What is the best shotgun for home defense?
December 31st, 2009 by eranio
First of all which is better for home defense, a 10 gauge or a 12 gauge? Second, what type would you recommend? Some people that I talked to recommended the mossberg 500. How about a saiga 12? Would you recommend one of those?
Ryan a handgun isn’t an option since I’m not 21 yet.
Posted in best shotgun
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
First off, you really want a 12 gauge. There are dozens of different commercial loads available for home defense. Not to mention the hundreds of choices for sporting and hunting use! The 10 gauge, by comparison, has next-to-nothing available commercially.
People tend to push either the pump action or semi-auto as home defense guns, but most of that is based on hype. You simply will not ever get into a "gun fight" with a home invader. This isn’t the movies. Their whole plan is based on secrecy, getting in and out without being detected, or on surprise and overwhelming you. Once that first shot flies, your whole neighborhood wakes up, people start calling the police. Plus, you’re not being a nice little victim!
That being said, I’m an advocate for what’s often called a coach gun. A short (legal length, of course) double barreled gun with exposed hammers. The external hammers make it easy to transition from "safe" to "ready to fire" and back again.
With a repeater, you have to choose between storing the gun fully loaded and cocked, placing strain on the firing pin spring and trusting the manual safety, or storing it with the chamber empty, in which case you are praying heavily that it doesn’t jam when you hear someone outside your door and you rack the action. Simple is best.
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I would not use a shotgun its hard to aim at close corners.. get a handgun 9mm 45 cal 50 cal or 38 special if there 3 feet away a shotgun is useless unless you saw of the barrel.. very nice but illegal most places get a mossberg if you do
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I have a double barrel 20 gauge stogger under my bed. Side by side barrel with 2 triggers. I love it. Im sure it can find an intruder hiding behind ANY door in my house.
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
a 12 gauge is sufficient, even a 20 gauge is plenty. It really doesn’t take much to stop a human. It’s been said that more people have been killed by the .22lr than any other caliber. I don’t know if I believe that, but it is certainly a deadly round.
I have a Rem 870, and I am extremely happy with it. I have also used Mossberg 500s and 88s both are exceptional guns. I have heard good things about the Saiga 12, but as reliable as people say it is, I still wouldn’t put my life behind an auto-loading shotgun.
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Remington 870 or 1100 series, or like you said a Mossberg 500. Or you could try and get your hands on a "street sweeper" lol.
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Remington 870 express magnum 12 gauge with 18 inch police barrel, rifle sights, and extended tube magazine.
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
10 gauge is unneccesary. 12 g is best or 20g is fine also. Get a pump action with a stock not a pistol grip. You dont want really long barrels. Cant go wrong with Remington (my choice) or Mossberg. Second hand is fine or new if you have the money. I think all the tactical accessories, mag extenders etc are unneccessary. Load with 00 buckshot. I also think you need somewhere to lock it up to keep it out of the wrong hands.
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Any Brand 12 gauge shotgun using number 4 shot for self-defense ammo* Most people prefer the pump action shotgun.* A new shotgun doesn’t shoot any better than a good used one.* Buy used and save $$$>*
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
20 or 12 ga
Don’t buy into the hype the Remington is no better than a Chicom for what you want it for
If you buy the Remington you will be buying a name only
Pumps are cheaper than side by sides and semi autos are not necessary and are less dependable
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I own a Mossberg 500 Tactical Cruiser. It is 12 gauge, and has a breecher at the end of the barrel.
Here is a picture of the model I own.
http://www.webarms.com/Gun%20Suppliers/Mossberg%20Shotguns/54125.gif
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Mossberg 500 sawedoff to 18" and with a pistol grip! Double ot buck in the magazine!!!
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
i have a 12 guage automatic, with 2 barells, an 18 1/2" for home & a 28" for hunting
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
mossberg 500 all the way on this one. reliable, powerful, great for close quarters, and even better with glo-sights
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
A Mossberg 500 pump….. Get a short barrel 12 gauge model…..
http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=5§ion=products
The Mossberg 500 is one of the finest shotguns for home defense money can buy…. Don’t let the low price fool you. These are top quality….. Avoid the 870… Read the below article — It explains why the Mossberg is better as a defensive shotgun…..
http://members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html
Mossberg shotguns are used in Iraq…. Yes the military has started to use Binelli’s but in my opinion they are over-priced and over-engineered….
Mossberg 590 in Iraq…..
http://gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/The+Magnificent+Mossberg
http://www.mossberg-shotguns.com/
And the best part is they don’t cost alot…….. Keep it loaded with 2 3/4 inch 9 pellet buckshot and don’t forget to practice!
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=232244
December 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
If you have a family, I would recommend a 20 gauge loaded with bird-shot because it won’t breach walls and accidentally kill the people you are trying to protect. I would definitely get a pump action because of the sound (CHa CHank!) is instantly recognized as serious trouble to any burglary types.