I'm curious what others are using. I've had a Winchester 1300 Defender for a number of years but have been looking at upgrading to maybe the Benelli M-4.

Mossy 590 with a full compliment of #4's. At across the room ranges, the shot pattern is still smaller than your fist. The#4's will have a tough time getting through the walls to the outside.

me 870 12ga 3 inch loaded with #4 & 00 buckshot.
Wife 870 20ga with #4 and 00 buckshot. Goblins going to have a bad night if the dogs don't get him first.

Mossberg 590 tricked out with the full Vang Comp Systems package, double 00 in the tube and slugs in the sidesaddle. No kids in the house so I don't worry about overpenetration.

I carried an 870 for years as a Cop and never liked them. In my opinion, they aren't as handy as the Mossberg.

I prefer the slide release at the rear of the trigger guard with the safety atop the receiver. Both can be manipulated without moving the hand. AND, the infamous 870 double feed is impossible with the Mossberg.

quote:

Originally posted by Bearcat85:
I'm curious what others are using. I've had a Winchester 1300 Defender for a number of years but have been looking at upgrading to maybe the Benelli M-4.

My only shotgun is a M4 and I love it! If one can handle the pricing I highly recommend it! It has fed anything I load it with to include reduced recoil LE rounds which I thought may not cycle the gun.

The only problem I have is the last round hangs up on the carrier. I think this is due to the addtion of the LE two-round extention and the spring not having enough tension to fully feed the last round. Simple fix, just need to get un-lazy and order a stiffer spring. Regardless, I don't think you can go wrong with M4.

I have an older remington 12 gauge that's been sawed off ot the size of a pistol barrel with a pistol grip.

Single shot.

Yes it's redneck but it works great in close quarters!

I have to disagree with SnB on the saferty of #4

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm

quote:

Originally posted by PrinceofThieves:
I have to disagree with SnB on the saferty of #4

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm

#4's have been universally accepted as the best compromise between OOO or 0000 buck (and slugs) as used by the military and most Police depts., and lightweight bird/target loads for home defense.

#4 gives excellent penetration of bad guys, while keeping overpentration of structures to a minimum. It also lessens the felt recoil to a degree more easily handled by weaker or small statured persons, making practice with home defense loads more enjoyable for the shooter, and disuaging their fear of the weapon.

Shooting loose hanging sheetrock is no test to base reality on, it only tests loose hanging sheetrock. Yes, #4 will punch through walls, but at a much less degree than 000 or 0000 buck or slugs.

0000 buck? Ive never even seen that. The biggest I see commonly available is 000

#4's effectiveness at close quarters, cannot be disputed, but there is no such thing as a safe round. to be an effective self defense tool it cant by its nature be innocuous

walls are made of wooden stud frames, insulation, pipes, wiring and drywall...boxotruth used a wood frame with 6 pieces of drywall, or the equivalent of 3 walls. chances are that you may shoot through a part of the wall where there is no stud; i wouldnt bet my life that any wiring or insulation would stop a projectile.

boxotruth may not be scientific, but the fact that #4 and #1 buckshot penetrated the same number of drywall measures them to the same standard, even if as SnB claims it has no meaning in terms of how many real walls can be penetrated.

if no 1 buckshot is dangerous to use in a household where there may be women and children sleeping, then #4 is no safer.

my point is not to discredit SnB's experience in weapons, but to remind everyone that one must never assume that a weapon is safe, just as one must never assume that a firearm is unloaded.

counting on a projectile to penetrate through bad guys while leaving loved ones intact assumes that projectiles have a conscience and anyone who has lost a loved one to a stray bullet knows that is untrue...

which brings me to two very important rules of shooting: ALWAYS KNOW WHAT IS BEHIND YOUR TARGET and NEVER POINT YOUR MUZZLE AT ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY.

Just because #4 may be safer than 00 or 000 doesnt release a shooter from shooting responsibly.

I have heard some say birdshot is just as deadly inside 10ft. It is still an ounce of lead still close together at that range.

I built an 870 with a VangComp 18.5" Barrel and tritium front blade with ghost ring rear sight. If you have never shot a Vang barrel, you would be amazed at the tightness of the pattern.

It stays loaded with 9 pellet reduced recoil 00 buck. There are slugs on the side carrier if I need them.

S/F and Happy Thansgiving to all
Finger

I had lunch with Hans Vang, and some of his crew, this past Monday.

quote:

Originally posted by gumbydammit:
I had lunch with Hans Vang, and some of his crew, this past Monday.

When I lived in Goleta, I used to go to his little shop a lot. It was from him that I got many of my ideas for smoothing up 1911 triggers and slides. I worked at Dodge City Guns in Santa Barbara for a while(right next to Goleta), Hans came in quite often to shoot the shiite with us.

Only ever spoke to him on the phone. Found him to be a very nice and helpful man.

S/F
Finger

Hans is a great guy. Kinda crazy. A couple close friends work for him.

quote:

Originally posted by ZGXtreme:

quote:

Originally posted by Bearcat85:
I'm curious what others are using. I've had a Winchester 1300 Defender for a number of years but have been looking at upgrading to maybe the Benelli M-4.

My only shotgun is a M4 and I love it! If one can handle the pricing I highly recommend it! It has fed anything I load it with to include reduced recoil LE rounds which I thought may not cycle the gun.

The only problem I have is the last round hangs up on the carrier. I think this is due to the addtion of the LE two-round extention and the spring not having enough tension to fully feed the last round. Simple fix, just need to get un-lazy and order a stiffer spring. Regardless, I don't think you can go wrong with M4.

Thanks ZGXtreme! I've had similar experiences with the last round getting hung-up using some of the early magazine extensions for Remington 870.

Right now a Mossberg 500 & I use 4 buck like SnB...

Would like to upgrade to a tricked out Vang Comp 590 as they seem to be the cat's azz!!

quote:

Originally posted by lovecheese45:
I have an older remington 12 gauge that's been sawed off ot the size of a pistol barrel with a pistol grip.

Single shot.

Yes it's redneck but it works great in close quarters!

Considering your firearm started out as a
stocked shotgun, it is now an "NFA Short Bbl. Shotgun" needing to be registered in the
NFRTR. If not, then your looking at 10 yrs. of Jail time,& a 25 thousand $ fine.Your State also has to allow SBS within it's borders.
If you want to do it Legally, contact me.
Thanks. Jeff
Magoo01@REMOVETHISverizon.net

Id say get a remington 870 of some kind, many varieties to choose from, and its pretty cheap for the most part. In terms of ammo, Id say get #4 double ought buck, but you could get smaller or bigger stuff if you need or want, knowing that most homes are pretty close quarters anyway.......

I guess I Just like to be a little different I have a Rossi side by side 12 gauge with side hammers nice little gun holds nice tight patterns