Best self defense shotgun?

[Dr.Rob]

If you get a pump, make sure it has dual slide rails like the 870...

The 11-87 'police' model can be had for under $300 at times.. I would have bought it but I already had my 870... didn't see the need for 2 shotguns.

To back Dave up... don't spend $$$ on mag extentions, taclights, bayonet mounts etc... go shoot it and shoot it a lot.

All the doo-dads you hang on the front of your shotgun changes the way your use it by changing the balance and adding weight.

You can work a four shot pump gun remarkably fast, including reloading when you have to.

 

[Hugo]

Is the Benelli Nova a good home defense shotgun? Seems a bit too light so the recoil might be a little too much. Though the fancy Benelli recoil reducers probably help, dont they?

 

[MudPuppy]

I've also heard the dual rails is pretty important. Have the 870's always had dual rails?

I think the Mossberg series (500s) also have dual rails?

 

[scout26]

Mr. McC nailed it.

The best HD gun is the one that you know will work flawlessly at Oh-Dark-30, while pure adrenaline is coursing through your veins after you heard the Bump and you have no night vision as you navigate through your home by memory/feel to get yourself between the goblin and your family.

Find what fits you best/feels most comfortable and BA/UU/R, until it's instinctive.

To simulate the adrenaline rush, I do windsprints and push-ups in the parking lot behind the fireing line at my outdoor range. Nothing like being winded with rubbery arms to get a taste of what it's like to try to shoot on a adrenaline buzz.

 

[CleverName]

Benelli thumb - might just be my name for it - is when you're loading shells into the magazine and as you push one home, the shell lifter goes down and pinches your thumb between the shell and the lifter.

 

[AStone]

windsprints & pushups

...BA/UU/R, until it's instinctive.

To simulate the adrenaline rush, I do windsprints and push-ups in the parking lot behind the fireing line at my outdoor range. Nothing like being winded with rubbery arms to get a taste of what it's like to try to shoot on a adrenaline buzz.

Now that's an original and creative idea.

Mikey likes it.

 

[50 Freak]

Hell, I'm usually winded and huffing and puffing from just bringing in all my toys and assesories into the range. So by the time I start shooting, I'm breathing pretty heavy.

Think the 50 donuts a day have anything to do with it?

 

[Bobster]

A Marine bud of mine was quite adament that the Mossberg was much more reliable than the Rem. His unit shotter in Iraq agreed with him. Never, ever ftf, unlike the Remmy. Just what I heard.

BOBSTER

 

[nyresq]

if money is no object, get a benelli M1, if you're on a budget, an 870.

The only reason I'd say go with the 870 over the M1 (besides the price) is the psycological factor of being able to rack the slide. This is a known sound that crosses all language, cultural and social barriers and gets your point across very quickly and effectivly. If you hear it coming from behind you in a dark hallway, most times it has the effect of making you sh@t yourself as you realize someone has you dead to rights with a shotgun pointing at your back.
There have been many law enforcement encounters with hostile suspects that have been brought to an end by the officer racking the slide while aimed at a suspect.

 

[Zach S]

if you practice you can fire the remmy almost as fast as an auto.

With very little practice you can outrun an autoloader with an Ithaca 37

It takes practice to stay on target though....

I'm partial to the Mossberg 590A1.

+1. Well, mine's just a 590...

 

[Beren]

I love my Saiga-12 and believe it would do well as a self-defense shotgun, but if you're concerned with multiple looters, I'd shy away from 5-round magazines. Saiga shotguns are not the easiest things to load, though with LOTS of practice I've heard some users have become quite good with them.

Nice thing about the Mossbergs, Remingtons, and others, is that you can top off the tube magazine at any time.

Now that I've put together a SBR, a SBS is next on my list. I'm thinking a 12-gauge with a 14" barrel, either an 870 or an 11-87. I could SBS my Saiga-12, but I like her fine as she is.

 

[..]

A Marine bud of mine was quite adament that the Mossberg was much more reliable than the Rem. His unit shotter in Iraq agreed with him. Never, ever ftf, unlike the Remmy. Just what I heard.

BOBSTER

After having issues with three different 870 Express models and one 870 wingmaster, rough finish and what looked like rust in 2 new riot barrels I've given up on 14yrs of owning Remmy's. Just ordered a Mossberg 590A1.

 

[226]

870p

 

[AStone]

the 'p' makes the difference

870p

right.

not express.
not even wingmaster,
as fine as that hunting gun is.

870P.

it's just the attention to detail.

every company has its lesser quality products for the less discriminating buyer who wants to have a mostly functional product (on a good day).

then they have those models that they spend extra time and energy on: better materials, greater machine precision, more hands-on buffing, more attention to QC.

Ford had Fairlane v. T'bird.

For Remington, it's express v. p.

Sad, perhaps, but true:
quality costs more.
you get what you pay for.

Life is worth it, imo.

What's in your wallet?

 

[Burt Blade]

Re: Winchester 1897

Ask the Cowboy Action Shooters. 1897s are back in production, and can be readily ordered, although the down side is they come from Communist China. (Go figure that out...)


Re: The ominous sound of a racking slide.

Trust me, the clash of racking the bolt on a M-1 is pretty loud too. Load 7 in the clip and hold the top round down as you close the bolt. Not as graceful as a pump shotgun, but there it is.

Spaking only for myself, the boom of the gun is far, far more persuasive then the "KA-CHUNK" of "I forgot to load my gun before the fight".

 

[shotgunner]

Mossberg