Which Shotgun is best?

Question

I would like one for home defense and maybe to do a little hunting with. Which shotgun is better for this situation?
Thanks

Answer 1

Pretty much any repeating shotgun can do double-duty as a home defence and sporting firearm. A pump or double barrelled 12 gauge would be the most suitable.



There are some combo pump-actions available that come with two barrels: one short and handy for deer hunting or home defense purposes, and a longer choked one for bird hunting. That's quite a versatile set-up at a budget price.



The links I've attached should be of interest, so give them a look.

Answer 2

The two 'kings' of the shotgun world are the Remington 870 Express and the Mossberg 500. They are Coke vs Pepsi, Ford vs Chevy. It comes down to a matter of personal prefrence.



Both are economical and extremely reliable pump shotguns available in 12 and 20 gauge. Both 12 and 20 gauge are sigificantly more powerful than any handgun, even a 44 magnum or a 50 AE Desert Eagle or a Colt 45 or any other handgun you can think of. A 12 gauge is more powerful than a 20 gauge, but it kicks more. Some people say a 12 guage is more versitile, but a 20 gauge works just as well for hunting and self defense with two possible exceptions #1 goose hunting #2 self defense in grizzly bear country.



Now, it's not quite as simple as 'get a remmy 870 or a mossy 500'



Each gun type comes in a myrid of 'configurations'



For home defense, an 18" to 22" barrel is ideal, for bird hunting a 28" barrel is ideal, for deer/bear hunting a 24" riflesighted barrel is ideal.



For home defense, an extended magazine so you can have 7 or even 8 shells in the gun is a nice benifit but not necessary. For hunting, the standard 5 shell is plenty, and in some hunting conditions you must 'plug' it to hold only 3 shells total.



For home defense, getting a flashlight and attaching it to the gun is a VERY smart idea. If you have a flashlight on your gun when hunting, the game warden will suspect you were planning on illegally hunting at night. However, most flashlight attachments can be taken off.



There are two good things to help with all this contradictory information.



#1 while not IDEAL, a standard hunting shotgun with a 28 inch barrel and a 4-5 shell capacity is still one heck of a good defensive weapon



#2 you can get one shotgun AND get 2 barrels for it if you so choose



Here is the basic mossberg 12 guage hunting shotgun

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/46024



it is also available in synthetic (black polymer/plastic) stock because it is very weather resistant.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/46979



here it is in the lower kicking 20 gauge

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/46366



here it is in synthetic stock but with a short barrel for home defense use

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/46276



here is the same gun but in 20 guage for less kick

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/46499



here is the same gun in a 'package' that includes one gun and two barrels, a hunting barrel or a home defense barrel

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/46907



here is the 12 guage with a bit longer barrel and a full length magazine tube, again home defense specialty

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/47809



here is mossberg's premiere home defense/military/police shotgun including a special 'ghost ring' sighting system

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/50663



******************NOTE*************

whatever you do, do NOT get a Pistol-Grip-Only shotgun, with no stock you cannot aim it and control it. Sure, you can hip fire if you want to make a youtube video of youself looking cool (or foolish to anyone with knowledge) but it is NOT very accurate or controllable, at least not when your life or the lives of your kids may be on the line



PGO shotgun

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/47090

Answer 3

A 12 or 20 gauge pump shotgun made by Mossberg in the 500 Model or the less expensive Mossberg Maverick.* Use number 4 BB shot for self defense ammo.*

Answer 4

just about any pump action shotgun that you can find today would be more than adequate for both uses



For best performance and value buy a good used shotgun and separate barrels for specific uses



I have an 18inch riot barrel and a 28 inch birding barrel for my Winchester all I need now is a slug barrel and I have all the hunting and home defense gun I will ever need in Florida

Answer 5

Both the Mossberg Model 500 and the Remington Express 12 gauges in their "combo" versions will suit you well and both are very reasonably priced.



See the link I have provided below.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express_combos.asp



The Mossberg website isn't working properly at this time, or I would have included a link to their product as well.



Good luck -

Answer 6

i have an remington 12 guage 870 express combo. i have the choice of what barrel i want depending on my need at the time. it is a great gun and a fair price. my brother has one also , and his is cut down for .. home defense .. purposes. he likes his also. just check out the shotguns at the nearest gun shop and see what fits you as the shooter better. good luck and happy hunting.

Answer 7

A good 12ga pump action. I like the Remington 870 and own a two Mossberg 500s. One in 12ga and one in 20. The Mossberg has a price advantage and the Remington has a steel receiver verses aluminium on the Mossberg.

Answer 8

Mossburg makes an excellent shotgun. pump action.

which come in 12 or 20 guage



you can use a slug barel on or for birds with a smooth barrel.

Answer 9

www.Benelliusa.com



Try the Supernova