[ChrisD46]

In terms of a 12 gauge tactical shotgun used primarily for home defense - what are the ideal attributes you consider necessary versus those which may merely be "tacti-cool" ?

 

[ChrisD46]

Not sure why I would require a sling for a HD shot gun ? I agree good front / rear sights could be beneficial as would be additional shells attached to the receiver plus a mounted light / laser on a reliable pump with a 20 inch (or less) open choke barrel and shoulder stock. I'm not against a reliable semi - auto but to obtain a good one can cost $$$ (as in Bennelli M4) . No one mentioned a "bullpup" style 12 gauge yet for HD ?

 

[ChrisD46]

It would be hard pressed I believe to find another HD shotgun better than the Mossberg 590 to add exactly what is needed to turn it into a very formidable HD weapon .Next , would be serious practice with it ...

 

[ChrisD46]

My Two Cents for a Home Defense Shotgun
My first choice would be a Remington 870, with a Mossberg not far behind.
Barrel length 18-20 with an open choke.

ADD TO LIST:
FIRST Streamlight TL Racker Forend with 1000 Lumen Light so that you can see the target.
SECOND would be a HI visibility front sight.
A Side Saddle Shell Carrier if you can stand the added weight of six more rounds on the weapon.

TRAINING Get familiar with your shotgun.
Take it out and shoot up boxes of shells. Practice loading and unloading it so that you know what all the functions are. Use the Safety so you get familiar with using it. You need to know how to get the shotgun open with a round chambered or just cocked with no round in the chamber. This sounds simple to those of us who shoot shotguns a lot. This may not be so simple to a novice. Learn how to take it apart and clean it.

I store my shotgun with a loaded tube and no round in the chamber. My advice is to check the chamber and make sure you have no shell in the chamber, then pull the trigger so that the hammer is down when stored. You can now just pump the shotgun to get it up and running.
If you stored it Cocked with no round in the chamber you will need to remember to push the slide release to pump the shotgun. That is just one more thing to remember under stress.

Last keep spare shells in a 25 Round Box in the same room that you store the gun in. This will have reloads in a box big enough to find in a hurry.

Just my Two Cents.

Bob R

*Good pointers ! ... *I love what I see in the Mossberg 590 model - add a light and any other mods you deem important and there is some company out there that makes it !

 

[ChrisD46]

My Two Cents for a Home Defense Shotgun
My first choice would be a Remington 870, with a Mossberg not far behind.
Barrel length 18-20 with an open choke.

ADD TO LIST:
FIRST Streamlight TL Racker Forend with 1000 Lumen Light so that you can see the target.
SECOND would be a HI visibility front sight.
A Side Saddle Shell Carrier if you can stand the added weight of six more rounds on the weapon.

TRAINING Get familiar with your shotgun.
Take it out and shoot up boxes of shells. Practice loading and unloading it so that you know what all the functions are. Use the Safety so you get familiar with using it. You need to know how to get the shotgun open with a round chambered or just cocked with no round in the chamber. This sounds simple to those of us who shoot shotguns a lot. This may not be so simple to a novice. Learn how to take it apart and clean it.

I store my shotgun with a loaded tube and no round in the chamber. My advice is to check the chamber and make sure you have no shell in the chamber, then pull the trigger so that the hammer is down when stored. You can now just pump the shotgun to get it up and running.
If you stored it Cocked with no round in the chamber you will need to remember to push the slide release to pump the shotgun. That is just one more thing to remember under stress.

Last keep spare shells in a 25 Round Box in the same room that you store the gun in. This will have reloads in a box big enough to find in a hurry.

Just my Two Cents.

Bob R

Depends on what year the Remington 870 was made ? ... Newer ones may have reliability issues !

 

[ChrisD46]

We all have a scenario in mind for when a home invasion happens at our place, and that is a good thing to plan for. However, things don't always go as planned and it is important to consider alternatives.

My go to shotgun is a Kel-Tec KSG. It is relatively short and maneuverable and holds 14 rounds of 2 3/4 shells and more of the short Aguilla shells if I so desire (and if that isn't enough, I probably should have grabbed the AR). One tube is 00 buck, and the other slugs. I have a light/laser on it if I need to identify a target, and a sling in case I have to let go of the shotgun and transition to a handgun without anyone else being able to pick it up and use it against me. I have Magpul sight for accuracy when needed.

The scenario in my mind is to be able to deal with the eventualities I planned for, and those I haven't even thought of.

Interesting Bulpup - how is the reliability with your Keltek (especially with the mini-shells ?)