Hotel / Motel Defense Shotgun.

[GigaBuist]

I posted this today in another thread dealing with HD shotguns and folding stocks. I got home today and I'm messing with my 870 and realize that I can't find a screwdriver to remove the recoil pad and/or buttplate from the thing easily so that answers my first question in the previous thread.

Here goes.

It's summertime and I tend to travel a bit in that time. Sue me but since I've become a firearm owner I figured a 9mm pistol in my luggage was a pretty good choice. I realize now that I'm much, MUCH, better off with a shotgun. At least I can load it with light shot and not worry so much about overpenetration in populated areas. You don't always get to pick where you stay ya know. Correct me I'm wrong but a shotgun, with a good helping of various shot shells, is the most versatile weapon on the planet, right?

Problem is I can't fit my 870 into my suitcase. No, I don't want to lug a rifle case around. When traveling I really don't want to advertise that I've got firearms on board.

So, with the barrel detached and a folding stock on it I figure I can fit it in there.

My first though was to just remove the stock entirely and re-attached it upon arrival. Well, that's not as easy as I'd like it seems. I'm afraid since I'm staring into a black hole behind the recoil pad I'd eventually just strip the danged screws.

I'm not looking for some high-speed low-drag teflon coated uber-tactical package for the thing with enough shotshell loops on it to arm a small nation. I just want a folding stock that will fit into my suitcase. Suitcase is 30" diagonally as best I can tell. Minus the stock the shotgun is 20" long. Right now without a barrel my 870 appears to be about 34" diagonally. I just want something that will fit into that area and be sturdy when I open it up for the night. I've got a capacity of 4+1 in the thing and whatever stock I go with I want to be sturdy enough to use as a club if need be. If the problem coming through your ground floor hotel window isn't dispatched with 5 rounds you're probably best off with a club anyway, right?

I've found a few via Google -- I'm just asking people here that know far more than I do about what's a good buy and what's not. I sure don't want a pile of plastic junk that's going to break on me for this setup.

Thanks.

 

[pauli]

why not get a takedown shotgun?

 

[Spinner]

.... or dare I say it, a coachgun. Still a shotgun, easily disassembled (barrels come off and it becomes two compact units), full stock for when its needed as a shotgun, sturdy for when its needed as a club.

Downside is the two shot capacity.

Just a thought.

Spinner

 

[Kingcreek]

I know this is a shotgun forum and I agree a SG is a fine defense tool, but I'm sorry- no way would I fiddle with a shotgun in my luggage. I'm packing for a trip tomorrow and the 1911 and 3 mags are already packed.
Hotel/motel rooms means sometimes you gotta leave stuff in your room or take it with you when you leave for meals and such.

 

[sm]

At one time I was "told" to keep a PG only shotgun in my vehicle. I was "told" to take it in my hotel/ motel room.
I have used the full stocked version in a baseball bat carrier, or in luggage, most often with bbl removed. Perhaps the heavy cardboard tube or later PVC tube had folks "thinking" I was a architect...when I didn't want it broke down.

 

[MrMurphy]

Butler Creek makes a folder that also holds 3 rounds on it.

The Knoxx Industries Copstock is a recoil reducing folding stock (folds over the top.. no SideSaddles) and actualy works, but it's about $100.

 

[Dave McCracken]

A couple things...

The answer to your first query is yes. Nothing else is as versatile as a shotgun. Nothing.

Defense of one's self when quartered away from home is a bit tricky. Local laws, ordinances and prejudices can be a morass for the out of towner. Even where citizens keep and bear arms, the non local is oft looked on with a jaundiced eye. Some jurisdictions allow long arms but not handguns.

I'm no fan of folding stocks or PG only shotguns. However, in the case cited here, a folder may be a good choice. That's IF it's legal locally.

I'd be as likely to buy a cheap single barrel that breaks down into less than 30" and tape a couple field loads to the stock. Hotel room invasion is not likely against any gun wielding citizen, and if it's stolen while you're out of the room, small loss financially.

Another choice is one of the little AR-7 type survival 22s. These are super light, break down and store in the stock, and have 7 or 8 rounds right to hand.

HTH....

 

[Cosmoline]

I also frequently stay in motels, often pretty seedy ones. One of my favorite room guards was a Kimmel Kamper 20 ga. pistol grip single shot. It folded in half very neatly and could easily fit in luggage. And with a 3" slug or buckshot it would hit pretty darn hard. I believe it's an Italian made shotgun, and you can find them on gunbroker for about $200. I found it to be very well made and I regret parting with it. It handles well and I did nail one bunny with it from the waist.

 

[Bix]

Man, do I hate it when people avoid directly answering the question posed, and instead offer some alternative suggestion based on their own personal preferences.

So, here I go

John Farnam is a big proponent of keeping a low profile generally, but particularly when traveling with weapons. He has suggested such things as lacrosse stick cases, guitar cases, enclosed golf club cases ect. for stowing long guns in transport.

I have found that, with a little creative thinking, a 36" shotgun can fit in quite a few different innocuous-looking bags. In addition to those mentioned above, a simple, large duffle bag (filled out with clothes) will work. Now, of course, there may be local regulations that restrict carrying weapons in this manner, so do your research. But I have found that I can travel quite comfortably with a fullsized riot gun in this manner.

[Sorry for not answering you question ]

 

[R.H. Lee]

Maybe it's just me, but if I thought I had to have a shotgun on hand for a motel stay, I'd stay somewhere else. Who knows what creepy crawlies might be in those sheets.

 

[sm]

Not the Motel/Hotel.
What the person has / has access to is the reason.

Shotgun in vehicle in the event of car trouble from Point A to B...
In Room for defence.

Sales Rep with a 3 millon dollar line travels, make a sales call , travels , makes another sales call . Many times the line is left in vault of customer overnight.

Oldest method in the book is to abduct someone, store owner, employee of store, spouse/child of store - sales rep- and holding gun to heads as thugs make one go to store to get the mdse they want.

These folks are usually very skilled Professional gangs, run folks off road on the small two lane highways and such.

"Knock knock - Room Service", might be the steak you ordered from the 4star restauaruant downstairs, the Ironing board you requested, ...or "Hi I am from the Columbian Gang Association, and I am here to help".

Low profile is best, some folks with a lot of Big suitcases have a hard time. Some folks with little mdse that fits in pocket have troubles too. These gangs are real sharp. They have folks , ladies and men, dressed well , mingling with the other shoppers - "sincerely" shopping, paying attention. They have others they report to and the Sales Rep is followed. They pick the time and place, of robbery.

Low Profile, concealed is concealed, and yes hang up bags do actually have clothes in them, many times I had more than clothes. I was particuarly fond of my Remington 870 line of oxford shirts, nothing against the Ithica 37 line of Khakis though...

Anatole in Dallas has great rooms, wonderful service...
Peabody in Memphis....gotta see the ducks if one never has...

 

[TarpleyG]

I was going to recommend a coach gun too. They are definitely mobile and pack plenty of power. They are also relatively inexpensive so if it goes missing, you aren't out much $$$.

Greg

 

[Greg Bell]

Get one of those Serbu shortys. Good luck getting it out of the evidence locker! handy little blaster though.


I personally have an 870 P with a Rem topfolder and a surefire that I carry in a suit bag. I just hang it between my suits and zip it up!

 

[Ransom]

I've got a copstock on a winchester 1300 and I'm pretty happy with it. Taking the barrel off I think you could fit it in a suitcase pretty easily.

 

[Domino]

870 stocks

There are a few options that I know of for an 870 folding stock and they are listed below.

1.) Remington Factory Folder (if I only knew where to find one)

2.) Butler Creek folders
3.) ATI folders (top folders are like Remingtons but polymer)
4.) Choate folders

can all be viewed HERE

5.) Knoxx Copstock folder can be seen

HERE

As far as using polymer stocks I would just make sure you use lock tight on the stock bolt to prevent it from becoming loose. I hope this helps and please feel free to inform me on your decision and how you like it. Good Luck.

 

[Fred Fuller]

giga,

Used to ride shotgun (in a Rolls Royce, btw) from time to time with a fella who carred from a half mil to 1.5 mil in jewelry in sample cases in the trunk. That stuff sm was talking about is no joke, I still know people who work the jewelry circuit and they are always talking about the ripoffs going on. I eventually sold this guy my High Standard Model 10A because he bugged me so much about it. Short shotguns are indeed just the ticket sometimes.

One professional firearms trainer I know of adopted a Model 97 Winchester takedown, and fitted it with Patridge style sights. That was his solution to the exact same problem you are talking about. I have considered using a Model 12 takedown for the same purpose myself.

If finances are tight, a single shot will work just fine, as Dave suggested. Cut the barrel down to 18 1/4 inches, a good quality tubing cutter will do it, just use a light oil as you cut and take it slow. If the barrel is not cylindrical and the cutting wheel wants to spiral, build up the smaller side with a layer or two of masking tape to make it run true. Then dress up the muzzle with a round or half-round file. Leave the stock full length, add a buttstock shell carrier and you're done. Around here you could make that happen, including buying the tubing cutter, for under $100. Don't rule out a 20 ga. for this, it's plenty powerful and the smaller shells fit between your fingers easier than 12s for rapid reloads. Even a .410 is not to be sneezed at. With practice you can get really good at followup shots using this method, the gun should have a working ejector for this to work tho. The gun will easily take down into two short sections and reassemble just as easily. Even put together the gun will still be pretty short.

And if you really want one, there's an original Remington top-folder in the parts box, it's old enough to be marked 'Patent Pending' but it's in good shape. PM me for details if interested.

lpl/nc