Which Shot Gun?

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TomCat5

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With economic woes seemingly growing to catastrophic levels, the real probability of defending one's family while putting meat on the table is growing ever more likely.
If you had to pick just one shotgun to protect your family while hunting everything from quail to deer and bear... which would you choose... and why?
Also, any tricks, tips anyone may have in terms of ammo management with your shotgun of choice would also be very useful.
Looking forward to the replies!!!
 
I have used both the Rem 870 and Mossberg 500 line of pumps. For me the Mossberg's ambidextrous tang mounted safety is the biggest deciding factor for me. Slowly sold off all of my 500's and 870's for a Mossberg 590A1. It is over-built much like a tank and with the 20" barrel, I have plenty of spare ammo in the tube mag.
 
TomCat5 said:
With economic woes seemingly growing to catastrophic levels, the real probability of defending one's family while putting meat on the table is growing ever more likely.
If you had to pick just one shotgun to protect your family while hunting everything from quail to deer and bear... which would you choose... and why?
Also, any tricks, tips anyone may have in terms of ammo management with your shotgun of choice would also be very useful.
Looking forward to the replies!!!
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When I was a poor college student, and just married, I had the coin (and not much coin at that) to buy one gun that had to do all of that. Protect, shoot dove and quail, kill varmints, kill deer, target shoot, trap shoot, etc.

I chose the Remington 1100, and never regretted it. That was 26 years ago, and although I now own several rifles and numerous handguns, my old Remington 1100 is still my only shotgun. :cool:
 
With economic woes seemingly growing to catastrophic levels, the real probability of defending one's family while putting meat on the table is growing ever more likely.
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I just don't see that happening. I have an asthmatic son with allergies and a father with heart disease. If that happens, I need to take over a pharmacy and hold the fort down there. But that really doesn't matter to either of us for this discussion. :)

But I would pick an 870 pump that could shoot slugs. Why? I'm more familiar with it. SOME autoloaders can be picky about not cycling light loads, so I feel confident that my 870 would work even if it is covered in mud and shooting any load I put in it.

Also, any tricks, tips anyone may have in terms of ammo management with your shotgun of choice would also be very useful.
Looking forward to the replies!!!
Click to expand...
I keep my rifle and pistol ammo in GI ammo cans. I shoot often, so it doesn't sit around much if I shoot the oldest first. Shotgun ammo is cheap and takes up lots of storage space. If I filled the 50 caliber ammo cans with shotgun shells, I need a storage building. My shotgun ammo sits crammed into an old filing cabinet I grabbed at a yard sale. I have lots and lots of shotgun ammo since I shot clays nearly every weekend previously. I don't enjoy it as much as I once did so now I'm using mostly my ar and my pistols.

I do keep an 870 marine magnum at the ready in my bedroom closet safe. 6 in the tube, 4 in the stock saddle...plain old buck shot with slugs in the saddle. I like a polished brass bead for a sight, I don't care for ghost rings, fiber optics or tritium. The brass bead is simple, highly visible and will remain visible with a simple "spit shine." I don't keep one in the chamber because my daily carry handgun is my home defense weapon. I prefer to keep everything else locked up. I don't want to drag it in and out of the safe every night.

Other than that, I have a few 1100's, a couple of brownings and a few other shotguns in various calibers...most of which haven't seen light of day in over 5-6 years except to check for rust. The 870 12 gauge remains my favorite for some reason, even though I have others that are better at certain tasks.
 
As much as I love shooting my 1100 which is set up for 3 gun competitions I think I would pick my HK/Benelli 121 M if I had to pick one gun to do it all. With one barrel set up with choke tubes and the other set up for optics I think it would be just a bit more versatile in the long run. I would be giving up 3 rounds in capacity over the 1100 but I would be more confident taking a long range slug shot at a deer with the 121.

121m1.jpg
 
I use my 870 to fulfill the role you described. It has a 28 inch bird barrel and a 20 inch rifled slug barrel. If I were in your shoes with only 1 gun, I may trade the 28 inch barrel for a 20 inch barrel, for home defense. As is, I use handguns for home defense.

For ammo, I do keep a box of five shotgun rounds in a cardboard slug box so if push came to shove and I had the time, I could use the shotgun. My problem is I keep it locked up in a case because it isn't my primary weapon, and my wife has shot and refuses to shoot it again. I know Jeff Cooper advocated that a handgun was to get to the long gun, but we are proficient handgun people, what can I say.

I just want to encourage you and commend you about taking your family's survival seriously. These are indeed trying times, but not as difficult as our grandfather's generation I believe.
 
Wow! Great suggestions and views guys/gals (?)... Please keep them coming. I'm trying to keep up in researching all your suggestions.... :) A difficult, but fun exercise!

Not trying to change gears at all, but if I go used, what are the most important things to check in terms of condition of the weapon. I realize that question is a whole new discussion, but we can keep it simple... it that's even possible (?). Thanks again folks!
 
Creature said:
I have used both the Rem 870 and Mossberg 500 line of pumps. For me the Mossberg's ambidextrous tang mounted safety is the biggest deciding factor for me. Slowly sold off all of my 500's and 870's for a Mossberg 590A1. It is over-built much like a tank and with the 20" barrel, I have plenty of spare ammo in the tube mag.
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My thoughts regarding Mossberg over Remington. Both are very nice though. As for the 590 vs 500, the 590 is a bit more sturdy. Having said that, either will likely last you a lifetime of use.
 
Not trying to change gears at all, but if I go used, what are the most important things to check in terms of condition of the weapon. I realize that question is a whole new discussion, but we can keep it simple... it that's even possible (?). Thanks again folks!
Click to expand...

Bore condition is always the first thing I check on any used firearm. I try to only deal FTF so I can inspect the action for abnormal wear and look down the bore. I won't buy one non face to face unless I see detailed pics of the bore and whatever parts of the action I ask for. Last time I sold an AR here, the guy asked for pics of the bolt stripped, gas staking and the feed ramps so I know I'm not the only one.

Some people aren't like me and they'll show up with a dirty gun. I bring a bore snake along when I check out any used firearm I may be buying. I met a guy on a Saturday once and he had just went to the range. He was getting a little miffed I believe because I stripped his weapon down and started cleaning it. But hey, it's my money and if I want to run a brush down the barrel to find out if there is a pristine bore under your crud or fowling...you just have to deal with it. You can say it is pristine all day, but I wanna see. :)

YMMV
 
If it were me making the choice, an Ithaca 37 would be all I was shopping for. Extremely accurate. Lightweight and ambidextrous, so nearly everyone can shoot it. And you have to work to tear one up. IMO it'll outlast and outshoot any brand new offering from either Remington or Mossberg.

I have several shotguns, most of which have specific purposes, from bird hunting to deer hunting to SD/HD, etc. And for all of that, my Grandpa's '52 Mod. 37 is my "go-to" gun for everything.

Just my .02, but I'd definately put a Model 37 on your shopping list.
 
Winchester 1300. I own one and it's a great gun, great fit and finish, not a single malfunction, shoots any ammo. Comes with several chokes and a slug barrel. I think they can be had for under $300
 
I have never had to defend myself or my family, kill a bear or a deer with a shotgun, so I cannot speak with authority about the requirements of such a weapon, I can only use my imagination for those situations.

I have done a lot of bird hunting and cowboy action shooting. The new short "coach gun" types of double barrelled shotguns being made for cowboy action shooting could be used for deer and bear at close ranges I suppose. There are some models with interchangeable choke tubes which would allow their use for hunting both big game and birds.

I think the shorter coach gun might be useful in a home defense situation, and the mechanical reliability of having two shots for sure might be a point in its favor also...the guns for really dangerous African game are double rifles after all, not pumps or autos. The coach gun models are not all that expensive, either.

Just a different take on the question for entertainment and consideration.

One gun for all those different situations...gonna be a compromise somewhere.
 
I think the shorter coach gun might be useful in a home defense situation, and the mechanical reliability of having two shots for sure might be a point in its favor
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Can't argue that, even though none of my 870's have ever failed.

A coach gun is also ridiculously fun to shoot with. :)
 
I think the shorter coach gun might be useful in a home defense situation, and the mechanical reliability of having two shots for sure might be a point in its favor
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I find the coach gun front heavy, and just plain heavy. I stuck with Mossberg, and for H/D I have a 500 in .410.
(although I have one in 12 ga. also, I find the .410 a better choice for H/D. IMO)
 
Hey Tomcat, let me help you narrow your search a little more. There are a lot of good shotguns out there, and pumps are known to be extremely reliable. What I may suggest is handling a few. While I said the 870 in a post above, the reason I chose it was because it was familiar to me from policing.

What I would look at is the convenience of the controls. The 870 pump release is a little metal bar that sticks out from under the trigger guard. My Dad has a Winchester, and it has a little button behind the trigger guard. Honestly, my Dad's shotgun is a little more convenient to release the pump.

I think you'll have a hard time picking a bad shotgun, particular in the pumps. Since you are on a budget, I assume, and want to look at used, I'd suggest looking at the barrels/bore and the action. Cycle it a few times to get a feel for it. The better built shotguns will cycle smoothly, and some will even slide down when you push the pump release and turn the shotgun barrel up. It really is hard to wear one out, and as long as you stick to a mainstream manufacturer, as a lot of posters have recommended, you'll get a good shotgun.

The next thing I would suggest is to check out Brownells and see what mods they have for your shotgun, should you want to mod it. The more parts, the more popular, and they are popular for a reason.

I just thought I'd give you a few more tips on picking a good shotgun. Good luck with the search!
 
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More great examples and opinions! I agree that I need to put my hands on the weapon I choose first, so to that end, I'll be heading to WT's as they have most shotguns recommended here in both new and used. Of course, I'll be taking a page of notes with me thanks to all the well thought out feedback and look forward to making my final choice and letting all you good people know what I end up choosing and why. Can't wait!
 
I recently went through this exercise of trying to determine which SG to purchase. I highly recommend you use this link from The High Road on to help determine what is important ... it provides great information. It helped me determine what was important to my situation so that I could figure out which platform (i.e. Mossberg, Remington, Ithaca, etc...) was good and then which model (Mossy 590A1, Remington 870, Ithaca 37, etc...) from that platform to choose.

Shotgun Library

This information helped me determine that a Mossberg 590A1 with an 18.5" barrel was my best choice. I already have an Ithaca 37 with a long barrel but I wanted something for HD so I went with the 590A1.

Good luck on your decision.



EDIT: Here are two more good links from The High Road that might help too.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=2766

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=355528
 
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Well guys... I have chosen a shotgun and have included the link. Let me know what you think. I feel it meets all my criteria, including a rifled slug barrel and will shoot 3.5 inch shells. Combines the best features of the 500 and 835 series shotguns including a new feature I'm excited about in the adjustable lightning pump trigger. Also, the price is right in my wheel house...
Thanks again for all the experience and wisdom and look forward to using my new shotgun on everything from pheasant to dear...

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/61868
 
Get a good, reputable 12-gauge pump -- Remington, Mossberg, Winchester, Browning -- and two barrels: a long one (26" or 28") that takes choke tubes and a short (18") cylinder bore. Then you have all your bases covered: small game with the long barrel, big game and home-defense with the short.
 
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