Home Defence shotgun advice

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XxWINxX94

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Hey all,
My grandfather is looking for a shotgun for home defence and I thought I'd help him out as best I could. I'm more into the collecting/shooting shotguns, so home defence shotguns are not my forte.

Gramps wants it to "sit up against the wall next to his nightstand." Went to a local gun show and we looked at a Mossberg 500 pump with a pistol grip in 20 gauge, and he really liked that one, but the price wasn't right.
Also looked at a nice Charles Daly Home defence 12ga, but again, price was not close to right.

So here I would say, is the criteria:
-smaller barrel, not sure on the measurement, but something in comparison to the Mossberg 500. I guess something along the lines of a "riot gun."
-Gauge: Doesn't really matter, probably no .410, or oddballs. 12 or 20 would be the best, no magnums.
-Price: Something under $400, anything lower is prefered! :D
-Action: Preferably pump, but an auto could work too, double barrel is a maybe. Definatly no bolts or single shots.

Other:
-Pistol grip would be a major +, no stock would also be a +.
-New or used is fine, just not "too" used.
-Trying to stay away from the cheaper, off-brands, but I know that might be hard with only a $400- budget.

If anyone has any suggestions that would help me out!
Thanks!
 
You ought to be able to get a new Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500 for that, easy. Forget the pistol grip only. Looks great when 105 pound Hollywood cuties waste bad guys with blanks, but try touching off a load of buckshot.
12 or 20 is good. 18-1/2" to 21" barrel will work well.
 
You should be able to find a plethora of good 12 gauge pump guns for under $400. Both the 870 and mossberg are available for less than that. Either is more than adequate for the task of HD, particularly if HD simply means leaning against the wall.

-Pistol grip would be a major +, no stock would also be a +.
Click to expand...

IMHO no stock is a huge - when it comes to the actual usability of the weapon.
 
Keep the stock, 20inch smooth bore 870 or 500, and I prefer 2 3/4" 00 buck.
I have an 870 and love it but the Mossey has a better safety release button. (I'm a lefty)

.02
 
Lots of votes for the Mossberg. And for good reason, I have two.
I have the 12 ga. and the .410 ga both with pistol grips.

For gramps, might I suggest also the Stoeger Coach Gun.
Simple to use, double barrel.
I found it a bit heavy (SXS)
But for home defense, it might fit the bill.

I like the .410 for home defense, but that's me. I'll be in the minority, but that never stopped me from thinking I'm right.
The John Wayne types have their own reasons for the 12 ga.

It just has a lot to recommend it. Especially with the new ammo available for the Judge.
 
Does he have the strength to rack the slide with authority? If not, I'd go with a side by side. If he does, go with a remington 870 or mossberg and get a model with a full stock, 18" barrel. Pistol grip only looks cool but once you fire it the novelty wears off quickly and it's very hard on the wrists, not to mention the problems of aiming quickly. If he reallly wants a pistol grip there are various stocks like speedfeed and compstocks you could install and still have a buttstock there to get another anchor point for the gun (his shoulder). 20 gauge or 12 gauge, either is fine with buckshot. I'd also suggest a surefire foreend with the integrated light for target id but that might break the bank (they run $200+).
 
76shuvlinoff said:
Keep the stock, 20inch smooth bore 870 or 500, and I prefer 2 3/4" 00 buck.
I have an 870 and love it but the Mossey has a better safety release button. (I'm a lefty)

.02
Click to expand...
is the mossberg definitely better for lefties, or is this a case of personal opinions? i say this knowing that as a lefty, sometimes you just have to deal.
 
For a little over $300.00 you can buy a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 with the edge going to Remington for quality. Get an 18" barrel and forget the pistol grip and 20ga. for a little less weight and recoil.
 
If you want a compact 20ga, the 870 20ga youth guns are TINY. Again, full stock is probably a good idea in a HD gun.
 
I like the .410 for home defense, but that's me. I'll be in the minority, but that never stopped me from thinking I'm right.
The John Wayne types have their own reasons for the 12 ga.
Click to expand...

So do those with lots of experience in using shotguns. So do pretty much every armed professional that uses a shotgun. So do the vast majority of people who rely on shotguns for defensive use. If using a little dig helps you feel better about your extremely minority opinion (that got pretty well dismantled in the thread where you first posited it BTW) then keep it up.
 
Alllllrighy. Let's not be nasty to each other. We have a minority vote for .410. Let's let it stand at that. No reason to debate that further as the OP didn't say he was even remotely considering it.

-Pistol grip would be a major +, no stock would also be a +.
Click to expand...
Pistol grip is livable if he just has to have one for the "cool-factor" but they don't help a shotgun do what a shotgun needs to do.

Going without a stock is not an option worth considering. Just drop the idea. If gradpa knows how to shoot a shotgun, then he'll do just awesome with a full-stock. A PGO will reduce his accuracy, effectiveness, and speed.

Having said that, something to consider is that the Mossberg's top-mounted safety is GREAT for ambidextrous use. BUT, it is unreachable with a pistol grip (with shoulder stock or not).

So, again, he needs a traditional style stock.
 
Quote: "
-Pistol grip would be a major +, no stock would also be a +.
-New or used is fine, just not "too" used."

You DO NOT want a pistol grip, or a stockless movie prop. I'm 25, have been playing with shotguns all my life, and I find a pistol grip painful to use. Unless your grandfather is Rambo, his wrists aren't going to take that punishment well at all.

Also, a shotgun needs a stock. I may not look cool, but missing isn't cool either.

Seriously, get a uncool, grampa style full stock 12 ga Moss or Rem. He'll be able to fire it accurately without breaking a wrist.
 
is the mossberg definitely better for lefties
Click to expand...
That's because the safety is mounted on the top of the receiver, and you thumb it forward.
The 870 safety is a button that you would push right with your left hand, making it difficult for lefties. I'm actually storing a 870 for a neighbor, and it is a left hand ejection, pretty cool for a lefty. (so they are/were made.)
I find a pistol grip painful to use.
Click to expand...
I put a "Knox, breacher's grip" on my 12 ga. and I could shoot it all day.
the Mossberg's top-mounted safety is GREAT for ambidextrous use. BUT, it is unreachable with a pistol grip (with shoulder stock or not).
Click to expand...
I just tried mine. You are correct. It requires rotating your wrist up to thumb the safety. I could still leave my finger next to the trigger and my fingers on the grip, but I wouldn't fire from that position. I don't think the Remington is natural since you can't see it. (I know, you should practice until you know it in the dark, but realistically, most people won't do that.)
 
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Before committing to a Pistol Grip Only shotgun I would strongly suggest that both you and your Grandfather find an opportunity to fire ten or twenty rounds through one. The PGO shotgun is one of the best examples of Hollywood movies planting bad information about firearms in our collective brains. I'd bet that you really won't like the PGO once you've experienced it in real life.

Get yourself a simple, reliable short barrel Mossberg 500 for around $300 or less.
 
My dad is 81 and at this point probably doesn't have the strength or coordination to use a pump very effectively especially in a high stress situation. He also has Parkinson's. He has several guns around the house that HE feels comfortable with including a single shot 410, a .38 revolver, a .45 1911, and a two shot derringer. All loaded and ready to shoot.

One thing to consider if you go the 12 or 20 gauge shotgun route is that if you use a combination butt/pistol grip it enables you to fire it one handed if needed. Also could hold someone at bay while using your weak hand to make a call or hold a flashlight. I have a 1201FP for my HD shotgun with this configuration and I can hit my target pretty consistently with on hand on the initial shot with the butt under my arm pit. Follow up shots take a little more practice.
 
One thing to consider if you go the 12 or 20 gauge shotgun route is that if you use a combination butt/pistol grip it enables you to fire it one handed if needed.
Click to expand...
No, it doesn't.
It is so front heavy because you are holding the very rear of the gun, I can't even hold mine one handed. It would be easier to hold a stock under your arm one handed.
THAT's not a reason for a P/G.
So do pretty much every armed professional that uses a shotgun.
Click to expand...
With all due respect. I'm not a professional. I don't want to take on the tasks of a professional, like hunkering down behind a vehicle and aim at bank robbers. I'd want a stock for that too.
My requirement are very narrow. Let's agree to disagree.
 
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Pardner pump Protector ...it's a clone of the 870 remington and can be purchased at Dicks and other large outlets for under $200. A very strong, reliable shotgun,18in cilinder bore barrel .Takes 2 3/4 or 3in shells.Slugs ,buckshot, birdshot, it handles them all without a hitch.
 
Guns and more said:
No, it doesn't.
It is so front heavy because you are holding the very rear of the gun, I can't even hold mine one handed. It would be easier to hold a stock under your arm one handed.
THAT's not a reason for a P/G.
Click to expand...

If you read the whole paragraph you should see that I am talking about having the butt under your arm pit. Never did I imply that you could hold it one handed with your arm extended.
 
If you read the whole paragraph you should see that I am talking about having the butt under your arm pit. Never did I imply that you could hold it one handed with your arm extended.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry. I guess I'm the "butt" of that story. I wasn't thinking "stock" I see what you're saying about a pistol grip and stock. I did read the whole thing, but butt didn't translate to stock to me.

I have seen people shoot P/G one handed, but to me that is silly. (I'm not that strong.) It also defeats the purpose of having a short compact firearm, and it would be easy for someone to snatch from your grip.
 
let's make it unanimous; no PGO. I had one in my youth until I tried a few drills with it, and then spent good money on ebay to buy back an original stock. As for style, I like the idea of a coach gun, although I would want to see exposed hammers so that it can be kept safely loaded. The Stoeger is cocked when loaded. Look for a Baikal or any of the Chinese knock-off coach guns with exposed hammers & practice with it. I looked far & wide to find a 20+ year old Rossi Overland & I love it. Good luck finding one at a reasonable price, though.
 
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