I pretty sure, I need and want a....

Redhawk5.5+P+ · July 17, 2012, 08:42 PM

small Mossberg youth 20ga 18.5" barrel for HD.

Walmart has them for $175, but it's not a money thing, that's a pretty good price for a new gun. I'm 6'-1" 200+lbs, is there any reason you think I shouldn't get it? After holding the much longer 12ga Mossberg that I think has the 22" or 24" barrel, it seems the smaller short 20ga would be better for close quarter combat, and anything short of a brown bear it (to me) has plenty of power. My backup would be a .38 Airweight snub, of wich I CCW.

plouffedaddy · July 17, 2012, 08:49 PM

Nothing at all wrong with it for HD. People will debate 20 vs 12 all day long but both are very effective HD rounds.

oneounceload · July 17, 2012, 09:13 PM

It's not the 12 v 20, it's the short stock. I am 6-3 and use a 14.75 to 15.25 LOP stock depending on grip style
Sorry, but I fail to see how a 12 or 13" LOP is going to fit you adequately so as to enable you go just grab the gun, throw it your shoulder when need be and fire it with ANY semblance of hitting your target

plouffedaddy · July 17, 2012, 10:18 PM

I'm 6'0'' and I prefer a 12'' LOP on my 870s. From my military CQB experience/training, shooting squared up to the target feels more natural to me and the shorter LOP helps with that.

I really think it's a personal preference thing; both methods/stances will work.

Creeper · July 17, 2012, 10:46 PM

I've seen these two trains of thought go back and forth more than a few times.

I'm with the squared up, butt in the chest, short LOP train... but I'm primarily a combat and 3-gun shooter, running and gunning a Benelli auto. That's the way I trained and that's the way I shoot. It ain't wrong, it's just not the regular sporting stance. Besides, it's really hard to run sideways.

The flip side oneounceload... I know that a sporting shooter such as yourself uses a more traditional angled stance with butt more in the shoulder. I know from what I've read about your shooting excursions that you're a good shot, so I know that this stance works great for you... as it does for millions of other sporting shooters.

Cheers and peace on earth,
C

TheKlawMan · July 18, 2012, 02:53 AM

If ALL you want it for is HD, the 20 gauge will probably do the job but what if you want to use it for some hunting, shooting clays, or just having fun. A heavier gun soaks up felt recoil and if you want to use it for anything but HD, I really think you will at least want a standard stock giben your size. I don't shoot a 20 gauge, and correct me if I am wrong, but isn't there more ammo available for a 12?

oneounceload · July 18, 2012, 09:05 AM

I can see a 12" IF you are also dressed like the combat soldier is with all the gear on taking up an inch or more. My variations in what works, as I said, depends on the grip style itself - from a straight English to a full pistol grip can mean the difference of an inch or more variation in what fits. In the sporting world, 6' and above will typically take 14.5 or longer, so even going shorter an inch would be 13.5 or longer. 12" is what my 8 year old grandson uses, so I guess I am missing something in that regard - but if it works for you and it is comfortable and natural-feeling, go for it

Redhawk5.5+P+ · July 18, 2012, 09:16 PM

Quote:

I don't shoot a 20 gauge, and correct me if I am wrong, but isn't there more ammo available for a 12?

Yes, but that's really a non-issue as far as I'm concerned, there's plenty of different ammo available. I checked into it, and there's not really much of a price difference from 12ga, at least not enough to make me buy a 12, but I will get a 12 someday, but I have other guns ahead of it.

Quote:

12" is what my 8 year old grandson uses, so I guess I am missing something in that regard - but if it works for you and it is comfortable and natural-feeling, go for it

I held the gun, I loved it, it didn't feel to short at all, I just can't tell my friends it's a little 8 year old's gun, they might laugh at me.

For close quarters shorter is better. In fact I really like my Ruger SP101 3" for SD.

Dave McC · July 19, 2012, 03:29 PM

The 20 gauge 870 here with 21" barrel is snake fast and handles like an M1 carbine. With it, I'm well armed.

There are effective 20 gauge loadings,though not as wide a variety as with 12 gauge.

TxGun · July 19, 2012, 03:51 PM

While I personally prefer the 12 gauge, there is nothing wrong with the 20 gauge for HD. As far as LOP...the only thing that matters is how the gun handles in your hands. Height has little to do with it. There are tall guys with short arms, and short guys with long arms. Go with the stock length that feels good to you.

Redhawk5.5+P+ · July 19, 2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

The 20 gauge 870 here with 21" barrel is snake fast and handles like an M1 carbine. With it, I'm well armed.

Yeah, they had 870 12 gauge 18.5", I'd like that to in a 20 gauge. Still considering other less pricey brands. They have a youth black synthitic 21" NEF for $179, and a Mossbeg youth 21" wood stock for $249. Not sure how much the Remington would be. More like $350, all of which isn't to bad, but I like the $179 price the best.

scottd913 · July 20, 2012, 12:38 PM

i know i sound like a broken record but as i said before and i will say again many times...mossberg no matter if its 20 or 12 (i prefer GA) but Mossberg provides a variance of options and interchangeable parts and as far as dependability they are hard pressed to beat

Dave McC · July 20, 2012, 03:36 PM

This is a former "Youth" that I restocked once the kids were grown. It weighs 6 lbs, 2 oz with the 21" Remchoke barrel.

Apples to apples, I've a 12 gauge parts 870 here that also sports a 21" turkey barrel. 7 lbs, 1 oz. It to, handles well in short time frame scenarios.

Redhawk5.5+P+ · July 31, 2012, 08:08 PM

I just bought the Mossberg 500 20ga Bantam 22". The youth model $249+ at Walmart.

July 17, 2012, 08:42 PM	#1
Redhawk5.5+P+ Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2012 Location: NV Posts: 743	I pretty sure, I need and want a.... small Mossberg youth 20ga 18.5" barrel for HD. Walmart has them for $175, but it's not a money thing, that's a pretty good price for a new gun. I'm 6'-1" 200+lbs, is there any reason you think I shouldn't get it? After holding the much longer 12ga Mossberg that I think has the 22" or 24" barrel, it seems the smaller short 20ga would be better for close quarter combat, and anything short of a brown bear it (to me) has plenty of power. My backup would be a .38 Airweight snub, of wich I CCW.

July 17, 2012, 08:49 PM	#2
plouffedaddy Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 2,960	Nothing at all wrong with it for HD. People will debate 20 vs 12 all day long but both are very effective HD rounds. __________________ Mrgunsngear's Youtube Channel Certified Glock Armorer

July 17, 2012, 10:18 PM	#4
plouffedaddy Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 2,960	I'm 6'0'' and I prefer a 12'' LOP on my 870s. From my military CQB experience/training, shooting squared up to the target feels more natural to me and the shorter LOP helps with that. I really think it's a personal preference thing; both methods/stances will work. __________________ Mrgunsngear's Youtube Channel Certified Glock Armorer

July 17, 2012, 10:46 PM	#5
Creeper Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: Woooooshington Posts: 1,793	I've seen these two trains of thought go back and forth more than a few times. I'm with the squared up, butt in the chest, short LOP train... but I'm primarily a combat and 3-gun shooter, running and gunning a Benelli auto. That's the way I trained and that's the way I shoot. It ain't wrong, it's just not the regular sporting stance. Besides, it's really hard to run sideways. The flip side oneounceload... I know that a sporting shooter such as yourself uses a more traditional angled stance with butt more in the shoulder. I know from what I've read about your shooting excursions that you're a good shot, so I know that this stance works great for you... as it does for millions of other sporting shooters. Cheers and peace on earth, C __________________ Shoulder Drive Nicholson Club

July 31, 2012, 08:08 PM	#14
Redhawk5.5+P+ Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2012 Location: NV Posts: 743	scored I just bought the Mossberg 500 20ga Bantam 22". The youth model $249+ at Walmart.

July 17, 2012, 09:13 PM	#3
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	It's not the 12 v 20, it's the short stock. I am 6-3 and use a 14.75 to 15.25 LOP stock depending on grip style Sorry, but I fail to see how a 12 or 13" LOP is going to fit you adequately so as to enable you go just grab the gun, throw it your shoulder when need be and fire it with ANY semblance of hitting your target

July 18, 2012, 02:53 AM	#6
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,150	If ALL you want it for is HD, the 20 gauge will probably do the job but what if you want to use it for some hunting, shooting clays, or just having fun. A heavier gun soaks up felt recoil and if you want to use it for anything but HD, I really think you will at least want a standard stock giben your size. I don't shoot a 20 gauge, and correct me if I am wrong, but isn't there more ammo available for a 12?

July 18, 2012, 09:05 AM	#7
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	I can see a 12" IF you are also dressed like the combat soldier is with all the gear on taking up an inch or more. My variations in what works, as I said, depends on the grip style itself - from a straight English to a full pistol grip can mean the difference of an inch or more variation in what fits. In the sporting world, 6' and above will typically take 14.5 or longer, so even going shorter an inch would be 13.5 or longer. 12" is what my 8 year old grandson uses, so I guess I am missing something in that regard - but if it works for you and it is comfortable and natural-feeling, go for it

July 19, 2012, 03:29 PM	#9
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,831	The 20 gauge 870 here with 21" barrel is snake fast and handles like an M1 carbine. With it, I'm well armed. There are effective 20 gauge loadings,though not as wide a variety as with 12 gauge.

July 19, 2012, 03:51 PM	#10
TxGun Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Texas Hill Country ranch Posts: 433	While I personally prefer the 12 gauge, there is nothing wrong with the 20 gauge for HD. As far as LOP...the only thing that matters is how the gun handles in your hands. Height has little to do with it. There are tall guys with short arms, and short guys with long arms. Go with the stock length that feels good to you.

July 20, 2012, 12:38 PM	#12
scottd913 Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2012 Location: Texas ... north of houston, east of el paso Posts: 215	i know i sound like a broken record but as i said before and i will say again many times...mossberg no matter if its 20 or 12 (i prefer GA) but Mossberg provides a variance of options and interchangeable parts and as far as dependability they are hard pressed to beat

July 20, 2012, 03:36 PM	#13
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,831	This is a former "Youth" that I restocked once the kids were grown. It weighs 6 lbs, 2 oz with the 21" Remchoke barrel. Apples to apples, I've a 12 gauge parts 870 here that also sports a 21" turkey barrel. 7 lbs, 1 oz. It to, handles well in short time frame scenarios.