shotgun

Take a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw and consider buying the DVD that this is a sampler for - IMHO it's a good basic introduction to the use of a shotgun for self defense. It won't replace hands-on training from a good instructor but it will give you some insight into the things you're getting into for the first time.

The shotgun itself (brand, action type etc.) doesn't really matter as much as the ability of person who is using it. No firearm is a magic talisman that will ward off evil by its very presence - and there are lots of myths surrounding the shotgun as a defensive firearm. Shotguns still have to be operated properly and the shooter has to be able to hit what they shoot at, if worst comes to worst.

fwiw,

lpl
 
I like clint smith videos and he is an excellent person to learn from.
I would also take into consideration about safety of family members in other rooms as someone mentioned. I would take classes as well.
Safety is huge in my house.
I have also had a home invader and it is scary. I am a woman and was home alone with my daughter. The guy walked right by her and I am thinking he didn't even see her sleeping on couch.
He took my purse and went out front door. I was sleeping and he actually came up to the top of the stairs. I thought I was having a nightmare, actually I closed my eyes and rolled over counting to 10, praying to God that I was dreaming somehow thinking it was real!!. I rolled back over and opened my eyes slowly. I thought it was a dream.
But, it was not.
Not after arising early at 7 am stumbling to the refrigerator, then jumping with eyes buldged out looking at the back door wide open and turning to find my purse gone! scariest part of story is my daughter was sleeping so soundly that I called her several times and my heart dropped. I thought she was dead. I shook the geebies out her and she awoke. I remembering saying OMG are you alright and did you move my purse"!? Once, she fully awaken I remember her saying," OMG, so some stranger walked right by me as I was sleeping?!"
Terrible went on after calling the police and not thinking clearly that also the police never showed up, so I call state police, they yelled get out of the house immediately. ugh,,,, never had it happen so wasn't really thinking he could of still been inside!
I am very luckily. I don't think I could of even fought him off if he had done anything I had surgery 2 wks previous and was so sick.
I had always wanted a gun but decided to buy sensor lights instead and a cheapy loud as sin alarm that simply goes on the back door and when the magnet is seperated on the door jam an ear piercing sound goes off.
I also double check doors nightly the last 4yrs now.
I presently I have inquired my mother's shotgun. I have squirrel shot for target shooting, going out to have a guy coach me how to shoot it correctly (only shot a shotgun once in my life). I feel right in knowing that I will be able to shoot it correctly.
But have a lock installed on the bedroom and even though my dog is trained to attack I would most likely huddle with her in the closet ( the night this happened, dog actually was under window air conditioner never heard the guy going up the stairs ). I take my phone to bed every night and put it on the night stand.
I live in a good neighborhood but that's the ones that get burgularized too.
I don't even think I could shoot a person really.
I visited a local gunshop yesterday , they had nice priced shotguns. :)
And for home defense a guy showed me a Taurus, called "The Judge" that was an awesome handgun. And you will have to check the shot out that's used in it. I thought it was over kill though.
But for me, really, safety first. You can make a gun holder for the wall beside the bed if you feel that you are unsafe.
good luck
 
Guns are an important part of the safety equasion, but for a single mom with a daughter you might want to talk with someone from a local police agency about lights such as exterior floods, trimming bushes by window, locks and things. Perhpas a better alarm system and one with a panic button. Locking the door (with sound locks) and hiding in the closet while waiting for the police, with a gun, is good. I think the Taurus Judge is a mistake, but will let the experienced guys advise you on that.

What I am curious about is how did the guy get in. During heat waves folk all too often make the mistake of leaving doors open, with nothing but a flimsy screen door secured with a hook latch.
 
Bitter Sweet Deal

I got an offer I couldn't pass up & sold my Mossberg 500 Bullpup (pictured a few posts above). I sold the Bullpup for $750 cash and used the money to buy a used Mossberg 500A Cruiser (included pistol grip & full stock) & a SIG P229 pistol. Now I still have a good HD shotgun & an HD pistol to go with it. Maybe this shotgun is a little more practical than the Bullpup (like a couple of other guys said), but I'm still going to miss it. :D

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What is practical about a pistol grip only 12 gauge? I don't have any use for a bullpup design, but at least it has a short stock.
 
As I put in my post, it's not a pistol grip only. The seller included a full length regular stock too. I just didn't photograph it. I can change them out in about a minute so I can practice with whichever one I want at the range.
 
I have a Remington 870 that I shortened the barrel to 20" then installed a folding pistol gripped stock with built in spare shell holders. I installed fiber optic light gathering rifle style sights on it and a barrel mounted flash light with a pressure switch.

I have under $200 into it.

It is the only gun I keep out loaded (chamber empty though), and it folds up small enough that it fits between the bed frame and my nightstand.

The fact that my kids have been raised around guns and shot their whole lives makes this possible.
 
I recently purchased 2 Mossberg Maverick 88's in 18.5". They were $206ea shipped from Buds. My FFL has a $10ea fee for more than 1 gun. Total for 2x 12ga pure home defense 5+1 shotguns... $432.

I bought a Hogue pistol grip for the one that will stay in the bedroom. Over this past weekend, I put about 50rds of various ammo through each of them with zero fail to anything.

They are currently cleaned, loaded, and ready for use. I'll take them out once or twice a year and give them a good inspection and cycle the actions, then back in their place. I'll shoot them every couple years just for ****s and grins... but their only job is HD.

I did a lot of homework on my choice of HD shotgun. The Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 enjoy well-deserved reputations as benchmarks of multi-use pump shotguns, and are arguably some of the best bargains in firearms. In the end, the fact that the Mav88 is basically a Mossberg 500 with bolt-safety for about 1/2 price was the winner.

I have zero doubt that both these guns will go bang when I need them to.
 
Mossberg 930SPX

Just bought one and it is a beast. Shoots anything and it is a light easy to handle shotgun,7+1 capacity ,not to mention it just looks really cool.....
 
Well for the first time shotgun owner I'd recommend the Maverick 88 pump. Runs about $189 at Walmart. Maverick is a subdivision of Mossberg.

I'm more of a Remington man but thats just b/c mossbergs rattle, when carried.
 
I like the 870 SP and the winchester SXP HD gun I own both guns in the field length (28 in. Barrels) both reliable shooters. I would think they would be two excellant choices
 
I'd go for a Remington 870 Express or a Mossberg 500. Both are pump action & extremely reliable. They have all different kinds of configurations. Just go look & handle some & choose the one that fits your needs. As far as where to keep it. That depends on if you have kids. If you do, keep it in a safe no matter what. If you don't, keep it close to the bed where you can get to it fast in the middle of the night. Don't keep a round in the chamber. Wait until you hear the intruder & rack the slide as loud as you can. That will usually do the trick. If not... you know what to do.
 
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