Looking to purchase my first shotgun. I've narrowed it down to Mossberg 590s or Remington 870.
Primary purpose would be home defense. Secondary shooting traps/skeets.
Local range only has a couple models to try out but I like the specs on those two. Once concern about the Remington, is I understand RemArms now makes them and they have quality issues.
Anyone own a Mossberg?
+1 on Benelli if you are open to other brands.
I also have both and agree.
It's compact size is easy to tuck away, while still being within reach.
Use NO 1 Buck to get your point across without over penetration.
best home defense ammo - ( New Window )
It's compact size is easy to tuck away, while still being within reach.
Use NO 1 Buck to get your point across without over penetration.
best home defense ammo - ( New Window )
This is the one I have.
my goal when I got it as a beginner was get something basic and reliable.
so that's what I did. No issues so far.
Fortunately only ever fired it at a range. and hopefully that's all I ever do.
I do have my eye on a semi-automatic shotgun and I have been watching prices for a Mossberg 940 JM.
For any kind of self defense round in a shotgun, you would use double or tripple ott buckshot (this is meant to kill large animals like deer or black bear). Even if you used a deer slug, just way too much power
Ny kind of shot-gun (even a pistol grip) is entirely too long, this would give the intruder something to grab
Get yourself a nice 9MM hollow point that flattens out when it its something solid, in other words, it won't go throug 3 walls in your house and a pattern thats 3 or 4 feet wide
A handgun is what you need. A shotgun is great if there is an angry mob at your door.
Before the purchase go to a indoor range which usually are better staffed and try them then think about someday having to take a life, the ultimate.
After all of that if it's still a go immerse yourself in the sport.
Good luck.
There are pros and cons to all options. well I'd limit to a shotgun and handgun I guess. If you ever wanted distance I'd say a rifle but then are you defending your home? So it's shotgun or handgun.
Most experts say a shotgun because they are easy to use, versatile, and accuracy is much more forgiving than with a handgun. You have to consider distance and despite the image people have in their minds, hand gun accuracy is terrible for most people from distance. even among those who are trained to use them professionally when under stressful firing conditions.
Plus the "shoot through walls" excuse for a shotgun is nullified by just changing the ammo you use and use one that results in tighter formation, different coating for the buckshot, or other differences and reduces the risk for "over penetration".
a handgun has the obvious advantage of being concealable and always close to you but just google videos of shootings and tell me you're not amazed at how law enforcement and the criminals miss, often from closer range than you would hopefully ever need for home defense.
Anyway, my recommendation would be get both. Handgun and shotgun. Guns are like tattoos are for some people. Once you get one and if you enjoy going to the range and becoming proficient in target shooting, skeet, hunting, you will want more. I'm not sure I've seen too many people with one tattoo. maybe.
Anyway, good luck, take a safety class (or several).
1.) Pistol carbine chambered in 9mm. Gives you the accuracy of a rifle, but you can use hollow point defense rounds (eg. Hornady, Speer Gold Dot) that won’t penetrate several walls if you miss the bad guy.
2.) 12 gauge pump action shotgun. However, if you go this route make sure you use birdshot for home defense to greatly reduce the risk of penetrating multiple walls. If you use buckshot you can put neighbors at severe risk as it will travel a great distance.
3.) 9mm pistol with hollow point ammo. If you are proficient and practice regularly with a handgun this is a good option. DO NOT use full metal jacket ammo for home defense. It could penetrate multiple walls.
I haven't owned a shotgun in years. However, I'm left handed and any type that expelled the shell out the side would have gone right in my face. So the one I used had to crack open the barrel to get rid of the spent shells.
So if you're lefty, or perhaps someone in your immediate family who may also use them, it might be something to consider.
Bill Burr wants to get a gun - ( New Window )
Benelli shotguns are great (I own one) but they are a bit more expensive than the 2 the OP mentions.
FAQ - ( New Window )
Isn't that temporary though? Your kids will grow up and then what? And you know your children but I would never underestimate what children are capable of doing. My club has a juniors program for kids as young as 8. It's just air rifles/pistols and archery, but some of those air rifles could pass for an AR and are similar in size and weight. Most of the younger kids would struggle with those, but not all.
For home defense, pump action shotgun with buckshot is a much better option than an AR15 IMO. I just don't think those were made for that intended use. What if you live in an apartment or and home with shared walls. 556 or 223 would be a major liability. We can get into the whole stopping power discussion too.
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if you have children. I would never have one of those around, as children can more easily handle a handgun. If you keep it locked up? Well, not very good for home protection. I use an AR-15 for home defense. Heavy, but manueverable, easy to load, no way my kids can properly use as it is heavy for my wife (she is able to use properly, but it is a struggle enough to know my children can't)
Isn't that temporary though? Your kids will grow up and then what? And you know your children but I would never underestimate what children are capable of doing. My club has a juniors program for kids as young as 8. It's just air rifles/pistols and archery, but some of those air rifles could pass for an AR and are similar in size and weight. Most of the younger kids would struggle with those, but not all.
I have four daughters. I assure you, none of them are capable of handling the gun I have out of a safe. IMO, it is one other level of protection for an accident happening. Keeping ammo out of reach, keeping ammo separate from weapon, etc.
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if you have children. I would never have one of those around, as children can more easily handle a handgun. If you keep it locked up? Well, not very good for home protection. I use an AR-15 for home defense. Heavy, but manueverable, easy to load, no way my kids can properly use as it is heavy for my wife (she is able to use properly, but it is a struggle enough to know my children can't)
For home defense, pump action shotgun with buckshot is a much better option than an AR15 IMO. I just don't think those were made for that intended use. What if you live in an apartment or and home with shared walls. 556 or 223 would be a major liability. We can get into the whole stopping power discussion too.
I don't. Everyone's situation is different. I live on a good sized property in a house. Neighbors aren't close. Just pointing out that I wouldn't have a handgun for home defense if you have children. Young children can easily operate a handgun. They usually can't a much longer, and heavier weapon
With regards to overpenetration, birdshot is what you should really consider. Consider the following video from Paul Harrell. He actually sets up some mock walls 6 ft apart with sheetrock & 2x4s and shoots them with birdshot and 00 buck to demonstrate how they will do, penetration-wise. Then he demonstrates later how much damage bird shot will do to a mock meat-target made from a combination of meat he got from the butcher shop(pork steak, ribs, sausage, beef heart, etc).
It's an older video but still educational.
Bird Shot in your Home Defense Shotgun. - ( New Window )
whatever you get make you practice a lot