Need recommendations for home defense shotgun

Art W · December 2, 1998, 09:42 AM

I'm looking into purchasing a shotgun for home defense. However, I'm not sure I should be looking for i.e. manufacturer, barrel length, pistol grip, etc. Any help/recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks.

fal308 · December 2, 1998, 12:48 PM

A lot would depend on if you have any proficiency with any perticular action style (pump, semi-auto, double or single barrel) and how much time would you take to gain and keep that proficiency. If you're familiar with pumps (loadingg, unloading, clearing jams, cleaning, etc) stick with what you know unless you want to try something new. If you do try something new, make sure you practice with it. Practicing will make you familiar with the weapon's pecularities and will build muscle memory for when or if you ever need to use it. Remember that the weapon is only one part of a complete home defense strategy.

longhair · December 2, 1998, 01:28 PM

i think fal308 said it 'bout as well as it can be said. good advice! in addition i would say that since it's for home defense you might want to lean toward a shorter barrel for less cumbersome maneuvering in the house.

------------------
fiat justitia

[This message has been edited by longhair (edited 12-02-98).]

**Rich Lucibella** · December 2, 1998, 02:05 PM

Trimming the stock length is a plus, though not a necessity. It helps quicken the shoulder mount in defense (and hunting) and effectively shortens the weapon for close quarters.
Rich

wmarshall · December 2, 1998, 04:45 PM

Art, what kind of experience do you have with
a shotgun? This will help determine what kind you need for home defense. What state
do you live in? what is the lenth law and
overall lenth law?

dundee · December 19, 1998, 10:05 PM

go spent a few buck on the tactical shotgun
book by Massad Ayoob. Lots of good stuff

Jeff Thomas · December 24, 1998, 07:30 PM

Dundee, do you remember the title of the book you're referring to? I searched, but can't really find a book by that author specifically dealing with tactical shotgun use. [However, there are many, many others by Ayoob.] Thanks.

Cato · December 25, 1998, 04:51 AM

It is "StressFire II- Advanced Combat Shotgun". You might also consider the Gabe Suarez book "Tactical Shotgun" or the Louis Awerbuck video and book ( from Paladin Press ).

Jeff Thomas · December 26, 1998, 12:56 AM

Cato, thanks. Great handle you've got there.

gdeal · December 17, 2005, 02:40 PM

Remington 870 Pump. 18 inch barrel. 12 guage. 00 buck.

Garand Guy · December 17, 2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Remington 870 Pump. 18 inch barrel. 12 guage. 00 buck.

I agree.

KWBSales · December 17, 2005, 05:38 PM

In 12ga., the Winchester 1300 Defender and the FN Police Shotgun come to mind. Not the most expensive models out there, but not the cheapest either. Plus a lot of aftermarket parts available for them (side saddle, pistol grip, extension tubes, etc.). Just to one of the auction sites and type in "Winchester 1300" or "FN Police". Should give you an idea on pricing and availability.

Hello123 · December 17, 2005, 06:40 PM

Go to a pawn shop and look for a mossberg or remington pump, 20 or 12 gauge. Don't put a pistol grip on it. Have a gunsmith or a hacksaw shorten the barrel to 19 inches, load it with buckshot, and forget about it. When you need it, there would be nothing better.

USMC Tanker · December 17, 2005, 07:56 PM

+1 other vote for the Remmy 870 12 guage pump loaded with buck. Can't go wrong.

'75Scout · December 17, 2005, 10:44 PM

I've got a 1972 Remington 870 Wingmaster with a 18.5" barrel, rifle sights, and 7 shot magazine. I have added a Knoxx Compstock that greatly reduces recoil. Remington Reduced Recoil rounds feal like a push one the shoulder. I also added a Mesa Tactical aircraft aluminum 4 shot side saddel. I highly recommend Knoxx and Mesa Tactical for shotgun accessories.

CmGtSm · December 22, 2005, 05:48 PM

I would go with a 12 ga shotgun loaded with 000 or 00 buck. I don't know your physical characteristics but if a 12 seems too "heavy" check out the Youth Model shortened stock Remington 20 ga - it will still do the job quite nicely. Go with a 18 1/2" or 20" barrel, tactical barrel light (for night crawler critters when most break-ins happen) and let it go at that. You can check out the heft of both models at Wally World.

Either a 12 or 20 ga is plenty of shotgun for the job - and the light so you can see what you're about to dispatch.

Be sure of your target - and darn sure deadly force was necessary.

Blackwater OPS · December 22, 2005, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Remington 870 Pump. 18 inch barrel. 12 guage. 00 buck.

+4, also I would reccomend the Marine Magnum Version as it can even be used as a "shower gun"

. Also, a side shell carrier w/ Slugs is a must.

HappyGunner · December 22, 2005, 07:07 PM

http://www.remingtonle.com/shotguns/870tactical.htm
It's a Police Rem.870P 12ga 18 inch bbl. shotgun. It's good to go.

datchew · December 23, 2005, 11:55 AM

whatever gun you choose, I'd recommend using #1 buckshot instead of 00 or 000. There's been much research done on the subject by Ayoob and others.
2.75" shells are best.

think of #1 buck as hitting the target with 20 bullets at once.

here's a quick rundown.
http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

HappyGunner · December 23, 2005, 02:07 PM

Quote:datchew
whatever gun you choose, I'd recommend using #1 buckshot instead of 00 or 000. There's been much research done on the subject by Ayoob and others.
=======
Do you have a link to this data? If not just what is their reasioning?

K80Geoff · December 23, 2005, 03:28 PM

"Best Home Defense Shotgun" should be a sticky.

Not to "Dis" anyone but this question seems to pop up monthly.

LH2 · December 23, 2005, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Not to "Dis" anyone but this question seems to pop up monthly.

Even if it is a seven year-old thread...

John_StLmo · December 23, 2005, 04:14 PM

Yes, there is a lot of redundancy in the forum posts - a lot of it having to do with the fact that there are just soooooooooo many posts that doing even a simple search is likely to bring up hours of reading material. Me? I like the reading and don't mind going through hundreds of posts reading about a topic (plus, I've got the time). I guess some are in a hurry and just want to have a specific question answered - human nature.

YMMV

datchew · December 23, 2005, 04:43 PM

HA! I just noticed how old it is. Sorry guys.

To whoever asked me for a link to my info about using #1 buck, there's a link in my post right under where I wrote is.
Was that a joke???

December 17, 2005, 02:40 PM	#10
gdeal Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 714	That's Easy Remington 870 Pump. 18 inch barrel. 12 guage. 00 buck.

December 22, 2005, 07:07 PM	#18
HappyGunner Senior Member Join Date: September 18, 2004 Posts: 1,303	My final choice http://www.remingtonle.com/shotguns/870tactical.htm It's a Police Rem.870P 12ga 18 inch bbl. shotgun. It's good to go.

December 23, 2005, 02:07 PM	#20
HappyGunner Senior Member Join Date: September 18, 2004 Posts: 1,303	The Data Quote:datchew whatever gun you choose, I'd recommend using #1 buckshot instead of 00 or 000. There's been much research done on the subject by Ayoob and others. ======= Do you have a link to this data? If not just what is their reasioning? Last edited by HappyGunner; December 23, 2005 at 03:35 PM.

December 23, 2005, 03:28 PM	#21
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,622	"Best Home Defense Shotgun" should be a sticky. Not to "Dis" anyone but this question seems to pop up monthly. __________________ I believe anyone who calls Him/Herself a true American and Patriot should have at least an AR, a dozen mags and 1000 rounds in their safe/gunroom earmarked strictly for Homeland Defense.

December 2, 1998, 09:42 AM	#1
Art W Member Join Date: November 23, 1998 Location: Phila, PA 19149 Posts: 16	I'm looking into purchasing a shotgun for home defense. However, I'm not sure I should be looking for i.e. manufacturer, barrel length, pistol grip, etc. Any help/recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks.

December 2, 1998, 12:48 PM	#2
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,969	A lot would depend on if you have any proficiency with any perticular action style (pump, semi-auto, double or single barrel) and how much time would you take to gain and keep that proficiency. If you're familiar with pumps (loadingg, unloading, clearing jams, cleaning, etc) stick with what you know unless you want to try something new. If you do try something new, make sure you practice with it. Practicing will make you familiar with the weapon's pecularities and will build muscle memory for when or if you ever need to use it. Remember that the weapon is only one part of a complete home defense strategy.

December 2, 1998, 01:28 PM	#3
longhair Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 1998 Location: CSA Posts: 633	i think fal308 said it 'bout as well as it can be said. good advice! in addition i would say that since it's for home defense you might want to lean toward a shorter barrel for less cumbersome maneuvering in the house. ------------------ fiat justitia [This message has been edited by longhair (edited 12-02-98).]

December 2, 1998, 02:05 PM	#4
Rich Lucibella Staff Join Date: October 6, 1998 Location: South Florida Posts: 9,998	Trimming the stock length is a plus, though not a necessity. It helps quicken the shoulder mount in defense (and hunting) and effectively shortens the weapon for close quarters. Rich

December 2, 1998, 04:45 PM	#5
wmarshall Retired Screen Name Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 1	Art, what kind of experience do you have with a shotgun? This will help determine what kind you need for home defense. What state do you live in? what is the lenth law and overall lenth law?

December 19, 1998, 10:05 PM	#6
dundee Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1998 Location: mytown,mi,usa Posts: 162	go spent a few buck on the tactical shotgun book by Massad Ayoob. Lots of good stuff

December 24, 1998, 07:30 PM	#7
Jeff Thomas Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1998 Location: Texas Posts: 4,780	Dundee, do you remember the title of the book you're referring to? I searched, but can't really find a book by that author specifically dealing with tactical shotgun use. [However, there are many, many others by Ayoob.] Thanks.

December 25, 1998, 04:51 AM	#8
Cato Member Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Austria/Europe Posts: 64	It is "StressFire II- Advanced Combat Shotgun". You might also consider the Gabe Suarez book "Tactical Shotgun" or the Louis Awerbuck video and book ( from Paladin Press ).

December 26, 1998, 12:56 AM	#9
Jeff Thomas Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1998 Location: Texas Posts: 4,780	Cato, thanks. Great handle you've got there.

December 17, 2005, 05:38 PM	#12
KWBSales Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Posts: 20	In 12ga., the Winchester 1300 Defender and the FN Police Shotgun come to mind. Not the most expensive models out there, but not the cheapest either. Plus a lot of aftermarket parts available for them (side saddle, pistol grip, extension tubes, etc.). Just to one of the auction sites and type in "Winchester 1300" or "FN Police". Should give you an idea on pricing and availability.

December 17, 2005, 06:40 PM	#13
Hello123 Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Posts: 553	Go to a pawn shop and look for a mossberg or remington pump, 20 or 12 gauge. Don't put a pistol grip on it. Have a gunsmith or a hacksaw shorten the barrel to 19 inches, load it with buckshot, and forget about it. When you need it, there would be nothing better.

December 17, 2005, 07:56 PM	#14
USMC Tanker Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Posts: 54	+1 other vote for the Remmy 870 12 guage pump loaded with buck. Can't go wrong.

December 17, 2005, 10:44 PM	#15
'75Scout Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 817	I've got a 1972 Remington 870 Wingmaster with a 18.5" barrel, rifle sights, and 7 shot magazine. I have added a Knoxx Compstock that greatly reduces recoil. Remington Reduced Recoil rounds feal like a push one the shoulder. I also added a Mesa Tactical aircraft aluminum 4 shot side saddel. I highly recommend Knoxx and Mesa Tactical for shotgun accessories.

December 22, 2005, 05:48 PM	#16
CmGtSm Junior Member Join Date: December 13, 2005 Posts: 9	I would go with a 12 ga shotgun loaded with 000 or 00 buck. I don't know your physical characteristics but if a 12 seems too "heavy" check out the Youth Model shortened stock Remington 20 ga - it will still do the job quite nicely. Go with a 18 1/2" or 20" barrel, tactical barrel light (for night crawler critters when most break-ins happen) and let it go at that. You can check out the heft of both models at Wally World. Either a 12 or 20 ga is plenty of shotgun for the job - and the light so you can see what you're about to dispatch. Be sure of your target - and darn sure deadly force was necessary.

December 23, 2005, 11:55 AM	#19
datchew Member Join Date: December 22, 2005 Location: Bakeland, FL Posts: 22	whatever gun you choose, I'd recommend using #1 buckshot instead of 00 or 000. There's been much research done on the subject by Ayoob and others. 2.75" shells are best. think of #1 buck as hitting the target with 20 bullets at once. here's a quick rundown. http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

December 23, 2005, 04:14 PM	#23
John_StLmo Member Join Date: June 19, 2004 Posts: 14	Yes, there is a lot of redundancy in the forum posts - a lot of it having to do with the fact that there are just soooooooooo many posts that doing even a simple search is likely to bring up hours of reading material. Me? I like the reading and don't mind going through hundreds of posts reading about a topic (plus, I've got the time). I guess some are in a hurry and just want to have a specific question answered - human nature. YMMV

December 23, 2005, 04:43 PM	#24
datchew Member Join Date: December 22, 2005 Location: Bakeland, FL Posts: 22	HA! I just noticed how old it is. Sorry guys. To whoever asked me for a link to my info about using #1 buck, there's a link in my post right under where I wrote is. Was that a joke???