New to firearms - please recommend a shotgun

[Sky Masterson]

I started a thread in the handguns room, and got some great advice!

However I recently learned that a shotgun may be the best choice for home and personal defense.
Please recommend a decent and reliable shotgun to consider purchasing.

Should I go with a .12 gauge, and which brands are the better ones?

Thanks!

[Mug]

The Answers For a First Time Gun Owner for HD:
Tool: Shotgun
Type: Pump
Gauge: 12 Ga.
Ammo: Reduced recoil 00 buckshot
Brand: Mossberg
Model: 500 or 590
Barrel Size: 18.5"
Sight: Bead
Accessories:
Hogue 12" LOP butt stock
Shotgun case and locks
Shotgun cleaning kit with Bore snake
Brake-Free CLP (Cleans, Lubricates, Protects)
Shot shell butt cuff

The Reasons for the Above Answers:
Tool: You are the weapon. Handgun may not stop threat, Rifle too long and over penetrates, Carbine too expensive. 12 Ga. can be used to breach doors.
Type; Auto SG too expensive and sensitive to ammo used.
Gauge: 12 Ga. easiest to source
Ammo: 00 low recoil buck, what the police use to stop bad guys, #1 buck is good but too hard to find. Bird shot is for birds.
Brand: MB has lighter weight aluminum receiver that will be easier you and your wife to maneuver with in your home. Has dual extractors for sure operatoion, the 870 only has one.
Model: 500/590 have ambidextrous safety, better slide release, better shell elevator for reloads (up not down, won't pinch finger). Many 870 express's having jams right now (rough chambers and only one extractor).
Barrel Size: The shorter the better to maneuver in your home.
Sight: Bead is easier to pick up for beginners and faster on target. Easier to install different size or tritium sight too.
Accessories:
Hogue 12" LOP butt stock: Easier for you and your wife to reach slide and maneuver in your home.
Shotgun case and locks: Self-explanatory, but you might want to get a lock like this so you can open it with your eyes closed: http://www.masterlock.com/apps/maste...MLGROUP_1500ID
Shotgun cleaning kit with Bore snake: Bore snake makes cleaning your SG easy thus making it more likely that you will do it.
Brake-Free CLP (Cleans, Lubricates, Protects): The military uses this for all their weapons, enough said.
Shot shell butt cuff: You could also get a mag extension with the 590 or a side saddle. You will fight with the ammo that is attached to the weapon.

[Sky Masterson]

The Answers For a First Time Gun Owner for HD:
Tool: Shotgun
Type: Pump
Gauge: 12 Ga.
Ammo: Reduced recoil 00 buckshot
Brand: Mossberg
Model: 500 or 590
Barrel Size: 18.5"
Sight: Bead
Accessories:
Hogue 12" LOP butt stock
Shotgun case and locks
Shotgun cleaning kit with Bore snake
Brake-Free CLP (Cleans, Lubricates, Protects)
Shot shell butt cuff

The Reasons for the Above Answers:
Tool: You are the weapon. Handgun may not stop threat, Rifle too long and over penetrates, Carbine too expensive. 12 Ga. can be used to breach doors.
Type; Auto SG too expensive and sensitive to ammo used.
Gauge: 12 Ga. easiest to source
Ammo: 00 low recoil buck, what the police use to stop bad guys, #1 buck is good but too hard to find. Bird shot is for birds.
Brand: MB has lighter weight aluminum receiver that will be easier you and your wife to maneuver with in your home. Has dual extractors for sure operatoion, the 870 only has one.
Model: 500/590 have ambidextrous safety, better slide release, better shell elevator for reloads (up not down, won't pinch finger). Many 870 express's having jams right now (rough chambers and only one extractor).
Barrel Size: The shorter the better to maneuver in your home.
Sight: Bead is easier to pick up for beginners and faster on target. Easier to install different size or tritium sight too.
Accessories:
Hogue 12" LOP butt stock: Easier for you and your wife to reach slide and maneuver in your home.
Shotgun case and locks: Self-explanatory, but you might want to get a lock like this so you can open it with your eyes closed: http://www.masterlock.com/apps/maste...MLGROUP_1500ID
Shotgun cleaning kit with Bore snake: Bore snake makes cleaning your SG easy thus making it more likely that you will do it.
Brake-Free CLP (Cleans, Lubricates, Protects): The military uses this for all their weapons, enough said.
Shot shell butt cuff: You could also get a mag extension with the 590 or a side saddle. You will fight with the ammo that is attached to the weapon.

Wow, that pretty much sums it up. Many thanks, Mug!

[Sky Masterson]

OMG!!!

I just went to the Mossberg website, that thing is the EXACTLY what I want. Goodness gracious, that beast is BEAUTIFUL!!

[ROCKETW19]

OMG!!!

I just went to the Mossberg website, that thing is the EXACTLY what I want. Goodness gracious, that beast is BEAUTIFUL!!

http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_m4.php

[IrishPirate]

Mossberg 500 field/security combo. Mossberg Product Number 54169. Mug pretty muched summed the rest of it up...

[BigDogatPlay]

Great advice from Mug. The only thing I would differ with is a butt cuff for extra shells. Putting one on pretty much negates the ability to fire off the left shoulder, assuming you are right handed and the cuff is set up with the shells on the right side of the stock.

I would go strictly with a receiver mounted sidesaddle for extra shells.

Also... the OEM stock with a Limbsaver recoil pad (or even as issued) is very effective if you aren't ready to fork another $50 for the Hogue stock mentioned (which is an excellent piece of equipment).

Disclaimer... I own both a Mossberg 500 and a Remington 870 Police, both set up for HD. My wife prefers the Mossberg.

[Sky Masterson]

That Bennelli is sweet, but the Mossberg 500 sans the stock has captured my heart!
I don't know all much about firearms but I'm a at a loss for why anyone would have a handgun for home defense when these beauties are available

[Sky Masterson]

Say ello to my leetle friend!

Say ello to my leetle friend!

[rkt88edmo]

Chances are you won't like a pistol gripped shotgun after you've shot it.

I agree that the Mossberg 500 with the two barrel combo is a great deal and great place to start

[Thefeeder]

The Answers For a First Time Gun Owner for HD:
Tool: Shotgun
Type: Pump
Gauge: 12 Ga.
Ammo: Reduced recoil 00 buckshot
Brand: Mossberg
Model: 500 or 590
Barrel Size: 18.5"
Sight: Bead
Accessories:
Hogue 12" LOP butt stock
Shotgun case and locks
Shotgun cleaning kit with Bore snake
Brake-Free CLP (Cleans, Lubricates, Protects)
Shot shell butt cuff

The Reasons for the Above Answers:
Tool: You are the weapon. Handgun may not stop threat, Rifle too long and over penetrates, Carbine too expensive. 12 Ga. can be used to breach doors.
Type; Auto SG too expensive and sensitive to ammo used.
Gauge: 12 Ga. easiest to source
Ammo: 00 low recoil buck, what the police use to stop bad guys, #1 buck is good but too hard to find. Bird shot is for birds.
Brand: MB has lighter weight aluminum receiver that will be easier you and your wife to maneuver with in your home. Has dual extractors for sure operatoion, the 870 only has one.
Model: 500/590 have ambidextrous safety, better slide release, better shell elevator for reloads (up not down, won't pinch finger). Many 870 express's having jams right now (rough chambers and only one extractor).
Barrel Size: The shorter the better to maneuver in your home.
Sight: Bead is easier to pick up for beginners and faster on target. Easier to install different size or tritium sight too.
Accessories:
Hogue 12" LOP butt stock: Easier for you and your wife to reach slide and maneuver in your home.
Shotgun case and locks: Self-explanatory, but you might want to get a lock like this so you can open it with your eyes closed: http://www.masterlock.com/apps/maste...MLGROUP_1500ID
Shotgun cleaning kit with Bore snake: Bore snake makes cleaning your SG easy thus making it more likely that you will do it.
Brake-Free CLP (Cleans, Lubricates, Protects): The military uses this for all their weapons, enough said.
Shot shell butt cuff: You could also get a mag extension with the 590 or a side saddle. You will fight with the ammo that is attached to the weapon.

This should be a sticky....With Rem 870 added

[Redlinegts]

I like my remington 870 express but mossbergs are nice too. Whatever floats your boat

[rcschummers]

look into a #4 turkey load so the 00' doesnt cut your sleeping dog in half while its sleeping in the other room. I was asking my idiot of a friends dad about home defense ammo for a shotgun, and he was pretty compelling.

[L84CABO]

Solid info from Mug. No disrespect, but I would at least give the Remington 870 a good hard look. The 870 and the Mossberg are usually the two top choices for a pump gun so you should at least do the research and compare them...see which you like better. The Remington 870 has always been a solid choice although I admit that I'm not up on the current express model so you'll want to look into the jamming issues that Mug spoke of.

Personally, however, I would invest the extra cash and go with an 870 Police Magnum if I opted for the Remington. Better internals, parkarized finish, sighting options (bead, ghost ring, etc.) are worth the money (IMO).

I also don't think I saw any mention of a light in Mug's post. You will almost certainly want a weapon mounted light for identifying threats at night. Surefire is probably the most popular option here although there are other choices.

Lastly, I would suggest not ruling out a semi auto. Or more specifically, work to understand the pros and cons of both systems so you can make a truly informed decision. Semi autos are most certainly more expensive (not sure what your budget is). They can also be sensitive to ammo as Mug indicated, however, all that means is that you have to test your defensive ammo to make sure the brand feeds reliably in your particular weapon.

Pumps are generally regarded as more reliable, however, I'm not sure I agree with that entirely. Can a semi auto jam? Sure it can. But most folks have no issue with trusting their life to a semi auto pistol so why not a good quality semi auto shotgun? A pump gun can jam too if it is short stroked (ie not pulling the pump action all the way back). Take an inexperienced shooter and throw him into a very stressful home defense situation and anything can happen. Having to cycle the action on a pump gun under stress may be too much for some.

For semi autos Benelli M4 and FNH are two very fine options...but most certainly expensive. I know Mossberg makes a semi auto and perhaps others who have experience with it can chime in.

Peace

[Carbon23]

look into a #4 turkey load so the 00' doesnt cut your sleeping dog in half while its sleeping in the other room. I was asking my idiot of a friends dad about home defense ammo for a shotgun, and he was pretty compelling.

I'm with this guy. I read something once about #1 shot being better for HD. I keep #2 for that purpose.

Guns and ammo says much smaller, like rcschummers suggested, would be fine: http://www.gunsandammo.com/content/t...efense-shotgun

"At "inside the house" ranges, 10 to 12 yards is a long shot, and shot size isn't critical. Even No. 8 birdshot will pattern into a six- to eight-inch circle at these distances. And it'll do plenty of damage, too."

And I personally like the 870. It feels beefier to me, and I like the sound it makes. Mine has a buttstock/pistol grip which works well for different loads. It is long for an HD gun if you have narrow hallways/doorways though.