16 Gauge Defensive?

[harbormaster]

Does any manufacturer still make 16 gauge shotguns; and if so are any 18.5 inch to 24 inch barrels geared more for home defense? Not seeing any if they are out there?

[Ducky's Dad]

Why 16?

[BajaJames83]

Agreed... why not just got 12 or 20

[P5Ret]

Browning is still making the Auto 5 Sweet Sixteen. Not exactly what your looking for but at least someone is still making a 16.

[Dano3467]

Defense ammo is going to be a big hurdle IMO

[newbutold]

I don't own a 16 any more and don't miss it. Hope you find what you want.

[champu]

Defense ammo is going to be a big hurdle IMO

Yeah, 12ga, 20ga, and .410 you can get just about anything.

10ga field/target loads seem to be very uncommon.

16ga and 28ga anything but field/target loads seem to be very uncommon (although that means you could make wax slugs.)

24ga and 32ga everything is uncommon.

/edit: assuming this is related to this post, which I just now remember seeing, consolidating around 16ga as your one shotgun bore size is an odd choice.

[sigstroker]

Defense ammo is going to be a big hurdle IMO

Any ammo is a big hurdle if you can't order online.

[Trapper]

The 16ga was a great shotgun that never caught on. Most 16 ga guns were built on 12 ga frames and there was so much overlap between 1oz 20 ga loads and the 16ga. With today’s steel shot requirements I don’t see the 16 ever making a comeback.

[Imageview]

Any 16 gauge ammo will work at home defense ranges. Easiest way might be to buy a 16 gauge used cheap and cut the barrels. Plenty of unloved 16s out there.

[FeuerFrei]

You can get 16ga ammo and if you want something to shoot it out of try the C&R crowd.
Have your ffl order the ammo for you. https://www.targetsportsusa.com/16-g...mmo-c-748.aspx

Be prepared to see more double barreled than anything else. Remington/Winchester. Can use cut shells in a double if you need cheap cheap HD.

I have a Parker dhe 16 that I have never shot but is in used condition and may try to have it valued some day. I don't know why I keep it really.

[hermosabeach]

16 is and has been dead

Time to read Unintended Consequences by John Ross


16 was a hunting round

Bird hunting

So home defense is 00 buck or slug

Good luck ever finding 16 gauge slug or OO buck.

[SandHill]

Good luck ever finding 16 gauge slug or OO buck.

Actually, if you click on the Target Sports link that Feuer Frei posted above, there are two 16 gauge slugs offered! (Of course, they are out of stock now, cuz pandemic panic.)

[NapalmCheese]

16 gauge buck and slug is out there.

People still hunt deer with 16 gauge buck and slugs.

That being said it's more common to find appropriate shot and shot sizes for birds and rabbits if you're limited to shopping at wal-mart.

Personally, I load bismuth 4s and 5s in my 16s for ducks and rabbits. I'm taking one of my favorite 16s out tomorrow or the next day to jump some ducks along a creek.

As for what guns are available, the only new 16 I know of is the new Browning A5. As for old guns, there were a lot of Ithaca 37s, Browning A5s, and a lot of Winchester Model 12s sold in 16 that are no longer wanted by people. Avoid the Remington 870s as they didn't do justice to the 16 gauge (they bored a 16 gauge hole in a 12 gauge gun, pretty ridiculous).

All that being said, I'd stick with a 12 or 20 for a new defensive gun as it's just so much easier to find ammo if you don't reload.

[champu]

Actually, if you click on the Target Sports link that Feuer Frei posted above, there are two 16 gauge slugs offered! (Of course, they are out of stock now, cuz pandemic panic.)

Federal theoretically loads #1B in 16ga too.