shotgun

S

Steelers252006

New member
If I were to consider purchasing a shotgun strictly for home defense, what would be a good one to get? I have no experience whatsoever with a shotgun. Also, how would you conceal it somewhere close by where you can get to it quickly and yet it's in a safe spot otherwise? Any input would be appreciated.
 
There is many considerations for you...
First off... I do not promote the use of chinese knockoffs for anything but a toy.

Mossberg has the safety located atop the frame... remington has a crossbolt safety. Both are very proven and qualified for HD...

Price goes up fast with Benelli, Beretta etc... I suggest a pump for your first HD shotgun.

As for hiding it... I have home made gun rack hooks made of 1X6 pine on my closet wall. I also set a gun against the inside of closet so I can reach in and grab it.

I don't always have it hid either... There are times it/they may be beside the bed.

There is also a nice little gem...

http://www.the-backup.com/

Bed side rack hidden by made bed blanket/spread

Brent
 
Mossberg 930 - I like the plain Jane models but the 930 SPX is all "pimped-out." Reliable and the best deal for the $$$. With the semi-auto you will shoot faster and have less recoil.
 
Before you buy anything, you may want to take a shotgun HD course and try what they have there to see what will work best for you - it might be a SxS, a pump, or an auto - personal preference plays a big part in selection
 
I have wondered about that bed rack that hogdogs mentions. I don't know if I like it or not, but I do not agree with one thing said on its web site.

The shotgun provides a wide spray. With a handgun you need to be a great shot, in the dark, laying in your bed. And, if you miss the bullet penetrates walls and could hurt parties in other rooms or houses. That is why many experts will tell you the best weapon is a Shotgun.
Click to expand...

This has been discussed time and time agoain and all agree that a shotgun does not provide a wide spray. You also have to be concerned that any pellets that miss the target will indeed penetrate walls and hurt persons in other rooms and houses, the risk of which is greater with some loads than others.
 
Do not buy anything yet.

Head for your local ranges. A polite new shooter will get lots of advice and some shotguns to try. Some ranges also rent guns.

After you've shot a little, you'll have a better idea of what will work for you.

Caveat, shotguns are incredibly effective defensive tools, when used by shotgunners. If you want to be effective with a shotgun, that means paying some dues.....
 
Take some general defensive classes - handguns and shotguns....and see where you want to take this whole idea.

There isn't anything wrong with a good tactical pump gun - if that's what you want ( personally, I have no use for such a gun ...) not to say, that I wouldn't keep a shotgun around if I thought I needed one / I have plenty of pump guns with 28" barrels - that could be "defensive" if I wanted them to be ....but they're not "fighting shotguns" either ...but then I rely on my 1911 handguns for defense ...

A lot of my son's buddies ( all in their 30's ) went thru the same issue you're dealing with in the last 5 yrs or so ...and most of them bought pump guns ( remington, mossbergs, etc with short barrels - and all of them shot them a little - maybe 100 shells thru them / all have fixed choke barrels on them). And just by way of conversation - in the last 3 yrs - not one of those guys has fired that "tactical shotgun" ...and they're all investing in better "clays" shotguns ...and turning more to handguns, that they carry, for defense - and while they all thought they "had to have a tactical shotgun" - they all regret the purchase. So if you want one - shop the used gun stores ---there are buckets full of them for sale all over ...
 
What's your budget?

It's all the difference between a new semiautomatic Benelli or a used single shot.

There is a neat safe just big enough for a long gun and a pistol. I'm trying to remember what it's called :confused:.
 
Mossberg Bullpup 500

Here's one of the best 12 gauge HD shotguns I've ever owned. It's very accurate on your shoulder, has combat sights, and is easy to reach around corners with. If you ever find one, grab it!

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As a LH, I suspect the BP design would result in my getting a sore cheek from the empties

A regular, wood-stocked shotgun will do everything you need from a shotgun just fine
 
"A regular, wood-stocked shotgun will do everything you need from a shotgun just fine…." And, IMHO will look a lot better if you are unfortunate enough to have to go before a Grand Jury for shooting a BG.
 
If you are on a limited budget you might consider a NEF Pardner Pump. It's essentially a Chinces clone of an 870 only with a better finish and heavier parts. I have an 870 Express too and both have been excellent shotguns. The Remington is more refined but the NEF is more robust. I have an extension on the NEF allowing to hold 7 in the tube. You can buy a 870 that will hold that many straight from the factory. Both make for excellent HD weapons. I actually like being able to take the mag extension off so I can put a plug in the tube so I can hunt with my NEF. But the 870 allows me to swap barrels easily while the NEF doesn't. They could be swapped easily if I could find them. Finding barrels for the 870 is incredibly easy. Remington had to hold back something on the NEF models. They did buy out that company because they were building 870 clones cheaper than the original in Express form.

People might try to tell you an Express will rust easily. Might sure hasn't. I've had it 4 years and it doesn't have a speck of rust on it. I've seen people from another board swear up and down that an 870 Express was junk but every word they said about them turned out to be wrong. Mine still works perfect and it hasn't rusted a bit.

BTW Mossberg also makes excellent shotguns in the same price range. The NEF models have been the cheapest I've seen though. I've seen them for under $180 at Walmart but they only get them in at certain times of the year.
 
I would go with a Pump-Action 12GA. Remington 870's and Mossberg 500's are one of the more common choices for people. I have both, I dislike the Mossberg for 2 reasons, the forend rattles like two skeletons having sex in a metal trashcan and the receiver is aluminum (Lots-O-Dings), but I love the tang safety on the mossberg. My Remington 870 has tighter tolerances regarding the forend, and I don't mind the crossbolt safety. Also, keep in mind that your shotgun doesn't "need" to be tacticool. I have the regular ol' bead sight, and carry 3" OO buckshot, 2 3/4 shells are "recommended" for HD in apartments or houses are closer together, but the choice is obviously yours. If it doesn't make you more proficient then don' get it (mag extension, side saddle,
flashlight/ laser, shell bandoleers, sling and anything of that nature) slings get caught in the dark, under stress you will probably fumble with a flashlight/ laser, too many extra rounds will weigh you down. Just keep it simple. Also, grab a few different loads: buckshot, #4, Low recoil and rounds made for HD, and run them through your shotgun to get a feel for whats comfortable for you.

Good luck.
 
I will stay with a field grade pump or auto instead of a modified shotgun because if you have to use it and go in frount of a jury I want them to see it as the same gun that dad or a uncle had when they were kids not a dreaded assault weapon Just my opinion Randy
 
Mossberg 500. Most reliable, ergonomic, least expensive and higher capacity common shotgun. Just change the safety button to steel.

"The Backup" is a fine product IF you use it on the side of the bed by a wall or where someone probably won't lift the cover to see what's under the bed when robbing the house. That, and proped up in the corner of the closet, is where EVERYONE puts their shotguns. I'll share one of two other ideas with you. Hang it in the closet from a good hanger, you can i.d. easily, in some long clothes.
 
The plastic safety tab of the M-500 moss is noting to scoff at! Tell me when you last saw a steel football helmet...

My current M-500 is 20+ years old.. spent 11 years in an evidence room... But before and after... no charmed life... Much of the use could even be considered SEVERE DUTY and that plastic tab just refuses to give up the ghost for me to be required to buy a metal replacement...

It was once so dirty I used a tree trunk as a "thumb" to move it fore and aft...

If'n it ain't broke... don't fix it...

Brent
 
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