Got me one of these Friday for less than $500.
I put a light on the rail, and call it my strobin' chainsaw.
I recommend something in the Mossberg 500 line- you can dress them up to be tacticool with enough attachments that you cannot lift it, and at a fairly reasonable price. That being said, I like plain old wood- because if you have no ammo, you need a club.
There are no 3” drums out there. 2.75” only.
Mossberg 590A1 pump 9 round (2 3/4 shells), add a Vortex Defense rail system, EOTech M6X-000-A2 M6X-G LED light/laser system, and any other stuff! You can drop the stock for an even shorter CQB use.
MDARMS drums are tough as nails
Saiga 12.. I wish I had one.
MKA 1919
For about $50, you can later add a top folding stock to it if you wish. This will give you the versatility of a short shottie for breaches and Close Quarters Battle, but you can fold out the stock for situations with greater stand off..
I have the Mossberg 500 Rolling Thunder; I had the basic 500 without the breacher on the end, but I lost it in the divorce (yes, I know that's pretty redneck when your divorce settlement hinges on a shotgun and hogs, but it did).
They've got a pretty one with the Blackwater logo for $425
I don't have any experience with the Saiga 12 etc, but I have heard that they sometimes have feeding issues; my ex-BIL did with his and this is a common theme I have heard.
And a Mossy can be had for about 1/2 what a Saiga can.....probably even less than 1/2 after the prices skyrocketed.
Another benefit is the recoil isn't overly noticeable with the 500 and 2 3/4" shells. My buddies and I skeet shoot with them and compete against each other. One of our coworker's ex-wife is about 95 lbs with a brick in her pocket and had no problem blasting clay birds with it.
Saiga 12 or Vepr 12 - Either one will work.
Take a look at the Mesa Tactical LEO Telescoping Recoil Stock Kit (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=641809 - Order number: WX2-182687).
Reference:
http://www.mesatactical.com/index.php?id=55
http://www.gunworld.com/buyers-guides/taming-the-tiger-some-innovative-ways-reduce-12-gauge-recoil/
Here’s my take... I’m old school, and it works. Pre-WWII Winchester Model 12 in 16 gauge. Holds 5+1 of #1 Buckshot (12 .30” pellets, a 2 3/4” 12 gauge #00 Buck is 9 .33” pellets... do the math...) and no dis-connector. What that means is that if I hold back the trigger and work the slide, it fires. No modern gun does that.
Build your own. There are several tutorials on Youtube.
Example:
Making a shotgun step by step
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDgHi_9_LX0
For your wants I would say a high end semi-auto with an 18 inch barrel and extended 7 round magazine. Also you would need interchangeable chokes.
Although it does not meet all your criteria a double barrel lupara has a lot of good features. First of all they are much shorter than an auto or pump with the same length barrel and you can still have a regular stock.
A hammerless one with ejectors would be best but even the old hammer models would do. If it has ejectors it can be reloaded pretty quickly and they are dead reliable. Of course having 8 shots available is a big advantage of the autos but after two shots you probably will not need another.
2. Barrel Length: Shorter is better to me as maneuverability is important.
***Shortest barrel is 3”, the Taurus Judge revolver which can handle .410 shotgun shells, PDX-1 rounds or .45 rounds.
From another similar thread
The Judge is a pretty impressive and versatile self-defense handgun. It appears to be unique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgnwO0o2ClQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H5GepjBRsM
5, 10, 15 feet with 000 buck, 4 pellets/ round
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnrDMJvlL4M
Demo gave up on shotgun, went with Judge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY3YYDgDUXs
female shooter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7by3UcLP-M
Also, isn’t the Judge the only handgun that allows washer rounds? Seems like a great compromise gun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kIuI3heYMQ
Based on good reviews and a really cheap price. I recently bought a used TriStar Arms shotgun that had a broken trigger guard. I called the company to order a new one and they said that it would be about twenty bucks for a new one. They also said that they would put it on for free and check out the shotgun for me. They said they like their products to be in top shape.
I sent it in. They got it on a Wednesday. I got a call that morning from them but missed it and they left a message. by the time I could call them back that afternoon, they had replaced the entire trigger group, replaced an "O" ring, test fired it and already had it on it's way back to me. NO CHARGE Top that Bennelli! It shoots great too. That is, it shot great, before it was lost in an unfortunate boating accident. Anyway that kind of service is noteworthy. Click here for a great value.
http://www.tristararms.com/tactical-shotguns.php
I would suggest you start with the workhorse of shotguns the Mossberg 500.
Learn proper shooting technique and master it.
From there you can customize the thung with an adjustable stock and for grip.
I say start with this gun because everyman should learn to shoot a slide action and the maintenance is extremely easy.
Best of all, they are sold many places for $250-$280. It come with two barrels that allow one for home protection, while the other barrel is used for sport shooting, birding, small game and can even be used for large game.
It’s a terrific arm that is so versatile and at a price point anyone can afford.
I started with the 20” Mossberg 500, added an ATI pistol grip collapsible stock (get the angle adapter!). Found a rifled slug barrel for later. Have an ATI heat shield w/ghost-ring sights to add yet.
A breaching-style barrel can be obtained separately if the basic unit is more readily available and affordable.
the Roadblock barrel (looks like a 50cal front end) would be kinda cool, tho’...
My local store had a video of one of an SRM 1216, here’s their site... Pretty utilitarian looking :-)
