A Proper Home Defense Weapon...

[jimbobborg]

You are absolutely correct. I have every intention of practicing with this weapon. Only a fool would just load up a shotgun and stick it under the bed. While not of the HD variety, I am well acquainted with shotguns and shoot 800-1000 targets per month. I certainly understand the need for practice.

I'll also suggest you practice with buckshot on targets and not clays. Most people don't run at 60+ mph. Most of the guys who shoot trap/skeet/clays tend to shoot high on static targets. Even #4 buckshot stays pretty dense at 40', so don't count on the shot spread to hit something.

 

[Mr H]

Disposability.

Agree completely.

And as I recall you tried to sell it to someone else, while I was holding it, and I replied that this one was mine. I was thinking of something more substantial, but if coffee does it then I get off cheap.

Dude... you didn't LICK it, didja?!??!!

 

[Mr H]

You are absolutely correct. I have every intention of practicing with this weapon. Only a fool would just load up a shotgun and stick it under the bed. While not of the HD variety, I am well acquainted with shotguns and shoot 800-1000 targets per month. I certainly understand the need for practice.

Funny thing...

I took my 18.5" 500 out for trap once, and even with the PG, folder, and no choke, it did remarkably well!

 

[circleshooter]

Funny thing...

I took my 18.5" 500 out for trap once, and even with the PG, folder, and no choke, it did remarkably well!

Took it to Loch Raven to make sure it actually worked. Shot 10 targets from station 4. Hit 8 of them. Mr. Mossberg works just fine. Now to get over to Freestate and shoot some double aught through it!

 

[OrangeAgent27]

Took it to Loch Raven to make sure it actually worked. Shot 10 targets from station 4. Hit 8 of them. Mr. Mossberg works just fine. Now to get over to Freestate and shoot some double aught through it!

I thougt they only allowed slugs?

 

[Gaius Baltar]

excellent pick up. i'm a mossberg/mav 88 fanboy. they are simple to operate and removing the barrel is just a twist away.

fyi - are you guarding your toes from the sunlight?

 

[circleshooter]

I thougt they only allowed slugs?

Really? I thought you could use buckshot. Will have to look into that. Not much interested in slugs for it.

 

[browning guy]

Really? I thought you could use buckshot. Will have to look into that. Not much interested in slugs for it.

Let me know if you want to go pop some buck shot this weekend. I know a place

 

[OrangeAgent27]

Really? I thought you could use buckshot. Will have to look into that. Not much interested in slugs for it.

I'm not 100% on that, but I thought that's what it was.

 

[Minuteman]

I like to keep my weapons as simple as possible too, but I'd still add a light

They must of been sold out of Remmy's?

I know you want to keep it simple...but a light should really be added to any HD weapon let alone a long gun.

a flashlight will ensure that you dont mistake a loved one for an intruder

excellent pick up. ...are you guarding your toes from the sunlight?

A light on a HD gun is a good idea. Nothing says you have to use it, but better to have it in case you ever did need it.

#4 is good, avoids over penetration, but I read #3 is optimum at HD distances and best balance in compromising between keeping rounds less than lethal if they go through the wall but very lethal inside a room at home distances.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Indeed Federl Tactical is default choice , and excellent allaround choice.

BUT within OP's specific circumstances 4 buck could also be acceptable. At accros the room distances figure tht any shotgun load that misses will go thru at least one interior wall. The distinction is that 4B that connects at close range is less likely to completely penetrate felons.

If I could design my theoretical shotgun loading , I would be inclined to no1 Buck , in a buffered tactical loading. Federal has announced such a load, but I have yet to see any. Failing that , a good tactical 00B is preferable to a standard or magnum loading of no1 B .

 

[circleshooter]

OK, you guys talked me into it. Got an ElZetta ZSM tactical shotgun mount with a Polytac LED 120 lumen flashlight. Pretty nice setup for not a lot of money. Mounted it so that when I mount the gun I can easily reach out with my index finger from the pump and turn it on or off.

 

[Mr H]

cool... but....

What's with the Sumo-Suit??!!

 

[GUNMANSUPERSTAR]

Just bought a mossberg branded heatshield for my cruiser 590 today from ebay for $41.00 shipped. Circleshooter, i have a feeling one would look pretty badass on that 500 of yours as well!!

 

[circleshooter]

cool... but....

What's with the Sumo-Suit??!!

Sumo-Suit? While I do have some impressive quads, if I say so myself, it's actually iPhone wide angle lens distortion.

 

[browning guy]

Nice light, so is the cup holder on back order?

 

[circleshooter]

Just bought a mossberg branded heatshield for my cruiser 590 today from ebay for $41.00 shipped. Circleshooter, i have a feeling one would look pretty badass on that 500 of yours as well!!

It would look badass. No doubt. I do like how they look.

But, other than looking cool, what real functionality do heat shields offer for a gun that will reside under the bed? I'm not being snarky - just curious. As an example: I put 500 shells through my Caesar Guerini this past weekend and didn't burn my hands on the barrels once.

Plus - adding more money to my Mossy setup would be counter to my disposability philosophy of HD weapons.

 

[circleshooter]

Nice light, so is the cup holder on back order?

No, I'm opting for the Beer Helmet. Hands-free drinking during home defense seems to me the way to go.

http://www.drinkstuff.com/products/product.asp?ID=3

But replacing the bead sight with a diamond might add some class!

 

[smokey]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I appreciate it. But here's another question.

It's night. You wake up from being asleep because you hear something, get up and investigate. Can't flipping on a flashlight screw up your own vision long enough for bad things to happen?

Close your dominant eye before turning on light. Once you turn off light, open eye. It's like a pirate with an eyepatch so they can see when they go below deck. A handheld light is VERY useful in such a circumstance to avoid sweeping a family member with a loaded gun.

I'd also suggest taking some classes. You're not getting a new set of shin guards to frolic around and play a game of soccer(developed by french women so they'd have something to do while their husbands were busy in the kitchen), you're getting a deadly weapon that could potentially be used to end a life. With that in mind, $100 here and there to get training from professionals is well worth it.

Your mossberg is a good home defense weapon with it's own strengths and weaknesses. Ideally it should just be part of a more complete home defense plan compromised of everything from layout of ure place, to a security system, to first aid kits, to phone access and beyond. Good luck moving forward.

 

[GUNMANSUPERSTAR]

I shot 15 rounds in my 590 Saturday and i will tell you the gun barrel heated up on it. That is why i am dumping on a heatshield.Shit hits the fan and it needs a few consecutive reloads i want to be able to focus on the targets not on getting scolded!! Oh and i didn't take anything as snarky lol. It was a good question and I hope i gave a good answer!!