A Shotgun for Home Defense

[lunde]

This is my idea of Home Defense: compact and thus easily maneuverable in a room or hallway, and powerful.



It may look like a shotgun, because it is 12 gauge and was built from a Remington 870, but it is classified and legally registered as an AOW (Any Other Weapon). California Penal Code 12020(b)(8) exempts AOWs (except for pen guns) from California's short-barreled shotgun restrictions as long as it is legally registered.

[acolytes]

Do you guys keep the mag tube in your HD shotguns loaded to full capacity at all times? Im assuming the spring in the mag tub is the same concept as the spring in a regular magazine and wont wear out if kept loaded to capaity at all times, and only wears out with use?

[rogdigity]

dang. better wear some gloves. that thing might hurt. i have fired a few pistol grib pumps and they kick like hell

[lunde]

rogdigity, you wrote:

dang. better wear some gloves. that thing might hurt. i have fired a few pistol grib pumps and they kick like hell

I have fired it many times, and the extent to which it kicks or has uncomfortable recoil is directly related to your shooting technique. For me, I cannot think of a better Home Defense weapon.

[prc77]

Do you guys keep the mag tube in your HD shotguns loaded to full capacity at all times? Im assuming the spring in the mag tub is the same concept as the spring in a regular magazine and wont wear out if kept loaded to capaity at all times, and only wears out with use?

yes

[1923mack]

Short barrell but legal! I like it. Looks great for inside the home.

[rogdigity]

im not knocking it at all. im just saying that ya, it could kick a bit. a friend of mine had a true pistol grip on his and it racked your hand pretty bad. that grip looks a little straighter. i imagine that would take off a fair chunk of the shock. i also imagine its more meant to be a hip shooter then an aimer...

[GM_77]

I think most shotguns will do fine, the 870 is a great gun but I'd stay away from the chinese replicates ( Norinco). Whatever you choose make sure you train or at least fire your weapon enough to be comfortable with it.

If you are going to get a side saddle I'd suggest one that attaches directly to your gun. However I hear leather ones to the butt stock work well but I don't have any experience with them. And if you get a side saddle you should also go out and shoot with it fully loaded and practice reloading your gun from the side saddle.

You don't need a pump so you can "rack" the gun, you can do that with a semi.

Lastly I would not "Candy Cane" i.e. load slug/buck/slug/buck etc. I don't think I've seen it here but sometimes someone suggests it or thinks its a good idea. If you think you might need slugs put em on your side saddle and practice selective reloading with it.

I keep mine loaded down 1 in case I want to selectively load a slug to shoot first.

[tombinghamthegreat]

Do you guys keep the mag tube in your HD shotguns loaded to full capacity at all times?

yes i have 8 shells in the tube and a side saddle holding 6 shells. i also have a bandoleer that holds 50 shells and a shotgun sling that holds 25 shells.

[mostlymoto]

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

Agreed! Don't forget the spikey muzzle break!

[Super Spy]

I think I'm going to get a Saiga 12 for home defense. Legendary AK reliability is built in, 10 rounds, 19" barrel. Should do the job for me. Second choice is an FN SLP. Third choice Remington 1187. I like semi auto.....chambering a round is still plenty audible. Follow up shots are faster and better controlled.

[pigiron]

Remington 870P. Bead sight, 1+4. Winchester Super X Buffered #1 Buckshot.

[Sheepdog1968]

You will be happy with it. Good reliable firearm. I perfer the location of the safeties on the Mossbergs but that's just my personal pref. Make sure you take a 2+ day training class if you really want to learn how to use it.

[plankowner]

I think an 870 is a great gun for home defense and I also would recomend putting a mesa side saddle on it and buying a quality light for it like a surefire because you have to positive of what you are going to shoot at you would not want it to be a family member, and I aslo keep mine loaded but not racked ( no children in the home ) and as far as being loaded it is loaded with 00 buck and I have more on the stock and slugs in side saddle, and teach everyone who might need to use and practice alot and enjoy.

[Bizcuits]

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

I have my Winchester 1300 loaded and ready to rock with 00, but definitely not what I'd go to first. It's just in my office, hidden in case I need it.

My home gun is my 1911, it's easy to have in the garage when i'm working with the door open.