Sometimes the little guy wins...

[FROGO207]

There are several brands of light that clamp on the barrel and have a curly cord with a remote pressure switch you can place to your liking. Some are not that expensive, some are however. They are great at blinding the BG when he bursts into the room on you. Streamlight makes a good one--TLR 3 but it is rail mounted and you would have to figure out a mount for it. Also there is one made by Surefire. I have motion lights all around inside so I don't have one myself but I would bet that Midway would have several offerings to look at on their website. Someone here will most likely point you in the proper direction shortly I bet. Sounds like you have put a lot of thought into your choices so far.

 

[hermannr]

Can't beat free, no way. your shotgun will be fine, should not be a problem.

Two other things...First: I do not understand the escort just because you have a take down shotgun, in the box??? We can OC or CC handguns here in Wal-Marts in WA. Is there a problem with NC law and having a weapon in a store? Wal-Mart corporate policy is "state law" to my understanding.

Second one: I'll lay good odds a couple assistant managers will get some "extra training" very soon....

 

[ObsidianOne]

The Walmart in my city actually stopped selling guns, due to the constant problems of careless employees who botched the paper work.

Why oh why would you waste the money plating a cheap shotgun? I guess to each their own, just seems like dipping a fork in gold lol.

Glad everything worked out for you, now you need a .22 plinker, hunting rifle, and a pistol!
Might I suggest a Mosin Nagant for your next purchase? Cheap gun, cheap ammo, tons of fun!

 

[skoro]

My Wal Mart rules...

NEVER ask anyone in a Walmart a question other than, "In what aisle would I find... ?"

NEVER expect anyone in the store to have any product knowledge or useful advice.

Just go in having done all your homework ahead of time, find what you've decided to purchase, and pay for it. Their prices on certain things are decent. It ends there.

 

[Mike J]

Two other things...First: I do not understand the escort just because you have a take down shotgun, in the box??? We can OC or CC handguns here in Wal-Marts in WA. Is there a problem with NC law and having a weapon in a store? Wal-Mart corporate policy is "state law" to my understanding.

The last time I bought a firearm from a Wal Mart was back in the mid 90's. I bought a Marlin model 60. Not only was I escorted out of the store with it they refused to sell me any ammunition at the same time. I guess they were scared I was going to load up at my vehicle & come back in the store & wreak havoc. It doesn't make any sense to me but Wal Mart has their own way of doing things.

 

[El Mariachi]

Speaking of Walmart, we popped into the one in Pecos, Texas yesterday for some munchies, beer and cigs. Not only did my wife get carded for the beer in her check out lane, but I got carded for the cigs in the 'Special' lane. Which is kinda funny, given that I'm almost 55 and Mrs. Mariachi is pushing the 5-0. Even more intersting? They actually scanned our CDL's in their machine----not just check our DOB's. Hmmmm.

Oh, one more thing---before I bought the cigs I went to the sporting goods dept. and bought a couple boxes of ammo at that register. Sales gal didn't ask me for a thing, except my cash......

 

[Katana]

@ ObsidianOne - I don't think it would be a waste of money to put a Franklin into a free gun (value +/- $200) to have an arguable equal to the Remington 870 Marine for +/- $650. But that is just me - had I spent $200 on my shotty, I still might consider it, but to have a total of $100 invested, it seems like a no-brainer to me. I know your opinion is that I'd be gilding a lily though!

In addition, I'll be handling the disassembly and reassembly of the weapon myself (already done it to clean and re-lube it) to make sure it is done correctly. Nothing to it really, but I'm not leaving it to the plating shop. I still have a lot of loads to put through it to prove it out to be a weapon I can depend on before I even mess with the plating. I've already machined down the dimples in the end of the magazine to allow for a 6+1 shell capacity and protected that bare metal with 3-in-1, but that is an area that would benefit from plating since the Parkerization has been ruined in there anyway.

For a valid comparison, here are links to both guns from the same store:

http://www.basspro.com/H-R-NP1-2S8-12-Gauge-Pardner-Pump-Shotgun/product/10218146/-1193655 VS http://www.basspro.com/Remington-87...-w/18-Barrel-Shotgun/product/10217919/-661992

Regardless of the 2nd barrel I may be getting and having plated at the same time - option 2 I.S.O. option 1, for a total investment of $100?? Gimme two!!

@ Mods - I read the house rules, and did not see any reference to not posting commercial links in rules 1-6. If commercial links are a no-no, forgive me for using the above links for conversational comparison, and please add it as #7!

@ hermannr / Mike J - I think it is just part of the local WM's policy. It's funny - they insisted on walking the un-assembled firearm to the front door, while I walked along side with 50 shells of bird shot and gun cleaning supplies! Typical.

 

[MistWolf]

Katana,

As you're new to this, I'll give you some straight skinny to save you some time & grief.

The H&R shotgun, regardless of marketing hype, is not equivalent to the Remington 870. This isn't to say the H&R won't serve your purposes, but Remington knows what it's about as they've been building one of the best combat shotguns for many decades. Metallurgy, design, and quality control are superior to the H&R. Not to make you feel bad about your new shotgun or make fun of it. Just know any claims it's as good or almost as good as an 870 just aren't so. In all seriousness, do the research for yourself. Learn to see what is marketing hype and what is real world experience. Talk to folks who really know shotguns. You'll even find those that don't like the 870.

Do not bother to plate your new barrel. It will not make your shotgun shoot better, more reliable or more durable. It will not make you a better shooter or defend your family better. It's nothing more than cosmetics. In all seriousness, you would be better served putting that money into ammo and range fees. If anything, keeping the 18" barrel black will actually serve you better as it's less distracting and have less glare in the sunlight than looking over a silver barrel. A very, very minor point indeed. If you absolutely must put extra money into the new barrel, have the XS shotgun sights installed. They will make your shotgun better for self defense
http://www.xssights.com/index.php?nID=sights&cID=Sights&pID=sights&sID=shotgun

The most intelligent choice is get the 18" barrel in black and learn to shoot your shotgun before modifying anything.

Congratulations and welcome to the fold

 

[Katana]

@ MistWolf - Thanks for you candid input - it is much appreciated. The more time goes by, and as it becomes less of a "new toy", I'm sure the itch to fiddle with it appearance-wise will decline. Who knows - I'm doing research now to find the shorty barrel, and it is looking like it may just be more trouble than it is worth, in which case I'll either just go buy a different shotgun altogether, and just "play" with this one, or have this one sawed off and be done with it. Just want a little home defense to guard my family and other toys.

I haven't seen any marketing for the H&R, just what I've read on this and other forums regarding similarity / differences between the 870 and the Pardner. I haven't spent any time shooting / cleaning / handling the 870, so I have no personal experience with them vs. the one I have - maybe I'll have a look-see this weekend at an 870 Express at the local range / gun shop and see what you're talking about.

As far as feeling bad about it, it's kinda hard to get too offended over a free gun! You get what you pay for usually, so it will have a hard time NOT living up to my expectations if you know what I mean - as long as the action remains smooth like it is now, and it loads / ejects shells and fires reliably, I cannot complain. When I become more experienced and have earned a stripe or two, I'm sure my tastes will move toward the higher end. They have in all of my other hobbies (cars, trucks, cameras, computers, A/V systems etc. - just ask my wife!!). Then again, just because you have a TASTE for Kobe beef doesn't mean you get to EAT Kobe beef very often! The Pardner Pump might indeed just end up holding down the floor in my closet as I get further into things. Who knows? I may just end up selling the thing for $100. Or $50.

Thanks again for your input. See you around.