Defense Shotgun

[steiny]

Not something I can't live without, but have been looking at and considering getting a home defense shotgun. Kicking back and forth between the AR style and a standard full stock type. Pretty sure I don't want the shorty little pistol grip type.

Handled a couple AR style the other day and they seem quite heavy, plus the stocks are short compared to conventional stocked shotguns which feels a little weird.

Pretty sure I want a semi auto, probably a full stock w/ pistol grip type and full length magazine.

Any thoughts, pros & cons on these type of weapons? Any particular brand & model you are fond of?
Any must have accessories?

[SFC (R) B]

My first question would be your budget. If you are not wanting to spend at least $800 I would stay with a pump. You can get really good pumps (ex Mossberg Maverick 88 @ +-250 - my son has one) at 250 and up......semi autos, in my experience personally and selling them, have a pretty drastic drop off in quality and dependability when you drop below the Mossberg 940/Berretta A300 Patrol line in price and in defense situations dependability is THE utmost consideration. Here are my personal favorites

1) Beretta 1301- fast, dependable, fairly light and the new GEN II has M Lok on the fore grip (taken from the the A300 Patrol) +-$1700

2) Beretta A300 Patrol- fast enough, dependable, lighter still, has the M Lok on the front and best value. +-$999

3) Benelli M4- Dependable, fairly heavy, varying configurations, fast enough. Salty at +-$2000

4) Mossberg 940- Dependable, fairly heavy and chunky, several configurations, fast enough. +-1000

Accessories wise the three I would say are most useful in order would be 1) A good, bright, low profile light (I prefer having a strobe mode available) with a remote switch mounted where your non trigger hand rests. 2) Velcro mounted, tearaway shell card for extra capacity. 3) Holographic sight.....personal preference.

[esshup]

Another vote for the Beretta 1301. A friend took one through a 3 day shotgun home defense course and he said compared to all the other shotguns there, the minimal recoil and the lack of any issues digesting slugs, buckshot and birdshot. A couple of guys there with other shotguns that had issues were going to get one when they got back home.

[greyhair]

I just picked up a 28" Mossberg Maverick 88 .12 gauge. $199 - A guy bought it at my local shop
and didn't like it, so he traded it back for something else. Had only a handful of shells through it. They are all over for $239 new.

I like it, it is plain but very sturdy.

[titanium700]

I just prefer a simple 870 riot

[duff]

I like semi-autos but would not go cheap. I have a few less expensive guns that are not the most reliable when shooting at ducks or clays. I would look hard at that Beretta 1301 or m4.

Pump guns are more reliable, typically, but I don't use them enough and slow to cycle. I love pulling the trigger and not worry about anything else. Plus the autos will reduce some recoil. Shooting buckshot or slugs during practice is rough on me.

[bullseye69]

Don't forget 20ga is a little smaller and lighter for home defense gun. I've got a 870 20 that the wife can also handle easier than a big 12.

[welder]

For home defense, I vote for a pump action.
Probably won't need more than 1 shot, but it's not going to jam and EVERYONE knows the unmistakable "shuck shuck" sound of a pump shotgun. That in itself,in a dark quiet house is liable to make an intruder run for the door.

[stevein]

I keep thinking with a lot of people making the move to HPR for deer there most be a lot of good used slug guns out there. Three that come to mind are the Rem 1100, the Rem 870 and the Mossberg 500.  You probably already have one of these.

• I never had a problem with my 1100 with any 2-3/4 round. With a slug barrel either a 12 or 20 would be a good house gun.
  
• At one time I think there were more accessories available for the 870 than all the rest combined.
• The Mossbergs were always clunky too me but they were reliable.  They lack the shiny finish of the Rems

My favorite pump is my 870 20 ga Special Field. Light with a short barrel and fits me well. It fit me so well that I used the straight stock as a pattern for my .54 flintlock.

[steiny]

After a lot of looking and shopping around I changed my tune and went with an AR style Rock Island Arms VR-60.
Mounted a light with pressure switch and put a sling on it. Shot a bunch of stuff through it yesterday and it functions well but does not like low brass light trap loads, they jammed periodically.

First firearm I'd ever bought from Rural King, looks like their prices are hard to beat if they have something you want.

[bullseye69]

Mar 23, 2024 10:00:38 GMT -5 steiny said:

After a lot of looking and shopping around I changed my tune and went with an AR style Rock Island Arms VR-60.
Mounted a light with pressure switch and put a sling on it. Shot a bunch of stuff through it yesterday and it functions well but does not like low brass light trap loads, they jammed periodically.

First firearm I'd ever bought from Rural King, looks like their prices are hard to beat if they have something you want.

Prolly after aboot 100 or so high brass it will break in and low brass may be more reliable.
My Benelli M1014 was that way.
Eats anything now.

[iceman10]

I won a MKM 1919 match AR style 12 gauge & set it up just for this . Buck shot in clips & will plow a path for sure . In the $500 range & shooting it’s a blast !!