DrSal

Why do people insist on saying that the SG is the best HD weapon? I believe a sig 226 with 20 rds or an AK w/ a 30 or 40rd mag is a much better weapon than an SG. To me SG's are cumbersome and at most hold 7-9 rds. They just don't work for me, I've had a mossberg marine and a an 870, taken two tactical shotgun courses and have since sold them both. Just not a SG fan...

ccw9mm

"Best" is subjective.

"Insist"? Opinions vary, as you know. I insist on saying it's a suitable option, because it is.

Reasoning is because of the sheer number of attackers reported to persist in an attack despite being struck multiple times by small-caliber bullets. Yet, there are precious few reports of an attacker surviving more than one or two blasts from a shotgun.

The simple math is: shotguns throw more lead. Assuming that one has competency with the weapon of whatever kind, and that the weapon is matched to the physical space being defended, then the shotgun has its place.

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Your best weapon is your brain. Don't leave home without it.
Reports: CZ P01 pt1, pt2.
Thoughts: Justifiable self defense.

firestarplus

Of course the other reason for the high recommendation for SG home defense is the lack of wall penetration compared to the "high powers" mentioned. This is even more important if you have children, which is what led me to purchase an SG. (Mav 88 w/ 18.5", light, specops folder)

Paladin132

We should be careful with the overpenetration issue. 5.56 tends to loose leathality when travelling through walls, while 00 buck (which are part of the load in my HD SG) tends to continue going according to most of the literature I have read. Slugs of course will just keep on hauling. With a SG we should keep in mind the load.

Another thing I would like to ask is to DrSal: How can a AK be less cumbersome than a properly equipped SG? I mean with a shorter barrel at least, but maybe with a M4 style adjustable stock? That makes them the same length or close to it when I lay them side by side. I understand that some folks just don't like a SG for tactical or HD applications, not knocking your view there, just wondering why you think that its more cumbersome?

Firestarplus - I have a specops knoxx stock and just added the sidesaddle to it - what awesome set up!

Tubby45

I've had several 870 Express shotguns, both in 20ga and in 12ga. All saw thousands of rounds a year and ran without a hitch. I would never put a tacticool stock on my shotgun. Too cumbersome.

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Rob99VMI04

If i'm going to have a gun stricktly use it for home defense and have it behind my bed and maybe shoot it 10 times before it just sits by my bed all day. Mossberg 500 or stock 870. I've going to shoot 1000 rounds in 90 days of either slugs or buckshot like you are. I would say Benelli first 590 or 870 tie for second.

__________________
To be effective in carrying a gun for self defense requires 3 things a #1 positive- aware-mindset, #2 good training #3 good equipment. Equating this to numbers shows us that if you lack one of these=ZERO times anything is STILL ZERO!-4th grade Math

"When seconds count.....Cops Respond in Minutes"

Rob99VMI04

Because shotguns that lack rifle sights (i.e. only have 1 bead are desinded that way for a reason-that reason being to be shot using point shooting. I understand the argument about having a gun that you have 20-40 chances to pull the trigger. These are not designed to be point shot, however, they can certainly be shot using a point shooting technique though in general ( not individuals in general guys) they will have a higher chance of missing.

Shotgun, With a beads utilizes your rear eye as the rear sight, thats why how you mount the gun is important. On a moving target I would rather have something that will pattern out then a single projectile. Since, your probability of hitting the target is much greater.

Another reason shotguns are preffered is that while you may only have 9 chances to pull the trigger on a shotgun vs. an AK that offers you 30 (typical AK magazine) or in your case 40 chances to win 00 buck has 9 pellets in a 2 3/4 inch shell. While the AK shooter can put out 40 projectiles, the shot gunner can put out 81 projectiles. So from shear volume of lead projectiles, design, usablitily, intimidation, energy created IMHO shotguns are more effective expecially since your average self defense enoucounter has a tendency to be over in a very short time frame.

__________________
To be effective in carrying a gun for self defense requires 3 things a #1 positive- aware-mindset, #2 good training #3 good equipment. Equating this to numbers shows us that if you lack one of these=ZERO times anything is STILL ZERO!-4th grade Math

"When seconds count.....Cops Respond in Minutes"

RETNAVCPO

I say use what you're comfortable with when it comes to HD...BUT...
I'm comfortable with a shotgun because of the advatages of hitting that perp with more than one projetile. I have a Winchester 1200 Defender too and I love it coupled with my Ruger GP 100 6" stainless:



What an AWESOME combo!!!

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ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED...until --> Y O U <-- verify. Shoot straight, Be safe!!!

T Bone

Funny, for years I hated anything with the Remington name on it (got several different calibers of bad ammo in the 1980's, causing several fine weapons to become useless at the range).

When an Ithaca 8 shot riot gun got stolen, I finally decided it was time to "get with the program" and bought a Remington 870 Express HD. (Still have an Ithaca 37 8 shot with a pistol grip).

I've added a Wilderness single point sling on a Mesa Tactical QD swivel mount, an XS Big Dot tritium over the brass bead, and added a Choate mag spring and follower. The only malfunction I've had was when the Choate follower bound up in the tube. Though I sanded/filed it down a bit, I couldn't trust it anymore. Replaced with a Wilson Combat spring and follower (follower is slightly smaller diameter and appears to be bind free ).

Since the pic, I've also added a Streamlight TLR-1 on a mini tri-rail mounted on the mag tube just forward of the pump.

I like it. I like it a lot!

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Regards, T Bone.


"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety". Benjamin Franklin

Fast Cloud

I'd go with the 590...they're arn't that more expensive than the 500 and you'll definitely get your moneys worth. I like the ergonomics of the mossberg better than remingtons. (slide release, tang safety) But I have the Benelli because I'm "tacticool". (that and it's 10x the weapon that a remington will ever be)

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"The handgun would not be my choice of weapon if I knew I was going to a fight. I'd choose a rifle, a shotgun, a RPG or an atomic bomb instead"---Clint Smith

NRA member