Best Shotgun for Home Defense?

[hoytinak]

I use a Mossberg 500 with a Knoxx Compstock on it and loaded with Hornady TAP 00Buck. It's nothing fancy but I like it nice and simple.

 

[leicajh]

Home Shotgun

Hi group, my first post. I have a Benelli Super Nova with 00 buck-slugs. Im out in the country, so I might grab my M4 carbine instead.

 

[zembonez]

Those Benellis are sweet. Post some pics if you get the chance.

 

[aerod1]

Yipper, I have a Mossberg 500 12ga pump. Holds 8 rounds and makes a lot of noise. Came with 18.5 inch and 28 inch barrels plus a standard stock and a pistol grip. Not a bad weapon for about 250 bucks back in 1990.

I have the same gun. I added the pistol grip on the forearm to go with the rear pistol grip. I also added the Sidekick shell holder that mounts to the left side and a black nylon sling. I think this shotgun is awesome for home defense.

 

[HighVelocity]

I'm very happy with my 870. It's action is slick, fast and reliable.

 

[chevydeerhunter]

I knew you'd come through! Thanks.

Of course! I wouldn't let a fellow Texan/gun owner/GM truck driver down!

 

[Double Naught Spy]

If you are not getting a semi auto, then something like a Knoxx Spec Ops stock is a really sweet consideration. It greatly reduces recoil (actually, it spreads it out over a longer period of time, softening the felt recoil) and because it collapses, makes the shotgun more useful for indoor CQB work. Except for going prone, I shoot might fully collapsed and without the base pad on the stock (shortening he gun by another 1/2" or so.

 

[Kaptain Kolache]

I live in the city, that is out of the question due to overpenetration concerns. Thanks for the comment though.

\

I live in Dallas.

With a good Open Tip Match(OTM, fancy term for JHP), there is a reduced risk of overpentration, even in a miss. This is especially the case with 5.56x45/.223Rem. It is such that Dallas PD SWAT only uses shotguns for breaching now.

Now consider the virtues:

Lightweight(even w/ a light source)
More compact
20-30rd magazine
Faster relaods
Less recoil
Less muzzle rise
Easier to acquire sights
Ability to defeat armor

The vesatility alone makes the carbine the superior choice. You can engage multiple bad guys, faster, more accurately. Lets face it, thats how bad guys are coming now days, in groups, not solo. Furthermore, they are often wearing body armor(this is evidant in two home invasion shootings in Dallas, both times homeowners used a carbine, both times multiple baddies were stopped, both time baddies were wearing vests.).

 

[Texas1911]

I would think there would be an increased problem with night sight due to the large amounts of flash a SBR or 16" AR makes.

Do you have a link for the two stories? Sound like interesting reads.

 

[brainiac]

Another vote for the venerable Mossberg 500; you can get good used ones for less than $200, no paperwork no fuss at the Dallas Market Hall gun shows.

 

[Pappy]

I'm very happy with my 870. It's action is slick, fast and reliable.

I have an 870 also.

Just racking the slide sent one intruder running, and I mean fast.........

 

[Texas1911]

I have an 870 also.

Just racking the slide sent one intruder running, and I mean fast.........

I love that sound

 

[Kaptain Kolache]

I would think there would be an increased problem with night sight due to the large amounts of flash a SBR or 16" AR makes.

Do you have a link for the two stories? Sound like interesting reads.

You know, I used to believe that too, but I recently got a rare chance to experiment a few things when it came to shotguns and carbnes in a house. My uncles house is going to be torn down(because he built another), and before hat happened, we went into it in the middle of the night to shoot a few rounds.

The 12 gauge shotgun, when loaded properly(by properly I mean 00Buck), has quite a bit of flash to it. We fired an 870 Wingmaster loaded with Hornady TAP(I reccomend this load if a shotgun is chosen), and its flash was noiticeable, but not distracting, and the XS "Big Dot" night sight was easily reacquired.

We then used my cousins Bushmaster :-( M4 "Patrolmans Carbine" loaded with Federal Gold Medal 69gr Sierra Matchkings. The flash was bright with this particular round, but as with the shotgun, it wasnt distracting. We triedthe 7gr Hornady TAP, and even though his BM wont stabilize it, it produced very little flash. This could be due to flash retardant powders.

My SAR-1 was used by me. SAR-1 is basically an AK47 but will only fire semi-auto. I used the 124gr Sapsan JHP(8M3). A short dull orange flash was seen by everyone but me.

As for report, I gotta be honest, I couldnt tell the difference. Then again listen to my 1,100 Springs awfully loud.


I will try to find the Dallas Morning News articles, unfortunately, DMN being the way they are, they are probably gone. Pinkos!


And no, the racking of a pump shotgun will not scare off a determined bad guy. It'll just give your position away.

 

[drj3828]

Go with the Benelli NOVA it's the toughest shottie I ever had!

 

[Gopher]

Ithaca model 37 DSPS for me. Rifle sights and an 18 inch barrel. It's an older model with no slide block so it will slam fire if you hold the trigger down and pump the action.

 

[Pappy]

And no, the racking of a pump shotgun will not scare off a determined bad guy. It'll just give your position away.

And so will any firearm action being operated.

If he doesn't run, then bang.

#4 shot will do the job without over penetration of walls.
Remember, your family might be in the next room.....

 

[zembonez]

I have an 870 also.

Just racking the slide sent one intruder running, and I mean fast.........

In many cases this is probably true. The average criminal is an amateur loser and easily spooked by the only real thing he understands - the fear of being shot. In the event it doesn't though, you just gave your location away and better be ready to come out blazing.

 

[TexasT/A]

In many cases this is probably true. The average criminal is an amateur loser and easily spooked by the only real thing he understands - the fear of being shot. In the event it doesn't though, you just gave your location away and better be ready to come out blazing.

Agreed. And why the hell wouldn't you already have one in the chamber if its your primary HD weapon?

 

[Pappy]

Agreed. And why the hell wouldn't you already have one in the chamber if its your primary HD weapon?

That is a given...

In my case it was daylight and the BG was in my driveway nosing around. I came out with my 870 and when he saw me, I racked it. Never saw eyes so big before he out ran the Road Runner......

 

[TexasT/A]

That is a given...

In my case it was daylight and the BG was in my driveway nosing around. I came out with my 870 and when he saw me, I racked it. Never saw eyes so big before he out ran the Road Runner......

Ahh I see. I've never had to take it that far, my dogs always handle it for me. The big one chased someone over my back fence last summer