Rem 870 20 gauge as home defense gun?

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

batex

Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2006
Messages
224
My father-in-law mentioned that he was interested in aquiring an inexpensive shotgun for home defense use primarily (maybe secondary as a clay/bird gun). He's very fit and athletic, but in his early 70's. My recommendation was a Remington 870 Express 20 gauge with 26" barrel. Knowing him, he wouldn't like it to be to "tactical" so hence the express 26" model. Quite honestly, it will probably sit in the corner of a closet, but be readily available if needed.

So, do you guys agree with my recommendation and/or are there other models you would recommend also.

I have several 870's in 12 gauge and love their reliability and simplicity.

Thanks,
 
I would suggest staying away from a long-barreled firearm for fear that it would be unwieldy and useless for home defense. I would get a 12ga express combo and load it with reduced-recoil 8-pellet 00 buckshot. Should be cheaper than the 20ga to shoot yet offer the utility needed. You have the long barrel with interchangeable chokes and the short barrel for HD. Still pretty inexpensive.
 
20 gauge is just as "cheap to shoot". I own and hunt with both gauges. 20 gauge has significantly less recoil in a lighter gun. I see nothing wrong with it. As for a 26" being too long, well, an 18" is too long IMHO for walkin' around in a small house. Nothing wrong with a longer barrel properly used in a safe room defense strategy. Lock the bedroom door, get behind the bed or other cover, call 911 on the cell, and if he breaks in the door, blast him.

JMHO though and there are plenty of tacticool opinions to hear from. I do prefer my coach gun's handy length, 20" barrels and I can stand up, hold the gun down by my side by the grip of the stock, and the barrels don't even come close to the floor. A pump or auto has a LOT of length tied up in the action. It's a fast pointer, too, light and short. And, 20 pellets of number 3 buck has plenty enough sting to it.
 
I wholeheartedly agree with your recommendation. I also think there is quite a bit of difference between Home Defense and Tactical, that most people here probably will not agree with me on. Most tactical shotguns I see are outfitted with "aggressive" posture in mind, not "defensive". I have absolutely no qualms taking on anyone with one of my standard barrel length shotguns, in my home, I do not even think I will need a door breaker barrel attachment, since I have keys to every door. I can walk thru the house in the pitch dark, so I think I will be fine. And, although it shouldn't matter, if I end up in court with pictures of what looks like a pickup truck load of hamburger, when I shot them with my duck gun, who knew?
I am not saying if you want to have your shotgun tricked out for 110% tactical, and play games with it, that that's wrong. I play games with my shotguns too, just different games is all. And we tend to have our shotguns set up to win the games, rather than based on a real life defense scenario, in my opinion.
 
My SD gun is a 20 ga. 870 special field (3"chamber, 21"barrel). Picture a 600 grain load at 1250 fps, one that dosen't over penetrate or ricochet:what: thats a 1 1/4 oz pheasant load! I can shoot 3 shots in under 2 seconds. And the gun is familiar, quick pointing, and I already had it for grouse (no extra outlay).
 
My recommendation was a Remington 870 Express 20 gauge with 26" barrel. Knowing him, he wouldn't like it to be to "tactical" so hence the express 26" model.
Click to expand...

This is the exact same setup I have for HD/Fun shooting. I threw a limbsaver recoil pad on it. That is as "tactical" as it is going to get. The longer barrel helps a lot when shooting clays. Since that is what I was used to, that is what I am keeping on it. I tried a shorter barrel and didnt like it at all.

Toss some 20 gauge buckshot in there and it will be good to go. Your grandpa isn't likley to go clearing a house with that shotgun.
 
I've been pondering the same thing with the 870 'youth' model, shorter barrel (I think 21" and looks like it includes choke insert), shorter stock, 20 ga., WM has one for $287. Seems a steal and near ideal as both a HD and snake gun, that even my wife would/could learn to shoot.

I'm assuming 20ga. buckshot is available?
 
My HD gun is a 20 gauge Nova with a 24" barrel loaded with #6 Walmart specials. I feel very safe with that combo.
 
When my neice came down to visit before Christmas for a Defensive Shotgun 101 class, she picked out a Remington 870 Express Youth 20 gauge off the table of available guns as the one she wanted to train with. She said recoil was no worse than an identically configured 12 gauge (same length barrel and stock- 21" VR barrel, 13" LOP) but that it handled much better for her since it was lighter. She got up to speed with birdshot, then went on to buckshot and slugs. At the end of the session, we sent the little gun home with her.

If the gun fits properly, the 20 gauge 870 Youth Express is pretty close to an ideal do it all shotgun, I think... and if it's too big, there's a Junior version too (12" LOP, 18" VR RemChoke barrel, IIRC).

lpl
 
I think your suggestion for the 26" Express would be fine. I put more value in your dad practicing with the gun and being able to run it effectively regardless of the barrel length. If he will use it to shoot clays for practice, then get him whatever he will actually use and be proficient operating. When the time comes, he will trust the gun and know how to make it work. I also think the difference between the 20" and 26" barrel will not matter if he doesn't practice with the gun in the first place. The trick is to be familiar and up to speed to use it when you need it. The intruder or the clay bird will not know the difference unless you practice and hit where you aim.

All that being said, go with your Dad and practice with him at the clay course. You won't regret the time you spent together, and the practice will do you both good in the long run.

Good luck!
 
The 20ga is what I've been thinking about so my 5'3" wife could use it too, for fun with clay and at home if it ever came to that.

Thing about shotguns is the only real difference is the amount of lead it tosses out, the power is the same. Seeing that a 12ga has A-Plenty of lead and so does a 20ga when you look at them next to a hand gun the argument just becomes rhetorical very quickly.
 
Please, dont worry about the word tatical too much when it comes to length of barrel.

Home defense has my wife with a Mossberg 500 Bantam with the youth stock and a 22" ribbed/choked barrel for slug duty (Imp cyl) And she fires managed recoil buckhammers and the occasional Brenneke 20 gauge slug with it. We tried Federal trueball slugs and she handled the full power easily with the help of a recoil pad on shoulder but the plastic left behind made it a unsuitable ammuntion.

I use a Remington 870 Marine Magnum with the 18 inch barrel and a full stock. The total lengths of both weapons are about 39 inches give or take I think I have to remeasure them. The point being it needs to be short enough to be going through doors and around corners, furnature without banging into anything.

A longer barrel will only get in the way and does not really help overall. It will probably pack your buckshot a little tighter and so on.

I went to spendy mountain last night and looked over the weapons in the shotgun rack. There were a good selection of them. However, some of them are full buttstock AND a pistol grip WITH a bolt operated shell action instead of a pump. Not for me, sorry.

We have been through the gun rush, then the ammuntion rush then the accessories run and now I fear from the amount of tatical stuff we are about to go through that too.... whew.

20 gauge shells are usually marked yellow for easy grab at nighttime in low light conditions so that is a plus. 20 gauge will take down the bad guy easily. 12 gauge will do the same job but only a little messier.

My ammuntion has been evolving for HD into triple aught buckshot recently and am testing it at the range soon. If the pattern and aim is good at 7 yards, I may adopt it as a alternative to the slugs.

Take caution and not get caught up in the possible accessories right now. Just pick a weapon that fits you good, fire it a few rounds or boxes until your confidence and aim improves.

Buy a few boxes of AZOOM FIRST for YOUR caliber.. 20 gauge. BEFORE ANY LIVE AMMO. This inert and inactive shells will assist you in gun familiarization and learning it. I had my A-Zoom work out some mistakes I was making that would have gotten myself or someone else hurt by now.

Learn the gun commandments of safety.

Good hunting!

Oh by the way, regular trips to the range, regular cleaning makes a happy, content gun owner ready at any moment for HD. Dont buy the gun and then throw it to the closet as a lucky talisman to ward off BG's via voodoo or magic whatever.
 
By Lee Lapin:
When my neice came down to visit before Christmas for a Defensive Shotgun 101 class, she picked out a Remington 870 Express Youth 20 gauge off the table of available guns as the one she wanted to train with. She said recoil was no worse than an identically configured 12 gauge (same length barrel and stock- 21" VR barrel, 13" LOP) but that it handled much better for her since it was lighter. She got up to speed with birdshot, then went on to buckshot and slugs. At the end of the session, we sent the little gun home with her.

If the gun fits properly, the 20 gauge 870 Youth Express is pretty close to an ideal do it all shotgun, I think... and if it's too big, there's a Junior version too (12" LOP, 18" VR RemChoke barrel, IIRC).
Click to expand...

There is an Junior Express version of this, 18" RemChoke Bbl., synth. stock, 12" LOP, 5.75 lbs., listed by Remington #81161. It would, as Mr. Lapin says, be close to ideal. Haven't found one yet. There is also a Wingmaster (#6460) version, probably costlier and prettier, and also well worth it.
 
Triple aught in 20 Gauge? Forget it.

I actually FOUND 8 GAUGE loads... :what: Thought that went out with the repeal of the Prohibitation.
 
20ga Remington Youth 870 with 21" barrel is my one and only. Good for HD, Turkey, Pig, and the occasional clay bird.
 
+1 on the Youth 20ga Rem 870. Small, maneuverable, can get it with the "kid friendly" blue or pink laminated stock, and load it up with some #3 or #2 buck for goblin control.
 
Last edited:
+1 on 20 ga.

#2 or #3 buckshot seem to be the best HD loads for a 20ga, but are at present hard to find in stock.

I'd prefer an 18 to 20" barrel for HD, but you usually have to buy a black-colored gun to get that. If he equates black with tactical then you may be stuck getting him a longer barrelled-gun.
 
-1 on a 20 gauge. No point in getting a gun that you can't find ammo for. I got one for home defense 2 months ago, and I haven't been able to find buckshot anywhere. The only ammunition with any stopping power that i've been able to find are slugs. With 12 gauge on the other hand, buckshot is still plentiful.
 
don't worry about buckshot or slugs. at 15- 20 feet as the villian comes through the door an ounce of 6 shot will be just the medicine. and you won't shoot through the walls and kill aunt selma who is asleep next room. As for defence, it is different to clearing the house. I don't know how your laws are but in england we are ok to shoot someone in self defence but that genuinely means self defence. we can't creep down the stairs and waste a guy burgling unless he has threatenned or displayed force to warrant using lethal force.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
20 gauge for bunker / 5-stand ?
Replies
3
Views
658
Dave McCracken
D
C
  • Locked
Thoughts on a 870 Combo? Can it be converted easily for home defense?
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
Hookeye
H
I
  • Locked
ejector spring Remington 870 20 gauge
Replies
3
Views
3K
iyn
I
A
  • Locked
  • Poll
Rem. 870 VS. Mossberg 500 (pump)
2 3
Replies
71
Views
6K
Master of Arms
M
zdc1775
  • Locked
20 gauge 870 Stock
Replies
14
Views
7K
zdc1775
zdc1775
Back
Top