Opinions?

Gus_McCrae

Gus_McCrae

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Joined
Mar 24, 2023
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I'm thinking about getting an inexpensive shotgun. Nothing fancy, just a home security crime stopper, probably 12 gauge. I know many of you with vast knowledge have ideas and I would love to hear suggestions or what you all have. Keep in mind I'm not looking for a high end investment, just something intimidating that I could use if necessary.
Look forward to your ideas, thank you.
 
Gus_McCrae said:
I'm thinking about getting an inexpensive shotgun. Nothing fancy, just a home security crime stopper, probably 12 gauge. I know many of you with vast knowledge have ideas and I would love to hear suggestions or what you all have. Keep in mind I'm not looking for a high end investment, just something intimidating that I could use if necessary.
Look forward to your ideas, thank you.
Click to expand...


If it were me I’d seriously think about getting a 870 preferably an older Wingmaster but since you said you were looking for inexpensive I’d look into the Mossberg 88 anything cheaper than that I’d be afraid it wouldn’t work or would break immediately upon firing that’s my take


Also Welcome to THR :)
 
I'm a long-time...multiple 870 owner
....that is certainly my preference. However, there are several on this forum and friends here at home whose opinions I respect, that love their mossberg shotguns.
If you're looking to spend less and get satisfaction, look at the Mossberg. I don't like the tang mounted safety, but it is ambidextrous.
 
Sgt_Mike1 said:
another vote for the Remington 870 or even a old Mossberg 500. The only edge of the 870 vs the mossberg 500 is the action bars are dual vs single. Both are great lower cost firearms with known good qualities and sufficient parts support. Just a opinion
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The 500 also has dual action bars. Ive put thousands and thousands of rounds through old shotguns with single bars and never had an issue. I think it's highly exaggerated. The model 12 used in the trenches had a single action bar..... never heard of any issues. If I ever design a shotgun, I'll put a third action bar in the center just so the tacticool crowd will be forced to upgrade to my shotgun . Lol. I may base it on the noble/smith & Wesson 916 just for added insult. The biggest difference is the safety location. I personally prefer the mossberg safety unless you mount a pistol grip. The tang safety is awful with a pistol grip.

I've been collecting pump shotguns for years. Started a thread on it here. Couldn't tell you how many I own. The old wing master and BPS pumps are beautiful guns. The old winchester 12, Ithaca 37, flite king etc etc were all good guns.

As far as a home defense shotgun, a cheap 88 or savage/ Steven's or Nova or any of those current production guns will be just fine. The mossberg 500 is the most produced shotgun, by far. The Remington can be great, can be junk too. Remington was plagued with quality issues right up until they went broke and sold out. They made more good ones than bad though. Plenty of good le trade ins out there. Issues would be sorted out on those
 
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I have a NEF Pardner pump that has worked out for me, $100 pre Covid. I use it as a loaner and backup for Turkey shoots .625 choke has a stout kick, it also came with a 18" barrel.
I purchased a Steven's pump post covid for $150 that hasn't given any problems but hasn't seen very much ammo yet.
A Maverick, Mossberg 500, Remington 870 etc will hold their value better and be easier to find parts for many years compared to any of the knock offs.
 
For your intended use, I recommend a Maverick 88. (Mossberg) Basic, reliable, inexpensive. But don't rely on the gun's looks for intimidation. That comes from a loud, clear command voice, and and congruent gun handling that echoes the voice commands.
Be sure to become familiar with how it works, and test fire the load you plan on using (No. 4 Buck up to 00 Buck) at the distances you will most likely have to use it.
Nicky Santoro said:
For the same reasons I bought a Mossberg Maverick. It got the best reviews of all the "budget" shotguns. Tested it with all sorts of miscellaneous shells collected over the years. No issues.
Click to expand...
 
Obturation said:
Easy , Mossberg 500 or 590 and carry on. They're excellent shotguns . a lot of folks like the 870 but I don't like the controls . 20 gauge is ok but ammo isn't as easy to find, is less powerful and variety is less too. Don't over think this, defensive shotguns are simple tools that need to work reliably.
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I'm a big 870 fan but the Mossberg has better safety selector for us lefties.
 
My preferred gun is an 870.

But I’ve owned a maverick 88 and it was a fine budget gun. I would be happy if that was my hole defense gun.

I’ve also owned a Winchester 1300 in riot configuration. It also was a fine budget gun too. A real sleeper in the scattergun world.
 
The original poster didn't say how much experience he has with firearms. So, OP, if you're still watching the thread, I'd suggest a used side-by-side shotgun, with short barrels, from a reputable maker. They're easy to operate, and easy to clean after shooting. Probably the simplest gun to learn to use for home defense.
 
To continue: I own many home-defense firearms (heck, I could outfit the whole neighborhood...). Here is one I'd grab quickly, if someone was causing trouble:

Stevens-335.jpg

It's an old Stevens 335. It originally came with 30" full-choke barrels; I had a gunsmith lop off 4", so now they're 26" cylinder-choke. I also had him add a recoil pad to lengthen the pull; it fits me well.

Anybody seeing me staring him down while pointing this thing at him will know I mean business. The gun is built like a tank. I could use it as a club or battering ram! Weighs 8 1/2 or 9 pounds even with the barrels shortened.

If I had to do it all over, I think I'd have had him shorten the barrels to 20". I have an old Crescent Firearms 16-gauge that I'm about to treat similarly....this time I'll have the 30" barrels lopped off to 20".
 
I’m in the old 870 group. Find a beat up Hunter with a slug barrel. Then hang a sign on the end that sez “ Smile for Flash “.
 
I bought a Mossberg 500 today. Not for a home defense shotgun as it's got the 28" barrel, but it was cheap at RK and I just wanted a pump to have one. They had the Maverick for $75 cheaper at Rural King, but don't like the synthetic stock. They had some 870s but they were almost $100 more. So I bought the 500 new for $315 plus tax. I guess if I wanted to I can get the different length barrels.

I rather have the versatility of 12ga especially since it will in a pump. I can run those really light shorty shells and all the regular 12ga rounds
 
crestoncowboy said:
The 500 also has dual action bars. Ive put thousands and thousands of rounds through old shotguns with single bars and never had an issue. I think it's highly exaggerated. The model 12 used in the trenches had a single action bar..... never heard of any issues.
Click to expand...

Yes you are correct Mossberg did later add the Dual action bars after the Remington Patent expired. Reality is you will find the 500 in both configuration single and dual, the Remington is only dual. Never said that the single bar was weak although some might feel that way . Even though Remington held it over Mossberg and winchester throughout the years. the dual vs single argument is a marketing ploy to infer that the 870 was stronger. The 500 is a fine shotgun, so is the 870, as well as the Winchester 12. but in my opinion the 870 fits the bill not for any hype, a added plus the 870 at one time held the greatest support in aftermarket parts and modifactions. which may not be the same anymore.
 
Savage30L said:
The original poster didn't say how much experience he has with firearms. So, OP, if you're still watching the thread, I'd suggest a used side-by-side shotgun, with short barrels, from a reputable maker. They're easy to operate, and easy to clean after shooting. Probably the simplest gun to learn to use for home defense.
Click to expand...

I have some experience handling firearms, I am ex-law enforcement.
 
I have always favored the 870, but recent production looked and felt like the bean counters were running the show. I found a like-new Mossberg/Maverick 88 with the barrel-length magazine, and must admit I have taken a liking to this inexpensive American-made shotgun. List is $250, so can't imagine buying something with a sketchy pedigree. An inexpensive Ithaca 37 or older 870 would also be reliable, but their value has risen in recent years.
 
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