Help With Home Defense Shotgun

[pbearperry]

For home defense,I would be afraid to use 00 Buck due to penetration problems.I think a better alternative would be using #2 shot or maybe #4 Buck.I saw a guy who was shot in the stomach close range with 12 gauge #7 1/2 shot.He was down and out for the count and dead.Even the paper wads were inside of him.

 

[darrellkansas]

The 870 Im looking at is a express magnum,no threads for a choke.Can it shoot non-magnum shells?
The improved cylinder choke barrel is this a non-threaded barrel?Kinda like a built in non-changeable choke barrel?
I dont have any experiance with shotguns.
This will be my first.

 

[proud2deviate]

Yep, if it's not threaded for choke tubes, then it's generally called a "fixed choke". Fixed choke remington barrels usually have the type of choke stamped towards the rear of the barrel. The four main types of choke, in order of increasing constriction, are cylinder (no choke, AFAIK. also called open. Stamp will read "CYL") Improved Cylinder, (stamped "IMP CYL") Modified (stamped "MOD",) and Full (never seen one, so I'm not sure about the stamp.) Less commonly encountered are things like improved modified, and extra full or turkey chokes.

There's no problem shooting standard shells in a magnum receiver. In general, you can use shorter shells than what's stamped on the barrel, but not longer. You have to pay a bit of attention here, because the shell length refers to the fired length of the shell. Thus, you can chamber a 3" shell in a 2 3/4" inch gun, but you can't expect to fire it safely. (not sure what would happen, exactly, and I'm not eager to find out first hand-like.)

 

[Jeffreii]

I don't think the criminal will care what size barrel you have, how many rounds you have, what shot size you are using, what type of stock you have, what choke the barrel is, what type of sights you use, what color.... etc etc. All he (or she!!!) is concerned about is if you are able to hit them. Thats what matters...take whatever you have out and try it out - if you have really small rooms, or large open rooms, adjust accordingly and build your gun so YOU with YOUR gun hits what you are intending to hit.

What is better - having the best setup and missing or having the worst setup and hitting? You miss, the thug may try and get you. Any thugs worth their wickedness are not scared of guns. They are scared of people who know how to use guns.
my 2cents

 

[Waywatcher]

A youth size stock might fit you well if you're short-ish (< 5' 6" or so) and would cut 1" off the OAL.

18" cylinder choke, bead sight seems to fit the bill. For close shotgun shooting rifle sights seem to be a disadvantage for me. I like a vent rib or a bead.

 

[Waywatcher]

For home defense,I would be afraid to use 00 Buck due to penetration problems.

I use the low recoil stuff and its sure easy on the shoulder and has reduced penetration as a result--although still enough to count. Also, check out www.theboxotruth.com for some fun penetration tests involving actual drywall and other stuff. IIRC Buckshot of any type penetrated less than most pistol rounds.

 

[boots]

i just purchased a stock new in box remington 870 police magnum with the blued finish and wood furniture...the only thing i plan on replacing is the plastic follower, although i probably don't need to....has a 4+1 capacity...i considered a 2 shot extension, but decided not to....i just love the balance the way it is now...

i'm with the old school folk in terms of hd shotguns...keep it simple...and practice a lot with the ammo you will be using...

what is it again??? BA/UU/R....Buy Ammo/Use Up/Repeat...


forgot to add that i also have a marine magnum...it comes standard with 18.5" barrel and a 2 shot extension....when fully loaded, it is a bit muzzle heavy compared to my stock 4+1 capacity police magnum...the marine magnum balances okay, but the police mag points and balances so much better...in a home defense gun, capacity is important, but i think pointability counts a bit more...you want to hit what you shoot at...

 

[md7]

welcome to thr darrellkansas.

an Express Magnum will handle 2.75 and 3 inch shells. if your barrel does not have threads for a choke it is called a "fixed choke" barrel. it is like a built in choke. although i'm not 100% certain, i think that you can have a cylinder bore barrel threaded to take chokes if you want.

 

[czbegenner]

And i think that your right