need help finding 20 gauge

[Revolver Ocelot]

I am in the market for a 20 gauge for the wife.

It needs to meet these specifications if at all possible.

pump action

barrel length no longer than 20" (18.5" if possible)

and have rifle sights

I have found them with rifle sights in this caliber only thing it didn't meet was it had a 24 or 26 inch barrel. This will be a defensive shotgun for the wife and our apartment has narrow hall ways so to long of a baarel me prove to be un wieldy for her in such a confined space.

I appreciate any advice you can give me.

 

[Al Thompson]

I am in the market for a 20 gauge for the wife.

I have one of those. Please send me a pic of your wife and we can work out the details of the trade.



On a serious note, not sure about the rifle sights, but the 870 youth seems about right. Mine had a ventilated rib, so adding aftermarket rifle sights is very easy. I think given what your engagement areas would be, a bead would work. But the aftermarket sights are less than 30 bucks or so.

 

[Shurshot]

you won't need rifle sights with an 18.5 inch barrel, trust me. you don't want to shoot a slug in my opinion. I have a winchester 1300 with an 18.5 in barrel pump with the extended magazine. it also has a pistol grip on it.

I load it with no 4s and trust me, you don't want to be in front of it when it goes off

p.s. I should have stated that mine is a 12 ga, not a 20 ga

 

[RPD20]

You might realy consider a Remington 11-87 Compact 20 gauge. This has an adjustable LOP and 21" barrel. Add a choate +3 mag. extention. Maybe add a tritium front bead. I would load it with BB shot inside of an apartment. I would see if the Choate extended charging handle for 11-87 12ga would fit.

Any reason you want a pump over an autoloader?

http://www.remington.com/products/f.../model-11-87-sportsman-compact-synthetic.aspx

I think mossberg makes some 20 gauge defense model pump shotties. If it is for home defense, its hard to beat a good high profile bead front sight. I like these.................

http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#meprolight shotgun____-_1-2-4_8-16-32

http://www.xssights.com/store/shotgun.html

 

[broken]

i would buy a mossburg,just my opinion.got a hold of a new haven 600ct 20 gauge for great price,90.00.real nice gun it has a 28" celectchoke,can anyone tell me if model 500 barrells for 20 gauges will fit,e-gunparts has 21" cyl bore bead site fore 55.00.thanks.its real light and handy.

 

[oneounceload]

Apartment living, rifle sights, 20 gauge...............wow, some serious conflicts there for safety......let me guess...you think a 20 will have less recoil for the wife....(wrong)...has she shot a gun at all? A shotgun? A 12 or 20?....... I see way too many "thinking" for their wife instead of letting HER decide what will work best for her - it might even be a handgun or rifle.....

A 12 with the managed recoil buckshot will have less actual recoil than the 20...........and a gun that fits will even feel good shooting...............my wife has just taken up sporting clays....and while she is still a neophyte to the game, today we shot two courses.....200 rounds..but her gun FITS........no bruises, soreness, etc........

Let her decide what she needs and how she needs to handle it

 

[RPD20]

How exactly are rifle sights and 20 gauge a safety issue? The issue may not be recoil, Im 6' 3" 230 pounds I just like the way a 20 gauge handles. They are a little lighter than most 12 gauges.

 

[Al Thompson]

RPD20, I suspect some are thinking you will arm her with slugs. To the contrary, I find that a rear sight keeps the face on the stock which helps with shot placement.

 

[RPD20]

Im not the one arming my wife. If I was going to build her a shotgun It would be the 11-87 20 gauge I cited above. I agree with you about the sights helping with cheak weld. Also, anyone who asumes that because a shotgun sports rifle sights it will only be used with slugs does not know much about defensive shotguns

 

[oneounceload]

They are a little lighter than most 12 gauges.

And that is great for upland birds or similar. The issue of lighter comes into play when shooting HD loads - there, that lighter gun will have a lot more actual recoil, and if it doesn't fit, more perceived recoil. Actual does the long-term damage, perceived does the short-term damage (bruises, etc).

If you want something even shorter for marrow hallways, then look into the coach guns - because they don't have the action length involved, they are about 5" shorter overall with the same barrel length

 

[dogsoldier0513]

Before taking ownership of my Benelli M1 Super90, my wife's 'go to' shotgun was a Remington LtWt. 20GA 870. It has a 20-inch barrel w/rifle sights and an 8-shot magazine extension. Unfortunately, it has a fully rifled barrel which sucks for buckshot but makes it a tackdriver with slugs.

 

[RPD20]

Yes yes you are right. Nobody should even consider the brutal recoiling, dangerously iron sighted, 20 gauge as a viable defensive tool. LOL

 

[JimKirk]

http://www.remington.com/products/f...s/model-870/model-870-express-compact-jr.aspx

Quick handling ... close quarters ...

No need for sights at close range... point and shoot!

http://www.remington.com/sitecore/c...of-pull/adjustable-length-of-pull-system.aspx



Jimmy K

 

[RPD20]

Is that a 20 gauge?....................If so its no good for self defense. It will dislocate your shoulder So I hear.

 

[bubba in ca]

Browse one of the online gunstores like Bobsguns or j and g sales to see whats out there. Reminton and Mossberg both have their own websites, and most Walmarts have a special order catalog behind the gun counter.

The standard for combat/HD shotguns is 12 gauge 00 or 1 buck, because they have a high likelyhood of a one-shot stop. But life is full of compromises--if somebody's heigth, hand size, or health problems won`t allow them to go 12 gauge, then they will just have to go down and live without a one-shot stop. In any case, they are much better off than with any handgun they are likely to use.

And don`t pooh-pooh vent ribs--they don`t look tactical, but they really help aim the gun.

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

The wife has shot the 12ga and that didn't work out so well, I got her to try out a friends 20 ga and had a much easier time operating it so it seemed like a good place to start. However for defense I have some concern that 20 gauge loadings are not up to the same standard as the 12 gauge so with that thought in mind the slug seemed like a better choice. as for the rifle sights, it just made sense to me given we'd be working with a single projectile and the pump was because the wife thought it was cool .

Besides, oneounceload, if the lady wasn't interested in guns or I had any doubts in her ability to use them I wouldn't waste the money on a 20 gauge, I'd buy something new for me.

 

[RPD20]

Are you seriously going to use slugs in an apartment setting. If so, that is completely foolish and irresponible. A 20 gauge 2 3/4" #3 or #4 Buckshot will work just fine for close range self defense. A buckshot load like this will have a much lower risk of overpenetration.

This Winchester load in 2 3/4" would give 20 .25 cal pellets

http://www.winchester.com/Products/shotshell-ammunition/super-x/buckshot/Pages/XB203.aspx

 

[oneounceload]

Yes yes you are right. Nobody should even consider the brutal recoiling, dangerously iron sighted, 20 gauge as a viable defensive tool. LOL

Wow.....your knowledge is outstanding - you obviously know all there is.......good luck

 

[RPD20]

Your very mistaken, you sir deserve the credit for the wealth of knowlege in that quote. Its a summary of your words with just a hint of sarcasm if you didnt notice.

 

[ms6852]

I bought this one for the wife with the Knoxx Spec Ops stock. It further reduces recoil and the stock is collapsible which my wife can adjust for her length. She really likes it intead of the 12 gauge I used. It is a 18 1/2 inch barrel, with six in the mag and one in the chamber. Oh, btw it is a 20 gauge shotgun.

 

[Old krow]

Yes yes you are right. Nobody should even consider the brutal recoiling, dangerously iron sighted, 20 gauge as a viable defensive tool. LOL

Yeah, that's what I got out it too....

If you want something even shorter for marrow hallways, then look into the coach guns

I see way too many "thinking" for their wife instead of letting HER decide what will work best for her

With a hint of sarcasm of course

as for the rifle sights, it just made sense to me given we'd be working with a single projectile

Sorta looks like he called that one too That would explain the "safety issue" that he saw.

I think you were just looking for something to pick apart.

To the OP, if you don't like 1OZs advise, don't take it. I agree with him though. He wasn't saying NOT to do anything, he was saying let her decide, she might prefer a pistol.

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

I respect all of the advise being given (even you 10oz ) but I take the wife's opinion of the weapon she should recieve the most seriously as she wil in the end be the one to use it.

There are a few handguns in the house she is comfortable using, of them she seems to be the most comfortable with her colt mustang and my ruger service six (38 speacial) but she is not so comfortable with my long arms hense the venture in this direction. After firing a series of firearms she settled on a 20 gauge with the intent of shooting slugs (the pump thing is just a second kind of cool for her I guess) as for iron sights and barrel length it was an agreed thought that the weapon should be as manuverable as possible and acurate in its shot placement (we really rather not send slugs through the wall so rifle sights seemed like a good place to start). We are just looking for advise on this.

 

[Virginian]

When people ask for dove hunting advice, or such, they usually get experience. When people ask for HD info they get speculative opinions. I have never had such an encounter, but if you listen to the "experts" they say to take a defensive position, and if you don't go sneaking around, how does 4" of barrel make any difference?
I totally agree with getting the wife involved beforehand. Odds are she will like a 20 with a shorter stock best. Unless she is 5'-11" like my first wife, she will likely prefer the feel greatly to a bigger heavier 12. I am no expert, but I don't like the rifle sights idea. I can see a blanket snagged on the front sight now. How many cop or military shotguns have you seen with rifle sights? The military pays big taxpayer bucks and conducts studies on how best to kill people. Practice with reduced recoil bird shot. With the adrenaline pumping the difference in shells won't be noticed until later.
I would not recommend a semi auto for HD to anyone but an expert. Odds are it will never be fired. Even higher odds more than one shot will be required. Even higher odds the gun won't cycle then. But at that point, if it does, you are likely dead. If you can't afford to lose, don't bet, regardless of the odds.

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

thanks virginian, I never really thought about the sights being easier to snag on something but you know what you got a good point.

I'll probablly just end up getting her a mossberg 500 in 20 (she liked the youth stock on the one she fired at a friends).

 

[tactikel]

If you can find one, a 870 Special Field in 20ga is a sweet gun. Light, short, and points nicely. It has a 3" chamber (but only holds 3 rounds). Let her shoot AA trap loads to practice, and buckshot or slugs for HD. I can cut 3" groups at 50 yards with the standard bead and remington slugs.