choice of shotguns
Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
choice of shotguns
Just looking for some informed opinions. For an "assault rifle " in New York, the choices are few. I like my Mossbergs, so what do I get? The 7 shot tactical 590 or the 930? Money is tight, so the question is whether the semiautomatic is worth it. Opinions?
Re: choice of shotguns
The best defensive shotgun ever made is the Remington 870,with an 18" barrell, rifled sight, full magazine, with choke tubes.
Re: choice of shotguns
or, for a couple C-notes you can get the chicom copy of the 870. shoots just as well. the target will never know the difference. I put an A4 stock on mine. it has EXCELLENT post front and peeper rear sights.
OTOH, the 930 can be cycled single-handed, which could be a life saver if the bear has the other one.....
I have come to REALLY LIKE the pistol grip and would not want to relinquish it... it's my house gun and is never far away when I am home.
Grizz
OTOH, the 930 can be cycled single-handed, which could be a life saver if the bear has the other one.....
I have come to REALLY LIKE the pistol grip and would not want to relinquish it... it's my house gun and is never far away when I am home.
Grizz
- Ysabel Kid
- Moderator
- Posts: 27910
- Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:10 pm
- Location: South Carolina, USA
- Contact:
Re: choice of shotguns
There are several advantages of a pump versus a semi-auto shotgun for self defense. The pump, as you note, is usually a lot less expensive. There are fewer things to go wrong during the "excitement" of a defensive-use situation. Finally, there probably isn't a more threatening sound short of firing a shot than a pump shotgun being racked. That alone has scared off many would-be ner-do-wells!
Re: choice of shotguns
I have pumps, semiautos, OU's and SxS'. They all fill different niches. Push comes to shove, I pick a pump. Likely my lefty 870. But I like Mossys because of the safety location.
Jeepnik AKA "Old Eyes"
"Go low, go slow and preferably in the dark" The old Sarge (he was maybe 24.
"Freedom is never more that a generation from extinction" Ronald Reagan
"Every man should have at least one good rifle and know how to use it" Dad
"Go low, go slow and preferably in the dark" The old Sarge (he was maybe 24.
"Freedom is never more that a generation from extinction" Ronald Reagan
"Every man should have at least one good rifle and know how to use it" Dad
- Ji in Hawaii
- Senior Levergunner
- Posts: 1987
- Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2011 1:05 pm
- Location: Moku Manu, Hawai'i
Re: choice of shotguns
I'll always be odd man out as I've owned both a Mossy 500, a Remington 870 but I prefer my Winchester 1300 aka Defender.
Illegitimus Non Carborundum
Akā, ʻo ka poʻe hilinaʻi aku iā Iēhova, e ulu hou nō ko lākou ikaika;
E piʻi ʻēheu aku nō lākou i luna, e like me nā ʻaito;
E holo nō lākou, ʻaʻole hoʻi e māloʻeloʻe,
E hele mua nō lākou, ʻaʻole hoʻi e maʻule.
`Isaia 40:31
Akā, ʻo ka poʻe hilinaʻi aku iā Iēhova, e ulu hou nō ko lākou ikaika;
E piʻi ʻēheu aku nō lākou i luna, e like me nā ʻaito;
E holo nō lākou, ʻaʻole hoʻi e māloʻeloʻe,
E hele mua nō lākou, ʻaʻole hoʻi e maʻule.
`Isaia 40:31
- AJMD429
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 32245
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:03 am
- Location: Hoosierland
- Contact:
Re: choice of shotguns
An eight-shot Mossberg (7 in tube) is nothing to sneeze at. One is usually in the bedroom 'just in case'.
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
-
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 6747
- Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:30 am
- Location: Lower Central NYS
Re: choice of shotguns
Keep what you got and if you already don't have a short(legally short)barrel for it---------------spend $40 and pick up a good used barrel and have one become one.
Save your money--------------------------Pump just fine!
Least for me!
Save your money--------------------------Pump just fine!
Least for me!
Re: choice of shotguns
For HD/SD, go with the Mossberg 590 pump. If you were running 3-gun, then the 930.
"From birth 'til death...we travel between the eternities." -- Print Ritter in Broken Trail
Re: choice of shotguns
http://www.gunblast.com/Mossberg-930SPX.htm
I like what Jeff says about it.
and I like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h20DECxN8bg
I have two pumpers but am always looking for a 'deal' on this 'lil buddy
I like what Jeff says about it.
and I like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h20DECxN8bg
I have two pumpers but am always looking for a 'deal' on this 'lil buddy
-
- Senior Levergunner
- Posts: 1924
- Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:36 pm
- Location: New Hampshire
Re: choice of shotguns
I like the Rem 870 for all the reasons mentioned above, plus its additional versatility....you very easily can interchange the barrels from self defense purposes to hunting waterfowl and upland game. I have owned an 870 Wingmaster since my early days in Alaska and had a mag-na-ported 18 inch sighted barrel for bear protection (that would be home defense in the lower 48) and additional 26", 28" and 30" barrels in different chokes for bird hunting. Now there are the newer interchangeable choke barrels available for the 870. Today there also are different 870 stock materials and metal finishes to bring down the cost from the walnut stocked, deeply blued Wingmaster, such as the 870 Express and black polymer stocks. Mechanically they still are 870s.
I mentioned this above in passing, but I would highly recommend Mag-na-porting any 18" 12 ga. home defense shotgun barrel for rapid, close range accurate firing.
I am sure there are other very fine HD shotguns out there to consider. My experience is with the Remington 870 and I highly recommend it.
Victor
PS: If you like your Mossberg shotgun just get a short barrel with rifle sights for it (if they are available) and you should be set for little additional money. Your 12 ga. 00 buck isn't going to know the difference between an 870 and a Mossberg coming out the barrel and neither is an intruder on the receiving end. Your family will be safe, and you'll have some new problems to deal with. Your first and only words at that point should be: "I want to be represented by a lawyer and have nothing to say until I am." I hope your HD choice gives you peace of mind, and that you never have to call a lawyer.
I mentioned this above in passing, but I would highly recommend Mag-na-porting any 18" 12 ga. home defense shotgun barrel for rapid, close range accurate firing.
I am sure there are other very fine HD shotguns out there to consider. My experience is with the Remington 870 and I highly recommend it.
Victor
PS: If you like your Mossberg shotgun just get a short barrel with rifle sights for it (if they are available) and you should be set for little additional money. Your 12 ga. 00 buck isn't going to know the difference between an 870 and a Mossberg coming out the barrel and neither is an intruder on the receiving end. Your family will be safe, and you'll have some new problems to deal with. Your first and only words at that point should be: "I want to be represented by a lawyer and have nothing to say until I am." I hope your HD choice gives you peace of mind, and that you never have to call a lawyer.
Last edited by mod71alaska on Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
- rock-steady
- Levergunner 2.0
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:35 am
- Location: Deplorable Red State
Re: choice of shotguns
The only thing better than a Remington 870 12 gauge is.....two Remington 870's.
(and a few hundred shells for each)
(and a few hundred shells for each)
"People who need long explanations at moments when everything depends on instinct have always irritated me." ~ Guy Sajer
Re: choice of shotguns
Just get a nice MossRemSter pump, and be safe and happy Short Barrel with sights, at least five shots....
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
Re: choice of shotguns
A good auto can be sweet, and pumps should need less maintenance and have done well forever. I simply settled on an 870.
John
Family, blue steel & wood, hot biscuits, and fresh coffee.
Luke 22:36 Romans 12:17-21 Ephesians 4:26-32
"Life brings sorrow and joy alike. It is what a man does with them - not what they do to him - that is the true test of his mettle." T. Roosevelt
Family, blue steel & wood, hot biscuits, and fresh coffee.
Luke 22:36 Romans 12:17-21 Ephesians 4:26-32
"Life brings sorrow and joy alike. It is what a man does with them - not what they do to him - that is the true test of his mettle." T. Roosevelt
Re: choice of shotguns
A really nice 590 with 8 round capacity and nice sights runs $550 where I live. I have never even seen a 930 for sale. Either they sell fast or the distributors cannot get them. Is that a fair price for a 590?
Re: choice of shotguns
i have used and carried a Remington 870 Police Magnum for a very long time. another choice to throw in the mix is the Beneli Nova Tactical Shotgun (or the Super-Nova variant). i have shot another LEO's and it's a good weapon, it's a mixture of high-tech polymer and steel, similar to my service Glocks (23 & 27) and my Ruger LCR-357, actually i'm thinking about getting one... :)
SIDENOTE: boy have i have totally bought into this plastic and steel when it comes to guns,
oh well, just shows i'm living proof of a paradigm shift...
SIDENOTE: boy have i have totally bought into this plastic and steel when it comes to guns,
oh well, just shows i'm living proof of a paradigm shift...
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- Neil Casper
- Levergunner
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:51 am
- Location: Erie County, Ohio
Re: choice of shotguns
Of the two models you mention I would pick the 590 with the extended mag tube. A virtually indestructable shot gun.
I have two Remington 1100s set up for shot gun games, but an 18.5" Remington 870 HD in the bedroom (You can count on a pump every time).
I have two Remington 1100s set up for shot gun games, but an 18.5" Remington 870 HD in the bedroom (You can count on a pump every time).
neil
If it doesn't fit in my sea bag, I'm not going!
If it doesn't fit in my sea bag, I'm not going!
Re: choice of shotguns
Thems real cheap nowadays and the fastest actioned pumps out there.....miss mine.Friends Call Me Ji wrote:I'll always be odd man out as I've owned both a Mossy 500, a Remington 870 but I prefer my Winchester 1300 aka Defender.
Good choice.
N.
Psalm ch8.
Because I wish I could!
Because I wish I could!
- 2ndovc
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 9357
- Joined: Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:59 am
- Location: OH, South Shore of Lake Erie
Re: choice of shotguns
I bought a Mossberg 930 SPX about a year ago. That thing flat out Rocks! I've run about 500 rounds of various loads through it so far w/o a single malfunction. I had a Mossberg 590 but loaned it to a friend when he was living in a rough neighborhood. He's since moved and I still haven't gotten it back!
I also had an S&W 916 (870 knock off) that was a great gun but the Ice Queen got that one.
I took all but two shells off the sling though. All that weight really affects your aim.
I can be a little slow some times.
jb
I also had an S&W 916 (870 knock off) that was a great gun but the Ice Queen got that one.
I took all but two shells off the sling though. All that weight really affects your aim.
I can be a little slow some times.
jb
jasonB " Another Dirty Yankee"
" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
Re: choice of shotguns
Good info on the 930. It looks to me a lot like a 500 with a gas block to drive the action arms. I don't see how it could get any simpler or more reliable than that.
- Streetstar
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 3916
- Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:58 am
- Location: from what used to be Moore OK
Re: choice of shotguns
I like the Defender as well.Friends Call Me Ji wrote:I'll always be odd man out as I've owned both a Mossy 500, a Remington 870 but I prefer my Winchester 1300 aka Defender.
I have A couple of Remington's and they both have to have an extended magazine to take it seven or eight rounds capacity, but the Winchester have a full-length tube, which was nice as it looked a little less bolted together and was more streamlined.
I have the Remington's because I could not find a Winchester when I was in the market, but now with easy availability of older guns on gun broker it is easier than ever before to get what you really want.
That said, I recently bought a gun for my safe room (tornado shelter ) and it was another 870. It cost 320 for the basic gun, 45 for the extended magazine tube, and 30 for the sidesaddle shell holder, bringing the total to around $400 complete
I am not partial to Mossberg, but I did note that Mossberg has some firearms that already have the seamless extended magazine tube for around this price range as well
----- Doug
- 2ndovc
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 9357
- Joined: Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:59 am
- Location: OH, South Shore of Lake Erie
Re: choice of shotguns
Only problem I have is that I grew up with pump guns ( Model 97s and Model 12s) I actually have to remind myself to stop trying to pump the fore end and just pull the trigger!Grizz wrote:Good info on the 930. It looks to me a lot like a 500 with a gas block to drive the action arms. I don't see how it could get any simpler or more reliable than that.
jb
jasonB " Another Dirty Yankee"
" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
- Griff
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 20869
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:56 pm
- Location: OH MY GAWD they installed a STOP light!!!
Re: choice of shotguns
After the introduction of the Remington 870, and BEFORE the free-market killin' legislation of "Buy-America" and "low-bid" mandated by Fedeeral & State law makers, Remington 870s were bought by thousands of federal, state & local law enforcement agencies.
While Mossberg has made good inroads into the reliability the 870 is known for, it still has some way to go. As a former specification writer/buyer, working directly with armorers, for more than one agency, performance based requirements will show the 870 has no peer in the pump line-up. Until the lawyers got involved challenging the "need" for performance requirements, few agencies had to settle for 2nd or 3rd "best"!
Frankly, given what I know as to why some departments/agencies have Mossberg & Winchester pumps, recommending one of them is foolish when based on police or military use.
When Remington developed their "870Express" gun to compete in those "low-bid" environments; yep, their fit & finish suffered, not their reliability. But, I'll still trust my life to the 41 year old Wingmaster with its 30+ yo skeet barrel over ANY 500 or 13/1400 wannabe. Strong opinion? Yes, but based on many more millioms of rounds than I could EVER hope to fire in several life-times!
But hey! What do I know? My son's droolin' over a Mossberg 930! My next pump? You figure it out!
While Mossberg has made good inroads into the reliability the 870 is known for, it still has some way to go. As a former specification writer/buyer, working directly with armorers, for more than one agency, performance based requirements will show the 870 has no peer in the pump line-up. Until the lawyers got involved challenging the "need" for performance requirements, few agencies had to settle for 2nd or 3rd "best"!
Frankly, given what I know as to why some departments/agencies have Mossberg & Winchester pumps, recommending one of them is foolish when based on police or military use.
When Remington developed their "870Express" gun to compete in those "low-bid" environments; yep, their fit & finish suffered, not their reliability. But, I'll still trust my life to the 41 year old Wingmaster with its 30+ yo skeet barrel over ANY 500 or 13/1400 wannabe. Strong opinion? Yes, but based on many more millioms of rounds than I could EVER hope to fire in several life-times!
But hey! What do I know? My son's droolin' over a Mossberg 930! My next pump? You figure it out!
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
Re: choice of shotguns
Treeman, you can always convert one of your existing Mossberg for a lot less than a new gun:
http://www.brownells.com/magazines/shot ... 25124.aspx
http://www.brownells.com/magazines/shot ... 25124.aspx
"From birth 'til death...we travel between the eternities." -- Print Ritter in Broken Trail
-
- Senior Levergunner
- Posts: 1204
- Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:00 pm
- Location: Iowa
- Contact:
Re: choice of shotguns
I also toss my hat into the 1300 first, 870 second. But I might add if you go the 1300 defender route you are stuck with the barrel that came with it, if you go for a standard 1300 (i.e. non-defender) shorter barrels are hard to come by. Other aftermarket accessories are rare as hen's teeth for both 1300's. As for pump vs. auto: I've never had the pocket book for a good auto so I'm livin in pump world but............. short strokin a pump under stress ain't hard to do and will jam it up but good. Then it's nothin more than a mighty fine club. Under stress an auto MAY prove more reliable.
LK
LK
Re: choice of shotguns
Bought a 1300 ranger at wal-mart 11 years ago for $260. Would love to go back in time and get the full tube defender. The speedpump system is pretty nice.
-
- Levergunner 3.0
- Posts: 795
- Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:09 pm
- Location: Arequipa, Peru till 2020
Re: choice of shotguns
Greetings
Been attached to the Mossy 500 for many years and see no reason to upgrade.
If I had to go out and buy new that would be different. When up north there in the US of A I see Mossy 500's for $135 area. They are ugly and used but alrady have an 18" barrel and real bumped and bruised wood. But they function. Not real hard to mount a peep on the frame and a blade on the barrel. Even go that glow stuff if you must.
Sight a 200 lumen light on the barrel to center pattern at 15 yards and center the light on target. Pretty fast especially for my wife.
And as stated before.. That sound of a pump being actuated is more than a brain cares to hear in a strange enviorment. Even down here in LLama land a Mossy 500 is waiting on the bed frame with a 200 lumen light centered to pattern.
Mike in Peru
Been attached to the Mossy 500 for many years and see no reason to upgrade.
If I had to go out and buy new that would be different. When up north there in the US of A I see Mossy 500's for $135 area. They are ugly and used but alrady have an 18" barrel and real bumped and bruised wood. But they function. Not real hard to mount a peep on the frame and a blade on the barrel. Even go that glow stuff if you must.
Sight a 200 lumen light on the barrel to center pattern at 15 yards and center the light on target. Pretty fast especially for my wife.
And as stated before.. That sound of a pump being actuated is more than a brain cares to hear in a strange enviorment. Even down here in LLama land a Mossy 500 is waiting on the bed frame with a 200 lumen light centered to pattern.
Mike in Peru
A sinner saved by FAITH in the Blood of Jesus Christ &teaching God´s Word in Peru. John 3:36
Tanker 71-74 NRA Life Ready to Defend the Constitution from enemies within and without.
Tanker 71-74 NRA Life Ready to Defend the Constitution from enemies within and without.
-
- Levergunner 1.0
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:03 pm
Re: choice of shotguns
I've got a pair of Remington's, (one 870 and one 1100) that were worked over by scattergun technologies to be exactly the same. They have ghost ring sights with tritium in the front sight, screw in chokes, lengthen forcing cones, paint jobs, etc. I used to be on the national shooting team as a junior skeet shooter, and I've been to shooting schools learning to run shotguns in the self defense mode. Yea, I've put a few rounds through a shotgun in my life. After shooting both of these guns, I will say a reliable semi-auto is better than a pump for self defense. They are easier to shoot faster from a variety of positions such as prone, or weak side.
A long way of saying get the semi-auto mossberg.
A long way of saying get the semi-auto mossberg.