Shotguns!!!!

Now that I'm not moderating this forum anymore, I have a question for those in the know.

I want to buy a shotgun, a 12 ga. pump action. I don't really care much how much it costs (well, OK, I do care a little - I guess I want to keep it under $1,000 for sure). It's been a long time since I've owned a shotgun, so I'm kinda' out of the loop, although I have been impressed with the Mossbergs I've seen lately.

So here's the deal: those of you in the know, as a going away present to your ex-moderator, please help RoadRunner pick a shotgun. Purpose of the shotgun: general self defense, perhaps occasionally dealing with a rabid coyote, and because I can. And, it has to be top shelf.

I'm on my way to my casita in the middle of nowhere for a short break; I'll read your recommendations when I return. Your advice will be appreciated.

By the way, I enjoyed moderating this forum and getting to know all of you. I hope to return to it when my summer vacation is over.

Sam
aka RoadRunner

;)

The most versatile weapon you will ever find. IMHO. :)

I use my Beretta auto when I hunt fowl these days, but the 870 has been there and done that with NO problems. I figure my 870 will still be shooting fine when my grandkids get it, and I don't even have children yet!

Make sure to get an 870 Magnum. It can fire all sizes of shells. I even use my 870 for sporting clays. With practice, I'm as fast with the pump as I am with the autoloader!

The smaller version in 12 gauge. A Mossberg 500 would be a good runner up, but stay away from the Maverick 88 as it's not quite as sturdy.

shotgun in the world, but I prefer a winchester model 12. Quite a reliable shotgun. Ruggedly built IMO. You can likely find a nice used one (if your not looking for new) relatively cheap.

What can I say? A bayonet lug is a festive perk! ;)

Whether your intention is hunting, target/skeet, or home defense, the Remington 870/1100 series (pump/autoloader) are probably the most "accessorized" shotguns available, although the Mossberg is a close second.

Think about intended use? Home defense requires a short barrel - 18/22", and probably a cylinder bore - ditto deer hunting. Most other sporting uses require a longer barrel and possible a choice of chokes - from cylinder to full. Some barrel manufacturers for the weapons indicated make barrels with interchangeable choke tubes.

Me, I'm a lefty, and the 870 is one of the few models with a left handed version.....

Another valid consideration may be ease of maintenance? If so, look for something in a stainless or marine finish....

I know how many Mossberg-ites are here, but I want to put in a good word for the Browning BPS in 12 guage.

You can still find a nice Browning, used for between $250 and $300. A full set of chokes are available if you decide to do trap, skeet or sporting clays. Then you can use all the money you save to buy a boxes of shells at K-Mart to practice with at the local trap range.

They come in a variety of camo patterns if you ever decide to get serious about duck or pheasant, but mine has a beautiful, traditional walnut stock and blued barrel. It just looks like such a classic piece of American manufacturing that you feel good about it every time you pick it up.

Like most pumps it works like a charm with minimum maintenance and serves as a heck of a Home Defense alternative with some #7 to #9 birdshot.

The only "gadget" I've added is a fiber optic front sight to help my aging eyes acquire the clays a little faster on the trap range.

That's my .02. Good luck Road Runner and get plenty of practice with whatever you buy.

My only experience with pumps have been with a model 12 Winchester, which i grew up with, and model 37 Ithaca's which were are duty weapons. My personal choice would be a good over and under or a side by side, but i tend to be a traditionalist. The pumps are far more versatile.

http://www.vangcomp.com/

Give Hans a call - tell him what you want to use your shotty for - he WILL hook you up.

THEN... take a little trip to Gunsite or if you're in the midwest, pay the Master Chief a visit at

http://shoot-at-the-site.com/

Because really, these people KNOW how to drive shotguns and they do a good job of teaching others how to as well. The old adage that you don't have to "aim" a shotgun is pure bullshit. Pure. These things will do their job (better than almost any other gun in existence) IF you are able to do yours.

Personally, my VCS-870 would be my first choice for practically any self-defense scenario and it's the only gun I keep loaded in my safe. Kent Tactical 00 buck in the gun and 6 Brenneke KO slugs on the side saddle ready to go.

Also, there are a few different ways to attach a light to your shotgun, but by far the brightest and easiest to use will be the SureFire replacement forend. They're a 'lil 'spensive - but you do get what you pay for - esp. when it comes to weapons lights.

Another vote for the 870. If you want to save a bit of cash, pick-up a used one... there's probably millions of them out there at a reasonable price.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/2251/2251-random-1.htm

Depending just how much your cost consideration is, you might want to mount a Surefire system.

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/pgrfnbr/16/sesent/00

These things are not cheap, but they will give you an added defensive edge.

Advantages are: that it gives you added piece of mind in id'ing the target, and they can be used to temporarily blind an intruder or opponent.

as it is racking a round into the chamber could indicate two things to an adversary, either:

#1 - "The home owner is trying to scare me, not kill me, and that's good (because I may not be the kind of home invader that gets scared), now I've got a free turn.", or,

#2 - "The home owner is providing me with an aural cue on his location, a perfect time for me to start shooting in that general direction"

The only time a self-defense shotgun shouldn't have a round in the chamber is when it's being transported (and then it should be kept "cruiser ready").

I'm up here in the middle of nowhere on my laptop and on a dial up so I can't answer each of you, but want to express my thanks for the suggestions.

I have already been considering the Mossberg 500 series, but have now added the Remington 870 and the Browning BPS (thanks DonP for that one) to my list to consider. Getting it down to 3 choices helps a lot. When I get back home next week I'll look at all of them and decide.

Hey Dol, thanks for the link!

Ya'll take care, and don't forget to obey lunabush. Shheez, I guess I have to obey him now too. Oh well.

:evilgrin:

Good to see you again, RR - even if it is on the other side.

Good luck on the gun hunt - go to gun shows - I hear you can get some good deals on weapons that you can't get elsewhere! nudge, wink! Some really cool memorabilia, too! Ok, /sarcasm off!

:hi:

I haven't been on DU for the past few days - I'm in my little casita that I sent you the article on. I only have a dial up and it doesn't work when the crows are sitting on the line.

You keep these folks in line now, ya' hear?

Get an old 870 used, cheap, in poor repair, send it to these folks and a couple of hundred later a fine combat shotgun comes back. Really good deal.

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/s_remingtion_steal.asp

in the Magnum. Lots of barrel and stock aftermarket available. The Benneli auto that was recently introduced looks bang on for an auto loader.

a bit on the pricey side but worth it

I have to agree with many here, the Rem 870 has proved itself. If it's going to be for self defense get one like mine. I have a Tactical 870 similar to what police would use. 18 inch barrel, and two shot mag. extension. Cost about $300 depending on where you live. Then add a surefire light...you can get one designed for 870's and they are built into the foregrip. cost $200 or so, look around online. I also got one of those elastic bands for the stock that hold five shells. Get one of those if you're like me and paranoid about running out of ammo. All together bad ass gun and 12 rounds of buckshot = one of the best defense setups around, just below claymores.

Hard to find and a tad pricey, but, like the new FN Police Tactical, marvelous in case you need to hunt a few Velociraptors....:thumbsup:

cuz' I want one!

ALSO - Whatever you choose – Mossy (shorter stroke – lower price) or the 870 (heavy duty reliability) – the #1 upgrade for these guns (and a cheap and easy one at that) is to replace the safety with a more ergonomically friendly one.

Mossberg:


870:

It has history, class and collectibility. If you're only going to own one, this is it..

I found one in pretty fair condition for $350.00 If you're willing to spend $1000, with some shopping and looking, you can get one that's in excellent condition.

End of story.

With a barrel shroud and bayone mount.

But these are usually in the $1000 to $1500 range for OK quality. Much more expensive and even more collectible, hence harder to find. I'd LOVE to have a vintage trench gun but it might be out of my price range.

Since I already own a nice 97, I might just get the Norinco Trench Gun knock-off. It's such a wicked-cool looking gun.

If you run out of ammo:o , just close with attached batonet.}(