JayDubyaGee
New member
Great tips. I'd love to pick up an old Ithaca. I went to school up there and I always enjoyed upsetting the loonies there. What could be better than a shotgun named after their little anti-gun oasis!
Shopping for home defense
- Thread starter JayDubyaGee
- Start date
Mine is a Ted Williams 300 Auto (same as Win 1400)
It only holds 2 in the mag but is SUPER reliable I used it for hunting since I was a kid.
I cut the barrel back to "18 when I retired it from hunting and it is now my HD gun.
The point is that any reliable 12 would be fine for HD
It only holds 2 in the mag but is SUPER reliable I used it for hunting since I was a kid.
I cut the barrel back to "18 when I retired it from hunting and it is now my HD gun.
The point is that any reliable 12 would be fine for HD
I have an 870 but it's not a HD model. That's OK but I'm interested in picking up another gun. Since I might be getting into Cowboy Action a nice double barrel with hammers would be nice; they make a pump that's legal for Cowboy also, but I'm curious about an old-fashioned double.
The double has limited capacity, of course, and doesn't make that SOUND that makes burglars pee themselves when you chamber a round, but I don't see needing more than 2 rounds in a prowler situation. Of course more is always better... Any double barrel HD fans out there?
On the OTHER side of the coin, that Saiga 12 gauge with an 8 round mag looks pretty neat. I noticed that just about everyone prefers the pump action. Is that because auto shotguns can jam? I've never owned one so...
jaK-47
The double has limited capacity, of course, and doesn't make that SOUND that makes burglars pee themselves when you chamber a round, but I don't see needing more than 2 rounds in a prowler situation. Of course more is always better... Any double barrel HD fans out there?
On the OTHER side of the coin, that Saiga 12 gauge with an 8 round mag looks pretty neat. I noticed that just about everyone prefers the pump action. Is that because auto shotguns can jam? I've never owned one so...
jaK-47
I gotta share 
First I agree with Dave Mc, K80, and others. GUN FIT to shooter, Software trumps hardware, and yes if you use it - you will lose it.
I use a bone stock 870 Express, 28" Barrel. Maybe one of these days I will fire enough rounds and be profficent enough to shoot a shorter bbl.
Now to share- Lady was going to get her Third 870 pump for HD. She "strayed and betrayed". She bought TWO J.C. Higgens with the Polychokes.
She was grinning ear to ear, so happy, and was just itching to hear me go on about staying with MOA she was familar with.
She paid $120 for BOTH. She got wind of some folks going to sell the big house and moving off out of town, she attended the Sale early. These relatives were NOT into guns. She had to borrow $100 from her daughter...she could NOT pass up the Model 19 for $125 either. Her daughter paid $75 for Ruger MKI.
The guns all work, run fine. The JC Higgens are going to get fitted to them better, new recoil pads and such. She is pattern testing them.
Two 12 ga pump guns that make no nevermind as to how treated,what happens to them for $120.
For $320 and getting 4 guns - I'd be grinning too.
First I agree with Dave Mc, K80, and others. GUN FIT to shooter, Software trumps hardware, and yes if you use it - you will lose it.
I use a bone stock 870 Express, 28" Barrel. Maybe one of these days I will fire enough rounds and be profficent enough to shoot a shorter bbl.
Now to share- Lady was going to get her Third 870 pump for HD. She "strayed and betrayed". She bought TWO J.C. Higgens with the Polychokes.
She was grinning ear to ear, so happy, and was just itching to hear me go on about staying with MOA she was familar with.
She paid $120 for BOTH. She got wind of some folks going to sell the big house and moving off out of town, she attended the Sale early. These relatives were NOT into guns. She had to borrow $100 from her daughter...she could NOT pass up the Model 19 for $125 either. Her daughter paid $75 for Ruger MKI.
The guns all work, run fine. The JC Higgens are going to get fitted to them better, new recoil pads and such. She is pattern testing them.
Two 12 ga pump guns that make no nevermind as to how treated,what happens to them for $120.
For $320 and getting 4 guns - I'd be grinning too.
XavierBreath
New member
I finished the Winnie 1300 up above. here it is.
If I get over $10 for the old forend, I can subtract from my $89 investment.
RevolverLover
New member
XavierBreath, you always find these sweet deals. My luck must really suck because I can never find any good deals like you have. 
XavierBreath,
You must be livin' right. NICE set up!!
I set one up like that once, great shooter for sure!!
Well...you know what they say? $89 just won't buy what is used to...
FWIW I bought a Brand Spanking New 1100 with THE prettiest wood and deepest blue, back in the old days, for $159. Okay actually $160. Mom and Pop store, they were low on ones...this was for a brand new gun, tax included, 4 boxes of AA target loads tossed in, tin of Browing Gun oil (before Rem had an oil mind you) and I forget what else they tossed in as part of the deal. I got to walk back to the inventory and pick out the one I wanted too.
I also won the drawing for a Filson Field Coat the next day...then I won a ham at Magic Mart. That was a good week!
You must be livin' right. NICE set up!!
I set one up like that once, great shooter for sure!!
Well...you know what they say? $89 just won't buy what is used to...
FWIW I bought a Brand Spanking New 1100 with THE prettiest wood and deepest blue, back in the old days, for $159. Okay actually $160. Mom and Pop store, they were low on ones...this was for a brand new gun, tax included, 4 boxes of AA target loads tossed in, tin of Browing Gun oil (before Rem had an oil mind you) and I forget what else they tossed in as part of the deal. I got to walk back to the inventory and pick out the one I wanted too.
I also won the drawing for a Filson Field Coat the next day...then I won a ham at Magic Mart. That was a good week!
I go with the Moss.590-A1, because I own one. I like both Moss. And the Rem. (don’t let my buddies with the 870s know I said that) but the 590 in my view is better for HD because of the stronger action, not smoother – stronger. Although the diff. can be debated far into the night defiantly go with a PUMP! In a dark house the sound of a 3” buck being racked into the chamber is a very strong weapon in its self.
HD Shotgun
Remington, Winchester or Mossberg will all do the trick...its just personal preference. I have a Rem 870 20ga, a Rem 1100 Trap 12ga, a Winchester 1200 12ga, and a Mossberg 500 12ga and like all of them.
If I was to have just one shotgun I would not get the combat type. I would get one that could be also used for hunting and/or trap shooting as well as home defense.
Trap shooting is an excellent way to practice with your shotgun.
But be very carefull...its incredably addictive.....
I have my Rem 870 20ga ready to go at all times....mine is a youth model with the shorter stock and barrell. Makes for a good compromise of the combat type for specifically HD. I trap shoot quite successfully with it frequently.
Ever try trap shooting with a pistol grip shotgun......not fun. Nothing at all wrong with a pistol grip combat type shotgun....I just wouldn't make it my only shotgun.
I also have a Colt 45 ready to go as a backup.
Remington, Winchester or Mossberg will all do the trick...its just personal preference. I have a Rem 870 20ga, a Rem 1100 Trap 12ga, a Winchester 1200 12ga, and a Mossberg 500 12ga and like all of them.
If I was to have just one shotgun I would not get the combat type. I would get one that could be also used for hunting and/or trap shooting as well as home defense.
Trap shooting is an excellent way to practice with your shotgun.
But be very carefull...its incredably addictive.....
I have my Rem 870 20ga ready to go at all times....mine is a youth model with the shorter stock and barrell. Makes for a good compromise of the combat type for specifically HD. I trap shoot quite successfully with it frequently.
Ever try trap shooting with a pistol grip shotgun......not fun. Nothing at all wrong with a pistol grip combat type shotgun....I just wouldn't make it my only shotgun.
I also have a Colt 45 ready to go as a backup.
No doubt the 870 and the 500/590 will be equally suitable to get the job done well, but the Mossberg operating system is designed in a much more intuitive, natural position... as far as placement of thumb safety and slide release is concerned.
Also, the lifter in the Mossberg stays up after chambering a shell, allowing immediate reloading of the mag tube at any time, without the lifter being in the way of the mag tube opening. With the 870, the lifter returns to the down position after chambering a shell and to reload, the shooter must push the lifter up out of the way before being able to load another round in the magazine tube. While I much prefer the controls placement and ready magazine tube access on the Mossy, I would feel well armed with either.
Also, the lifter in the Mossberg stays up after chambering a shell, allowing immediate reloading of the mag tube at any time, without the lifter being in the way of the mag tube opening. With the 870, the lifter returns to the down position after chambering a shell and to reload, the shooter must push the lifter up out of the way before being able to load another round in the magazine tube. While I much prefer the controls placement and ready magazine tube access on the Mossy, I would feel well armed with either.
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phoenix38e
Inactive
I have a remington 870 20 gauge. Is this ideal for home defense or do people recommend 12 gauge?
I am an idiot. The reason I asked this, was because I thought most people had posted 12 gauge 870s, but I guess it only comes in 20 gauge. Sorry.
I am an idiot. The reason I asked this, was because I thought most people had posted 12 gauge 870s, but I guess it only comes in 20 gauge. Sorry.
Pistol Grip for HD Shotgun?
Hi guys,
New to the board, and still looking around through it all.
I'm hoping to purchase a Mossberg soon, as I have an 835 Ulti-mag Turkey gun that I love, and have had a Remington or 2 in the past that were only acceptable for me.
My question is: For home defense, how well does a pistol grip stock work? I've never had a shotgun with a pistol grip, and wonder about the ability to hold the weapon on target. Is it more difficult, or am I just letting my imagination run wild?
I'm also interested in equipping said weapon with a light. I've looked around a little bit, and have really only found 2, the Surefire Models and the Streamlight models. I notice the Surefires are about twice as expensive as the Streamlights. Does anyone have an opinion on the streamlights? Or are the surefires the only way to go?
I'm no where near the gun expert that most people on here seem to be. I've been around firearms for 30 years, but mainly in a hunting or plinking capacity.
Thanks in advance!
Hi guys,
New to the board, and still looking around through it all.
I'm hoping to purchase a Mossberg soon, as I have an 835 Ulti-mag Turkey gun that I love, and have had a Remington or 2 in the past that were only acceptable for me.
My question is: For home defense, how well does a pistol grip stock work? I've never had a shotgun with a pistol grip, and wonder about the ability to hold the weapon on target. Is it more difficult, or am I just letting my imagination run wild?
I'm also interested in equipping said weapon with a light. I've looked around a little bit, and have really only found 2, the Surefire Models and the Streamlight models. I notice the Surefires are about twice as expensive as the Streamlights. Does anyone have an opinion on the streamlights? Or are the surefires the only way to go?
I'm no where near the gun expert that most people on here seem to be. I've been around firearms for 30 years, but mainly in a hunting or plinking capacity.
Thanks in advance!
Blackwater OPS
New member
The 870 stock as is works fine for home defense, there is NO need for a pistol grip. That said, I installed the ATI pistol grip on mine, solely because it looks cool.
XavierBreath
New member
A pistol grip is based on the common delusion that a shotgun with an 18 inch barrel will spray buckshot in a 4 foot pattern at ten feet. thus negating the necessity of aiming the gun.
Get a real stock, and aim the gun. The 18 inch shotgun will not place an impenetrable 4 foot wide hail of lead down your hallway. At best, you might have 7 or 8 rounds in the magazine, so you had better be using them effectively. Look down that reciever and barrel. Aim. To do that, you need a stock.
A light on the shotgun is a tactical decision. Some like it, others do not. I prefer to not have one, and to remain an ambush from the shadows. Others want to go and investigate bumps in the night. Cest la vie. IMHO the best light is the one that is a forend. I think Surefire makes it, not sure.
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OneInchGroup
New member
Home Defense Shotgun
Agree with most of the posts, any of the big three are fine, and used standard police issue types are the best, already set up for the job and usually pretty cheap. Assume that once you use the gun for the 1 to 5 shots involved in a HD incident, that you will never see the gun again. Depends the state you live in, but most places the gun will be held as "evidence" long enough you are going to have to replace it.
You'll note there is also a VERY long and very acrimonious argument on another thread as to what ammo to use, bringing in a few hundred factors to consider there, as well.
Take a firearms training course, preferably one of the NRA courses, so you will have some idea how to act before during and after the incident. Pay special attention to the "Do not appear in your doorway to greet the incoming first responders with a smoking gun in your hand unless you have a death wish!" part of the training, as well as the "Cease fire if the BG turns away from you." NEVER NEVER NEVER allow any of your shots to go back-to-front on the BG unless you want to go to jail along with your "victim"
Consider what you are planning, and be sure you understand all the possible results that may lie before you. Most important of all, perhaps, is to determine whether your insurance company will pay your legal fees if you take action inside your home to protect life and property. Otherwise be sure that in addition to the $200.00 or so you are investing in the gun and ammo, you also have around $50,000.00 lying around to use for your after action legal fees. There are plenty lawyers watching these posts who can tell you how much this is going to cost you, even if you are 10000% in the right to pull the trigger. They'll likely also tell you the extra cost of each "extra" shot past the first one.
Agree with most of the posts, any of the big three are fine, and used standard police issue types are the best, already set up for the job and usually pretty cheap. Assume that once you use the gun for the 1 to 5 shots involved in a HD incident, that you will never see the gun again. Depends the state you live in, but most places the gun will be held as "evidence" long enough you are going to have to replace it.
You'll note there is also a VERY long and very acrimonious argument on another thread as to what ammo to use, bringing in a few hundred factors to consider there, as well.
Take a firearms training course, preferably one of the NRA courses, so you will have some idea how to act before during and after the incident. Pay special attention to the "Do not appear in your doorway to greet the incoming first responders with a smoking gun in your hand unless you have a death wish!" part of the training, as well as the "Cease fire if the BG turns away from you." NEVER NEVER NEVER allow any of your shots to go back-to-front on the BG unless you want to go to jail along with your "victim"
Consider what you are planning, and be sure you understand all the possible results that may lie before you. Most important of all, perhaps, is to determine whether your insurance company will pay your legal fees if you take action inside your home to protect life and property. Otherwise be sure that in addition to the $200.00 or so you are investing in the gun and ammo, you also have around $50,000.00 lying around to use for your after action legal fees. There are plenty lawyers watching these posts who can tell you how much this is going to cost you, even if you are 10000% in the right to pull the trigger. They'll likely also tell you the extra cost of each "extra" shot past the first one.
Thanks for the advice
That really makes sense about the pistol grip. I would guesstimate that most home defense situations are going to be at a range of 10 yds or less. Most of them anyway, but as you pointed out, there is no substitute for a well aimed shot, especially the first one.
As for the legalalities of defending my life and property, as far as I'm concerned, if you have to worry about that, you're better off selling all of your weapons so as to not be tempted into defending yourself. I've had to fire my weapon twice as an attention getter (thankfully not, and hopefully never, AT anyone); the second time was last week in the pursuit of trespassers. This particular time, a person said they were going to file a complaint against me for firing a weapon on propery owned by myself. I talked with the sheriff the next morning, and he told me that as a citizen of Mississippi, I had every right to fire a weapon on my propery. The complaint has yet to be filed, and if it is, I'm not worried about it. I view my home as my property as well; if I want to fire a couple of rounds of 00 Buck in my home, that is my business.
Thanks again for the info.
That really makes sense about the pistol grip. I would guesstimate that most home defense situations are going to be at a range of 10 yds or less. Most of them anyway, but as you pointed out, there is no substitute for a well aimed shot, especially the first one.
As for the legalalities of defending my life and property, as far as I'm concerned, if you have to worry about that, you're better off selling all of your weapons so as to not be tempted into defending yourself. I've had to fire my weapon twice as an attention getter (thankfully not, and hopefully never, AT anyone); the second time was last week in the pursuit of trespassers. This particular time, a person said they were going to file a complaint against me for firing a weapon on propery owned by myself. I talked with the sheriff the next morning, and he told me that as a citizen of Mississippi, I had every right to fire a weapon on my propery. The complaint has yet to be filed, and if it is, I'm not worried about it. I view my home as my property as well; if I want to fire a couple of rounds of 00 Buck in my home, that is my business.
Thanks again for the info.
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