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8MM Mauser

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I am looking for a good home defense shotgun. I'm sure the topic has been covered to death around here but I can't seem to make the search function work and I do have a second question as well.
My budget is very low, like around or preferably under $200. The guns I've looked at so far are a Maverick 88 pump gun and the H&R Pardner Pump Protector Pump-Action Shotgun. Both in 12 gauge and both with the 18.5 inch barrel. The advice I would like here is on which one, in your opinion would be a better choice, I have some consternation about a non-European foreign gun, but it's just what's in my budget.
Secondly, I live is an older house with plaster walls, should I be more, or less, concerned about over-penetration? I know it's a freakin' five minute chore to drill into the wall, and sometimes when you do chunks fall out, but I don't know what that would mean from a ballistic standpoint.
Also, as I've never owned a shotgun before, any other advice is appreciated.
Thanks! :)
 
Best advice I can give is to handle both and see which one feels best to you personally. Both are very functional, inexpensive shotguns. Between the two I prefer the Pardner Pump, I have a couple of them and they seem to be perfectly utilitarian shotguns. In about 30 years I can tell you if they are as good as a Remington 870, the design they closely copy. :D

Is there anyone else in the home with you? Close neighbors? I've seen the effects of various shot charges on drywall but never on old fashioned plaster over lath, I'd figure the plaster would be more solid than drywall. Hit what you shoot at and misses/overpenetration isn't likely to be a problem with anything except hard slugs like the Brenneke. Given that most defensive shotguns are more properly used from a preselected barricaded position, you can arrange heavy furniture, loaded bookshelves etc. in advance as a backstop for the 'fatal funnel' you're creating.

With a shotgun at across-the-room distance, you still have to shoot reasonably well to get hits. Shot charges don't open up much at close range, the old saw that 'you can't miss with a shotgun' is just flat wrong (like several other shotgun myths). Take a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw and consider investing in the DVD, IMHO it's a good basic introduction to using a shotgun for defense. Nothing beats hands on instruction from a world class trainer, but that can come later. Learn to shoot whatever shotgun you get safely first, how to run the gun efficiently, then learn how to fight with it.
 
I'd go with the Mossberg. The Chinese stuff may or may not have a company to back it up on warranty or repair stuff, but Mossberg isn't going anywhere.
 
I would go American Made gun too, like DaveMcC suggests for the same reason...

I will suggest you try the Mossberg 500 as well. It is a tick more money, but I am a proponent of the top of tang safety location over a cross bolt safety in trigger guard.

But either the mossberg or Moss/Mav should do what you need right after you take it from the box, read manual, perform initial thorough field strip and clean according to manual and for an awesome VISUAL AID for this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKbWcPdTRBI

Brent
 
I was leaning more towards the maverick too. That's probably how I will end up going.
Hogdogs: I was thinking about that actually, at least trying it out. I think I even saw a mossy on sale for like $250 ish which isn't really too far outside of my budget. I am selling a rifle to finance the new gun, so how much it auctions for is going to determine my budget a bit too. I do however work for a sporting goods company who usually gives us a gift certificate at christmas, could be worth the wait to wait for that and add it to my budget! Also; thanks for the video! This shotgun is actually going to be my first NIB gun ever so I'm pretty excited! Can't wait to tear it apart ;) and get it ready to shoot!
Thanks for all the info everyone! It's much appreciated!
 
What about a used or PD trade in 870? I have seen some nice ones selling for not much more than your budget. But if it was absolutely between those two I would go with the mossberg variety. I still shoot a mossberg 500 youth 20ga that my dad bought me when I was 12 years old. Solid firearms IMO.
 
I'd go with the Protector, or one you didn't mention, the Hawk 982. It's in the $200 - $230 range. It has very respectable ghost ring sights.

One thing I don't like about the Mossberg Maverick and 500 is the way the mag tube spring is held captive. I replaced the spring in my 982 with a Wolff XP. It's as simple as removing the mag tube cap. With the Mossbergs you have to remove the tube from the receiver, which looks to be a pita.

One thing the Mossberg has on the Protector, as with the 870 (in my opinion), is that the feeding ramp is recessed when the action is closed. I feel that this is superior.

Chinese made aside, those in the know are aware that H&R will back the guns they sell, even those not made in the USA. Since they offer such a diverse and popular line I'd imagine they'll be around for awhile.

Tim S.
 
Where would I find a police trade in weapon? I find that prospect very interesting, and I've got at least a couple weeks before my rifle sells, so I will look into that! Thanks!
I'll look into the hawk too, best to know all the options!
 
Well here where I am from in Greensboro NC there are some police distrubutor type stores. Now and then they buy back weapons from PD's that they replace. Usually they sell the weapons at greatly reduced prices.
 
Either one would more than suffice so I would grab the best deal and spend the saved money on ammo or accessories.

-Cheers
 
I can't speak to the H&R but I had a Maverick that I just abused the snot out of. Had it set up with a PGO, it was my mall ninja range toy. Thousands of rounds thru it without a single issue that I can remember.
 
mossberg is the king of bottom dollar shotguns. short barrel, choke of preference, and practice practice practice.

penetration is ALWAYS an issue. you should always consider the possibility that your shots are going to destroy anything in their path. theres nothing you can do about it, short of using cartridges or shotgun loads that wont be effective against an assailant. If the projectile can penetrate a foot into a body, its going to go through a wall and hurt someone on the other side.
 
Thanks for addressing the penetration issue. Right now the only firearm in my house is an 8MM Mauser rifle set up for hunting. So anything would be better than that! I'de almost be afraid to pull the trigger unless aiming downwards. Since those particular rounds are going right through the perp...
If somehow the intruder in question ended up between me and my bedroom (where my wife and daughter would be in such a scenario) I would not, could not take the risk.
It means I go into it with a substantial disadvantage.
My wife is convinced I just want a new toy, but protecting my family IS what is foremost on my mind here.
 
I think I've decided on a new maverick, or possibly a used mossy if I can find one.
Of course the bidding on my old rifle is going to have to pick up a bit first... :/
 
Update:
I ended up purchasing a nearly new Mossberg 500 for $250 at my local gun show! It's the 18.5 inch bbl. It says it's a 500A. I was suspicious when the guy said it was never fired at the gunshow, however, it did still have the dowel in the tube, and why on earth would someone leave that in there if they were shooting it?
It's also in amazing condition, I took it apart and can't find anything that looks suspect. Visually it looks identical to the new ones being sold at the show. On the next table over a guy had one of the Maverick 88's listed for $240. It is crazy that such a great deal of a gun lasted until the afternoon!
I'm going to see how it patterns buckshot next weekend. :D
Thanks again for all the help and guidance everybody.
 
it did still have the dowel in the tube, and why on earth would someone leave that in there if they were shooting it?​
To keep it hunting legal.
 
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