Need input on a home defense shotgun.

[Irish.40]

As the title states, I'm looking into building my firearms collection. I have a Glock 23 and am interested in buying a shotgun. Eventually I will get a AR-15. But for now, let's start cheaper. I would like to keep it under $500. I'm not even sure if that's possible while retaining quality. Any input is appreciated.

[operator4]

Remington 870. It's a pump. And nothing says get the hell out of my house, like the racking of a pump shotgun !!

[TTS]

If your not going to use a pistol grip I am a big fan of the Mossberg 590

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/46999

If you want less expensive this is under $300

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/39622

[bri]

+1 on the Rem 870. I threw an 18" barrel and flashlight on my old hunter and it now rests in Mossberg lock, on the wall in our family's "safe" room.

You should be able to find an 870 for a good price, new or used.

[Erik_Pakieser]

870s are great.

If you want to spend the money, I prefer my Mossberg 590 over the 870. Mainly because it's lighter and has ghost-rings out of the box. There's a lot of options out there.

The police trade-in market is a good option for a defensive shotgun. I've got two 870s, a Benelli Nova and a 590, all trade-ins. The most I paid for any of them was $150.

[chudrockz]

Mossberg Maverick 88, around $190 all day.

[hunterfreakhd]

I am in the process of ordering a custom HD Shotty from Tromix-Saiga-12 a member here on the forum. Good guy to deal with.

[Thunder71]

I have an 870 and it's been a great gun to convert to HD purposes and takes 15 minutes tops to get ready for pheasant hunting.

I prefer the simplistic route myself, but to each their own.


IMAG0019_edit0 by N0YZE Photo, on Flickr

[Hanns]

I've got the same 870 as above but with a LED flashlight on it. Works great, simple and makes a big boom when needed.

[sgruenhagen44]

At Bills in circle pines they had a sweet weatherby with a pistol grip for I think under $400. I have never owned a pump action weatherby and was surprised by how cheap it was considering that it's a weatherby. I liked the way it felt and I would have hard time believing that it's not a reliable operating system. I love my O/A orion

[gunforhire]

another +1 on the 870. there ain't much it can't handle. mines been a perfect shooter since I got it years ago

[goalie]

I have a Mossberg 590 and it is great, but I am also a big fan of the Winchester pump-guns for self-defense. You cannot go wrong with an Remington 870 express either, but the Winchesters always seemed smoother to me.

[grousemaster]

870 for sure, it's a staple.

[Stradawhovious]

Somethinig pump, something that functions reliably. Everything else is trivial ...in my opinion of course. I'm sure that isn't a "tactical operator" enough answer for some, so take it for what it's worth. .

For the longest time, My HD shotty was a Savage pump that was cut down to 18" with a pipe cutter. I think I paid under $100 for it.

Cycled everything I fed it, went bang every time I pulled the trigger.

That being said, look at the Remington 870 express, and the Mossburg Maverick. Both can be had for less than $300 ( I think), the Mossberg can probably be found for $200 used.

[chudrockz]

Somethinig pump, something that functions reliably. Everything else is trivial ...in my opinion of course. I'm sure that isn't a "tactical operator" enough answer for some, so take it for what it's worth. .

For the longest time, My HD shotty was a Savage pump that was cut down to 18" with a pipe cutter. I think I paid under $100 for it.

Cycled everything I fed it, went bang every time I pulled the trigger.

That being said, look at the Remington 870 express, and the Mossburg Maverick. Both can be had for less than $300 ( I think), the Mossberg can probably be found for $200 used.

I got my Maverick 88 on sale at Fleet Farm a couple months ago new for about $185.