Best Home Defense under $300?

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Northslope Nimrod

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Here's the criteria"

1. Semi-auto (but could be talked into a pump)
2. High capacity
3. Good for Home Defense but could also be used hunting Pheasants or Ducks.
(two barrel combo would be ok) I don't hunt birds much anymore, so it willl mainly be my HD gun)
4. Under $300. I'm looking for a quality shotgun, but I really want to keep it cheap on this one. Sound familiar? Good but cheap. :rolleyes:
5. If there is a liklihood that the next President and Congress will ban it, then that will be the one I want. :evil:
 
You might want to look at a pardner pump made by New England Firearms. Tough reliable and around 240-280. For another 60 -80 bucks you can get a remmington 870 that gives you more options such as chokes and accessories. The remmington as far as I know is still American made too. The Pardner I think production has been outsourced to China. Still a good gun though. I own one have hunted with it and it has performed flawlessly. For home defense I have it loaded with 00 buck, 2-#6 game loads and 1 slug.
 
Mossberg model 500 pump would be a good choice for hunting and HD
 
I bought my last two Rem1100's for less than $300 each, but they were used and I was lucky. I don't think that you can even touch a Turkish made semi for less than three, new in box.

My local Academy has the Remington 870 for $279, and there's a $30 rebate on them right now. Of the available pump guns, the Remington 870 is my favorite. You can always save another $100 and buy the Chinese 870 copy (NEF/H&R Pardner Pump), but if you want a switch-barrel do-it-all I would probably recommend that you stay with the Remington.
 
1. Semi-auto (but could be talked into a pump)
Click to expand...

For $300 you are probably going to be getting a pump unless you find a great buy. There are only a few auto loaders that I trust to be reliable for HD and they all sell for more than $300 even well used ones.

Given your other criteria I would look at an 870 or a Mossberg 500. I recently saw a sale at big 5 that had 500s with two barrels, one for HD and one for hunting, for under $300. You could add a magazine extension and you'd be good to go.

Also if you shop around both of these can be found used for very good prices. People will argue the 500 vs the 870. I prefer the 870 but I have shot both a fair amount and never had a problem with either. Both of them will do what you're asking.

In summary I would shop around for those two. Handle both some people really prefer the safety location of one over the other. If you want it for HD and hunting I would be looking for two barrels.
 
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Mossberg Maverick, $179 at Academy. I really don't know what is the difference between the Mossberg 500, but it looks like it'll meet your needs.
 
Wal mart here had Mavericks for $159...add a $39 +2 extension if needed.

You might watch the local classifieds for a Auto under $300..I havent seen one in a GS in a while for that.
 
I just got a Remington 870HD model for $299 at Sportsmans warehouse had everything I was looking for 18inch barrel and magazine extension it works perfect out of the box
 
Lots of choices, but the 870's mine.

More importantly, get some instruction and exercise your shotgun regularly.....
 
You can also pick up the Winchester 120.

They are essentially the same shotgun as the 1200/1300, but an entry level model. Seen them on gunbroker.
 
Most Mossbergs do not accept mag extensions unless something has changed in the last few years. The 835/590 series maybe but not the 500. We used 590's in the military without issue but I still love my 870 and they have far more goodies available for it.
 
Any pump shotgun will work great. Just decide how much you want to spend, and go check out the used rack. Personally I'd get a used wingmaster, should be had for $300 or less any day.
 
My suggestion would be the following:

If you want to stay American made.

New Express with factory tube ext and take advantage of the $30 rebate

Older used 870 if you can find a good one

Semi Auto: used Remington 1100

China import and the best deal going on a HD shotgun:

Norinco 982 with Ghost Ring Sights

H&R Pardner pump Protector bead sight

A good low cost import from Turkey

LSI Escort Pump - Basically the same shotgun as the H&K FP6 the parts interchange



GC
 
I purchased a Pardner Protector Pump w/ an 18.5" barrel for $190 at dick sporting goods. I've put about 50-60 rounds through it with no problems. It is a cheap, reliable shotty that can be throw in the truck and left. Or upgraded to "tacti-cool".
 
ditto.

A semi-auto used is gonna run you about 450-500. a new one is gonna cost as much as a mid-level AR in some instances.
 
Since I only wanted a HD shotgun (& not a trap or hunting gun) I bought the NEF Pardner Pump (18.5" barrel, factory extension, 5+1 rnds). It cost me $200 OTD.

If I wanted a combo gun I would have gone with the Rem 870 deer gun (w/ 20" rifled barrel + 20" to 28" smooth bore barrel) but that would have cost $500 or more.
 
Mossberg 500 or Remington 870...

With the Mossberg, you will get more gun for your money (blued, versus...not, no magazine weirdness) but the Remington does have better fit and finish and has a greater aftermarket...
 
I was in a WalMart two days ago, and they had the Charles Daly semi-auto for $319 and some change plus tax. They had the 870 Express for $277.
 
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