Best shotgun for home defense?

[John Canuck]

One thing to consider Elaine. A shotgun is a two handed weapon. When one considers a home defense scenario, they should consider the possibility that one hand might be busy with securing their children, or using a phone, or holding a flashlight, etc. Just something to think about.

I consider the Remington 870 as the standard when choosing a pump.

Although I use rifles for Home Defense, my Remington 870 can be utilized with a one-hand-grip during moments of need.

Nice It may still be easier for some to operate a pistol with one hand if needed, but I do like your 870.

 

[Dirk Pitt]

I'm a Mossberg guy, I got a hell of a deal on one and an old gunsmith buddy of mine swore they were the strongest thing out there. But in the end when it comes to pump actions, they'll all work when you pull the trigger. But the one thing I did learn, during a four day shotgun course I took a couple weeks ago especially, is that they all have different controls in different places and they all operate a little differently. Safeties are in different locations, action releases are in different locations, the way you clear certain malfunctions (not that your that likely to have any with a pump action shotgun) is a little different between some of them, some of them don't like to let go of the shell off the elevator when your trying to clear it out with your finger. You get the idea, it's like most gun decisions so long as it's reliable, which a Mossberg 500 series or a Remington 870 is, find the one that works best for you as far as controls and feels.

 

[44lover]

The next thing to consider when choosing a shotgun for home defense, is defensive loads. I've seen a couple of posts talking about 00 buck at the range. IMHO, 00 buck is a great choice for defense in an open area or in rural settings. In a suburban or an urban home setting I would suggest, nothing bigger than #4. 00 buck can penetrate walls and injure innocents, the smaller shot loads will be just as effective and lessen the danger to neighbors and others in the home.

 

[RegularGuy]

I agree with a lot of the posts here in regards to the Moss 500, the safety is simple, especially if you need to go one handed. But i have some questions/comments

How is your home built? Is it a mobile home or a brick and mortar house?

Are the interior doors luan or old school hard doors?

Are your walls thick, thin, robust?

For home protection you have to consider not only the weapon of choice but also the rounds you use. If you go for a 12 or 20 gauge I would highly recommend light bird loads for home defense. It will disable the perp and if you are lucky, won't penetrate walls/doors/etc. Of course distance has a lot to do with penetration. Having a shotgun for double duty isn't a bad idea, but you have to remember to swap barrels and shells when you trasition from skeet to home defense.

A handgun is still the best option for home defense (my personal opinion). As stated earlier, one handed operation could make all the difference in the world. The Taurus Judge is is a good home defense weapon, but almost useless for anything else.

 

[RegularGuy]

How did I miss what 44Lover said? I pretty much duplicated his suggestions. Next time I'll read more. :roll:

 

[armedpig]

Don't forget about the good ole Ithaca model37. The safety on those is easily accessible. Another cool thing is that you can slamfire them if needed(on the older ones).

 

[HOLY DIVER]

I use a 590a1 for HD it patterns 00buck very nicely hold 8 in the magazine tube and 4 in the butstock. with that said its not my primary hd weapon my primary is a good old .38 special wheel gun. i keep the 590 for shtf

 

[Avtomat-Acolyte]

I use a 590a1 for HD it patterns 00buck very nicely hold 8 in the magazine tube and 4 in the butstock. with that said its not my primary hd weapon my primary is a good old .38 special wheel gun. i keep the 590 for shtf

Why?

 

[Schultz]

I use a 590a1 for HD it patterns 00buck very nicely hold 8 in the magazine tube and 4 in the butstock. with that said its not my primary hd weapon my primary is a good old .38 special wheel gun. i keep the 590 for shtf

Why?

Probably the same reason I use a 1911 for home defense. I know most will say a shotgun is best for HD and I agree but I've never been real big on shotguns. With practice drills and good equipment you can be proficient with just a pistol.

 

[Tigerstripe]

somebody breaks in my house with me in it, well the "s" has hit the fan.

pistol grip 14 in SBS with 3 in 000 buck

 

[HOLY DIVER]

well the keep the .38 handy for a few reasons.#1 if i'm having to move from room2room fast i feel the pistol will not be as hard to handel#2 i practice alot more with a pistol,i hardly ever shoot a shotgun so i just feel the pistol is more second nature to me.With all the above said.....to each his own.

 

[Avtomat-Acolyte]

I use a 590a1 for HD it patterns 00buck very nicely hold 8 in the magazine tube and 4 in the butstock. with that said its not my primary hd weapon my primary is a good old .38 special wheel gun. i keep the 590 for shtf

Why?

Probably the same reason I use a 1911 for home defense. I know most will say a shotgun is best for HD and I agree but I've never been real big on shotguns. With practice drills and good equipment you can be proficient with just a pistol.

I have never said a shotgun is best for home defense. Any long gun is superior to a handgun for purposes other than convenient carry upon your person. Personally, I use a 7.62 x 39mm rifle for domestic purposes.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

to each his own.

 

[LiveFreeorDie]

FWIW, I have a high capacity Moss 500 18" tactical shotgun, but autoloading pistols will be my primary HD. In the average home, distance to target will likely be no more than about 20' and probably much less. Barrel length, choke, and patterning effects will be nil at this distance, so precise aiming is still required. Barrels of any length make movement through doorways and around corners difficult and telegraph your position. In short, if you decide on a shotgun, the make and model are not nearly as important as 'practice'. More important is your choice of shot size. Of all the good articles I've read, #1 Buck seems to be the perfect blend of tissue damage and non-over-penetration (see 1st link below).

As there was some discussion in this thread about using centerfire rifles or carbines, longer barrels (even in an SBR) present the same problems as the scattergun. If you've never done it, try moving through your house with a (unloaded) long gun. Centerfire cartridges are excellent stoppers but depending on shot placement and caliber, over-penetration and misses need to be taken into account.

Handguns in confined spaces such as the typical residence are easier to maneuver, fire one handed, and are much better at weapon retention (hanging onto your own gun). Round capacity is sufficient and follow-up shots quick. Stopping power is good (for any round above .22, .25. .380) and over-penetration risk reduced with expanding rounds. I won't go on, as I did not intend to take a position here nor hijack this thread. This discussion does remind me though of something I read recently where someone asked, "What is the best carbine?". The perfect answer was, "The one you have with you when you need it." Whatever you choose, become comfortable with it through PRACTICE. Check out and read the links below; I think you'll like them.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/home_defense_shotgun_ammo.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/guns_home_defense.htm

 

[bigfutz]

AA, tell us about that grip. Where did you buy it, or did you make it? I've been considering a birds head to replace the factory pistol grip onmy Mossy 500. The only one I've been able to locate is this one for Shockwave Technologies. Let me know of any others you know of.
http://shockwavetechnologies.com/site/?page_id=14

As for the home defense shotgun, a friend of mine recently purchased a Stoeger Coach Gun, 12GA 18" (I think) double barrel side by side. I think the double barrel 12 has been a mainstay of home defense for many many years. Also good for persuading young suitors into fulfilling their marital obligations to your daughter!

One thing to consider Elaine. A shotgun is a two handed weapon. When one considers a home defense scenario, they should consider the possibility that one hand might be busy with securing their children, or using a phone, or holding a flashlight, etc. Just something to think about.

I consider the Remington 870 as the standard when choosing a pump.

Although I use rifles for Home Defense, my Remington 870 can be utilized with a one-hand-grip during moments of need.

 

[Parhams0508]

I think that a Mossberg 500 that comes with a "security" and "field" barrel would be an awesome gun for all-round shooting, not just home defense. Dunno about the Remington 870, as I'm kinda partial to the Mossy.

Over penetration is always an issue when firing a shotgun in a building with a few inches of wood and plaster, and I don't think one round is perfect at home defense! If you don't want to over penetrate and potentially maim a loved one or neighbor, then you also (somewhat) lose lethality in said round. Proverbially, you can't have your cake and eat it, too.

You might be able to mitigate this with loading different rounds into your gun, so that the first round acts as kind of a disabler, stopping the perp from advancing, and then the second round is the killer. By disabling the perp, you can advance on him and finish him off.

I know that this sounds awfully gruesome, but the guy literally had it coming to him when he burglarized your home. I don't have any mercy for those kind of folk, only justice.

 

[bigfutz]

You might be able to mitigate this with loading different rounds into your gun, so that the first round acts as kind of a disabler, stopping the perp from advancing, and then the second round is the killer. By disabling the perp, you can advance on him and finish him off.

I know that this sounds awfully gruesome, but the guy literally had it coming to him when he burglarized your home. I don't have any mercy for those kind of folk, only justice.

Think hard about that statement. You might end up spending 30 years thinking about it if you "finish off" a perp you have already disabled. Before each shot, ask yourself if your life is in danger or is the threat subdued.

 

[Parhams0508]

You might be able to mitigate this with loading different rounds into your gun, so that the first round acts as kind of a disabler, stopping the perp from advancing, and then the second round is the killer. By disabling the perp, you can advance on him and finish him off.

I know that this sounds awfully gruesome, but the guy literally had it coming to him when he burglarized your home. I don't have any mercy for those kind of folk, only justice.

Think hard about that statement. You might end up spending 30 years thinking about it if you "finish off" a perp you have already disabled. Before each shot, ask yourself if your life is in danger or is the threat subdued.

Truth. I guess what I meant to say was that, if he isn't stopped, the second, more lethal round is available to end the burglar's thievery.

 

[thehammer69]

Load the best defensive round you can and always double tap. That's my philosophy. And always shoot to kill.

 

[John Canuck]

Load the best defensive round you can and always double tap. That's my philosophy. And always shoot to kill.

Is your "shoot to kill" philosophy ready for presentation by your attorney at your trial? If not, most (notice I say most as some miss the point) prefer to use the term "shoot to stop the threat". YMMV in court.