HD Shotgun Opinions

[Hunter125]

I am looking at getting an HD shotgun. I want a pump and I'm most familiar with 870's.
What other features would you put on your HD shotgun?
Most importantly I am on the fence about 20 vs 12 ga. I have always had a 12 ga, but I picked up a 20 ga 870 the other day and was surprised at how light it was. If it is more maneuverable with not too much sacrifice in power, reduced.recoil, it might just be the way to go.
What do you guys think?

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[Girodin]

What other features would you put on your HD shotgun?

For a gun that is just HD, not a broader use fighting gun, I would add a light, and extended mag tube (if it didn't have one) and a side saddle. Depending on what was on the gun I might add a shorter LOP stock because they tend to fit me better for that style of shooting. A good recoil pad is always nice to have too. I might add some type of high visibility bead, but it probably isn't a must have.

Most importantly I am on the fence about 20 vs 12 ga.

Either could work. My defensive guns are all 12 gauge. If weight was a real big concern I'd go with a carbine (I actually think a carbine trumps a shotgun in a lot of respects anyways but that is a different thread).

 

[allaroundhunter]

12 or 20 ga? I use 12, military and police use 12. However, a 20 can do the job.

For my HD shotgun (though I also will grab a carbine first) is Ghost ring sights, 18" barrel, and slightly shortened stock. I would like to get a forearm with a Surefire light on it, but they are pricey, and seeing as right now my carbine will be grabbed first, I am holding off getting one.

 

[Water-Man]

A 20ga. is just fine for home defense. I'd load it with #3Buckshot, 2 3/4, 7/8 oz. I prefer Remington in this type ammo. The only option I would add is a light. IMO 5-6 rounds is adequate.

 

[mnrivrat]

I use a 20ga and I recommend them for HD because they are lighter and quicker to manuver . 2&3/4" #3 buckshot puts the energy of two rounds of 357 magnum into play, and that should get the job done.

I would keep it simple with a short barrel, and I have nothing else on my gun. A have nothing against a light . I make sure the stock length is not too long and prefer youth stocks for my usage.

 

[Zach S]

For a gun that is just HD, not a broader use fighting gun, I would add a light, and extended mag tube (if it didn't have one) and a side saddle. Depending on what was on the gun I might add a shorter LOP stock because they tend to fit me better for that style of shooting. A good recoil pad is always nice to have too. I might add some type of high visibility bead, but it probably isn't a must have.

With the exception of a high visibility bead (I just use the small brass one), These are my thoughts as well. As far as lights go, I spent enough money on lights, mounts, and tape switches to buy a Surefire fore end, before actually buying one...

I stick with 12 gauge for defense. I wouldn't feel undergunned with a 20 gauge, but the 12 has more ammo options and they're readily available. Another thing to consider, lighter gun = more recoil. My 20" 590 loaded with LE132 (Federal low recoil 9 pellet 00B) had less recoil than the much lighter 20 gauge KISS 500 someone brought along. I thought it would be interesting to compare the two using low-recoil buckshot for the 20 gauge, but no one makes it.

 

[coosbaycreep]

With all the low recoil 12ga buck available now, I see really see no reason to buy a 20ga for SD anymore if recoil is a concern. 20ga generally costs more, has far less ammo available, and the 20ga I had with buckshot kicked more than 12ga low recoil. Both are perfectly capable though.

I wouldn't put anything other than a light on a SD gun either.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I have an 11-87 Police, but my go-to shotgun for HD is this:



I shortened the stock and cut the barrel to 19". It's quite handy, and reliable in the extreme. I keep it stoked with #4 Buck and slugs. I paid $160 for it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I use a FN SLP and, if I had my way ($$$), would add a Surefire forend and sidesaddle carrier for extra shells

But since you'd like to stay with a pump action gun, I'd recommend you take a look at the Mossberg (alloy receiver) in 20ga with a nice rubber recoil pad. Then add a light and a shell carrier.

I've used a Rem 870 for years and still prefer the tang safety over the button safety. I like ghost ring sights, but you really don't need them at short ranges.

BTW: I think a carbine is a better HD option too, but neither my AK or Marlin (.357Mag) are set up for it yet

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I love my Remington Model 11 as it's stone axe reliable (as noted above) and easy swing and jackin' the bolt has nearly the equal to the auditory "oh ****" sound of a slide action - nearly, but not quite. It's also an easy reload.

As for my Mossberg 590, I have the surefire light and fore-end and while it has the military sights - I wouldn't get too wrapped around the axle over that as I don't feel I have any business engaging in a "home defense" scenario where I'm sighting to that degree. really, down the hall, across the room and the like - who am I aiming at rather than pointing? I know where that shot's going at those distances and beside, I'm not hut-hutting around with it at my shoulder - the muzzle to c/g (mine) distance is too great to be Swatin' about the house.

 

[red rick]

Like others have said, a shorter stock ( 13" lop works for me, 12" was to short ) and a light.

 

[bubba in ca]

A 20 is just fine for closeup. box of truth has some info on this. #2 and #3 buck are available. If it is a dedicated HD gun, you don't need different ammos--just find one that works and stock up on it..

My 20 has a fibreoptic sight, an elastic but cuff with 3 rounds in it (only partially loading the ammo carrier makes it easier to access the shells). No argument about a light, I just haven't got around to it yet. The factory stock fits me just fine and I haven't added a sling because my use is in the house or on the porch.

No camo, no bayonet, no add-ons that cost more than the gun!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Most Important?

Wear marks.....

Seriously, get what you want and shoot it plenty. If it breaks, fix it. If it does it again, trade it off.

Some of the most effective defensive shotguns out there are bone stock. Accessories add little, but expertise adds a lot.....

 

[redstategunnut]

Mossberg 500 12 gauge, Surefire fore end light, SOE single point sling with SOE shotgun tray mounted on velcro as a side saddle and an SOE shotgun micro rig. Everything you need, nothing you don't.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

My favorite modification to my 870 is a Knoxx Spec Ops stock. It is a collapsible stock that will collapse down to being shorter than a youth stock. This makes the gun a little easier to use in confined spaces. The stock also has a spring-based shock absorbing system that works very well. It does such a good job, that I also removed the butt pad from mine. So less felt recoil makes the gun a lot easier to practice with for longer sessions.

I also have a Surefire forend and a single point sling on mine.

 

[snake eater 332]

My personal recommendation for a primary home defense weapon would be a 12 gauge pump shotgun with as short a barrel that is as legally possible to obtain in your state and that your comfortable with using.

My primary HD long gun is my 14 inch barreled 12 gauge Mossberg 590A1 shotgun with ghost ring sights, a Hogue Youth stock (12" LOP), a Surefire 621FGA Forend Weaponlight, Blackhawk front sling adapter, Specter Gear 3-point tactical sling, and 3GunGear.com 7-Shell Side Saddle, which has a nylon side saddle with elasticized shell holders backed with velcro that affixes to a base on the shotgun receiver. This side saddle carrier allows single-hand removal and attachment so that additional side saddle carriers can be carried on tactical vests or plate carriers and your ammo source can be easily replenished.



This shotgun has an overall length (OAL) of 35 inches, which is a nice compact size for manuevering inside a house or building.

I also strongly believe that a light source is MANDATORY for any HD weapon so as to positively identify your potential target! Lest it be a family member, such as a teen son/daughter sneaking back into the house...that could be extremely tragic. A weapon-mounted light could also be used offensively to blind an offender, allowing you to gain the tactical advantage in a dynamic critical incident.

 

[Mr.Blue]

For home defense a 12 gauge 870 is the way to go. I would only add a lighting system and a red dot sight. You want to be able to see what you are shooting at. The red dot helps in getting quick target acquisition, especially in low light conditions.

 

[jl1288]

Very nice remmy, I also have an 8 shot mossberg but my go to would be my 82y.o. mod 11.

 

[GMHAYESUSN]

Honestly I have no desire to ever go to anything other than a 12 gauge for a home defense shotgun...granted I am a 24 year old active duty military member thats specific job is firearms. That being said the Navy primarily uses Mossberg 500's onboard fleet ships and as much as i hate to say it (i am a 870 guy through and through) i have not had a serious issue with our shotguns the one thing i will reccomend for a HD Shotgun is a Light....its been a really nice thing to have onboard and ive had a few times where i was using a m16 and wanted that foreend light!

 

[foghornl]

My HomeLand Security shotgun is a box-stock Maverick 88 with the 18-1/2" cylinder bore barrel.

Do have an elastic 5-round butt-cuff on it with slugs.

 

[Cthulhucalling]

I did quite a bit of research and worry comparing Remington and Mossberg. I leaned a lot more towards Mossberg because of the tang safety. I'm a lefty, and the safety position on the Remington requires me to take my hand off the weapon, which doesn't sit with me very well. I was all set to get a 500, possibly a Marine Stainless, then one of the guys at the store showed me the 930 SPX, and I immediately fell in love with it. I had no intention of buying an autoloader, I wanted a pump. The CLICK-CLACK speaks an international language, but damn if that SPX didn't feel just right. I can almost write my name at 15 yards with it.

The only thing that I need to put on it is a light.

 

[catnphx]

I'm not one to trick-out any of my weapons but I agree that two extras that would add value to a HD SG are a light and side-saddle.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

i just picked up a stevens 12ga SxS for $199. barrels will be 20" on it by next weekend
with a big beed front sight on it i have a 870 to i just dont like were the safty is on it

 

[Fastcast]

What a bunch of ungainly foofoo!

I'd bet the farm 99.999% of the time a standard pump gun with short slug barrel and 5 shots of 00 buck will end a home invasion, even with multiple perps.

Once the BG's see one of their buddies insides turned around, it's pretty safe to say they're heading out of Dodge, unless of course your on Quito's hit list.

Personally, I prefer a svelte carbine for HD, not a bloated hog with lipstick.

 

[2zulu1]

Another vote for the FNH SLP, light recoil, even with full power Federal OO buck /slugs. With light recoil it's easier to practice more w/o beating yourself up; it's easy for a 50/100 round training session.

On Thanksgiving a small sized lady shot the SLP both left and right shoulders, recoil was light enough for her 12 year old son to shoot it. By comparison her 100 round LE quals (870) left her bruise marks on both shoulders.

Given the fire power of the SLP, it makes a great platform for those who are recoil sensitive, add a holographic sight to the top rail and it'll shoot on target/s as fast as a pistol.

BTW, she's getting her husband one for Christmas.