Top Home Defense Shotguns

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 3/5/2018 | J Hines

[w1n1]

Shotguns have always been a major firearm used in hunting and home defense. They are versatile in hunting and you can choose the loads and chokes.

For home defense lately, the innovation of magazine fed seems to be the craze among gun enthusiasts.
Here are top 5 shotguns to look at for home defense.

• Remington 870 shotgun
  Historically the 870 have played a huge role for the military and law enforcement as the go to shotgun.
  This new 870 version comes with a short barrel and a detachable box magazine. With the quick reload capability its a big eye opener for consumer.
• Mossberg 590 Shockwave
  Though it looks like a shorty shotgun, its classified as a "firearm" per the Gun Control Act (GCA) but not a class 3/NFA firearm. Ok, here’s the features:
  The Shockwave Raptor bird’s head pistol grip is uniquely shaped to minimize felt recoil. Includes all the features that have made Mossberg pump-actions the choice for millions worldwide: ambidextrous safety, dual extractors, positive steel-to-steel lockup, twin action bars, and a smooth operating anti-jam elevator. Gotta say it may the perfect shotgun to have for close quarter inside the home, very maneuverable.

See the rest of this top home defense shotguns here.

[PushinTin]

Benelli M4 is what I went with and am VERY pleased with my purchase. I put the extension tube on it so it now holds 8 + 1 tactical rounds.

[Moonman62]

That’s why I have an 11.5” AR15 - to mount a suppressor without overall length being unwieldy.

...

Thanks for the post. That seems like a superior solution to me. Now if they would only make suppressors over the counter the way they should be.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

How do you get your hearing back after firing one of these indoors without hearing protection?

I keep a set of electronic over-the-ear hearing protectors right next to the shotgun. Sound is only muted when the gun is fired. In fact, it amplifies ambient sound and gives you an advantage in the dark.

[GailA]

Depending on age half your hearing is already gone. Hubbie’s is High Freq Fight Deck, mine is Low Freq surgery damage. Both wear hearing aids. If it’s night 1 of us will hear the dogs, he’s better with the 12 guage with the short barrel and pistol grip, I’m better with the pistol, but looking to move from a Tauraus Ultra Lite Revolver to a SW 462 Hammerless becausen Thumb surgery has left me with a Frozen Thumb, and limited Index finger, the trigger can have the trigger pull lightened, but not the Hammer.

[Chode]

sounds like a good team!

[S.O.S121.500]

Too late.....

[Durus]

I’ll stick with my 24” Mossburg 930 JM Pro. Ya not great for “room clearing” or some other tactical sounding thing I’m not ever going to do. 10 rounds of alternating buck and slugs is a hard argument to beat if you are not going on hikes.

[Pollster1]

I keep a set of electronic over-the-ear hearing protectors right next to the shotgun . . .

Same here, for the same reasons. When it was needed, I also turned off the lights, because I'm prepared for complete darkness too. I want all imaginable advantages if some thug enters my home and presents an immediate danger to my life or to my family. [Plus a vest that will add to my safety.]

[Lurker]

“Our Mossberg 500 tactical works just fine. :-)”

We may be related somehow. 500A, ghost ring sights, 16 barrel. I much prefer the controls on the Mossberg over the 870. Shoots like a dream.

L

[Georgia Girl 2]

Yeh we put ghost rings on ours too.

[Jmouse007]

Another vote for Benelli M2 = John Wick's shotgun of choice. Here's where you can go to get it "modified" to meet the John Wick II film specs. Heck of a defensive weapon. Here's the link:

http://tarantacticalinnovations.com/tti-m1-m2-upgrade-package/

[MCF]

If you are in a rural area that is fine, in fact that’s pretty good.. In an urban or suburban area not so much. Slugs can ricochet and end up in the neighbors house. 00 buckshot is still lethal at 100 yards. It would be like shooting someone with. 31 Cal. Cap and ball revolver at close range.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

=:^(

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I much prefer the controls on the Mossberg over the 870. Shoots like a dream.

Ok...so...a question for a Mossberg owner such as myself. I have a 500 12ga and a 500a 20ga pistol grip. The small control just above the trigger where the thumb falls that must be pressed to allow the pump to be operated to rack the next round...is it safe to or inadvisable to disable that?

[Lurker]

I am not competent to answer that question.

Sorry.

L

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

No worries. I’ve asked many associates who I shoot with and they all say, “Just leave it. It must be there for a reason.”

[Oatka]

The ultimate: Kel-Tec KSG-25

MSRP $1,400
Caliber . . . . .12ga 3”
Weight Unloaded . .9.25lbs
Magazine Capacity . .10+10 (3” shells)
Overall Length . . .38”
Barrel Length . . .30.5”
Trigger Pull . . . .5lbs

I love their advertisement: "Load the whole box" (25 2 3/4" - one up the spout)

and then we have a capacity of 40 1 3/4" (they will feed)

I want one.

[DoodleDawg]

I have a Remington 20 gauge that my father gave me but I don’t consider that for home defense. I have a Ruger American 9mm for that. I think that’s easier to get to and easier to use in tight spaces like around a house.

[Lurker]

I’d agree with them. I don’t know enough about the internal workings to say one way or the other. I do know that it’s a damned fine shotgun for the money. I much prefer it over the 870 design.

Best,

L

[ro_dreaming]

That Mossberg looks awesome! I have a .270 I use for deer hunting, and a Remington 870 Super Mag for “bird hunting”... might have to think about getting that Mossberg shotgun...