If you’re in mid 65s and take care, and don’t have issues you have about 20 years to enjoy a new shot gun.
Issues are
If used in home defense will You morn the loss of a vintage gun that’s vouchered?
If that vintage Winchester can be rapid fired by racking while holding down the trigger is that a good thing to have?
If you want a new firearm and can afford it go for it. It doesn’t have to be fancy and hung with gadgets to be effective.

This is New Jersey
If you use a firearm in self defense you have way more to worry about than the authorities coming after your vintage shotgun.

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

You are to old, I’m only 70 so send me the money in question. I can invest it in something so it don’t go to waste.

I have none, should I?

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Sure you did

This reads like a check list of HD bad ideas.

[X] Pistol grip only shotgun
[X] Birdshot
[X] Mixed loads
[X] Counting on racking scaring away intruders

Nobody I know wants to catch a chest full of 8’s at the end of my hallway . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

That seals the deal. Vintage for HD. Save money for defense fund

There is nothing quite like the sound of a well oiled Model '97 cranking one into the chamber.

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Kind regards, Heinz

While they may not like it, they may well have enough fight in them to make you regret not using a more appropriate self defense load.

Wingmasters with 18.5" to 20 barrels and decent wood seem to be in short supply right now so I went with a used 12 ga. Mossberg 500 with plastic furniture and an 18.5" barrel. Will practice with this and keep an eye out for the Wingmaster.

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Unlikely. If the second round doesn’t discourage them, the third will, since they’ll keep getting closer if still undeterred . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Yours are just fine but as long as you’re still alive, I don’t believe you’re too old.

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“Look life in its iron face”

Yes I’m sure they know the difference between a well oiled 97 and a 870. I wouldn’t know the diff if there was a bump in the night.

Agreed. In NJ you do not have the right to defend yourself. In my situation, my handguns are there to fight my way to the shotgun. By the time I get to my shotgun nothing but survival matters

^^^
Words of wisdom from a resident of the PRNJ, where all guns (and gunowners) are always suppressed.

But as I said in an earlier post I am going with the Mossberg to avoid having to think about breaking an extractor. I also realize that I will feel much better shooting the Mossberg in damp outdoor weather than guns with significant vintage appeal. Mossberg 500 instead of the Maverick because, as a left hand shooter I much prefer the top of the receiver ambidextrous safety. I also like the option of a tapped and drilled receiver should I ever want to try an optic. Did not go with 590 because, to me, the extra price is not worth the ability to add extra rounds to the magazine. Would rather spend on practice ammo. I did, however, already purchase an upgrade--an "Overmolded" Hogue stock and forearm set to give a little aid and comfort to aging thumb joints. I have found Hogue products to be well designed high value products and purchased the stock and forearm set sight unseen from eBay.

BTW: Ditrina's Benelli M4 looks like a very capable weapon for a Floridian:
But due to a not well known aspect of New Jersey's Firearm Law arithmetic, 1 semi-auto shotgun + 1 pistol grip = 3 hots and a cot.
And, if that Benelli holds more than 6 rounds in the magazine that would also be a felony in the garden state.

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“ Unlikely. If the second round doesn’t discourage them, the third will, since they’ll keep getting closer if still undeterred . . .”

Nothing like trusting your life to something that penetrates like 25acp.
At least #4 buck for me.
Faster stopping can mean fewer rounds coming your way.