Novice to Shotgun - Basic Questions

[Phil3]

I will probably buy a Mossberg 590A1 for home defense. But, my wife and I need practice. And that leads me to some very elementary questions as I have never owned or even fired a shotgun. Appreciate any comments.

1) Where and how to practice. At a regular shooting range? What kind of target. The standard wood frames would seem to be at risk of being destroyed.

2) My wife (5' 5") and myself (6' 1") would use the gun. What LOP should I opt for?

3) Bead or ghost ring sight?

4) Light on shotgun or...?

5) Shotgun training classes in San Francisco bay area?

6) Recommended home defense load. Minimal recoil for wife would be a plus.

Thanks.

Phil

[ysr_racer]

2, do you wear the same size shoes? Same answer.

3, neither

4, none

6, doesn't matter. When the **** hits the fan, she won't notice the recoil.

[Garv]

1.
To start, go to a local range and rent first.
Call ahead, but most ranges require you to purchase their ammo, but you both can get a feel for what you are in for.

Good luck.

[Litespeeds]

Shotguns are relatively inexpensive. If you have done your research, then just go out and buy one new or used. Go to Chabot Gun Range and you can practice shooting 00 Buckshot or #4 Buckshot. There are lots of different ammo so you can buy the more expensive low recoil shells if you'd like.

This advice is from a guy that is also new to shotguns so take it for what its worth. I picked up 250 rounds of S&B 00 Buckshot with 9 pellets for $80 so that's what I'll be shooting from my Mossberg 500 Tactical. I bought the shotgun used for $300 and it included a light, RMR, soft case and about 25 shells. It's just something that I keep at home and will hope I will never have to use.

[CandG]

1) most outdoor ranges have a place to shoot shotguns. You can usually shoot slugs on any outdoor rifle ranges, and they'll let you use their wooden target stands for that, but yes buck/bird shot is probably not a good idea. I honestly only shoot my shotgun on BLM land, because I hate all the restrictions local ranges put on shotguns, and I'm not that interesting in shooting clays.

2) There's no formula for that, you guys just need to fondle some shotguns and figure out what works for you. Some short people prefer long LOP, and some tall people prefer short LOP, and everything between.

3) For an HD shotgun, I like to have a red-dot myself. I have a Trijicon RMR on mine. But chances are, in a HD situation, you won't even use whatever sights you have, so get lots of practice with point-shooting.

4) I put a MFT backup torch on mine. So small and light, I don't notice it's there. Plenty bright for identifying a target indoors.

5) ... no idea, could probably call a local range and ask who they recommend, or post in the bay area subforum.

6) What YSR said. She's probably only going to fire 1 shell, and I don't think a shoulder ouchie will be her biggest concern. Practice with light loads, but make sure you guys both fire at least a few shells of your HD shells, both to check for function and to teach you what to expect if you ever end up using it. No reason to fire 00-buck all day long at the range, though.

[CandG]

Shotguns are relatively inexpensive. If you have done your research, then just go out and buy one new or used. Go to Chabot Gun Range and you can practice shooting 00 Buckshot or #4 Buckshot. There are lots of different ammo so you can buy the more expensive low recoil shells if you'd like.

This advice is from a guy that is also new to shotguns so take it for what its worth. I picked up 250 rounds of S&B 00 Buckshot with 9 pellets for $80 so that's what I'll be shooting from my Mossberg 500 Tactical. I bought the shotgun used for $300 and it included a light, RMR, soft case and about 25 shells. It's just something that I keep at home and will hope I will never have to use.

Where in the hell did you pick up a shotgun with an RMR for $300?!? That sight alone goes for $400 on the used market. Someone must have owed you a huge favor.

[shadow24]

First rent one to see if you and your wife feel competent with one, use target loads to start with, then work up to 00 buckshot. My first choice is alway's a short barreled shotgun for defense given the distance. You do not aim a shotgun, unless you are shooting with a slug barrel, you point it! As far as a light goes, up to you. I won't give someone a direction to fire at! To fully develop your abilities with a shotgun also get a longer barrel and or a clays gun too and start shooting clays, using #7.5 or #8 target loads, you will develop your point&swing and one with the shotgun. In my opinion clay games are the ultimate in shooting, the most fun. Hitting targets at 600 yards with a rifle is rewarding, knocking down plates with a handgun is cool, but smoking clays is just plain fun. Also consider a 20Ga. if recoil is too much with 12ga., 20ga. is no joke and my personal favorite of all four gauges used for clay shooting, works well for defense purposes also. Most people would probably get a short barreled small caliber handgun and shoot it once every 2 years. The fact that you are interested in a shotgun for home defense shows you have done your homework!

[AAShooter]

Consider a class. Locally these folks would do a good job: http://dftraining.net/index.php I think TFTT does some shotgun classes out of Sacramento but I don't see anything coming up.

Front Sight out of Las Vegas is an option. I have taken that class several time including at night. You could take a class fairly inexpensively and rent shotguns to get some experience.

Your wife may want to consider a 20 gauge. Many prefer a semi-auto due to a little less recoil; however, if you go the semi-auto route (especially using low recoil ammo) make sure it runs well with the ammo you plan to use.

It is unlikely the same gun will work well for both of you.

The 590A1 is a nice shotgun. Probably not a good choice if you want it configured with a pistol grip. Regardless, I would consider a tactical light on any home defense shotgun. The Surefire fore-end with integrated light is a nice solution.

[AAShooter]

The Livermore-Pleasanton Rod and Gun is a great place to go shoot trap if you want to familiar with shotguns. It is a different kind of shooting than for a defensive shotgun. The trap range is limited to bird shot.

You can shoot shotguns at the rifle range but only slugs. And those are shot at 35, 50 or 100 yard targets. Given the range set-up, you will probably have to shoot seated or off the bench.

They do no allow buck shot or the use of the 25-yard range with shotgun. They are not very tactical shotgun friendly but close to you.

[mosin of nagareth]

The length of pull on a 500 series Mossberg is almost 14 inches, probably good for you, but horrible for your wife.
My suggestion is to buy two shotguns, one for each of you.
I'd opt for 500 rather than 590 models.
They are incredibly durable and have lighter-weight barrels.
Less expensive too.
Get a replacement stock for your wife's gun.
Avoid collapsible stocks.
Mag Pull makes a SGA buttstock with multiple spacers--and separately sold cheek risers--that can be fitted for your wife.
Recoil shouldn't be an issue for your wife, assuming she is free from disabilities and age-related infirmities.
I regularly shoot with a 5' 2" friend in her early 50's.
She has no problems with recoil, not even from buckshot.
It's all about technique with shotgun.
As for the best defense ammo, it depends on where you live and how your gun patterns.
Get the guns first and then try a bunch of different loads to see which works best.

[AAShooter]

The length of pull on a 500 series Mossberg is almost 14 inches, probably good for you, but horrible for your wife.
My suggestion is to buy two shotguns, one for each of you.
I'd opt for 500 rather than 590 models.
They are incredibly durable and have lighter-weight barrels.
Less expensive too.
Get a replacement stock for your wife's gun.
Avoid collapsible stocks.
Mag Pull makes a SGA buttstock with multiple spacers--and separately sold cheek risers--that can be fitted for your wife.
Recoil shouldn't be an issue for your wife, assuming she is free from disabilities and age-related infirmities.
I regularly shoot with a 5' 2" friend in her early 50's.
She has no problems with recoil, not even from buckshot.
It's all about technique with shotgun.
As for the best defense ammo, it depends on where you live and how your gun patterns.
Get the guns first and then try a bunch of different loads to see which works best.

The Magpul stock set is very popular these days. I think the shortest LOP for the Magpul is 12 1/2". The Hogue 12" LOP Stock is another short stock alternative but it is not adjustable as far as LOP.

[Sandro]

Here is the guy in San Jose-San Francisco area regularly makes some clases.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=405000

[L84CABO]

I will probably buy a Mossberg 590A1 for home defense. But, my wife and I need practice. And that leads me to some very elementary questions as I have never owned or even fired a shotgun. Appreciate any comments.

1) Where and how to practice. At a regular shooting range? What kind of target. The standard wood frames would seem to be at risk of being destroyed.

Practice at any target range that allows shotguns. You may have to call around as not all do. Since this is for home defense, you can use regular "man" targets. Indoor target hangers that hang down from the top will probably be fine at indoor ranges, just keep your aim a bit low initially until you see how the gun is "patterning" so you don't shoot the hanger...cause most ranges will make you pay for it. Alternatively, you can go out to BLM land and bring a couple large cardboard boxes. A lot of practice can be done with bird shot but you'll want to put in some time with 00 Buck as well.

2) My wife (5' 5") and myself (6' 1") would use the gun. What LOP should I opt for?

You won't get a choice from the factory on a Mossberg or 870. If LOP turns out to be a problem, you can put a collapsible stock on a pump gun so you can both shoot it. I would also highly encourage you to rent both guns at a range first and both fire it. It will help you decide which gun you like better and you may find that a 20 gauge is better suited to your wife

3) Bead or ghost ring sight?

I like bead on a HD gun. Nice and simple. YMMV

4) Light on shotgun or...?

Yup. Absolutely. You can't work a shotgun and a hand held light so it's a must.

5) Shotgun training classes in San Francisco bay area?

Can't help you here

6) Recommended home defense load. Minimal recoil for wife would be a plus.

Federal Tactical LE with Flight Control in either 8 or 9 pellet but the low recoil version. And be wary of anyone who tells you to use birdshot for home defense. Cause they should be along any minute.

Thanks.

Phil

See responses above

[Litespeeds]

Where in the hell did you pick up a shotgun with an RMR for $300?!? That sight alone goes for $400 on the used market. Someone must have owed you a huge favor.

Sorry, I should have said red dot, not a RMR. My bad.

[Thefeeder]

Here is the guy in San Jose-San Francisco area regularly makes some clases.
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=405000

I'll be teaching another Skeet/Shotgun clinic in San Jose on August 7th. I just posted another clinic date.

All the questions you have posted will be answered. The clinic addresses shotgun stance, mount, fit, recoil, hitting single and multiiple targets. The difference beteewn shells, chokes, patterns, shotgun actions (pump, semi, break) ....plus you can try all three

The basic fundamentals of putting shots on target with a shotgun is used in all shotgun shooting

Link -- http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=405000