Shotty shopping

[grumpy]

I'm about to add a shotgun to the family. I've only used pumps before. I put 50 rounds through a lighweight 12 gauge shooting clays recently and it was a pretty good meat tenderizer for my shoulder. I actually felt my 30-06 afterwards, which I can usually shoot all day with no problems. I had some nice discoloration to show off on my shoulder after that one. I shot a 20 gauge on a different day and didn't notice much recoil or any difference in the clay destruction. So if I only hunt pheasant and clays do I need a 12 gauge? What about pump vs. semi-auto? Finally, are those mossberg pumps at wal-mart any good? I think 12 gauge is probably the more manly option, but I'm wondering if the 20 gauge wouldn't be more fun and possibly play the home defense role well with some buckshot. I'm a big guy, but I'll admit magnum 12 gauge hurts after a while. haha.

[Lucky Scott]

I bought a 20 GA Mossberg for the house. I knew a 12 GA would be too much for my wife to handle, and i wanted her to be able to use it if needed.
After a little research I got some 20 GA buck for home defense and they pack a punch, and I got some walmart light shotgun rounds and they are great for just shooting. I admit the 12 is a superior weapon, but the 20 is no sloutch.

And it is a lot easier on the shoulder.

[Thefeeder]

For a Shotty....I would recommend Big 5. I'm sure they will have something for you.

[grumpy]

The semi-auto action should absorb a lot of recoil in a 12 right? I bet if I get a full-weight 12 gauge and not one of those lightweight jobs it will be more fun to go through a box of ammo at a time. My main concern is having to tear down the action and clean it out all the time. Pump reliability seems a little higher. My wife can handle the 12 gauge just fine...but she'll put it down after 20 shots or so. ha. Well, lucky for me I'm not going to be a CA resident for another month... I can get stuff pretty cheap in the free state of Utah without 10 days of purgatory. I have been looking at a CZ712 and CZ720 at the local gunshop for $425 for either. Seems reasonable, but again...I could buy both a 20 gauge and 12 gauge mossberg 500 for that much at wal-mart.

[L84CABO]

A gas operated semi auto 12 ga will likely absorb more recoil than an inertia driven semi auto but both will be more expensive than a pump. There are after market options that can help address recoil such as a Knoxx stock, Limbsaver recoil pad, etc. I would personally go for the 12 over the 20 because I prefer the extra power but that's just me. You also don't need to be shooting magnum rounds unless there's truly a need for your hunting purposes. A low recoil standard round will do the job in most instances including just about any home defense situation you encounter.

But I think that a 20 would be just fine for home defense too. I mean, I sure wouldn't want to be shot with one. It won't pack the same punch as a 12 (obviously) but I'm sure it would deliver more punch than just about any handgun.

Both Mossberg and Remington make some fine pump guns. Lots of after market accessories for both brands. You could easily pick up an extra barrel for your home defense/hunting needs if you wanted. Controls are a little different on each so I would take a look and see if one speaks to you over the other. You can rent them at many ranges too so I would try to shoot both before buying. Hearing good things about the FNH line too btw but don't have any practical experience with them.

And as always...don't "cheap out" on a gun that you intend to use for home defense. As I said, both Mossberg and Remington offer some fine, high quality choices. My preference would be toward the 870 Police Magnum which will run you more that the standard Wingmaster. But again, that's just me.

Peace

[grumpy]

Thanks. I've been hearing good things about the CZ 712. I'll go play with one and then compare it to the mossy 500. Either one will be $425 or less. I'm leaning towards the CZ, although I think it would be fun to load a 3.5 magnum turkey load in the mossy with the factory butt pad and let my smack talkin bro bruise himself with it. (He likes to brag because he shot a 10 gauge with target loads.)

[mjsweims]

For wild pheasant go with a 12. For club birds use a 20 or smaller (I use a 410). For trap a 12 is better than a 20, skeet and sporting clays it depends on what everyone else is shooting that day.

[RedFord150]

I use Winchester 'Featherweights' in my 12 ga. O/U. They are fine for breaking clays and a lot easier on my shoulder.
These loads are not for use in semi-auto. They lack the recoil to cycle the action.

[grumpy]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'm going to go and rack the slides on a few pumps until I find one I like. I found a used browning BPS in my price range I'm going to go check out.

[CelticRanger]

20ga is fine for pheasant and it will do the job for HD, I just don't know if it will be able to handle clays. An auto 12 will feel a lot better on your shoulder but not your wallet. Try Benelli's super nova if you want a pump, I like the COMFORTECH stock.

[grumpy]

I think I'll just man up and get a 12. It looks like I can't go wrong with a few of the pumps. I bet if I get one that weighs a nice 9-10lbs and has a decent recoil pad on it I will be ok with it. The gun I was shooting was 6-7 pounder with a really hard pad on the butt. I'm at least going to go handle a rem 870, mossy 500, benelli nova, and browning BPS before I buy one. I have a hunch the browning will win this battle for hunting purposes, but you never know...strange things happen at the range The nearest gun shop has all of them and a range. So I'm hoping to get to shoot at least a couple of them. Thanks for the input.

[Noah3683]

just buy a knoxx compstock for it. That will drop the recoil a lot. If you want it to look tacticool than get the knoxx specops with pistol grip

[telcolineman]

My buddy had cheapy light 12 gauge, It kicked like a mule. My 870WM is much better, I can shoot it all day long without much soreness the next day. you can't go wrong with a shot gun for HD either 12 or 20, For clays, pheasant and ducks I prefer the 12 gauge and mine are 2 3/4" shows you how old they are LOL