Shotgun Rentals?

Overwatch326 · Oct 23, 2016

Hi guys,

So, I'm slowly trying to talk a buddy of mine into getting a shotgun for home defense. He's shot a 12 before, but he's a bit smaller in stature than I am, so he doesn't power through the recoil as well as I do, and the 12 I have is just slightly heavy for him on top of that. I suggested a 20 gauge or even a .410, but he understandably wants to be able to fire one before he considers buying, and I can't seem to find a range with shotgun rentals in the area for the life of me--at least not in those gauges.

I doubt he'll want to try PA, so does anyone know of a range in the MD/VA area we could try?

Nodak Kid · Oct 23, 2016

Check out the machine gun nest in Frederick

omegared24 · Oct 23, 2016

The issue you have here isn't the ability to rent, it is the ability to shoot shells appropriate for home defense. Most ranges only allow slugs.

Buckshot, birdshot and slugs will act and feel different.

Honestly, he may want to consider a different option for home defense. Maybe an AR so he can practice more and handle the gun better due to his size. An AR is completely appropriate for home defense with the right ammunition.

doggyjacket · Oct 23, 2016

Prince George's Trap and Skeet rents shotguns but they're all like 28-32" barrels for Clays of course. They do have some semi-autos though. I believe they have both 12 and 20. It's also a great opportunity to get him into Clays!

iH8DemLibz · Oct 23, 2016

A 20, with the correct load, will do the job.

And he'll practice more if he's not being beaten to death every time he pulls the trigger.

And tell him he won't loose his man-card for shooting a 20.

Doitsouthstyle · Oct 23, 2016

I love my wife's 20. Can shoot it one handed and demolish clays all day long. Not trying to support poor gun habits but is possible, safe and a hell of a lot of fun.

POP57 · Oct 23, 2016

I've only shot a 20 on one occasion. When I pulled the trigger, it went bang and put a nice size hole in stuff. My daughter is 5 nothing and probably 110 and has handled a 20 without issue.

MEGARMS · Oct 23, 2016

I would be happy to meet you and your buddy at the AGC trap range and let him shoot my 20 gauge. In fact, I might even sell it to him if he likes it.

Overwatch326 · Oct 23, 2016

Again, wow, lots of replies! Thanks, guys. :thumbsup:

Nodak Kid said:
Check out the machine gun nest in Frederick

Haha, they were actually the first place I called. I work out in Frederick, so I figured they were the best bet, what with all the cool rentals they have. Sadly, they only have a Remington 970, Mossberg 500, and a FN Semi-Auto for rental, all in 12 Gauge.

omegared24 said:
The issue you have here isn't the ability to rent, it is the ability to shoot shells appropriate for home defense. Most ranges only allow slugs.

Buckshot, birdshot and slugs will act and feel different.

Honestly, he may want to consider a different option for home defense. Maybe an AR so he can practice more and handle the gun better due to his size. An AR is completely appropriate for home defense with the right ammunition.

I'd considered that, as well, but we've shot 00 Buck and 8 Shot out of it, too, as well as low-recoil slugs. It could just be my 12, for all I know, but this guy thinks my .45 kicks, too, so... I've been pushing the shotgun angle rather than a rifle simply because of the cost difference. He's not one to spend money on something new unless he knows he likes it, and even then, it'd better be cheap.

doggyjacket said:
Prince George's Trap and Skeet rents shotguns but they're all like 28-32" barrels for Clays of course. They do have some semi-autos though. I believe they have both 12 and 20. It's also a great opportunity to get him into Clays!

Hmm, I hadn't considered them. I figured they were a club, rather than a public range, and that we wouldn't have any kind of easy access. Maybe we'll give them a shot.

MEGARMS said:
I would be happy to meet you and your buddy at the AGC trap range and let him shoot my 20 gauge. In fact, I might even sell it to him if he likes it.

Thanks for the offer! I might take you up on that. :bowdown:

omegared24 · Oct 23, 2016

If that's the case I don't see any reason why he wouldn't go 20 gauge. As stated before no man card revocation required.

knastera · Oct 23, 2016

iH8DemLibz said:
A 20, with the correct load, will do the job.

And he'll practice more if he's not being beaten to death every time he pulls the trigger.

And tell him he won't loose his man-card for shooting a 20.

Agreed. I unashamedly hunt with a 20 gauge.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fordracer2082 · Oct 23, 2016

The AR option is a good one. If he is not comfortable with a 12 then a 20 may be a great option. I would not go with a 410 though it should work ok. He may want to consider a carbine in 9mm , 40, or 45 as well

Bikebreath · Oct 23, 2016

I was out at Continental Arm Thursday and they rent pump shotguns. I have shot 0 and 00 there in my shotgun. Make it a day trip.

http://www.continentalarms.com/indoor-range/

Sirex · Oct 23, 2016

I had a 20G and loved it. My problem was finding decent defensive ammo, otherwise love the 20G. I bought a 12G, and .410 for my wife. Don't dismiss the 410. It's light, lower recoil, and due to the popularity of the Judge, a much more diverse selection of HD ammo. Walmart carries defensive 410 ammo, and they have Winchester Super X buckshot, with 3 or 4 000 pellets at about 1300fps, if I recall. I will have to look at the boxes again. But we have Winchester Super X, & PDX1, Hornady Critical Defense, Federal 000 buckshot and #4, and a box of something else I can't recall the name of. It's like getting hit by 3 or 4 pistol rounds at once, and at wall to wall distance at the range, ours patterned well, and shredded water jugs. 410 wouldn't be my first choice in HD, but the wife is afraid of the 12G, and the 410 is better than pepper spray in the case of a break in.

iH8DemLibz · Oct 23, 2016

knastera said:
Agreed. I unashamedly hunt with a 20 gauge.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Me too.

Flatter Trajectory + Greater Velocity = Bambi Burgers.

H&R single shot.

FPL53 · Oct 23, 2016

I believe Heritage herein Frederick allows buckshot. The Machine Gun Nest is slugs only.

doggyjacket · Oct 24, 2016

I believe MSAR also allows any shotgun shells.

Biggfoot44 · Oct 24, 2016

* As prrsented by the OP * , the combined issues of recoil AND gun weight, along with the OP's friend's frugality all scream out for a 20 gage.

While maybe not at every WalMart, defensive suitable 20ga ammo is common, and standard at any gun store.

2.75in #3 Buckshot
Foster style Rifled Slug, 2.75 in ( aka NOT sabot type)

There also exists 3in #2 Buckshot, but at that point , it brings things back up to 12ga recoil levels.

Any conventional Foster style slug will be quite sufficient on the recieving end for felons . IF your friend perceives a requirement to shoot thru car bodies, or several walls on purpose, then Brenneke slugs will penetrate like the dickens. Likewise if hunting large bears over bait or close range moose.

( Yes, AR or pistol calibre carbines would meet the first two requirements , but will cost multiples of the costa good used, or WalMart on sale 20ga pump, and Frugality was a stated parameter.)

Shotgun Rentals?

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Active Member

Active Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

When All Else Fails.

Active Member

Ultimate Member

KnowNothing

Active Member

Ultimate Member

Just another shooter

Active Member

R.I.P.

Powered by natural gas

When All Else Fails.

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics