8 shots--why not?

[Merc1138]

His point still stands that the shotgun in home defense situations should be used in defensive positions, pretty much negating the need for a short barrel. His logic is sound.

The problem is the rest of his post mentioning some nonsense about a "hacked down" gun in court, and "if they are hard of hearing put a round off in the general direction".

If you've read even a little about CA laws regarding defense, and shootings that end up in court, you can use a firearm if you're in fear of your life. The problem is that if you're firing warning shots, then apparently you weren't fearing for your life.

Now shooting to stop the threat and missing shouldn't be a problem, but he didn't say that. The "general direction" bit tells me he's not talking about aiming... which means being negligent at best.

While it happened in another state, this man was lucky they dropped the charges for his use of the Biden defense. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014...on-state-case/

[L84CABO]

I'm betting it simply a matter of $$. It's cheaper for MFG's to put out a gun with a shorter mag tube. And then they can sell you an extended tube.

My M4 came limited to 5 because it's an import. The first thing I did was install and extended tube and now it's 7+1.

[ojisan]

I have both a 18.5 Mossberg 500 5+1 and a mossberg 500 20in 7+1. The 20inch barrel 7+1 just doesn't have the same balance and feel the 18.5 does. I never shoot my 20inch barrel but I love my 18.5, 28 combo that I shoot indoors and outdoors at clays with 28in barrel on.

Yup.

Are you sure? I thought Mossbergs came in 18.5"/6rd and 20"/8rd flavors.

Yup.

My Mossberg 500 is 7 + 1 and a 20" barrel.

Yes, it fells different than its 5 shot cousin. Only 1.5" longer, but feels much bigger.

Yup.

I have had both 5+1 and 7+1 Mossbergs.
The 5+1 is much more balanced, versatile and vastly better for shooting clays or hunting.
My final set-up is the 5+1 500 with 4 extra rounds in the speed feed stock and a light for HD.
For the range, the wood stocks and 28" barrel go on.
The Mossberg 500s cannot have a mag extension added like the Rem 870 can.

[TRICKSTER]

The vast majority of police and military shotguns are and have been standard 5 rounders. If you can't quickly reload on the move or without running empty, you either have a poorly designed shotgun of lack the proper training. There really isn't the need for more than that in a home defense/close quarters environment.

[cindynles]

Don't forget the weight factor. A fully loaded 8+1 shotgun gets pretty nose heavy when loaded up with buckshot.

[xsefan]

I'm an 870 guy but the mossberg holds 8 in the tube were the 870 tactical only holds 6. The Plus on the 870 is you can put extensions on. If you miss 8 times in you home you have bigger problems. Like a ton of bad guys. Or you should wait for a better shot that will give you the time to re think what's happening. Remember in California you could be looking at a murderer charge for protecting you family. Or it will give you time to reload. Plus if you have a home that's so big you missed with a shotgun, just pay private security!

[happy_gunner]

I'll agree with some of the others, IMO it comes in 5 shot instead of 7-8 is 1) it's cheaper for them to produce and being sold at a lower price attracts more potential buyers and now if you want to look cool and have a bigger capcity, you have to buy more parts from manufacture. 2) Importation, even though some countries have an all out ban on firearms to their citizens; their local police, security firms, people with special circumstances can buy and own firearms.

Myself, I have a KSG and 870 18" with 8 shots. KSG is for S**ts and giggles at the range, my HD is the 870. Our rooms are situated in the far end of the house on the second floor, if theres any loud crash in the middle of the night, it's not hard for me to "sercure" the family call 911 and "defend/protect" my family until police arrives. I still go by the saying "the best gun fight I've ever got into is the one I didn't".

Love my family and willing to risk my life to protect them, but there is no need to search out the intruder and risk myself if I know my family is safe with me. Money and property can always be replaced, life can't.

[mievil]

If you can't stop a home invader in 5 shots, I doubt very seriously that 6, 7, 8 or more rounds are going to make much of a difference anyway.

Isn't this the exact same "logic" as someone telling us we should only be allowed to have 10 round magazines? Because....why would you NEED more than 10?

Because I can. I loved my full tube 590. Wish I could have kept it, but I wanted something to shoot clay with, and it was cheaper to get a normal 500 with the extra long barrel, than it would have been to get a long barrel on the 590. Stupid Mossbergs.

[JohnnyMtn]

I have a Rem 870 Police Mag. When I bought it it was a 4+1. The balance on the guy was just plain awesome.

With only 4 in the tube I naturally wanted to extend that. But the more I thought about it I didn't want to mess with that perfect balance. I went with only a 1-shot extension to see how that changed things. It is now a 5+1 and while the balance is not quite what it was it's still good. But I can tell that making the gun into a 6+1 will hurt the balance even more. I am staying at 5+1 because I don't want to dick up the balance anymore.

[MissiontoMars]

I've done my share of shotgunning and fully support the idea of swing and balance in a gun you use for clay games.

On the other hand, i have actually been in confrontations with both wildlife and people where pointing a gun at them was necessary. I can tell you from my anecdotal experience, that having enough rounds loaded, having a gun thst goes boom every time and recoil management ended up being my priorities.

I'd say, maybe a gun for games and a seperate 8+1 defense gun would serve each role better than one single gun being just "ok" at both.

[SuperSet]

One thing to consider is that foreign made shotguns are limited to 5 rounds or less in order to be importable.

-- Michael

Yep, 922r compliance.

[SuperSet]

The vast majority of police and military shotguns are and have been standard 5 rounders. If you can't quickly reload on the move or without running empty, you either have a poorly designed shotgun of lack the proper training. There really isn't the need for more than that in a home defense/close quarters environment.

This is largely still true of the Remington 870 variants. Although the Benelli M4 has been adopted by more than a few units including LAPD and USMC. The military versions hold 7+1.

[hattles]

Originally Posted by hattles View Post
If you can't stop a home invader in 5 shots, I doubt very seriously that 6, 7, 8 or more rounds are going to make much of a difference anyway.

Isn't this the exact same "logic" as someone telling us we should only be allowed to have 10 round magazines? Because....why would you NEED more than 10?

Because I can. I loved my full tube 590. Wish I could have kept it, but I wanted something to shoot clay with, and it was cheaper to get a normal 500 with the extra long barrel, than it would have been to get a long barrel on the 590. Stupid Mossbergs.

Your rambling response to my statement is poorly understood and totally illogical,: "Isn't this the exact same "logic" as someone telling us we should only be allowed to have 10 round magazines?" Hmmmm, never even made that suggestion.

"Because I can"? Irrelevant and non sequitur. Never suggested that you can't.

No, your response is not remotely close to the same use of "logic".

[9M62]

14+1. 26" overall length.

I have one, it's fantastic. It's my bedroom gun.

[XVIga_Rob]

IMO, give me the longest tube you can for the barrel, and I'll decide if I need 'balance' or extra ammo on board as the mission dictates. But at least I have the option.

The Rem 870 Express Synthetic has a 6 round tube under an 18.5" barrel. Why you would want to cut the shell tube down to five, is beyond me.

I own one of these and really like it! As much as I'd like, I don't keep it loaded with 7. Six in the tube and more readily available IF needed. It really doesn't feel too nose heavy after that 1st shell is chambered, leaving 5 in the tube. The weight & balance with 1 chambered and 5 in the tube is not bad.
I'll take the overall weight difference. Similar to using an 8rd mag in my .45 vs. the stock 7rd, or worse yet the NY 5rd.