Gun me

[WRXtranceformed]

I know a bunch of you guys here are into guns, and I know there have been countless gun threads and I may have even had one in the past. I'm getting more serious about picking up a gun for my house. The area I live in is really nice but there is noticeably more crime here than where I lived in VA. Break ins are almost frequent. Give me some ideas.. I'll likely use the money I get back from the gov't in May to buy it.

So I'm looking for:

$500-$600 tops , less would be preferred.
I'm leaning more toward a tactical shotgun of some kind, if that makes any sense. Preferrably something with a pump action because I feel like that sound alone would scare off a lot of intruders without actually having to fire.
Low maintenance is good
Holding multiple rounds is good
If you have any recommendations for handguns that you think would fit the bill, by all means. I likely won't be using this very often if at all for recreational purposes though, so keep that in mind.

Thoughts? Learn me, my firearm vocabulary is limited at best.
(with that being said, I have been around and fired plenty of guns so I don't feel like any one gun is going to be "too much for me"... it's just not a hobby of mine)

[Apoc]

(Disclaimer: I don't own, just been looking to buy for awhile)

My short list: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/novaPump.tpl">http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/novaPump.tpl</a><!-- m -->

They come in various barrel lengths, including 18.5" tactical.

[WRXtranceformed]

Those look ideal man. So what is the difference between the slug, short stock, pump, etc.?

Edit: My friend just recommended this one:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/premier_dealer_exclusives/model_870_express_7-shot.asp">http://www.remington.com/products/firea ... 7-shot.asp</a><!-- m -->

[ScottyB]

nothing like hearing a shotgun being pumped to put the fear of God in ya :lol:

[Jeff]

If you want something tactical and "pump action" then you want some sort of 12ga shotgun. I'll sell you mine. Its a 'stainless' Mossberg 590 pump. 12ga, 20in barrel, 9 rnd tube, butlercreek side-folding stock, barrel cover, and flashlight mounted on the bottom.

[CaptainHenreh]

if you're REALLY concerned about people breaking in AND you don't have any neighbors AND you don't have any children / people living with you,

then a Shotgun is the end all-be all to a firearm.

Get a Mossburg 500 Pursuader or 590 or something, keep the magazine loaded, (leave the chamber empty) and keep it by your bed. You can grab it, rack it, and go faster than anything else, and if there's not a round in the chamber, you're fine.

But listen to me when I tell you this, even if you ignore every word I say for the rest of my natural life:

Whatever firearm you get, PRACTICE WITH IT. Handgun, shotgun, rifle, claymore mine, artillery, whatever it is you need to GO to the range and you need to SHOOT it and when you think you're pretty handy with it you're about 1/4 of the way there. If you don't have the time, money, or desire to do this then DO NOT BOTHER with buying a firearm.

Also, if you're buying a handgun, my advice is to go to a store/gunshow and heft every gun on the table, work the controls, rack the slide, do the whole bit. Then narrow it down by comfort. A gun that doesn't fit your hand is a gun you ain't gonna shoot, no matter what it is.

[Apoc]

Those look ideal man. So what is the difference between the slug, short stock, pump, etc.?

Edit: My friend just recommended this one:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/premier_dealer_exclusives/model_870_express_7-shot.asp">http://www.remington.com/products/firea ... 7-shot.asp</a><!-- m -->

That looks like more bling than necessary, IMO. I've just never been a fan of the pistol grip unless you're raiding buildings... but that's me.

If you click on Configurations you can see all the different types. Slug fires a slug instead of buckshot, you don't want that. Short stock just means the distance from the trigger to your shoulder is shorter. Go for 12ga tactical... it has a short barrel length so you can maneuver around the house easier.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gunslot.com/guns/benelli-nova">http://www.gunslot.com/guns/benelli-nova</a><!-- m -->

[Jeff]

BTW, in the MM "shoot shit up" thread. Its the silver shotgun that goodspeed is holding.

[WRXtranceformed]

If you want something tactical and "pump action" then you want some sort of 12ga shotgun. I'll sell you mine. Its a 'stainless' Mossberg 590 pump. 12ga, 20in barrel, 9 rnd tube, butlercreek side-folding stock, barrel cover, and flashlight mounted on the bottom.

Pics, price? Send me a PM whenever you get teh chance

Another thing I should mention. It would be an added bonus if I could take the gun out and shoot skeet occasionally. I didn't mention this before, but my buddy said that folding stocks were not idea for skeet. He also recommended this to me:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express_synthetic_7-round.asp">http://www.remington.com/products/firea ... -round.asp</a><!-- m -->

[WRXtranceformed]

BTW, in the MM "shoot shit up" thread. Its the silver shotgun that goodspeed is holding.

Dude that gun looks really nice, but when the stock is folded out it looks like it's as big as he is! Can you fire it when it's folded up still?

[Apoc]

If you want to shoot skeet, you're also probably not going to want a pistol grip. Longer barrels tend to be more accurate at long range and heavier so you're gonna have to decided where your primary role lies.

I want mine for shooting with a secondary role as home defense. I'll probably go with 26" as a compromise.

[CaptainHenreh]

I didn't mention this before, but my buddy said that folding stocks were not idea for skeet.

ROFL, understatement of the year.

If you want something to shoot skeet/trap/sporting clays with, then you'll want a field barrel to get a good sight picture down the barrel. A field barrel is the one with the flat ribbed section on the top.

Also, you'll be laughed off the field if you show up with a foldable stock and pistol grip.

[BLINGMW]

I'll likely use the money I get back from the gov't in May to buy it.

I can't really add anything, sounds like these guys are doing a good job. But good for you! :beer:

if you're REALLY concerned about people breaking in AND you don't have any neighbors AND you don't have any children / people living with you,
then a Shotgun is the end all-be all to a firearm.

I too have heard a shotgun is the way to go for home defense... but why the "no neighbors and children" qualification? I thought one of the best things was that they're so effective at close range, but with the right shot, it doesn't go through the whole house and hit unintended targets.

[Apoc]

Lee, if you're interested I'm probably going to take a 'Basic Shotgun' course May 17th in Centreville. I know you're not local but if you happen to be in the area it can't hurt to "know" someone.

FWIW, I've shot skeet before but never had formal training. Like the MSF, instructional training trumps any sort of backyard practice IMO.

[CaptainHenreh]

I too have heard a shotgun is the way to go for home defense... but why the "no neighbors and children" qualification? I thought one of the best things was that they're so effective at close range, but with the right shot, they don't go traveling through the whole house and hitting unintended targets.

Everyone hears that. What you should do is go to THE BOX O' TRUTH! and see what buckshot will penetrate. Or anything, really. You need to practice shot placement with ANYTHING, so don't think that a shotgun is going to magically know the difference between a wall or a sofa or a bad guy.

I think you'll be surprised, anyway. Maybe if you lived in a brick house.

And the reason I said no children / loved ones is for a call YOU have to make. The whole idea of a shotgun is a fairly wide spread, causing great tissue & organ trauma to multiple places in the BG's body.

If the BG is using your wife/child/grandmother as a shield, you're NOT going to pull the trigger on that shotgun. Probably not going to pull the trigger on anything else either, but still, but definitely not a shotgun cuz then granny's done for.

[BLINGMW]

I understand that, I was referring more to birdshot. And of course, you still have to have some concern for the other side of the target. But still, it's going to be a little less to worry about with buck or birdshot than it is, say, with a 357 or something.

[CaptainHenreh]

I understand that, I was referring more to birdshot. And of course, you still have to have some concern for the other side of the target. But still, it's going to be a little less to worry about with buck or birdshot than it is, say, with a 357 or something.

Birdshot is for birds.

You defend your family with birdshot unless your home is being invaded by Birdmen from the Ninth Dimension.

[JustinG]

highly recommend the Remington 870, also if your gonna shoot skeet I would recommend a 20 gauge. I love my Remington 870, its decently priced and is the best selling pump in U.S. History.

As far as the 20ga goes, people can give me shit all you want (Jeff), but when you walk a 20 trap course shooting 3-4 birds per station, your shoulder is gonna feel like its falling off after using a 12ga. I used to work at a shotgun range and most of the guys who came in there and shot skeet as a sport used 20ga.

20ga for home defense isn't as good as a 12ga obviously, but itll put a hurtin to someone. Also take into consideration, if you get a tactical with the extended tube, its gonna be heavier when loaded, my 870 express 20ga, will hold 4 shells with the plug removed, which should be plenty of lead. But I guess you want more bullets than less in a situation of self defense.

[Maengelito]

Everyone hears that. What you should do is go to THE BOX O' TRUTH! and see what buckshot will penetrate. Or anything, really. You need to practice shot placement with ANYTHING, so don't think that a shotgun is going to magically know the difference between a wall or a sofa or the King of England.

fixed that for you

If the KoE is using your wife/child/grandmother as a shield, you're NOT going to pull the trigger on that shotgun. Probably not going to pull the trigger on anything else either, but still, but definitely not a shotgun cuz then granny's done for.

while i'd normally agree with you, keep in mind we are talking about channing

[CaptainHenreh]

highly recommend the Remington 870, also if your gonna shoot skeet I would recommend a 20 gauge. I love my Remington 870, its decently priced and is the best selling pump in U.S. History.

I've shot skeet and trap with both my 12 Gauge Auto and my 20Ga browning pump, and while I haven't shot enough with both, I kind of prefer the 20. If the 20 were auto, I'd probably clean and put away my 12 for shooting clays.