Posted on 09/06/2005 2:53:37 PM PDT by pogo101
After seeing how society crumbled in New Orleans recently, I realized that I need a basic home-defense firearm, and I'm pretty well decided on a shotgun. I'd like you FReepers' recommendations on a model. (Don't worry, I'm already resolved that the first place it'll go is to a 10-hour safety class with me. Got a well-reputed teaching facility all picked out.)
If it matters, I live in greater LA.
I'm about as macho and gun-totin' a guy as Captain Kangaroo, but these last seveal days have brought home to me that it is my RESPONSIBILITY as the head of a household to be able to protect my home and family in times of dire crisis, where the law is unavailable.
I hope I never need to use it, but I need to be ready: After the holidays, I'm adding a shotgun to my emergency kit.
Didn't Sgt. Schultz carry one of those around? I remember when I was a kid you would see ads for those in magazines dirt cheap.
However, served alongside fellow Marines Sandy Becker, Joe Bolton, Claude Kirchner, Gene London, Sonny Fox, Soupy Sales, and Pinky Lee.
He lives in LA County. I wouldn't count on it.
Mossberg Maverick with a 20 inch barrel. List price is around $205. Goes bang every time!
Remington 870...
Many excessories, lots of spare parts, made in America,the biggest selling shotgun (they wont be going away anytime soon and taking their logistics with them like a big well known Italian expensive shotgun has)...
Get an extended magazine, a snythetic stock, a powerful light and mount that can take recoil (surefire for example) there are others..
Check out Tactical Shotgun Forum
My personal recommendation:
Mossburg 590-A1
Some people prefer the shorter 18.5" barrel, but its magazine only holds six rounds. I prefer the extra three rounds you get with the full length magazine of the 20" barrel. A cylinder bore is better for shooting slugs (you ain't gonna be huntin' turkeys with this thing). The heavy wall barrel adds weight, but also a heck of a lot of strength (and I'm not a large strong woman, and I don't think it's all that heavy). The speed feed stock is a good place to store four extra slug rounds for when buckshot just ain't gonna to do the job. Paint the front sight a high visibility color or wrap white electrical tape around the front of the barrel so you can aim quickly. A belt pouch or carrier for extra cartridges is also a good idea. Get a good sling too.
I personally wouldn't worry about heat shields, pistol grips, and the like, but whatever you get, make sure it is parkerized or otherwise has a good protective finish. A marine model might be a good idea.
Of course, what I've recommended is pretty expensive ($600 plus). You can get a good shotgun for $200 or less and accessory as funds become available. Anything is better than nothing, even a single shot .410 squirrel gun. And, whatever shotgun you eventually get:
Practice!
Practice!
Practice!
I think that I will have to add something else to my shopping list now.
My ideal would be an 11-87 with extended magazine. It recoils lightly and is near perfectly reliable. Second choice would be an 870 with same.
I would not recommend the Benelli M1 super 90. It is beautifully made, totally reliable, but the worst kicking shotgun I have ever owned. I mean it really kicks hard, I think it has something to do with that inertial recoil system.
I am 6'3" and weigh over 300. Recoil ususally doesn't bother me but that one did.
"In all cases, I would recommend an extension tube for the magazine, to boost the magazine capacity to 7 rounds, for a total capacity of 8 rounds (1 in the chamber).
Another recommendation, do not keep the shotgun loaded. Only load it if trouble is likely. Why? One reason is safety, a shotgun with a round in the chamber may be knocked over and fall, causing a discharge. The other reason is the cases may swell if left under pressure of the magazine spring. Big reliability problem, when you need the shotgun."
Make up you mind. Why an extension tube if you advise against one in the chamber?
A Remington 870 Express HD 12 gauge is a good, solid gun that is inexpensive and needs no modifications to be useful, and I prefer it to Mossies, but there's nothing wrong with a 500/590. Ithaca 37 and Winchester 1300 "riot"/defense configurations are OK too, but less common.
I had some extra bucks at one time, so my own scattergun is a Remington 870 Marine Magnum, which is no more capable than the 870 Express HD, but does look a lot gaudier and has a slightly greater magazine capacity.
You guys are funny. Keep one in the chamber and try not to make any noise while slipping off the safety. Why spook a good target?
Sane people generally tend not to view having an intruder in their home as an opportunity to get to shoot someone.
Hop on down to Wal-Mart for a Maverick 88
(an econo version of a Mossberg 500)
870 express with 18" barrel. Make sure you keep the REAL Stock. Don't go for the disco pistol grips. People can't shoot with them regardless of what they say.
Whatever pump you get, be sure to take the plug out.
Amen - under stress most people can't hit with them and everybody with them thinks they can. Besides that it is freaking DISCO.
Well call me nuts. If they're in my house .... they're mine.
bttt
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