Home Defense Shotguns

Some discussion about shotguns being unwieldy. I find any firearm I'm not familiar with to be a little unwieldy whether pistol, rifle, or shotgun. I'm guessing I just haven't internalized the manual of arms for something I haven't used extensively. That said, I've used shotguns all my life including under stressful situations (think charges by wild pigs and other critters) and I can employ one very effectively and safely without even thinking about it. I think that's why I gravitate towards shotguns for HD.
 
No pictures sorry. Just an old 870 riot gun bead sight. No light, laser, ammo, or other Legos for adults added. ;)
GnarlsR2 said:
Do you keep a shell loaded?
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YES! empty guns are .... empty.
GnarlsR2 said:
scare the b-jesus out of the perp(s) and he/they will exit the premises at warp speed.
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I'm not betting my life of that crap. Besides if they are close enough to hear the rack of a slide, they are too close already.
GnarlsR2 said:
The weight and size of a loaded Remington 870 Express Tactical at 8 to 9 lbs. doesn't seem very wieldy?
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Not at all. I'm staying put and defending where I'm at. If I should have to go fourth, say to defend the cat, then I'm going like the rath of God not tactacool Ted the ninja.
 
Bald1 said:
Any reliability issues with the short shells? Do you need the Opsol attachment to run them? I use one in my 500 & 88 just for fun. I don't want to trust a hunk of rubber if needed.
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I believe that model uses internal parts to reliably cycle minis without the need for an adapter. What a cool shooter.
 
I have a Beretta 1301, but it's mostly a backup, and is actually 3rd string in the HD category. I have it mostly for when we take RV trips to bear country, and for states that are AR unfriendly.

When I started carrying an AR on duty way back when, the 870 quickly found it's way into the trunk. After riding around for a few years, never leaving the trunk while on-duty, it got sold. An AR does everything you need a CQB gun to do far better than a shotgun, and my suppressed SBR is shorter than my 1301 by a good 4". The only issue for HD with an AR is noise, and that is easily solved in most states these days with a suppressor.

I really hate the old trope about racking the action to 'scare off' the perp. The action should have been racked long before they're that close!!
 
fatcat3 said:
No pictures sorry. Just an old 870 riot gun bead sight. No light, laser, ammo, or other Legos for adults added. ;)

YES! empty guns are .... empty.

I'm not betting my life of that crap. Besides if they are close enough to hear the rack of a slide, they are too close already.

Not at all. I'm staying put and defending where I'm at. If I should have to go fourth, say to defend the cat, then I'm going like the rath of God not tactacool Ted the ninja.
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Much too practical a post for many to handle these days. I'll bet your 870 even has a real and useful buttstock.
 
Glenn R. McMannly said:
Glenn R. McMannly said:
Strongly suggest you replace the mag tube spring.... I had a particularly ugly experience at exactly the worst time when mine failed to get the round from the mag tube to the chamber of my topped off "cruiser ready" Model 500 with stock springs.
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Glenn R. McMannly said:
Glenn R. McMannly said:
Here's mine:

View attachment 784125

This is an early 2000's police trade in Mossberg M590A1 in 12 gauge. I bought it for a song a few months back. I've since done some modifications:

Magpul SGA tactical stock to get my preferred length of pull of 12.75"

Vickers 2-point sling

Esstac Velcro shotshell cards

CDM Gear MTR picatinny light mount and forward sling swivel

Surefire M300 Pro Mini Scout light

I have the gun loaded up with Federal Tactical Flite-Control 8-pellet reduced recoil which patterns beautifully and eliminates the 9th pellet flyer.

Overall, this is one tough little number and I sleep soundly with it near.

-Glenn
Click to expand...


View attachment 784125

This is an early 2000's police trade in Mossberg M590A1 in 12 gauge. I bought it for a song a few months back. I've since done some modifications:

Magpul SGA tactical stock to get my preferred length of pull of 12.75"

Vickers 2-point sling

Esstac Velcro shotshell cards

CDM Gear MTR picatinny light mount and forward sling swivel

Surefire M300 Pro Mini Scout light

I have the gun loaded up with Federal Tactical Flite-Control 8-pellet reduced recoil which patterns beautifully and eliminates the 9th pellet flyer.

Overall, this is one tough little number and I sleep soundly with it near.

-Glenn
Click to expand...
 
I've had a few over the years but settled on a Browning BPS with a tang mounted safety that ejects out the bottom like an Ithaca 37. It is what we call in the trade, cruiser ready.
 
I have had good luck with Opsol and Defender Tactical minishell adaptors. Mason Munitions makes one too. As they are very simple devices there is not much to go wrong.
I haven't run enough rounds to 100% trust them for self-defense but on the other hand I have not heard any complaints and they have been around for a while.
The minishells in slug or buckshot configuration should be adequate for short range home defense.
#4 buckshot and smaller do not have a lot of penetration.
 
Last edited:
Bald1 said:
Any reliability issues with the short shells? Do you need the Opsol attachment to run them? I use one in my 500 & 88 just for fun. I don't want to trust a hunk of rubber if needed.
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No issues after close to 300 rounds.

The 590S was specifically designed to shoot the mini shells as well as 2 3/4 and 3 inch.
 
As to the old trope of racking a gun to frighten off bad guys?
Maybe, maybe not.
Maintaining cover and the element of surprise?
Always a good tactic.

If the shotgun is out of the safe and ready for use camping in predator country or at home, it is in condition one. When you need to take action there is no time for monkey business.
 
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