Tactical versus Field

R

roy reali

New member
I do keep a shotgun at the ready for "just in case". However, the shotgun is a field-grade 12 gauge pump. The same shotgun can be used for dove or ducks.

I notice that many folks that picture their defensive shotgun here use shotguns that don't quite look like mine. They are shorter, have attachments, and don't like the ones you see at the trap range or in a duck blind. Here is my question.

Is there any advantage to using a tactical type of shotgun for home defense versus using a field grade shotgun?
 
Is there any advantage to using a tactical type of shotgun for home defense versus using a field grade shotgun?
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Maybe. The shorter barrel might be easier to maneuver. You might need more shots than available in a hunting shotgun. A pistol grip might make it easier for you to handle efficiently. Night sights or similar might make you more accurate.

Or, more likely, your hunting shotgun will work just great if you can run it well.
 
I have several 870's with 26-28" barrels. I have one 20" rifle sighted barrel that stays on one of them with the plug removed. There are 4 rounds of 00 buck in the mag. It is my "Just in Case" shotgun. I can quickly add one of the longer barrels and replace the plug to hunt with it.

Most of the "attachments" are more for the cool look than any practical use. The shorter barrel makes for a more maneuverable gun in the home. I might use an extended mag tube to get in a couple more rounds, but that is about it. I actually have one, but do not use it on the gun because it makes for a much heavier gun and it ruins the balance.
 
While the shorter barrel may make it easier to move around a home - "clearing" , IMO, would be better left to police. If your plan is to hunker-down in one room and defend it from anyone trying to get in, then it barrel length doesn't matter. One thing to consider - if you add a lot of accessories to the end of the gun, including an extended magazine fully loaded, the balance point is gone, the gun becomes extremely muzzle-heavy, and it may take some getting used to, especially by other family members. I prefer the K.I.S.S. system of simplicity.

JMO, YMMV
 
Shorter can be handier, but as said, fully loaded extensions can muck about with the balance. The stocks may not give quite as good cheek weld, but can give a bit more capability in rapid handling and the right ones can also soak up a good amount of recoil. The sights may be different (although not always) for enhanced accuracy with slugs.

As oneounceload says, if you're just going to hole up in your bedroom with it, then none of this really matters, since you can just draw a bead on the door and wait for the cavalry to show.

But then, if you may want to secure more than one room (say, make sure your kids are ok), then the handling does become an issue.

Generally, there's reasons for most of these things. They can be just useless weight (if you don't train to use them), but they can also enhance your capability with them. They aren't all just gimmicks (unless you're just a curmudgeon, in which case you're also probably still complaining about the unnecessary expense of indoor plumbing and pining for the black powder muzzleloader days).
 
+1 on what OneOunce and others said ...

I don't think the difference is enough to worry about... in my vocabulary you have a great "defensive" shotgun / but not a great "fighting shotgun" ....and you're fine if you can operate and reload it competently and efficiently ( if you ever need it - and I hope you never do ).
 
I went the other way when setting up my HD shotgun. Instead of adding things to it, I took things off.:eek:

Namely 10"s of barrels.

My HD shotgun is an 18.5" barreled O/U 10 gauge. :D

Joat
 
My HD shotgun is a Rem 870 with 20 in barrel and a full length magazine extension(7 rounds).I also have 6 spare rounds on the off side of the stock in a good quality carrier.While the addons do make the gun heavier,the extra ammo helps with balance and felt recoil.I try to shoot skeet with it occasionally,just for gun handling practice.
 
Mine is a winchester 1300 pump got it when they first came out with a 22 in barrell also have a rifled slug barrel which is on it now it is a bit shorter like 20 in or so. it isnt black nor is there a flashlight on it but it will do if needed. Has killed a lot of quail and deer, a few pheasants...
 
The only advantage is the shorter length...which is probably better in most HD scenarios. Personally, I like the 21" barrel for this very reason...one barrel length that does it all...from hunting to plinking to skeet shooting to slugs and HD. The person sitting next to me in duck blind doesn't like the 21" barrel though. :eek:
 
Short barreled defense guns are typically Imp. Cyl. choked. That's just a squeeze tighter than a straight, no choke cylinder. It's short for close quarters, and open choked for close quarter engagements.

Long feed tube is nice for defense, extra ammo capacity. That said, there's plenty of "home defense" capability in a "duck gun." It's just not going to be optimal in a close quarters engagement.

Rem. 870 is a nice option because the barrels swap out. You can have a longer barrel for ducks and a shorter one for jerks. :D
 
TO: johnwilliamson062

Many thanks for the post on where to get barrel swaps. I had the same question on a Ithaca 37 18 in HD that can buy but wanted a field length barrel also.
 
When I bought my first "Home Defense" shotgun, I went with an 870 Express with an 18.5" barrel, 6 shell magazine, synthetic stock, etc.

...handled like pig. I found an old 870P with an 18" barrel and walnut furniture...heaven:D Shorter length of pull, balanced better, and the 4 round magazine didn't make the gun tip heavy. Love that ol' Bruiser.

I've been hankering for a short coach gun to keep in my truck. I have plenty of guns for my truck, but the ol' break open S/S might be kinda fun:P
 
I would use a straight field gun and just put a shorter (18") barrel on it. That way when you want to use it for other things it's just a simple barrel swap.
 
My HD shotgun has a 18.5" barrel, ghost-ring sights, extended magazine (holds 7+1) and a shell sleeve on the stock. It's decked out for one purpose only ... home defense.

I could use my hunting shotgun for home defense, but it has a 28" barrel, only holds 6 shells and has a bead sight. In a pinch, sure, it will do the job. But my hunting and HD guns are like comparing apples to oranges. For HD purposes, I want to maximize my odds of surviving an armed intruder. My hunting weapons just don't quite make the cut, IMHO.
 
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