Home defense shotgun?

cb51 · Jul 12, 2014

I don't know that much about shotguns, other than the Savage .22/20 gauge over under I had as a kid, and used to hunt with for 25 years.

I'm retired now, and most of my shooting has been rinfire handguns and rifles. But times are changing, and I want to get a shotgun now for home defense. Don't want to spend a lot, as I know it will go bye-bye with the police if I have to used.

I'm torn between the Mossberg 500 series in it's most simple form, and the Stoager coach gun with internal hammers. I'm drawn to the coach gun for the simple operation and reliability, but the extra rounds in a pump are attractive.

And the over/under double that Mossberg markets under the maverick brand is attractive to me, agains because of the simple operation of the break open double.

!. How good are the Stoager's,

2. How good is the Mossy 590 series?

Thank you all for any info you may have for me.

Bafflingbs · Jul 12, 2014

The 590/500 is the only one to pass all military tests. And, it's Chad approved... :thumbsup:

Name Taken · Jul 12, 2014

Mossberg....you wont be scaring anyone away with pulling back the hammers...rack a round and all criminals will leave without confrontation 100% of the time...just ask the internet.

On a serious note...Mossberg would still be my pick.

engine42410 · Jul 12, 2014

I have a mossberg 590A1 and if it is good enough for law enforcement it's good enough for me.

FrankOceanXray · Jul 12, 2014

I love the 870 but the Mossberg is rightfully loved.

Tons of threads on this.

spclopr8tr · Jul 12, 2014

FrankOceanXray said:
I love the 870 but the Mossberg is rightfully loved.

Tons of threads on this.

Nah, I think it is time to start thread #649 on HD shotguns. You can never over discuss this topic. :deadhorse:

We all know the Rem 870 tactical express is the ONLY one suitable.

JBinDC · Jul 12, 2014

I have both a Mossberg 535 - just a 500 field that can take 3.5in shells - with a 18.5" home defense smoothbore barrel, and a Remington 870 Magpul with an 18.5" barrel and short furniture which is good for moving around inside the house.

Those 2 shotguns are thee most popular of the home defense set, and either would serve you well.

On the double barrel option - I appreciate the simplicity, but I tend to shoot sloppily under stress. Can't even imagine waking up. That being the potential case, wouldn't you want more than 2 rounds incase you miss?

I also concur on the power of hearing any pump rack a round. That's gotta be an unmistakable sound for an intruder for sure...

Oh, and those are both available around $300 at Walmart - can't get more affordable than that! That or hit a gun show and try to score a used one for $200-250.

Good luck!

AJRB · Jul 12, 2014

Bafflingbs said:
The 590/500 is the only one to pass all military tests. And, it's Chad approved...

500 for me

GUNSnROTORS · Jul 12, 2014

The Stoeger Coach Guns are cool. If you decide to go this route, consider the Stoeger Double Defense Shotgun. They make a side-by-side, but I'd prefer the over/under version for rail space/flexibility. Have had my hands on both versions at The Tackle Box, in Lexington Park, MD. Never fired either, though.

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/tactical-firearms

All that said, had a 500 in the closet vault for 20 years. Just switched over to a semi a few years ago.

NY Transplant · Jul 12, 2014

I have a Mossberg 500 Super Bantam 20 Gauge that I bought primarily for my wife for HD that I occasionally take trap shooting.

myright · Jul 12, 2014

IMO look to the maverick 88 by Mossberg if you have a tight budget. Same receiver as the 500 series but made of aluminum.If budget is not a problem Mossberg 590a1 or benelli m4 semi auto is also military grade.

smokey · Jul 12, 2014

Reliability isn't going to be better with a stoeger coach gun...they break too. Go with something with a 18" barrel or so with a +2 mag tube in a pump. It'll give you 7 shots in a compact weapon that's reliable. Remington 870's and mossberg 500's are both great guns with different pros and cons. If you're ever interested in a pistol-gripped stock like I have on mine in the picture above, the 870's are the way to go due to safety placement. Tang safeties, like the 500 has, are cool on a normal stock but suck on a pistol-grip.

Consider some way to attach a weapon-mounted light on the gun. You'll want some way to properly ID a threat before pressing the trigger, or even pointing the muzzle. If the light is bright enough(over 100 lumens or so), you'll be able to splash it off the walls/ceiling/floor to illuminate someone without pointing the gun directly at them.

Before you ask, load it with federal's flitecontrol #1 buck load.
http://www.policehq.com/Products/FC-132LE.1B
It is the absolute best defensive load available for a 12 ga right now. #1 buck has a greater cross-sectional area than 00 and is the smallest pellets to reliably penetrate to the 12" mark. The flitecontrol wad will give you the tightest pattern of any other load(which is a desirable thing).

The mossberg maverick 88 ,hecho en mexico, listed above is a great option if you're tight on cash, as is the chinese knockoff of the 870 made by hawk industries.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/42628

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_263/products_id/16597

...here's a review of the H&R(hawk) pardner pump...it's a damned good gun for the money...
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/12/ralph/gun-review-hr-1871-pardner-pump-protector-12-gauge/

INMY01TA · Jul 13, 2014

The Maverick 88 8 shot gets my vote. Goes for about $240.

Joshvictus · Jul 13, 2014

My first shotgun was an 870 tactical. Phenomenal firearm. I had the blackhawk pistol grip stock on it as well. Now I have a Mossberg 930. IMO this thing is FAR superior to the 870 in the performance department.

cb51 · Jul 15, 2014

Thanks all, I guess I'll be going with the Mossberg. As much as I like the double coach gun idea, having just two shots is a bummer. Not to mention I like the idea of the pump being lower cost than the break open.

smokey · Jul 15, 2014

There's always this...

a good semiauto carbine will have more capacity, be easier to shoot, and will penetrate fewer walls(with the correct ammo...lighter weight polymer tipped) than a shotgun. They'll still have plenty of power to stop them, compared to a handgun.

Vile Shadow · Jul 15, 2014

cb51 said:
Thanks all, I guess I'll be going with the Mossberg. As much as I like the double coach gun idea, having just two shots is a bummer. Not to mention I like the idea of the pump being lower cost than the break open.

Hey, it's good enough for Joe Biden. :innocent0

cb51 · Jul 16, 2014

No smokey, the AR is not an option. I got out of the army 40 years ago, and I never wanted to see another AR, AK, agains, and I haven't touched one since. Plus I live in Germantown Maryland, so I don't need to be shooting at something on the hillside, or any other situation that the gun magazine and writers sell to.

I target shoot with a .22, and thats good enough for me. But I just want something more effective for home defense, not taking a V.C. position.

Alan3413 · Jul 16, 2014

No AR? Try a mini 14 then. I think a carbine is a better option for HD.

You're going to have to aim either gun but the mini14 gives you more shots. And is more controllable.

Get one with wood furniture to further differentiate from an AR if you prefer.

ihriec · Jul 16, 2014

Does anyone have experience with the Winchester Super X Pump Defender Shotgun. I'm considering the marine version for use on my boat.

Home defense shotgun?

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