Home defense shotgun

[Thomastrollope]

Hello, new to the forum.

I’m looking for a home defense shotgun and have been doing some research. I keep hearing Mossberg 500, the Remington 870, and some others. I grew up with the 500 in the home but want to see if anyone had experience with other options and ideas. Trying to keep it under 300 or without trade value of the black powder rifle I have.

 

[RTJ Traveler]

Both shotguns that you mention are perfect, for me I prefer the Mossberg models only because the safety is located on the rear of the receiver as opposed to the just above the trigger guard. Having it right there in front of your face and closer to your strong hand thumb is better in my opinion for knowing, seeing and feeling your shotgun's state of readiness for home defense.

Just my two cents. Both Remington and Mossberg are top notch.

 

[5lima30ret]

I have had both Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 and either is a great choice. I would avoid the Maverick's even though they are similar they are not of same quality as a Mossberg 500. That being said a used Winchester 1200/1300 is well within your price range. They are great shotguns and have a faster slicker action than the Mossberg or Remington! Good luck!

 

[Thomastrollope]

Great to hear! I found a 1300 on here and wanted second opinions. It seems like I might be going with that option!

 

[Thomastrollope]

Both shotguns that you mention are perfect, for me I prefer the Mossberg models only because the safety is located on the rear of the receiver as opposed to the just above the trigger guard. Having it right there in front of your face and closer to your strong hand thumb is better in my opinion for knowing, seeing and feeling your shotgun's state of readiness for home defense.

Just my two cents. Both Remington and Mossberg are top notch.

Totally agree. It’s hard to miss if your shotgun is action ready if the safety is right in front of your eye. For defense readiness do you keep one in the chamber? I do with my carry gun but I feel like their might be more discussion around the response time difference in a home defense situation

 

[5lima30ret]

Great to hear! I found a 1300 on here and wanted second opinions. It seems like I might be going with that option!

FWIW, The Winchester 1200 was the Army issue shotgun during Vietnam era. I have a 1200 in 20 ga that is as fast possibly faster than some semi-auto's. The Winchester 1200/1300 uses a rotary bolt that was copied by FN. FN's are great but are big bucks!

 

[kwb377]

I own/ have owned several 500/590/88/870/1200 shotguns, and all will do what you need it to.
The only caveats I'd add on the 1200/1300 is that they have a fiddly ejector (the design has been changed a few times...if you break one you'll have to find the specific version to replace yours. If you break the pin in the receiver the ejector locates on, you're SOL), and the plastic magazine throats can break/disintegrate as they age.

I loved the look and feel of my 1965-vintage 1200 (the action felt like it ran on ball bearings), but I wound up trading it off and deciding to stick with the other designs.

 

[Beastmaker]

I have a 870 and the maverick 88. I've had more trouble with the 870, it doesn't like cheap shells. the 88 eats everything so far. I believe the Mossberg holds an extra shell also.

 

[MikeR]

I have a 500 and an 870. Both are fantastic shotguns and I have both configured for home defense. I will say the 870 seems to be a tad higher quality. The forend doesn’t rattle and rock like the 500. The fit and finish seem a little better too. However both are great.

 

[Bamarider]

Hello, new to the forum.

I’m looking for a home defense shotgun and have been doing some research. I keep hearing Mossberg 500, the Remington 870, and some others. I grew up with the 500 in the home but want to see if anyone had experience with other options and ideas. Trying to keep it under 300 or without trade value of the black powder rifle I have.

Steven’s model 320 security 18in barrel. Is a good choice. And it’s around 200 at Academy.

 

[dc2010]

Steven’s model 320 security 18in barrel. Is a good choice. And it’s around 200 at Academy.

I paid $130 for mine on GB thats inluding FFL and shipped.

 

[jamestucker205]

I had picked up a g force gf2p for 200 a while back . I’m pleased with it so far especially at the price point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[condoor]

As others have said the thumb safety on the Mossbergs is nice. I really don't want my trigger finger having to work a crossbolt button safety in a high stress situation.

Also if you've spent any time behind an AR or 1911 your thumb is already somewhat conditioned to work the safety.

 

[Old Dog]

Grab an inexpensive pump and modify it to suit you.It's a defensive tool, not a trap gun. I have a Maverick 88 with folding stock. As good as you need,so are others.For hunting or shooting, I have a Benelli and a Weatherby o/u. The location of safety should make no difference-become familiar with whatever you get and remember it's function.It will be abused and not a "show" piece.

 

[JT300]

I have a Winchester 1300 defender 18in idk how many rounds I've put through it but its a lot, no issues I've ran every ammo from off the Walmart shelf too specialty ammo. Hell it even runs mini shells, id recommend federal flight control as main defensive ammunition but for the best advice I would ask @kwb377

edit: paid $200 used at a pawn shop don't know what they run online

 

[HansGruber]

either for your budget is a good choice.

 

[whiskerz]

Steven’s model 320 security 18in barrel. Is a good choice. And it’s around 200 at Academy.

Do you really want to trust your life to a Chinese shotgun? If you insist on using a shotgun use something decent and reliable. Police trade in 870's turn up from time to time. They are cheap and reliable.

 

[TwinGlock40z]

Mossberg 500 series all the way. They feel cheaper and are noisy compared to the 870s. That being said, I have carried both on duty and always had problems out of the 870s. They don't like cheaper shells for sure. They dont feed the federal good stuff very well either. The Mossbergs do not quit. They eat everything. Tons of 870 police trade ins out there. Because, they all went to the mossbergs. The departments with mossbergs have 20 year old plus shotguns still going.

 

[Drsp4rks]

I have a 590 and think it is great. The bullpup shotguns are interesting to me but they are really cheap. I’m not sure what the quality and reliability would be.

 

[Dfalt]

For defense readiness do you keep one in the chamber? I do with my carry gun but I feel like their might be more discussion around the response time difference in a home defense situation

Typically shotgun safeties aren't as robust as something like a pistol or rifle and are not considered to be safe enough to keep chambered as many accidents have happened with chambered shotguns being dropped, even on safe.

The preferred method for storing a defensive pump shotgun is what's called "cruiser ready", which is to keep the magazine tube loaded with the gun not chambered hammer down and off safety. This way all you need to do is pump it to be ready to use it, and it's safe to store since it's not chambered so there's no risk of it going off if jostled or dropped.