1 3/4" Mini shells

[Balrog]

I am intrigued by the relatively new 1 3/4" mini shells for use in a home defense shotgun. Federal offers these shells with #4 Buckshot.

How would these work for home defense compared to 2 3/4" shells?

How does recoil compare?

Anyone have experience with them?

 

[hso]

I have boxes of the Aguila's and the Federals (they're the same shells as far as I can tell) I've tried.

They don't feed in all shotguns. So that has to be addressed first.

Recoil is milder than 2 3/4" shells,

They increase the capacity, but if they don't feed reliably in a shotgun you already own they're of no use.

 

[12Bravo20]

There are a couple of different adaptors out there for Mossberg shotguns that allows them function with mini shells.

The Opsol Mini Clip is one. And if you see a Mossberg model number that ends with S, such as the 590S, then it comes from the factory with an adaptor to function correctly with mini shells.

Remington 870's and some clones will work as is with mini shells due to how their lift arm is made.

@hso is correct that you need to make sure your shotgun will function reliably with mini shells.

 

[TitanicTortilini]

If you have a Mossberg 590, then you want the Defender Tactical adapter, it's in every possible way better than the Opsol offering. You can run any mix of shell lengths with it installed, no need to remove it for full size shells, and it won't come loose since it's locked into the receiver via existing machined recesses. You can mix and match shell lengths all willy nilly and it'll just work.

 

[dfariswheel]

The standard Federal and Aquila mini-shells are advertised as practice ammo. They run at lower velocities and have very moderate recoil.

The new Federal fragmenting 00 buckshot loads are sold as personal defense ammo.
They have 00 buck pellets that are designed to split into two pieces, and have a higher velocity then the practice loads.

As above, reliability in a defense gun is absolutely critical, to the exclusion of all other considerations. A stoppage is a life ender.
Even the conversion guns and the newer Mossberg made specifically to shoot mini shells and standard 2 3/4"in the same gun are still "Iffy.
The only way to know if a specific gun will handle them reliably it to shoot enough to prove that they're 100%.
HOW MANY that requires depends on how lucky you feel. Some people can fire a magazine full and call it good.
These mini shells are snaky. You can shoot a good number with no problems, then suddenly one turns over backward and causes a jam.
Personally I think at least 100 rounds with ZERO problems is the absolute minimum I'd trust my life to.

 

[Balrog]

I agree with the reliability concerns and was planning on going to either just get. 590S or get the Defender tactical adapter.

I was asking more about the ammo itself.

 

[film495]

interesting. I wonder how they compare to birdshot or target loads, recoil wise.

 

[TTv2]

They are lower recoil, much lower recoil. Effect on target is adequate and I prefer #4 for inside the home because if a pellet misses it won't blow a hole into the next house, but #1 meets the minimum for FBI penetration specs. Aguila has a shell that uses 4 pellets of #1 and 7 pellets of #4, so you get the penetration with the 1 Buck, but the spread with the 4 Buck.

Before Bass Pro stole Cabela's from us, Cabela's use to have a Herter's load that was 2.25" length shell and used 6 pellets of 00 Buck. IDK how the recoil is, I think I have a box of it, but it's collector's ammo now.

 

[dfariswheel]

In addition to the Herter's 2 1/4 inch loads, Nobelsport of Italy makes one with 00 buck.
Recoil is almost nonexistent, and there are no feed problems with the longer shells.

As above, the standard 1 3/4 inch mini shells have almost no recoil, but they don't sell them as defense ammo.
Still, at across the living room range I wouldn't want to get hit with a load from them..
I haven't been able to try the new Federal fragmenting 00 personal defense loads, but they run at a higher velocity so probably at least a little more recoil.

Bottom line, most of these short mini shells are real pussy cats.

 

[hso]

interesting. I wonder how they compare to birdshot or target loads, recoil wise.

Millder

 

[herrwalther]

If you have a Mossberg 590, then you want the Defender Tactical adapter, it's in every possible way better than the Opsol offering. You can run any mix of shell lengths with it installed, no need to remove it for full size shells, and it won't come loose since it's locked into the receiver via existing machined recesses. You can mix and match shell lengths all willy nilly and it'll just work.

This will probably be my next HD shotgun upgrade. I like my shotgun loaded with minis and the Opsol adapter. No malfunctions or reliability questions whatsoever. But I don't like it can't accept regular shells without taking out the adapter. My other option is to see if I can upgrade my current shotgun to an S model with OEM parts. I am fine with either as long as they are reliable and able to load regular sized shells.

 

[Balrog]

Seems like they would be a good load to shoot poisonous snakes with, if not self defense from humans.

 

[JTHunter]

Balrog - I have a SxS with double triggers so I have no problem using the minishells. However, a 3" shell with #4 Buck will have 40 pellets and, when combined with a 3" OO Buck (15 pellets) in the other barrel, that make a "cloud" of 55 pellets. When aimed for the groin or neck, it's unlikely that even body armor could stop the entire batch.
Femoral arteries in the crotch and carotid/jugular in the neck - take them out and you have an empty windbag.

 

[GRIZ22]

I have a supply of the Herters. They're a little big longer but don't require any adapter. Have worked in every pump I've tried them in. 6 pieces of 00 so 2/3 the recoil. Anything hit by 6 00 will swear it got hit by 9.

 

[chiggs]

I have a supply of the Herters. They're a little big longer but don't require any adapter. Have worked in every pump I've tried them in. 6 pieces of 00 so 2/3 the recoil. Anything hit by 6 00 will swear it got hit by 9.

The only person that will know the difference is the patholigist!

 

[Old Hobo]

If one already has a 12ga, then I see purpose in wishing lighter loads for those sensitive to recoil.

If a new owner, simply purchase a 20 ga in a shotgun that weighs as much as a 12. Light 20 gauge shotguns can have as much recoil as a 12 ga.. A 3" magnum fired out of a lightweight 20 can kick the dickens out of a small person.

By the by, first time I saw the mini-shells, they did raise an eyebrow; but then I thought, "How cute!"

 

[Nasty Canasta]

I have an old Winchester 1200 that cycles them & with an extended tube I can have 16 rounds & an empty chamber/cruiser ready. Mostly do this for the Mrs that can handle these easily where the 2.75 00 buck is a bit much for her.

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes, I dabbled with the mini-shells for my wife. We get coyotes around our hobby horse farm some and a Rem 870 with mini shells can be good medicine.

We have not put them to the test. Fortunately, the horses keep the coyotes at bay and I’ve started feeding the deer in our area.

We love to watch the fawns and their baby sitters as well as the yearling spike bucks.

The fawns and their baby sitters keep their distance but they know we will not advance on them and press their comfort zone.

Every summer, the deers like to show us their off spring while we feed our horses and ponies.