Question on shotgun for SD

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woof

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Let me say up front that I'm not a shotgun person. I'm a rifle shooter and have never owned or used shotguns. With one exception - the Winchester 37 20 gauge I got when I was 9 years old (almost 50 years ago). I hunted rabbits with it back then, it has been in a closet since. It's in good shape and I was wondering if a) a single shot is viable as an SD weapon and b) if this one with a 28 inch barrel, should be shortened and what would that involve?
 
Rather than mess up your old shotgun, why not just buy a Mossberg 500 or Rem 870 from your neighborhood sporting goods store? Shortening the barrel (correctly) won't be free and a single shot isn't ideal. And I really don't want to see a 50 year old shotgun hacked up.
 
First, those old 37s are bringing insane prices from collectors, enough to buy a decent pump and enough ammo to get started for sure.

Second, if the 37 was a gift from an ancestor I'd not sell it. Like many of us, a single shot looms large in the memory banks.

Third, a couple hundred will get you into a new Mossberg or a pre enjoyed 870. Either will last longer than any of us even if shot extensively.

And, DEFENSE SHOTGUNS NEED TO BE SHOT EXTENSIVELY.

The weakest link is us.....
 
That's an interesting point I hadn't thought of - defensive shotguns need to be shot extensively. What kind of practice shooting is best for the defensive shotgun?
 
definately suggesting a pump here... SS is good for squirrels and snipers.

Mossberg 835 ulti-mag is a good choice for a SD firearm. A little long to clear some doorways with, but with the fiber-optic sights and 8+1 tube, its good for most indoor and outdoor situations even in poor lighting.
They also come in overbored sizes like the 500, or rifled slugster barrels, so no matter what you feel like shooting youll be right at home. the overbored barrel keeps tighter groups with shot and the rifled makes shot spread quicker, while keeping slugs on-point out to (mossberg claims) 100 yards.

a good choice, no doubt.

$370.00 at my local ma-&-pa shop

$0.02
 
Leave your 37 as is- it's 'way too valuable $-wise and heirloom wise to hacksaw into a makeshift SD piece.

I prefer a shotgun for defense as much as anyone you are apt to find, but shotguns aren't for averyone.

If you aren't a 'shotgun person,' I'd suggest you either use what you're good with already for SD, or decide to become a 'shotgun person' if that's what you want to adopt for SD at home. IMHO the hardware employed for defensive purposes matters much less than the skillset, confidence and ability of the individual using that hardware. Either learn what you need to know to be a good defensive shotgunner, or leave the shotgun alone and stick with what you already know.

'Old dogs' CAN learn new tricks, if they want to...

lpl/nc
 
Do not mess with that 37!

I will sic the dawgs on you big time!

Fact is, I want choke on a shotgun.
The Youth Model, H&R single shot 20 ga I and countless others keep handy -
From the factory...
Is 36" long, with a plain 22" barrel with fixed modified choke, and factory recoil pad.
These toss some the best slug groups, #3 buckshot patterns and other pellet load patterns.
Around $100 new, and just a bone stock youth gun.
Used these can be found for less.

Unlike a whacked off shotgun barrel with no choke, and a "truck gun" that looks like something from a futuristic movie, this simple youth shotgun is going to shoot well and not attract attention from First Responding folks such as Police, EMT, and will be more grand jury, and jury trial friendly.

There are the other options as others listed above, the most important being skill sets - and not so much the physical gun itself.
 
Jeesh, just what is a 37 20 gauge worth?
I wouldn't sell it. In fact it is because it has sentimental value I thought I would make use of it. I didn't really think of it as hacking it up but I see the point - and I won't.
 
There are 2 model 37 20ga's on gunbroker...both in VG condition $319 and $350. Keep your model 37 as is and pick up a Mossy 500 or Remington 870 for HD duty.
 
get a 12-gauge pump (or semi if you want to fork over money for something nicer) with decent mag capacity (at least six). Remington 870 and Mossber 5XX models are your best bang-for-buck

From there, think about loads.

2-3/4" buckshot will solve just about any HD/SD problem and then some. If those seem unwieldy, then try reduced recoil buckshot loads. If you're worried about overpenetration due to living in an apartment complex, then try smaller buck like #4 loads over 00 and 000 loads.
 
Woof, most any shooting helps, with higher round counts bringing higher proficiency.

I like busting clays. They're fast, hard to hit and moving in a variety of directions. If I can hit them, I can hit slower, larger, closer things easily.

Any clay game with double targets is a great training aid.

The Shotgun portion of 3 gun competition has some great Courses of Fire that can build expertise. A little imagination and effort can adapt these to your use environment and abilities.

HTH.....
 
Keep the 37 as-is!

Buy a good, short-barreled pump (Benelli, Remington, Mossberg, Winchester, etc.), then, as wise Mr. McCracken would say, buy ammo/use up/repeat (BA/UU/R). Sound advice, indeed.
 
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