Home Defense Shotgun

WHICH HOME DEFENSE SHOTGUN?

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AJ

AJ

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A friend wants to get a home defense shotgun. He is looking at an Remington 870 Express or the Mossberg 500/590. He doesn't want to spend enough to buy a car, so Benelli's M4 is out. I tend to lean towards the M870 (see the picture below for the answer). I used the Mossberg M500 while going through the USMC Combat Shotgun Instructor's Course designed by Jeff Cooper for the Corps. They took a beating and ket on ticking. the course was 350 rounds of 00 Buck and slug. Of course 12 ga.

He has the Kel-Tec KSG and thinks he should not have bought it.

Given these offerings, What says the forum.
 

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I am a loyal 870 guy. I bird hunt with o/u shotguns these days but still use 870s for turkey and deer. My primary home defense shotgun is an 870.

Compared to the Mossberg, I prefer the steel receiver and 2 action bars of the 870. The 500 is similar to the single action bar Remington 37, that the 870 replaced.

I have handled 870 and 500 youth 20s side by side assisting with a youth shooter program. The 870 just runs "slicker".

In my opinion the 500 has only 2 things in its favor: price and ambidextrous tang safety.
 
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Mine's a 18"barrelled Mossberg 500A(12 Gauge) with the Magpul SGA furniture and a Meprolight tritium bead. Ammo is 00buck. I feel pretty safe......................
 
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I have a Mossberg Model 500 ATP that was a former Alabama State Trooper shotgun as my bedside defense gun. It has a 20" barrel and holds 8 rounds. I have a number of shotguns to include Ithaca 37's and 870's along with a few others. They are all suitable and will do the job.
 
I’m an 870 Wingmaster guy. But for defensive purposes I like the safety location on Mossbergs. I own a few of each so I’m kinda torn. Can’t go wrong with either really.
 
Either. It's a Ford vs Chevy thing. Personally I dislike the 870 because it doesn't fit me. Both are good, both have extensive aftermarket possibilities. I would caution on some eras of the 870. Towards the end of the original Remington they were putting out some pretty bad product. Don't overlook the Maverick 88, a value line 500 as it were.
 
Really too little information to make a confident recommendation for your friend.

If he's looking for a cheap .12 gauge, a Mossberg Maverick 88 Security 12 Gauge Pump-Action Shotgun costs around $225 and can get the job done.

He would be well advised to check out the pros and cons of a shotgun for home defense before buying one.
 
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AJ said:
He has the Kel-Tec KSG and thinks he should not have bought it.
Click to expand...

Why does he think he shouldn't have bought the KSG? I bought mine specifically as a house gun because of its short length. It's definitely heavy if you load it up with stuff like I did with mine (below), and if you load it with all 14 rounds. But that can be mitigated. Mine works fine however.

 
The 870 has loyal following and for good reason. It's the standard Police shotgun for a very long time.
However, I've owned a Mossberg 590 for about 30 years now and have never seen a reason to change. ;)
 
Ameshawki said:
Either....Ford vs Chevy thing.... Both are good, both have extensive aftermarket possibilities. . Don't overlook the Maverick 88, a value line 500 as it were.
Click to expand...

Yups...but....

I likes the 20ga in pumpers. It beats you up a LOT less. Ammo is hi-viz yellow in color, regardless of load.
 
I like Winchester M12s but have Marlins, 1897s and a few doubles. Those downsized 20 gauge M12s are the cats whiskers. But are pricey unless you stumble up on a bubba’ed up one. Go to a decent gun shop and handle some. Never owned a mossberg but did have a 870 prison slug gun that I foolishly traded away.
 
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It's NOT a Chevy or Ford Thing. I have Mossbergs and Parkers and Fox's and LC Smiths. They all have a place. if your ONLY purpose is home protection, you don't need a $3000 classic shotgun. A Mossberg will serve you well. Plus, they are 100% reliable and will be still going strong with your grandchildren.
 
I have 5 pump shotguns all 12 gauge. 1-870, 2- 500's and 2-97's.

The 870 is a former Akron Ohio PD gun, it stays in the bedroom with the mag loaded with 7.5 shot, 1325 fps., 1 1/8 ounce "City Defense Loads" (Trying to avoid over penetration into the neighbor's condo!) I have Sure Fire light under the barrel and 5 more rounds in a soft nylon carrier on the butt.

In the country this gun and same ammo, were by the back door. A 97 full of Number 4 Buck was the bedroom gun.

20+ years ago I had a cut down Iver Johnson single shot 12 with 18" barrel and 28" OAL in the camper, with a sleave of Number 4 Buck. That gun was compact enough to be able to turn around in the camper with the gun shouldered! Besure the whole gun fits your needs.

I believe 12, 16, & 20 gauge are all capable of being defense guns with the correct ammo. I have seen a 410 set up for home defense and think it's a little lame. But; Not my house, Not my life!

Ivan
 
As a civilian protecting my home, I prefer shorter shotguns as they handle better in smaller spaces

I do own a pair of 12" barreled Remington 870WPs and a 14" Mossberg 590 Marine Magnum. Had these for 25+ years so far. All are Title II AOWs

All three have always been loaded with the 1 3/4" Reminton ammunition

Perhaps 10 years ago I bought a SxS that had it's barrels crushed in a burglery attempt. I cut it back to the forend making it an 11" gun. It has become my favorite because of the full stock.

SxS3s.jpg


SxS2s.jpg


If the Ket-Tec had been availble back then I would have bought one or if I did not already own the other shorties I might buy one of the Shockwave style guns

If we are talking outside the house I would easily use a full size 12 guage.

The Ithicas have always been a favorite fighting shotgun. The bottom eject assures that you are not throwing spent hulls on your partner.

I hated the folding stocks that we had on our 870s. They were incribely uncomfortable to shoot

870-1.jpg
 
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