Low cost AND decent quality home defense 12ga

[wnycollector]

I was just reading the previous mossberg for home defense thread and thought why limit myself to just one manufacturer!

I am looking for a 12ga pump for home defense. I own 2 norinco SKS' that have worked flawlessly for 15 years of heavy shooting and decided to check out the norinco model 870 and ithaca 37 clones. I came away unimpressed with the quality

What are some pro's and con's of the Maverick 88 w/ 18.5 barrel, the NEF
NP1-P18 and the Charles Daly Field Tactical 12 Ga 18.5"?

Also, what about picking up a used 12ga pump in the $150 range and trimming the barrel down to ~18-19"? Since it would be used at ranges ~5-10yds patterning should not be an issue!

 

[Green Lantern]

I know little about 12-guages, nothing about the ones you mentioned...

But the FN Police Shotgun (I think it's called) is pretty inexpensive, and got a good review from Gun Tests a while back. I can dig out the book if you'd like specifics.

The local gunstore had a Remington 870...I forget the price, but it was far less than I expected. And this was a "tacti-cool" model with OD green accents, pistol-grip and adjustable stock...

 

[g5reality]

Remington 870 Express. You can't go wrong. Not expensive and always reliable.

 

[Steve C]

The Norinco shotguns are like most of their guns, they're functional but not finished well. Usually a home defense shotgun isn't shot that much. I put a riot barrel and extended magazine on a second 870 I'd picked up in a trade. I've shot it one time in the last 20 years in that configuration. It shot just like any shotgun so its sits in readiness getting wiped down with an oily cloth every now and then.

If you want to buy new, any of the $300 +/- commercial short barreled shotguns being marketed for HD will be quite adequate. It may make better sense to buy a used police riot gun if you can find one for less money. If you are planning on shooting any of the "games" that involve shooting a riot gun then you may want a heavier gun than the alloy framed shotguns like the Mossberg, Mavricks, Charles Daily etc.'s.

Another option to a pump gun would be one of the coach double barrel guns from Remingon, IGA etc. Doubles are intimidating and provide 2 quick sure shots.

 

[KINGMAX]

REMINGTON 870 EXPRESS

Remington 870 express in 12 guage. Plenty of after market stuff out there. Can't go wrong w/ the investment, will always get your money back out of a 870.

A mosssberg seems to be a bit more heavy ??? How about You ??

 

[silentpoet]

my local pawn shop(I wasn't really looking at shotguns the last time I went to the gun store) had roughly 10 guns from 140-220. I have my eye on an ugly winchester 1200 to build into a home defense gun. It is only about 140. The cheapest 870 is 200. So you can find lots of decent choices if you look.

 

[Slater]

$300 NIB:

 

[marklbucla]

I'd suggest some form of an 870, but more specifically a used Police Trade in 870 Wingmaster. You can find them for as cheap as about $175 shipped.

But really, whatever you feel fits you best and is comfortable to shoot.

 

[aaronrkelly]

I bought a Maverick 88 NIB for $150.

Then I snagged an 18.5" Mossberg 500 barrel off www.budsgunshop.com for $52 shipped.

I have a shotgun that will do almost anything I ask of it for $200.....how can you go wrong.

Never had a minutes trouble with the gun.....despite the price they are well made firearms.

 

[wnycollector]

thanks for the feedback. I am currently bidding on a used winchester 1300 with the slug barrel...I'm high bidder @ $100!

 

[Brian Dale]

About six weeks ago, I picked up a Wingmaster for $140 plus tax, so just under $150. Made in 1956, with a Mossberg-mfd. "Slugster" barrel. I've cleaned it up and it's as smooth as silk.

Used is good; going to gun shows and pawn shops can pay off. There, someone else has paid for the privilege of breaking in your gun.

Good luck.

 

[saltydog452]

I have a Winchester 1300 on 'lay-a-way' as we speak (type).

Handy size 20" barrel with screw in choke tubes and a 20 gauge...

Providing I don't have an altercation with the critter from 'Aliens', it oughta work for anything that walks, crawls, swims, or flies.

salty.

 

[Fred Fuller]

"Good used" is definitely a good way to save $$$. There are a lot of good used riot guns out there looking for homes, most any of the big name manufacturers' products will serve you well. Handle as many makes/models/versions as you can, shoot what you can courtesy of family/friends/rentals while you make up your mind. Then go shopping...

lpl/nc

 

[LeonCarr]

Pawn shops are a great place to look for good used shotguns. I just purchased a nice 1970s era Remington 870 12 gauge for 170 bucks out the door.

Remember that with pawn shops you can typically haggle, especially with cash in hand.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Neo-Luddite]

If you cut down a barrel, remember to seriously de-bur the thing with emory (spl?) cloth--even a micro-bur can cause the muzzle to split. MUCH better to buy a cyl-bore @18.5" and swap it out.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Get a used 870 Wingmaster, they cost less than a new express, function the same and look nice.

 

[wnycollector]

I ended picking up a winchester 1300 for $150...what a SWEET gun at a great price! Thanks for all the input!

 

[spyderdude]

Remington 870 Express Magnum 12 gauge: $265
Knoxx Spec Ops stock: $80
TacStar 2 round mag extension: $40
The look on the BG's face when he sees the business end of my boomstick: Priceless

 

[goon]

My personal choice was a Mossberg 500 with a 18.5 inch barrel.
I got it used just like it is for $139 and it works perfectly and even shoots pretty respectably with slugs out to 60 or so yards.
Patterns are a little too wide for my tastes (cylinder bore barrel) but with Federal 00 buck and reduced recoil No. 4 buck it is pretty good at 20 yards.
I bought it because I was looking for a relatively "disposable" gun to keep at my apartment but it has really impressed and suprised me.

If I shot it more I would probably want to go to an 870 because all of my research says that they tend to hold up better to heavy use. But for the couple hundred (at most) rounds a year I shoot through it, the 500 is just fine.

 

[XavierBreath]

Also, what about picking up a used 12ga pump in the $150 range and trimming the barrel down to ~18-19"? Since it would be used at ranges ~5-10yds patterning should not be an issue!

I strongly suggest a use Remington, Winchester or Mossberg. All are good, solid guns, each with unique features. I generally prefer a Mossberg for the control layout, but a Winchester just shoulders better for me, so I shoot a Winnie better. The advantage of the Remmy is a steel receiver, making it the tougher of the three if it's going to ride in the trunk of a police cruiser. In my area used shotguns run between $125 and $160. If the finish is really bad or the wood ruined, they sell for under $100.

I have multiple 18.5 inch pawn shop 12 gauge shotguns, Winnies and Mossys. I convert them myself. The way I see it, if you are going to swap out the barrel on a used pawn shop shotgun, why not try shortening it first? I've never had one split. I wrote a piece on the subject of HD shotguns here. My shortened guns pattern fine.

 

[Ripped]

all hail the mossy 500!