Help!!! Shotgun noob looking for advice....

[Jordan85]

Hello shotgun forum...

Only been here for a couple of weeks, but haven't made it over to this side of the fence yet.

I know nothing about shotguns, but I have a question.

I would like to purchase a shotgun in the near future, but I have two different things I would like it to do:
1) I would like it to serve as my primary home defense weapon. I already have a few pistols, but this would be my primary weapon when things make noise in the middle of the night
2) I would like to have the option to shoot skeet/trap with this same gun. I have never been before, but it seems like a blast....

So is it possible to serve both these purposes with the same gun? I'm know the choice of tool changes according to its use. But I don't need the SOCOM, ghostring glow in the dark (well maybe ghost ring nightsites), pistol grip, etc etc, just a good home defense shotgun and a shotgun I can take to shoot skeet/trap with (not all that interested in hunting currently)

I see a lot of members mention the remington 870, which seems to be the original workhorse. Would this gun suit my needs? If so, what gauge? If not, what would you recommend?

 

[Okiecruffler]

870 would definately serve your purpose. Quite easy to buy a short open choked barrel for around the house and also have a longer barrel with choke tubes for sporting purposes. Same can be said of the Mossberg and there are a few fans of it around here.
Gauge is hard to gauge (sorry, couldn't resist) without knowing you. What are you shooting now? Pistols only? Rifles? Big rifles? BIG RIFLES? If you're used to alot of recoil hitting your shoulder I'd say a 12ga. Easy to go from mild to super wild with the 12. But there's not much lacking in the 20ga and it doesn't pound you quite as much.

 

[Jordan85]

I'm sorry... like I said, I'm completely new to shotguns. How do chokes work and how could they change the use of the gun?

Would the Mossberg or Rem be more economical?

As for me, right now I am only shooting pistols. And I am 6'0, 160lbs, so not exactly a big guy.....

 

[Vladig]

Had the same exact thoughts

I was in exactly the same possition as you a few months back. I wanted a HD shotgun and a fun gun (skeet/trap/clays). So i went to Dick's ang got the 870 super mag with the 26" barel then ordered the 18" police berel form Cabelas all totaling less then 400 bucks, now when i have it under the bed i throw on the 18" tube and when going to have fun i throw on the 26" tube. Problem solved Plus with the super mag option if i ever find myself going hunting for birds that need longer reach i also have the option to use the 3 and 1/2" shells .. Hope this helps.

P.S. Both Remington and Mossberg have such options as well as others.

 

[sm]

Welcome to THR.

1. Get a copy of Shotgunning: The Art & Science by Bob Brister.

2. Do a Search using Dave McCracken here on THR.

3. Do not buy a shotgun, until 1,2, & 4 are done.

4. Get with some seasoned skeet, and trap folks to see which game you like, find a Mentor with one or the other game and do not shoot the other , and pay attention, actually shoot a variety of guns for gun fit to you.


That will be $19.95 + Shipping and handling, but if your hurry and send payment before February 1, 2008, shipping is free.


Steve!!!

Never mind, Dave says you don't need to send me $19.95 after all....
Dang, Dave is good, they ought to make him a moderator or something around here... *wink*

 

[04JRB]

"How do chokes work and how could they change the use of the gun? "


They change the pattern of your groups. large circle of b.b.'s or smaller depending on choke used. Use different chokes for different purposes, clays, turkey, etc.

Mostly I use modified for trap and clays, but sometimes Imp Cyl.




I vote for a Rem 870 express in 12 or 20ga. or a mossberg 500 in 12 or 20ga. I own both and I like both, economical and will serve your uses well.

 

[BozemanMT]

I do that with all my HD shotguns. Take them out every once in a while and play trap/skeet/SC with them so I remember how they run and it's good practice for me.
It looks a little funny, but it aint' the gun, it's the shooter.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Welcome, Jordan. WIth the assistance of many folks here, I wrote a book for you, and it's available right here, and absolutely free!!

Hit Search, then advanced search. Enter 101 as key word and my name as Author. Hit submit.

Shotgun 101 was written JUST for folks like you. Read and then ask any questions you have.

Meanwhile, an 870 or six is an answer to MANY shotgun questions, but not the only one.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Shotgun chokes? http://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_chokes.htm

More shotgun stuff? http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2c.shotguns.htm
http://www.shotgunreport.com/

Dual purpose (HD and clay games) shotgun? Simple- one gun, two barrels. A 26-30" vent rib tube with interchangeable choke tubes for the clay games/wingshooting/small game hunting stuff, and an 18- 20" smoothbore for HD. Since the shorter tubes can be had with rifle sights as well, perhaps sights on the short barrel might be a better option than a bead if big game hunting might be in the offing as well. For a one-gun-two-barrels situation, better stay away from the ghost ring sights- the rear sight will get in the way on the receiver for clay games etc. when the longer barrel is in use. A short barrel with open sights installed is a better bet there- take off the barrel and you remove the sights too.

The smoothbore short barrel is a much better bet than the rifled alternative- the smoothbore will handle buckshot much better, and can do a creditable job with rifled slugs as well out to a hundred yards or so. There are tritium-equipped rifle type sights available for shotguns.

Steve gave good advice above- TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. Talk to family and friends, find out who has what as far as repeating shotguns are concerned, arrange some trigger time on their guns (you buy the ammo of course) and THEN make up your mind what you like based on some personal experience.

As to the HD thing- get good with the shotgun before you adopt it for defense. Always use what you are best with for HD, no matter what platform (pistol, carbine, shotgun) you think might be the ultimate HD weapon. You have to learn how to fight with whatever you choose for defense... learn how before the time comes.

Stay Safe,

lpl/nc

 

[TX1911fan]

I know most people like 870s, but I have a friend with two and they seem to jam a lot. Now, granted, it is usually when using the cheap Walmart Winchester ammo, but still. My Winchester 1300 has never had a hiccup, ever, so maybe you should think about one of these. They don't make them new anymore, but you should have no problem finding a used one pretty easily.