Follow-up to 20 ga home defense

the remy 870 youth gun in .20 ga, comes with the shorter youth stock and a 21" barrel, so unless you just want an 18" gun, the shotty is ready to go as is. shorter stock makes for a handy HD gun all around.

I think the shorter barrel would be helpful. I live in an old house and the stairway is tight. My other shotguns are longer, and I can't see any way I could move around the house with them... not that I'm all that interested in clearing my house!

The Remington 20ga Jr comes with a youth stock that has adjustable spacers so you can make it shorter or full lenght.

ssgrock3 said:

the remy 870 youth gun in .20 ga, comes with the shorter youth stock and a 21" barrel, so unless you just want an 18" gun, the shotty is ready to go as is. shorter stock makes for a handy HD gun all around.

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The Youth 20 Ga is very much under rated for HD. You can find them on sale frequently or used at a good price. The used ones are usually used very little. I just bought a used one in 3 inch Magnum for $240 out the door.

Providence said:

I think the shorter barrel would be helpful. I live in an old house and the stairway is tight. My other shotguns are longer, and I can't see any way I could move around the house with them... not that I'm all that interested in clearing my house!

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I just put my Remington 870 12 gauge with an 18 1/2" barrel side by side to my son's Mossberg Bantam 500c 20 gauge and the Mossberg is only about an inch longer over all.

His Mossberg has a wood stock, without spacers, and has a thick limb saver recoil pad on it as well. It has a 13" length of pull and a 22" vent rib barrel.

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=22&display=specs
model #54132

CTD has the one my son has.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/2MS54132-1.html

Besides the spacers in the stock, you also give up 2 rounds if you go with that mini super bantam you linked. It is a compact gun, and weighs 1 1/2 lbs less than the one I linked as well. With a gun that light, you will have more felt recoil. I don't know how recoil sensitive your wife is.

Thanks! I appreciate the opinions.

My son and his girlfriend moved into an apartment to put them closer to OSU. While trying to figure out a home defense gun for him, I found the perfect answer no further away than my gun safe. The gun my son hunted with as a young lad. A youth 870 20 gauge with a 21" vent rib barrel. Loaded with Federal premium #4 buck, I think it will more than suffice.

Ron

Buckeye 7x57 said:

My son and his girlfriend moved into an apartment to put them closer to OSU. While trying to figure out a home defense gun for him, I found the perfect answer no further away than my gun safe. The gun my son hunted with as a young lad. A youth 870 20 gauge with a 21" vent rib barrel. Loaded with Federal premium #4 buck, I think it will more than suffice.

Ron

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Same combo we used when we first got married. That #4 buck has 27 pellets and little to no recoil.

ssgrock3 said:

That #4 buck has 27 pellets and little to no recoil.

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Good to know!

Waiting for a range report. Curious if that gun has quite a bit of recoil due to the weight. How does it shoot?

I bought a 20 ga. Mossberg crusier many years ago. It had a pistol grip on it (worthless) I removed it and put a rifle stock pistol grip combo on it. I shoot #3 buck out of it for HD. Mossberg makes some pretty nice inexpensive pump SG's for HD.

cyphertext said:

Waiting for a range report. Curious if that gun has quite a bit of recoil due to the weight. How does it shoot?

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I would try some of these.

Federal Premium Personal Defense Ammunition 20 Gauge 2-3/4" Reduced Recoil #4 Shot 24 Pellets Box of 5

My wife doesn't like recoil - these are the lightest shooting 20 gauge buck shot I have found.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/95...llets-box-of-5?cm_cat=Cart&cm_pla=ProductDesc

For practice these are sweet - light recoil -

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/99...on-20-gauge-2-3-4-3-4-oz-7-1-2-shot-box-of-25

Excellent choice.

Again, many thanks for all the advice.

cyphertext said:

Waiting for a range report. Curious if that gun has quite a bit of recoil due to the weight. How does it shoot?

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Finally got to the range today, and I'm sad to report that there is a "kick." The range requires slugs, so I was shooting high brass. I know that is a consideration, but it is cause for concern. In fact, I think it kicked more that a Moss 500 and Rem 870 shooting slugs. So I'm not feeling like I made the best move. My wife didn't go with me, and I'm glad for that. I hoping I'll be able to come up with some solutions.

If we travel to an outside range, we can use low recoil ammo. I'm going to use the low recoil for home defense any way.

The stock is a little short, so I'm wondering about a recoil pad. Any advice there?

those slugs are gonna be harder kicking that most anything. #4 buckshot doesn't seem to be so bad in a youth 870 express in 20ga.

870 Youth 20 gauge works here at home. Of course, an AR is nearby as well.