I may consider purchasing a ‘Remington’ shotgun (unless you have a better suggestion!)?
January 19th, 2010 by eranio
This would be used for home self defense – most likely from wild animals that pose a threat to my children/pets – hopefully no intruders, but you never know… As I have very little experience with firearms, which would be a good quality, first shotgun ? Thanks for your opinions.
Posted in remington shotguns
January 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Unless you really hung up on appearances and just want a reliable shotgun, do a little research (shopping around) and you could save $100-200. Used Mossberg, Winchester, Remington and Savage pump shotguns can be found everywhere for up to 50% or more off the price of new. This is actually a good time of the year to shop for them. Pawn shops know they will be sitting on them until next Fall as most hunting seasons are over. Be willing to haggle. New barrels for Remingtons, Winchesters and Mossbergs are readily available. If you find one with a long hunting barrel you can get a shorter 18"-19" barrel for home defense and change out the old one in about 3 minutes without any tools. With the 2 barrels you will have a shotgun that will do pretty much everything you could ever want a shotgun to do. If you end up with a long barrel, make sure it has interchangeable chokes. Although rarely does a used shotgun come with the chokes, they to can be easily ordered with the wrench needed to change them.
As your question indicates you may live in the country, I might suggest a shotgun with a longer barrel (28" or so). It will give you the range required to effectively engaged wild animals outdoors.
If you want to buy a new gun, you will not go wring with either the Remington 870 or the Whinchester 500. Neither will break the bank and if properly taken care of, will serve your grandchildren well.
If you have the money, this is a great set up.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model-870/model-870-express-combos.aspx
The Mossberg 500 Field in 12ga.
http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=3§ion=products
January 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
The Remington 870 12ga. is a great choice of a shotgun. Also look at the Mossberg 500 12ga. Each shotgun is pumpaction. Both can be had for about $250 used.
January 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
If this is the only reason you’re purchasing the weapon, then the brand has little impact, and you may in fact want to go with the cheapest brand.
However, the question of whether a shotgun is really the weapon for you lies in how you use it. If you’re concerned about animals meandering onto your property which may be threatening, then any firearm would work because the noise of a shot will likely scare them off in either case. However, if you’re concerned about taking action when you witness an animal attacking your child or pet, then it’s a whole other story. The safety precautions necessary to keep your children safe (and which may be required in your state) may mean that by the time you have your weapon readied it may be too late; however, if you’re intent on using it in this purpose, a shotgun’s lesser accuracy would preclude it from being the appropriate choice as you may accidentally injure the child or pet. In this case an extremely well-aimed rifle may be the only reasonable choice, although, again, any weapon fired into the air will likely scare away any animal.
As for intruders, the question arises of whether or not you really want to kill a person who really just wants your TV. As a result, some homeowners purchase shotguns without any ammunition. The distinctive sound of a shotgun being racked is enough to send any interloper running, and without ammunition it poses no safety risk.
If the animal you’re concerned with is especially enormous or vicious (Kodiak or Grizzly bears, Tigers (?)), then a shotgun (using slugs, not birdshot) may be the best choice. However, for smaller animals (bobcats, foxes, fishers), I recommend safer alternatives like motion-activated floodlights or even noise deterrents, especially around garbage cans.
If you are set on a shotgun, just make absolutely sure you purchase with it either a gun safe or trigger/chamber lock, and keep it well-oiled, cleaned, and maintained.
January 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
For home defense look at the Mossberg 500. I like the pump action for home defense. The universal sound for "Get the F&ck OUT! im armed" is you racking a shell into the action. Its an unmistakable sound. Also the Marines/Army sometimes use Mossberg 500s because they have been torture tested and always go bang.
The Remington 870 is a fine gun too but a little more expensive. Being left handed the Mossberg works better for me.
January 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Winchester defender speed pump! Smoother faster and lighter…
http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=021C&mid=512252
January 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
When you buy a Remington 870 you get quality, reliability, durability,and versatility.When you buy a mossberg you get to say to your-self over and over I should have got a Remington,I should have got a Remington,I should have got a Remington!
January 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
get a 410 shot gun,
it can also be used as a rifle with slugs, it becomes a 44 mag
January 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
I have a better suggestion, Don’t
The 870 that you would buy and pay more for is just a knock off of a real 870
Mossbergs are better guns at lower prices
Better yet cruise the (good) pawn shops for an old pump Savage
I have owned Mossbergs, Winchesters, Remington "870"s and an old Savage 67 plus some China knock offs
There really isn’t that much difference in them
For me it all goes down to where the safety and slide lock button are and how easy they are to manipulate from a normal firing position
My 870 is the only gun I ever had that rusted sitting in the safe, next to all those other shotguns that didn’t
January 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Even at double the price, there are no better suggestions than a Remington 870.
Either a 12 or 20 gauge will do just fine for your purposes.
.
January 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Remington make some great shotguns and rifles. The 1100/1187/870/700 are super.
A rem 870 is a good value and a good choice.