Whats your Home Defense Shotgun?

Rem 1100, which also doubles as my deer hunting weapon(when I choose to use a shotgun). For SD it stays at the ready loaded with 00 buck.
 
This monster
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Mossberg M590A1 18.5in , with sidesaddle shell carrier, and Burris Fastfire II in the mount with the protective wings mounted on a picitenny rail atop the receiver...regular synthetic stock. Loaded with Federal Tactical 00 buck.
 
A shotgun isn't my go-to HD gun of choice.
The closest thing I have to a HD shotgun is a R-1100-Trap with a cut down extra barrel.

1100tg.jpg
 
1970 12-gauge 870 Wingmaster with 18.5" barrel and 7+0 00 Buckshot (empty chamber). I've added a barrel clamp and a sling since this pic was taken. Racking the pump in the middle of the night might not scare off the BG but it will help get my blood moving and let'em know that I am armed with more than harsh words.

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Remington 870 Express 20 ga. 26" barrel, loaded with whatever I happen to have from the last rabbit/squirrel hunt (7 1/2's right now).

No lights, lasers, mag extensions, pistol grips, extra shell holders, or fancy tactical slings.

The scatter gun is not my primary home defense weapon, but is easily accessible (to me), so it does double duty. If it was the primary weapon, I would throw a 18-20" barrel on it........and nothing else.
 
Remington 870 Express 20 ga. 26" barrel, loaded with whatever I happen to have from the last rabbit/squirrel hunt (7 1/2's right now).

No lights, lasers, mag extensions, pistol grips, extra shell holders, or fancy tactical slings.

The scatter gun is not my primary home defense weapon, but is easily accessible (to me), so it does double duty. If it was the primary weapon, I would throw a 18-20" barrel on it........and nothing else.
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Out of the dozens of guns I own a shot gun is the go to gun for me, Unless someone had an full auto BAR and was not worried about the police taking it as evidence I don't understand why a person would not want a shot gun as a go to gun.

I do think for shooting in close quarters a 26" barrel would be less maneuverable so I agree about switching to s shorter barrel. And although I do own some full auto guns I would avoid using the because they would be taken and stored as evidence which could deprive me of my gun for months or years.

So the question remains if the shotgun is not your go to gun what is?
 
Rem 870

Err I cringe whenever I see high power rounds in a shotgun for home defense. A Rem 870 loaded with bird shot is sufficient, if pellets miss you don't want them flying through walls. Just the standard walmart 870 express Magnum.
 
A Rem 870 loaded with bird shot is sufficient
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If you check the pattern on your shotgun, you may find that bird shot spreads very rapidly compared to buckshot, at least that's what mine does (the aforementioned 12-gauge 870 Wingmaster with 18.5" barrel). I'm not comfortable that a through-the-kitchen-and-across-the-family-room round of birdshot would be sufficient to end a threat quickly, especially through heavy clothing.

#7 Birdshot at 20 feet -

7steel20ft.jpg


00 Buckshot at 20 feet (2 rounds, COM and shoulder). Ignore the circled holes -

00buck20ft.jpg
 
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GeauxTide,
There's a vast difference between your 000 Buck at the ready and the #7-1/2s (Heavy Trap loads?) in the mag. Some would argue that shot of that size isn't appropriate for HD. I'm curious, did you select the lighter loads first to avoid over-penetration, or what?
 
Very eye-opening... thanks
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Stevie-Ray -

No problem, I wanted to test the "even birdshot is a solid column of lead/steel at HD distances" theory for myself, and was a bit surprised at the discrepancy. At 30 feet the buckshot spreads from a fist-sized clump at 20 feet to one about as big as your open hand. Pretty effective in groups of 9, even if they are only 50 grains each.
 
Remington 870 for me with 00 buck. A handgun for home defense in my home makes more sense though but I have the shotgun if needed
 
I don't understand why a person would not want a shot gun as a go to gun.

I do think for shooting in close quarters a 26" barrel would be less maneuverable so I agree about switching to s shorter barrel.....................So the question remains if the shotgun is not your go to gun what is?
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I don't use the shotgun as my primary because I live in a two bedroom condo right now. Lots of corners and short hallways. Throw in lots of furniture packed in small rooms, and it doesn't leave lots of room to work with a 26" barreled long gun.

My go-to right now is my every day carry gun, a Springfield G.I. in .45 Auto. I am looking for a 18-20" barrel (or a 21" off of a youth model), but those selling a used barrel want $200, and a new one is $225-250 when I can find one.........I only paid $230 for the shotgun brand new. When I find a shorter barrel, the shotgun will get bumped up a notch in the Home Defense weapons ranking, but until then, I will stick with my pistol.
 
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