[Zultor]

I guess a brief intro so you know where I'm coming from. I'm married and have kids. I have never owned a gun in my life (although when I was a teenager I had lots of practice shooting my neighboors .22). With where society seems to be headed I've recently decided that it's probably wise to invest in some sort of home defense. Surprisingly, it seems rather difficult to locate information on the internet(or maybe my google skills just suck). From what I have read, a shotgun seems to be the cheapest and best for the purpose of home-defense.

However, when it comes to actually picking out what to buy I simply have no clue what I should be looking for. I don't want to walk into a gun shop without first knowing exactly what it is I want to buy.

I've narrowed it down to that I want a Mossberg 500. I know they have several different models, it is all greek to me as to what the difference between each model is.

This will be my first gun and I don't want to spend alot of money. Just the basics is all I need at this point. I started my search by looking at the Mossberg 500's they have online at Walmart(or would I be better off actually going to my local gun shop?) Are any of the 500's they have at Wal-mart ( http://www.walmart.com/search/browse-ng.do?ic=20_0&ref=125872.257843+500500.4294044052 ) a good buy for home-defense? I see they have several models that are under $300 which is the price range I want.

Also my understanding is that you don't need any sort of special permit or anything to purchase a shotgun. I have no criminal record (I've never even so much as had a speeding ticket). All I need is my drivers license correct? I live in Florida in case that matters.

Finally I have to admit that the thought of buying a gun scares me. What steps do you take to keep the gun safe in your house but yet at the same time make it quickly accessable and ready to use if you needed it.

[1911 guy]

First off, the Mossberg 500 is a good gun. I have one in 12 guage and like it.

Secondly, don't get one with just the pistol grip. Get one with a complete buttstock (normal gun).

A shorter barrel is useful inside a home due to corners, hallways and such, but nothing is available below 18" without a little hassle and additional $200 federal tax stamp. Go with the off the shelf 18 1/2" barrel mossberg sells.

I prefer 12 guage due to load availability. At close range there's not much performance difference from 20 through 10 guage. The way shotguns are measured, smaller numbers are bigger bore sizes.

Storage is a very touchy subject with kids in the house. On one ond you can have responsible kids who never touch it without permission and keep it loaded by you bed. Some members here are in that position. Others have it unloaded, locked up and ammo locked in a seperate location. Safe, but not entirely useful. My wife and I keep a loaded shotgun on a wall rack that she has to stretch a bit to get it. Our son is two and it's entirely beyond his reach. This may change as he gets older.

I hesitate to answer about permits, but I do believe you're correct about Florida. I'm sure someone from your neck of the woods will be along shortly to explain things.

I hope I've been of some help.

[IDriveB5]

I would recommend going to a shop with a few of the major pumps: Remington 870, Mossberg 500, Benelli Nova, etc. Shoulder them, see how you like the way the configuration of the safety, slide release and the way it fits you. Once you decide that you like the 870 the best ;) I would recommend that you buy one with a standard length barrel and then buying a shorter barrel if you decide you need it.

If you want to use this shotgun as a home defense firearm, you need to practice with it. A lot. Going out to the clays range is a great way to practice.

You shouldnt need anything special in Florida, from my understanding they are pretty easy going down there. Just your drivers lisence and plenty of folding money.

There are a bunch of different gun cabinets that you can buy, look for one that will work well in your space and is easily accessible.

Enjoy your shotgunning experience, and read a lot on these forums, ask questions and try your best to wear out whatever shotgun you buy!

[txcoyote]

Don't know if you are near Pensacola, but the Academy stores carry both Mossbergs and their economy line Maverick 88 Security models. The Maverick 88 with the 18.5" barrel is $148 right now at Academy. The barrels are interchangeable with the Mossberg 500, so I'm going with the Maverick for the same purpose you have stated. Search the forum for Maverick 88 and you'll see they have a good reputation with the folks that own them.

[Spot77]

I'd be willing to bet there's more than a few good people here at THR living in Florida and willing to take you to a range and try one or two out before you buy.


I think you've made an excellent choice with the Mossberg 500.

Welcome to THR. :)

[Juna]

Another suggestion for saving money is to check pawn shops. You can buy really nice pump shotguns (e.g. Remington 870, Mossberg 500, etc.) for dirt cheap at a pawn shop. Take someone with you who can look the gun over to make sure it's in good condition. Sometimes you'd be surprised at what you can find there and sometimes in excellent condition.

But generally, the Maverick 88, Mossberg 500, or Remington 870 will all outlast you and can all be had for not much money new (and practically a steal used). It's true that shotguns are generally cheaper than handguns (for an adequate home defense pump). A decent handgun will typically run you about $300. There are exceptions that are cheaper than that and still good, but $300 gets you into the ball park of some solid pistols, especially if you look at the used market.

As far as storage, do an advanced search on here about that. There are many suggestions regarding how to store your guns in terms of +/- a round in the chamber, loaded vs. unloaded, safes, etc. After you fire some guns and learn the basics, you'll become less anxious and realize how to store them safely without totally making them useless if the SHTF. If you obey the basic gun safety rules, you'll be fine.

[Zultor]

Thank you for the excellent advice so far. I'm soaking this stuff up so add more if anyone thinks they have some good advice for somebody new to this stuff.

For home defense is this the sort of model I should be looking for?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3163689

I'm not sure I like the color scheme on the gun but are the specs on that one what I should be looking for?

[1911 guy]

Function-wise, that shotgun would be near perfect. Cost-wise is another matter. You can drop about forty bucks off by finding one with standard wood (no camo), standard bead (no fiber-optic) and no sling swivel studs.

I'll edit this post and add a link as soon as I find it. Gimme about ten minutes.

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=5

[Zultor]

Thanks 1911, that's the one I need. Guessing wal-mart doesn't carry it so I'll just have to go to my local gun shop.

Glad I found this site. Just searching through the various forums tonight I have learned quite a bit.

[Fred Fuller]

Zultor,

Welcome to THR!

First off, please go to http://thehighroad.org/library/rules.html and print the page. Start making these concepts part of your life, to the point they are reflexive. Above all else, safety is your primary responsibility as a gunowner.

Second- don't buy a gun just yet.

It's a good idea to handle current production pumpguns from the major manufacturers before you make up your mind. Find a gunshop with both new and used pumpguns in stock, or sample the merchandise at several different shops if your area has more than one. BTW, don't overlook pawn shops as well. See what feels best to you, hands-on. You won't go wrong with a product from any major manufacturer, but they all have differences and you might like one gun better than another.

Look into skeet/trap/sporting clays venues in your area. Some of these places have shotguns you can rent, and you might be able to get some trigger time with possible choices. Talk to friends and relatives who shoot pump shotguns, and see if they will take you to the range and let you shoot their guns. You buy the ammo, and buy light loads (1 ounce of shot, 7/8 ounce if you can find them) to learn on.

Make a decision on what to buy after you have some hands-on experience, not before.

Then get yourself some training. Look at http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/basictraining.asp and check to see if classes are offered in your area. Also look into taking a hunter safety course, that's a good introduction as well and probably the most widely available also. You can get basic pointers from family members or friends, but the instruction you get from those sources will only be as good as the individual giving it- sometimes that can be pretty iffy. If you really get serious there are several venues for professional level training in Florida. Consider investing in yourself and look at http://www.optionsforpersonalsecurity.com/ and http://www.southernexposuretraining.com/ for starters.

And go to http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=207361 , which is THR's Shotgun Forum Lending Library. You can borrow any of the materials there for just the cost of postage to mail them on to the next THR member who asks for them. I'd suggest reading through Brister's book and taking a look at Louis Awerbuck's tape for starters.

There are lots of possibilities for safe storage. There are steel cabinets that install between the studs in your house, hidden inside a closet or behind a curtain or an open door for concealment. There are locking systems that mount the gun against the wall inside a closet or behind a curtain. In fact. Mossberg makes one of those. Here are some links:
http://www.homaksecurity.com/
http://www.mossberg.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=97
http://www.vlineind.com/html/home.html

There are many more safe storage options, use your favorite search engine to locate more.

Again, welcome aboard,

lpl/nc

[Zultor]

Awesome advice Lee Lapin. Those are some really usefull links and I intend to look them all over.

I think I will visit my local gun shop and try holding the various models. I also know somebody from my church that is a sherrif. He did offer to take me to a shooting range a few months back just as something to do for fun. Perhaps I will ask him for some advice.

But I will take your advice to not make a snap decision on what to buy.

[stiletto raggio]

I agree with everything that has been said here, but I would say that for your first gun, get a new gun. It will have an extra bit of meaning to you as your collection increases in size and you don't have to worry about where it has been or what has been done to it.

[camacho]

Hi there,

Like you I am new in this stuff and I live in Florida too. I bought my Mossberg 500 Persuader at a gun show for 236+tax. I would suggest going to a gun show and look at the different shotguns they sell. They pretty much have all of the popular ones (Mossberg, Remington, etc.). Even if you decide not to buy from the dealers at the show you can see what your options are. As to special permit, you do not need one. Very little paperwork needs to be filled out, and if your record is clean you can get the firearm after 5 business days.

Check those links for gunshows in Florida and see if there is one offered in your area.
http://www.suncoastgunshows.com/
http://southernclassicgun.com/

[Zultor]

Perfect, one of those shows is in my area in late October. This gives me a month and a half to go try out some stuff at the local range and plus talk to different people.

Couple questions though:

1.) Can you get better prices at a gunshow? I only want to buy a brand new gun.

2.) Isn't there a mandatory wait time to get a shotgun? How do they sell you the gun right at the gunshow?

[ndh87]

I have a Mossberg Maverick 88, basically a cheaper version of the 500, it is a tough, reliable gun, no question about that. My friend has a rem. 870 and i have to say it is a nicer weapon. The 870 has a shorter and smother action, and the slightly heavier weight of the 870 helps take up some of the recoil. Dont get me wrong, Mossberg makes an excelent shotgun, but having fired both i would have to say the 870 is a bit better of a weapon, obviously this is my own oppinion, and open to debate. but i would sugest that you check out the 870 as well as the 500 and see which is more comfortable as far as the stock, action, and location of the controls.

[ryan56507@msn.com]

Gasp! never owned a gun? oh jesus, im not used to hearing that, from wyoming even the emo kids have a hunting rifle lol.
The remington 870 is easier to clean, take down, has generally less problems and performs identically.... just sayin,

[sm]

I agree with Lee's Post #10

Married with kids?

I strongly suggest this site: http://www.corneredcat.com/

Yes it is a ladies site, by one our Respected Lady Members here on THR.

Both you and your wife can learn a lot not only for yourselves, also for the benefit of the kids.

Responible Firearm Ownership in the home is everyone's responsibility. Not just the husband, the wife - even the kids need to know and be educated in their roles at respective levels of developement and understanding.

[RoarinRow]

Hey Zultor,

I'm in the same boat as you about being a newbie to guns and looking for home security. The Mossberg Persuader is the one that was recommended to me as well.

Good questions. Glad I found this thread. :)