There is SO much to consider when buying a H/D shotgun that you can't just go to your local gun shop and buy the baddest looking blaster you see!
Twenty years ago that's what I would have done but thday much older, crippled and with weaker eyes I am a different consumer.
I want a light 12 ga pump with as few gizmos to interfear with the intended purpose (Fight stopping). MY choice is a gun with maybe a 20" barrel (giving a 5 round capacity), wood stock (I just don't like Plastic) and the best ammo choice for the intended ranges and opponents that I may encounter.
I don't see myself running down and attacking opponents, rather the gun will be used in a defensive mode. A break-in, Civil Disturbance overflowing to my abode, orin response to attack while away from the house (Traveling, camping etc).
I have a couple revolvers that might be better used in some break-in scenerios than using a long shotgun. I actually think that for house clearing the revolver gives you a better chance for using "cover" than the Shotgun does.
The use of a fighting Shotgun in pratical use has it's limitations. It is not the sprayed out streetsweeper that some think it is, the shot string is about coffee cup size at across the room distances. Actually aiming the Shotgun is needed at close range.
Ammo consideration is another big dilemmia. Penetration of the shot seems to be too shallow with game loads so you need at least #4 Buck to hit vitals. Slugs overpenetrate and are as dangerous as a .357 for penetrating unwanted surfaces. It appears that you can stack your magazine for best preformance but simply a mag full of 00 Buck works just fine.
So much to learn and thank God for the NET! Lots of articles and sites to read, lots of opnions to consider and you tube videos to watch.
All in all I need to make a competent, realistic decision to purchase the SHotgun that's right for my needs! being sort of gun-savvy has helped me in my reserch and though the Shotgun iis a different animal, this will all aid me in making the proper decision to buy.
ZVP
Twenty years ago that's what I would have done but thday much older, crippled and with weaker eyes I am a different consumer.
I want a light 12 ga pump with as few gizmos to interfear with the intended purpose (Fight stopping). MY choice is a gun with maybe a 20" barrel (giving a 5 round capacity), wood stock (I just don't like Plastic) and the best ammo choice for the intended ranges and opponents that I may encounter.
I don't see myself running down and attacking opponents, rather the gun will be used in a defensive mode. A break-in, Civil Disturbance overflowing to my abode, orin response to attack while away from the house (Traveling, camping etc).
I have a couple revolvers that might be better used in some break-in scenerios than using a long shotgun. I actually think that for house clearing the revolver gives you a better chance for using "cover" than the Shotgun does.
The use of a fighting Shotgun in pratical use has it's limitations. It is not the sprayed out streetsweeper that some think it is, the shot string is about coffee cup size at across the room distances. Actually aiming the Shotgun is needed at close range.
Ammo consideration is another big dilemmia. Penetration of the shot seems to be too shallow with game loads so you need at least #4 Buck to hit vitals. Slugs overpenetrate and are as dangerous as a .357 for penetrating unwanted surfaces. It appears that you can stack your magazine for best preformance but simply a mag full of 00 Buck works just fine.
So much to learn and thank God for the NET! Lots of articles and sites to read, lots of opnions to consider and you tube videos to watch.
All in all I need to make a competent, realistic decision to purchase the SHotgun that's right for my needs! being sort of gun-savvy has helped me in my reserch and though the Shotgun iis a different animal, this will all aid me in making the proper decision to buy.
ZVP