Choosing a Shotgun

[686Plus]

Hi All,

Besides the fact that I am falling deeper and deeper in love with my guns and want to keep my collection growing, I don;t really need a shotgun.

I don't hunt but I have been hunting with friends on their ranch. I don't see myself getting into the sport. That's leaves simple desire and self defense.

What are some good choices for a self defense shotgun and what are some other purposes for a shotgun. I have looked at the Mossberg 500 but I do not know what I am looking for.

Just as a side note there is something about the sound of the pump action that I really love. Maybe that's Hollywood influencing me, but seriously, it is one of the coolest man made sounds.

Thx

[40caldeserteagle]

If you are going with a pump, chances are you are either going to end up with a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500/590. You can get these configured in a ton of different ways straight from the factory and both have quite an aftermarket following. They are all great guns, built well, great reliability. It is the minute stuff that's going to be the deal breaker.

Go to your favorite FFL and handle both guns, notice the location of the action lock and safety on each. See what feels better to you. You'll probably notice that the Remington 'feels' tighter. Remington tend to be a bit more expensive that Mossbergs and from what I understand, Mossberg's are designed to be a little looser, but that is not a bad thing necessarily. Also, take a look at the picture threads and see which one you like more. You can't go wrong with either manufacturers.

As for other uses, it depends what you go with. If you go with a short barrel some ranges might not let you use it, so you would not be able to do trap or skeet or things like that. Also, having a shorter barrel makes those activities a bit harder from what I hear. But for HD you want a short barrel, it makes it easier to maneuver. A good compromise would be a Mossberg 500 from Big 5. They carry a model that comes with 2 barrel, a 28" and an 18.5".

Personally, I went with a Mossberg M590A1. It a 20" barrel, holds 8+1, has a metal safety, metal trigger guard, bayonet lug and a thicker barrel in case you want to actually use the bayonet. It also came with OEM Ghost Rings Sights.

David F.

[randy]

My take on this is. Go with a gun that will hold 8 in the tube and get screw in chokes if you can.

There is a shotgun match in Bakersfield on Nov. 2nd. An 8 round gun is what you would need to be competitive. If you get a standard HD gun it is really limited to HD. Generally unless you take lots of classes it sets in the corner of the room and doesn't get much use. With the longer tube if you want to practice you can find a match or two or shoot 3 gun it would be perfect in the HM class.

Good luck.

[esskay]

I would add if you intend to compete in matches with a pump gun (by "HM" Randy is referring to Heavy Metal class), you may wish to examine easy of loading -- on a long shotgun stage you'll spend more time loading than shooting!!

When it comes to speed loading, note the 870 has a shell lifter/carrier. Mossbergs don't and may be easier in this respect. I've also read that Nova's have a huge loading port (never handled one).

To David's point, I will say that racking my 870 feels slick as snot and comparatively doing the same with my Mossy feels like sandpaper... So while I almost always shoot matches with a Benelli now, those that I have shot with a pump I've shot with my 870.

[Crusader]

If a pump is what you want, as stated, the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 are great choices. 870 gets my vote though.

[randy]

Since you are looking for a pump buy AMERICAN, not a cheap knock off.

[DrunkSkunk]

Go with a semi auto or go home.

[M. Sage]

If you want a purely home-defense shotgun, I'd go with a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 with an 18" barrel. The only thing I don't like about the 590 for home defense is the 20" barrel. Even 18" is a bit on the long side, IMO. I can't think of a time anybody has needed 8 rounds for home defense. If it's a problem that can't be solved with 6 rounds of 00B, you're pretty much hosed, no matter how much ammo you've got in your shotgun.

The added bonus, IMO, of the 500 or 870 is that if you want to take it hunting, it literally takes seconds to change the barrel out to a longer hunting barrel with interchangeable chokes.

Semi-autos are good, too, but both pumps and semis have their advantages and disadvantages. I'm a fan of a pump shotgun, since if you have half a clue what you're doing, a semi isn't honestly a lot faster, if at all. Again, for home defense, how much speed are you going to need? A load of 00B placed right is all it takes to put a person out of a fight. You don't need to double-up or unload your shotgun on one or two intruders. Odds are with more than one, you'll only have to shoot one and the other will exit through the nearest wall if they have to. Nobody likes to go up against a 12 gauge.

Again, IMO, don't worry too much about sight selection. If you can't point a shotgun (or rifle) at something down the hall in your home and hit it reliably (without using sights, but shoot from the shoulder with your head on the gun), you need more practice. Hopefully you'll have the luxuries of time and enough light to use sights in a HD situation, but don't count on it. For across-the-room range, a bead sight is more than enough.

Whatever you get, practice practice practice. The weakness of a pump shotgun is on the user end. Learn that it's better to work the action quickly and very firmly, and that this won't actually hurt the gun. If you're going to bet your life on a pump shotgun, racking the next round into the chamber after firing should be smooth, fast, and automatic when you feel recoil.

My personal preference is the Mossberg 500, mostly because I'm cheap. I've had good experiences with the Mossberg shotguns in the past. If I could find one, I'd love another Ithaca 37, but accessories like barrels are kind of hard to find, and I don't know of any screw-in choke systems for hunting on that shotgun...

[11Z50]

Remington 870. Mossberg 500 will do, but you can't go wrong with the 870.

[sb_pete]

Here's a good comparison of the pros, cons, and indifferences between the 870 and 500/590.

Personally, I prefer the 500 just for the shell lifter thing. I've pinched my fingers pretty nicely with 870s.

On a side note, even if you're not into hunting, trap and skeet can be a lot of fun...

[moulton]

Here's a good comparison of the pros, cons, and indifferences between the 870 and 500/590.

Personally, I prefer the 500 just for the shell lifter thing. I've pinched my fingers pretty nicely with 870s.

On a side note, even if you're not into hunting, trap and skeet can be a lot of fun...

A little slanted one way ....my vote is still for the 870

Remington 870 Express (2 3/4" and 3")
Remington synthetic forend
Knoxx recoil reducing stock
Scattergun technologies +2 magazine extinction
Mossberg Remington 870 18.5"special purpose barrel

[forgiven]

Sure wish I had friends who own a ranch. Don't give up hunting and when it comes to a home defense shotgun, buy a Benelli.

[vinny_land]

Winchester 1300, Remington 870, or Mossberg 500. If you really want to go cheap, then Norinco/IAC 870.

[localguy]

Here's a good comparison of the pros, cons, and indifferences between the 870 and 500/590.

Biased much?

[r08ert209cali]

+1000

Sure wish I had friends who own a ranch. Don't give up hunting and when it comes to a home defense shotgun, buy a Benelli.

benelli 18 nova or super nova.much better design than an 870 or a 500.designed around a 3 1/2" shell.not prone to jaming like new 870s.