Need advice in purchasing a shotgun

R

rainermh12

Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
328
Hi everyone,

I'm looking into purchasing a shotgun for my mother, who is going to buy a plot of land up in a remote area of the Catskills to start up a farm/stable/pasture for her two horses and perhaps other animals. Until she can get a house put together on the land, she will live in an RV home near the main road, miles from the nearest town and police station. Not exactly the safest setup going on there. So, we figured that in an emergency situation, say, someone attempting to break in to the RV or someone causing trouble on her land or with her horses, she'd probably need a weapon. I suggested she get something along the lines of a shotgun. I don't know much about them, and was wondering if you guys could help me out in buying.

I'm not looking for anything too overly 'tactical'-like, just a reliable weapon I can trust with my mother's safety, and perhaps also a bit of hunting on the side. She is in the Army, so she knows her way with weapon safety and I'm sure ample range time will help her get used to the weapon. Regarding model, I have heard good things about Remington and Benelli, but any suggestions you guys have to offer would be great.

Thanks in advance :D

-Rainer
 
Ithaca Featherweight. As the name implies, it's very lightweight. It's also reliable, will last forever, and is a bottom-eject, which is nice. The barrels can also be easily replaced and there are aftermarket parts pretty commonly available. I rather miss mine.


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Remington 870 or 1100, depending on whether a pump or auto would work better. Both excellent, excellent shotguns.
 
jdraizor said:
Remington 870 or 1100, depending on whether a pump or auto would work better. Both excellent, excellent shotguns.

+1 on Remington :thumbup:
rainermh12, if I am not mistaking, back a few years ago, Remington made a model for women I think was listed as the Model 20LT. It was a 20ga., but the stock was shorter in length to compensate for women's arms. And before any debate starts on the 20ga. vs. 12ga., we are talking the confines of an RV, lower recoil for follow up shots, easier to handle, and only the area surrounding the RV. I don't know if these are still made, but I still see them at vendor's booths at the local gun shows. Good luck with your search.
Be safe.
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It would be hard to beat a 12gauge, 21inch Rem 870 with rifle sighted slug barrel, interchangable RemChokes (not the cantiliver version)... would have most of your concerns covered, as would an Ithaca DeerSlayer in same configuration...
 
I don't think you could go wrong with a Mossberg 500, Ithaca, or Remington 870. Check out the differences between the three, maybe handle them, and decide what works for your mother. I have a Mossberg 500 with a 20" accu-choke barrel and couldn't be happier. The Mossberg will be lighter than the Remington due to the aluminum receiver. I'd probably go with a 20 gauge also for the average woman.
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20 ga youth model Remington 870 (or 870 express), Mossberg 500, or Winchester 1300.
Maverick is a lower end Shotgun, but I hear they're pretty reliable, too.
Avoid pistol grips, the weight of a full stock helps with recoil management.
Pump guns take a bit more practice to get familiar/proficient, but they have fewer potential mechanical issues than semi-auto models.
 
My vote would go with something like the Remington 1100. A semi auto is much easier for someone that is not used to a shotgun and having to chamber a round after the first shot and the recoil is much less than a pump.

Also, home defense loads would lessen the recoil while still providing sufficient protection.
 
I hunt often with a Rem 11-87 but I also like the Mossberg 500/590 pumps fairly well. You often see a Moss 500 set with both 18 and 28 inch barrels for $300 or less.

DancesWithKnives
 
One of the things I learned in Cowboy Action shooting, wimmen and shotguns is that it's all about FIT. I'd imagine that LOP[length of pull] critical but bet of she talked to some women shotgun shooters at a skeet/trap/Cowboy Action shoot she'd be able to learn the easy way.

I'd look for a used Remington 870 Wingmaster in 12 ga with <20" barrel [ or take a hacksaw to it [not LESS than 18"] and call it good. Would pass on the 870 Express line as actions can be a little rough and finish is a rust magnet, IMO.

Good for your Mom by the way.
 
Mossberg 590, one of the special editions. You can get them in 12 or 20, full stock or pistol grip, some with shorter stock too. Speed feed stock, and tang mounted safety - no looking for it on the underside of the gun if needed. More choices in 12 guage but they also have a .410. Probably want something larger than .410 for stuff bothering the horses but there are lots of choices out there.
 
Thanks to all your replies, I'll look into your suggestions so far and ask her what she thinks would suit her needs best. The only thing I'm confused about is as to the difference between 12 and 20 gauge, can anyone tell me some facts? A google search only confused me a bit more, too many biased views I think. Can any of you guys help clarify?
 
Much more to pick from on loads for the 12ga plus after market parts are much more common for a 12ga.Recoil on the 20 will be a good bit less.If you ever want to go with a home defense barrel they might make them but I have never seen one.
Also keep in mind that from what I have had the Mossburg 500 and Maverick seem to have a lot more felt recoil than the 870 in the same Ga.They also only have one arm on the pump whereas the 870 has a double arm.
If the size and recoil will be a big factor you could go with a .410,they are making buck shot in .410 now.
 
I would also add to stay away from the pistol grips for her.The recoil is bad on the 870 with one but on the 500 it is terrible.My B.I.L. has a 500 with pistol grip,about 4 rounds is all I can handle.I am 300 lbs and 6' 1''.
To tell the truth I am hurting after a box of shell off the shoulder with a 500,may be just the way I shoot but still they hurt.
If you get her the 12 GA and the recoil is too much Knox makes a recoil reduction stock that I have heard works great.
 
shotgun gauge was originally based off the number of lead round ball you can get out of a pound of lead.
12 gauge is the most common hunting round for adult males.
20 gauge is popular in youth models because of the reduced recoil. (less powder, lighter projectile/shot load)
both are easy to find ammo for.
 
12 gauge bore is equivalent to .729".

20 gauge bore is equivalent to .615".

The 12 gauge will give you more choices on ammunition and will also be easier to find shells for. It will also give you more power and more "lead" per shot. At the same size shot, like 00 Buck Shot, the 12 gauge will have more 'balls' in each shell. For home defense, I would go no smaller than 00 Buck. The pellets will be .33" diameter. If possible, 000 Buck would be an ever better choice, and slugs will be your best choice. DO NOT USE BIRDSHOT. It is not an effective round for defense.

Practice is going to be a necessity. Lots of people think that you can just point a shotgun in a general direction and hit what you want. This is just not the case, especially when using a shotgun shell that is acceptable for home defense. At distances which will be seen inside the home, especially inside of an RV, your pattern will be very small.
 
jdraizor said:
12 gauge bore is equivalent to .729".

20 gauge bore is equivalent to .615".

The 12 gauge will give you more choices on ammunition and will also be easier to find shells for. It will also give you more power and more "lead" per shot. At the same size shot, like 00 Buck Shot, the 12 gauge will have more 'balls' in each shell. For home defense, I would go no smaller than 00 Buck. The pellets will be .33" diameter. If possible, 000 Buck would be an ever better choice, and slugs will be your best choice. DO NOT USE BIRDSHOT. It is not an effective round for defense.

Practice is going to be a necessity. Lots of people think that you can just point a shotgun in a general direction and hit what you want. This is just not the case, especially when using a shotgun shell that is acceptable for home defense. At distances which will be seen inside the home, especially inside of an RV, your pattern will be very small.
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Spot on advice!:thumbup:

I went a different route for my wife. She has a decent side-by-side coach gun and I started her with mini-shells. He now has two 1-Buck shells sitting in the barrels by the bed.

On the other hand, my son is going to get a 20 gauge Mossberg for his B-Day next weekend which comes with a 26" barrel and a 18.5" smooth bore barrel. There's nothing wrong with 20 gauge when it comes to self defense. Both 12 and 20 gauge will require a little trigger time to handle confidently whether it's recoil or putting lead on target.

Whatever you decide on make sure you inlcude several boxes of shells for practice and ecourage her to practice as much as she can.

ROCK6
 
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