*What is the best combat shotgun on the market?

[russian hammer]

I did not read through the entire 3 pages, so sorry for my ignorance if I am repeating anything.

It all breaks down to if you want a pump or semi. Pumps are simple and very reliable and there is no need to worry about pistons and such breaking down. But semis are amazingly fast and have much less recoil. For a pump the 870 would be my choice as they have a great track record and many available mods. For semis I would go with the 930 spx over the FN SLP simply by price point and ease of use. The SLP has 2 piston to be changed out for light and heavy loads, as the SPX handles both on a single piston. Of course the fit and finish on the FN is to a much higher quality. You really can't go wrong with either though. Thanks

[headborg]

can't believe/ why wasn't the SPAS-12 ever mentioned in the last 3 pages... sure it was discontinued from production 10 years ago....but...

[zippy13]

can't believe/ why wasn't the SPAS-12 ever mentioned in the last 3 pages... sure it was discontinued from production 10 years ago….but…

but what? Read the OP, the SPAS-12 doesn't qualify.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

This thread is nearly 10 years old.

[markj]

Has the shotgun changed much in 10 years?

Winchester 97, Dad had a few, could hold the trigger and cycle the pump for rapid fire. Model 12 was favored here in Omaha by the LEO force, model 1300 came with a releasing bolt for faster pump action. the newer 870 express are heavy things. My brother hunts with one at times. The Ithica was a light gun, got one for 200.00 from my neighbor as he dont hunt anymore.

Other neighbor has a browning 20 ga rifled barrel, light, fast and accurate way out there and semi auto too.

What about them remington 11s? The barrel moves as the action to cycle rounds

[dogngun]

about 40 years ago, never had any problems with it. I use a Mossberg 500 for an HD shotgun now and have for many years. I understand the US military used the Mossberg for some time because of its reliable function and ease of takedown for cleaning. I know there are many higher grade shotguns that the 500, but they are very rugged and reliable, which is what I want in a shotgun used for defense purposes.
What ever you choose, keep it very simple and it will work out better for you...there is a lot of unnecessary crap sold for shotguns that does nothing good.


mark

[oneounceload]

And just how many are planning on combat in their homes????

PLEASE step away from the video games............................

[MTT TL]

Has the shotgun changed much in 10 years?

Well Winchester went of business.

[johnwilliamson062]

I like the ergonomics of the Moss 500 over the 870. I think between pretty much all the models ergonomics is where you will find differences.

[loverme85]

Benelli m4

[loverme85]

And just how many are planning on combat in their homes????

PLEASE step away from the video games............................



Thanks ONEOUNCELOAD, this tactical shotgun craze is ridiculous to me. I own one, but that's just because I own a lot of shotguns and rifles. Some people it seems like all that matters to them is being John Rambo.

[Naterstein]

I dont recall John Rambo using a shotgun. Definitely not gonna use a bow with explosive tipped arrows as my HD weapon and probably not a 10" bowie.

[markj]

Another thing to look at is cost. Some semi autos will cost a lot more than a pump action.


Benelli m4 = MSRP which is $1625.00
Buds gun shop didnt show the m4s price.

Browning HD = 397.00
CZ USA 432.00
Escort 290.00
Interstate arms 198.00
Maverick 205.00
Mossberg 500 = 315.00

Prices are all over the place, I would pick one of the pumps over the benelli due to cost alone. Some can afford the best and most expensive, I cant so my HD shotgun is a field grade winchester 1300 with 22 in barrel.

Gun shows may find a good shotgun for less than these go for.

[loverme85]

He did use an M60, those are super cool

[BigJimP]

and how many " Tactical Shotguns " are just sitting around in safes ...not having more than 10 rds a year put thru them .....or less ....

when you could have a decent field pump gun ....that will work just fine for "Defense" if you ever needed it ???

one of my son's buddies recently admitted he's having such a good time shooting clays ( 5 Stand, skeet, Trap and Sporting clays with my son and I ) that his Rem 870 tactical was a giant waste of money ....and now he's looking at a "clays" shotgun where he can have some fun ....

Its fun to have "cool" guns ......and I'm not saying the tactical stuff isn't cool ...but is it fun ?? They sure aren't your best choice for shooting clays - if you want to be competitive ...

[mathman]

I agree with BigJimP.

I have an 18" barreled shotgun for shooting slugs...and I guess it would be called tactical, but I call it my slug gun.

However, my favorite shotgun is my 21" Benelli M2. It has a vent rib, is fast pointing, light weight and would serve very well as a HD or 'tactical' shotgun. However, it is also very good for shooting skeet, clays in the desert, plinking, hunting, slugs, buckshot, etc, etc...which are the activities I engage in about 90% of the time.

To each his (or her) own, but unless you have to maneuver very tight corners inside your home, a shotgun with a vent rib and slightly longer barrel is probably going to serve most folks better that a 'tacticool' shotgun.

Oh, and my vote still goes to Benelli...as I stated on page 2.

[loverme85]

I never use my Benelli M4. I'm kicking myself for not selling it last year when prices for tactical weapons went threw the roof. I had bought one of those telescopic stocks for it for 100 bucks from a guy that didn't know what he had, at the time they were going for 250. Then the stock alone went up to a thousand dollars, the hole set up I have last yr was going for 3800 and I had like 1700 in the rig. Really wish I would of sold it and bought a nice Dakota or Perazzi.

[loverme85]

Or even my latest obsession, a German made Weatherby mark V in a 257 wby mag

[BigJimP]

Don't sell anything ....you'll regret it down the road ....

I think I'm at about 25 shotguns ....( nothing tactical ) and I rarely shoot some of them anymore ...because I have 8 or 9 favorites for hunting, Skeet, Trap and Sporting Clays ...( most of them are Browning O/U's ) ...in 12, 20, 28ga and .410 ....but I'll divest a few of them to the kids here pretty soon ....

There is always a new home for some of the old guns ....

[loverme85]

Yeah that's what my father always tells me, but you have to admit a trade for one of those would have been nice . I currently have 22 shotguns, and could use a few more. One of which is a Browning Superposed. I'm sure you have one.

[Nnobby45]

There's no such thing as the best, since all opinions are subjective. Benelli's and Mossbergs all have their fans. However, when 870's show up in shotgun courses, they just run and run. Just like on the street or in the field.

[Nnobby45]

This thread is nearly 10 years old.
__________________

So what if it were? Reviving an old thread for an up to date discussion isn't a bad thing, is it? And that means it isn't old anymore.

[Crosshair]

can't believe/ why wasn't the SPAS-12 ever mentioned in the last 3 pages... sure it was discontinued from production 10 years ago....but...

Because the SPAS-12 is not a very good combat shotgun. It's heavy, hard to pump, not all that reliable, complicated, and expensive.

They are like H&K guns. Highly overrated and largely unavailable to civilians.

[oneounceload]

Really wish I would of sold it and bought a nice Dakota or Perazzi

Take the P gun - Dakotas are imported and overrated

A P gun can be ordered EXACTLY how you want it - down to barrel weight, balance point, stock dimensions, etc. all for no extra charge...(I'm saving my pennies)

[loverme85]

They are wonderful guns. I bought an old one imported by SKB (the price was right), about 5yrs ago. Definitely wouldn't mind having a new TMX though