870 or 1100 for all around tool

[Glock_10mm]

I've been looking to get a new toy for an all around tool. IThis will be for a secondary home, and short of my ccw or a sporting rifle it will be the only gun there.

I'm debating an remington 870 or 1100 (I've been very satisfied with rem products and want to stick with them for this.

I've been looking at the 1100 Tactical (or Competition Master if I can find one) or an 870 Marine Magnum. 18" 6+1 or 22" 8+1. If your not familiar: The 1100 is semi auto. The 870 is pump and is non corrosive and accepts 3" loads. Both seem to be outstanding guns and in the same price bracket. I seem to feel the 870 offers a better deal and is more reliable, but the semi auto still looks attractive as I have only owned pump guns so far. 870 comes in 18", the tactical in both 18/22" and the competition (like tactical) I think is 22".

All around for protection, hunting, and garderning!

Whats your opinion on this?

 

[ryoushi]

It depends...

...if you actually plan on shooting the thing or just want to keep it around the house. The 1100 is a ball at the range on clay pigeons while an 870 Police is a chore.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Both good. The 1100 has less kick, the 870 digests a wider variety of ammo.

 

[white_feather]

As a matter of personal preference I would get the Marine Magnum. As you said it has a non-corrosive finish which allows it to be left loaded and put out of the way for a SHTF situation or home defense. It will of course have the reliablity that is synonomous with a Remington pump action gun.

Also in a situation where you are going to be using a shotgun in your home you aren't going to be able to get too many shots off so the advantages of the semi-auto are lessened. Also the Remington 870 platform is the most common you will ever find so it has all the after-market parts you could ever want such as tactical light forends and shell racks for the reciever and butt stock.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I've heard lots of stories of things left unattended at vacation homes being stolen. A more important decision than "what shotgun do I get?" is "how am I going to secure it?" You don't want to be arming the bad guys after all...

lpl/nc

edited to add: examples at http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=216418

 

[sm]

All around tool for a structure not visited often.

Folks have Get away spots out in the rural areas, hunting, fishing, hiking and such.

Lee is correct - Safe Storage for not only firearms, also any other valubles are ALWAYS considered and the first thing is to NEVER advertise the fact there is anything of value in the structure, how made safe , or what any valuables may even be.

Just the family and close friends need to know.

Since these items "sit" more that "being used" - a number of folks bought a Maverick for $134 at Academy or similar. Simple pump guns, and most are getting youth sized varieties in 20 ga, like Mossbergs, or pawn shop special JC Higgins...etc.

Remember, a bigger person can shoot a smaller gun - a smaller person may not be able to use a bigger gun.

Adults run to town, teenager, kids, stay with Grandparent at the structure...could these persons left at the structure use the tools?

Might just be a snake in the garden , or near the pond while fishing...

Keep it simple.

Single shot 20 ga shotguns are a big favorite, as are Marlin 60s, pawn shop .22 rifles and for a handgun, Keltec P-11s are replacing many of the Police Trade in Wheelguns. Simply because the wheelguns , even if older, and trade-in, are made the old way and they are not making these anymore. P-11, just a plastic DA only Revolver with inexpensive ammo is all it is.

Most find the most used "tool" is the .22 rifle, and a .22 handgun. Oh and a .410 single shot...

Radios and such are put up safe as well - that old 13" black and white TV can sit out...that radio with weather , short wave and such is more valuble.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

or you could even get a convertable.

BTW thats an auto gun with a pump for lighter loads.

 

[Glock_10mm]

There is a safe so no worries.

I've been thinking the 870 marine is the better choice all around. I'm not really into modding it out, but the side shell carrier and the flashlight foregrip for it looks like a reasonable choice.

As for kids, grand parents, etc, its mostly my wife or our friends. They pretty much all have shot a 12ga so I'm not too worried. I guess having a .22lr up there wouldnt hurt anything either though (a great excuse to buy another gun!).

Thanks for the help. I 've yet to own a semi 12ga, but I guess that still leaves me the excuse to buy one later!

 

[hossdaniels]

shtf goes to 870
skeet/squirrel duty goes to the 1100.
if its gotta do both go with the 870

 

[The Deer Hunter]

870

the marine magnum is wicked cool

yea im from around boston