Posted on 06/06/2011 1:08:04 PM PDT by Scythian
I finally broke down and purchased my first gun for home protection.
It's the Mossberg 500 12 gauge. It has a short barrel and is great for in the home use. It even comes with a pistol grip but I wont attach that unless it everything goes all "beyond thunderdome" on us.
Going to take my wife out and make sure she knows how to handle it. I felt a shotgun was better and safer for an in home protection mechanism in our case. Heck, just the pump-action noise is enough to send someone packing.
Anyway, in for a penny in for a pound. I set aside money for 3 purchases of different firearms. I feel safer knowing we have it, just hope to never do anything with it.
Please. Ensure you are both trained to use it safely.
My rule, which I am working on following, is that a person should have no fewer than three firearms.
1 sidearm, 1 rifle, 1 shotgun.
So far I only have a rifle. I’m working up toward the other two purchases. I’m also fairly new to the world of owning firearms.
Sounds like you picked up a decent weapon. If you have ANY intention of ever using the pistol grip, though, I’d go ahead and attach it and get used to it. A little change is really a big change when you suddenly need to use something. Others here may disagree with me. Default to their advice. I’m still really new.
Better to have it and never need it, then need it and not have it.
I agree, it’s my first gun in 20 years, I used to own a few but when I moved away from home I gave them all to my brother in law. My kids are all in 4H, one in pistol, one in rifle, and one in shotgun. My oldest is on his way to an Eagle Scout, he’s in the shotgun right now through 4H, plus they shoot at Boy Scout camp in the summer. They’ve all passed their hunters ed class too.
But ya, I think my wife and I will do the 4H shotgun class as well, I know how to handle them, my dad was police officer, used to shoot all kinds of guns at the range. I have a very healthy fear of them, they’re always loaded, no matter how many times somebody tells me the ain’t.
Also, get some dummy rounds and practice cycling with shells in the magazine. Takes more force and feels different than empty cycling. Your wife especially might not rack the action forcefully enough to chamber a shell.
And of course, get out and shoot with the thing. Have to be familiar with it in operation.
One of the departments I used to work for issued the 500ATP in 12ga for a trunk gun, and we found them to be very reliable. Good choice, just make sure you and your wife shoot it enough to feel comfortable with it. I have several “war stories” from my 20+ year police career where just the sound of the action being worked was enough to defuse a dangerous situation.
Just make sure you know how to use it safely.
Probably the next thing to do is pattern it to see just where it shoots. If the pistol grip allows one to keep the butt stock too then it might be a good idea to attach it.
My Winchester pump with a pistol grip and normal length stock, feels much better in my arthritic hands than the original. If it is simply one of those which shortens the length, then either throw it away or sell it.
I lost all my guns in a boating accident
Nothing like the “rack rack” sound to get the attention of a bad guy.
Good choice for home D.
You might also want to pick up a .22 rifle for general firearms learning and training. Much less intimidating, and less tiring, to shoot than a 12 ga., and better for learning marksmanship. And you can shoot all day for a small cost.
I like the Henry lever-action, Ruger 10/22, Savage bolt-action... but there are many good .22’s.
Dang, this guy I know...he’s got 4 rifles and 6 handguns but no shotgun. Guess I should let him know he needs to be more well rounded. Need plenty of ammo too...5,000 - 6,000 rounds per caliber isn’t asking too much!
Remington 870 I assume you meant. Fine weapon!
Congratulations. I need to add one of those to my collection as well. If you decide to get a 22 rifle, might I suggest the Ruger 10/22 for a good dependable affordable addition.
Ya, it is a bit stiff to cycle. That’s a good idea to get it cycling ...
One thing to be aware of with the Mossberg regarding the use of pistol grips is that the slide release is to the left and slightly behind the trigger guard. The pistol grip will make it awkward to depress the button unless you are shooting left-handed.
ROFL.
If he has that many weapons, he’s probably covered. My rule is more for those of us WITHOUT our own armory who are trying to get prepped.
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