Home defense shotgun - advise needed

[Exiled]

For a few months now, I've been researching the topic and planning to purchase. I've narrowed it down to a Remington 870 variant or a Mossberg 590 variant. I plan to add the lightest adjustable stock I can find and a comfortable grip.

Now, here's where I need some advice. When I think "shotgun", I think 12-gauge. It's what I've always owned/operated and I used to have a Winchester Defender 1200 that I loved. *BUT*, I want my wife to be able to shoot it accurately in an emergency, so a friend of mine who's a Secret Service agent suggested I look at 20-gauge.

What's the general consensus? My wife is about 5'9", she's strong but not very heavy (six 6, no clue how much she weighs and I dare not ask), and she's fired shotguns for sport in the past but never something with a shorter barrel.

Is there a significant difference in the recoil? I'm leaning towards just getting a 12-gauge, but if it's a huge difference, maybe I'll consider a 20-gauge.

Thanks in advance!

Henry

[Brian in Oregon]

You can get 12ga "managed recoil" 00 buck 2-3/4" shells that are loaded down to lessen recoil. These are loaded down to velocities typical with trap, skeet and sporting clays ammo.

Remington Express® Managed-Recoil™ Buckshot

The main reason to go to a 20ga is for a lighter weight gun that's slimmer in the girth of the grip and forend. However, a light 20ga can kick just as much as a heavier 12ga when regular buckshot loads are used.

The 590 was never made in 20ga. It is a mil-spec 12ga shotgun. And indeed it is a large gun. It's my pump of choice.

The 870 in 12 or 20ga is a good choice, though the 590 has some advantages, such as being immune to problems caused by short stroking. Inexperienced shooters, especially under duress, sometimes short stroke pumps. The 870 comes in a wide variety of models and barrel lengths. For a shorter Mossberg or a 20 ga you'll have to look at the 500 models.

I had a Winchester Defender. The rotary bolt made it one of the fastest pumps out there. In fact, if you held it one handed and fired it, the action would fully open. I thought the recoil was excessive for a pump.

[ferg]

Check into Aguila 12Ga Mini shells. Mix of #4/#1 shot with reduced powder load for lower recoil for home defence and smaller framed shooters.

Minishells - Centurion Ordnance, Inc.

[IdahoDoug]

If it's for your wife, consider an integrated laser/light that goes on with the squeezing action of gripping the gun. In a panic you simultaneously ID the target and confirm you're on target to pull the trigger. I have no thoughts on a lesser powered shotgun. We have a Mossberg 500 with a tac light (light only, no laser).

DougM

[Brian in Oregon]

Doug, some of the very short shells may require lifter or other modifications to work.

Aquila mini shells - Stormfront White Nationalist Community

Minishells - Centurion Ordnance, Inc.

Minishells - Centurion Ordnance, Inc.

FIREARM OVERLOAD Aguila Minishell Mossberg 500 Modification

[Landpimp]

are you sure you want a shotgun for HD? myself I prefer a 38/357 wheelgun, just easier to manage in a home.......but do have pump 12's for backup

20g IMOP would work fine, WHATEVER works for her is the key, if she is not comfortable with it.....she wont want to use it

[Trunk Monkey]

I'd go shotgun over pistol in a home with kids, less likely to go through walls. For me a 20g. is better for an all day carry hunting gun ust because it's a lighter gun. But I can see your friend's point. The 20g. would probably feel better to a woman, easier to lift and shoulder. I'm sure you've thought of it but if you haven't, make sure you get the 18 or 20" barrel. I was at someone's home and they were proudly showing me the 1187 they had for home defense - with the 30" barrel. That wouldn't be awkward to walk through the house with.

[Bighead]

Originally Posted by Landpimp

...WHATEVER works for her is the key, if she is not comfortable with it.....she wont want to use it

An emphatic x2. I have a Mossberg 500 Persuader w/ pistol grip that I have for HD. Once I took my wife to the range so she could practice with it I realized she was not comfortable with it in the pistol grip config. She ended up wanting a pistol so I bought her a Glock 26 and she has been happy, and comfortable, with it.

Back on topic, I like my 500 for HD. The only thing I want to add would be a Knoxx collapsible stock.

[informationjunky]

If you go with the 870, I have a police surplus top folding stock on mine that I really like.

[fj45lv]

She really needs to be comfortable with whatever you choose. At 5'9" she should have large enough hands to grip a 12 ga. (Ok, assumption on my part, my bad). She can shoot the lighter loads for practice and to become comfortable with it, then introduce her to the heavier loads for "business and varmint control"

The 12 ga gives you more ammunition (including lighter loads) options than the 20 ga.

She should also have a handgun for backup if using the shotgun as primary for e HD.

If she is not relatively strong, a pump may be too large, heavy, which = uncomfortable for her to shoot/handle, she also may not be able to cycle the pump comfortably/efficiently, bad news for a deadly encounter.

If the 12ga pump is still too much for her to handle, consider a double bbl 12 ga. Not as good for capacity, but functional and comfortable. Or the Winchester 1887 lever replicas still have capacity (think TERMINATOR here, limited to 2 3/4" shells though) easier to grip than the pumps, also grip area doesn't move.

If your primary HD is a pump in 12 ga then it keeps you both using the same ga shells, with the better selection of shell types vs 20 ga.

My .02

Eric C.

[Exiled]

Thanks, guys, I appreciate the feedback. Current HD is a 9mm loaded with Cor-Bon that my wife's very comfortable with and uncannily accurate with. We've just been thinking about something with a bit more punch.

The short barrel is a must, I think 18" is the legal limit in the state and that's what I'll shoot for.

A few weeks ago I spent a day at the local gun show trying out different configurations and I think I like the M4-style tactical stock better than the folding ones.

I'm going to ask a buddy who has a 12-gauge M590 if I can borrow it, let my wife put some rounds through it. I like the thought of lighter load shells, I'm looking for stopping power, not penetration.

I've also been jonesing for a Bushmaster M4 carbine but I have zero justifiable arguments to buy one, so the $$$ would have to come out of my Cruiser budget. The HD shotgun is excempt!

[Landpimp]

good on the pistol

18" is the legal limit without going thru the SBR/AOW(short barrel rifle or Any Other Weapon) tax stamp/paper work

while it seems EVERYONE is useing M4 stocks on EVERYTHING these days.......it does make sense as you can tailor the length of pull for her or you.

I have the 590A1(mill spec, heavy duty 590) with the M4 style Knoxx Spec Op stock(reduces felt recoil) on it and it works, Connie has shot it with TAP rounds....she was "OK" with it, but prefered(even though lighter) the Benelli with light loads, but to be honest, she will not use a shotgun for HD...but dont mess with her with the J frame or HK SP89

these are my HD shotguns

top, Benelli M1S90
middle 590A1
bottom Ithaca M37(I really like these, they will slamfire(hold trigger and pump)
(all 18" barrels)




my only issue with a pump is, unless its ingrained or practiced with, the 2nd shot under stress might not happen......I know alot of folks that just keep pulling the trigger and not pump, also short stroking is very likely with a pump. That said, I dont think a semi is really a better choice as they can be more complex to operate and some dont like light loads. the 18" side by side is not a bad choice really...and a good one is $200-300


Henry.......you dont need a reason for the M4......this is America(at least for now)

Originally Posted by Exiled

Thanks, guys, I appreciate the feedback. Current HD is a 9mm loaded with Cor-Bon that my wife's very comfortable with and uncannily accurate with. We've just been thinking about something with a bit more punch.

The short barrel is a must, I think 18" is the legal limit in the state and that's what I'll shoot for.

A few weeks ago I spent a day at the local gun show trying out different configurations and I think I like the M4-style tactical stock better than the folding ones.

I'm going to ask a buddy who has a 12-gauge M590 if I can borrow it, let my wife put some rounds through it. I like the thought of lighter load shells, I'm looking for stopping power, not penetration.

I've also been jonesing for a Bushmaster M4 carbine but I have zero justifiable arguments to buy one, so the $$$ would have to come out of my Cruiser budget. The HD shotgun is excempt!

[Exiled]

Thanks, John,that 590 is very close to what I'm envisioning! Let's be clear, the justification for the M4 is only for the Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, apparently a playscape for the boys takes precedence over more guns??? (first I hear of this)!

Also tied to a 4x4Labs bumper that I treated myself too a few weeks ago...he, he!

[hkeller]

Just a thought: Try to remember that, in the event you have to use a gun for self defense, you may be charged with a crime. In that event, you do not want the prosecution to display a combat type weapon to the jury. The more the gun looks like a hunting firearm, the better off you will be. If the jury sees a combat type weapon, they invariably will think, "This guy was just waiting for a chance to shoot someone."

Depending on your state, you may or may not have a free pass to use deadly force to repel intruders from your home. As sad as it is, in many states you have to have no reasonable escape option before you can use deadly force as self defense, even in your home at night. Hopefully, law enforcement will be understanding, but some prosecutors can be pretty liberal.