Is there a REAL difference btwn Home Security and Hunting shotguns?

[CountGlockula]

Hello,

I just saw this ad at my local fun shop today:

It looks very enticing. Now I don't own any shotguns (I'm more of a self-defense type of guy)...but looking for one in a few weeks; and I don't hunt. But I plan to take some classes to go dove/quail/duck hunting later on.

So, my question is: Is there a HUGE difference or advantage between a home security shotgun vs. a hunting shotgun? For example, would this home security model be more of an advantage going hunting? Or is made SPECIFICALLY for the job? Or does it have to be a modified style? Or is a shotgun, is a shotgun.

This will help me if I have to buy one or two, for different purposes...or just have one that will do it all.

**Did a search and couldn't find anything on this topic. But if it already has shown up, please share the link and accept my apologies.

 

[Thernlund]

Basically the only real difference is length. An HD shotgun will be shorter which makes it easier to maneuver in tight spaces. A hunting gun is longer for accuracy.

And HD shotguns are tacticool black.


-T.

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

Many people who don't want to buy two shotguns just buy one with the 26-28" barrel and then a spare 18" to switch to for HD duty. I did. So a single shotgun can do both, but if your asking about barrel length and chokes then yes, people use different chokes for each. Most use a Cylinder bore or an Improved cylinder. (no restriction and little constriction respectively) for Home Defense and a Skeet/Modified/Full for whatever they may be hunting. (game decides choke)

Most Home Defense barrels don't have a choke and are the diameter of a Cylinder bore, and most hunting barrels have a changeable screw-in choke.

 

[CountGlockula]

Interesting, so it's just the added accessories? I appreciate the input.

Sorry for being such a newb.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

as the previous two posters mentioned, it is pretty much cosmetic and barrel length....the internals are all the same

 

[RyanM]

Given the fast burning powders used in shotguns, I sort of doubt the extra barrel length of a hunting gun will make much of a difference, except in handling.

 

[Sato Ord]

I've always been told it is because some jurisdictions put limits on how many rounds a shotgun can hold when hunting. Many places require the gun to be plugged so that it will hold mo more than 3 rounds while hunting, and then they go into a whole lot of jargon about the requirements of said plug and what it takes to remove it if they allow it to be removable.

Most Home Defense shotguns hold five to eight rounds and many people would rather own two guns then have to go through having the gun "permanently" plugged every time they want to go hunting.

The only shotgun I own right now is Remmington model 1100 that belonged to my father. It holds three, and if that ain't enough to stop a burglar I have a .40 cal S&W to fall back with.

 

[sm]

Nope

 

[PTK]

Nope

And that, right there, says it all. Steve has pretty much been there done it for every conceivable scenario with a shotgun - and then some.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I've always been told it is because some jurisdictions put limits on how many rounds a shotgun can hold when hunting.

"Some jurisdictions" include all of the US and Canada hunting certain types of game.

then they go into a whole lot of jargon about the requirements of said plug and what it takes to remove it if they allow it to be removable.

I'd love to see a regulation that contains a whole lot of jargon. I won't say I've read it for every state, but I can tell you the majority only require that the plug one piece and can't be removed without disassembling the gun. Some require it for all game, some only go by the federally mandated game, others have their own combinations.

Most Home Defense shotguns hold five to eight rounds and many people would rather own two guns then have to go through having the gun "permanently" plugged every time they want to go hunting.

Which jurisdiction requires shotguns be "permanently" plugged? Plugging a shotgun isn't much of an ordeal. Unscrew the magazine cap, remove any spring retaining device that might be present, drop the plug in, reassemble. Takes about 2 minutes. That said, we almost never took out our plugs simple because we rarely were presented with the need to fire more than three shots.

The only shotgun I own right now is Remmington model 1100 that belonged to my father. It holds three.

It'll most likely hold 4 in the mag if you take the plug out. If you want to try it, unscrew the cap (with it pointed away from your face, in case the spring retainer isn't there). There should be what looks like a little black disk with a hole in the middle in there. The hole may have a piece of green plastic in the middle. This is the plug. If you very carefully push that piece of plastic down, you'll see it moves away from the spring retainer. You can then gently pull the retainer out. Do it slowly or you might send the spring retainer, spring and/or plug flying acrosss the room. Take the plug out, push the spring back in, replace the retainer. Put the cap back on. Stick the plug in a safe place in case you ever want to hunt migratory birds with it. Depending on whether the plug was lost or it came with one, it might just have a piece of wooden dowel in there as well.


CountGlockula, as sm said, there isn't really a substantial difference and you can use either one for either purpose. Pretty much the only difference, as mentioned, the barrel and the magazine extension. That HD shotgun probably doesn't have the ability to change chokes, which can make a difference depending on what you which to hunt. There are ways to get around needing different chokes, but they can sure help. The other thing is that if you are going to hunt doves and ducks, you'll definately have to make a plug. You will want to make sure it is the proper length and a gun with an extension like that will most likely get checked for a plug every time a game warden sees it.

 

[Girodin]

Its just a matter of how they are set up and accesorized. For HD I personaly want more rounds than is legal for hunting, a shorter barrel than I use on my hunting guns, a flashlight, sights not just a bead, a sling.

Not a huge difference though and as others have said you could have an 870 that went back and forth between HD and hunting rather easily. Plug the magazine of the gun pictured and put a longer barrell on and it is a hunting gun.

 

[RNB65]

Buy a Rem 870 or Mossberg with a short barrel (18-20") for HD and a long barrel (26-28") for hunting. All your bases will be covered.
-

 

[DWARREN123]

I would say the difference is in the ammo not so much the firearm. There is HD/SD shotgun ammo.

 

[rugerfreak]

Buy that gun--a 26'' or 28'' barrel---a 5-round spring--a magazine cap--a magazine plug---a correct magazine spring retainer--and some choke tubes if the barrel doesn't come with them---and you'll have all the bases covered.

 

[Gary A]

I'm not a real big hunter but I like to hunt pheasant on DNR lands here in the fall. Where I hunt has a lot of wooded areas interspersed with some open fields but it's not Great Plains Pheasant hunting by any means. I have had good luck with a pretty short shotgun that is quick to bear because the last good dog we had just got too old so we've often hunted without a dog. Less birds but lots of good walking in the outdoors. Often birds are kicked up almost underfoot so shots are fairly close. We are also required to use non-toxic shot (I use steel). I have been quite successful with an 18" 870 Police with standard 4 shot magazine (plugged). It comes with a fixed IC choke which is just about ideal for the ammo and range of shots. The only problem might be on the occasional long or passing shot because it is a bit whippy. Skip the long shots. The only other problem is a short barrel is quite a bit louder. Not really a problem in the field, but it does seem much louder. I have also successfully hunted with a 20 inch coach gun. My main bird gun is a 22 inch barrel Winchester Turkey model which would make a fine home defense gun. Have to admit I have used 26 inch SxS and O/U shotguns and am considering a 26 inch Remington Barrel for the 870 this year since I can't find a 24 inch.

 

[Sato Ord]

It'll most likely hold 4 in the mag if you take the plug out. If you want to try it, unscrew the cap (with it pointed away from your face, in case the spring retainer isn't there). There should be what looks like a little black disk with a hole in the middle in there. The hole may have a piece of green plastic in the middle. This is the plug. If you very carefully push that piece of plastic down, you'll see it moves away from the spring retainer. You can then gently pull the retainer out. Do it slowly or you might send the spring retainer, spring and/or plug flying acrosss the room. Take the plug out, push the spring back in, replace the retainer. Put the cap back on. Stick the plug in a safe place in case you ever want to hunt migratory birds with it. Depending on whether the plug was lost or it came with one, it might just have a piece of wooden dowel in there as well.

Thanks, I've known how to take apart my shotgun since I was about eight years old. As for doing it, if I need more than three I'll buy a Mossberg that holds eight for about $220.

As for which jurisdictions require that hunting guns be "permanently plugged", that was what used to be required many long years in several places I've lived. What is meant by permanent is that it can't be done easily, without tools, in the field.

Now, admittedly, it's been a couple of decades since I've hunted with anything other than a bow. Game regulations can change year to year. It's always best to check the local game laws before you do any hunting.

As for the "jargon" contained, you said it yourself.

Some require it for all game, some only go by the federally mandated game, others have their own combinations.

That's kind of what I was referring to.

 

[MCgunner]

I'm not sure what a "HD" shotgun can do that my 28" Mossberg camo couldn't for safe room defense except that I've never had the plug out of it do to federal migratory bird hunting regulations. However, I keep a 20 gauge coach gun by the bed. Firepower don't mean squat to accuracy IMHO, and at 10 feet as the BG breaks down the door, hey, one shot is plenty, let alone two. I have a .38 handy by the bed for if I leave the room, but I don't plan on leaving the room if I know a BG is in the hall. I also have a cell phone by the bed. The cops get here pretty quick in this little town, assuming they ain't at the donut shop. J/K

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Thanks, I've known how to take apart my shotgun since I was about eight years old.

My apologies for trying to be helpful. After reading a number of your posts, I had the distinct impression you were new to the world of firearms. It seems I was led astray.

 

[ArmedBear]

Well, in California and much of the West, shotgun hunting is limited to 3 rounds (2+1). So you wouldn't want a mag extension on a hunting gun.

However, that 870 is the same as the similar "hunting" 870, except for the magazine extension and the barrel. Same receiver, same parts, same stock.

 

[foghornl]

My "HomeLand Security" shotgun is a Maverick 88 that started out with a 28" Mod choke barrel and the magazine capacity reduction plug. It now wears the 18-1/2" cylinder bore barrel, no magazine plug. (5 in the tube)

 

[FEG]

The biggest difference I can think of is that few people would want to wingshoot with the stock shown on the 870 Home Security. It has virtually no drop. Almost everything else has been covered. However, I don't consider differences in the stocks of shotguns to ever be superficial or cosmetic, nor do most wingshooters!

 

[ArmedBear]

The biggest difference I can think of is that few people would want to wingshoot with the stock shown on the 870 Home Security.

Huh?

That's the same stock Remington uses for all their synthetic hunting shotguns. Same drops as a Wingmaster, and (very slightly) more drop at the heel than Beretta's game guns have.

 

[Jim K]

The above responses are all good, but the real reason is hype; they can sell more guns if they convince folks that they "need" a special gun for home defense, even if they already have a hunting shotgun.

Of course the whole HD shotgun thing is largely hot air. The usual argument is that aiming is not needed because the large pattern will always hit the intruder. But across an average room, the "large pattern" is about 3"-4", hardly large enough that it will "fill a room with a cloud of shot" or "find the intruder anywhere" as some have written. Another myth is that a shotgun, especially with birdshot, won't penetrate a wall and so is safe to fire regardless of the locations of innocent people. Not true.

The shotgun has an advantage over a rifle is that there is less likelihood of over-penetration, with slugs exiting the house, and that it may be easier to control in a tight situation than a handgun. But the disadvantages of length and bulk remain, even with a short barrel.

Jim

 

[FEG]

Huh?

That's the same stock Remington uses for all their synthetic hunting shotguns. Same drops as a Wingmaster, and (very slightly) more drop at the heel than Beretta's game guns have.

I'll have to take some pictures of my shotguns and post them. I haven't used an OEM stock on a Wingmaster in a long time. I use Wenigs with a lot more drop and a cast over. In my mind, that 870 looked too "straight," but I guess I am unfamiliar with the "normal" stocks, if you get my meaning.

I didn't realize that Benellis had that much more drop than a Beretta, but that may explain why I shoot them better. I have a Montefeltro and a Franchi auto that I haven't altered, but all the pumps get Wenigs.

 

[ArmedBear]

Unfortunately, I've had a very difficult time getting local mothers to let me pay their kids to drive birds for me.

Hence, I've had to get a dog, and use a more conventional drop.