So I'm looking to round out the collection with a shotgun. I've settled on a tactical 870 12 gauge, I'm looking for a simple close range sight for it. I've talked to a few people who have suggested Tritium among other things, but what I would prefer would be a laser. Anybody know if there is such an animal? Ideally I'd like something like the ramp style forend grip like what is available for ARs with a laser in it that turns on when the forend is squeezed.
Laser for 870
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The best close range sight is already sitting on the end of the barrel.
Nothing beats a bead for speed.
I strongly suggest doing some actual shooting with your new shotgun before spending your cash on anything but ammo and range time.
I've shot well into 6 figures of shells in the last half century. Hunting, 3 gun, practical, clays etc. I've yet to do anything with a shotgun that a laser was needed or would improve performance.....
Nothing beats a bead for speed.
I strongly suggest doing some actual shooting with your new shotgun before spending your cash on anything but ammo and range time.
I've shot well into 6 figures of shells in the last half century. Hunting, 3 gun, practical, clays etc. I've yet to do anything with a shotgun that a laser was needed or would improve performance.....
Sound advice, thank you. I have no experience with shotguns so this is new to me. is there any advantage of going beyond the express model for home defense?
If you just gotta buy something, buy a good light of some kind.
You can't shoot it if you can't see it.
If the light is forearm or barrel/mag tube mounted?
At shotgun range, the shot goes pretty much where the light beam is.
rc
You can't shoot it if you can't see it.
If the light is forearm or barrel/mag tube mounted?
At shotgun range, the shot goes pretty much where the light beam is.
rc
is there any advantage of going beyond the express model for home defense?
Not a lot of advantage IMHO, no. If you plan on shooting a lot of slugs at longer ranges (100 yards or so) then a rifle sight smoothbore barrel might work better. But for pure home defense, a bead will do just fine for almost everyone. And KISS is definitely the way to get started. As you develop your skillset you might decide to change some things on the gun, but it's much better to start simple and work up from there. Usually less expensive, too.
Take a look at the short video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw. It's a teaser for Clint Smith's defensive shotgun training video, which is one of the better offerings available in the genre right now IMHO.
Not a lot of advantage IMHO, no. If you plan on shooting a lot of slugs at longer ranges (100 yards or so) then a rifle sight smoothbore barrel might work better. But for pure home defense, a bead will do just fine for almost everyone. And KISS is definitely the way to get started. As you develop your skillset you might decide to change some things on the gun, but it's much better to start simple and work up from there. Usually less expensive, too.
Take a look at the short video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw. It's a teaser for Clint Smith's defensive shotgun training video, which is one of the better offerings available in the genre right now IMHO.
Ha, that's the first thing that came to my mind too.
Many times after trap or skeet rounds are done, some of us goof off, shooting a few clays from the hip or with the stock tucked in against the ribs. It's surprisingly easy with a little practice. No laser needed. For anyone with less experience, Dave is right, learn to use the bead that's on there, save the money for ammo.
So what are the technical differences between an 870 from my LGS and one from WalMart? There is an 870 Express that appears to have the mag tube extension on it at Wally World for $350. This is about $100 cheaper than what I see online which will likely be what I find at the LGS. I know the 10 22s sold buy WalMart are different, 20 inch barrels and (I'm told) cheaper internals. Any truth to that? I'd rather do business with my local guy but it's an hour drive away since the one here in town closed. Would I be disappointed saving the $100+ beyond the thought of buying from WallyWorld instead of supporting locals?
Judt picked up a used unfired 870 express tactical with mag extension for 275 at a pawn shop..might check out the pawn shops
This is a Maverick 88. It shoots very well. It did take 2 rounds of skeet to find a perfect position for the light.
When considering a fighting firearm (whether home defense or personal defense) you cannot go wrong with the KISS principle (Keep It Sweet and Simple or Keep It Simple Stupid whichever you prefer). You don't really need alot of gadgets and gimicks on a shotgun for close range work. One thing that may be beneficial is a forearm with a flashlight built in or a seperate flashlight mount for the shotgun. At night it is hard to shoot at what you can not see, not to mention dangerous too. There are too many stories of people shooting family members in the dark thinking they were burglars or worse. You must be able to identify the threat before the gun fires.
The Express model has a polymer trigger guard, vs steel on an 870 Wingmaster. That's the most obvious difference.
Practically speaking, it's a fine shotgun and spending $100-200 more won't make you any more effective with it. You'd be better off spending the difference on shells to break it in and getting familiar with it.
Ive got an 870 Express that I've put all kinds of accessories on. Over time I slowly take them off. Give me another year and I should have it back to the way I bought it
Practically speaking, it's a fine shotgun and spending $100-200 more won't make you any more effective with it. You'd be better off spending the difference on shells to break it in and getting familiar with it.
Ive got an 870 Express that I've put all kinds of accessories on. Over time I slowly take them off. Give me another year and I should have it back to the way I bought it
WALMART sells the same guns as your local LGS - they buy them from the same wholesale distributors who are not going to stock a cheaper version of the same gun that everyone else sells - you can't get any cheaper than a regular 10/22. Here in the south, WM uses Ellet Brothers as one of their suppliers. Check the SKU on the box at each location - if the model number is the same, so is the gun
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