Grassroots BangBang Sports: What shotgun?

Okay, I won't hijack the handgun thread.

Criteria:
- Home defense mainly, maybe the occasional deer/boar hunting excursion if that's feasible with the same gun - it's not a deal breaker
- I like an 18" barrel for tight spaces
- Ability to fit a shorter stock for the lady of the house
- Ability to mount a flashlight and sling
- Gas semi auto
- 20 ga if that doesn't severely limit choices (12 ga with low-recoil rounds if it does)
- I like Mossbergs because I'm also Swedish-American. Yeah, that's a dumb reason, but it's mine. I'm not wedded to them, however.
- GRMish budget, of course.

Recommendations?

semi-auto makes it challenging. If you wanted a pump, I'd say Mossberg 500/590.

Is the 500 "special purpose" or whatever not Semi-auto?

Semi auto kills the GRMish budget...

Remington 870 wins on all other counts... hands down.. The sound of a 870 Chambering one up is as powerful as shooting the thing in a home defense situation... something that will be lacking in a semi auto... And the weapon is proven to say the very least....

I guess a moss 500 something would work... but why :)

IMO the only other choice.. Super low recoil... ect ect ect.. all that other stuff you listed...

Benelli M4... It has everything you want and more.. just save a couple more pennies...

I prefer a Mossberg over a Remington 870 because of the tang mounted safety. Also get a 12 gauge. It will handle any beast that walks or takes wing and most that swim.

I dunno about the semi-auto part. I'd have to go Benelli if semi-auto and "defense" were used together, mostly because I've heard the Benelli system just doesn't jam. Can we still buy Spas? Or did Uncle Bill ban those too? Big bucks either way.

I'll add my vote for the Mossberg 500 in 12. I have one. I took it out shooting a couple weeks ago to remind me how much fun it is. You can have a pistol grip for da house, then put a conventional stock or a folder stock on it and it would do you for whacking Bambi, if that's your thing. They are also reasonably priced.

Hope this isn't a hijack but do you go with a pistol grip for self defense?

For home defense, you really should have a pump. For one reason: the sound that a pump shotgun makes when chambering a round in a dark hallway is easily heard and recognized from where the TV is being stolen from within the family room. It is one of the most recognizable sounds and any criminal will likely E36 M3 themselves and will be running or you will have a confrontation. Either way you now have a loaded weapon.

Cheap semi-autos don't exist. Though you might find one used at a shop or show.

Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 win for cheap. They also have every form of silly bling available for them. Fit them to your shoulders (both of you) and pick.

20 gauge guns don't inherently kick less than 12 gauge guns. 20 guage guns are usually lighter framed, so for the same size load, they will kick harder.

Pawn Shop Remington 1100's can be had for $200-300 (I got one a few weeks ago with a broken recoil spring for a whopping $100! (had to buy a new $10 spring )

I wouldn't use it to hunt, but I've been thinking of getting a WWII trench gun. Pump action and I believe 12 gauge. Can be had for cheap.

Yeah, I figured semi auto would be a budget breaker. I'm also not opposed to pawn shop guns, so I can always keep an eye out.

I'm not opposed to a pumper, I just feel like the less one has to remember in a stressful situation, the better.

Sounds like the Mossy 500 is staying at the top of my list for a while.

93EXCivic wrote: Hope this isn't a hijack but do you go with a pistol grip for self defense?

I'm kind of torn on this issue myself. A pistol grip and telescoping stock might be nice, but it might also be a little too suburban mercenary.

alex wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: Hope this isn't a hijack but do you go with a pistol grip for self defense?

I'm kind of torn on this issue myself. A pistol grip and telescoping stock might be nice, but it might also be a little too suburban mercenary.

If it helps the cause, I wouldn't worry how suburban mercenary it is.

http://theboxotruth.com/index.htm

I think I picked this link up here. He has a lot of fun testing stuff for questions about shotguns and the like.

alex wrote: I'm not opposed to a pumper, I just feel like the less one has to remember in a stressful situation, the better.

Training and range time will make it muscle memory and you won't have to rely on the gray mushy stuff between your ears.

^ That's what I'm counting on. Range time with a shotgun is just a little harder to come by here in downtown St. Louis. Not quite as convenient as popping down to one of the ranges 10 minutes away.

Eliminating reliance on the gray mushy stuff between my ears is generally a daily goal of mine.

alex wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: Hope this isn't a hijack but do you go with a pistol grip for self defense?

I'm kind of torn on this issue myself. A pistol grip and telescoping stock might be nice, but it might also be a little too suburban mercenary.

But does increase kick.

GRM would be 870 or a Moss. Bennelli's are very nice but $$$. There are some knock-off side-by-sides that are cheaper also. Something about looking down the business end of a double-barrel shotgun causes most manly men to wet their pants.

alex wrote: Range time with a shotgun is just a little harder to come by here in downtown St. Louis. Not quite as convenient as popping down to one of the ranges 10 minutes away.

I'm surrounded by plenty of vacant lots here and gunfire its in no way uncommon.

Hate to say it, but Bullseye is always an option. Just hit me up anytime and we can shoot for the price of ammo 45 min out out maybe borrow a friends range in north county.

Mossburg 500 "Chainsaw" - even the video shows how useless it is when aiming, but it looks totally badass. And the video makes me laugh.

Zombie killing with the Mossberg 500 Chainsaw

Yeah, it's pricey at mid $300 new, and a pawnshop 500 with a pistol grip is just as (or more) effective.

In reply to ultraclyde:

LOL. Thats berkeleying great! Useless as hell, but great none the less. May as will suggest a .44 colt black powder.

When shooting my 500 with a pistol grip with one hand (accuracy went out the window) I was surprised to find out the recoil wasn't that bad. Less than a 44 mag I was shooting earlier. Then a piece of shot bounced off the target and hit me in the forehead. Renecky good time!

Joey

I'm gonna say no on the pistol grip. Just look up "gun accident" video's on Youtube and take note of how many involve pistol grip 12's. A pistol grip 12 isn't the easiest gun to control.

FWIW - I love my Mossburg 500. Simple, effective, never jams and I don't have to think about how it works. You can't go wrong with a 500 or an 870.

I would say no on the telescopic stock. Especially for home defense. For the ability to club someone with the gun stock is is mighty nice. As well always knowing where the stock is, and being able to shoulder it. I don't like variables or complexeties.

I would also say no on the pistol grip. I've handled them, but never fired a shotgun with this. It feels very awkward to me, looks like it's a great way to snap my wrist from the recoil, limits my ability to swing the gun, and screws up my ability to aim.

Mossy 500 used. Cheap, reliable as a hammer and lots of interchangable parts.

I've tried the pistol grip, but it is uncomfortable and harder to control for me so I leave the full stock on.