A Shotgun for Home Defense

[ChopperX]

I am just doing research so please make all the comments you want.

I am looking at a Remington 870 Express 7 Round to be my defense shotgun. What do you think?

[Purple K]

My home defense first choice is a Remington 870 with a ten-round tube, a pistol grip and a weapon light.

[Seesm]

Sounds ok... 7 rds is great and 10 is even better...

[ChopperX]

well the price on the 7 round was $399. Sweet price too for a nice shotgun. I also read that Remington's are strong and tough which is great.

[Purple K]

The 870 has been around for a loooong time. They're very reliable.

[becxltoo984]

Whats wrong with a Mossberg 590 ?

[aippi]

You should think about the lenght of the weapon. A ten round tube? That is not something that should be considered as the barrel would be 26 - 28inches and you stated the weapon is a defense weapon not a hunting weapon. Short is better as you have to move around your home, through door ways and hallways and around corners. Using such a long weapon puts you at a great disadvantage and endangers your safety. Go to www.aiptactical.com and under the link for weapons, click on "Build your weapon". Read about designing a home defense weapon. Those are sound principles for what should be on a home defense weapon and what should not. And to answer your origninal question, yes, 870 is the best choice you can make as it is a proven design, will last forever and built to take it. I am amazed at the old ones I get in for rebuild. The abuse they have taken, the lack of care and yet they still function well enough to get the job done. Not so with some other brands out there.

[CalNRA]

the 870s are solid guns, even the Express line is good and are of great value.

Wipe the gun down with a silicon cloth once in a while and lube it lightly and it should last a long, long time.

[mmartin]

pump shotgun... because the sound of chambering a shell reduces the need to actually shoot intruders.
megan

[wildog8812]

Get a side saddle, I suggest this one.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/SHT002-1.html

[sephy]

My home shotgun is just a walnut 870P without any mag extensions. That's the way to go.

[ChopperX]

alright look like the 870 so far. Yea aippi is absolutely correct about barrel length. Shorter is better. My house has tight corners as many do.

[professorhard]

Saiga-12. 10+1 with an 18inch barrel. Can't beat that.

[The Cable Guy]

Get a side saddle, I suggest this one.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/SHT002-1.html

I would stay away from tacstar and stick with the Mesa Tacticals.

My previous tac-star would allow my shells to wiggle loose after several shots.

By the time you finish emptying out your tube, you'll have 3 rounds left on the side saddle.

My Mesa Tactical hasn't had the problem so far.

[Agustav]

the 870s are solid guns, even the Express line is good and are of great value.

Wipe the gun down with a silicon cloth once in a while and lube it lightly and it should last a long, long time.

This is key! If you don't, expect to find red dust like substance on you 870.

Unfortunately, I learn it from first hand experience...