GunGeek has suggested that his next gun-goal is a tactical shotgun. He has a Remington 870 ESM set up for hunting, and wants a tactical shotgun specifically for home defense.
I have suggested that there are two primary configurations for home defense pump shotguns.
1. Compact, maneuverable, and accessorized - utilizes a sole pistol grip or a folding stock (his preference and mine), good for including a flashlight or laser, likely having a foregrip (a must in my opinion if not firing from the shoulder). As light as possible without sacrificing features, and using as short a barrel as possible at the expense of magazine capacity (no more than 6). Basically a short, light shotgun with a tall profile.
2. Beastly buttstroker - heavy shotgun with large tube capacity (8-10rd), using a solid buttstock and intended to work better than anything else available in this day and age for hand-to-hand combat. Accessories are minimal, generally no more than a sling, side-saddle shell holder, or red-dot/holo-site. Some (in my opinion fewer than there should be) have a bayonet mount (Mossberg 590 and an attachment for the Rem 870).
Being tall and accustomed to large guns more than compact ones, I chose setup 2, with a Mossberg 590. I used my Black Warrior pistol grip stock on it but found the factory stock much sturdier, and better shaped for bayonet charging with my M9 bayonet reproduction.
GunGeek was thinking along the lines of setup 1, with a folding stock. He wants a bayonet lug but doesn't plan to use the bayonet tactically, so I said I could make him a lug for a 500 should he choose that. He seemed to be indifferent to whether it had a thumb safety or trigger safety, but I have a feeling if he felt all the options he'd develop a preference. One advantage I noted to the Rem 870 is the ability to extend the tube to any length you want with whatever size extension. Mossberg you have to pick one of a few lengths and stick with it.
So what do you guys use and prefer for a home defense shotgun?
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Last edited by BattleRifleG3; 06-17-2004 at 12:42 AM.
there is no need for a sight for a home defense shotgun. an 18" barrel, a fixed stock and 00 buck. and if i cant kill whats bothering me inside my house with the number of shells in the gun, then im already screwed.
I'm trying to coin the term "repeating musket" for a smoothbore solid stocked large caliber bayonet accepting non-hunting gun. My M590 would fit that category. Next on the drawing board is a full stocked brass trimmed long barreled semi-auto shotgun project called the "auto musket."
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Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf
Well I like the idea of bayonetted shotguns
I have a repop 1897 trench
the mossberg 590 is great but ya need a longer bayonet for it
may be a cruciform folding bayonet like on a soviet M44
the sound and sight of a big sticker can be very effective.
if you have someone that does not immediatly leave they either dont believe you will attack or "more likely" they want to be attacked.
One thing I have seen many times is that when an altercation starts, the beligerant can not believe that any one would be bold enough to use the weapon when it is presented.
and when they get Shot there is such a total suprise
A bayonet can perform its primary function since time immorial Ya can give the subject a slight stick to get then moveing
thats what bayonets do best.
Of course it all depends on the situation.
I like the option.
well nothing beats a good 12 ga.leaning agenst the wall right by your head as you sleep, but as for your 'options' ( make, model, accessories, blades, grips, lights, etc. etc.) its all personal opennion, the "BEST SETUP OF ALL TIME" is whatever you love, and works best for you, in your situation... ......but it is really fun to talk about what setup you like the best...... well, ive heard yall talk about different bayonet setups, ive got a remington 870, and ive been looking everywhere trying to find one for it, and i cant find anything, whatever help yall can offer is great, thanks.....
I saw one bayonet mount for an 870. I've been thinking of making some myself.
BG, I am the first to admit that a bayonet on a shotgun looks very cool, and that is probabley enough reason to own one. But, for a working self-defense gun, isn't the whole point in giving up barrel length to get a shorter more manuverable gun for tight quarters? If someone is close enough to stick with a bayonet, you just let em get too close in my opinion. Why bring a knife to a gun fight? Just playing devil's advicate here. I already admitted that it looks very cool, but paracticaly or tactically, how would it be useful? I am seaking elightenment here?
the "BEST SETUP OF ALL TIME" is whatever you love, and works best for you, in your situation...
like i said, in your situation, i live in a big, mostly wide open house, and maybe there will be times where i dont want to shoot the guy, but..... leave my mark.... but its just that i can seem to remember seeing a picture of a 870 with a bayonet on it somewhere on the net, and i cant figure out were it was,
If ya stick the person, they can sue ya. Better ta just shoot them, dead men tell no tails. Any way to use a bayonet right, you need good clearence all the way around you. A house is a little crampt with furnisher, walls, and ceilings to get in the way. Also when you stick somebody, you put your self within grabbing distance (thats a bad thing). Bayonets look neat, but their tactical uses are very limited.
By the way, what do you think is going to break into your home that you would need to unload on and stab it??
The bayonet was not intended to be less lethal, it just doesn't need reloading.
The majority of tactical shotguns hold 5+ rounds. If you need more, it's not a break-in it's an invasion in which case you're probably screwed. Anyway, I thought you said you could shoot
Hands down the best home defense weapon available! The one reason I lean toward the 870 as opposed to the other available pumps is simply because of the steel as opposed to aluminum reciever. For choice of folder I highly reccommend finding and original Remington factory "LE only" folder. It's stamped LE only, but folders are OK on pumps (did the no folders on semi-autos go out with the ban or is that included in another oppressive gun law?)
ANYWAY, the Rem factory folder is much sturdier that the aftermarket stuff I've dealt with unless you opt for one of the new adapters that allows an A4 extendable stock to be fitted - kind of a neat new accessory me thinks.
One note of detail on the Rem folder, that little scrap of hard, thin rubber on the butt plate is not for your shoulder, it just keeps the butt plate from scratching up the top of the barrel or heat shield. It's pretty uncomfortable to shoot especially with 3" mag rounds, but a little pain is OK at certan times and you can bet in the middle of a fire fight you won't notice it a bit.
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