zombieslayer
New member
I have PG on one and its a LOT of fun to shoot skeet with..
Whats the "cheapest" new gun for HD?
- Thread starter machoman
- Start date
Jeepin_Lawyer
New member
I know you said new BUT my vote is for a reliable used 12 gauge pump shotgun.
A shotgun with a pistol grip is just about next to useless. MAYBE one with a folding stock if storage space is at a real premium, such as inside a camper etc. would be OK. You still won't able to hit with it as well as one with a regular stock.
A shotgun for home defense is a fine idea, I would cruise the gunshops and pick up a used Remington 870. Cosmetic damage will bring the price down and not have any effect on usefulness.
A shotgun for home defense is a fine idea, I would cruise the gunshops and pick up a used Remington 870. Cosmetic damage will bring the price down and not have any effect on usefulness.
CarbineCaleb
New member
I'm with the other guys - get a good quality used weapon rather than a poor quality new.
If your taste runs to long guns, a good used pump action 12 guage like the Remington 870. As noted, a shorter barrel will be more practical for indoor use.
Otherwise, a used Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum revolver.
If your taste runs to long guns, a good used pump action 12 guage like the Remington 870. As noted, a shorter barrel will be more practical for indoor use.
Otherwise, a used Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum revolver.
zombieslayer
New member
Well- I've had thousands of rounds of practice, and they aren't for the timid, but PG's have their place. If you're ever vacationing in the sunshine state or taking the family to disney, come on out to the ocala nat'l forest and you can watch me destroy clays with mine. I bought it for the novelty, and now I love the thing. It only cost ten or twenty bucks for the grip. I have 4 mossbergs. One al weather 500 with PG and 18.5" bbl. One parkerized 500 with 20" bbl and PG. Also, a standard wallyworld 500 and an old 20ga. The PG shotguns get a lot more use. Ymmv
Flipper 56
New member
The absolute cheapest, while still being reliable, pump shotgun you are going to get is a Savage with a fixed choke. I have seen them for as low as $85 in Gun Shows.
Cornhusker77
New member
I hate to open up a can of worms, but you might consider the NEF Pardner Pump Protector.
18.5 inch barrel, well built, and doesn't cost much.
It will also accept 870 furniture and accessories.
You should be able to pick one up for under $200
18.5 inch barrel, well built, and doesn't cost much.
It will also accept 870 furniture and accessories.
You should be able to pick one up for under $200
Hi,
Some really good responses from firing line members. Here is my opinion on HD weapon. There are a good number of inexpensive pump shot guns that are great for HD. But if you have a lady around your home and your lady plans on using the HD weapon too then a 12 gauge might not work. Recoil is might be too much and would intimidate the lady. I still contend that for HD a good quality revolver either 38 special or 357 magnum is the wise choice. Simple to use, nothing to remember as far as safeties and for most people that are "not into guns" the best choice. A 4 inch barrel to me is the best option. Shorter barrels are harder to shoot accurately. Remember a self defense situation in the home will be 7 yards or less and under stress. The first round is of course the most important. Most experts (not me) say the gun fight is over in three rounds. I would agree with that. So, a six shot SA/DA revolver will get the job done. A person needs to practice at a range and learn to fire the weapon as accurate as possible fast from at least a 5 yd distance. I practice rapid fire with three rounds only. Object hit the target with all three rounds. Its great to hit the X ring at say 15 yards but in a home you never have to shoot that far in most cases.
I have three revolvers that I would depend on for HD. A S&W M10 4 inch, a S&W M66 4 inch and a Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch. All three of the above revolvers I bought for under $350 and one I bought for $280. Not that much money for a weapon that could one day save you and your loved ones.
Below, are the pictures of my "go to HD weapons". They are in order of the above description.
Good luck with your decision,
roaddog28
Some really good responses from firing line members. Here is my opinion on HD weapon. There are a good number of inexpensive pump shot guns that are great for HD. But if you have a lady around your home and your lady plans on using the HD weapon too then a 12 gauge might not work. Recoil is might be too much and would intimidate the lady. I still contend that for HD a good quality revolver either 38 special or 357 magnum is the wise choice. Simple to use, nothing to remember as far as safeties and for most people that are "not into guns" the best choice. A 4 inch barrel to me is the best option. Shorter barrels are harder to shoot accurately. Remember a self defense situation in the home will be 7 yards or less and under stress. The first round is of course the most important. Most experts (not me) say the gun fight is over in three rounds. I would agree with that. So, a six shot SA/DA revolver will get the job done. A person needs to practice at a range and learn to fire the weapon as accurate as possible fast from at least a 5 yd distance. I practice rapid fire with three rounds only. Object hit the target with all three rounds. Its great to hit the X ring at say 15 yards but in a home you never have to shoot that far in most cases.
I have three revolvers that I would depend on for HD. A S&W M10 4 inch, a S&W M66 4 inch and a Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch. All three of the above revolvers I bought for under $350 and one I bought for $280. Not that much money for a weapon that could one day save you and your loved ones.
Below, are the pictures of my "go to HD weapons". They are in order of the above description.
Good luck with your decision,
roaddog28
nefprotector
Moderator
Someone said " You don't need a semi-auto with 15-18 rounds in it." Blasphemy! Yes you do!
ps as for the NEF Protector. Mine was fine right out of the box. but then after a few hundred or more rounds. It started giving me trouble. I have kinda figured out the problem by switching the mag tube spring to a Wolff universal spring. I had to try two different lengths to get it right. So that another $40. And switching ammo to Federal 3in mags. Works good so far.
ps as for the NEF Protector. Mine was fine right out of the box. but then after a few hundred or more rounds. It started giving me trouble. I have kinda figured out the problem by switching the mag tube spring to a Wolff universal spring. I had to try two different lengths to get it right. So that another $40. And switching ammo to Federal 3in mags. Works good so far.
That's easy: Go into a local gun shop and look at their cheapest guns. This is really a buyer's market, but the price of a gun isn't necessarily going to reflect the value of a particular arm. If you're looking for any gun for the job, then most likely any gun will do as the HD talisman; even my Clerke 1st ran fine for it's first five rounds fired ( just a statement, not an endorsement).
Now as far as a good entry level gun into shooting that can also fill the role as your HD piece: I would suggest setting the bar a little higher Most current major manufacturers make a fine budget gun. You could also look at how upgradeable a gun is, so the gun can do all the things you want it to do.
nefprotector
Moderator
Save a few more bucks and buy a S&W Sigma $319 or Ruger P95.
CarbineCaleb
New member
I just noticed that your ID is "machoman". Well it would be more macho as well as cheaper to use one of the following for home defense:
- Louisville Slugger
- Machete
- Hatchet
- Claw Hammer
- Cast Iron Pipe
- Butcher Knife
Flipper 56
New member
With all due respect that Sigma line is a P.O.S. and S & W should be embarassed:barf: However the Ruger P95 has to be one of the most dependable semi-autos on the market and WILL go bang ever pull of the trigger.