How cheaply can a home defense pump be had for?

Pretty good article in my current issue of Guns magazine on how a regular hunting scattergun can pull double duty as a HD weapon. Always an option - You don't HAVE to have a short barrel, folding stocked, tac lighted, ergo... etc. etc. etc.

Also, Gart Sports has brand new 870s (long barrel Wingmaster in 12 or 20 ga IIRC) on sale for $229! If I had't just bought an 11-87........ :cool:
 
The price was out of Modern Gun Values 12th Ed. published 2003. So a bit out of date, but it shouldn't be too much more now. Also a gun is worth what you are willing to pay, if too much for you don't buy it, move onto the next one. I'll dig out the newest values and let you know if it has changed.
 
It's good to have friends who hunt or shoot. Ben Franklin has bought me 3 guns so far: Mossberg 500 (with smoothbore & rifled barrels), Remington 870 and a S&W .357 revolver. 3 guns for $300! That's still less than what I paid for my S&W .38 snubbie! Even a reliable friend of a friend might even have something for sale. As long as they can be trusted and you fill out the right paperwork, you could get a good deal.

Gun dealers always seem to ask me "Is it for target shooting, hunting or home defense?" No matter what my answer is, their response invariably is "Then you don't want to rely on a used gun." You absolutely do not need a new shotgun for home defense. But you need to inspect & clean it first. If you're not qualified, take it to a gunsmith. It's worth the investment. I never rely on a used gun until it's been inspected and cleaned and I never rely on a new gun until it's had MANY rounds put through it. My 870 is new to me and while she's a 1950's model with surface wear, she functions smoothly, shoots straight and hasn't misfired, failed to eject or failed to load. This was after running 150 skeet rounds through it plus about 35 rounds of buckshot.

You could stop here if you want and you'll have yourself a reliable HD shotgun for about a hundred dollars. Remember, you're defending your home against intrusion and not playing a videogame. Five rounds in the mag should suffice. I plan on pimping mine out by chopping the barrel, refinishing it, adding COPstock folder, mag extension, sights and a light. I don't need to do it, but this is my latest gunsmithing project and it keeps me out of trouble - sort of... not really...

-G
 
Updated 2005 values for Mossberg bullpups. Out of The Gun Trader's Guide 27th Ed. published 2005.

Model 500 $383

Model 590 $451
 
That Mossberg Bullpup is crap. The trigger, as mentioned, is awful, the action release button is way back in the "stock" inside a little opening, very hard to access comfortably....It's just ungainly....I don't like it and am taking the "Bullpup" kit off the Maverick shotgun action inside and adding a pistol grip to the shotgun and hopefully a forend that fits.
 
If you're willing to buy used, look around, watch the classified ads, & be patient but ready to pounce. There are good deals to be found. About 10 yrs ago I saw an ad, a guy was selling a Ruger 10/22 & a shotgun. When I called, the Ruger was sold but he still had the shotgun. What was it? A (Mossberg)Maverick model 88 with a 20" cyl bore barrel & "full length" magazine, shell capacity 7 + 1. It had the factory synthetic stock(w/recoil pad) & forend, the silver "Marine-Kote" finish, & looked new. Even had the box, instruction sheet & cable lock with it. It also had a *lot* of ammunition that went along with it. Mostly Remington 00 buck, about evenly spread between 2 3/4" & 3" magnums, plus a full box(25) of Remington Express high-brass BB shot- now, there's a good "apartment defense" load! When I added up the price tags on all the ammo later, it was about $50 total before tax. I got the whole package for $125. :D It shoulders quick & well, points where I look, feeds & cycles without a bobble, & the safety is on the trigger guard where I like it. I'm sure a good Remington 870 is a better shotgun, but I have no doubts that if it's ever needed, the silver Maverick will serve just fine. And from the muzzle end, I bet that silver finish is a real attention getter! :eek:
 
You might find an old Mossberg made JC higgans 12 ga pump from the 50/60's and cut the barrel down to 18.5" ( NO LESS) . I see them around for under $100 all the time.
 
(+) or (-) a few bucks either side of 200.00 Mossberg 500 plain jane pump,

another in this price range is Charles Daly pump low grade line... yet very workable and the Walmart Daly I bought last year was a 20 gauge pump with a camo finish..... note both above mentioned are long 26-28" barrels. Wouldn't take much to modify one down to 18.5"..... just my thought....(the Daly is an import from Turkey...... made of aluminum and composite. It is only about 5 pounds and works real good with my favorite 3" turkey loads...) It took a nice tom last year at about 22 yards......one shot.

New England Firearms (NEF) / Harrington and Richards (H+R) are importing a China made 12 pump. It too is a long 28" barrel, I think it's around 179.00 at Gander Mountain Stores.... A new camo gun of the same details is available for about 200.00.

The Winchester 1300 is a real fair priced and American made pump too. I think for about 240.00 at Wally World....? Remington is right there too......

Good Luck and practice with it.......get a good feel for it........Check out the choke tubes....... and know what the gun's abilities are for short ranges......and know what these distances and spreads would be in your home too......

Regards.........Rojoe
 
I've seen 1200 Defenders for around 175.. funny thing is, my dad got the one he gave me NEW for that(and its never been shot before, but I plan to shoot it soon)

Might be fair to mention, the 1200 was what the Marines used in Vietnam for a shotgun.
 
RiotGun.jpg

This Mossberg 500 was bought for $25. It was taken apart and in a box but complete. I did replace the stock, and I put a sidesaddle on it, raising the total cost to about $100.

winchester1200.jpg

This Winchester 1200 was found on a Pawn Shop shelf for $50. After I ran a few boxes of ammo through it to check function, I took off the forend and cut it down so it wouldn't overlap the reciever, and trimmed down the barrel to 18.5 inches. It's ugly as sin, but functions beautifully.
 
Factor about $200 for a decent solid HD shotgun. There are great deals like Xavier's to be found, but the norm is probably closer to $200 +/- $50.

You did say this was for HD so just how cheap is your life worth? Don't mean you need to spend a months salary to build a decent shotgun, but this isn't a play toy. Supposedly you're betting your life on it. Certainly not an area where I prescribe using "cheap" as your measuring stick.

I just picked up a ex-LEO 870 for just over $200. Finish was ratty. Mechanically, it's good to go.
 
Found my butter smooth 870 Wingmaster in a pawnshop for 200 out the door. A police trade in barrel, sidesaddle, and buttcuff ammo carrier pretty much gave me one of the uber tactical jobbies for around 350 total instead of 1200 or so. Oh, and an extended safety which is nice cause I can have it safed and ready and pop off the safety with the side of my trigger finger without changing my grip.

Hey Xavier, hows that flashlight holder in the sidesaddle doing for you? I seen them things and decided against it. Thought it was gimmicky and didn't want to take the chance. Do you like it? Does it slip under recoil?
 
Hey Xavier, hows that flashlight holder in the sidesaddle doing for you? I seen them things and decided against it. Thought it was gimmicky and didn't want to take the chance. Do you like it? Does it slip under recoil?
Click to expand...

I've since removed it. It didn't slip under recoil, but I just did not like it sitting up there. It overly complicates things. I'd rather have an extra shell. ;)
 
You can get a new Benelli Nova Pump, Remington 870, or a Mossberg 500 for around $300. All are nice guns. I'd get a full stock instead of a pistol grip, follow up shots would be easier with a full stock.
 
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