I am thinking of getting a 20ga for HD. I pick the 20 so that the wife will also feel comfortable with it. I want to outfit it with the usual stuff one puts on them but I dontknow whether I can get the same accessories for say a Mossberg 500 in 20 or a Rem 870 in 20 that I can for the same gun in 12ga. Any help here? Thanks
20 ga accessories question
- Thread starter The Rabbi
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dance varmint
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I have 870's in 20 and 12, and I'm sorry but there is a limited selection of accessories for the 20. There's a very small choice of extra barrels; there are no magazine extensions or folding stocks I've ever found. The customary tactical accessories will elicit controversy and derision here.
There also isn't much of a market for buckshot, so a good-patterning load is harder to find. I found that Remington Express No. 3 20 ga. buckshot didn't pattern well, and I've preferred 4 birdshot. I think it's fine for your home defense needs, even in default configuration, but a 18 to 20-inch barrel would really be a nice option if you can find it.
There also isn't much of a market for buckshot, so a good-patterning load is harder to find. I found that Remington Express No. 3 20 ga. buckshot didn't pattern well, and I've preferred 4 birdshot. I think it's fine for your home defense needs, even in default configuration, but a 18 to 20-inch barrel would really be a nice option if you can find it.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Rabbi,
Remington makes the 870 in a 20 ga. Youth Model that might be just the ticket. It comes with a 21" vent rib barrel and a 13" length of pull stock. There's a 4-shell SideSaddle available for it, XO now makes easily attachable front tritium beads and any one of several rigs can be adapted for attaching a 'leopard light.' IMHO it's near perfect right out of the box, a couple of tweaks and it's ready to go.
See
http://www.remington.com/NR/exeres/...445D3CABC4}&NRQUERYTERMINATOR=1&cookie_test=1
I don't think magazine extensions are that big a deal for HD shotguns, but Choate used to make one for the 20 ga. 870s. Dunno if they still do.
Do try to find one of these to shoot, especially with buckshot, before you buy. These guns can be pretty stiff kickers with heavy loads. You might discover that a 12 ga. with lighter (reduced recoil) slugs and buck actually seems to kick less. BE SURE the 12 bore is properly fitted to the shooter, however.
Stay safe,
lpl
Remington makes the 870 in a 20 ga. Youth Model that might be just the ticket. It comes with a 21" vent rib barrel and a 13" length of pull stock. There's a 4-shell SideSaddle available for it, XO now makes easily attachable front tritium beads and any one of several rigs can be adapted for attaching a 'leopard light.' IMHO it's near perfect right out of the box, a couple of tweaks and it's ready to go.
See
http://www.remington.com/NR/exeres/...445D3CABC4}&NRQUERYTERMINATOR=1&cookie_test=1
I don't think magazine extensions are that big a deal for HD shotguns, but Choate used to make one for the 20 ga. 870s. Dunno if they still do.
Do try to find one of these to shoot, especially with buckshot, before you buy. These guns can be pretty stiff kickers with heavy loads. You might discover that a 12 ga. with lighter (reduced recoil) slugs and buck actually seems to kick less. BE SURE the 12 bore is properly fitted to the shooter, however.
Stay safe,
lpl
This brings up another point: am I barking up the wrong tree going after a 20ga? As I said, I thought it would be less intimidating to the Mrs and easier to handle. But maybe just using reduced recoil in a 12ga would do the same thing and allow me to get a SG with all the goodies. Comments?
Rabbi,
The 20 gauge guns are usually lighter than the 12 so the difference in percieved recoil between the 2 won't be that much. I would get a 12 gauge and just buy the light loads for it, you don't need a lot of distance for home defense and you certainly don't want the pellets going through your walls. Added advantage is you will have all the 12 gauge accessories available to you if you go for 12 instead of 20 gauge.
My .02,
The 20 gauge guns are usually lighter than the 12 so the difference in percieved recoil between the 2 won't be that much. I would get a 12 gauge and just buy the light loads for it, you don't need a lot of distance for home defense and you certainly don't want the pellets going through your walls. Added advantage is you will have all the 12 gauge accessories available to you if you go for 12 instead of 20 gauge.
My .02,
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
I've been watching the Net for over a decade. Before that, I had access to a database not open to the public that listed fatal shootings and also non fatal ones.
In all that time, I've seen no report of a private citizen running a standard capacity shotgun empty when defending self and family. None.
What does matter much more than bells,whistles,tuck and roll upholstery, fuzzy dice,CD player,hold the mayo,is expertise,practice,and a shotgun/load that's appropriate to the mission and shooter.
For non shotgunners, no shotgun is a good idea. For those willing to get out and practice, practically any reliable shotgun they can shoot in comfort and effectively is a good choice.
For those of spritely build, the smaller shotguns in smaller gauges make sense, but as has been said, lighter shotguns kick more, all else equal.
A 20 gauge weighing 6 lbs shooting an oz load with the same balance and fit as a 12 gauge weighing 7 lbs shooting 1 1/8 oz will feel harder kicking, not the intended opposite.
If all the folks who will be shooting this can handle a fairly light 12 gauge, that may be the better choice because of the wider range of models and the plethora of ammo. The 7/8 oz loads out there now for the 12 are close to optimum for trainng new shooters, and lots of fun for all.
Best idea so far, try out different shotguns and pick the one Mrs or MS Rabbi prefers...
In all that time, I've seen no report of a private citizen running a standard capacity shotgun empty when defending self and family. None.
What does matter much more than bells,whistles,tuck and roll upholstery, fuzzy dice,CD player,hold the mayo,is expertise,practice,and a shotgun/load that's appropriate to the mission and shooter.
For non shotgunners, no shotgun is a good idea. For those willing to get out and practice, practically any reliable shotgun they can shoot in comfort and effectively is a good choice.
For those of spritely build, the smaller shotguns in smaller gauges make sense, but as has been said, lighter shotguns kick more, all else equal.
A 20 gauge weighing 6 lbs shooting an oz load with the same balance and fit as a 12 gauge weighing 7 lbs shooting 1 1/8 oz will feel harder kicking, not the intended opposite.
If all the folks who will be shooting this can handle a fairly light 12 gauge, that may be the better choice because of the wider range of models and the plethora of ammo. The 7/8 oz loads out there now for the 12 are close to optimum for trainng new shooters, and lots of fun for all.
Best idea so far, try out different shotguns and pick the one Mrs or MS Rabbi prefers...
Something I forgot to mention in my first response... Another reason to buy the 12 gauge is that it is cheaper to feed. Generally 12 gauge ammo is cheaper than 20 gauge and the light 12 gauge loads have a very small amount of kick compared to a full power load. I would recomend getting the same light loads that the Cowboy shooters use, plenty powerful enough to stop a man at short range but light enough not to over penetrate.
Mannlicher
Member
I have a Mossberg 500C, the 20GA Cruiser model. It came from the factory with a pistol grip. One of the first things I did with it, was buy a factory synthetic stock. The 20 inch barrel always did well with Federal or Winchester #3 Buck. I use the 2 3/4 shells, but it will take the 3" also.
Later I bought a 26 inch vent rib barrel, with Mossberg choke tubes. Now it is a very versitil3 little shotgun.
I do not feel undergunned with the 20 as a HD choice, although shotguns are not my primary choice for HD.
Later I bought a 26 inch vent rib barrel, with Mossberg choke tubes. Now it is a very versitil3 little shotgun.
I do not feel undergunned with the 20 as a HD choice, although shotguns are not my primary choice for HD.
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