Shotgun Advice

[zonomo]

Hey everyone - looking for a Tactical Home Defense Shotgun. I am considering the Remington 970 or the Moosberg 590. Does anyone have any direct experience with either of these two weapons. Or another idea. Of course, please keep this civil, non political, no Anti-Gun rhetoric please. :mrgreen:

 

[petes03]

Either would make a great home defense weapon. I don't have experience with the 590, but I have put thousands of shells through Remington 870's, Mossberg 500's and 835's. all are super reliable.

 

[deleon]

I love my Winchester Defender:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/942494522/Winchester_1300_Defender_12g.htm
But if thats not it Remington 870 is a blast!
Both brands can take a beating and are worth the price!

 

[lostandfound]

What is the difference between a home defense shotgun and, well... any other shotgun?

 

[barleynbaccy]

Can I ask what the difference of an 970 and the 870 is? Is this just the model number for a tactical outfitted 870? If thats the case I have to throw my hat in on the 970. My 870 just works. Never had a problem and easy to clean.

 

[petes03]

@lostandfound, home defense shotguns usually have shorter barrels and higher capacity than sporting shotguns. You can use sporting guns for home defense, but they are not as well suited for it. Same goes for using defensive shotguns for sporting purposes.

 

[barleynbaccy]

What is the difference between a home defense shotgun and, well... any other shotgun?

Usually when you buy a shotgun outfitted for home defense, it can come with variations of certain addons. Most of the time it's a shortend barrel and pistol grip. Some hame collapsable stocks, and or shoulder slings.

 

[barleynbaccy]

The beauty of the 870 and 500 platforms is that they have been making them forever. There is so much available to mix and match that you can get the "type" of system you want.

 

[lostandfound]

Ah, I see. That makes sense. I wouldn't want my shotgun barrel banging into walls and doorways while chasing down a would-be perp.

 

[carbz13]

I bought the wife a Benelli Nova and she loves it.

 

[tbradsim1]

Remington 870 Marine Magnum, been around my boats, farm, truck , short , marine finish, shoots 2 3/4 or 3 inch cap 7, 870 action is one of the smoothest since Win Model 12.

 

[pstlpkr]

I have a short barreled Mossberg with a pistol grip.

Carried it for years at work, now it's for home defense.

We call it the walking cane.

It's light easy to use and short enough to use in the home with no difficulty.

Sport guns are simply to long and in my opinion choked too much. (not enough dispersal)

It's effective at close range (less than 25') not very effective beyond that distance.

 

[dread]

Either one will fit the bill. Your best bet is to handle them both and decide which one works best for you. I have a Winchester 1300 as an HD shotgun, but have shot thousands of rounds through both Remington and Mossberg shotguns. All good IMHO.

 

[dread]

In fact - my HD shotgun is the one in the foreground sitting on the pail in my avatar, and I think I'm shooting an 870 sporter in the pic.

 

[locopony]

I have the Mossberg.

Two things ya need to know about tactical shot guns

1 they kick hard and pistol grips drive it right into your wrist

2 they kick hard and the pistol grip drives right into your wrist.

Get the gist here. It my not be suitable for the wife. And dont use heavy loads like 3" magnum buckshot.

Find a friend that has one or rent one at the shooting range before you buy. You may wish to choose a sport youth model rather than a tactical model if you are not a familiar shooter.

No matter what weapon you choose practice with it. The practice is fun and you get a real working knowledge of the fire arm.

I have some simple 22 pistols with 10 mags for the most part as a home defence plan. My wife had an XD9 and I carry the P97 on me.
Now know your local laws

Know you local laws

Know your local laws!!

I cant stress that enough

Go to a tactical training class and even get a chl that is the crash coarse for local and state laws.

Do not mess up and go by common sense. I dont want to see ya go to prison.

 

[pstlpkr]

All good advice Loco...

+1

 

[zonomo]

Thanks everyone - I can see we have some hands-on experience which is why I asked you fine folks. That Winchester Defender looks pretty sweet at a great price. I found a pretty nice deal on a 590A1 Tactical. I am not sure I needed all of the extra MilSpec components but its the same list price as the regular 500 Tactical TriRail. But I will go today and handle these. From what I've read, they are both excellent weapons with proven longevity. The Moosberg seems like a pain to field strip compared to the Rem.

 

[bryanf]

Another vote for the 870. My brother has a Mossberg 500, and I hate the safety on top, and it feels flimsy compared to the 870.

 

[bentmike]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZJX40k7Wbg/UH3v69TKwtI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/UvEVDiJjH5E/s400/022.JPG
My son firing our H&R Pardner Protector 12 gauge. It's an 870 clone made in China (If that sort of thing bothers you) Otherwise a good stout gun.
Here's a short informal review: The Shooting Bench - H & R Pardner Protector
Kicks like a mule. Since I wrote the review I have stocked up on a few boxes of Reduced Recoil 00 buckshot loads. I've not tried them out yet.

 

[petergunn]

IF it were me I'd find an 870 express with the smooth bore IC deer barrel