Home defense 870 - 5 rounds vs. 7 rounds

[70extreme]

For home defense, do you like the standard 870 with a 5 round capacity? Or, do you like the extended magazine version that holds 7 rounds?

I like the handling of the standard 5 round capacity gun. But, an extra two rounds never hurts.

What is your preference?

 

[Creature]

For a strictly HD shotgun, I would be in favor of the 7-shot. For general purpose and hunting, the 5-shot might be a better buy.

 

[LeLynn]

That is something that you will have to decide on your own. I am a Mossberg guy so take it for what it is. I prefer the way my 18.5" 590A1 feels over the 20" version but that is just me. 5 rounds of buck shot is alot of fire power and heaven forbid you ever have to use the gun in defense of yours or your families life, according to statistics, 5 rounds is more then enough for most home invasion situations. I use my gun for sporting clays and other fun at the range. When I do, I remove my 2 round mag extension leaving the gun with a 5+1 round capacity. Simply because it feels better balanced. When the gun is home I reinstall the extension making the gun a 7+1 capacity however leaving the shorter 18.5 barrel. I give up 1 round to the 20" 590A1 but I prefer the compact size. It is still a little heavy on the nose but not as unwieldy as the 20" model. That is just me and there are plenty of 20" owners who may differ in opinion. Good luck with which ever you decide on.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I like they way my 18" barrel 870 feels with 6 +1 rounds. Believe it or not, when we go skeet shooting (private land), it is one of my favorite to shoot for some reason.

That being said, my primary defense is my ccw piece and I just carry at home. If I'm not wearing anything to carry my holster, the weapon is at hand. When I go to bed, it sits in the night stand. If I have time to go to the safe/closet/whatever...I'd reach for my AR (just a preference, not saying it is a better choice). If all I had was my 870, I'd feel just as comfortable with 1 or 2 fewer rounds.

 

[Messenger Guard]

If you pay the tax stamp, 5 rounds looks really neat under a 14" barrel.

 

[SKILCZ]

I am a Mossberg guy so take it for what it is. I prefer the way my 18.5" 590A1 feels over the 20" version but that is just me.

I use my gun for sporting clays and other fun at the range. When I do, I remove my 2 round mag extension leaving the gun with a 5+1 round capacity. Simply because it feels better balanced. When the gun is home I reinstall the extension making the gun a 7+1 capacity however leaving the shorter 18.5 barrel.

What Mossberg allows 18.5" barrel with 7+1 capacity? The 18.5" 500 barrels only attach the shorter mag tubes (i.e. 5-rd), right? And the 7 rd mag tube only attaches to the 20" and special 7-rd 28" barrel, right? Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Danb1215]

Personally in a defensive shotgun I'd go shortest barrel (legal) and highest capacity that will fit under the given length. That said it would be worth your while to try the different configurations to see what you like best because ultimately that's what you'll practice the most with. That counts a lot more than configuration for the most part.

 

[Ichiro]

I used to have 4+1 with my 870, and now I have 7+1.
7+1 feels quite a bit better for a HD gun.

 

[Six]

I think mag extensions add way too much weight to the front.

Adding a side saddle adds some weight, but it's between my hands rather than in front.

 

[PT92]

My philosophy is the more capacity the better when it comes to personal defense (assuming one is properly trained for such).

-Happy Holidays

 

[WVMountainBoy]

I like hefty guns, my 7 shot 870 just feels more right than my 5. I don't feel that I really NEED those extra two shells, but I do like the way the 7 shot feels.

 

[LeLynn]

SKILCZ -
The 18.5" 590 only has a 5 round mag tube. The 20" 590 has an 8 round mag tube. I have a 18.5" 590 (actually 590A1 model but the regular 590s have the same capacity) that I installed an AFTERMARKET 2 round mag tube extension bringing the round count of my 18.5" 590A1 to 7 in the tube plus 1 in the chamber. My guns total round count is 1 round less then a 20" 590A1 which has a capacity of 8 in the tube plus 1 in the chamber. I didn't mean to confuse you, I apolagize for any misunderstanding.

 

[Marshall]

I'm likely to have to replace fewer TV's, pictures, stereos, speakers, etc. with only 5 shots.

Seriously though, for me personally, I don't foresee it making much difference. My HD 870 I have kept at 5.

 

[UnTainted]

Both! 5 and 7

I'm still young, so I only have 2 shotguns. The top is the supermag I bought on black friday this year (sweeeet), and the bottom is the 870 special purpose i got for christmas my 17th year (double sweeet). The supermag came with the wood, so I switched that to the 7 round one, and put the synthetic stock on the supermag.

the short 870 reminds me of doom

 

[zhyla]

I have an 8+1 Mossberg. If you load it all the way it's very muzzle heavy. I think a 5+1 and some sort of supplemental ammo source (side saddle, butt cuff, whatever) is probably a better way to go than the longer mag tube.

 

[JNewell]

It's hard to think of a normal defensive situation that would not be solved within five rounds, and the mag extension IMO/IME really changes how the gun handles. Having said that, ~3/4s of my SD shotguns have one.

 

[UnTainted]

It's hard to think of a normal defensive situation that would not be solved within five rounds, and the mag extension IMO/IME really changes how the gun handles. Having said that, ~3/4s of my SD shotguns have one.

Having read criminal law textbooks many a late night at the coffee lounges and libraries, I can quickly and easily think of "normal defensive situations" that easily require more than five rounds. Epic circumstances are the type of circumstances whenever the situation becomes defensive enough to justify deadly force. IN other words, don't just think that you're fine with five rounds, or ten rounds, or forty rounds, because you may be, or you may not be.

Reading all the cases and the crazy scenarios and whatnot, I have a lot of loaded guns and a lot of loaded mags and bags of ammo near and apart from different guns. Why? Well, I can answer "why not" - cause it might happen to be that time when you need 40 rounds and new york reloads! (you know, like Doom, but real world. Hmmm, I should get some brass knuckles for when the chainsaw ammo runs dry)...

Of course, I wouldn't give advice. Your crystal ball may vary.



Edit to add, my shotgun is loaded 2 rounds of #4 buckshot and 4 slugs. The other is 4 slugs. Meth country makes the slugs necessary, unfortunately.

 

[brandon_mcg]

for hd it is nice to know that you have more shells on the ready. i have the extension on mine. havent noticed any change in handling but i havent practiced with in in awhile either.

they are relatively inexpensive and are easy to put on so get one and try it out on your gun. if you dont like it then take it off and sell it. i have seen lots of stories of peoples failing to feed due to decreased spring tension.

reminds me, i need to practice more with the shotgun.

 

[JTH]

If you don't have to worry about innocent bystanders in other rooms my Remy870 with 00 in it loaded and a Draco AK pistol with a 20/30/40 round mags ready to go, Still don't have the Draco but I have the Police Issue Riot Shot Gun still with a should stock on it. May swap the shoulder stock out eventually for a pistol grip. Things would have to deteriorate pretty quicky though. I plan on purchasing a Draco soon and purchasing a front hand gaurd with a grip but not swap it out because it's illegal but have it available if I need to do a quick swap out for CQE. Sure hope it never comes to that but if you snooze and procrastinate purchasing what you can afford and need. When you really need it, it may be too late!
I don't think the economy will get any better, if not much worse in the next 10 years.
JT

 

[JNewell]

In general I agree - there is never "too much" ammo. The OP was asking specifically about a home defense situation, and five shots inside the house had better be all that's needed...if it isn't, you have a very unusual HD situation. But even there, if you think about (say) a post-Katrina situation, I'd sure as heck want more than five, or seven or 12 for that matter.

As I said, nearly all my defensively-oriented shotguns have extensions on them and most have side-saddles as well, with additional ammo ready to hand.

Having read criminal law textbooks many a late night at the coffee lounges and libraries, I can quickly and easily think of "normal defensive situations" that easily require more than five rounds. Epic circumstances are the type of circumstances whenever the situation becomes defensive enough to justify deadly force. IN other words, don't just think that you're fine with five rounds, or ten rounds, or forty rounds, because you may be, or you may not be.

Reading all the cases and the crazy scenarios and whatnot, I have a lot of loaded guns and a lot of loaded mags and bags of ammo near and apart from different guns. Why? Well, I can answer "why not" - cause it might happen to be that time when you need 40 rounds and new york reloads! (you know, like Doom, but real world. Hmmm, I should get some brass knuckles for when the chainsaw ammo runs dry)...

Of course, I wouldn't give advice. Your crystal ball may vary.

 

[oldbanjo]

I have 100's of shells but my Mossberg has 5, and my SP101 has 5.

 

[tpaw]

If using a shotgun for HD would you choose a semi-auto or pump, and why?
What shot would you use?

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I have my 870 with a 10 shot tube ext. I load it with 00 buck and HP Slugs.

 

[Lt. B]

It's hard to think of a normal defensive situation that would not be solved within five rounds, and the mag extension IMO/IME really changes how the gun handles. Having said that, ~3/4s of my SD shotguns have one.

I have never seen a Zombie situation resolved with 5 rounds. The more the merrier I always say...balance be damned!!!

 

[geologist]

I find a 14" 4+1 pump is so much easier to handle indoors than even my 18.5 inch pump.