Home Defence Shotgun

[whtl]

I'm looking for a HD Shotgun. I'm 5'4 135 lbs My husband has a 12 ga Winchester Pump which I do not like. He says a simi-auto would be best for me. I shoot a G19 and Sig P229 9mm. Will I like a 20 ga or the simi-auto 12 ga better? Please help. Thank You.

[BonnieB]

The 12 ga semi auto's have less kick, because some of the recoil is absorbed by gun. As I understand it, part of the gas that is let off when you shoot is used to rack the next round. I was told this, I tried it and know it to be true.

Also, semi automatics depending on model, can hold maybe five rounds (there's a plug you can remove) where conventional shotguns can hold only on or two, and then you reload. If I were defending myself and my family, I vote for five chances to connect, not one or two....

Assuming you can shoulder it, a longer heavier gun has less kick, believe it or not, because the gun weight itself absorbs some of the shock. Best thing is to try some out at a trap range that rents them.

This is a bit of a dilemma. Long barrels absorb shock better, but they are harder to manage indoors than shorter barrels. I think if you split the difference and went for a 26" barrel you could use it to shoot trap with too, if you're interested.

To me, the ideal shotgun would come with a 28" barrel and an 18 1/2" barrel that were interchangeable.

I'm not certain that a 20 gauge would be a for-sure bad guy stopper. And that's the point, in home defense. I am sure a 12 ga with 00 buckshot would be. Especially with five rounds available.

[whtl]

Thank you for the info.

[elSquid]

A good overview of the 20 gauge:

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob120.html

One woman's ideal 20 gauge defensive shotgun:

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/ccm-columns/features/in-search-of-the-tactical-20-gauge/

Hope this helps,

-- Michael

[whtl]

Lot's of reading but very interesting. Thanks

[beb]

You and I are almost the same height/weight. I have a Remington 870 6+1. Go shoot one, youll like it

[RoundEye]

Kel-Tec KSG if you can get your hands on one. Bill pup configuration so it's small. Two 12ga tubes that hold six rounds, and one in the chamber and that's 13 shots for home defense.

[9mmepiphany]

I've worked with several women in teaching shooting and I'd like to offer point of view on this.

I worked in LE for 28 years and had to lug around a 12ge Rem 870. I never liked or felt comfortable with it until near the end of my career when I finally paid for a course in how to use it correctly. A lot of being able to handle a 12ga is technique.

If it hadn't been mandated that we carry 12ge shotguns, I would have carried a 20ga. A 20ga shotgun loaded with #4 buckshot is all you really need if you aren't shooting at cars or going through barricaded doors. I first read about this in reading Massad Ayoob's book Stressfire II and have tested it out myself...as in handguns, it is all about shot placement.

I think the perfect shotgun for someone starting out is a 20ga pump or semi-auto with a 21" barrel and a straight English stock. It points very well (like a lever action rifle) and is easy to shoot. The problem with 20ga shotguns is that they don't go on sale as often as 12ga ones do...so they are more expensive.

Having said all that, I should admit that my HD shotgun is a 12ga FN SLP, but it is a bit spendy...the 20ga is in the garage

[RedFord150]

...Also, semi automatics depending on model, can hold maybe five rounds (there's a plug you can remove) where conventional shotguns can hold only on or two, and then you reload. If I were defending myself and my family, I vote for five chances to connect, not one or two....

Most of the pump action HD shotguns hold at least 5 rounds. This is a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 (or 590) or Maverick 88, all with 18.5" barrel. You can step up to a 7 round capacity with a 20" barrel. I chose the Mossberg 500 with the 7 round capacity for myself.

Semi-autos are easier on recoil than a pump or breach open model. However, you can practice with 'featherweight' loads in a pump or breach open sg. These decrease felt recoil considerably. I use them myself too shoot skeet out of a Beretta O/U. However, the 'featherweight' loads are a poor choice for HD and the 'featherweight' loads do not produce enough energy to properly cycle a semi-auto shotgun.

Hopefully, you can practice with mostly 'Featherweights' and occasionally load up with full energy loads just too insure you can use them effectively if you choose a pump sg for your needs.

[kaligaran]

You can get a Mossberg 500 at Big 5 that usually comes with 2 barrels.

I have a Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag that I bought when I was 18. It has a 26" barrel but I also have an 18.5" for home defense.

I recently bought a 590 (8+1) to replace it as my home defense shotgun.

I'm only 5'5" 125 and started shooting skeet when I was 12 or 13. I think at that time I was about 5'2"ish and only 100 pounds soaking wet. After an hour or two of trap my arms do get tired but in fairness so does my shooting partner who is a 6' 200 pound male.

I have honestly never shot a 20 gague but based on what I've seen/read/heard, I'd stick with the 12.

[glbtrottr]

We have 12 gauge and 20 gauge shotguns, from Mossberg 500's with pistol grips, to Benelli Nova/Supernovas with Rifle Stocks, to Benelli Cordoba's, M1's, M2's, M4's, and everything in between including a .410

....and they're all shot by women.

In fact, she has an AOW: a Safety Harbor 20 gauge ...

http://www.safetyharborfirearms.com/index.php/products/shotguns

If you're ever curious to try out different shotguns in Socal let us know.

Something to think about that no one has mentioned: Law Enforcement and Competitors use "Low Recoil" rounds, which help with the "kick".

[RedFord150]

...Something to think about that no one has mentioned: Law Enforcement and Competitors use "Low Recoil" rounds, which help with the "kick".

Mentioned in post #9, second and third paragraphs.
What Low Recoil rounds are effective enough for HD?

[melissah]

My opinion

I would honestly recommend as a home defense gone the 20 gauge. My boyfriend and I went to big 5 yesterday and I tried the Rossi 20 gauge single shot and it is super light. For a home defense you don't want something hard to handle, you want easy and efficient. Just my preference though! Good Luck in your decisions!

[RedFord150]

...I went to big 5 yesterday and I tried the Rossi 20 gauge single shot and it is super light. For a home defense you don't want something hard to handle, you want easy and efficient. ..

Did you actually fire the gun?
A super light single shot will 'kick' harder, even in 20 gauge. The weight helps tame the recoil. Less weight = more recoil.
Before you make your choice, try to fire a couple of them too see what actually shoots best. The way they feel in the store is not the best indicator.
Good luck.

[shakes88]

My wife is of similar stature... She shot my younger brother's 20 ga. It's a Remington youth model (not sure of model number) and really liked it. It was easier for her to handle, since it was slightly smaller than a full sized shotgun. She's been on me to get her one ever since. For whatever reason, I can't convince her to shoot a 12 ga. I suppose she was intimidated by watching the guys shooting one...