Home Defense for Women

[Guest]

Hi all!

I've been thinking of getting a Mossberg HS410 Home Security shotgun for home defense but a salesman is trying to talk me out of it, recommending that I buy a 12 gauge shotgun instead. My concern it the kick/recoil of a 12g, which I hear is formidable for a woman. HE suggested that I use low impact rounds (or something like that) and insists that the kick will be the same as a .410, and that would leave me with more versatility in ammo choices, mods, etc.

So is he right about the low impact/low recoil rounds easing the recoil of a 12g to about the same as a .410 like the Mossberg HS410? Or should I look at a 20g instead, as another friend suggested? I'm 5' 10" tall and in pretty good shape, so I'm not petite by any means.

I eventually want a tactical style shotgun as short as I can get it (18" to 18 1/2") and am thinking about a pistol grip to shorten it even more for maneuverability, and am leaning toward one of the Mossberg 500 series shotguns.

Thanking you all for your suggestions in advance,

Rhiannon

[TTT]

I shoot low-recoil 12 GA rounds regularly- they are noticeably easier on the shoulder than regular rounds but I really doubt they are anything like a .410. Most recoil-sensitive shooters that have tried my 870 with low recoil rounds have been decidedly in favor of not shooting it again. I think your choice of a .410 is probably not a bad idea and I think the salesman you talked to must have a rather tough shoulder. You might also want to take a look at a 9mm carbine- short, light, low recoil, cheap to shoot.

[maxicon]

I've been shooting my Winchester 1300 Defender 12 gauge with low-recoil LE buckshot rounds, and they still pack a wallop. I'd recommend buying a few boxes and checking them out in a rental or borrowed shotgun.

I've also been feeding it Aquila mini-shells (most shotguns won't cycle these reliably out of the box), and they're not much different from a .410, plus you can fit more rounds in the tube.

Between the higher capacity and the low recoil, I believe they'd be an effective alternative for close-in work like home defense, but you'd need to test them enough to have confidence in them. I've only been through a few dozen rounds, but I like them a lot so far.

My son is very recoil-sensitive (and I am too), and he really likes shooting my single-shot and pump .410s. He doesn't even want to try the 12 gauge. They don't really have the ammo variety of a 12 gauge, and there's just plain not as many pellets there, but they're fun to shoot.

I've only got a single-shot 20 gauge, and it still beats me up enough to leave me sore after 15-20 rounds. It's pretty light, though.

max

[Ironballs]

a 410 with good ammo will definately get the job done... and if you fear recoil, you will likely train more with the .410

if you want a 12g to really shoot light, there are some options... but it will cost you.
1. VangComp barrel job, about $220 (better grouping, less muzzle rise, less recoil)
2. Knoxx industries stock ($100) (folding or fixed)
together, they really make the 12g a baby imho...

[imported_DULLYJAY]

Pistol grip scatter guns are harder to shoot.
The recoil is a lot harder too. If you're not ready it can jump out your hands. Don't ask me how I know. It was a 12gauge.

[esskay]

These new Knoxx SpecOps stocks are supposed to work wonders in taming recoil. They also collapse, so this will help as you noted you wanted a shorter shotgun. I have ordered one each for my Remington 870 and Mossberg 590:



Knoxx SpecOps Stock, check out the video

[maxicon]

That's pretty tempting, between the adjustability and the recoil reduction.

What's the price range on them?

Never mind - I just spotted it on the page. I may have to get one of these!

max

[Guest]

Wow, you guys are so helpful!

I visited the Knoxx site and I like the mods there for reducing recoil. The videos are amazing and watching a woman shoot with the SpecOps is encouraging.

I think that I'll try a 12g using a combination of all of your suggestions...maybe one of these fancy Knoxx stocks along with low-recoil rounds (or Aquila mini-shells) and later, if I still feel that I need it, I'll get the "VangComp barrel job."

Or maybe I'll just by this sweet little 870 which Vang Comp makes, called "Pinky!"





ANOTHER QUESTION: I think I read somewhere on here that folding stocks are illegal in California. Is this true? Why in the world would that be, if pistol grips are legal?

Hugs to all,

Rhiannon

[Mad Mike]

PINK!!! I see a PINK shotgun? is this a photoshop thing...I mean...PINK????

[ligamentum flavum]

yeah, hans vang made a pink shotgun. it's definitely not photoshopped.

as far as folding stocks go, i think they're illegal on semi-auto shotguns. but if you've got a pump gun, go ahead and add your pistol grip/folding grip.

btw, my gf has a remington 870 and she's 10" shorter than you. she shoots it without any problems. she does get tired shouldering the 870 after a while though.

[ivanimal]

I cant believe nobody recomended a 20 Ga. Then you can still go shoot skeet and trap to get really comfortable with your new shotgun. Then you go ut and buy a handgun then another............

[maxicon]

I've updated my Winchester 1300 range report post in this forum with some fresh experience with the mini-shells. I'd be cautious about their reliability until putting plenty of them through the gun first. I don't think the 870 will cycle them, anyhow.

max

[pidooma]

Originally posted by maxicon:
I've updated my Winchester 1300 range report post in this forum with some fresh experience with the mini-shells. I'd be cautious about their reliability until putting plenty of them through the gun first. I don't think the 870 will cycle them, anyhow.

max

From what I've been able to gather about the Aguila Minishells is that the Winchester 1300 seems to be about the only shotgun that can fire them reliably.

http://www.aguilaammo.com/minishells_shotgun_mods.htm

I had lots of extraction issues with my 870.

Just for kicks, I tried firing a couple in my Benelli M4. They would cycle the action ok, but again, had extraction issues.

[Guest]

Hmmmm...

Okay, no mini-shells!

I'm going into the city today to get my first look at these shotguns (Moss 590A-1, Win 1300, and Rem 870). I want to see how they feel and fit me. I'll know more what I want after today, I think.

Can I change the barrel on all of these if I decide that I want to use it for other purposes? Like if I get into any of the various sports that use shotguns? I think I read that you can't change the 590A1 for a sporting barrel.

I'm enjoying this forum, btw.

Rhiannon

[esskay]

Originally posted by maxicon:
That's pretty tempting, between the adjustability and the recoil reduction.

What's the price range on them?

Never mind - I just spotted it on the page. I may have to get one of these!

max

Max, Rhiannon, or anyone else here who wants to order one of the Knoxx stocks, don't order online... make sure to call them and ask for the internet forum discount (10% off). One of the Knoxx guys (Larry) talks about it on this arfcom thread.

Note that Knoxx is in California, so you'll have to pay sales tax, though they gave me a break on shipping costs.

I'll let you guys know how it looks when I receive my order. Note, by the way, that on an 870 you have to use the standard safety, you can't use one of the extended safeties.