New to shotguns...need some answers

[agbullet2k1]

Hey guys,

I'm looking into getting a shotgun for myself for Christmas, and I had a few questions that I'd like to toss out there to the more experienced members. I'm very familiar with rifles and handguns, but I've never even fired a shotgun before. I'm familiar with how to operate one (from my grandfather showing me), but I've never had any real need for one.

I'm mainly looking for something that would be a good combo home defense / skeet shooting model (pump or semi-auto). Obviously I'd like the barrel to be short enough to maneuver around corners and hallways, but I'm wondering if having it shorter would make it harder to use as a sporting/hunting model. I know it is possible to exchange barrels on some models, but everything I've seen is pretty much a standard length barrel paired with a shorter rifled slug barrel.

If all else fails, I'd place more emphasis on having a sporting/hunting shotgun, as I'm proficient enough with a handgun for home defense. I just like the looks of some of the home defense models more (the Remington stainless model especially).

So to summarize:
1) If I go with a shorter barrel, will sporting performance suffer greatly?
2) what are the advantages/disadvantages of longer/shorter barrel lengths?
3) Given that my wife is very petite and not too thrilled about recoil, would it be better to look at 20 ga. vs. 12 ga.?

Thanks!!

[seamusTX]

Congratulations on considering a shotgun, which is possibly the most effective weapon available to civilians for self-defense.

1) If I go with a shorter barrel, will sporting performance suffer greatly?

Yes. The sight radius makes a tremendous difference when you are shooting clays. The weight and "swing' (ergonomic feel) of a longer shotgun are also significant in sports.

Everyone who is anyone in that game uses an over-under.

2) what are the advantages/disadvantages of longer/shorter barrel lengths?

Long barrels are difficult to maneuver indoors and could be grabbed and diverted by an assailant. Also see above.

Most shotgunners settle on a shortie with an extended magazine for home defense, and they often add fiber-optic sights, flashlights, and the like.

3) Given that my wife is very petite and not too thrilled about recoil, would it be better to look at 20 ga. vs. 12 ga.?

Maybe. Individuals vary widely in their sensitivity to recoil. Technique makes a huge difference. I can't emphasize enough that you and your wife should get some good quality instruction. The first few shots are much different from the hundredth, or thousandth. (And you will shoot thousands if you like it.)

Sheesh. I just saw you are in League City. Please get in touch with Tom Estep in Texas City.

You can buy lighter commercial loads in 20 ga. (typically 7/8 oz.), but 12 ga. can be downloaded as much as you want if you are willing to load your own.

Models like the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 are under $200 on sale. You can by his-and-hers.

You also have to think about chokes. You generally want a tight choke for short-range defense, and a more open one for sports. Some hunting requires tighter chokes. This is a huge subject that you can spend a lot of time learning.

- JIm

[kalipsocs]

I am far from an expert, but I currently have 2 Mossberg 500s in 12 gauge. I bought the first one when I knew nothing about shotguns and just wanted something cool, so its matte black with a 20" barrel a flip up stock w/ pistol grip, 5 shell saddle, heat shield, sling, and tac light. Well I learned very quickly that for home defense this thing was it but for the skeet range it was lacking. So then I bought the exact same model just with a 28" barrel all wood stock. Talk about night and day. To give you more pointed answers to your questions though:

1.) Shorter barrel length will decrease your range. When I was using my 20" for clay pigeons, I had to fire within maybe a second or 2 from saying pull before it was out of my range. When I took the 28" out, I could lead the pigeons and take my time. Having a choke will tighten your patten and most likely give you a greater range, but this I can't speak on in detail as I have never used a choke on either one of them. Anyone else wanna talk about chokes?

2.) As I mentioned in the last point, a shorter barrel allows for easier maneuvering inside your home and will have a wider pattern overall than a long barrel would. The less barrel, the faster the pellets can spread out. The obvious downside is that since the pattern opens faster, you range is decreased. Obviously ranges in home defense though isn't going to be what they are when sport shooting, so you don't need to worry about it opening up too much in doors. Longer barrel, the pellets stay closer together longer giving you greater ranges.

3.) A 20-gauge has a much milder recoil than a 12 not to mention I have read a few articles that say a 20 is better for home defense (maybe based on that very reason? I didn't read it all..you caught me! ) The only thing worth mentioning is that with a 20 gauge, its obviously a smaller cartridge than a 12 which equals less shot. I have shot skeet with a 28" Remington auto in 20 gauge a couple times and there is no messing around....you have to be good! It presents a significant jump in skill level at least with my dealings. Once again though, for home defense that won't matter as much but at the skeet range its going to be that much more of a challenge.

I know that Mossberg makes a "Home and Field" package and Cabela's stocks them. It is a Mossberg 500 with a 18.5" barrel and a muzzle break and then what seems to be a full 28" ribbed barrel for the range close to $300 which is excellent if you ask me. Its just one big thumb screw holding the barrel in....give it a few turns, open the action, out comes one barrel and in goes the other, tighten the screw and you're done! I am not sure what Remington is offering up these days but the 870 is an excellent pump with easily the greatest after market. Mossberg has a good aftermarket as well, just not as good as Remington. Winchesters I can't speak on. Besides that, you can start spending the big bucks on the fancy shotguns such as a Benelli, Browning, and Beretta. Anyway, hope that helps a little and good luck!

[CodeJockey]

I can also tell you that recoil is much lower on a semi-auto than a pump or o/u. I have two friends who have 10-gauges. One is a semi-auto and the other is a bolt action (really old). That bolt action makes me wince just thinking of it, but the semi-auto really isn't too bad. Just something to consider. FWIW, I have owned both a Remington 870 and a Mossberg 500. I personally like the mossberg better but they are both great guns for home defense.

[OverEasy]

I recently bought a Mossberg 500 Crown Bantam from Academy for $209.(20 ga.)
I went with the 'Youth' model for the shorter barrel and shorter stock to make the gun more compact and to fit my wife better. I chose 20 ga. for lighter recoil (wife).

theboxotruth.com has good info on shotguns. #22; 20 Gauge Shotgun, was a good test showing the effectiveness of the 20 ga.#3 buckshot loads. Several other articles/tests are shotgun related also.

I chose the Mossberg 500 over the Remington 870 for several reasons. The main one was the Mossberg saftey located on top of the receiver is more ambidextrous than the 870 'crossbolt' design. The second reason was the Mossberg was less expensive.
The Remington can be modified with a longer magazine tube to hold more shells. The Mossberg can not.

I did a Yahoo search on 'Mossberg vs Remington'. You can find lots of articles that way.

If you choose to defend yourself and your family with a firearm you need a shotgun!! You don't play golf with just one club!

Note: A shotgun with a pistolgrip instead of a stock is not what you want to try and teach your wife to shoot, if you want her to shoot a shotgun. Just ask MY wife.

Regards, OE

[JasonH]

If you would like to shoot a Remington 870 Wingmaster before making your decision just let me know. I'll probably be out fooling around this weekend at the range.

I'm no expert but I could at least get you familiar with things.

[stroo]

Get a Mossberg 500 with both the 18.5 inch barrel and the 28 inch barrel. They are easy to change and will give you a gun that is good for both home defense and clay pigeons and won't cost you an arm and a leg.

[CompVest]

You should consider the Benelli Nova series. My husband uses his for home and skeet/trap use. His is in 12 gauge.

I am rather small and I have no trouble shooting a 12 gauge. I prefer my Remington 1100 Youth in 20 gauge.

[CodeJockey]

Benelli Nova is a fine weapon. I just looked at one last weekend. For me personally though, the pump release was difficult to use. Make sure, whatever you get, that you really get a good feel for what fits you and your wife. Good luck!

[biggyin]

Is there any real worth in getting a shotgun chambered for the 3 1/2" mag?

[JasonH]

Is there any real worth in getting a shotgun chambered for the 3 1/2" mag?

I asked the same question about a dozen times to a dozen different people and the answer I got from them all was "no."

The general opinion is you lose so much control and gain so little lethality (compared to 2 3/4 ballistics) that it's just not worth the trade-off.

And of course, you lose a bit of capacity as well.

There's nothing wrong with having the ability to do it in a "super mag" obviously but I didn't go out of my way to buy something capable of it. I bought a normal 870 Wingmaster that does the 3". I keep 2 3/4 00 Buck in it for home defense.

[agbullet2k1]

Well, that's certainly a lot of advice to take in. Thanks for all the input!!! I headed by Academy to check out their stock, and after handling the Remington, Mossberg, and Benelli, I think I'm going to end up going with the Remington 12ga. The 870 just seemed to fit better for me, plus they have a bit of a rebate going, which should just about cover tax. Now I just have to decide between wood grain or evil black. Does anyone know if it's possible (or worthwhile) for a do-it-youselfer to polish up the cheaper woodwork on the Express model?

[seamusTX]

Does anyone know if it's possible (or worthwhile) for a do-it-youselfer to polish up the cheaper woodwork on the Express model?

I have one of those. I use Johnson's paste wax on the whole gun. It makes the wood look better and keeps the metal from rusting.

The beautiful wood and bluing of the classic shotgun is expensive, and IMHO you'll just end up kicking yourself if (when) it gets scratched.

This is the wax that I'm talking about: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... Id=1420111" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There are few if any comparable products on the market today.

- Jim

[KBCraig]

Is there any real worth in getting a shotgun chambered for the 3 1/2" mag?

Only if you're shooting ducks and geese with a 28"+ barrel. Otherwise, no.

[matrxx]

anyone has experience with Winchester 1300 18" with plastic stock?