Should I get a shotgun or a handgun?

[Paincakesx]

I currently own a SIG P229 and am thinking of purchasing another gun. I'm completely split on which one to get, so I'm hoping one of you can persuade me one way or another.

The two guns that I am considering is a Rock Island Armory Tactical 1911 vs a Mossberg 500 / Remington 870 (haven't decided on which of the two to get). I'll probably get one of these in August when I have more money.

The 1911 would likely be a home defense / occasional CCW / range gun (not really thinking of any competitions any time soon). The shotgun would be for home defense and maybe the occasional trap / skeet shooting with my cousin who is more into it.

I really want a 1911, but at the same time I feel I should get a long gun before purchasing another handgun (especially since the P229 is already a fine handgun).

Any advice?

 

[Carter]

I'd say put as much practice in to your 229 as you can to get good, then great, with it and get the shotgun. A little gun diversity is a good thing. Skeet is one of those things I wish I could do more, but unfortunately can't.

The 229 is a good size for range gun, ccw, and HD. Besides, everyone needs a shotgun.

 

[knotquiteawake]

Besides, everyone needs a shotgun.

Thats why my next firearms purchase is going to be a shotgun. I've got a hand me down .38 special, a CCW sized .32 auto, and next in line is a wingmaster 870 (used). After the shotgun will be something more fun like a 1911 or maybe even just a plinker .22 something or the other.

 

[Taurus 66]

I'm not certain if you could get this anymore but you could purchase a Remington 870 Special Purpose Marine Magnum, which has an extended feeding tube capacity (7+1). If you wanted to swap out and have more tactical grips that is within the realm.

*Check with your state and local laws before purchasing - especially the part about interchanging grips.*

You can never go wrong with shotguns, especially smooth bores. The ammunition is affordable for the power it delivers on target.

Handguns are good too for close proimity to an attacker, but if you were to ask me, I would train a shotgun on an intruder before a handgun.

 

[Ryanxia]

It really depends on your situation but I will say that even though Rock Island is a "lesser quality" I own a 1911 and it is great!

 

[Yo Mama]

Shotgun gives you the ability to take care of home defense, gives you some hunting, and the fun of trap/skeet.

My first gun was a shotgun.

You already have a pistol, go for the boom stick.

 

[hAkron]

You eventually will need both. Be on the lookout for deals on either. The mossberg 500 can be purchased at Walmart for $299. The Remington 870 express is a bit more but has a milled receiver and a nicer finish, but they are comparable guns. I'm mostly a handgun guy but I have recently started getting into shooting clay pigeons and it's a lot of fun. Shooting a shotgun at a static target at the range is about as boring a it gets. Every shot even a 25 yards just blows a bigger and bigger hole into the center of the target.

 

[Shienhausser]

I own a Mossberg 590A1 and honeslty it's almost too much for home defense (yes, I said it.) I bought it for that and after shooting 100 or so shells, it has me convinced.

I am looking for a nice side by side 20ga. coach gun for that purpose so that I can reserve the Mossy for killing small cars and such.

 

[jleyring]

Go with the Remington 870 Express Magnum

 

[Scipio Africanus]

Get the shotgun. Then save up for a really nice 1911.
I own a Mossberg 500 and a Rem. 870. They both work well and always "go bang". You will be well served with either.

 

[Brock Landers]

Shotgun.

 

[ChCx2744]

1911s are very nice, but you can't beat the sheer power and bada$$ery of a shotgun. Talk about bad news for those on the recieving end of a 12 gauge 870 loaded with some 00 buck. You want a home defense gun? You can't go wrong with a shotgun, I tell you what.

Now, with that being said, the 1911 also has it's advantages. For one, it's much smaller, small enough to carry, therefore it can double as a HD and CC gun. Also, being able to carry is always a plus because then you wouldn't have to leave it at home and worry about it (if you don't already own a good safe). Even if you do leave it at home and don't have a safe, you could still hide it better than you would a shotgun.

Either way, both would make fine choices. The shotgun comes out slightly on top with "stopping" power and versatility in regards to being able to hunt, shoot trap/skeet and HD. The 1911 is effective in regards to both HD and portability of CC. I guess in the end, it boils down to what you really want.

 

[yeahbuddy]

I would also go with a shotgun since you already have a pistol. I have a Mossberg 500 and my only regret is that I should have spent $200 more and got a Benelli Supernova. Such a nice smooth action and much better fit & finish.

 

[toivo]

Go with the Remington 870 Express Magnum

Yeah, do that -- get a 28" barrel. And then shell out the extra for an 18.5" cylinder-bore barrel. You can change barrels on an 870 in seconds. Then you've got your field and clays gun with the 28" and your home defense gun with the 18.5".

EDIT TO ADD:

You'll essentially end up with one of these ...

http://www.remington.com/products/f...70/model-870-express-super-mag-synthetic.aspx

... and one of these:

http://www.remington.com/products/f...l-870/model-870-express-synthetic-18inch.aspx

 

[Hocka Louis]

I'd probably go with the Mossberg 28" & 18-1/2" Field/Security combo. Can't beat the reliability, value, ergonomics, capacity. Note the 500 holds 5+1 rounds including American made 3" Magnums.

Check it out. I don't mind showing you this one as auction ended but shows closeup pics including the double-bead ported vent rib sporting barrel. How can you beat this!?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=230184527

 

[DougW]

I would go with a shotgun first. Add a .45 down the road.

 

[oneounceload]

Shooting a shotgun at a static target at the range is about as boring a it gets. Every shot even a 25 yards just blows a bigger and bigger hole into the center of the target.

That's why you don't bother doing that, but rather get yourself to your local trap/skeet club and get humbled missing little orange disks floating gently upon the breeze

 

[1911fan]

Remington 870. Then spend your next pile of gun money on a .22 semi-auto pistol, since you already have an autoloader (one of the Ruger Mark series, or the Browning Buckmark spring to mind) and a .22 rifle, tube-fed bolt action would be a good choice, and start improving your marksmanship skills on the cheap.

ed

 

[moonpie]

don't lock yourself into a "got to have this" mindset. these are the guns you'll end up trading off. when you find something in your budget that you like get it. these are usually keepers

 

[Axel Larson]

I own a Benelli super nova tactical and a Para 1911 GI expert and I find handguns much more fun than long guns but that is just me. Get what you want if you prefer handguns over long guns and the only reason you are considering a shotgun is because you feel you should get a long gun than I would say get the 1911 and enjoy. As long as you are proficient with your current handgun than I see no problems with either purchase.

 

[Furncliff]

quote..I really want a 1911, but at the same time I feel I should get a ...


Get what you want.

Besides I have an RIA 1911 T and it will make you a fine range gun and it's a best bang for the buck pistol in my book.

 

[Derry 1946]

One more vote for Mossberg 500. Mine was under $200 at Academy, and came with a grip stock. Spent another $40 or $50 at Academy for a long case with 4 locks (2 comination, two key) that hold it safely away from the kids. The case also holds a .45, a .38, some speedloaders, and a bunch of ammo. A reasonable HD set-up in a convenient under-the-bed package.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Paincakesx
Should I get a shotgun or a handgun

With a Sig P229, you already have a great handgun. A base RIA is going to be pretty bare bones after a P229. Go for the shotgun and you will have completed your HD set of arms. Get a 1911 later.

 

[Old krow]

Shotgun

 

[Johnny_Come_Lately]

Yeah, do that -- get a 28" barrel. And then shell out the extra for an 18.5" cylinder-bore barrel. You can change barrels on an 870 in seconds. Then you've got your field and clays gun with the 28" and your home defense gun with the 18.5".

I'll second this as an excellent choice. Variety is not a bad thing. Then if big game hunting is in the picture, I would opt for a rifle suited to your hunting area before I would purchase another pistol.

Good luck with whatever you decide.