Home Defense Shotgun on a Budget

[Brady]

I posted this a while back on another forum. Thought you might enjoy it. I know I did!

I finally got a decent camera (borrowed the daughter's) so I can now post some good pics.

I picked up this Westenfield pump last year before all the hullabaloo started with the buying craze. The Westernfield was a house brand name for Montgomery Wards department stores. Many stores bought 'contract' guns from big gun makers and had their own brand names put on them.

This one is a model Westernfield 550 I found on Gunbroker.com which is actually a Mossberg 500 12ga contract gun. It is chambered for 3-inch shells and HAD a 28 inch barrel and came with the original wood stock. It now has an 18 1/2 inch barrel. I cut it myself, it isn't beautiful but it is functional. The shotgun checked out great during a session at a friends property. It is for inside the house or in a close-in neighborhood so I keep 2 3/4 inch shells in it and on it. The tube holds five 2 3/4 inch shells.

I found the 'AR' style adjustable stock on Gunbroker as well. That, the forward pistol grip and the extra shell holders were a package deal and one of the very few things I paid full price for in quite a while. The shell holders hold 3 on each side. I thought they might be a distraction but they don't bother me at all. The kit is made by Pro-Mag.

I also found the 'used' heat shield on Gunbroker and no one wanted a used heat shield so that was fine with me. I really got it only because it has the 'ghost ring sights' on it.

The night light is pending.

You used to be able to pick these kind of things up cheap because few knew who actually made them and so stayed away from them. But that is changing quickly.

It's not new and shiny but it's mine.
Costs are listed below:

Westernfield M550AD = $77.00 including shipping!
FFL fee at local pawn shop = $25.00
'AR' style adjustable stock set = $80.00 including shipping.
Used heat shield w/ghost ring sights = $5.80 including shipping.

Total = 187.80

ME... =

and now...

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[NYcarry]

Good deal!
Not bad at all!

[mathewsman]

nice

[TerriLi]

I can barely believe the price, nice one there. Clashes with the couch though.....

[retsupt99]

Nice!
Looks like you have the home well covered.

[rex03]

I like it, and it's a great blend of parts to make what you want!!

[MinistrMalic]

It's a Franken-gun! :) Looks like it will go BANG when you pull the trigger, and with what you paid for it you got an epic win. Way to go!

[sniper58]

You did well Grasshopper! Very nice set up and the price makes one drool!

[PastorPack]

Love it, nothing like a sawed-off shotty for home defense.

[highoctane]

Yep. That should do it!

[Stealie]

Very well done.

[BradyM77]

I saw the pic, you're right, it's ugly. But then I saw your price break-down...that's beautiful! Awesome job on the shrewd buys!

[03ramit1]

i dont know that i would want a modifyed gun in a SD situation. your just asking for the laywer on the other side to call you a blood thirsty killer modifying his gun for that purpose. because the 18 1/5 (allthough legal) in barrel is a sawed off shotgun. the most deadly gun in the world. look at how it dessimated the body of the guy that immorally and wrongfully, and illegally broke into his house. the home owner was out for blood.

and becasue of that i would buy a shotgun with an 18 in barrel instad of cutting one down. keep in mind im all for a cheep SD gun, and i would love to get a deal like you did. but, keep in mind what possable outcome could come if you ever had to use it and i hope that you will never be put in the position that you need to.

[BradyM77]

i dont know that i would want a modifyed gun in a SD situation. your just asking for the laywer on the other side to call you a blood thirsty killer modifying his gun for that purpose. because the 18 1/5 (allthough legal) in barrel is a sawed off shotgun. the most deadly gun in the world. look at how it dessimated the body of the guy that immorally and wrongfully, and illegally broke into his house. the home owner was out for blood.

and becasue of that i would buy a shotgun with an 18 in barrel instad of cutting one down. keep in mind im all for a cheep SD gun, and i would love to get a deal like you did. but, keep in mind what possable outcome could come if you ever had to use it and i hope that you will never be put in the position that you need to.

Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

[pcon]

wow...i was expecting FAR worse than that. I've been meaning to look at pistol grips for my mossy 500 also...