Home defense shotgun recommendations

[willurd]

Hey all, first time posting in the shotguns forum. I don't yet own a shotgun, and I'm thinking that's going to be my next firearms purchase. I'd eventually like a shotgun for skeet (done that once, had a blast...no pun intended :P), but I want this first shotgun for home defense.

So my question to you folks is what are some fantastic shotguns for home defense? Some qualities I'm looking for are: short, light, accurate, awesome, pocket friendly (under 5/600-ish?), but I know nothing about shotguns though, so I'll leave it up to your discretion if you like something that doesn't quite fit that description.

Edit: Recommendations on gauge would be helpful too. Thanks!

[Uriah02]

Gauge: 12
Models: Remington 870 or Mossberg 500, there are multiple models these each come in. They are both inexpensive and tried and true great shotguns.

[AAShooter]

12
870 or 590

[willurd]

Wow I wasn't expecting such a clear cut answer; I was expecting pretty much a different answer from everyone. I'll start doing my research on Remington 870s and Mossberg 500s. Thanks all!

[5539]

If you want to shoot Skeet as well, look into getting a Mossberg 930, Remington 1100 or a 11-87, barreled in 28 inches.

Purchase a shorter barrel for HD.

Racking a pump for doubles in skeet is possible, but doing it well is a long process.

I have both 870's, 1100 and a 930, for me the 930 wins hands down.

Do you in live in Los Angeles, Ventura or Orange Co., Sign-up for a Skeet Class.

You can barrow a shotgun if necessary, minium barrel length is 24" at Triple B.

[willurd]

If you want to shoot Skeet as well, look into getting a Mossberg 930, Remington 1100 or a 11-87, barreled in 28 inches.

I'm planning on getting a separate shotgun for skeet at some point. Right now my priority is home defense.

[Reductio]

Big 5 Mossberg 500 combo. Comes with 18.5 cylinder and a longer mod choke barrel.

[rayzerbim]

So my question to you folks is what are some fantastic shotguns for home defense? Some qualities I'm looking for are: short, light, accurate, awesome, pocket friendly (under 5/600-ish?), but I know nothing about shotguns though, so I'll leave it up to your discretion if you like something that doesn't quite fit that description.

I was looking for the same thing as well. After months of deliberation, I went with a Stoeger Coach Gun with removable chokes. I needed something short more than anything else, and a coach gun was the shortest "off the shelf" shotgun I could find.

[BajaJames83]

12GA
remington 870 or mossberg 500, 590

[Pfletch83]

Well you could try a .410 Mossberg it's light weight,has less recoil than the 12 and 20 and with the Federal Buckshot loads on the market not only can you use it well but so can other members of the family if needed ( if you have a live in gf/wife).
The best thing to do is to go with a Mossberg 50455 and add a buttstock (if legal) the 18.5 inch barrel will throw a tight pattern and it has a 6-round total capacity with 2-1/2 inch shells.

Also more can be stored on a cheap stock ammo carrier ( The rifle version will work very well ,9-shells with the open type 6 with the covered style)

[hcbr]

12 gauge like everyone else says and remington 870 or mossberg 500 are great choices

[santamonica9]

12GA
remington 870 or mossberg 500, 590

[Lead Waster]

I just picked up the aforementioned mossberg 500 combo from Big5. The deal was $269 for a mossberg 500 (it has a Maverick 88 foreend, if that matters at all). It comes with an 18.5" and a 28" barrel. it takes 1 minute to swap barrels. So you keep the 18.5" on while it's at home and swap to the longer barrel for trap shooting. It's 12 gauge and handles 2 3/4" and 3" shells.

[CrossedRifles]

+1 on Remington 870s and Mossberg 500s.

A tad more expensive but Benelli Nova and SuperNova.

[El Gato]

taught defensive shotgun yesterday...

consensus...

shotty with sights...
mossberg without the pistol grip works about best for everyone...
everyone but the instructor had mossbergs...
everyone with a collapsepistolgripthingee..had trouble keeping the safety in line...
the two guys with standard traditional shotgun stocks had no trouble and could shoot right/left handed...get the one with the shorter "tactical" stock and the sights...esp. the sights...

then shoot the crap outa the thing...slugs buck etc... and sight the dang slugs in for like 50 yds... then 25 then 10 etc...pattern the buck esp...10yds out.. try different loads...have fun...