Should I buy a coach gun or pump

JSosbe · 03-09-2008, 12:01 AM

I am looking to buy a shotgun for home defense. I have decided between two guns, but not sure which would be better. Price is virtually identical, one is a side by side coach gun in 12 gauge. The other is the Remington 870 pump. I like the double barrel, but wonder if I should go with the 870 because it is more modern.

rondog · 03-09-2008, 12:33 AM

The 870, besides holding many more rounds, probably is easier to shoot. Likely has more mass to soak up recoil, whereas the d/b probably kicks like a horse. I recently asked the same question about a Charles Daly shotgun, it was pointed out that it had a plastic stock....no weight to absorb recoil.

ArkansasHunter · 03-09-2008, 12:41 AM

Question JSosbe are you wanting say a 28'' barrell shotgun or sawed off style ?
Check these 2 Mossberg mavericks out and notice the price, you may can buy them cheaper and will last you a life time...A.H

88™ Security Models

88™ 6-Shot Security model features a 3" chamber, 18½" Cylinder Bore fixed choke and a non-ported barrel. A rugged black synthetic stock and forearm, blued metal finish and a brass front sight bead are also included.

Suggested Retail #31023 ... $199 USD

88™ 8-Shot Security model features a 3" chamber, 20" Cylinder Bore fixed choke and a non-ported barrel. A rugged black synthetic stock and forearm, blued metal finish and a brass front sight bead are also included.

Suggested Retail #31046 ... $206 USD

nathangdad · 03-09-2008, 09:41 AM

If possible, test fire each gun. It will most likely be easy to find a 870.
If you cannot fire a coach gun, then fire a double barrel hunting shotgun as close to the weight of your desired coach gun as you can find.

Then, you will have a comparative basis upon which to make your decision. In the end it is what you feel most comfortable handling and firing.

Coach gun styles will also include single and double triggers as well as internal and exposed hammers. So, take a little time to do research before your final purchase.

Gray Wolf · 03-09-2008, 10:32 AM

I'd get the 870, it's been used by countless law enforcement agencies, it's hard to break, easy to fix, has much larger ammo capacity and there are all kinds of accessories for sale. you can customize it exactly the way you want it.

ArkansasHunter · 03-09-2008, 10:36 AM

You can do all that to a Mossberg's too, but I agree that the 870 is one rung higher on the ladder than the Mossy's.
A.H

texnmidwest · 03-09-2008, 10:39 AM

For home defense either would be OK. I would prefer the pump in agreement with what was posted above. More ammo on board. Plus, if you ever decided to hunt with it an extra barrel and a magazine plug and your in business.

Shotguns are the best choice for home defense though. JMHO.

killer · 03-09-2008, 10:51 AM

The 870 will allow lots of accessories down the road if you want like lasers, small lights and stuff, and ability to make it shorter (pistol grip) and more user freindly in confined area. Parts would be easier to find too.

But a coach gun is a more unique gun I think.

Guess if I were staring down a double barrel vs. the 870...the coach gun would be the bad boy esp if you could get it in 18" barrel and pistol grip.

You could do it yourself. Me and my buddy cut down a couple for giggles. Make sure you maintain an 18" barrel and 26" overall for the Feds and or check State laws. His barrel was fairly light weight causing a tremendous jump in his hands and so the results were not as good as with my heavy barrel Winchester 20 ga.

EHCRain10 · 03-10-2008, 01:17 PM

they both work extremely well with enough practice, the pump could have more versatility because of the switchable barrels but the sxs would be shorter with the same length barrel

TNRICK55 · 03-10-2008, 01:35 PM

im exlaw inforcement and i have found racking a 870 will get a perp attion .nuff said

ArkansasHunter · 03-10-2008, 02:09 PM

Mossberg has sawed off shotguns come in many configuration to where you can buy them already rigged out the way you want.

Here's the one i bought my son.

OldTimer · 03-10-2008, 08:42 PM

TNRICK55 hit it spot on: if the sound of that slide closing the action on the 870 doesn't get their undivided attention, you just might want the extra capacity of that tubular mag...

Besides, a slug barrel is fairly short and quick pointing, too.

meatloaf · 03-11-2008, 04:38 AM

Its been said that a theivs worse nightmare is the sound of a pumpaction shotgun. Many are scared away just by the sound.

ArkansasHunter · 03-11-2008, 04:42 AM

I wonder if I ought to invent a gizzmo that sounds like an 870 being racked ? Hummm

killer · 03-11-2008, 05:15 AM

I had heard during WWII they had a fake sound they invented of the M1 Garand ejecting the clip. The Germans thought the GI's were empty and would try to rush them but it was a trick. Don't know if it's true but passing it on.

meatloaf · 03-11-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer

I had heard during WWII they had a fake sound they invented of the M1 Garand ejecting the clip. The Germans thought the GI's were empty and would try to rush them but it was a trick. Don't know if it's true but passing it on.

even if its not true its a good idea.

Rem 742 30-06 · 03-11-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer

I had heard during WWII they had a fake sound they invented of the M1 Garand ejecting the clip. The Germans thought the GI's were empty and would try to rush them but it was a trick. Don't know if it's true but passing it on.

yeah they would throw an empty stripper clip or whatever you call them on the ground to do that.

JAKEtheSNAKE · 03-14-2008, 08:05 AM

i think that you should get the coach gun because you can't have a follow up shot in an 870 as fast as a coach gun and besides if u cant get him in 2 shots u shouldn't be holding a gun

AKHunter · 03-14-2008, 11:47 AM

Bah, you can follow up a pump just as fast as a coach gun. You still have recovery after recoil. If you shoot a little bit you will be chambering that 2nd shot during the recoil recovery, by the time you settle back down the 2nd shot is waiting on your trigger finger. I can burn rounds through a pump faster than a auto loader can cycle. I see no advantage to a coach gun for practical reason. They are pretty though.

.22guy · 03-14-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAKEtheSNAKE

i think that you should get the coach gun because you can't have a follow up shot in an 870 as fast as a coach gun and besides if u cant get him in 2 shots u shouldn't be holding a gun

What if there are more than one?

03-09-2008, 12:01 AM	#1
JSosbe Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: University of Kentucky Posts: 81	Should I buy a coach gun or pump I am looking to buy a shotgun for home defense. I have decided between two guns, but not sure which would be better. Price is virtually identical, one is a side by side coach gun in 12 gauge. The other is the Remington 870 pump. I like the double barrel, but wonder if I should go with the 870 because it is more modern.

03-09-2008, 09:41 AM	#4
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,456	Can you test fire each gun? If possible, test fire each gun. It will most likely be easy to find a 870. If you cannot fire a coach gun, then fire a double barrel hunting shotgun as close to the weight of your desired coach gun as you can find. Then, you will have a comparative basis upon which to make your decision. In the end it is what you feel most comfortable handling and firing. Coach gun styles will also include single and double triggers as well as internal and exposed hammers. So, take a little time to do research before your final purchase.

03-09-2008, 10:39 AM	#7
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,439	For home defense either would be OK. I would prefer the pump in agreement with what was posted above. More ammo on board. Plus, if you ever decided to hunt with it an extra barrel and a magazine plug and your in business. Shotguns are the best choice for home defense though. JMHO. __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

03-09-2008, 10:51 AM	#8
killer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the rat race Posts: 905 Images: 6	The 870 will allow lots of accessories down the road if you want like lasers, small lights and stuff, and ability to make it shorter (pistol grip) and more user freindly in confined area. Parts would be easier to find too. But a coach gun is a more unique gun I think. Guess if I were staring down a double barrel vs. the 870...the coach gun would be the bad boy esp if you could get it in 18" barrel and pistol grip. You could do it yourself. Me and my buddy cut down a couple for giggles. Make sure you maintain an 18" barrel and 26" overall for the Feds and or check State laws. His barrel was fairly light weight causing a tremendous jump in his hands and so the results were not as good as with my heavy barrel Winchester 20 ga. __________________ "Yeee Hawww...I'm a cowboy on an iron horse." Killer's cabin: http://buckmountainchateau.com/ Last edited by killer; 03-09-2008 at 11:15 AM.

03-10-2008, 01:35 PM	#10
TNRICK55 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: TENNESSEE Posts: 74	pump im exlaw inforcement and i have found racking a 870 will get a perp attion .nuff said __________________ 1st. GOD 2ND RIGHT TO KEEP AND BARE ARMS.

03-09-2008, 12:33 AM	#2
rondog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 1,330	The 870, besides holding many more rounds, probably is easier to shoot. Likely has more mass to soak up recoil, whereas the d/b probably kicks like a horse. I recently asked the same question about a Charles Daly shotgun, it was pointed out that it had a plastic stock....no weight to absorb recoil.

03-09-2008, 12:41 AM	#3
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,686	Question JSosbe are you wanting say a 28'' barrell shotgun or sawed off style ? Check these 2 Mossberg mavericks out and notice the price, you may can buy them cheaper and will last you a life time...A.H 88™ Security Models 88™ 6-Shot Security model features a 3" chamber, 18½" Cylinder Bore fixed choke and a non-ported barrel. A rugged black synthetic stock and forearm, blued metal finish and a brass front sight bead are also included. Suggested Retail #31023 ... $199 USD 88™ 8-Shot Security model features a 3" chamber, 20" Cylinder Bore fixed choke and a non-ported barrel. A rugged black synthetic stock and forearm, blued metal finish and a brass front sight bead are also included. Suggested Retail #31046 ... $206 USD

03-09-2008, 10:32 AM	#5
Gray Wolf Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 19	I'd get the 870, it's been used by countless law enforcement agencies, it's hard to break, easy to fix, has much larger ammo capacity and there are all kinds of accessories for sale. you can customize it exactly the way you want it.

03-09-2008, 10:36 AM	#6
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,686	You can do all that to a Mossberg's too, but I agree that the 870 is one rung higher on the ladder than the Mossy's. A.H

03-10-2008, 01:17 PM	#9
EHCRain10 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dinwiddie, VA Posts: 117	they both work extremely well with enough practice, the pump could have more versatility because of the switchable barrels but the sxs would be shorter with the same length barrel

03-10-2008, 02:09 PM	#11
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,686	Mossberg has sawed off shotguns come in many configuration to where you can buy them already rigged out the way you want. Here's the one i bought my son.

03-10-2008, 08:42 PM	#12
OldTimer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 135	TNRICK55 hit it spot on: if the sound of that slide closing the action on the 870 doesn't get their undivided attention, you just might want the extra capacity of that tubular mag... Besides, a slug barrel is fairly short and quick pointing, too. __________________ I support PETA: People Eating Tasty Animals George...

03-11-2008, 04:38 AM	#13
meatloaf Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: lakewood CO Posts: 902 Images: 3	Its been said that a theivs worse nightmare is the sound of a pumpaction shotgun. Many are scared away just by the sound.

03-11-2008, 04:42 AM	#14
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,686	I wonder if I ought to invent a gizzmo that sounds like an 870 being racked ? Hummm

03-11-2008, 05:15 AM	#15
killer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the rat race Posts: 905 Images: 6	I had heard during WWII they had a fake sound they invented of the M1 Garand ejecting the clip. The Germans thought the GI's were empty and would try to rush them but it was a trick. Don't know if it's true but passing it on. __________________ "Yeee Hawww...I'm a cowboy on an iron horse." Killer's cabin: http://buckmountainchateau.com/

03-14-2008, 08:05 AM	#18
JAKEtheSNAKE Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 16	i think that you should get the coach gun because you can't have a follow up shot in an 870 as fast as a coach gun and besides if u cant get him in 2 shots u shouldn't be holding a gun

03-14-2008, 11:47 AM	#19
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	Bah, you can follow up a pump just as fast as a coach gun. You still have recovery after recoil. If you shoot a little bit you will be chambering that 2nd shot during the recoil recovery, by the time you settle back down the 2nd shot is waiting on your trigger finger. I can burn rounds through a pump faster than a auto loader can cycle. I see no advantage to a coach gun for practical reason. They are pretty though.