For close range home defense, a 12ga. with buckshot can be pretty intimidating. I dont think a holo red dot sight would be very practical for home defense. Pump action shotguns are pretty simple in construction and many goods ones can found that are inexpensive. When shopping for a home defense shotgun I would consider size, capacity, and reliability. Personally if I were using only for home defense I would get just a pistol grip with 8 shot capacity. Mossberg are good guns as well as the Remington 870's, 887's, and 1100 tacticals.
Looking to get a Mossberg - Seeking advice
I was looking at the Mossberg 500 Tactical - 6 shot.
I love the way it looks, color, grip, everything - in my opinion it is beautiful.
What I was wondering, are the shotguns perfect for home defense? This is the main reason I am looking to purchase it and everything I have read from numerous people is that the Mossberg 500 shotguns are one of the best home defense weapons.
Here is a link to the one I have in mind,
http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/NEW/50278.jpg
Is this a good choice, pros? cons?
Was also possibly looking to get this (red dot holo sight),
stupid idea to you guys or would it deem itself useful?
Seems shotguns are just a point and shoot deal, but would it be a laughing matter if I did put that red dot holo sight on it?
I'm just looking for a perfect home defense firearm that is reliable and shoots like a pro.
I have never shot a shotgun so I don't know much about them...I always thought they were for shooting turkey and buck, wouldn't a hollow point in a handgun or rifle do more damage to someone if something ever did happen? Seems like a shotgun just shoots out little BB's which wouldn't do much.
I love the way it looks, color, grip, everything - in my opinion it is beautiful.
What I was wondering, are the shotguns perfect for home defense? This is the main reason I am looking to purchase it and everything I have read from numerous people is that the Mossberg 500 shotguns are one of the best home defense weapons.
Here is a link to the one I have in mind,
http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/NEW/50278.jpg
Is this a good choice, pros? cons?
Was also possibly looking to get this (red dot holo sight),
stupid idea to you guys or would it deem itself useful?
Seems shotguns are just a point and shoot deal, but would it be a laughing matter if I did put that red dot holo sight on it?
I'm just looking for a perfect home defense firearm that is reliable and shoots like a pro.
I have never shot a shotgun so I don't know much about them...I always thought they were for shooting turkey and buck, wouldn't a hollow point in a handgun or rifle do more damage to someone if something ever did happen? Seems like a shotgun just shoots out little BB's which wouldn't do much.
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
Looks like a good choice, though I would also advise the 8 rounder. Either way, I would say get a heatshield, and if you want a way to aim, you can get heatshields with built in ghost ring sights.
Some people say heatshields are a waste of weight. I say they are helpful when you do a lot of rapid fire. I have the 590sp with a heatshield and am very happy with it.
The only real issue you might have with the 8 shot is that it will be easier to move around a house with a 18" barrel instead of a 20". But the extra shells are nice to have. btw I have an 8 shot myself and it goes around the doorways pretty easily.
The only real issue you might have with the 8 shot is that it will be easier to move around a house with a 18" barrel instead of a 20". But the extra shells are nice to have. btw I have an 8 shot myself and it goes around the doorways pretty easily.
I originally thought the same when I first got my 20" Mossy 500. Then I really started thinking about it and that extra 2 inches is not going to make or break me. I would advise getting a model that has a collapsible stock or putting one on as THAT will help tremendously.Some people say heatshields are a waste of weight. I say they are helpful when you do a lot of rapid fire. I have the 590sp with a heatshield and am very happy with it.
The only real issue you might have with the 8 shot is that it will be easier to move around a house with a 18" barrel instead of a 20". But the extra shells are nice to have. btw I have an 8 shot myself and it goes around the doorways pretty easily.
Although I love shotguns, I prefer a pistol for home defense unless you plan on just defending a room. Mossberg makes a great shotgun though, I have two.I was looking at the Mossberg 500 Tactical - 6 shot.
I love the way it looks, color, grip, everything - in my opinion it is beautiful.
What I was wondering, are the shotguns perfect for home defense? This is the main reason I am looking to purchase it and everything I have read from numerous people is that the Mossberg 500 shotguns are one of the best home defense weapons.
Here is a link to the one I have in mind,
http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/NEW/50278.jpg
Is this a good choice, pros? cons?
Was also possibly looking to get this (red dot holo sight),
YouTube - My Mossberg 500 Tactical Persuader w/ red dot
stupid idea to you guys or would it deem itself useful?
Seems shotguns are just a point and shoot deal, but would it be a laughing matter if I did put that red dot holo sight on it?
I'm just looking for a perfect home defense firearm that is reliable and shoots like a pro.
I have never shot a shotgun so I don't know much about them...I always thought they were for shooting turkey and buck, wouldn't a hollow point in a handgun or rifle do more damage to someone if something ever did happen? Seems like a shotgun just shoots out little BB's which wouldn't do much.
From wikipedia;I always thought they were for shooting turkey and buck, wouldn't a hollow point in a handgun or rifle do more damage to someone if something ever did happen? Seems like a shotgun just shoots out little BB's which wouldn't do much.
I don't know how accurate that is, but you need not worry about the lethality of a shotgun. With proper equipment and ammo, a shotgun can be as/more lethal as any of your other options. Once you shot a shotgun for the first time, you'll have no more concerns about those little BB's.A typical round for defensive use would be a 12 gauge 2 3/4" (7 cm) length 00 buck shell, which contains 9 pellets roughly 8.4 mm (.33 inch) in diameter, each comparable to a .38 special bullet in damage potential.
For reliability and something that 'shots like a pro' it's hard to go wrong with the 500 and 870. There are others that are comparable, but these are the most popular. I've got one of each. The 870 is a little more smooth and I prefer the ergonomics of the 870 over the 500, mainly because of the safety. Depending on what condition you like to keep your shotty in, this may or may not be a factor.
As for pros and cons of a shotgun vs handgun, I'm sure you can find lots of info out there on google, but the main points to consider are; follow up shots are faster with handgun, one shot stops more possible with shotgun, easier to maneuver around house with handgun, shotgun is more intimidating, capacity is more with handgun, you'll have to be more concerned with over penetration with the handgun, etc...
And I don't think you want to go with a red dot for home defense. Your best bet is some ghost ring sights, maybe with something like this... but I'd just stick with the bead. With enough practice, a bead is just as good as anything else.
Hope some of this helps.
Firstly, before you buy a shotgun, especially since you've never had one before, I strongly recommend going to a range and renting one to shoot. You need to test it at the short ranges you would use it at inside your house. Understand that a shotgun is not an area weapon, and unlike in the movies you need to actually aim it at the short ranges that HD dictates. The size of pattern you get is about the size of your fist and you need to use the shotty almost like a rifle at such short distances. Spending some time with an instructor would also help with developing your skills and determining if a shotgun is the right gun for you.
Having said that, the Mossberg is an excellent shotgun and is a great choice for HD in my opinion. Its a reliable, simple, dependable and in-expensive gun that is easy to use.
As for sights or heathshields etc. i think a red dot is probably ok or you could get the tritium bead sight from XS sights which is meant for a shotgun. I think for HD and for as much shooting as most people will do with them heatshields are un-necessary and just add weight. I've shot several Mossbergs and my brother owns 2. We've done ALOT of shooting with it and have never felt the need for a heatshield. If you were shooting 3-gun maybe it would be more useful, but it's un-necessary for home defense.
My general thoughts are that any SD or HD weapon should be kept as simple and as basic as possible. The way I see it is, the more complex you make it, the more likely you are to invite Murphy's law. Before mounting any accessory to a gun I always ask myself this question: "Does this accessory solve a problem that exists, or could realistically exist in my environment and my application of the gun?" If the answer is no, then the accessory is un-necessary. Keep it simple.
Remember, just because a gun doesn't look like something out of Black Hawk Down or doesn't have a ton of accessories or black paint doesn't mean you can't defend yourself with it. A basic, simple pump shotgun is a great choice for HD and is great for HD just as is out of the box. Hope this helps.
Having said that, the Mossberg is an excellent shotgun and is a great choice for HD in my opinion. Its a reliable, simple, dependable and in-expensive gun that is easy to use.
As for sights or heathshields etc. i think a red dot is probably ok or you could get the tritium bead sight from XS sights which is meant for a shotgun. I think for HD and for as much shooting as most people will do with them heatshields are un-necessary and just add weight. I've shot several Mossbergs and my brother owns 2. We've done ALOT of shooting with it and have never felt the need for a heatshield. If you were shooting 3-gun maybe it would be more useful, but it's un-necessary for home defense.
My general thoughts are that any SD or HD weapon should be kept as simple and as basic as possible. The way I see it is, the more complex you make it, the more likely you are to invite Murphy's law. Before mounting any accessory to a gun I always ask myself this question: "Does this accessory solve a problem that exists, or could realistically exist in my environment and my application of the gun?" If the answer is no, then the accessory is un-necessary. Keep it simple.
Remember, just because a gun doesn't look like something out of Black Hawk Down or doesn't have a ton of accessories or black paint doesn't mean you can't defend yourself with it. A basic, simple pump shotgun is a great choice for HD and is great for HD just as is out of the box. Hope this helps.
Right.
Heatshields are tacticool/tacticrap waste. If youre going to fire, oh, say a few HUNDRED rounds in a session, maybe--just maybe--they have a use. Otherwise, they're as useful as teats on a boar hog.
As to the model the OP has pictured...the M4 stock--dump it. The strap on the forend--dump it. More tacticrap uselessness.
My advice: get the most basic synthetic stocked (buttstock, not a useless pistol grip) 590 (more capacity in the tube ALWAYS a better thing) possible, JB Weld a tritium bead over the front sight...
Everything you need, nothing you don't.
100% pure fightin' shotgun.
Heatshields are tacticool/tacticrap waste. If youre going to fire, oh, say a few HUNDRED rounds in a session, maybe--just maybe--they have a use. Otherwise, they're as useful as teats on a boar hog.
As to the model the OP has pictured...the M4 stock--dump it. The strap on the forend--dump it. More tacticrap uselessness.
My advice: get the most basic synthetic stocked (buttstock, not a useless pistol grip) 590 (more capacity in the tube ALWAYS a better thing) possible, JB Weld a tritium bead over the front sight...
Everything you need, nothing you don't.
100% pure fightin' shotgun.
^^ I've never understood the need for a pistol grip on a shotgun.
Shotguns are good weapons for breaching (think SWAT going into a building) and hunker-down defense. They're also good HD weapons if they happen to be what you have at hand.
Even the shortest of (legal) shotguns are more unwieldy than a pistol. Contrary to popular Internet opinion shotguns also need to be aimed.
Mossberg makes good shotguns. I own one myself along with a few other brands of shotguns. The 500 series are an excellent choice for entry-level pump guns.
Hope that helps.
Even the shortest of (legal) shotguns are more unwieldy than a pistol. Contrary to popular Internet opinion shotguns also need to be aimed.
Mossberg makes good shotguns. I own one myself along with a few other brands of shotguns. The 500 series are an excellent choice for entry-level pump guns.
Hope that helps.
If this helps, i pretty much agree with everything that has already been mentioned .
1) If you have little or no experience with shotguns, get out and try to shoot both a 12 and 20 gauge(some people don't like the recoil of a 12 and prefer the 20gauge)
2)price a striped down version of the Mossberg/Rem/Maverick that you like and also price the add on you like( i did this and i save sum $$(did installs myself), but may not work for you one already set my be better for you
3) go to a gun show if you can, you'll get to see a variety of brands with a huge assortment of options and since you've already done some pricing online you'll may find a good deal(local shop may be the best through)
As a HD weapon 20 gauge may work for You(less variety of ammo availible compare to the 12)
I have a 20g semi auto(fun to shoot and my wife is comfortable with it) and a Mossberg 12g 8 shot that the only modification was a foldable adjustable stock with a pistol grip to make a better fit length wise).Have a full stock on makes it a bit more fun to shoot, i practice with stock in both positions and i can let my imagination run wild!
Here's a link to a home defense site(good read):Selection of a shotgun for self defense
Good Luck
1) If you have little or no experience with shotguns, get out and try to shoot both a 12 and 20 gauge(some people don't like the recoil of a 12 and prefer the 20gauge)
2)price a striped down version of the Mossberg/Rem/Maverick that you like and also price the add on you like( i did this and i save sum $$(did installs myself), but may not work for you one already set my be better for you
3) go to a gun show if you can, you'll get to see a variety of brands with a huge assortment of options and since you've already done some pricing online you'll may find a good deal(local shop may be the best through)
As a HD weapon 20 gauge may work for You(less variety of ammo availible compare to the 12)
I have a 20g semi auto(fun to shoot and my wife is comfortable with it) and a Mossberg 12g 8 shot that the only modification was a foldable adjustable stock with a pistol grip to make a better fit length wise).Have a full stock on makes it a bit more fun to shoot, i practice with stock in both positions and i can let my imagination run wild!
Here's a link to a home defense site(good read):Selection of a shotgun for self defense
Good Luck
Wicket1,
If I were you, I would look in to getting a Maverick 88, which is made by Mossberg. Its basically a stripped down 500 (if I'm not mistaken), and can be had for less than $300 (in most cases, closer to $200). Like several others have already pointed out, when it comes to a shotgun (especially for HD), its best to follow the K.I.S.S. method. Skip the heat shield, skip the pistol grip, and never mind the red dot. The only thing thats really worth adding to it would be a small LED light.
If I were you, I would look in to getting a Maverick 88, which is made by Mossberg. Its basically a stripped down 500 (if I'm not mistaken), and can be had for less than $300 (in most cases, closer to $200). Like several others have already pointed out, when it comes to a shotgun (especially for HD), its best to follow the K.I.S.S. method. Skip the heat shield, skip the pistol grip, and never mind the red dot. The only thing thats really worth adding to it would be a small LED light.
I really don't like them on a Mossberg, it makes the safety inaccessible without removing your hand from the grip.^^ I've never understood the need for a pistol grip on a shotgun.
the Mossberg 500 is a fine gun for home defense, but think a little more before you pounce on one that uses a pistol grip be it a full stock or not.
<---has owned a 500 for 15 years that's seen a lot of action. The only problem you might encounter down the road is the tang mounted safety needing a rebuild. It'll slide down and catch under recoil when it gets worn out. You can buy the parts for about 20 bucks and takes less than 20 minutes to do it...unless it has that damn oneway screw in it, then it can piss you off. (thankfully, the part kits don't come with another of, just a standard slotted screw.)
my $.02.
go with the that particular gun. dont worry about the halo sight for now. Get a good surefire foreend grip light instead. How do you know your on target if you cant ID the target?
going with the 5+1 will give you the option later to go with an 18" barrel or a 24 or 26 inch field barrel (altho the colors wont match because of the marine cote your selecting)
Second thing to change, get rid of the mossberg trigger group and drop in a maverick trigger group. this will give you a cross bolt safety that you can use without screwing around with your grip.
go with the that particular gun. dont worry about the halo sight for now. Get a good surefire foreend grip light instead. How do you know your on target if you cant ID the target?
going with the 5+1 will give you the option later to go with an 18" barrel or a 24 or 26 inch field barrel (altho the colors wont match because of the marine cote your selecting)
Second thing to change, get rid of the mossberg trigger group and drop in a maverick trigger group. this will give you a cross bolt safety that you can use without screwing around with your grip.
The safety placement on the Mossbergs is perfect as is unless you put a pointless pistol grip on it. YMMV.
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^^^Follow this advice!^^^Right.
Heatshields are tacticool/tacticrap waste. If youre going to fire, oh, say a few HUNDRED rounds in a session, maybe--just maybe--they have a use. Otherwise, they're as useful as teats on a boar hog.
As to the model the OP has pictured...the M4 stock--dump it. The strap on the forend--dump it. More tacticrap uselessness.
My advice: get the most basic synthetic stocked (buttstock, not a useless pistol grip) 590 (more capacity in the tube ALWAYS a better thing) possible, JB Weld a tritium bead over the front sight...
Everything you need, nothing you don't.
100% pure fightin' shotgun.
Why do you need a sling indoors? Straps and slings can also get you hung up on furniture.
Red dots are pointless indoors and depend on batteries to work.
Heat shields are for machine guns.
I f-ing hate slings on pump shotguns. I thought I could go shoot clays with the sling on from deer season once. That was crap.
The most effective part of a shotgun for home defense is the pump action. The sound is unmistakable and you do not need to announce "I have a weapon and suggest you leave", the pump action says it all for you.
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
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