LVLouisCyphre
Obama is a mack daddy!
No, 26" with the stock fully extended; this is for short rifles and shotguns. In CA, it's measured with the stock fully collapsed or folded up.
Home Defense Shotgun
- Thread starter SigFan229R
- Start date
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wolfhunter
Guest
I don't know any details about the picture, just that it looked painful.
mrsandman224455
Member
Hunting accident maybe? That’s pretty much all I could come up with. Can't really see how a self defense incident occurred at roughly 20 yards out taking a shot in the side. He could have either been turning away from the shooter (if this was a self defense case, I’d say the shoot doesn't have a leg to stand on).
My $.02
I went through the same thoughts. I went to every gun shop and sporting goods store. Shouldered the shotgun. I was considering a .308, but after looking, and thinking, I figured that if someone was breaking in, it would be, like outside or inside, not a mile away. I then decided to go with a shotgun with as short a barrel I could get without modifying anything.
I considered all. and ended up with a Mossberg 535 with a Tactical collapsable stock. .12 ga. Pump. I also have a Franchi semi-auto. I wanted a pump for the safety, and the noise of it. NON CAMO. 5 rounds should be enough for this situation, if not another couple is not going to help anyway. This thing is Scary looking. I am getting Training loads that are powder only, for the noise effect inside the house for the first round at least. Especially if a family member comes home drunk. My wife said that it was a good thing to have for home defense if needed.
I also have a .12 ga flare gun. If you shoot anyone with that thing. they will not heal. Single shot, easily hidden under the pillow. Right or wrong. that is what I did.
I considered all. and ended up with a Mossberg 535 with a Tactical collapsable stock. .12 ga. Pump. I also have a Franchi semi-auto. I wanted a pump for the safety, and the noise of it. NON CAMO. 5 rounds should be enough for this situation, if not another couple is not going to help anyway. This thing is Scary looking. I am getting Training loads that are powder only, for the noise effect inside the house for the first round at least. Especially if a family member comes home drunk. My wife said that it was a good thing to have for home defense if needed.
I also have a .12 ga flare gun. If you shoot anyone with that thing. they will not heal. Single shot, easily hidden under the pillow. Right or wrong. that is what I did.
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My suggestion is a 12 gauge that will shoot 2 3/4" shells. A 3 inch 12 gauge round will deliver more shot but you pay through the nose for them AND they kick hard enough to slow down follow up shots AND it cuts down mag capacity. Shotguns in general (with the exception of the Saiga mag fed ones) are slow to reload. Figger on having only what is in in the gun.
The action type (semi auto or pump) is up to you. I went with a semi auto because I HATE pump guns with a purple passion and have never been able to work them well enough to satisfy me.
I'd go with either a full stock or one of the collapsible stocks that's now available. Pistol grips are cool to look at, easy to maneuver in close quarters but a cast iron ***** to shoot with anything but low brass birdshot. If you forget and try to 'shoulder' it to look down the sights, you can end up busting yorself in the mouth. That's a mite more distraction than you will need at the time if it's a self defense situation. Besides, you never know when somebody will just need a good buttstroke.
As for barrel length, I'd stay short- between 20-21 inches and the legal minimum of 18. GET A FULL LENGTH MAG TUBE. It ain't gonna make the gun any longer, so why not have the extra shot(s)? Since speedloading a shotgun is an art unto itself, I'd rather have the extra ammo loaded up already. Besides, the added weight out front makes the first couple shots hang closer to the target for faster reacquisition and follow up shots.
Sights are up to your preferences. I went with rifle sights with an open rear rather than a ghost ring rear or just a front bead because I like my shooting accurate but I didn't want to have to send the gun off for the mounting of the rear peep sight and that big white bead on the front sight makes it easy to focus on.
The action type (semi auto or pump) is up to you. I went with a semi auto because I HATE pump guns with a purple passion and have never been able to work them well enough to satisfy me.
I'd go with either a full stock or one of the collapsible stocks that's now available. Pistol grips are cool to look at, easy to maneuver in close quarters but a cast iron ***** to shoot with anything but low brass birdshot. If you forget and try to 'shoulder' it to look down the sights, you can end up busting yorself in the mouth. That's a mite more distraction than you will need at the time if it's a self defense situation. Besides, you never know when somebody will just need a good buttstroke.
As for barrel length, I'd stay short- between 20-21 inches and the legal minimum of 18. GET A FULL LENGTH MAG TUBE. It ain't gonna make the gun any longer, so why not have the extra shot(s)? Since speedloading a shotgun is an art unto itself, I'd rather have the extra ammo loaded up already. Besides, the added weight out front makes the first couple shots hang closer to the target for faster reacquisition and follow up shots.
Sights are up to your preferences. I went with rifle sights with an open rear rather than a ghost ring rear or just a front bead because I like my shooting accurate but I didn't want to have to send the gun off for the mounting of the rear peep sight and that big white bead on the front sight makes it easy to focus on.
I agree with jtg452. Although Thankfully I have Never had to fire a shotgun inside the house.
I think A 20" barrel is better than one of those super short ones, for accuracy. 28 might be a bit long to maneuver.
Semi Auto is the best if you are thinking of follow up shots.
Racking the bolt slide to load the chamber of a Semi is just as loud as a pump, and really means business. The cost is only a little higher.
I would think that 2 3/4 is the maximum round to use. #4 buckshot or #000 buck. Low Brass for indoors.
I stayed away from the Mossy 835 because you can not shoot slugs through it if you also want to go deer hunting later. Or disable a vehicle parked out front.
I installed a Red Dot sight, as it is only for targeting anyway, no magnification. It really works to put you on target fast.
I would also install a sling so you do not lose your gun.
Practice is King. Perfect Practice equals Perfect Performance. Sloppy Practice is worse than none.
For immediate use, I carry a flare gun. You can light up anyone with one of those, just do not use it indoors, or you will light up your house.
I think A 20" barrel is better than one of those super short ones, for accuracy. 28 might be a bit long to maneuver.
Semi Auto is the best if you are thinking of follow up shots.
Racking the bolt slide to load the chamber of a Semi is just as loud as a pump, and really means business. The cost is only a little higher.
I would think that 2 3/4 is the maximum round to use. #4 buckshot or #000 buck. Low Brass for indoors.
I stayed away from the Mossy 835 because you can not shoot slugs through it if you also want to go deer hunting later. Or disable a vehicle parked out front.
I installed a Red Dot sight, as it is only for targeting anyway, no magnification. It really works to put you on target fast.
I would also install a sling so you do not lose your gun.
Practice is King. Perfect Practice equals Perfect Performance. Sloppy Practice is worse than none.
For immediate use, I carry a flare gun. You can light up anyone with one of those, just do not use it indoors, or you will light up your house.
Tucker's Mom
New member
We have a Mossberg for home defense and a pistol on my hips at all times...well...except when I am in the toots or in the shower...
leasantry:
leasantry:
For Home Defense I went with the Mossberg. They no longer make the one I purchased it was a special run. I am sure the Remington is a better shotgun, My father had a Remington, but in those days I liked a Savage better. Now I was buying for my self and family, I liked the Mossberg better and purchased it for several reasons. Mostly it felt better to shoulder. I liked the Action function better. I liked the safety on top instead of hidden on the trigger guard a glance tells me On or Off. I have seen others shoot clicks, forgetting to take a safety off dangerous in an emergency. I liked the slide release better. I liked the positive shell lifter better. I did not feel the need for an extension tube. I liked the Look a lot better.
After years of hunting, I realized that I had taken 5 deer with 5 rounds. One box of shells in 5 years. Other than a few Target rounds. I no longer hunt, but enjoy shooting.
As I was taught, by my father, and teachers in High School: Be sure of your target, what is behind it, do not fire blindly. If you are in the movies, you can Spray and Pray. For hunting 2 legged or 4 I think the same rules apply. If someone breaks into my house in the middle of the night, I would never fire at sounds, I would be sure of my target.
After years of hunting, I realized that I had taken 5 deer with 5 rounds. One box of shells in 5 years. Other than a few Target rounds. I no longer hunt, but enjoy shooting.
As I was taught, by my father, and teachers in High School: Be sure of your target, what is behind it, do not fire blindly. If you are in the movies, you can Spray and Pray. For hunting 2 legged or 4 I think the same rules apply. If someone breaks into my house in the middle of the night, I would never fire at sounds, I would be sure of my target.
For the money it is tough to beat the Maverick 88 security model. I bought the 18.5 in. barrel model that has a 6 shot capacity (in 2.75", one less for 3" shells) for right at $200. All parts are fully interchangeable with Mossberg 500s, so I bought a long barrel for hunting. Basically got 2 guns all in for about $350.
B2Tall
Stirrer of the Pot
I currently own a Mossberg 500 cruiser and a Rem 870. Very happy with them but the shotgun I used to have, a Browning BPS, was better made than both of them. To me it just felt like a more solid shotgun than the Moss or Rem. Too bad the BPS is limited in the variants offered as well as aftermarket accessories.
Felix
New member
I was kind of intrigued with the Beretta TX4 Storm at last year's SHOT Show.
Takes a bag full of money to buy it though. And BTW, aftermarket accessories made for Benelli shotguns, such as magazine extension tubes, fit and work on the Tx4 if 5+1 isn't enough.
OTOH, if spending that much, why not just save a little and opt for the Benelli M2 tactical which many police and military units use since it gives you the flexibility of using 3" shells.
Takes a bag full of money to buy it though. And BTW, aftermarket accessories made for Benelli shotguns, such as magazine extension tubes, fit and work on the Tx4 if 5+1 isn't enough.
OTOH, if spending that much, why not just save a little and opt for the Benelli M2 tactical which many police and military units use since it gives you the flexibility of using 3" shells.
Or for about $60 more you could just order a Scattergun Technologies Standard Model Link Removed ($1325 base price) from Wilson Combat that will have most of the tricking out already done to it.
Will those things fit on my Franchi? The factory will not answer that question, they say they do not know. Sounds to me like I was asking them if the tires from a Ford will fit on a Chevy, they know just not saying. So it is good to read what others with in the field with experience have to say.
Good judgment comes from experience,
and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Good judgment comes from experience,
and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
My sweet loving wife bought me a Mossberg 500 in 410 bore. It is a pump-action. It holds 5-6 depending if 3 inchers or 2 and a half. Many think the 410 isnt very powerful but the slugs deliver 800 pounds of muzzle energy which is better than a 357 magnum. There is a suprising variety of loads available. Even 000buckshot. Winchester makes a self defence load that has 3 projectiles and 12 BBs and is advertised "stop the threat". IT WILL. The 410 has little recoil and mine cost only $235. It has a standard rifle stock. The recoil in important in that with the light recoil recovery time after a shot is nil meaning you can rapid fire accurately. Also if you are recoil sensitive a 410 is perfect. Even 'light loads are lethal(100ft) and will not go through multiple walls thereby decreasing the chances of an innocent person being injured. Slugs have a longer range. Remember in comparing 410 with larger gauges, 'bigger is not always better'. Besides wife loves it and knows how to use it.
