Gun people! I need a shotgun...

[rmorse]

As far as I'm concerned, Shotguns are much better for home protection than handguns. I'm a hunter, but I do consider my shotguns as home protection also.

First. Get to know your gun. If you do not have a background in guns, I suggest taking a hunter's safety course, because that is mainly gun safety. The last thing you want is to be making mistakes with a gun that could prove fatal to yourself.

Second. Get a gunsafe or a trigger lock. I see you're in college. You don't want friends or other people getting to this gun thinking it's a toy. Also, if it's in a safe/locked up, only YOU can use it, it cannot be used against you.

Third. Be safe with your gun. You do not want to make an irreversible mistake. Please be aware of the legal ramifications.

Fourth. Go practice shooting it. Take it to a gun range. Shoot slugs, shoot birdshot, shoot buckshot. Try it all and get good with it. Targets are harder to hit than you think. Again, you want to hit your intended target, not something else.

Fifth. Don't keep it loaded at all times. Not even with a trigger guard on or in a gun safe. That is asking for trouble. Keep the gun and the ammo separate until you intend to use it.


As far as shotguns go, I love and swear by Remington. I have an 870 and an 1187 Sportsman. The 870 is a pump, the 1187 is a semi-automatic. The 1187 is significantly more expensive, but it's a hunting shotgun and I find it more beneficial to me when hunting. The 870 is a classic as far as home protection goes. I worked at a Bass Pro and sold several 870's as home protection. I like one with wooden stocks, I think they sound a little more intimidating than synthetic stocks, and if you're looking for protection, intimidation is the way to go. If you can scare them off with loading the gun and not use it, thats even better.

For ammo, I prefer 00Buckshot when it comes to home protection. Birdshot sprays more and could result in you hitting something that isn't your intended target, it also does a little less damage. Slugs are the ultimate, but you have to be accurate and they leave a big hole and I mean a BIG hole. An irreversible hole. Buckshot is a little bit of both, but thats just preference.

I know this was long, but guns are something I do know a lot about and I could never encourage safety enough. I hope it didn't come off as a mean post, but the last thing I would want to see is a fellow MFK'er get hurt! Good luck, if you've got any more questions, just let me know

AWESOME post, and I agree with everything you wrote. Thanks for the advice!


One quick question: I would prefer to have my gun where I can quickly get to it, and have it be loaded, in case I don't have time. Thus, gun/trigger locks are not appealing to me. However, I am DEFINITELY not stupid enough to leave a loaded shotgun just lying around. Any suggestions?

I dunno if they make this, but what would be ideal for me is a gun "box" that is locked. To unlock it, it would require my fingerprint. Then, friends/little ones could not get to it, and it could still be loaded. Do they make anything like this? This would also eliminate me having to fumble with keys when I hear someone is in my house.

 

[jcardona1]

As far as I'm concerned, Shotguns are much better for home protection than handguns. I'm a hunter, but I do consider my shotguns as home protection also.

First. Get to know your gun. If you do not have a background in guns, I suggest taking a hunter's safety course, because that is mainly gun safety. The last thing you want is to be making mistakes with a gun that could prove fatal to yourself.

Second. Get a gunsafe or a trigger lock. I see you're in college. You don't want friends or other people getting to this gun thinking it's a toy. Also, if it's in a safe/locked up, only YOU can use it, it cannot be used against you.

Third. Be safe with your gun. You do not want to make an irreversible mistake. Please be aware of the legal ramifications.

Fourth. Go practice shooting it. Take it to a gun range. Shoot slugs, shoot birdshot, shoot buckshot. Try it all and get good with it. Targets are harder to hit than you think. Again, you want to hit your intended target, not something else.

Fifth. Don't keep it loaded at all times. Not even with a trigger guard on or in a gun safe. That is asking for trouble. Keep the gun and the ammo separate until you intend to use it.


As far as shotguns go, I love and swear by Remington. I have an 870 and an 1187 Sportsman. The 870 is a pump, the 1187 is a semi-automatic. The 1187 is significantly more expensive, but it's a hunting shotgun and I find it more beneficial to me when hunting. The 870 is a classic as far as home protection goes. I worked at a Bass Pro and sold several 870's as home protection. I like one with wooden stocks, I think they sound a little more intimidating than synthetic stocks, and if you're looking for protection, intimidation is the way to go. If you can scare them off with loading the gun and not use it, thats even better.

For ammo, I prefer 00Buckshot when it comes to home protection. Birdshot sprays more and could result in you hitting something that isn't your intended target, it also does a little less damage. Slugs are the ultimate, but you have to be accurate and they leave a big hole and I mean a BIG hole. An irreversible hole. Buckshot is a little bit of both, but thats just preference.

I know this was long, but guns are something I do know a lot about and I could never encourage safety enough. I hope it didn't come off as a mean post, but the last thing I would want to see is a fellow MFK'er get hurt! Good luck, if you've got any more questions, just let me know

good write up! and yeah, i would never recommend using birdshot for home defense from a short 18" barrel. might as well grab a handfull of aquarium gravel and throw it at the bad guy!!!

 

[rmorse]

buy a stainless steel mossberg, best gun out there for the non-gun nut, low maintenance and killing power


slugs do not break up, that is buckshot.............

Oh, ok. So a buckshot is a plastic sheet with pellets inside? What is a slug comprised of?

Thanks for the advice

 

[rmorse]

yeah thats a good price. i paid $319 for mine about 5 years ago



nope! just walk up and tell them what you want. as long as your record is clean, youll be good. after the waiting period, just go and pick up your gun. thats it

Record is clean.


Awesome, that is one less hassle then.

 

[armac]

Oh, ok. So a buckshot is a plastic sheet with pellets inside? What is a slug comprised of?

Thanks for the advice

lead

 

[ShipOfFools37]

As far as deals on shotguns go,

Dick's Sporting Goods around Christmas. My dad got my first 870 with the classic wooden stock around $239.99 Can't beat it.

 

[Oddball]

Any links to help me out? I don't know guns...

I just did a google search for "coachman 12 gauge shotgun", and I am only finding old-school shotguns (read: expensive). While I am all about spending money for a quality firearm, I don't need to buy a rare gun.

You can find deals everywhere. I got my Remington Baikal 12 gauge SS coach for $180 at a farm auction. It was sold 'used' but was still in it's original box. It had zero scoring in the barrels and was wrapped in gun oil-soaked cotton cloths. The stock and carved beaver-tail fore-end pieces were coated with tongue-oil and wrapped, too. I couldn't have found any better as brand new.

 

[jcardona1]

cutaway view of a slug


A 12 gauge Brenneke slug

 

[rmorse]

You can find deals everywhere. I got my Remington Baikal 12 gauge SS coach for $180 at a farm auction. It was sold 'used' but was still in it's original box. It had zero scoring in the barrels and was wrapped in gun oil-soaked cotton cloths. The stock and carved beaver-tail fore-end pieces were coated with tongue-oil and wrapped, too. I couldn't have found any better as brand new.

Good idea!

I definitely have a bit of time to shop around.

 

[rmorse]

cutaway view of a slug


A 12 gauge Brenneke slug

Woah. Looks painful.