Advice for a shotgun newbie

[mqd123]

I own four handguns and a couple of ARs' but I'm looking into getting a shotgun and I've been shooting for about 10 yrs (never shot a shotgun though). Can I ask for some advice as to the following:

1. Which shotgun I should own for home defense and range purposes?
2. What kind of ammo should I be looking at?
3. What kind of after-market stuff should I add on my shotgun i.e. sights, stock, etc.?

Thank you in advance for your generous advice.

[Pfletch83]

I own four handguns and a couple of ARs' but I'm looking into getting a shotgun and I've been shooting for about 10 yrs (never shot a shotgun though). Can I ask for some advice as to the following:

1. Which shotgun I should own for home defense and range purposes?
2. What kind of ammo should I be looking at?
3. What kind of after-market stuff should I add on my shotgun i.e. sights, stock, etc.?

Thank you in advance for your generous advice.

If you don't have any problems with recoil I would suggest a 12 gauge (Mossberg Remington or a used Winchester 1300) or 20 gauge.

Either firearm with the right loads (#4-'000' buck shot) should work fine in a personal/ Home defense situation.

if you have injuries that prevent you from using the 12 or 20 you could be better served with a .410 (and outfit it the same as you would for a 12 or 20).

As far as attachments IMHO the most you should put on it is a good light and a way to have extra shells on hand.

Another thing at up close and personal ranges a shotgun is going to act a lot like a rifle (The shot doesn't start to spread out until 10-15 yards).

[acorn]

You're going tho have A LOT of people come on here and tell you to get a Remington 870 Express or a Mossberg 500 combo from Big5. IMO you need one for each purpose. Get a Hawk 982 for HD at Big5 for $199 and a Beretta for the the range, any Beretta, O/U, semi auto, etc.

[AAShooter]

You might want to post your location and you may find a Calgunner to met you at a local range to give you a better understanding of shotguns. Might even have a few they can let you shoot.

[BamBam-31]

If it were me and I were going to buy only one shotgun for HD and the range, I'd get a Remington 870 Wingmaster with two barrels (18"-20" for HD, 28" vent rib for range). Both with bead sights. You'll never need another shotgun, ever. Fill it up with 00 Tactical Loads (reduced recoil) for HD and Wallyworld birdshot for range use. Keep the aftermarket gizmos to a minimum--a KISS shotgun is best.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Your request is too general.

Asking for a shotgun for home defense and range shooting...is like asking for a car for racing and transporting 4 toddlers.

Home defense is one thing.

Range shooting is another. (Range shooting is clay shooting, skeet shooting, hunting, and 3-gunning).

Choose what you want your shotgun for, and you may get better direction.

In Christ: Raymond

[TheKlawMan]

If it were me and I were going to buy only one shotgun for HD and the range, I'd get a Remington 870 Wingmaster with two barrels (18"-20" for HD, 28" vent rib for range). Both with bead sights. You'll never need another shotgun, ever. Fill it up with 00 Tactical Loads (reduced recoil) for HD and Wallyworld birdshot for range use. Keep the aftermarket gizmos to a minimum--a KISS shotgun is best.

+1. Some suggest 2 different guns, when you stated you want to use one for both home defense and the range. Versatility is one of the nice thigs about the 870. I bought one, during the end of the year rebate, and this week picked up a used 28" vent rib barrel for range shooting. The neew 870 and extra barrel set me back less than $400.

[esartori]

I have an 870 express with the 28 vent rib. Bought the 18 inch for hd

[bjl333]

Are you SoCal or NorCal ??

[Yugo]

winchester 1300 defender you can shoot mine if your near so cal. VALLEY area or LA PM me and we can meet at the range.

[9mill]

me= H&R pardner protector-- 00buck-- none , of course a autoloader or KSG WOULD be bad ***.

[1911Operator]

I would say stay away from autoloaders! get a pump, and make sure its one that is very common. I got myself a 930spx and have had nothing but head aches from day 1... literally! taking it fully apart is not a pain in the butt, but finding specific take down info on some areas is. Also, theres no info on the web on the "old gas system" and it took a while for mossberg to find it themselves. as for ammo, I normally have 8 or 9 pellet buckshot and slugs in the house at all times. I do keep 5 rounds of 8 pellet buck in it. also, try to find a shotgun that has the sights bolted to the reciever and not on a rail. mine broke and took over a month to get new ones. ehhhh

[aippi]

Best advice is not to ask first on these blogs, You said you don't know, so how are you going to know what your are being told is good information. You don't know the back ground of the person telling you and can't see them. Might be some guy just repeating some mess he read on another blog. In the land of the blind a one eyed man is king and that is never more true then here on these type of sites. If you know almost nothing then a guy who knows a little more seems like a expert.

Go to an established gun shop and look at different models, hold them. Ask questions. Now go to another shop and ask the same questions and see if the answers match. Don't buy anything yet.

Now post your questions here and look for a concensus of answers that match your other information. You are going to get great advice here from knowledgable gun guys but you will not know it unless you go get some hands on from some other sources first. You have had the weapons in your hands, heard several gun shop owners answer your questions and can now ask the right questions here. You have the information and some basic knowledge to use it and can now decide.

[mqd123]

I guess another question is self loading vs. pump. Never having any experience with a shotgun before, I don't see why anyone would choose a pump action over self loading.

[sig220]

I guess another question is self loading vs. pump. Never having any experience with a shotgun before, I don't see why anyone would choose a pump action over self loading.

cost.

in either case, use slugs or 00 buck for hd.

less is more for shotguns, they are heavy enuf so dont load up on too much accessories. a nice hud sight and a nice recoil reduction stock is good enuf. if you need more shells hold them on stripper clips on your belt.