I am currently looking for a good/nice shotgun to purchase. I live in California and I already know the california gun laws are strict as it already is. I am trying to look for a tactical shotgun (not a hunting), OR a shotgun that is good for self defense. I was really interested in buying a benelli m4 but that is military issue and I doubt that california citizens will not be able to purchase them. I was also thinking about the mossberg or the remington 870. Can anybody suggest on what other good shotguns there are to buy in the state of california that are tactical w/ a price range of 500 or under. Thank you.

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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.

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Hi! I’m not yet in Houston’s PD academy (it is a few months away), but I’ve been told I can qualify with a shotgun. I want to accomplish this. I’ve got little to no experience with shotguns, but I got a dvd that taught me a lot about what I should be looking at/how I should load/etc: (http://www.navyseals.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=172&Name=Tactical-Shotgun-for-Self-Defense-DVD)

Anyhow I have two questions about that. #1, how should I be training? I have access to a range near my house (indoor and outdoor varieties). I have no idea what they will want me to be capable of (grouping, distance, target acquisition, tactical clearing, or otherwise).

Secondly, I’m planning on getting a Remington 870 with a pistol grip, butt-stock, ghost-ring sights. Everything else I don’t feel I’ll really need to do well in qualifications. Anyone think I should be looking at a different model/setup?

Your input will be appreciated.

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My dad bought me this 12 gauge Mossberg 535 last weekend for my birthday. We plan on hunting turkey with it this fall.
He also bought me two boxes of Winchester Supreme 3 1/2" Turkey loads for this shotgun.
Will the 3 1/2" Turkey load be great for self defense also?

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Assume some of the popular Mossberg shotguns like all-purpose 500 or 535 (they use Accu-Choke tubes), or 835 (uses Accu-Mag tubes). I provide the link to Mossberg list below.

My question is which tube to install for self-defense. You could consider two cases: one inside home, and one outside. I would assume the best would be the most open tube, Mossberg lists "skeet" as the most open. I assume you cannot use all-purpose shotguns designed for choke tubes without a choke tube installed. How come Mossberg does not have a straight cylinder tube with no constriction? Skeet is the most open tube.

http://mossberg.com/products/access.asp?type=chokes&section=access

Another factor to consider is buckshot size or birdshot size. Assume 12ga. I plan to have 1-2 birdshot shells in the front, followed by buckshots with increasing pellet sizes up to the max 5 shells in the magazine.

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I have a self defense Mossberg 500, cylinder bore, 18.5" barrel. I’d hate to buy a new shotgun just for my first season hunting, and a new barrel costs as much as a new .22, which I could just as easily use for squirrel hunting. With the right load, could I use this shotgun for squirrel hunting, or am I better off finding a longer barrel shotgun with interchangeable chokes?

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Is the 11-87 semi-automatic where the 870 is a pump model?

Whis is better for both home self-defense and hunting (with a slug?). Thanks.

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