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Hello

Shotgun MamaShotgun Mama Member Posts: 2

Hey this is Shotgun Mama new member here, just checking in.

I have a question, about self defense shotguns... What would you guys recommend?

Comments

  • mohawk600mohawk600 Member Posts: 5,529 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2020
    Hey Shotgun Mama....Remington 870 tactical.......hands down.
  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,049 ✭✭✭✭
    Right now expect to pay a high premium on those or any "riot" shotgun.
  • BobJudyBobJudy Member Posts: 6,678 ✭✭✭✭
    I second the 870 tactical. It's simple, foolproof and has stood the test of time. But not knowing any details about you like age, stature or firearms experience there may be better options. If you are of small stature and are recoil sensitive then perhaps an 870 youth model in 20 gauge. It has a short barrel, shorter stock than the full size and the 20 gauge can be easier to manage. Bob
  • Butchdog2Butchdog2 Member Posts: 3,834 ✭✭✭✭
    Don't need much of a shot gun, the ex-vp says just fire a couple blast up in the air to scare the hoodlums away.
    Be sure you are outside so you want punch a hole in the ceiling.
    Remington 870 is a top notch firearm for anything shotgun related.
    True story, Good friend was having barking dog issues, he grabs the ole 12 gauge, steps out on the porch to blast a couple holes in the sky. Kaboom. Lights go out and a big swooshing sound then a big thud. Yep, power line DRT.
  • gjshawgjshaw Member Posts: 14,770 ✭✭✭✭

    Welcome to the zoo mama. Hope you have thick skin and and can take a beating as some days it gets down and dirty on here. We are all a bunch of arm chair quarter backs with lots of useless info for anyone that will listen to us. Again, welcome to the forum.

  • badchrisbadchris Member Posts: 1,676 ✭✭✭

    Welcome!

    Another mossberg 500 fan here. I prefer the tang mounted safety. Don’t get turned off by the aluminum receiver, mine has seen heavy use for almost 30 years without issue

    The Remington 870 is also a great choice.

    Both have stood the test of time and doubt either is planning to cease production any time soon.

    Enemies of armed self-defense focus on the gun. They ignore the person protected with that gun.
  • BobJudyBobJudy Member Posts: 6,678 ✭✭✭✭
    gjshaw said:

    Welcome to the zoo mama. Hope you have thick skin and and can take a beating as some days it gets down and dirty on here. We are all a bunch of arm chair quarter backs with lots of useless info for anyone that will listen to us. Again, welcome to the forum.

    Hey! Hey! Hey! I resemble that remark. 😄 Bob
  • Ricci.WrightRicci.Wright Member Posts: 5,127 ✭✭✭✭
    Remington 870 youth 20 gauge. I have sold many. This was our go to shotgun when training women with a home defense shotgun. We tried every short 20 gauge pump and the Remington was the best. and I do recommend a 20 over a 12 for most females. The little Remington is light and easy to handle and shoot. Good luck.
  • Bubba Jr.Bubba Jr. Member Posts: 8,303 ✭✭✭✭
    No matter what gun you choose, make sure you have good ear protection. I also have an 870 with extended magazine, and fortunately I haven't had to defend the fort yet, but I'm ready to.
    I also extend my welcome as well.
  • danielgagedanielgage Member Posts: 10,592 ✭✭✭✭
    welcome
    with a handle like Shotgun Mama you will fit right in






    I reckon so
  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,893 ✭✭✭✭
    I live near the water, so my choice was an older Winchester Stainless Marine.  But, if I were buying today, I like the Mossberg 590.
    Neal
    "The 2 greatest enemies of guns are politicians & rust."
  • NeoBlackdogNeoBlackdog Member Posts: 17,306 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2020
    If I were to build what I think is the perfect home defense shotgun for my wife, it would be a 20 gauge Benelli M2 compact with a Comfortech stock, 18" barrel, and an extended magazine tube.   I've looked and looked but can't find an 18" or even a 21" barrel in 20 gauge, though!  24" seems to be as short as they go in a 20.  
    Yes, it would be expensive!
  • dreherdreher Member Posts: 8,896 ✭✭✭✭
    Welcome!!  My advice would be similar to what has already been given to you.  There is a problem with all this advice however.  That problem is the simple issue of supply and demand.  Right now trying to buy a pump shotgun off the rack at a local store I would rate as pretty much impossible.  I haven't checked the auction side so I don't know about availability or prices.

    One thought I do have if you can't find what you want on the auction side, or want to hold your future purchase before buying is go with a hunting shotgun.  I was at Academy yesterday and anything tactical is non existent.  Hunting rifles/shotguns could be had, if a little pricey as they were good quality/brands.  A good turkey hunting shotgun way not be my number one choice for home defense but I would take it in a flash over a handgun.  The next problem is ammo.  Buckshot is very hard to find but 71/2 can be had with no problem.  Again, my first choice, no, but it sure beats an empty shotgun!!  

    There is also the original assault rifle.  A lever action 30-30 would also defend your house and family.   I saw a bunch of lever actions at Academy yesterday and lots of ammo if you were looking for deer hunting ammo.
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    See is you cant find a used Mossberg 500 in 20 or 12ga; they are excellent guns and the tang safety is easier to use IMNSHO.
  • gesshotsgesshots Member Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2020
     Hey Mama, "Welcome To The Party, Pal"
    You Could say I'm old fashioned but I also know what works, tried and true -
    Win. Models 12 & 97, > both have  the ability to "slam fire" too. I own three of each and you can get mag. extension tubes. Both served in WW1 to the present.
    Mod. 97
    Mod. 12
    Good Luck ! :)B)

    It's being willing. I found out early that most men, regardless of cause or need, aren't willing. They blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull the trigger. I won't. ~ J.B. Books
  • gesshotsgesshots Member Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2020
    All new shooters need guidance to be certain !
    These weapons were issued to thousands of US service men and police ... most of whom didn't know muzzle from breech !
    B)
    It's being willing. I found out early that most men, regardless of cause or need, aren't willing. They blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull the trigger. I won't. ~ J.B. Books
  • chiefrchiefr Member Posts: 14,116 ✭✭✭✭
    mohawk600 said:
    Hey Shotgun Mama....Remington 870 tactical.......hands down.
    Yep
  • Shotgun MamaShotgun Mama Member Posts: 2

    Thank y'all for all the replies!

    To answer Bobjuds question I'm 78 about 5'6 , and little fire arms experience. I was thinking of a 12 gauge but maybe a 20 gauge would be better. I live near Sacramento and there is some crazy * that happens around where I live. My brother and his wife had someone come into their house through a doggy door while they were sleeping!! Stole an iPad and iphone!!

    I've been watching this one https://www.gunbroker.com/item/875027643

    But maybe a 20 gauge would be better for me, only time I will use it is to get familiar with it after purchasing and then if anyone with bad intentions enters my home.

    I'll look into the Mossberg and the other Remington mentioned.


    Thanks guys for all your help! 😁😁👍🏻

  • Butchdog2Butchdog2 Member Posts: 3,834 ✭✭✭✭
    If a  20 gauge in not available try for a 12 and shoot mini shells.
  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,285 ******
    20 ga youth model.  
  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    Winchester Model 1912s and 1897s are my favorite and I have quite a few of them but they're to good of a gun to be confiscated for evidence by the police after having to shoot a thug that's broken into your home to rob and kill you. So I keep my model 12s and 97 in the safe.

    I keep a Winchester Model 1200 12 ga. riot pump shotgun that was a police trade-in by my bedside. They're good guns but no where close to the quality of the 12s and 97s that are made from machined parts instead of stamped steel and cast parts like the 1200s. 

    Winchester Model 1912s are the best shotguns ever made in my opinion. Just hold the trigger down and they'll fire as fast as you can pump them as will the 97s. They didn't call them and the 97s trench sweepers or trench brooms during WWI for no reason. Germany, the country that used mustard gas and flame throwers on the allied soldiers, had the gall to lodge a diplomatic protest against their use by American forces. America told Germany to stuff it!   
     https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/this-awesome-trench-gun-terrified-germans-in-both-world-wars




    Winchester Model 1897.
     
    Winchester Model 1200 Riot.

  • likemhotlikemhot Member Posts: 2,885 ✭✭✭
    My son is small in stature and to make a long story short, as we taught him gun safety and love of the outdoors, he has been shooting the Mossberg 500 Bantam 20 ga for as long as I can remember. He has taken everything from ducks to turkeys to geese, shoots trap and skeet, 5 stand and all the games and has never looked back. He is also left handed and the thumb tang safety works perfect for him. For over 20 years it has been his go to gun.  Best money we ever invested. 
  • gesshotsgesshots Member Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2020
    NOTHING, quite as intimidating as looking down a side x side !!! even 20ga a 10 ga seldom needs to speak :)B)


    It's being willing. I found out early that most men, regardless of cause or need, aren't willing. They blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull the trigger. I won't. ~ J.B. Books
  • asopasop Member Posts: 9,031 ✭✭✭✭
    Buy a cheap one and get a good dog :o
  • mohawk600mohawk600 Member Posts: 5,529 ✭✭✭✭

    Thank y'all for all the replies!

    To answer Bobjuds question I'm 78 about 5'6 , and little fire arms experience. I was thinking of a 12 gauge but maybe a 20 gauge would be better. I live near Sacramento and there is some crazy * that happens around where I live. My brother and his wife had someone come into their house through a doggy door while they were sleeping!! Stole an iPad and iphone!!

    I've been watching this one https://www.gunbroker.com/item/875027643

    But maybe a 20 gauge would be better for me, only time I will use it is to get familiar with it after purchasing and then if anyone with bad intentions enters my home.

    I'll look into the Mossberg and the other Remington mentioned.


    Thanks guys for all your help! 😁😁👍🏻

    You are getting good advice here........."through the doggy door" ?  Dayemn
  • NeoBlackdogNeoBlackdog Member Posts: 17,306 ✭✭✭✭
    mohawk600 said:

    Thank y'all for all the replies!

    To answer Bobjuds question I'm 78 about 5'6 , and little fire arms experience. I was thinking of a 12 gauge but maybe a 20 gauge would be better. I live near Sacramento and there is some crazy * that happens around where I live. My brother and his wife had someone come into their house through a doggy door while they were sleeping!! Stole an iPad and iphone!!

    I've been watching this one https://www.gunbroker.com/item/875027643

    But maybe a 20 gauge would be better for me, only time I will use it is to get familiar with it after purchasing and then if anyone with bad intentions enters my home.

    I'll look into the Mossberg and the other Remington mentioned.


    Thanks guys for all your help! 😁😁👍🏻

    You are getting good advice here........."through the doggy door" ?  Dayemn
    Big dogs or skinny perps?
  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    Welcome.  If we lived closer I would let you shoot some of mine and you would have a better idea of what you could use.
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