody want to comment on brand, barrel length, sights, finish, stocks, capacity? These are the things that I am unsure about.... maybe you guys could help me out. Please try to back up your opinions.

I don't want to hear "Get a Remington 870 because everybody likes it".... it should read "Get a ________ because it _________"

Thanks guys (and gals)!

[cheapthrillz]

Also, what should I look for if I go into a pawn shop or look at some used guns? Specifically, Good/bad wear and tear signs....functional ability... etc.

[Samckitt]

OK I won't say get a Remington 870 because everyone likes it, but I will say I have a Remington 11-87 & I love it. I can shoot cheap field loads right after a 3" magnum slug & mix & match all day long & it will kick them all out. I have used it for sporting clay shooting, running 100 shells through it in a couple hour period & not have any jam. I have used it for Skeet, trap, rabbit hunting, squirrel, deer, duck, goose. You name it. And never, not once has it jammed on me. I have never had any trouble with it. Now finding one for $300 may be tough. I have had mine for about 18 years, I got it when I was working at Wal-Mart & back then, new I got it for $319.

[Blown353]

For home defense... hmmmm.

A pump action is typically 100% reliable unless the operator forgets to cycle it or short-strokes it in a panic/stress situation. And we have the old argument of "the noise of someone working a pump action shotgun will scare off the intruder 3/4 of the time."

Automatics work well too... however, automatics can sometimes be finicky depending on the load used. Some are more picky than others. Example: some autos cycle 3" high base hunting loads just fine but might not cycle 2-3/4" low base reliably... or not at all. So if you buy an auto be sure to put plenty of your home-defense loads through it and also make sure you can manually clear a misfeed or a botched-ejection without having a second thought.

Wanting reliability and stopping power of the weapon above all else for a life or death home defense situation, I would buy a good pump and spend plenty of time practicing with it (clays, etc.) so when the time comes you don't malfunction and short-cycle it.

FYI, new Mossbergs are rather inexpensive, they're extremely reliable, and you can often buy them in combo-packs with a longer barrel for hunting/target use and also with a shorter 18" barrel that's better suited for swinging around in close quarters like a house. A full length 26-32" barrel and full stock can become very unwieldly and bulky in a house. Also, long mag tubes are a plus here. You can never have a weapon that holds too many rounds when your life is on the line (unless you can't hold it up... LOL)

Whatever you buy, before declaring it fit for "homeland security" use I would spend a lot of time with it to determine and test the reliability of both the weapon using your desired ammo and yourself.

[Young Gun]

you mention sights?

its a shotgun for self defense...you point and shoot, buckshot is gonna have a plenty nice spread that will do plenty of damage... I am gonna have to say that I love my 11-87 Sportsman, i have the 26 in barrel and its an auto...great gun...great for hunting and you feel plenty safe behind it...after a couple rounds of shooting clay I never had a jam...great gun...easy maintenance too...its around 600 though so its out of your price range...I would save up a bit for it though

[Restomod]

I bought a Remington 1100 20" used ,bought a +3 shot extension and the speed loader floorplate and combat bolt handle. Next I am getting the full stock with pistol grip and fore end. I guess I will have less than $450 in it....thats a lot better than a new Benelli M4 $$$$$$$.

[XLexusTech]

870 just do it everone like it for a reason :-)

[1969CamaroRS]

Mossberg 590A1 with Ghost-ring sights, speed feed stock, surefire weapon light. 9 Rounds in the shotgun and 4 more in the stock, hard to beat:

[Blown353]

Mossberg 590A1 with Ghost-ring sights, speed feed stock, surefire weapon light. 9 Rounds in the shotgun and 4 more in the stock, hard to beat:

You sir have what I would consider the just about ideal home defense setup... original poster, take note.

I would prefer a pistol grip stock for a bit more control and "pointability" for non-shouldered shooting positions but a standard stock is just fine too.

[cheapthrillz]

Thanks for all the posts so far guys! Keep them coming....

So far:
Remington 870, 1100, and 11-87
Mossberg

I like the idea of having a pump shotgun, partly because they are cheaper than the semi's... also for the reliability.

[seekins]

Go to a store where you can handle a few of them. Some just fit better than others and everyone is different. 870's feel like crap to me, but the benelli fits great, even the cheaper one.

After tonight's election, buy one now.....

[bigvegan]

What they said about the 590A1.

If it's good enough for the U.S. Navy, it's good enough for you.

[JustinB]

If you are really green with firearms you should take some lessons from an instructor and get really comfortable with your glock. In a home defense situation I am grabbing my S&W .38 revolver. For info on shotguns check out shotgunworld.com. For clays I really like my Beretta 391 12g/28" barrel. The remington 1100 is also a good starter gun for clays. Both are auto loaders(semi-autos). If you dont mind recoil and want to drop some cash, Browing makes some killer over/unders. Just make sure you get something with removable chokes.

[Jim Nilsen]

If you are really green with firearms you should take some lessons from an instructor and get really comfortable with your glock. In a home defense situation I am grabbing my S&W .38 revolver. For info on shotguns check out shotgunworld.com. For clays I really like my Beretta 391 12g/28" barrel. The remington 1100 is also a good starter gun for clays. Both are auto loaders(semi-autos). If you dont mind recoil and want to drop some cash, Browing makes some killer over/unders. Just make sure you get something with removable chokes.

The S&W .38 is the only pistol I was ever able to just pick up and shoot and hit what ever I pointed it at. I could even hit the target by shooting from the hip. They are just firearm I would have for home defense myself. It's all in the feel and being an extension of your arm just like pointing your finger. Concealed carry passed in my county by 70%. So the demand is going to go up.

[harshman]

870 because it works and quail taste real gud.
Taraus PT24/7 Pro .45 because I like to make smiley faces at 10 yards out.

[69LT1Nova]

Just like several other people, I own a Remington 870. Love it. You can beat the thing to death and it'll perform day in, day out. Plus, it's CHEAP! Benelli = $$. You won't worry about scratching up an 870.

Mossberg is another good cheap model. I've shot both the 870 and Mossberg back to back, and I prefer the 870.

[bwhinnen]

I loved my Remington 1100 when I could still own it here (no semi-auto or pump actions allowed in my state without a disability permit). Great balance and very easily pointable shotgun (which is what you want) don't worry about sights, the bead is enough as you want to point a shotgun not aim it. I had no troubles with pretty much every load I put through it.

[bobbaganoosh]

I have an 870 super magnum, never had a problem with it from any ammo. I've shot form 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 all different shot sizes with no issues. I've used it for hunting, gone to the range for target & sporting clays, and just flat out blasted sh*t for fun. For the price they can't be beat.

[amx2334]

I haven't purchased a shotgun in 20+ yrs. but here is what I remember.I would recommend a used mossberg over a new one. The action is already broken in and much smoother. The new ones felt a little sticky.
My personal favorite for hunting was the 870 wingmaster. It just felt right. I didn't care for the express at all though.

[novanutcase]

All the shotguns mentioned are very nice but for my money the Benelli Super 90 is the one!

It's made buy one of the most respected gunmakers in the world(Heckler & Koch) and it retains its resale value better than most any other shotgun out there!

I have the one below for sale. It's a semi-auto and shoots as fast as your finger can pull the trigger. VERY low hours on it and cleaned meticulously. Includes case. Do your research first then PM me!



John