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Posted: 11/30/2006 3:31:08 PM EDT
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I am looking into getting a shotgun and need suggestions. It would be for home defense as oppossed to any type of hunting use. It has to be a 12 ga. I have looked over the Mossberg 500 series a bit at a local gun store. What make/model do you all recommend? Why? How much do they run for? Thanks ahead of time. CSP |
Remington 870P
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While I own several different kinds, if I had to pick just one, it'd be a Rem 870. Picked mine up, an old police trade-in, polished wingmaster receiver and park barrel and extension, wood butt and forend for $225. Who says you can't use it for hunting?  I only own one "normal" 12 ga. 
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I have a Mooberg 590 and 2 Remington 870 Wingmaster set up as police style shotguns. I have a 28" I took of one of the Wingmaster when I converted it more to my liking that I could dig out if I really wanted to hunt, but I don't need to hunt to have fun shooting my shotguns. They are excellent "plinkers", if your shoulder is up to it. First, the Mossburg 500 Persuaders/590 series- Personally, if you go the Mossberg route, spend the little extra money and get a 590(preferably parkerized). If you want to spend a little more, get a 590A1(mil-spec metal, metal trigger guard and safety, etc.) A regular 590 will serve you well, as will a 500. NIB prices off the top of my head Mossburg 500s= $200 max 590s= $300-$315 max 590A1s= $325-$375 max The tang safety is great if you stick with a conventional style stock, not great for pistol grip/collapsible style stocks. Utterly reliable.... yet if you are not into maintenance, you'll be less likely to clean a Mossberg because the disassembly/reassembly can be tricky at first. Just keep the directions handy the first few times. 590s will hold 8 in the mag with a 20" barrel. 870s will "only" hold 7 in an extended mag 20" barrel. Not sure about the 500s. Lets face it, the 590 is one bad ass looking shotgun. That has to count for something. Did I mention it has a bayonet lug! Here is a beed sighted parkerized 590. I got it for $280 slightly used.  Remington 870- NIB prices, don't quote me on them though Express= $220-$280 max Wingmaster= New prices are prohibitve, the used market can be a gold mine though, that's where I got mine. Esp. keep an eye out for the really old circa 1975 Wingmasters. They are excellent shotguns, with plenty of life left in them, and you can get them cheap Police= not sure, I would guess over $400 870 Express is a very good shotgun, 870 Wingmasters and 870 Police are even better, arguably the best. Express' use plastic for some parts (much like the Mossburg 590 vs. 590A1), Wingmasters and Police are all metal, and had a little more work done on them, so they are smoother. A very refined shotgun. Express' and Wingmaster/Police will all be utterly reliable though. They are also easy to take apart and put back together. 870s are probably the most popular shotguns out there. Heres a pic of one of my 870 Wingmasters that I customized a little. It was a 28" barrel woodstocked hunting shotgun in a previous life. I put about $315 into it when all is said and done. I got some good deals though. That is about the cheapest you'll outfit an 870 Wingmaster, unless you're a really great shopper. Remeington has an 870 Express Home Defense line that will fill your need for a little less though. I think Wingmastes are worth the extra, but wouldn't hesitate to buy an Express if I found a good deal.  Here's a link to a comparative study of a 590(not a 590A1 though   ) and a 870 police. The author is a little biased toward the 870, but it is a very informative review.www.tacticalshotgun.ca/content_nonsub/shotguns/compare_870_590.html |
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