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HD Shotgun opinions

8875 Views 58 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  RKB, 
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Sorry if this thread is repetitive, but I'm in the market for a HD shotgun. Just bought my first house and I think every house should have a shotty. Sure we'll still have my XD on my nightstand and her SR9 on the other side of the bed, but I'd prefer a shotgun so I'd be less likely to actually have to shoot, everybody knows what that shotgun sound means.
I'm leaning towards a Remington 870, probably with the shortest barrel I can get since it won't see much use.
I have two questions really. What is your opinion on pistol grips on a shotty? I'm not sure how much difference it makes, I just think it looks a million times cooler but if it's less practical I'll pass.
Also my local shop doesn't have a wide selection of shotguns (maybe I should drive out to Cabelas) but can anyone recommend a good online source? I've never bought a gun online so I'm not sure who has the best prices or what paperwork I'll have to do. Does it have to ship to an FFL cause it's not a handgun?
Anyone care to persuade me on another option? I want to stay under $500.

Thanks
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I have a Mossberg 590A1 that I love as an HD shotty. However, you'll find the Remington/Mossberg debate gets to be like a Glock/XD debate. Both are very good guns for the purpose.

Whatever you decide on, I would urge that you take it out from time to time to practice with it and keep yourself used to firing it. Also, I've never thought of using the sound of a shotgun racking as the effective deterrent. The fact that it's loaded in your hands, different story. :cool:
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I have a Mossberg 500.

I prefer full stock. I bought my brother in law a full stock with a pistol grip. The biggest obstacle is the Mossberg's safety is on top of the shotgun vs. Remington's being behind the trigger. The safety at the top is hard to reach when using any sorts of pistol grip / real easy to grip when using a full buttstock. Remington's is a lot easier of a safety (push-thru type) for use with pistol grips/pistol grip + buttstock combos.
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Whether you go with a Remington 870, a Mossberg 500/590, or a Winchester 1300, you will find that all three are quite comparable in what they are. I looked at all three and ended up getting the best deal on a used 1300. If you are going to go with a pistol grip, spend the money and get a Knoxx recoil reducing breacher grip
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A Remington 870 with an 18" barrel would do the trick. I have dual pistol grips on mine and love it. There is no way I would go back to a factory setup after having it this way. Anyone who likes to pick apart pistol grip shotguns probably hasn't owned or shot one. Keep in mind I am not talking about pistol grip only.

Here is one online place to buy. I've bought a couple rifles from them and they have decent prices. Yes, it has to ship to someone with a ffl.
GalleryofGuns.com - Gun Genie
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I've got a Remington 870 Tactical. Standard stock like I had in the service. I've never been a big fan of pistol grips. They just don't feel right to me, but they look cool.
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go with the saiga 12 gauge and a 20 round magazine
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Anybody have one like this?


Is that front grip legal? Or is that only on rifles it's illegal.
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There's nothing illegal about it, but it's pretty impractical. Traditional shoulder stock and traditional foregrip is the most practical. You also don't need a lot of tacticool accessories for something practical. At the most, you can add the surefire LED flashlight foreend, but just note that it costs as much as another shotgun!
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I prefer the standard shoulder stock and foregrip as well.

There's no real advantage to a pistol grip that I can see. It may look cool, but that's about it.

For a HD gun I may add a side saddle for spare ammo and I'd definitely have an extended magazine. I may also include a light (something like a high powered LED flashlight) but that's about as far as I'd go.

Whatever you choose, I'd recommend 00 buck for home defense use.
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Tattooed Bard said:
Whether you go with a Remington 870, a Mossberg 500/590, or a Winchester 1300, you will find that all three are quite comparable in what they are. I looked at all three and ended up getting the best deal on a used 1300. If you are going to go with a pistol grip, spend the money and get a Knoxx recoil reducing breacher grip
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gotta agree 100% with Bard....I have a couple of 870s, a 1300 and had a 500 for years and never had an issue with any of them. They're all great shotguns and which ever one you choose will be a good choice.

When it comes to stocks, my personal preference is a standard wood stock...I never really could get into the M4 style stocks on shotguns...I'm old fashion I guess.
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Add in another who doesn't see the practicality of a PG'd shotgun; a PG stock, yes; just a PG, no. I kinda see them as tacticool uselessness. I guess I'd just rather be able to aim & have control for rapid follow up shots than look cool...;)

I'd add in looking at the Benelli Nova Tactical series as well as the 500/870/1300 trinity...
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Cuda66 said:
I'd add in looking at the Benelli Nova Tactical series as well as the 500/870/1300 trinity...
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good call....Nova's are fantastic.
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I've been looking at a Benelli SuperNova Tactical and just about ready to pull the trigger on buying it [no pun here], but have a old Rem 870 Wingmaster 2 3/4 that I can work on for less money. SuperNova just gives me the 3'" and 3 1/2" that I do not have with it.
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If I were to do it all over again I'd go with the Remington 870 Tactical.... less than $400 and has everything except a light that you would ever need for HD.... but as stated stay with the well known manufactures and you will be fine... I personally don't care for the Mossberg safety on top but to each his / her own..... another option is if you like to tinker find a used one at a pawn shop for less and build it as you go..... but you will have more $ in it that way but it can be a learning exp. and a little here and there is easier to get past the wifey than a bunch all at one time for some
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I've got a Mossberg 500 with a Knoxx CopStock that has been an excellent shotgun. Shot everything in it from birdshot to magnum buckshot. Well built and extremely reliable shottie. Would love to put a BlackhawkSpecOps stock on it though.
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Here's a link that might be helpful to you. There also a good link at the bottom right on ammo and gauge that you might find interesting.
I personally have a 20 gauge just in case the wife ever needs to use it.
Selection of a shotgun for self defense
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Check Gunbroker and Guns America to get an idea of what fair prices would be.
To buy online, you simply have your local FFL fax a copy of their license to the seller. However, some sellers require a "Hard Copy."
My local FFL charges $25.00 transfer fee, and $5.00 for backround check.
Most sellers charge about $25.00 to ship,so add about 50 bucks to the online price and you`ll be pretty close.
I too would get a traditional stock and forend, as less BS on the gun makes it handier. I would also try to get a "Speedfeed" stock if possible.
And BTW, these short barreled "Shotties" are LOUD.
Regards, Pete
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So I'm still getting mixed opinions on pistol grip/traditional stock. I think I'll look for a full stock 870 then try Hogue's overmolded pistol grip and foreend for it. It's only $30 for both on Midway. Anybody have that?
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I currently use a combination of PGO 500 and full size 870 depending on where I'm at in the house.

If I could do it all over again, which I might still, I'd go with a youth model 20 gauge, either 500 or 870. Smaller, more maneuverability, lighter and still enough kick to handle the job.
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