[Troy Spiral]

In a previous thread I asked "what should I buy" in various flavors, and got helpful, general commentary (and specific suggestions in one or two cases) but im trying to put a laser beam on this and get very specific suggestions. So here i go to beat a dead horse:

Im assuming a Remington 870, pump action, home defense usage, maybe occasional shooting practice now and again. (virtually no chance of hunting usage)

Having said that, and looking at the Remington shotgun section, there is a bewildering array of choices and sub-options.


1. Do i care about choke? (enough to be picky about it?) I read Daves Choke 101 thread , basically explains what choke is but im not sure how to equate that info with HD shotgun buying.

2. Do i care about weight? If i do , how so?

3. Currently im thinking "Hi i want a 12 gauge Remington 870 , pump action, shortest barrel you have" is that good enough?

4. It was suggested that i might want a "870 Police Magnum" (Mr. Murphy,bamf) but on Remington's 870 shotgun section : http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotguns/870.htm
I cant seem to find this model. Is it a older make ?

5. Am i being to picky? I keep getting "yeah get an 870 you wont be sorry.. spend an extra hundred or so if you want XYZ..." but not really an >specific< point by point "Get THIS RIGHT HERE WITH THESE SPECS" type suggestions. I guess i might be over analyzing this a bit to much, and shouldt be so worried about the details ? True?

6. Is an 870, by definition a pump-action?

[Dave McCracken]

1, Choke is meaningless under typical HD conditions and distances. However, it's a good idea to accept that a HD tool may have to be used for Community Defense also. Having choke options improves the versatility. And a tight choke is no handicap at typical HD ranges, since the shot hits the target as a semi solid mass anyway.

2, weight on a shotgun that is not to be carried over hill and dale but will be used with fairly heavy loads works best at 7 lbs or more, preferably more. The bellsnwhistled HD 870 here runs more than 9 lbs.

3,good start. ANY of the shorter 870s, including the Express line, will do very well for HD in trained, experienced hands.

4, Unlike those who bow down to the God Of Cool, I doubt the features of the 870P are worth the extra money.The heavier trigger is a step in the wrong direction in fact.

5,Yes. All short barrelled 870s are superb close range weapons in trained, yada yada.....

6,Yes.

Go buy an 870. I like the 21" barrelled Turkey gun which comes with an IC choke tube and an Extra Full. But it's not the only choice.

Buy a mess of ammo and shoot it up. Shoot trap,skeet, tin cans or landfill rats but shoot the thing Repeat until it feels like a body part. After a few thousand rounds, then think about what bling you want on it.

HTH....

[kudu]

After a few thousand rounds, then think about what bling you want on it.

Dave hit it. This is the key.

X Y Z shotgun, whatever you shoot, you have to have it be second nature to shoot it well under stress situations. No fumbling, no hesitation, no thinking. Your hands and reflexes use the gun without even thinking about it.

Now, I'm mainly a skeet shooter with the occasional round of trap and sporting clays thrown in to make it interesting. I'm not that old but have shot well over the 200 thousand mark in shells of different gauges. When shooting heavy a standard weekend was 500 birds for competition. A practice week was 3-4 hundred. I usually stuck with one type of gun, but I can shoot a pump gun as well as an auto as well as an O/U as well as ...

Buy the gun you think you want, but buy a few flats of light target rounds and get the feel for the gun. Heavy rounds will do nothing but give you a flinch and give bad habits untill you know your gun and then everything will translate over to what you want to use the gun for mainly. If it's home defense, the reflexes take over. If it's for targets, youv'e made a good start.

Now this is been a litle bit long winded for me, sm usually takes over from here. But I had a good weekend with the .410 on the skeet range and out of 175 shells I broke 172 birds. Repetition, Reflexes, Lots of ammo.

As Dave says BA/UU/R [Buy ammo, use up, repeat.] Words of wisdom.

[mnrivrat]

OK - Specifics . I'll deal with the Remington 870 here and just remind you that other gun companies will have relative couter parts in their shotgun line.
I have both an Remington Model 870 and a Mossberg Model 500 for example and consider them both as being good guns.

I would look at basically two 870 versions.
1.) # 25549 which is a basic 18 inch express version with synthetic stocks.

2.) # 23373 which is the 21 inch barrel express turkey model.

I tend to agree with Dave that the turkey model would be the better of these two choices. (interchangable chokes makes it more versitile)

In the turkey model I would also consider the camo version # 25205

Keep in mind that Remington aslo makes simular versions in 20ga. which is perfectly suitable for home defense as well .

[Troy Spiral]

Thanks guys much apreciated. Yet more ideas to chew on. *starts thinking* *sees smoke* :p

[mnrivrat]

Good Luck Troy !

Remember the reason why there are so many options available is because there are so many different opinions on what is best suited for individual needs.
Besides the more or less standard shotgun ,the gun companies have put out a lot of variations to meet the customers needs, wants, and desires.

If money is no object the choice's are of course even greater. For most of us money matters, but we also like to buy the best gun we can afford.

Keep gathering information , and go looking until you find the one that fits. If you get a chance, try to find a range that rent guns and get a feel for what might be your best option by handling and shooting before you make the decision to purchase. Friends with guns can also give you a chance to handle and shoot different ones. Don't forget to throw a 20 ga. up to your shoulder as well as the 12 ga. models. For what you have previously indicated for use the 20 ga. can also serve your criteria.

Nothing the matter with coming back and asking more questions here on the boards also. There are many here that just love to take the time to share their knowledge and expertese . In the end however - only you can make the right choice for you .

[anapex]

Buy the one that feels most comfortable for you. So basically do what I do and go to the store, hold all different types of shotguns they have, drool over them a bit, and then buy the one that fits best. Now on to what's expected of me....

[Jedi Mind Trick] You will buy a Winchester. That's not the 870 you're looking for. [/Jedi Mind Trick]

[sm]

*ahem*
May I suggest Bob Brister's book ?

And what does that have to with the question asked ,or the price of tea in China?

It has to do with the fact that many questions that are asked about shotguns - are covered in the book. It has to do with getting one familar with what is important and how to access, and what is less important. Definitions, terminology and such.

Brister is NOT outdated. Brister IS applicable to other disciplines.

ME - I'd go for gun fit . I'd get a 870 or 1300 combo - whichever fit best. Buy a LOT of Ammo, get proper training.

YES - a moonpie says you will want to shoot / try clays, and hunting.

Better is the person that invests in Reading Brister's Book, has a gun that fits, gets and practices proper and correct basics and fundamentals with a stock gun than the person trying to buy skill and targets, trying to impress, or allows peer pressure, and the ease of a Credit Card to lead him to confusion, debt, anxiety, frustration ...injured or dead.

OH *snicker* Blue & Wood guns are easier to learn with, and one becomes more profficient quicker . ;)

Now...would I make that up?

[MrMurphy]

The 870 Police Magnum is currently stocked, and the most-issued cop shotgun in America. The reason I prefer it is because I've owned four pump action combat shotguns, I KNOW what features I want. I can have the trigger lightened, but the park finish, extended mag from the factory, etc are nice as factory options, not aftermarket addons.

For home defense use the 18.5" Express Magnum will certainly do the trick, as will the mentioned Turkey model. On a house gun, all you need is a light, so you don't accidentally blow away your wife (don't laugh..... this happened to a guy once).

[heysox]

all you need is a light, so you don't accidentally blow away your wife (don't laugh..... this happened to a guy once).

Goodness, Mr. Murphy, I hoped it didn't happen to a guy twice.

[MrMurphy]

There have been several no-flashlight mistaken identity shootings. Not to the same guy. Either way though, something you can avoid.

[Troy Spiral]

Thanks for the addtional suggestions. hrmm flashlight. >ponders<




I wana get one of thoes Predator thermal signature sensing headsets, perferablity with the worldwide personel database matching software and the little profile picture with name, age , vital statistics and a short bio pops up superimposed over you feild of vision like a HUD before you pull the trigger. Oh yeah and the invisiblity cloaking device too.

Wonder if Wallyworld stocks them.

[Schiessuebung]

4. It was suggested that i might want a "870 Police Magnum" (Mr. Murphy,bamf) but on Remington's 870 shotgun section : http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotguns/870.htm
I cant seem to find this model. Is it a older make ?
I can't add much more to the previous excellent responses, except for linking you to Remington's Law Enforcement version of the website:
http://www.remingtonle.com/shotguns/870.htm

[Troy Spiral]

thankies >clicks<