This is a discussion on HD shotgun for a woman within the Defensive Rifles & Shotgun Discussion forums, part of the Related Topics category; That would be me. I intended to buy a pistol grip with a fold out stock thing but was talked out of it by the ...
That would be me. I intended to buy a pistol grip with a fold out stock thing but was talked out of it by the gun store employee who basically said I would hate it, it would be awful etc. So I bought a Mossberg Maverick 12G and it is too LONG for me. Had no problem shooting it and I didn't fall over either but it is too long for me to pump it easily. This is going to be for home defense. I will practice of course but it is not going to be used to hunt or any other purpose. I have several handguns and a AR 15 but would like to have a shotgun as well. I am not small, 5'5", just average length arms. I gave the Maverick to my 6' son. Suggestions?
We both do well with our mossberg 500, with a pistol grip and collapsible AR-15 style stock. My wife shoots it one notch back from all the way forward, I shoot with it all the way extended.
I'm not familiar with the maverick, but if it's a 500 receiver, you can get a collapsible stock and pistol grip like ours for it, or you can get a bantam (youth/ladies) stock that reduces your length of pull and should make working the action a little easier.
Her Mossy has a Hogue over-molded stock. You can see how much shorter than the standard length of my 870. This helped her a lot by decreasing the length of pull. (she's 5'5" 125lbs)
(she also likes the Aimpoint, since there is one on her M4gery....)
Knoxx, now Blackhawk have recoil reducing stocks if that's an issue. Also, the 20 guage is often overlooked as an adequate SD shotgun.
HD only, I'd go with a pistol grip (to reduce length) 20 guage junior loaded with buckshot with a mounted light. Depending on the home (apartment, house etc.), you needs will vary. JMO
Last edited by JB-Norcal; November 28th, 2009 at 09:41 PM.
Reason: speling
The shortened or adjustable stock will make the biggest difference...You could also look into an autoloader. It would lessen the recoil and with a shortened stock solve the length problem...
I agree with the previous poster on the 870 youth 20. If that's not an option, my wife and 16 yr. old daughter (both under 5'5") shoot a Maverick 20 gauge. The stock is shorter on the 20 and shorter barrels can be purchased for the Maverick line of shotguns. I own the 12 gauge you gave to your son. I put an 18 1/2" barrel on mine.
I'd go with a 12ga and federal low recoil buck with the flite control wad. Also try to get something with a sporting type forend rather than the shorter "rat-tail" or "corn-cob" type. Slap a houge youth stock or the speedfeed IV LE butstock on and your good to go. If you go with a mossberg with the tang safty skip the pistol-grip type stock. Since blackhawk took over production of the Knox recoil reducing stocks they have done a little redesign (read "cheaper") and I have heard of the stock slipping out of the channel on occasion and I even hear of the spring slipping the cam and whacking a gun in the face. If you want recoil reduction buy reduced recoil ammo and a good recoil pad.
Here's another vote for a 20 ga. youth model pump gun-either Remington or Mossberg flavor will do. 20 ga. buck or slug loads are certainly adequate for home protection. In addition to having lower recoil than standard 12 ga. loads, the frames on the 20 ga. guns are smaller and lighter.
If you want to hang extra hardware on your gun, a smith can help fit a magazine extension to your shotty, but for home defense purposes, it probably isn't necessary. (Some Remington "Express" models require a minor alteration to remove "dimples" from the end of the magazine tube before an extension can be added. I discovered that the 870 express Youth Model I bought for my son some years ago did NOT have that problem.)
I have this in 12 ga, but you could get it in 20 ga.
It's not for everyone, but it does serve as my HD partner. Short for movement around the house, and an eye-opener for unwanted guests.
"Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks."
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but it is too long for me to pump it easily. This is going to be for home defense. I will practice of course but it is not going to be used to hunt or any other purpose. I have several handguns and a AR 15 but would like to have a shotgun as well. I am not small, 5'5", just average length arms. I gave the Maverick to my 6' son. Suggestions?
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Originally Posted by jwhite75
