Finally Got The House Gun

[A-Jay]

After weeding through several weapons and then making the short list, I chose to go with what my wife and I are most familiar with.  

 

A Remington 870 will be standing watch in my home and it feels good.

 

A-Jay

 

[Teal]

A time tested and proven classic that is easy to use and is very user friendly if you want to customize it.

[RyneB]

After weeding through several weapons and then making the short list, I chose to go with what my wife and I are most familiar with.  

 

A Remington 870 will be standing watch in my home and it feels good.

 

A-Jay

 

Remington 870 Express Tactical.jpg

 

great choice. My brother in law has an 870 and i have shot it a lot. Nothing but positives.

[Glenn]

Curious...why a shotgun and not a pistol?  Not judging, just wondering.

[tomustang]

A Remington 870 would've been standing watch in my home but I lost it in a boating accident.

 

Fixed that for ya

[Hi Salenity]

Nice gun , I hope you never need it.

[A-Jay]

Curious...why a shotgun and not a pistol?  Not judging, just wondering.

 

I know there are several schools of thought on this subject Glenn.

 

And although we do have an excellent alarm system, a whole pack of them in fact,

 

our experience with Maritime L/E has made us firm believers in single shot stopping power.

 

Here in the North Woods, you can dial 911 but it might be a While before you see "The Sheriff".

 

A-Jay

[Glenn]

Well yes, I get that.  I'm not questioning getting a firearm.  I'm just wondering why you chose a shotgun over a pistol.  I'm considering a pistol, which is why I'm asking.

 

To be honest, I'm going to get a concealed permit, so it's doubtful I'll get a shotgun for home defense, even though I love sporting clays. 

[A-Jay]

Well yes, I get that.  I'm not questioning getting a firearm.  I'm just wondering why you chose a shotgun over a pistol.  I'm considering a pistol, which is why I'm asking.

 

To be honest, I'm going to get a concealed permit, so it's doubtful I'll get a shotgun for home defense, even though I love sporting clays. 

 

CCW is a different issue and one that does not comes into play here for us.

 

There are many reasons why this was our choice, here are some of the more important ones;

 

Hands down the shotgun has the most stopping power.

 

The shotgun creates a spread of shot multiple inches in diameter but generally one shot placed center mass is more than enough to stop an intruder.

 

This model has a short 18 inch barrel, so it's easily maneuverable up close.

 

Shotshells are relatively in expensive for practice rounds, but defense loads is a little more spendy, running a little more than handgun ammo on average, but not by much.

 

Shotguns also rarely, if ever, jam.

 

I respect others who have a different view, but I'm not looking to debate it here.

 

A-Jay

[Glenn]

Got it.  Thanks!

[tomustang]

I've would've went with a blunderbuss if you wanted a larger diameter

[nick76]

Completely agree with A-Jay. I use a shotgun for the house, but I also have my concealed carry license for when I am traveling or at the office. It is a little more difficult to go out for dinner or walk into a store with a shotgun and for that a handgun is my choice. Both serve good purposes with the shotgun being more of a point and shoot weapon at the ranges most people will use it for in the home. With the right shells it can also not over penetrate into the next room, but still be fatal in the immediate area. Shooting a 12-18 inch pattern at a target 15-18 feet you are more likely to hit than a single round of 1/2 inch diameter or less.

[HeavyDluxe]

I've also been told that lot of people choose shotguns for in-home use because of the rick of over-penetration from errant handgun or carbine shots.

 

I would also think that, under stress, the little bit of spread a shotgun gives you is a good thing.

[JT Bagwell]

I too have an 870 Tactical 12 guage. I used the "home defense" excuse to purchase but in reality I wouldn't get to it in time to do any good.

It is locked in a safe with most of my other weapons.

 

My real home defense weapon is my .40 cal Glock. I keep it and 2 high capacity magazines in a location that I can get too very quickly.

[A-Jay]

I too have an 870 Tactical 12 guage. I used the "home defense" excuse to purchase but in reality I wouldn't get to it in time to do any good.

It is locked in a safe with most of my other weapons.

 

My real home defense weapon is my .40 cal Glock. I keep it and 2 high capacity magazines in a location that I can get too very quickly.

 

With no children in the house and very few if any "visitors", we keep it quite accessible and only a pump away from

"Here Comes the Boom".

 

A-Jay

[gripnrip]

With no children in the house and very few if any "visitors", we keep it quite accessible and only a pump away from

"Here Comes the Boom".

 

A-Jay

That's exactly why I have one for home defense.  Nothing like the sound of someone pumping double 00 buckshot in the chamber!

[Busy]

I regularly shoot pistols and shotguns and am fairly capable with both.  Pistols we shoot at 17 yards, target is a popcan, not a problem with the longer barrelled .22 handguns but a little more difficult with the short barrelled concealed carry type handguns.  Even so, if I miss a popcan at 17 yards I'm sure I'd still hit the body...

 

I shoot a lot of clays from all different angles and am just much more comfortable with a shotgun in my hands.  That and the fact that my winchester model 1200 has NEVER jammed on me makes it my pick for home defense.  I might appreciate the spread in the dark.  But like another poster said, I keep all guns unloaded locked in a safe downstairs, so its not too practical that im getting to them in time.  We have a dog security system but I sleep like a rock.

 

Basically to me its whatever you are the most comfortable with.  Doesnt matter what the gun is, what round you use, what the risk of over penetration is, how long the barrel is, semi or pump, revolver or not, the bottom line is that you will be shooting at someone and you will need to do it with gun you feel the most comfortable with.

[Trailer]

I belong to a local gun club and shoot a lot. I own everything from pistols to an AR15 and the one gun I have nearby ready to go is a 12 ga Mossberg 500. I keep the tube filled with 00 buck and all I have to do is rack it one time (which is menacing enough in a dark house).

 

I have always thought that a youth model 20 ga pump shotgun would be the perfect home defense weapon. Shorter barrel and stock but enough umph to kill. You don't have to be pinpoint with a shotgun and you don't have to worry about slugs (unless used) going through walls and striking objects including family members in other rooms.

 

just my opinion...

[Traveler2586]

I had a 870 for sporting clays (Trap) for many years. It was my favorite against a Perazzi (?) over/under. Even though I heavily modified it for the sport, it never gave me any problems.

[Busy]

870's are very reliable.  We have 2 but I can't hit a thing with them for some reason.  I'm very picky with shotguns on how the ventilated rib lines up with the top of the receiver.  I can hit with the old 870 that doesnt have a ventilated rib but I cant hit with the newer one.  I'm pretty sure its because the ventilated rib is 3/16 of an inch taller than the top of the receiver.

[A-Jay]

870's are very reliable.  We have 2 but I can't hit a thing with them for some reason.  I'm very picky with shotguns on how the ventilated rib lines up with the top of the receiver.  I can hit with the old 870 that doesnt have a ventilated rib but I cant hit with the newer one.  I'm pretty sure its because the ventilated rib is 3/16 of an inch taller than the top of the receiver.

 

Interesting ~

 

 In my case, I don't think target range will be a concern. However, a powder burn might come into play.

 

A-Jay

[Traveler2586]

870's are very reliable.  We have 2 but I can't hit a thing with them for some reason.  I'm very picky with shotguns on how the ventilated rib lines up with the top of the receiver.  I can hit with the old 870 that doesn't have a ventilated rib but I cant hit with the newer one.  I'm pretty sure its because the ventilated rib is 3/16 of an inch taller than the top of the receiver.

Are you talking about shooting sporting clays??

 

What choke does each barrel have?  Consider asking for a coach at the local gun club; one session just may do the trick.  My 870 had a ventilated rib with a full choke and was very accurate.

 

Also, look for a pattern board at the club to learn where the shot pellets are going.

 

Usually a big problem in sporting clays is with follow-through; you can add a steel plug in the magazine tube to help.

 

If your not talking about Sporting clays - then I can't help you

[Busy]

The newer one is a 12ga Modified choke

The older one is a 20ga Full choke, this gun is pretty old, all machined parts

 

I'm confident its the way the ventilated rib sits that throws me off though and I dont prefer the feel of the 870's although they are very good guns

 

I shoot a winchester model 1200 20ga full choke, yeah its a 20ga but i never hit a pheasant that didnt drop.  I mean I can hit sporting clays with the 870s but my percentage goes from ~93 to ~80...  I LOVE my winchester and have had opportunites to buy different guns and really wanted to get a good 12ga that I liked for a long time, but nothing feels as good in my hands as the 20ga I already have.

[Traveler2586]

The newer one is a 12ga Modified choke

The older one is a 20ga Full choke, this gun is pretty old, all machined parts

 

I'm confident its the way the ventilated rib sits that throws me off though and I don't prefer the feel of the 870's although they are very good guns

 

I shoot a winchester model 1200 20ga full choke, yeah its a 20ga but i never hit a pheasant that didn't drop.  I mean I can hit sporting clays with the 870s but my percentage goes from ~93 to ~80...  I LOVE my winchester and have had opportunities to buy different guns and really wanted to get a good 12ga that I liked for a long time, but nothing feels as good in my hands as the 20ga I already have.

I hear you, it's a personal thing.     Also, you have more time in the hand with the Winchester, that's hard to overcome but it can be done.  Go with the Win, and there's nothing wrong with a 20.  Give the 870 a chance and it'll become an old friend too; I think the vent rib is just a mind thing that will disappear with time in hand.   Ever try Skeet with a 410?     BTW, All my guns had vent ribs, so I probably can't shoot a plain barrel. 

[K_Mac]

A-Jay I have a Mossberg pump with an 18" barrel and a choice of a couple of handguns for home defense, depending on the situation. My first choice is a 9mm semiauto. I have trained with both, and I am more comfortable in tight quarters with a handgun. I was shocked at how small of a pattern you get with a 12 ga loaded with buckshot at SD distances, and how easy is it to miss when moving and shooting in a hurry. It is a formidable weapon though, and if I am hunkered down waiting for help to arrive it will be the gun in my hands. I like the 870 a little better than the Mossberg, but I got a good deal on the Mossberg. I also hope you never have to use it for its intended purpose, and if you do that it serve you well.