home defense shotgun

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What is a low price?

For around 300ish you can get either a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 with a 6-8 shot tube and 18-20inch barrel. Either would make a dandy shotty.
 
Good used bone stock shotgun.

Pumps : 870, 1300, Ithaca 37, JC Higgins...
Semis : 1100, Beretta 303, SX1,


Bone Stock New:
870 Express Combo with one smoothbore barrel being rifle sighted, the other being longer allowing for hunting, clay games..

SX2,
FN [1300 clone]


FWIW I am using a H&R Topper Youth 20 gauge single shot, with fixed modified choke, factory recoil pad and the loading is slugs...
 
I have a Winchester Model 1300 w/ extended magazine, matte black, and composite stock. I think they are around $300. I am quite pleased with it - have also used it to shoot clays. (Always told my hunter ed students that it was my "quail gun." They always got a kick out of that.:))

Jim
 
Definitely needs to be moved to shotgun forum, but you can get a mossberg 500 (several variants) from Big5 for $229 or so when they are on sale (about one week per month). If you live on the West coast, definitely the cheapest place to get the mossberg, and at that price, definitely the cheapest (new) shotgun I'd be willing to bet my life on.
 
Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 are probably the most common, along with Ithaca. Maverick/Mossberg is one of the best values on a HD shotgun. You can get a Mossy 500 combo for about $300. Mine has both, the 18" cyl. bore and 28" multi-choke barrels.
 
You can get a Mavrick 88, which is the economy version of the Mossberg 500, for $179 at Academy sports. It is a true bargin.

For spending a bit more, the Mossberg 500 is good too, but only a little fancier than the Mav. 88

For spending a little more than that, the Remington 870 is also a good choice.

Beware pawn shops and gun dealers who believe that a shotgun with a short barrel and extended magazine automatically command >$300 level prices for a beat-up example.
 
I prefer the Remington 870, but the Mossberg isn't a bad choice. You can find a nice used 870 Wingmaster for ~$250.


If you want to go real cheap and cannot find a good deal on a used gun, the Maverick 88. The Maverick is made by Mossberg, and takes all common Mossberg 500 acessorise.
 
Another vote for the Maverick. I have one that I have put close to 1000 rounds through and I am yet to have a problem. I picked mine up for $189.00 brand new with the pistol grip included. I have gone with a pistol grip buttstock after trial and error.

With the 20 inch barrel, you have 7+1 capacity with 3" shells and I love that. I also mounted a side saddle and tac light and it is ready for anything that goes bump in the night.

For the money, I don't think you can beat it. Only my opinion.
 
what is the best home defense shotgun and at a low price
Click to expand...
I prefer mine to be loaded, with an 18 inch barrel, pump action, full stock, corn cob forend, and a sidesaddle. I like the placement of the controls on the Mossberg 500 series. I like the feel of the Winchester 1200/1300. I like the steel receiver of the Remington 870.

I buy mine used for around $100, and convert them into what I want them to be. More info at this link.
 
I was getting ready to say there are single shots available very cheap if one is willing to practice quick reloads...

A single shot leaning behind the door or laying near the bed beats a tacticool pump locked away three rooms down anyday. It all depends on what you are most comfortable shooting. Like cheap pumps? Charles Daly, H & R Pardner Pump, of course any 870, 590, 500, etc. Do a couple searches, do some shooting, and you'll have your answer.


gp911
 
Best?

Any reliable US made pump that you've put a few thousand rounds through.

Price? Buy used. Last 870 here was $178 out the door.
 
You would be wise to shoulder several HD shotguns to find the fit and features that you desire. One of thos guns should be a Benelli Nova Tactical. In the low-end price range and already fitted with things you would have to add to an 870, Mossy, Winchester, etc...Pump action is as smooth as silk, can clear a round from the chamber with a full tube, sublime ghost ring sights and a superb recoil management stock, (optional)....
 
For $190 my Mossy 500 does the trick. I save my Berettas for the sporting clays course.
 
Birdshot is advised against for Home Defense, though- it does not have the penetration to reliably stop a threat. A #8 birdshot pellet is smaller than a BB. A 00 Buck pellet is about .30" in diameter.

Buck or slugs. 00 Buck is the most popular, but there is also #1 and #4.
Slugs are good, too- but you have to remember that you are throwing one big projectile verses several smaller ones.

Pattern your shotgun with several loads to determine the best. Use 2 3/4" shells. Get used to the shotgun. You can use birdshot to practice, but you need to fire some rounds of your chosen HD load to get familar.
 
Birdshot is advised against for Home Defense, though- it does not have the penetration to reliably stop a threat.
Click to expand...
+1 to this 4 buck is the smallest I'd recomend.
take a look at rem 870 turkey. has 21" bbl with screw in choke.
 
Birdshot, especially trap loads are very effective at close ranges typically encounted in a home defense situation. I don't know how big your house is, but in mine the longest shot possible would be about 10 to 15 yds. A load of steel bb's would work wonders.
 
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