Recommends for break action HD shotguns

[JBBenson]

I need a shotgun for the wife, who is sometimes alone out at our place in the desert. I got her a 5 shot Mossy 500 and restocked it with vintage furniture, but she is unsure about her ability to load, unload and operate especially under duress. She's isn't really a gun person, and doubtful she ever will be. She just isn't that into them, is unlikely to go to the range to practice.

I was thinking about a break action type, as they are about as simple as you can get, like her Smith 642. I know about the Stoeger Double Defense, are there any others anybody knows about, or could recommend?

[trapperjohn]

Break action and HD don't usually go hand-in-hand. While the action is "simple", it is likely more difficult to work under duress, and once you've gotten your two shots off, you'd damn well better hope they were effective - 'cuz any more after that are going to take some time to load and shoot.

Much better to get her a short barrel 20 gauge semi-auto that holds 4+1 (or more) and have it preloaded.

A Weatherby SA-459 is tough to beat for that purpose.

Good luck.

[L84CABO]

Interesting situation. Normally I wouldn't consider a break action for HD since the capacity is so low but if you don't think she can get the hang of a pump gun, it might be an option. What about a lever gun? They're pretty simple too and it would give her several more rounds. Heck, they even make lever action shotguns.

[sealocan]

A blonde ?



Or a liberal ?






I'm just joking but I'll put forth a wild and completely unfounded theory that IF this woman drives a car and can do other simple tasks like turn on her phone and call people that she has the Ability to learn how to use a pump shotgun but it is her fear, irrational as we may think it is, yet it is still there, maybe subconsciously, that keeps her from wanting to learn & train on the controls and proper use of bigger guns like the shotgun when she's already learned how to use her very simple, small and relatively quiet / low recoil 38 revolver.

This is just my opinion but I think if she/you could focus on the .38 and being able to do reloads- relatively quickly under simulated stressful training situations, that she might not be as under gunned as you think she is.


That all said I forgot to answer your thread question, As best I could.
I don't have a lot of new / recent break open shotgun (Of either double or single barrel ) experience first hand but I have noticed that it's usually the Stoeger that does seem to be the one that is advertised and being sold more than other double barrel economy/home defense shotguns.

[JBBenson]

Blonde. Austrian. Under-The-Radar-Right-Wing Whacko.

She's just not that interested in guns. Not everybody is.

The auto-loader is a good idea. Hmm.

Maybe I need to get both a semi-auto and a break action. Cant be too careful!

[shovelon]

Deleted

[Futurecollector]

I like TrapperJohn's idea of a Semi Auto 20ga, it will double her ammo capacity and if you can teach her how to load it, I think it would be a good option.

If you are dead set on a O/U My gf likes the Stevens 555 in 20 ga, its fairly light, shorter stock and 26 in barrels make it easier to swing etc etc. And a 5.5 Lbs it will be one of the lightest on the market.

https://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/Stevens555

I also like the Mossberg SA-20 Pistol Grip. also around 5.5 lbs in 20ga, but its a 4+1 so it would be a decent option,

http://www.mossberg.com/product/mossberg-international-sa-20-railed-pistol-grip-75780/

[gunsandrockets]

"... but she is unsure about her ability to load, unload and operate especially under duress."

If this is a case of 'better some kind of gun than no gun at all', a single shot .410 shotgun might be the best, loaded with Federal #4 buckshot. Heck, she might even enjoy shooting it enough to generate a genuine interest in guns.

[bigbearbear]

Maybe I need to get both a semi-auto and a break action. Cant be too careful!

Believe it or not, there is actually a shotgun on the market that both semi-auto AND break action; the Beretta UGB25. A strange contraption that is oddly very beautiful to look at and cramps a complex mechanism into nice wooden furniture.

I don't recommend it for HD use though, it is a very beautiful shotgun designed for clay shooting.

[sleepur606]

Gotta be another voice for a sub gauge semi-auto. I'd suggest the tried and true Benelli M2 with an aftermarket bolt release. Even in a shorter, home-defense type setup, you should be able to get 5+1 or more rounds loaded making a reload a lot less necessary.

Also, check out the Beretta A400 or one of their other options. Semi-auto shotguns are, in my opinion, the way to go. There's no worry about having to fully cycle the action by hand and the potential for a short-stroke leading to a jam or no new round loaded and the hassle associated with that.

[JBBenson]

There's no worry about having to fully cycle the action by hand and the potential for a short-stroke leading to a jam or no new round loaded and the hassle associated with that.

Yeah she was already shorting it just practicing, and lost confidence. Like I said, she isn't that into guns, so unlikely she will practice. I want to eliminate as many potential problems as possible. The 20 gauge auto-loader sounds like the best option with a Smith 642 as backup.

Then again, I found this......I seriously want this (without the skull graphics) but cannot find a distributor for Adler in the U.S. Such a shame.

[pennstater]

I don't know about that SG, but, check the shotgun section at budsgunshop.com. Loads of makes and models. Just an idea.

[jstert]

Recommends for break action HD shotguns

a single shot shotgun with ejectors, as opposed to extractors, for spent shells can be run fast with decent ammo. no jams, no short strokes. see miller guns and gear on utube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D08sUXRBUHs

12ga is too much oomph to be fun practicing. 20ga is softer but ammo choice is limited, tho slugs for further out shots and #6 game loads for ok-effective under-20' self defense work, can be found in big box stores at decent prices. 410 handgun defense rounds work fine out of a long gun and are widely available.

used h&r/nef are becoming pricey. rossi comes to mind. walmart hatfield folders dont eject spent shells. henry is introducing a lever and single ejecting shotgun line that may be worthy, tho expensive, https://www.henryusa.com/henry-rifles-and-shotguns/.

here is my under the bed, bump in the night, h&r 20ga 20" single with recoil pad, sling and shellholder, loaded with #6, with a cable lock around the open breech.


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[SkyHawk]

I agree with ejectors but why not go double barrel. And go hammerless, the cocking is done when the action is opened or closed. 20ga or 410.

If loading is the concern, you could also get her a KSG pump and stuff it with 24 x 12ga buckshot minishells and/or minishell slugs. You get a mild recoil with the mini shell, but you also have the most versatile shotgun gauge if you want to run the big stuff. Even better, the KSG is very compact and that may give her more confidence. It is very easy to maneuver around the house with one of these, like having a short barreled rifle. And if 24 rounds wont do it, well....

Skip to 1:50 for the action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSDdn3cYIfc

I'd skip a semi because you really have to know how to run them through malfunctions, reloads etc - especially under stress that can be a challenge for a non-gun girl.


After I run a couple hundred minishells through my KSG to prove function, I will probably keep it loaded up for my wife like that. It will not be cheap to run that many minishells through it, but worth it. Probably have my wife fire at least a hundred of them from the proof batch to get her comfortable.

[jstert]

Recommends for break action HD shotguns

I agree with ejectors but why not go double barrel. And go hammerless, the cocking is done when the action is opened or closed. 20ga or 410.

If loading is the concern, you could also get her a KSG pump and stuff it with 24 x 12ga buckshot minishells. You get a mild recoil with the mini shell, but also the most versatile shotgun gauge if you want to run the big stuff.

Skip to 1:50 for the action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSDdn3cYIfc

my brother has a stoeger double defense 12ga with attached light. it looks cool but... i found that doubles are heavier and less handy than a single, plus slower to reload. as miller shows in several utube videos the learning curve on running a single fast is quite easy.

mini 12ga shells by aguila make a single 12ga pleasant, but they are pricey and hard to find, i.e. not in a big box store, and are generally recommended only for singles and doubles; the ksg video is pleasantly contrary to what i have read.

also re the ksg, admittedly im in another people's republic, not calif, and im not a shotgunner, but my $100 h&r 20ga plus $5 each for pad, sling and holder, plus $6 for a box of 25 #6 shells seems to be a handy combo of decent price, utility, availability and reliability. i also tend to shy away from very tactical gear because state prosecutors in my locale, perhaps the same as calif, can be unfriendly to victim defenders who resort to using firearms in response to a deadly criminal threat.


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