Introduction to Shotguns?

[SmithAndJohnson]

I'm planning to get a shotgun sometime quite soon for both HD and target practice.

Unlike the handguns and rifle I have, shotguns seem to be a lot more mysterious and complicated.

Handguns fire one size of ammo, and it boils down to a single bullet leaving the barrel at a given speed. Same with rifles.

Shotguns fire different shot loads as well as slugs, and seem to have various adjustments on the weapon in addition to the ammo choice.

When I have some spare time I plan on taking the Basic Shotgun NRA class, but in the meantime I'd like to purchase a starter shotgun (Mossberg or Remington 870) to get casually familiar with. Is there a good online tutorial or standard book that explains all of the basic decisions involved with shotguns?

Thanks

[Baron]

I'd recommend either an Remington or a Mossberg.
It's kinda like asking some one that you want to buy a truck.... Ford Or Chevy

What you may want to do seems how you want both fun at the range and Home defense.... You may want to get a Mossberg 500 combo... It's got an 18.5" barrel and a 28" vent rib barrel.... and you can find them for just over $200

Then when you get used to the "kick" of Shotgun through down some serious cash For something more specialized....
The only bad part is you will have two shotguns... Well, ok it's not that bad

[SmithAndJohnson]

I'd recommend either an Remington or a Mossberg.
It's kinda like asking some one that you want to buy a truck.... Ford Or Chevy

What you may want to do seems how you want both fun at the range and Home defense.... You may want to get a Mossberg 500 combo... It's got an 18.5" barrel and a 28" vent rib barrel.... and you can find them for just over $200

Then when you get used to the "kick" of Shotgun through down some serious cash For something more specialized....
The only bad part is you will have two shotguns... Well, ok it's not that bad

Thanks for the reply! I was leaning towards the Mossberg anyways (but might still end up whatever I can find cheapest locally).

But my plea for help isn't so much about gun recommendations as "basic knowledge about shotguns in general"

For example - I don't know what a "vent rib barrel" is or why it is different from the standard 18.5" barrel (other than length).

I'm also confused by the wide variety of shot types (I understand 12 gauge 00-buckshot is a very solid choice for HD, but have no idea about all the options for target practice) and things such as "adjusting the choke" and such.

I need a "cliff notes for shotguns" or something like that

[PonchoTA]

Tag. I'm interested in this too!

[sloguy]

always get a shotgun thats comfortable. between rem870 and moss500 quality is good enough on each that it doesnt really matter. for me the location of the controls is whats the deciding factor. i prefer the mossberg slide release. thats the only reason i prefer one to the other.

as far as ammo choice, for hd use buck shot or slugs. birdshot is for birds and unless your being attacked by a sparrow, ...... you get me. the onlt good reason for using birdshot on purpose is to avoid overpenetration. but lets face it, its tough to have a round that both does the job effectively and doesnt overpenetrate. badguys are more solid than walls.

mossberg has the extra barrel thing at big 5. thats a good choice.

if you can, go rent both shotguns and decide after youve shot them both.

[heavyrecoil]

take a look at these sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotguns

https://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_types.htm

[Baron]

A vent Ribbed Barrel is a longer barrel (usually about 26-28") that has a ridge that runs along the top of the barrel. Usually it has two bead sight. One at the end of the barrel and one in the middle. The Mossberg combo's 28" VB (Vent Rib Barrel) has a fixed modified choke in it. And it is used for SPorting clays, Trap SHooting, and Knocking Birds out of the sky.



The tighter the choke the more your shot, or pellets, will stay together at longer range. Mossbergs usually come with fixed chokes. Which means they can not be changed out without replacing the barrel. But there are some models that do come with the screw in type choke tubes... I can't remember off the top of my head which ones.... I had a link that explained CHoke really well with pictures and everything, here you go... http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/Artic...ed&Meida_id=20



But as far as HD goes you don't get much more reliable then a pump shotgun.
I also would recommend slugs for home defense. Unless you have to defend your home against Bears or something .... OO buck is probably the best for home defense. Like above stated Birdshot is not for home defense, seems how a thick leather coat would probably stop the shot from penetrating. OO buck is your best bet and it shouldn't be able to go through your house and into you neighbors. But it will get enough penetration to hit vital organs in the bad guys.

The 18.5" barrel that fomes with the 500 combo, in my opinion, is probably the best for home defense. The next best would be the 20" barrel that also allows a longer mag tube. Both the 870, 500, and the 590 come with the 20" or 18.5" barrels. the difference between the three is how the barrel mounts to the mag tube...

The most important thing to do with a shotgun is practice, practice, practice. Whatever Shotgun you decide on make sure you get yourself familar and comfortable with it. go to the gun stores and ask to hold them. Be sure to feel the difference in weight and how easy it is to shoulder

Well hopefully that gives you something to chew on....
Shot guns are fun man, that's why I have three...

[ysr_racer]

If you guys live in So Cal, I'd be happy to meet you at a range and let you try out a few of my shotguns.

[SmithAndJohnson]

If you guys live in So Cal, I'd be happy to meet you at a range and let you try out a few of my shotguns.

Interesting proposal and makes me wish I was in socal - anyone in the bay area (south bay specifically) feel like making the same offer?

=D

[Baron]

I actually live in the east bay.... And I'm always looking for a reason to go to the range...

[ar15barrels]

If you guys live in So Cal, I'd be happy to meet you at a range and let you try out a few of my shotguns.

I'll be needing to try a perazzi double please.

[ysr_racer]

Does this Saturday at Moore-N-Moore work for you?

[ar15barrels]

Does this Saturday at Moore-N-Moore work for you?

Busy for the next two weeks with this.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

Ar15,
I'll be needing to try a perazzi double please.

You mean a over and under. J/K.