home defense shotgun selection

[ol' geeser]

I've had both. I have a 590 set up for bear defense while camping/fishing.

One point that has been brought up regarding the Remington vs Mossberg discussion. The Mossberg has twin action bars, the Remington only has one. Supposedly, this can result in torquing of the action and jamming. I never experienced this with my 870 but I have seen it be a constant problem with Browning pumps if the action is not worked with a VERY vigorous movement.

I currently have several Winchesters, several doubles,a Mossberg, and a slew of hunting shotguns. My first Hunter Safety instructors were Long Beach PD. Something they told us: Doubles have an intimidation factor if people can see them; pumps have one in the dark (sound of racking of the slide)= otherwise, your looking at 2 shots versus 4-6 (or more). Can you load a double, fire, break it (short barrelled shotguns don't break open as easily as longer barrelled ones), extract two shells, pull two off/out of wherever, reload, aim & fire as quick as you can rack a slide? Professional hunters don't use ejectors for a reason==sound of shells being ejected and hitting the ground can disclose your position.

My defense shotgun (other than the 590 above) is an older Winchester Model 12. Bought it for $250, cut the barrel to 20". No disconnect, so it will "spray" shells, if need be. Plug removed, of course. Lousy wood and metal finish-cold blued to cover obvious deficiencies. Bayonet lug and sling swivels for fun (I collect WWI weapons).

Every 870 I own and have ever seen has had TWIN action bars....and I can assure you that if one discharges a 20 inch or less shotgun in a dark area, muzzle flash WILL denote your location...the sound of shells being ejected and hitting the ground will be a non-factor...

 

[JM4151]

Shotgun for the home!

If you decide to go with the Mossburg, hold the pistol grip in your hand and make sure that it not too thick for you, to feel comfortable with. It was too thick for me. I have an old Ithaca 37 LE gun in the corner of my bedroom. Nice gun, have 2 bbls for it. Cost $35.00 back in the early 1970's. One thing that you have to remember is when the Grandkids visit, is to lock it up or take the ctges out of it!!

 

[OFT II]

The 870 is my favorite but the house scattergun is a 500. It was a police trade in with a seven shot magazine that I got for $120.00.

 

[tyusclan]

One point that has been brought up regarding the Remington vs Mossberg discussion. The Mossberg has twin action bars, the Remington only has one.

I think you may have this backwards. The Remingtons I've seen, including the one that I own, all have twin action bars, and the Mossbergs I've seen only have one.

 

[accessbob]

Mine is a pistol grip (with full stock) Stevens 320 5 shell pump.

 

[BearBio]

"I think you may have this backwards. The Remingtons I've seen, including the one that I own, all have twin action bars, and the Mossbergs I've seen only have one."

Mossberg left side and right side pics:
http://gunnuts.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Sony-DSC-Camera-imports-007.jpg

http://www.customdigitaldesignsonli.../18_inch_mossberg_500_20100926_1506252490.jpg

Remington left and right sides:

http://www.gunsumerreports.com/Remington_870_Express_Tactical/Remington_870_Express_Tac_05_tn.JPG

http://www.gunsumerreports.com/Remington_870_Express_Tactical/Remington_870_Express_Tac_00_tn.JPG

Apparently, both have 2 action bars, at least current ones.

 

[NYlakesider]

My shotgun for things that go bump in the night is Mossberg 590 12 gauge 9 shot. It has a full butt stock but is still short enough to go in tight places. It’s a heck of a lot easier to control/use than a pistol grip only (at least in 12 gauge)

IMNSHO the only 2 reasons for a defense pistol grip only shot gun is IT LOOKS MENACING, It’s easier to conceal. Yes I have fired many of them and they do not impress me one iota...

I have also owned a few 870s and while a good gun keep the Mossie close! I’m also not a proponent of the shuck shuck noise is going to make a criminal wet his pants when he hears it. Gun is totally ready to go bang.

My 590 is loaded to fire 5 00 buck followed by 4 slugs with more of both available. The reason for my load out is I live in the woods, over penetration or kids is not a concern and could easily have a bear or other animal problem along with predatory humans. I also have no cell service available and cops are hardly out here. If I have to make a call (assuming my LL phone works) it could easily be 20 minutes or more.

Now if a prison break or similar event was going on I would have a AR clone or 2 with Hicap mag/s handy also

 

[Texas Star]

"I think you may have this backwards. The Remingtons I've seen, including the one that I own, all have twin action bars, and the Mossbergs I've seen only have one."

Mossberg left side and right side pics:
http://gunnuts.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Sony-DSC-Camera-imports-007.jpg

http://www.customdigitaldesignsonli.../18_inch_mossberg_500_20100926_1506252490.jpg

Remington left and right sides:

http://www.gunsumerreports.com/Remington_870_Express_Tactical/Remington_870_Express_Tac_05_tn.JPG

http://www.gunsumerreports.com/Remington_870_Express_Tactical/Remington_870_Express_Tac_00_tn.JPG

Apparently, both have 2 action bars, at least current ones.

Elmer Keith mentioned the advantage of the 870's TWIN action bars in, "Shotguns", printed in 1950. It was one of the new gun's design innovations. He correctly predicted that the new gun would kill off the M-12 and other classic designs, being a fine gun at a remarkable price.

However, the Express grade is cheapened, and all recent 870's may have QC issues, as with other Remington merchandise. Try one thoroughly to be sure it works well before entrusting your life to it. I had both 12 and 20 ga. examples that had shell holder problems.

My current Wingmaster was bought in 2004 and has some nice engraving on the receiver that actually looks to be hand-cut, although it's surely computer done. I had to search hard for a Wingmaster, local dealers mostly stocking only Express guns. One said that people with enough money usually buy autos. Or over-unders.

My 870 was bought as a hunting gun. I get tired of seeing "tactical" shotgun photos. I use handguns for home defense. I guess if there was a riot that reached my area, I 'd dig out the 12 ga. amd load it,or the rifles.

 

[gunblade]

I have two 870s...a regular 12 ga Wingmaster and a 20 ga Express. I set the 20 ga up for HD with synthetic furniture, 18" bbl, & extended mag loaded with 3" #2 buckshot. I figure it will do the job in close quarters inside the house and my wife can handle it better than the 12 ga. I owned and hunted with a Mossberg 500 and it was a good, reliable shotgun, but I traded it off for the Wingmaster years ago...prefer the looks and heft of the Remington.

 

[orion1]

I currently have four 870's, all express models. I have had a wingmaster in the past. I have been shooting 870's for 30 years. It is now also our department gun, replacing Ithaca mod. 37's. I have never seen a problem with the Remingtons. I chose them as my personal shotguns because of the double charge bars on the slide. My rational being that they are less likely to torque to one side resulting in a jam or to cause premature wear. Both the Ithaca and Mossbergs that I have seen have only one charge bar on one side of the pump.

 

[pawncop]

Either should be fine.

I have a Maverick 88 for my situation at home.

My agency uses the 870.

 

[Doug M.]

I shoot southpaw, so the 500 series Mossbergs don't work for me. The positioning of the slide release turns it into an auto-eject upon recoil! The 870 has always been dependable, and they fit me right.

*
I'm confused. I had a 590 before it was stolen, and my department had 500s. I never had an issue with the slide release as a lefty. I'm sort of looking at a double for a house gun, but it needs to easily mount a light and maybe an Aimpoint. I have been confused by seeing the 20" barrels on the (Stoegers, I think) - can't figure out why so long since they should still be well over 26" OAL with an 18" barrel.

I'll probably end up going with another Vang modified 590, with a sling mount compatible with my M4gery, a good light, and H1.

 

[therevjay]

Either will work just fine. Myself I like a SXS, but thats just me

 

[zoom6zoom]

Almost no reason to spend a lot of money on a brand new Mossy when it's so easy to find great deals on used ones. I have several around the house.

This one started as a regular 500, then I got the twenty inch barrel and longer mag tube as a kit from Brownells, added an orange aluminum mag follower and turned it into an almost 590.

Plastic trigger guard is a non issue for me. Have banged these things around for years and never had a problem with one. Brownells does carry a steel trigger group if you're really wanting to upgrade.

 

[Ironhand]

My old 8-shot Mossberg 500A has kept the bad guys away for 22 years now, so I guess it's doing a good job. I've fired many, many thousands of rounds through it over the years, and other than a new mag tube spring back in the late 90s it's never needed a thing.

 

[Muley Gil]

With Mossberg you cannot be that wrong. Just choose a 18 1/2" barrel or even a shorter one.

You can only go about 1/2" shorter, without Federal paperwork.

 

[Muley Gil]

*
I'm confused. I had a 590 before it was stolen, and my department had 500s. I never had an issue with the slide release as a lefty. I'm sort of looking at a double for a house gun, but it needs to easily mount a light and maybe an Aimpoint. I have been confused by seeing the 20" barrels on the (Stoegers, I think) - can't figure out why so long since they should still be well over 26" OAL with an 18" barrel.

I'll probably end up going with another Vang modified 590, with a sling mount compatible with my M4gery, a good light, and H1.

A couple of weeks ago, I was in the Gander Mountain in Roanoke, Virginia. They had a couple of "tactical" SxS Stoeger shotguns. They were black and had a rail mounted under the lower rib.

I have shot the Remington 870s, 2 3/4" and 3". I have also shot Mossbergs, Ithaca 37s, and Stevens.

My defense shotgun is an original Winchester 1897 with a 18 1/4" barrel. I carried it in my patrol car for a number of years.

 

[o3rugby1]

Dont let price stop you. Both are fine but im an 870 man. Get you a factory folder or a chicken head grip.

 

[m1gunner]

The 870 gets the edge as far as I am concerned mainly because far more accessories, barrels, etc available for them.

I have an older 500 and it does have only one action bar (just checked), but it has never given a hint of a problem.

I really prefer the 870 safety over the top mounted Mossy only because just about every other long gun I have has a safety in the trigger guard, not on top of the receiver. If the Mossy was the only thing I had or ever shot, I am sure I would learn to prefer that top safety.

 

[sheepdawg]

I've had two 870 Wingmasters and loved them but really a Winchester Model 12 is the Rolls Royce of home defense shotguns. Just hold the trigger back and pump. This one was built in 1946.