Thinking 20 Guage shotgun for wife, thinking Saiga in particular

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Kindrox

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My wife used to work outside the home and her concealed handgun was good protection. But now she is staying home with our new baby and I think it is time to move a different direction.

Case in point, I asked where her gun was at that moment. “In my purse”. “Where is your purse right now”. ‘Deer in headlights’ look.

So I am thinking a 20 guage shotgun, kept in the same place all the time, and high up out of reach. That solution should last the next four years or so until our baby gets bigger.

A 20 guage would fit her recoil comfort level, and due to the construction of our house and fence, there would be little chance of shot getting into a neighbors house, or traveling through a lot of walls.

I know nothing about Saigas except they seem to have a good following, and a semi auto with good mag size sounds attractive.

Any reason to question a Saiga 20GA as a woman’s primary HD tool?
 
My concern would be this...(regardless of who this was for)...Dependability, simplicity, and familiarity....Consider this also...what type of load??? Slugs, buckshot, etc...It seems that you have considered the "danger/safety beyond" factor...The load will come into play here...Sounds like a 20 gauge is fine. I'm a little confused about your particular choice, though, as you say you know nothing about it. I'm sure it's a great firearm, but whatever you decide on...you'll both need to be familiar with it.
I personally like a pump 12 gauge with #4 buckshot in my particular situation, which is similar to yours...Good luck, let us know what you decide on...
 
I am not familiar with it in that I've never owned a Saiga of any flavor, or a semi auto shotgun. As long as the choice is in the parameters of what I need that does not bother me, I was not familiar with pretty much any of my guns before I bought them.

I am asking those that own or are familiar with 20GA saigas if this gun is within the parameters of what I need.
 
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Kindrox...
Sorry if I overstepped my bounds, a little...While I can't offer insight on that particular shotgun, you made an interesting point about not being familiar with any of your guns before you bought them...I suppose that's true with most of us...I was just offering my
.02 cents about what I did, as our situations are similar...Good luck...!!!
 
Why not just put the handgun in the same place?
Click to expand...

Second that. If not practical, then you might want to have both of you go to a range where they rent guns and try various types to see what feels good, handles to your liking, etc. This is also something that will require pracitice with, especially if it is something unfamiliar
 
I like the saiga but it is probably not ideal for the purpose. If you are using plastic hulled shotshells, and keeping the magazine inserted for long periods of time, it is possible for the hull to be deformed by being pressed against the bolt (this is a quirk of the saiga line). Metal hulls solve the problem, but I don't know where to buy them...

That being said, a 20 gauge shotgun is not a bad idea. Why are you not considering another handgun though? Easier to hide behind your back, carry with you when holding a telephone, and harder to take away than a long gun.
 
If you're dead set on a 20, I'd look for the Mossberg Persuader in 20 Ga. Not sure how much they cost. But you made another thread regarding low-recoil 12 gauge shells. Well, I am pretty sure your wife could handle normal 1 buck shells out of a 12 ga, and probably reduced 00. I'd just get her a Mossberg 500 with a Hogue reduced LOP stock. But the additional handgun would probably be a better idea for her. I'd look into a lower-priced SA/DA weapon like the Sig Pro polymer 9mm. I believe it's a safer option because of the trigger pull with kids around rather than a striker fired weapon like a Glock. A shotgun's a burly A%^ weapon no matter the configuration.
 
Having another handgun in a set location is certainly possible (and frankly a good idea I'll do).

For this thread lets assume she has access to a pistol, and right next to it is a shoulder fired weapon, probably a shotgun.

Some of the other points made probably don't make a differance in this case. She does not answer the door to people she does not know/expect, and knowing her, she won't go get the gun before answering the door for a guy in a UPS/USPS uniform (i.e. someone who can get close to you without being a "stranger").

If the Saiga is not a good idea for a woman/HD, I am certainly happy to look at other options. My main care abouts are better accuracy (shoulder fired), decent ammo capacity, good terminal performance, and lowest chance of overpenetration. All in a package a woman is comfortable with and of course that it is sure to go BANG when needed.
 
honestly I'd go with a Mossberg 12 with a Hogue reduced LOP. She won't mind the #4 buck I don't think. The only thing that'd worry me a little in your case is the pattern of the shotgun and the possibility a child can be in the general vicinity of the intruder. "flier" pellets are a fact of life with a shotgun, especially in a #4 load.
 
Acceptable,

Good suggestions in both threads. Yes her learning about patterning would be a must. I would think that once that is in her mind, if an attacker is inside the cone, she will probably walk them down. She is 5'9" and average build, so I think she has all the physical ability needed for a shotgun.
 
Mossberg, Remington or similar pump would be mny choice then, in lieu of the semi Saiga - what happens if there is a malfunction? Will she be skilled enough to know how to clear it?

A coach gun would be even easier, but hard to keep loaded and safe with little kids.
 
You've heard Mossberg mentioned here a few times, now...The pump 12 gauge I referred
to earlier is a Mossberg, also...My wife will grab that before anything else she has to choose from...a very formidable, and dependable weapon, indeed...If you choose to go this route, I believe you'd be happy with your choice...Congrats on the new baby, by the way...!!!Sorry I neglected to say that earlier...
 
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i think someone should mention that an inherent weakness of a pump action shotgun is the ability to have the shooter "short-stroke" it under stress.

it isn't a "newbie trait" i've seen several LE officers officers do it during yearly qualifications...and that isn't even under stress. there's a reason most special enforcement teams use a semi-auto shotgun

i have a Saiga 20 and it's pretty easy for anyone to handle...after all it's based on an AK. i'd keep a loaded mag next to it (avoid deformation of shells) and all you'd have to do to bring it into action would be:
1. insert the mag
2. move down the safety lever
3. pull back the charging handle to chamber a round

i actually when another route in a semi-auto for my small wife and lean son. i got a 12ga FN SLP

the gas operation dampens recoil and it is more reliable than other designs based on field guns, while being as fast as recoil operated designs.

mine holds 6 rounds and came with ghost-ring sights and 2 different choke tubes
 
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