Home Defense Shotgun???

[Guest]

I have a Benelli Nova and really love it.
It takes up to 3 1/2 mags, unlike most security shotguns. I bought the mercury dampening cylinder for the stock and that greatly reduced felt recoil. I also like the unibody construction....
The price is also terrific for a benelli proofed barrel...

[Guest]

The West Covina Turners did not have a 11-87. I will try the Pasadena Turners and see if there is better luck there. I wouldn't mind getting a 11-87 if it is within our price range. The clerk at the WC Turners did say that the M2 is cleaner. I saw Berettas but they don't have a HD version. Smething about Beretta owning Benelli now so they let Benelli handle that market.

This is aother piece of info I didn't know unitl last night either. The WC Turners gentleman told us that if you get a semiauto then you are limited to 5 shells but the pump is as much as the SG can hold.

[Guest]

I feel really stupid now. Sorry about that you guys. For what it's worth, I actually know better than to trust clerks when it comes to handguns.

[colossians323]

this one has a good price, but rifle sights.This one is with in your price as well, but also rifle sights. Here is a with ghost ring sights and another well within your price.
If you keep your eyes open, you can find deals on the internet if you are patient.
I picked a benelli m1 with factory pistol grip, and four shot extension for 575.00 used but in mint condition with only 25 rounds through it.

Good luck

[-hanko]

Originally posted by GNote:
The West Covina Turners did not have a 11-87. I will try the Pasadena Turners and see if there is better luck there. I wouldn't mind getting a 11-87 if it is within our price range. The clerk at the WC Turners did say that the M2 is cleaner. I saw Berettas but they don't have a HD version. Smething about Beretta owning Benelli now so they let Benelli handle that market.

I've gotta' call bravo sierra on the "racking sound of the pump..." post. WHY are you giving away your position, and WHY is there not a round in the chamber already?? Does the bad guy respond with his own rack sound to tell you he's ready?? Do you carry a pistol loaded but no bullet ready to go 'bang'???

Beretta does own Benelli. The 1201FP is in the current law enforcement catalog & can be gotten from an le distributor, list is at http://www.berettausa.com/communitie...il/dealers.htm

Price should be in the neighborhood of an 1187; both are outstanding HD guns imo, you'll need ~ a 20" barrel for the 1187, either a deer or turkey barrel will work fine for the typical range to target. 1187's of various kinds are a lot more prevalent on the used market.

Between pump and semi-auto, it boils down to what is easiest for YOU to work. You can't tell which before you spend money unless you can borrow what you're considering from a friend or rent one from a range.

I'd SERIOUSLY recommend you and the BF pay the money and take a defensive shotgun class where you can try both. Between sales clerks & the internet, you're probably overloaded with input...not a good frame of mind to spend half a grand or so. Relax, take the class, and make your decision when you've each actually fired a case or two of shells.

-hanko

[Guest]

Originally posted by -hanko:
I'd SERIOUSLY recommend you and the BF pay the money and take a defensive shotgun class where you can try both. Between sales clerks & the internet, you're probably overloaded with input...not a good frame of mind to spend half a grand or so. Relax, take the class, and make your decision when you've each actually fired a case or two of shells.

-hanko

I've heard the same said about hunting / clay shotguns: it is all about personal fit. Even if you like the looks or the engineering of one particular shotgun, it won't do you any good if it doesn't fit you, and either hurts your shoulder, or you can't shoot straight with it.

Where are good places in the bay area to take a defensive shotgun class? I only know of the tactical shotgun class taught by AWT at Reed's Indoor range; this is probably a very intense class (2 days), maybe more than a beginner needs. Also, if one doesn't have a shotgun to bring, at Reed's the only option for a loaner/rental shotgun is a Benelli Nova pump.

I'm facing a similar set of questions, probably will be dealt with early next year: I want to buy a good shotty, to be used for clays, and also for home defense. I will start that endeavor by going out to the clay range with a friend (league caption of the trap/skeet league we have in the office), and borrow a different gun from him every week for a few months, until I figure out what I really like.

A related quest is: I would like to buy exactly one 12-gauge semi-auto shotgun, and use it for both HD and clay sports. It would stay in the safe set up for HD (18.5" barrel, rifle or ghost ring sights, mag extension, maybe light); when I go to the clay range, I take the short barrel and the mag extension off, and put the really long barrel on instead. This seems to be quite difficult to do; among semi-auto shotguns it seems that only the 11-87 and the Benelli M2 can do that, and even then there are difficulties to overcome.

[esskay]

Originally posted by treelogger:
A related quest is: I would like to buy exactly one 12-gauge semi-auto shotgun, and use it for both HD and clay sports. It would stay in the safe set up for HD (18.5" barrel, rifle or ghost ring sights, mag extension, maybe light); when I go to the clay range, I take the short barrel and the mag extension off, and put the really long barrel on instead. This seems to be quite difficult to do; among semi-auto shotguns it seems that only the 11-87 and the Benelli M2 can do that, and even then there are difficulties to overcome.

Curious why you'd elect to go with a 18.5" barrel as your "short barrel" for HD when you can legally go down to 18"?

[Guest]

Actually, I'm not hung up about it being exactly a 18.500" barrel. I've always heard that shotgun manufacturers make their barrels a little bit longer than the absolute legal minimum, to make sure that measurement uncertainty and manufacturing tolerances don't cause someone to end up with an illegal barrel. I wouldn't mind having the shortest legally possible barrel, but it seems that 18.5" barrels are the only ones easy to get. Not that it makes a significant difference.

[-hanko]

Originally posted by treelogger:
Actually, I'm not hung up about it being exactly a 18.500" barrel. I've always heard that shotgun manufacturers make their barrels a little bit longer than the absolute legal minimum, to make sure that measurement uncertainty and manufacturing tolerances don't cause someone to end up with an illegal barrel. I wouldn't mind having the shortest legally possible barrel, but it seems that 18.5" barrels are the only ones easy to get. Not that it makes a significant difference.

You can do it with an 1187, for certain with the SP models. 18 or 21 inch factory barrels are all over the place, as are longer barrels w/ interchangeable chokes for clay games. I can't guarantee other 1187's, like the European Profile, have shorter barrels available.

I do OK with a 26 or 28" barrel on my SP for clay games, but it's easier with an over/under. Also very easy to toast your budget with a good o/u. For hd I have a 21" (I think) barrel bored cylinder, and a 3-shot extension.

-hanko

[zot]

Originally posted by esskay:
Curious why you'd elect to go with a 18.5" barrel as your "short barrel" for HD when you can legally go down to 18"?

Same concept as a "baker's dozen". A baker's dozen is 13 because some king way back when made a law that said any baker who short-changed his customer on a dozen would have their hands chopped off. So the bakers all started counting out 13 just in case. (entirely possible it's just an urban legend, of course)

Likewise, if gun makers went with an exactly 18" barrel and it ended up a millimeter under or a cop was using a crappy ruler, their customers might get hassled needlessly over the short-barreled shotgun classification. So they pad it a half-inch just to be sure, as treelogger said.

[imported_1911_sfca]

Given your budget and requirements, I would recommend:

- Remington 870 Express. You can get it new at Big 5, with mag extension (7-shot) for $300

- Add a sling/carry strap, side saddle, and forend light.

You're still under $600, with an excellent gun. For better weight/balance, you can remove the mag extension, since in HD you probably won't need it.

Another option is the Mossberg 500, which can be had from Big 5 for about $220/230 new. It is lighter (aluminum receiver) and has 4 shot magazine.

I have both and love em both!

[imported_1911_sfca]

Originally posted by esskay:
Only problem with that is... if you are in a real home defense situation, are you really going to wait until the last minute when you see the intruder before you rack the slide to chamber a round?

Yes. It's not very good practice to store a shotgun with a round in the chamber -- it could go off if you drop it.

I would rack the gun as soon as I pick it up, and give the bad guy one last chance to take off running.

[Guest]

Speaking of home defense, I just purchased the Mossberg 500. I still need to accessorize, but I did consider many different shotguns until I spent the money.

[gunnm619@aol.com]

Originally posted by Kestryll:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Technical Ted:
Oops. Thought the Mossy 590 was the semi-auto referred to as the Jungle Gun by some.

That would be the Mossberg 9200A1 which is no longer in production I believe.
The Model 930 and 935 are the current Mossberg autoloaders mainly for hunting. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thats pretty interesting. What is the differance between the 9200A1 and a regular 9200? Cant you just build a 9200A1 out of a regular semi?

Also, what are the differances between the 500 and the 590? I own a 500 but I never bothered to find out the differances.

[Guest]

the 9200a1 is much simplified. i don't know where you would get the parts to convert a 9200 into a 9200a1 or even if you can convert it. my 9200 starts to jam after about 250 rounds. my 9200a1 does not jam ever. if only there was an extended mag tube the 9200a1 would be the best combat semi around. i think the 4+1 is what led to the death of the jungle gun.