Home defense spoons?

BernieP · BernieP's Garage

Thinking of picking up a short barreled shot spoon. Opinions needed. 20 Ga. or 12 Ga.?

Thanks,

BernieP

id10t · 10-21-2011, 07:30 AM

Cheaper ammo and more plentiful selection in the 12. If you have a wife or older kid, the 20 may be easier to handle the recoil of. I don't think anything you'd be using it for would care whether it is 20 or 12 ...

Jim Bremner · 10-21-2011, 07:31 AM

12. ga you'll have a wider choice of ammo. Unless using 3" or 3 1/2 shells they really don't kick that HARD! Don't belive the hype that you just present the gun and fire and everything gets hit. The spread of the BUCK shot might be as large as your fist at 5 yards.

HardDrive · 10-21-2011, 07:35 AM

I've honestly never felt much difference between 12/20 gauge recoil.

Tim Hancock · 10-21-2011, 07:39 AM

While I have nothing against 20 ga or .410, I can't think of any good reason to pick either over a 12ga for a simple home defense/varmint control utilitarian pump shotgun. A simple Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 should serve you well over the years and with a simple barrel swap they are pretty versatile for a simple do it all shotgun.

motion · 07:44 AM

Remington 870 12 gauge Home Defender. You can get all kinds of trick stuff for it.

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_299865_-1?N=329211139+4294963078

Jim Bremner · 10-21-2011, 07:54 AM

My go to is a 1911 followed up with a 18" 870P in Blued steel and Walnut

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Use a Mossberg 550a here. Reliable, simple, inexpensive. Buckshot/sabot/buckshot/sabot in the feed tube. Great gun for the money. I've no doubt that either would "git 'er dun" if ever called upon for an intruder.

Yes a lot of recoil but as long as the intruder falls down and goes "thud", I don't really care if my shoulder hurts a little afterwards, or if my ears ring.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

with the above.....12 gauge for serious stuff, 20 gauge for fun. Remington Model 870 pump is a great choice. If you look around, you can also find flechette rounds in 12 gauge. Even if the perp has body armor on it won't matter much!

BlueSkyJaunte · 10-21-2011, 08:27 AM

SBS Saiga-12 from Tromix

rickybbear · rickybbear's Garage

Rem. 870. 12 ga. ' heard a noise late at night, walked into fam. room to find a perp. half-way in picture window, just the sound of "jacking a round into the chamber" ,he screamed all the way down the driveway,and left a big yellow stain on the wall, and scent of poop,in the wind . he was lucky my Rottweiler was with the G.F. at the beach house that night, he's much meaner than I am! and gives no warnings! be safe! Erik

MauleM5-235 · 10-21-2011, 10:26 AM

You can't hardly beat a Remington 870 for a "cheap, always works" type of shotgun. The fact you have to rack a round is actually a good thing. The Portland Policy SWAT team (called CERT here), used them for the longest time. The reasons were that it is simple, always works, is reasonably accurate, is easy to get off repeated shots quickly and the psychological effect of hearing a shell being racked into the chamber is significant.

You can find 870s on Sale at many stores for remarkably cheap. The price and the fact you can't hardly break one makes it an easy choice.

krystar · 10-21-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

SBS Saiga-12 from Tromix

no way that's 18.5 heh.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

I've fired lots of shoulder butted shotguns in my days, but have always wondered about pistol grips on a 12 gauge?

That's gotta hurt, even if resting upon your hip.

anyone got first hand experience with pistol grip shotguns? Mossburg with a short barrel and pistol grip, nice tidy small package.

Seahawk · 11:23 AM

I have the .20 gauge Mossburg with the pistol grip, just like the one pictured.

Takes some practice to get comfortable with. No real drama. I bought it used at a gun store for $150.00.

We do shoot skeet with it once in awhile

BeyGon · 11:34 AM

I like this Mossburg I got at Big Five but I was in there the other day and saw a Stevens 18" 12g. I carried a 18" Stevens 77 in Vietnam and liked it, this gun was only about $260 at Big 5. For home defense it should be great, plus if you ever have to use it the cops will probably take it, at least for a while, no sense in spending a lot for something you won't use much and might not get back.

Tim Hancock · 10-21-2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

I've fired lots of shoulder butted shotguns in my days, but have always wondered about pistol grips on a 12 gauge?

That's gotta hurt, even if resting upon your hip.

anyone got first hand experience with pistol grip shotguns? Mossburg with a short barrel and pistol grip, nice tidy small package.

I have a Mossberg 500 pump 12 ga with folding stock, 18" barrel and sure fire flashlight. I have shot it using the pistol grip and it is not a big deal, but I prefer to use the folding stock as it is much better/natural to aim. It stays near my bed and it has whacked countless varmints through the years (skunks, coons, possum, feral cats etc) often late at night when the dog starts barking.

RPKESQ · 10-21-2011, 11:35 AM

Most times shotguns are a poor choice for CQC, close quarters combat. Too easy to loose control of the weapon. Outside, with some distance, it is great. In a typical home hallway, stair case, or such it is less than optimum.

"Racking a round" as a deterrent is enormously over rated. If that were so, why isn't it promoted to do the same with a semi-auto pistol? Expecting a person who has already demonstrated the will to transgress, to react as a normal person is highly dubious at best.

If you truly need a firearm, you need it ready for action when it is in your hand (you may only have one hand to use).

A short barreled handgun combined with proper flashlight technique is the better choice for most. Combined with remote control room and outdoor lighting and a "safe room" to retreat to (what there are more than one thief/home invader in the house?) will give you and yours the best chance of survival.

rickybbear · rickybbear's Garage

whatever you choose, shotgun or handgun, find out what "ammo" your local police or sheriff dept. use. shot shells or safety slugs are a good idea for any defensive weapon

Don Ro · 10-21-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I have the .20 gauge Mossburg with the pistol grip, just like the one pictured.

Takes some practice to get comfortable with. No real drama. I bought it used at a gun store for $150.00.

We do shoot skeet with it once in awhile

.

.
I have the same rig - Mossberg Mod. 500 Pump Persuader Maxi-Combo 12 ga.
18" & 28" barrels 6 shot w/pistol grip & wood stock. I can see the pillow case I keep it in under my bed right now as I type...it's in Persuader mode w/00 buck.
$269 retail at Big 5 35 years ago...I paid <$200 on sale.
I did shoot skeet with long barrel/wood stock on one occasion...did OK.
As suggested, best to fire off a few in short config. - it can be surprising as it does kick back & the front jumps up a bit.