Which "Pump" Riot gun would you get ??

Shotgun for home Defense

I like the Ithaca 37 for home Defense. I have one in the bedroom all loaded up. If you live in a new house with dry wall, a 20 ga is something that you might consider. I have my gun loaded with #4 bird shot rather than 00 buck because the dry wall will not stop the larger pellets. When the Grand kids come over I do unload the gun. Don't want any problems. We do discuss firearms safety.
 
20 gauge? Seriously?

Read what Capstick says about using a 12 ga dove load on a lion

Good thing about the Ithaca is it's easy to find slug barrels if you want one, and barrel-changes are fast, no tools. Plus it's very smooth. The slam-fire feature is debatable, but it'll sure spray some shot.

Changing barrels isn't an issue with most pumps (97 takedown, 12 takedown, Mossbergs, Remingtons, etc) You're not going to change barrels mid-firefight

I would not have a sling on a home-defense gun. Slings have a nasty habit if catching on things in close quarters, as well as swinging around making a racket.

Fix that easily with QD swivels or a military sling, cinched down tight (but not attached to forearm)

I also wouldn't have sights on a close quarters gun. They're just a distraction. You'll be looking at the target. If the target so far away you need sights, it's too far for a shot load. If you want to shoot slugs, get a slug barrel when you can afford it.

a red bead could be very beneficial in dim light. Most burglars don't like bright lights

I think pretty much anything mentioned here would work. The point someone made about parts availability is valid. You might want to avoid discontinued models.

See my comment regarding Model 12s There will be parts available for generations. Now, that very early S & W pump.........

Remember for a home-defense gun: buck shot or ever larger bird shot will still penetrate dry wall. Excellent point!

See my comments above.
 
870s and Moss 500s, etc are no doubt great guns, but why spend the money.

I have two H&R 12ga Pumps (Partners) that I bought for less than $200 each, new in the box! They are not fancy and there are very few, if any, add on parts, accessories, but do you really need any? They are solid guns, built like a tank and they go bang every time!

Two 12ga pumps that really work, over and over and over, for less than the price of one 870.
 
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You think not? .410 bore out of an 18" barrel sending 00 buck'll hit as hard as .357; 20 gauge all the better...


Read the OP about "stuff hitting the fan" and wanting a sling. That means the gun won't be limited to the confines of his dwelling. Besides that, buckshot is not a good choice for a home defense load.

A 12 is infinitely more versatile.

When's the last time you saw a .410 in the rack of a police cruiser?
 
See my comments above.


Ok, let me clarify about the sights: I don't regard a bead as a "sight". I meant sights ala slug gun. Seems like I see a lot if them on M&P guns these days

Yes, a QD sling is fine for going to and fro. But leave it off during home defense duty.

I know Capstick favored the 12 gauge for thin-skinned, dangerous game. I read one of his accounts of dispatching a leopard at close range with an M12. I also know African PH Robin Hurt had a pretty low opinion of it for anything over 10 yards. He blamed his mauling by a leopard on not having a shotgun instead of his rifle in hand when it charged.
 
A notable endorsement; how'd you arrive at it?

Years of use from both. It's hard to go wrong with a 500 or a 870 but it really comes down to personal preference, and for a "riot" shotgun, the mossberg fills the role for me and the remingtons get taken hunting.
 
870s and Moss 500s, etc are no doubt great guns, but why spend the money.

I have two H&R 12ga Pumps (Partners) that I bought for less than $200 each, new in the box! They are not fancy and there are very few, if any, add on parts, accessories, but do you really need any? They are solid guns, built like a tank and they go bang every time!

Two 12ga pumps that really work, over and over and over, for less than the price of one 870.

I've noticed the H&R pardners for sale at walmart for under $200 and always wondered about them. I know the old single shot toppers made by H&R were some tough guns.
 
Read the OP about "stuff hitting the fan" and wanting a sling. That means the gun won't be limited to the confines of his dwelling. Besides that, buckshot is not a good choice for a home defense load.

A 12 is infinitely more versatile.

When's the last time you saw a .410 in the rack of a police cruiser?
When was the last time you saw a revolver on the hip of a police officer? They're still pretty useful, though, and we continue to like 'em around here. ;)

For that matter, you're harder pressed to find 12 gauges in a police cruiser these days, too -- look for an M4 in the trunk.

My point was not to suggest .410, only that its lethality gets underestimated, and 20 gauge has all the more punch still, e.g., 20 gauge is a viable option for anything a 12 gauge might do.
 
Years of use from both. It's hard to go wrong with a 500 or a 870 but it really comes down to personal preference, and for a "riot" shotgun, the mossberg fills the role for me and the remingtons get taken hunting.
I was curious if there were specifics about the 500 that tipped the scales for you?
 
20 gauge? Seriously?

Seriously... Go shoot some cardboard with a 12 and a 20 and decide which one would not be the one to catch. We both would select...neither one! My shoulder the day after will select the 20 gauge.

Lets hope we never have to find out.
 
I was curious if there were specifics about the 500 that tipped the scales for you?

Nothing more than personal preference for me, mainly the location of the safety. I know a lot of mossberg fans bring up the dual extractors compared to the 870s single extractor and the shell lifter getting in the way of fast reloads or pinching fingers on 870s, and then there is the mil spec test that supposedly only the mossberg has passed. But I have used 870s long enough to know that none of those are really an issue. Again, both great guns but if I could only have one it would be the mossberg.
 
M97 Trench Gun w/bayonet

WncsterCatMod97trench.jpg
 
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When was the last time you saw a revolver on the hip of a police officer?


Been a while, but I've seen a lot more of them than .410s. And the revolvers weren't chambered for the smallest available caliber.

For the record, I'm a revolver guy:-)

Seriously... Go shoot some cardboard with a 12 and a 20 and decide which one would not be the one to catch. We both would select...neither one! My shoulder the day after will select the 20 gauge.



Lets hope we never have to find out.


I never said they weren't lethal. But the OP indicated he was looking for something versatile. That's the definition of a 12-gauge pump.

I've shot hundreds of rounds of 12 gauge from an O/U in a single day at skeet & sporting clays with no ill effects. On the other hand, if I'm not careful & let it hit my collar bone, 50 rounds (or less) off the bench with an HP rifle (.308 case or bigger) will leave my shoulder bruised & quivering.

I concede I wouldn't want to be shot with any shotgun. But the OP would be best served with a 12 gauge.
 
My pick is the Remington 870 Police Magnum, walnut furniture, parkerized, bead sight, 7 rd. factory extension. Patterns superbly with Federal LE132 low recoil 00 Buck. Back when I got mine, I paid about $425 for it OTD and brand new. I imagine they cost a bit more today, though. :(

A used 870 Wingmaster is also a good bet, though.
 
old mossberg 500a wood stock 2 barrels paid 150.00 for it 25 years ago brought down a lot of birds quail and pheasent and good old home defence nothing gets your atten better then the sound of that action love it.
 

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