JLD, this is an interesting video to consider: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrGrRIojnAs The guy makes some very good points about using a shottie in a home defense situation.

Also not even close to relevant. I didn't ask for a case where a man was convicted for defending himself, I asked for a case, where a man was convicted of a crime because he used one weapon instead of another. You claimed that using a hunting gun could somehow get you in more trouble than using a dedicated defensive weapon. It was, and still is not only a preposterous claim, but really bad advice.

JLD, any 870 pump is good for this application. Forget all the confusing crap as it will serve your needs. 20 or 12 ga matters not, both are more than effective for in home protection. Go with what you know and are comfortable with.

"4. The gun uses a clip."

Who makes a clip for loading Hi-point magazines?

That has absolutely nothing to do with the topic being discussed. Is that the best you can come up with?



Not that it's any of your business, but I've owned and sold 4 businesses (at a profit), was sales manager for a major manufacturing company, went to college on a baseball scholarship, lived in 6 different states, won awards for long range shooting, been reloading since 1972, and won the club title at my local skeet club. I've hunted from the coast of NC to the high country of AZ. I retired at age 47 because I was smart with my money and made good decisions. My father raised me to be a gentleman and to always do the right thing. I've led an active life with my share of failures and successes and was intelligent enough to learn from them. And I learned a long time ago that there are lots of people out there that like to act the part but aren't able to actually participate.

And FWIW, motivational speaker Charlie “Tremendous” Jones said ..... “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” You have heard of him, right? So yeah, I do put a great deal of stock in the things that I read. You should try it sometime.



And yet just a week ago you didn't understand ballistic coefficients and the difference between a target bullet and a hunting bullet?

But I didn't know we were having a "measuring" contest. I thought this was a discussion about having a shotgun for home defense .........

While the urinating contest continues, let's go back to the original question: what do we use and/or recommend as a home defense shotgun? My choice is a the DP-12, a double barreled, pump action shotgun that holds 14 rounds. It's on a "bull pup" frame, and while a bit heavy, my 5 foot, 3 inch tall wife shoots it regularly and thinks it's a hoot to shoot. I sold a couple of my "home defense" shotties so I could buy this one. Street price hovers around 11-12 hundred bucks. Here's a video of some guys having a bit of fun with one of them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGFb_opqFdk

I'm easy to please, it seems to me that my good old 12ga Mossberg 500 with the extended magazine is sufficient to the task.

Every year, whether it needs it or not, I take it to the range and fire the shells that it holds. Then back home to clean it and use Renaissance wax on the outside, reload it - and back it goes to its old spot, hopefully not to be fired again until another year has gone by.

There are nicer shotguns, but I have used Mossberg 500's for close to 50 years without a single malfunction of any kind. I feel complete confidence that if called upon, it will go bang.

Confidence is a factor in self-defense. Whatever you have the most confidence in is good enough, after all you are defending yourself, not me, so whether I would feel confident in the same thing really does not apply.

LOL! THAT is one wicked little dude!!

That it is! And being an old slide action kind of guy, I thought I'd have trouble getting used to the action: one pump, two shots. But after just a few shots with it, I had no problems, nor have any of my other "old fart" shooting buddies that have been dragging around pump actions since they were just little fellers. You just "get it," once you've racked it and shot it few times, and then you can't get enough of it. Of course, there's always the argument that your years old muscle memory will kick in under high stress conditions, and there certainly is something to that argument. I've now put several hundred rounds through the Beast and am fairly confident that I've beaten the muscle memory into DP-12 shape! I really like this weapon; sure wish it had been with me on a few excursions I took into the jungles of SE Asia 50 years ago.

While I didn't purchase my shotgun with the intent on using it for self defense, I have no doubt that if the situation presented itself, my 28 inch barrel Mossberg 500 would do just fine with defending my family.

I'll play, Saiga 12 ga with a Phoenix kicklite stock. Stick mag or drum.
Besides home intrusion it's great for zombies and other undesirables.

Many articles have been written and many experts agree that using a shotgun for home defense is a good choice for many reasons. If you aren't very familiar with guns and don't practice regularly you stand a better chance of hitting a target when firing a gun that throws a pattern of multiple projectiles. This is especially true if you are operating under stressful conditions or if you are frightened. If over penetration is a concern then you can choose a load that reduces that risk (i.e.; heavy goose loads instead of buckshot). I'm only 5'8" and I have many 12 gauges and I shoot them regularly. I shoot everything from light dove loads to 3.5 #4 loads out of a double barrel. With proper technique and a good recoil pad you can handle a 12 gauge. If you're concerned about recoil then a 20 gauge will be fine in close quarters defensive situations. Do not try to use a pistol grip only shotgun unless you plan to practice with it a lot. Accuracy is necessary, even with a shotgun especially at short distances. Most people shoot more accurately when they shoulder and aim a gun. I've fired a pistol grip only shotgun and it did not lend itself to accuracy or ease of operation. My #1 choice, Mossberg 590 with an 18" barrel.

Good call. 20 ga is more than capable.

Buy a variety of loads to test, based on where/how you live. Set up some wood/drywall and other materials to get a feel for penetration (massive differences)and patterning at multiple distances. THEN buy your self defense loads. Be aware that many shotguns are known to fire if hit (dropped) sharply on the stock. Read up on it and test it before taking action.

I keep my own self defense weapons loaded and chambered - except my shotguns.

Marc

After owning a bunch and rotating different models in and out the HD role, I decided that a Saiga SBS works best for me today. It fits on the safe door nicely, short, and easy to operate. Just drop the lever and you're ready to start dumping shot.

Hummmmmm

If everything goes right in my life a HIGHPOINT will not be involved!


Short of eavesdropping on people in gun stores. That can be some solid entertainment!

Not one mention of the Ithaca Model 37. One of the smoothest actions since the model 12 Winchesters, mines within arm reach right now. Mines the standard 18.5 inch 5 shot but I'm fixing to get a Model 37 Defender with the 20 inch and 8 round capacity. It served us well during WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Should work fine around the house. I might add that it and the older Model 12 Winchesters are the only two I can cycle one handed.

Good point. My father was on a recon team during the Korean War and he carried a Model 37 that had been primitively shortened (read: hacksaw) and was carried strapped to his thigh. The team of 5 carried Mod 37s, bowie knives, and 1911s. It was interesting to see pics and hear him talk about the things they did.

THIS have 37 feather weight and model 12 stamped U.S on the side.

AR with a 40 round mag loaded with 45 grain vmax ammo.