Starting out in Shotguns?

[The Soup Nazi]

So with a rifle in the house and a pistol coming in very shortly, I thought that there should be some consideration put into a shotgun. I was thinking in the 12 gauge area suitable for both home defense and maybe trap shooting. Not very oriented in shotguns as I am with other firearms, was wondering what you would recommend. Not looking for the end all 1300 dollar uber semi automatic shotgun, just a pump action that has all the nice tacti-cool features. Something that can have a tactical light mounted, maybe a pistol grip, a nice side saddle, a sling, and a synthetic stock or one with a parkerized finish. (Hey, I'm usually a milsurp type of guy with rifles, but with a shotgun, the laws aren't as restrictive on the pump actions so I want something black and evil )

What length of barrel should I be looking for with the purposes being home defense and trapshooting (Any shotguns out there that are combos that come with more than one length of barrel), and what brand or exact models should I be looking for? (Remington 870s and Mossberg 500s come to mind)

[VeryCoolCat]

pistol coming in very shortly

I thought you weren't even close to being 18.

Go with a Mossberg 590 or Maverick, those are the most customizable.

Remington 870s are cheap and have lots of parts available.

Then theres the Winchester 1300/FN TPS which also have plenty of parts. The TPS is a little more expensive.

[The Soup Nazi]

Yeah, my dad bought himself an M9. I'll get him to transfer it to me when I get older but he doesn't mind me putting rounds through his once it comes in.

[M. Sage]

Hmm, first, Parkerized is for metal, not the stocks. Just wanted to point that out.

Trap shooting and home defense are probably going to use different barrels. For home-defense, you'll want the shortest barrel you can find and still be legal, really. For trap.. not so much.

For someone your size, and your dad's size, too, I would reccomend a 20 gauge. Not as powerful (a lot less recoil!), but more than enough to put an intruder down for the count. There are some that say 20 gauge's smaller buckshot - #3 or #4 - is too light for defense, but I've dropped whitetail deer in Michigan with it, and if it'll kill one of those, trust me, it'll stop a person.

I've never owned an 870 and haven't really sat down and shot one, but I can vouch for the Mossberg 500. I can also tell you that if you can get your hands on an Ithaca 37.. they are really great.

Then again, thinking about it, it's kinda hard to screw up a pump-action shotgun. They're all pretty good.

[nosewitdot]

you can get M9's in cali? did he ppt it?

[anotherted]

just get that $239 mossy 500 from big 5.
It satisfies all of your requirements.

oh wait.....

Have you ever shot a 12 guage (00 buck or slugs)? They do kick a helluvalot more than 7.62x39mm. Ive seen the pic you posted of yourself; no offence meant at all, but get a 20 guage; your a smaller guy.

You could also get the 500 and shoot reduced recoil 00, etc.

[The Soup Nazi]

There were like 4 at the San Jose Gun Exchange (well, 3 now ), not a PPT, just a straight up retail transaction like any other gun, and it was an M9, sure of it when the box says M9 and the serial number has M9 on it rather than Beretta 92FS. As far as I know it didn't fall of the list and I don't see it doing so since its such a popular pistol.

[VeryCoolCat]

Have you ever shot a 12 guage (00 buck or slugs)? They do kick a helluvalot more than 7.62x39mm. Ive seen the pic you posted of yourself; no offense meant at all, but get a 20 guage.

You could also get the 500 and shoot reduced recoil 00, etc.

I don't know about you guys... but I love shootin high recoil guns. It hurts, but its fun for me anyways.... waiting for my double barrel. The backbored, 12gauge w/ m4 stock and 3" magnum slugs isn't enough recoil fun

Maybe I'll get to shoot the .577 Trex one day and I do want to shoot it.

[nosewitdot]

There were like 4 at the San Jose Gun Exchange (well, 3 now ), not a PPT, just a straight up retail transaction like any other gun, and it was an M9, sure of it when the box says M9 and the serial number has M9 on it rather than Beretta 92FS. As far as I know it didn't fall of the list and I don't see it doing so since its such a popular pistol.

ah yes, i found it on the list. silly me. Anywayz back on topic, i have an 870 wingmaster tacticool'd out....haha, though i have not had the chance to shoot it yet...its very pleasing to the eye.

[gose]

Or get a nice gas operated semi-auto like a 1100 Tactical or a Benelli M4. No matter how small you are (havent seen the pic ) the recoil with either of these shouldn't bother you. The tactical is probably a better trap gun than the M4 while the M4 might be a better home defense gun.

[The Soup Nazi]

just get that $239 mossy 500 from big 5.
It satisfies all of your requirements.

oh wait.....

Have you ever shot a 12 guage (00 buck or slugs)? They do kick a helluvalot more than 7.62x39mm. Ive seen the pic you posted of yourself; no offence meant at all, but get a 20 guage; your a smaller guy.

You could also get the 500 and shoot reduced recoil 00, etc.

Well, after getting my shoulder pounded by 8mm and 7.62X54R, I think I can handle pretty much anything, plus my dad said that its good that I start on the heavy pounding stuff that way when I fire the lighter stuff it feels like nothing. Thats why he really didn't care for buying a .22 pistol.

[nosewitdot]

usually...people's philosophy is the opposite...you may end up anticipating too much from a smaller round and miss.

[VeryCoolCat]

Well, after getting my shoulder pounded by 8mm and 7.62X54R, I think I can handle pretty much anything, plus my dad said that its good that I start on the heavy pounding stuff that way when I fire the lighter stuff it feels like nothing. Thats why he really didn't care for buying a .22 pistol.

I'll let you shoot my FN TPS with 3" magnum slugs I'll bring a camera.... show you what recoil is

[blkA4alb]

Get the Mossberg 500 at Big5 with the 18" and 28" barrel. When the Mossberg is at home its got a top folding stock,forward PG, shot shell holder, and forward pistol grip. Then I just convert it to the standard stock, barrel, and foregrip and go shoot trap. And no, 7.62X54R and 3" magnum slugs are not the same.

[CalNRA]

the Mossberg 500 combo is a great choice for a first shotgun, cheap, versatile and low maintainence. I have shot my dad's 870 and my uncle's 1300 and the difference in andling is minimal to me. I'm not a snob so maybe I'm just not picking up the subtle differences...

my ownly compalint about it is that the magazine tube is ALMOST long enough for 6 rounds of 2 3/4 shells, but barely too short. I mean just barely too short. I don't get it, if they made the tube 3-4 mm longer you got yourself a 7-shot shotty.

Other than that it's a fun gun to shoot and doesn't break the bank.

and no, the 8mm is not the same as a full power slug, by a long shot.

My suggestion is too eat more and gain more sectional density.