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Home Defense Tactical Shot-Gun

leadrollerzleadrollerz Member Posts: 66 ✭✭
edited April 2002 in Ask the Experts
Can anybody advise me on a tactical shot-gun for home defense? I don't want anything so short that I have to register it as a pistol.Brands/model numbers/accessories/Barrel lengths....etcI like some of the TacStar products..........or is my .40 s&w pistol with 155gr. Hydra-Shocks a better deal than a shot-gun?just curious and shopping....Thank you for your time!!
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Comments

  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    In a close quarters encounter, which do you think would be easier for a burglar to wrest from your grip---a shotgun 3 feet long, or a 9 inch long handgun?If the bad guy can step inside the arc described by your muzzle, you can't shoot him. If he can then get his hands on the shotgun, it is most likely his.
    Certified SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of the General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the premier gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net Jesus is Lord!
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  • niklasalniklasal Member Posts: 776 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nunn is right on that one about a struggle. Still here's something to consider:In the event of a robbery or break in, the shooter - be it you or a loved one - is under a lot of stress and if they are not an experienced shooter they are going to miss. With Shotguns you can't miss.I have a Mossberg 500 for home defense. It is inexpensive ($200), reliable, has a 7-shot capacity, top folding stock, and is loaded with rubber buckshot. If a punk breaks in, the sound of the pump should stop him dead in his tracks. I keep it filled with non-lethal rubber buckshot because I work nights, and if I ever come home in the middle of the night and the missus shoots me by accident, I'll survive. I'll be in PAIN, but I'll survive.
    NIKLASAL@hotmail.com
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  • Gordian BladeGordian Blade Member Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I vote for the Mossy 500 too. It won't let you down and there are a lot of after-market goodies for it. I have the shortest barrel that's legal, 18.5 inches, which is about the same length as the 6-shell magazine. I can't decide between a conventional stock or a pistol grip. I have both and its easy to change, but not in the heat of a crisis. Anybody close enough to grab the shotgun with the pistol grip is just about close enough to knock a handgun aside also.But I have to give a lot of credence to what nunn says, he knows more than I do. I have read and talked to various experts who recommend a carbine, a shotgun, or a handgun for home defense depending on who you believe. All three have + and - points.
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  • leadrollerzleadrollerz Member Posts: 66 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well I was hoping for a little more input, but thank you all for your input...!and to "nunn"......reading the last three words of your tag line was very impressive....YES...JESUS IS LORD!!! I wish more people would be more upfront with there faith.....I applaud you!!!!!Thank You!!
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  • Gordian BladeGordian Blade Member Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sorry, leadrollerz, a lot of people have a life on Saturday night. I'm sitting in front of my computer trying to figure out why my custom software program is giving my best client garbage answers.
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  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You can miss with a shotgun, the spread pattern the first few feet is still rather small.With a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870, you cannot go wrong for reliabiity.I would advise against a pistol grip. It makes the gun hard to control and can cause major pain. (One of my customers broke her wrist after listening to her friend about what configuration her shotgun needed)As with anything, you must practice to aquaint yourself with the handling characteristics and to familiarize yourself with the noise, muzzle blast, etc.As far as being wrested away from you, the best course of action is to call 911 and then do not go looking for the intruder. Stay down, stay back, and let the intruder expose themself.
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  • leadrollerzleadrollerz Member Posts: 66 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well I would like a little explanation from Gordian Blade...I took took your last post a little sarcastically, ......Go back and read my original post......
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  • pjpjrpjpjr Member Posts: 125 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I really think the best advise is to find a firearm you are comfortable with and then make the committment to train and practice and practice some more. Point is that a shotgun may or may not be the best choice for you, maybe the handgun you already own is best? Only you know that. We can all make a recomendation to you based on personal preference, best balistics, patterns, ammo, size etc. But again none of this means anything if YOU are not comfortable with it. My 2 cents.
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  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    good points both ways. we live ina rural area & some friends late nite calls to the sheriff's office have yet to be answered. take care of yourself....i cover it both ways a mossberg 500, 18.5", pistol grip, real lead out of a dependable gun with the ergo safety on top, toward them is go, toward you is not,,plus a taurus dbl action auto 40 cal,, this tempered by a knowledge of your state's laws on how to correctly protect your person & property
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  • Gordian BladeGordian Blade Member Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hi leadrollerz, I wasn't being sarcastic about your comment but about myself! It's good old GB who is sitting home on Saturday night debugging a program he thought was working perfectly, taking a break now and then to see if anything interesting is happening on this board. That's what I would call not having a life![This message has been edited by Gordian Blade (edited 03-03-2002).]
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  • niklasalniklasal Member Posts: 776 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Gordian, it's you and me working the midnight oil buddy. I'm at work too But while you are debugging computer programs, I am here babysitting a bunch of schizophrenics.Also, it you are unsure between the pistol grip and the conventional stock, I'd recommend the top folder. I have one made by ATI that works real well. Go to www.atigunstocks.com for ideas.I still think the shotgun is best, LEAD. As for the recoil, i really don't think it's that bad. After 50 rounds or so, you hand gets a little tingly, but that's it. I've evenfired it one handed (not recommended, but i was curious) and it wasn't bad either. I take the missus out every few months to get reacquainted with mine.
    NIKLASAL@hotmail.com
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've read that the mossberg 410 ga., 20" barrel, pistol grip is the best home defense weapon. It looks like a bad * gun also. Just like it's big brother the 12 ga. parkerized and heat sheild.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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  • sodbustersodbuster Member Posts: 2,305 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've got a Maverick 88 with a 18 1/2 inch barrel sitting handy to get to in our bedroom. My opinion is a firearm in its stock configuration would be quicker to use in an emergency. If you modify the firearm with a folder, make sure that you take the wife out with you, to the range, to familiarize both you and her with the operation of the gun. Remember if you should have an intruder there will be little time to fiddle around. My suggestion would be that if this weapon is used for home defense only and you need the compactness of a folder,just go with a pistol grip only configuration. Also you will need to identify your target. Should the intruder cut your power and you have no lights, I feel that some sort of Tac-Light mounted under the barrel is mandatory. The disadvantage of giving away your location to the intruder by way of the light is minimal compared to the advantages you will get with the capability to positively identify your assailiant and possibly blind them with the light. Also practice finding and turning on the switch in the dark so that it's second nature turning it on, remember no fiddling time. I don't keep a round in the chamber, but have the gun ready to rack a round in without having to push the release button. As mentioned in the previous post the sound of the shell being chambered just might be enough to send the assailant running. Also I use 00 Buckshot, my opinion is that if the situation would ever happen that I feel the need to pick up that shotgun, I should be prepared to protect my family's and my life with lethal force. Shooting rubber bullets can be lethal at short range but If I feel that if my life is being threatened, I should respond accordingly. A Beretta 92F is close by also, however, I've heard too many stories of pistol rounds not stopping the charge of a drug enraged attacker. If you just wound the invader, he will probably sue you later,,and win!! All previous posts gave you valuable info,,this is just my opinion.
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    sodbuster; I disagree with your choice of ammo. At close quarters, the more pellets the better.That's why I use birdshot. I figure the farthest I'm going to shot is 15 feet because of room size, it's not like being outdoors.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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  • JudgeColtJudgeColt Member Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The comment about not being able to miss with a shotgun shows the problem with the popular myth that you do not need to aim a shotgun. Just take your shotgun out and pattern it at 10 feet. Your pattern will probably be 3 to 10 inches, depending on load, etc.. You will NOT cover an entire door or wall as many seem to believe. (G. Gordan Lidy once made this same statement on his radio program about not being able to miss when giving advice on home defense. I was shocked at his ignorance.)As far as the ideal shotgun, I think a box magazine is important so the shotgun can be loaded and unloaded rapidly using extra magazines. The only box magazine pump shotgun currently available here is the Valtro, the same gun as the old EAA PM2 Atis Armi and the AA PM5. Knoxx Industries has a kit out to convert the Mossberg 12-gauge pumps to a removable 10-round drum. Knoxx is working on a similar kit for the Remington M870. I think these are important accessories for any Mossberg.The comments about handling a long gun in close quarters are also important. For the reason given, a shotgun is a good weapon for a safe room, but a poor one for the average home owner to go house clearing.
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  • Mr. LoboMr. Lobo Member Posts: 538 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yesterday I was shooting some clays and one of my friends who wanted to go over to the steel plates and give it a try. You are absolutely right with the perceived spread of the shot. I was shooting from the hip at 25 to 35 feet and hitting the 2-foot steel plate was not as easy as I had thought it would be. My son is a LEO and say they practice only from the shoulder. We tried it that way with much better success. We were using long barrel full choke shotguns, which would make a difference. As far as your question goes what about the Berreta? I am going to start on 3 gun shoot classes and my instructor recommended the Berreta. I agree with nunn as far as using a handgun at close range say less than 15 feet. Even at that you still don't stand much of a chance against a knife unless your pistol is drawn and ready. Just my humble opinion.
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  • kptaylorkptaylor Member Posts: 3 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had the exact same decision to make after I figured my wife and sons wouldn't be too well armed with my 1911. (They don't go to the range with me.)I wound up with a Winchester 1300 Defender in 20 gauge. The defender has 8 shot capacity, 18" barrel and a shorter butt stock. Loaded with #4 buck, it is arguably the best home defense weapon around.I do agree with Nunn, though. If I hear something, I take my pistol with me. If I'm not home, I hope the slide racking on the shotgun is all that would be needed to scare the bad guy off until the cops arrive. (Phone is actually the first weapon you grab.)
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  • priority1_20priority1_20 Member Posts: 7 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Valtro 12 ga 7 shot removable magazine feed pump that is perfect for home defense, and I agree on using birdshot as most shots taken in self defense are close and there is little recoil!!! I also have a NIB Valtro for sale!!!
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