Comments on: What is the best shotgun for home defense?

By: HawaiianHippie

HawaiianHippie — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:02:20 +0000

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.

By: Ryan C

Ryan C — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:02:20 +0000

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

By: 24

24 — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:02:20 +0000

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.

By: AKpilot

AKpilot — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:02:20 +0000

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.

By: aces.andeights

aces.andeights — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:02:20 +0000

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.

By: boker_magnum

boker_magnum — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:02:20 +0000

Remington 870 express magnum 12 gauge with 18 inch police barrel, rifle sights, and extended tube magazine.

By: ozbluei

ozbluei — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:02:20 +0000

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.

By: dca2003311@yahoo.com

dca2003311@yahoo.com — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:02:20 +0000

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 $$$>*

By: vangion

vangion — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:02:20 +0000

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

By: Chris G

Chris G — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:02:20 +0000

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