Tactical 12 Gauge : Ideal Attributes You Require For Home Defense ?
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" ?
61 - 77 of 77 Posts
Joined
·
281 Posts
I agree from a historical perspective - older semis seemed to be a malfunction waiting to happen rather than when - but I believe the better made ones suffered more from neglect/poor maintenance, poor ammo and gunsmith ignorance than any design flaws. With todays semis like the Benelli and Berettas, I trust them completely and feel (at least in my use for 3gun) completely confident. I only use quality ammo, maintain regularly and so far after about 3k rounds in my 2 Benellis no flaws, and about 2.5k in my Beretta same. Whether real or imagined, my M2s have far less felt recoil than my 870s, and I stay on target easier with them.
There is nothing like the sound and drama of racking a round in an 870! And I suspect that sound and sight has diffused a few situations. But if I read the news right, diffusing situations seem to be less and less probable and smooth and accurate more necessary.
I have both types and will never lose my pumps, but in a purely tactical situation I like the time on target, lower recoil, speed and reliability of my semis (Benelli, Beretta, Remington). I am sure there are other models that shooters here feel just as confident in - and to be equally clear, I watched a guy 2 months ago shooting 3 gun with an 870 who beat my (shotgun) score, so the old dog is still in the hunt - but I would give the newer models a slight edge.
Could be that I am a sucker for comfort over speed at this point in my journey too! Probably not a right or wrong decision so much as what is best for the individual shouldering the weapon.
Joined
·
3,770 Posts
I will add the light must be manageable at all times during the operation of the firearm. Semiauto shotguns are not an issue, but it is a huge issue on the pump guns, as most lights are mounted forward of the foregrip on the mag tube or barrel.
Joined
·
9,039 Posts
As long as the shotgun gets shot regularly and the springs changed out. A semi, sitting in a corner for years with a stack of buckshot, much higher chance of a malfunction than if a pump.
Joined
·
4,159 Posts
OP/ChrisD46,
I'm seeing many similarly described shotguns in the prior posts in this thread.
I'm wondering if the thread has helped anybody who may not have the shotgun set-up already figured out.
Many folks will have some differences, whether based on training, brand preferences, action preferences, preconceived scenarios; ammo preferences; and some who may not have answered won't like a shotgun at all.
I went from being issued an 18.5" Remington 870 with 4 rounds of double-00 buck ammo, and not much training as to how or when to use the gun (bead sight, no sling);
A new department had much more training.
-to a 20" Mossberg 590A1 (bead sight, no sling, 00-buck and slugs, spare ammo in the stock);
-later, slings were added to the shotguns by the department;
-later, the 20" bead sighted 590A1 guns were replaced with ghost ring sighted guns;
-still later the 20" ghost ring sighted guns were replaced with 14" guns.
If a shotgun is decided upon, get a shotgun. Get training. Outfit your shotgun the way you want it or see fit.
Here's an idea of what some departments/agencies have or used to order if still ordering shotguns:
www.wilsoncombat.com
www.wilsoncombat.com
www.wilsoncombat.com
www.wilsoncombat.com
www.wilsoncombat.com
www.beretta.com
I like the Mossberg 590A1 and Remington 870. My Remington 11-87P will be totally obsolete if it breaks again and is basically retired from being used. I'm considering a Beretta 1301, Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical, or the yet to be announced but forthcoming Beretta semiauto (I don't know anymore about it). I suppose I'd consider a Benelli M4, but I find it hard to get over it's $2000+ initial buy in and then another few hundred in probable accessories (light, ammo carrier, sling, mounting hardware [personal preferences]). Ammo would be an on-going expense over the years whether the gun was new to me or not, but would want more ammo at first with a new gun to thoroughly be confident with that new gun.
I'm seeing many similarly described shotguns in the prior posts in this thread.
I'm wondering if the thread has helped anybody who may not have the shotgun set-up already figured out.
Many folks will have some differences, whether based on training, brand preferences, action preferences, preconceived scenarios; ammo preferences; and some who may not have answered won't like a shotgun at all.
I went from being issued an 18.5" Remington 870 with 4 rounds of double-00 buck ammo, and not much training as to how or when to use the gun (bead sight, no sling);
A new department had much more training.
-to a 20" Mossberg 590A1 (bead sight, no sling, 00-buck and slugs, spare ammo in the stock);
-later, slings were added to the shotguns by the department;
-later, the 20" bead sighted 590A1 guns were replaced with ghost ring sighted guns;
-still later the 20" ghost ring sighted guns were replaced with 14" guns.
If a shotgun is decided upon, get a shotgun. Get training. Outfit your shotgun the way you want it or see fit.
Here's an idea of what some departments/agencies have or used to order if still ordering shotguns:
Border Patrol - Wilson Combat
Border Patrol Model has an outstanding, well-earned reputation as the workhorse of Wilson Combat® / ScattergunTechnologies™ shotguns.
www.wilsoncombat.com
CQB Shotgun - Wilson Combat
CQB Shotgun, ideal tactical shotgun package with the added adjustability and modularity inherent to a collapsible AR-compatible buttstock.
www.wilsoncombat.com
Professional - Wilson Combat
The Professional shotgun model offers all the features in the most compact package. *This Model is Discontinued*
www.wilsoncombat.com
ROB HAUGHT SPECIAL SHOTGUN - Wilson Combat
Rob Haught Special Shotgun, Rob Haught developed this model for Wilson Combat as a starting point for his ideal defensive 870 pump shotgun.
www.wilsoncombat.com
Scattergun Technologies: The Standard® | Wilson Combat
The 12-gauge Standard Model is based on the Remingtion 870, and incorporates the most wanted features for defensive shotguns, in a value-packed package.
www.wilsoncombat.com
1301 Tactical Shotgun | Beretta
The enhanced Beretta 1301 Tactical is the newest iteration of Beretta’s premier law enforcement and home-defense semi-automatic shotgun series. Learn More!
I like the Mossberg 590A1 and Remington 870. My Remington 11-87P will be totally obsolete if it breaks again and is basically retired from being used. I'm considering a Beretta 1301, Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical, or the yet to be announced but forthcoming Beretta semiauto (I don't know anymore about it). I suppose I'd consider a Benelli M4, but I find it hard to get over it's $2000+ initial buy in and then another few hundred in probable accessories (light, ammo carrier, sling, mounting hardware [personal preferences]). Ammo would be an on-going expense over the years whether the gun was new to me or not, but would want more ammo at first with a new gun to thoroughly be confident with that new gun.
How? Both have springs...are you saying the semi springs are weaker than the pump springs...or am I reading your statement wrong?
Joined
·
9,039 Posts
Yes, they both have springs. But a pump spring can be SO much softer since timing is not an issue. Also, buckshot deforms the hulls (why buffered #1 is a good choice) and leads to feed issues that a pump won't have.
Joined
·
18 Posts
I like what I am seeing. It's a cool one
Joined
·
18 Posts
Your wife got good taste, it's nice. Congratulations dude.
Joined
·
159 Posts
They make pump action replacements for some shotgun foreends.
Joined
·
75,657 Posts
On most pump shotguns I have actually seen used by people I know, the lights are part of the forend - Surefire or Streamlight. The cheap-o lights that clamp on the barrel are usually a budget item popular among the mall ninja class.
Joined
·
3,770 Posts
I have a surefire on my favorite 870. Sadly, I have grown fond of the Benelli Nova tactical and have not seen such a device for this shotgun.
Joined
·
4,159 Posts
POST 73,
www.gggaz.com
This QD mount with opposing Picatinny rail is the only thing I've seen which should work with a Benelli Nova.
Perhaps I shall look into what Benelli's pump shotgun has to offer. I'd never researched this model or considered one.
Edited to add:
Here's a bunch more accessories for the Benelli Nova:
www.gggaz.com
Benelli Nova SuperNova Quick Detach Sling & Flashlight Mount| Benelli Nova SuperNova Shotgun QD Flashlight Mount|GG&G Tactical Accessories
Do you need a flashlight and QD sling attachment fr your Benelli Nova SuperNova? GG&G’s Benelli Nova SuperNova QD Sling and Flashlight Mount provides an easy way. Click or call GG&G at 800-380-2540
www.gggaz.com
Perhaps I shall look into what Benelli's pump shotgun has to offer. I'd never researched this model or considered one.
Edited to add:
Here's a bunch more accessories for the Benelli Nova:
Benelli Nova, SuperNova Accessories
www.gggaz.com
61 - 77 of 77 Posts
