Novice to Shotgun - Basic Questions

[AAShooter]

-just realize that tactical shotgun is kind of a different animal than shooting clays. Much of tactical shotgun has a lot more "aiming", especially when shooting slugs. That said, Thefeeder puts on a good seminar.

Ghost ring sights are nice when shooting distance. Adjustable sights is nice. Night sights are nice. That said, most people do pretty well with a bead-sight. Bead-sights are kind of the original red dot sights!

[AAShooter]

These folks put together some nice tactical shotguns . . . https://vangcomp.com/

[003]

Keep in mind that unlike center fire rifles, the different gage shotguns do not directly relate to more or less “killing power” or energy transfer to the target. The main difference between as an example 12 ga vs 20 ga is the weight of the shot charge. A 20 ga # 4 buckshot load has the same velocity, pellet size and potential lethality as the 12 ga #4 buckshot load, just fewer pellets. The only real difference is the weight (number of pellets) in the specific load.

There have been a number of studies discussing/explaining why a quality .20 gage shotgun makes an excellent home defense gun.

A quality .20 gage shotgun loaded with the appropriate ammunition will make a first rate, excellent home defense gun. Going with a .20 gage will allow the selection of a lighter, handier shotgun, without giving up any potential value from a practical perspective

http://www.homedefensegun.net/shotgun-ammunition/

[hermosabeach]

For the home, a bead sight is fine... unless you are shooting long range- a bead sight works fine...

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.

What ever you do will become permanent- taking a class or 2 will give you a lot of good skill and a lot of things to practice.

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

The mossberg 500 is about $300- I would get a gun that fits your wife if you can only afford one. If not, get two... The adjustable stocks I have tried on shotguns have not been as good as a fixed stock

3) Bead or ghost ring sight?
Bead works fine and will enable you to keep slugs on paper to 100 yards...
Beads give you a good field of view

4) Light on shotgun or...?
Lights add a lot of weight and complexity. Take a class and then decide if you want a light.

5) Shotgun training classes in San Francisco bay area?
For the money, a Front Sight membership is $20-$40 on Ebay. So for $50 background check + ammo+ hotel, you can take some decent basic training.

Front Sight is very female and very novice shooter friendly.

6) Recommended home defense load. Minimal recoil for wife would be a plus.
7/8 ounce light recoil OO buck shot loads.

[John Joseph]

Some more points to consider:
Not all buck is created equal. Those drab Olin GI over runs Big 5 occasionally sells are fierce kickers.
If you suspect recoil will be an issue, get a 20 gauge. You can practice with mild, inexpensive trap loads from Walmart. For defense consider 4 buck low recoil loads.
A short barrel and maybe a magazine extension should be all you need---anything else is, IMHO a gimmick for HD. Only shotguns that shoot slugs need sights---you point a shotgun.
Good instruction is always valuable.
Shotguns aren't difficult to shoot, but how to keep one at ready and safe takes planning.
My 2 cents anyway.
Good luck!

[Saym14]

Light recoil buckshot

[Steponmytoes]

Definitely start with a light load. It is very easy to develop a flinch with a 12 gauge, even for experienced shooters. Start with light buck, work your way up to slugs. Good to mix em when training. First 5 light loads, the last ones heavier, or just all random. It will also help to double up on ear protection as well, especially in an indoor range.

[AAShooter]

You may find this of interest . . .

[Lonestargrizzly]

Remington over Mossberg.

[RedFord150]

I'll be teaching another Skeet/Shotgun clinic in San Jose ...

Can you recommend any instructors or classes in Los Angeles County (preferably East side) or Inland Empire?

I would like my wife and daughter to take the same training as myself.

Thank you in advance.

[AAShooter]

Can you recommend any instructors or classes in Los Angeles County (preferably East side) or Inland Empire?

I would like my wife and daughter to take the same training as myself.

Thank you in advance.

These guys offer several shotgun classes and do a good job. They teach in SoCal and Las Vegas.

https://www.surefireinstitute.com/

Also consider Front Sight for a 4-day class outside Las Vegas.

[ysr_racer]

If I can hit a four inch clay at 40 yards, I'm pretty sure I can hit someone standing in my doorway.

[Munny$hot]

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.
Without training all your basically doing at a range is killing paper. To get an idea how to run a shotgun check out Magpul's Dynamic Shotgun 1 & 2. From those videos you can learn how to load, shot, shot selection, stance, etc. Although a video should never take the place of actual training at least you will have good understanding of what to expect from a decent class.

2) My wife (5' 5") and myself (6' 1") would use the gun. What LOP should I opt for?
To find your correct LOP unload the shotgun, your finger placed on the trigger and make a "hand signal" right hand turn. You should be able to place a finger between your arm and stock. If money is tight a retractable stock option may fill the roll for both of you. Although I don't recommend a retractable stock on a tang safety found on Mossberg 500/590. A trigger guard mounted safety will work best with that stock option. The best scenario would be a shotgun for each of you. Your wife would benefit from a 20ga youth model.

3) Bead or ghost ring sight?
A beaded sight is best for low light, fast sight accusation and are generally good with slugs out to 100 meters with practice. Ghost rings are best for slugs, but are not a good option indoors. A good option would be a beaded tritium night sight that glows in low and no light such as the XS Big Dot which can be installed by you for @ 40.00. https://youtu.be/PeFgQPvjkqc

4) Light on shotgun or...?
A light is paramount on any fighting gun, but a shotgun will tear up most lights. A dedicated weapons light such as a SureFire which is built for hard recoil. It isolates the batteries from bashing into the lamp module. SureFire makes 3 generations of dedicated forearm lights. You can buy them used from 100-200. SureFires unconditional warranty will repair or replace any of their products without question. https://youtu.be/4-9bBMsCJ5Y

5) Shotgun training classes in San Francisco bay area?
None that I know of going on now since it's not in high demand. Not to say a Shotgun is not the ideal HD weapons because it actually is. Jeff from Alpha Dog Tactical is your best bet. His classes are excellent which deals with running the gun, malfunctions, tactics, and mind set. Take any of his classes pistol, carbine, or shotgun since it would benefit any you and your wife. What you learn in any can be applied no matter what gun your using. Practice with snap caps at home will also help with the basics.http://alphadogtactical.com/index.html
This is also a good video to give you some pointers: https://youtu.be/O62TAcfguy0

6) Recommended home defense load. Minimal recoil for wife would be a plus.
Either low base slugs/buck or #4 buck available from Walmart/Dicks. A 20ga Youth model shotgun is probably your best bet.

[ceh383]

If I can hit a four inch clay at 40 yards, I'm pretty sure I can hit someone standing in my doorway.

Exactly correct...

[sandiego67]

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

1. I would make sure no one was home and start firing at different doors around your house. See if 7.5 shot will penetrate a hollow core door down a hallway (15-20 ft). Also, blast through some of the drywall between rooms. You want to make sure you don't end up causing collateral damage in other parts of the house.

2. Split the difference on LOP. It's not like you are going to set up for your shot. Use the pistol grip and blast from the hip Rambo style.

3. No sight. Just blast from the hip.

4. Get a detachable light. You can bash the intruder with it if you get caught in close quarter hand-to-hand combat.

5. ?

6. Winchester AA 7/8 oz shells with 7.5 shot. 980 FPS. You don't want to take out the neighbors with errant shots.