Has anyone gone back to a simpler shotgun?

[jon86]

I own a maverick 88 12 gauge, which I use for HD. I'm kind of sentimental about it because it was my first firearm. While there are "better" shotguns on the market, I'm never getting rid of it. It's my most fun gun to shoot! It sports a 18.5 inch barrel with a bead.

Anyways, about a year ago, I put on a side saddle shell holder, a knoxx recoil reducing stock, and a surefire up front. A couple of months ago I had a revelation. I am a quicker to shoulder the gun and get the first shot off accurately with NOTHING on the gun. I have since stripped the gun of all it's "gadgets" and returned it to it's bone stock configuration. Oh, it wears an elastic butt cuff with shells though. Has anyone else had doo-dads on their shotgun only to find that they preferred nothing at all?

 

[rcmodel]

No.

But I started out prefering nothing at all.

If I can't stop a BG inside my house with a stock Browning A-5, he deserved to get me!

rc

 

[BIGGBAY90]

For hd the way they sell it is the way it should be---stock--why all these light,rails etc

 

[beeenbag]

yep, my HD setup is about as simple as it gets.

Keep a flashlight bedside, not on a rail just laying there.

I have a S&W 581 357 mag, and my shotgun is a 5 shot pump with wood furniture and bead sight.

Simplicity

 

[joeq]

For hd the way they sell it is the way it should be---stock--why all these light,rails etc

Sorry, but I don't see a problem mounting a light. I prefer to see what I'm aiming at and that is impossible if it's pitch black. Why would I want a light that's not mounted on my shotgun? It just makes it that much harder to use. Each to their own I suppose.

 

[jon86]

I don't see a problem with mounting a light... i have simply decided that in the house that I am living in right now, a light on a shotgun is not necessary and only adds bulk. Why?

1. I can see relatively well inside my place with all lights turned off. Absolutely well enough to identify that an intruder is an intruder.
2. I consider a shotgun a "hunker down and wait" weapon. I don't have kids, so I will not be walking around looking for whoever might be out there.

 

[walker944]

When I read your post's title I assumed a different path of thought. I used to hunt with heavier bulkier multi-shot shotguns, but have gone to a single shot for lighter weight and greater challenge.

As for gadgets on an HD gun, I have the 18.5" barrel on a Maverick 88 as well, but with a pistol grip replacement for the regular black composite stock. No other accessories needed.

 

[Sunray]

"...doo-dads..." Most of 'em are just a way of separating you from your money. Some of 'em, like pistol grips only, are just plain useless.

 

[bkjeffrey]

Years ago I believed that guns, including my HD Shot guns had to have a mile of rail and as many gadgets as I could fit. As Ive gotten older and practiced with my weapons my tastes have turned more to a simpler bare bones approach. Now all my shotguns are in a more factory, or factory appearing, configuration. I still have slings and oversize safetys on my HD shotguns. The way I see it is if I use a gun in defense of my home my chances of seeing it again may be slim as it could be tied up in legal proceedings for a long time. If I have to lose a gun to the law I would rather lose my simple $300 870 thn some fancy autoloader with hundreds of dollars worth of gizmos on it.

As far as lighting goes, I intentionally keep a few small table lamps on in my home 24 hours a day. Not enough to disturb me while I sleep, but it does two things. One, a light on in a house could be a mild deterrent to a petty criminal who prefers to operate without being seen, and two if I do hear a bump in the night there is enough light in the house to PID anyone without worrying myself with fumbling with a flashlight.

Just my .02

 

[76shuvlinoff]

The only extra my 870 sports is a two shot mag extension.

 

[FLNT4EVR]

Simple,and familiar, mean a lot in HD. Use what you have and you are familiar with.You know it,You know how it works,and you are confident with it. Ther is nothing else to say. A person who can use what he has ,is much more dangerous than a person who has to think about his every move.

 

[Milkmaster]

Has anyone else had doo-dads on their shotgun only to find that they preferred nothing at all?

Many shotgun users have come across that very revelation sooner or later.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Is a single shot 20 ga simple enough?

 

[oldguy870]

Plain 5 shot Remington 870 with a wood stock and 18" barrel is all I need.

If I add an extension, it will make me slower.
If I add ghost ring sights, it will make me slower.
I don't need a fancy pistol grip recoil reducing stock. A straight stock points better.
My house is never pitch black.
Slings catch on things.
Jumbo safeties get in the way.
Side saddles wreck the balance of my gun.
I don't need a red dot sight for a 5-10 foot shot.
A fancy finish is not necessary. I shoot and clean my gun often.
I don't want Vang Comp anything. It is not a rifle. It is a close range weapon.
My factory laminate wood stock looks and feels nice. I would rather spend any extra money I have on ammo and training.

That about sums it up.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I've used everything from a single shot 20 ga to a garand as my bedside gun. i never went without a light.

You may want to rethink not having the light on the gun, because your ability to identify intruders at night will go away if your neighborhood loses power.

failing that, are you willing to sell that forend light?

 

[Girodin]

For hd the way they sell it is the way it should be---stock--why all these light,rails etc

Lights are very useful for IDing something before you shoot it.

yep, my HD setup is about as simple as it gets.

Keep a flashlight bedside, not on a rail just laying there.

I have a S&W 581 357 mag, and my shotgun is a 5 shot pump with wood furniture and bead sight.

Simplicity

A weapon mounted light is IMHO much simpler to use with long guns than a handheld.

 

[Speedgoat]

Remington 870, Winchester Model 12, or a Browning over and under are the only shotguns I really need. They've all got variants to fit any need.

 

[Old Unc']

how simple can you get! Grass roots...

 

[Red Cent]

When things go bump in the night, a 45 acp 1911 with a ten round mag is within easy reach. If I have time, I put the 1911 down beside the 1187 with ten rounds under the trigger. Besides, who puts it to their shoulder.

BTW, it has a light on it.

 

[volleyfire]

Jon86, I have the identical set up. Maverick 88 with stock shell holder. I am more than happy with this set up.

 

[Panzercat]

"...doo-dads..." Most of 'em are just a way of separating you from your money. Some of 'em, like pistol grips only, are just plain useless.

Aw, don't be doggin' on the pistol grips again! I still say a pistol grip allows for a tight manuverability package...

...That said, a flashlight at HD ranges is probably the only attatchement you'll ever need. Maybe a laser if you're feeling frisky for 2am no brainer point and shoot ability. But I will admit that a fully decked out shotty does look sweet, even if I'll never clear a Diehard highrise tower with one.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Is a single shot 20 ga simple enough?

You bet. I have a Stevens (marked Everbest) 20 gauge single shot. I bought it to increase my shotgun skills in trap and skeet shooting, and might use it for a more challenging hunt, but I'd feel perfectly comfortable ysing it for HD.

I, too have a Mav 88 with an 18.5" bbl. I ended up geeking it out with a Pistol grip 6-position buttstock with side saddle, heat shield with ghost ring sights, and a tri-rail forend with mounted LED light.

The geeked up Mav 88 has made it's way back into the safe, while the old Stevens has been getting preferential treatment.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

Simpler than what? OK I went back and read the whole OP. Makes much more sense now. Simple Shotgun took me straight to single shot. Missed where it went right into another HD thread. Explains the detour into flashlights too. If the single shot is closest I'll still use that.
Otherwise I'm liable to use what ever is closest. Even if its a claw hammer.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Yes. I have 2 pump shotguns that would serve the role quite well, but I keep a double barrel by the bed.

 

[Bud Tugly]

I'm a big fan of keeping it simple, and that's why I love double barrels and single shots. The less you have to think about plus lighter weight and quicker mobility are huge pluses in the grouse woods as well as for HD.

Another thought for those with a family - can others use your HD weapon if you happen to be away at the time or go down in the first exchange? An HD weapon that ONLY you can use leaves others in your household vulnerable.