Short Barrelled Shotguns

Blue Heeler · July 27, 2001, 05:43 AM

First off--I don't know much about shotguns.What I am looking for is a short barrel gun of reasonable quality(a coach gun?)I would like to add one of these to my arsenal for home defence--I have some spare cash just now,and more than enough rifles and pistols---any advice as to make and calibre? Price isn't relative,as long as it is not ridiculous(I've seen the shotgun ad's,and sometimes I wonder how there can be such a Huge range in prices.)

Dave McC · July 27, 2001, 06:23 AM

You've come to an incredible resource,BH. Search the Archives, there's tons of input and plenty of knowledgeable folks.

As to your query, my choice is an Remington 870 with a short list of mods and addons. One prerequisite is training, without it any hardware's useless, or worse....

One thing, most if not all the modern "Coach" guns available are of second quality....

huntsman · July 27, 2001, 09:28 AM

Amen dave,
I would avoid the russian,turkish, and southamerican doubles like the plague, but that's just my opinion

If I was hung up on wanting a short barreled SG than a pump is the most pratical way to go. But if you really want a double look around the used gun market for something American or from japan or italian, a double with 24"-26" tubes will be shorter than a pump or auto with the same length barrels.

Dave McC · July 27, 2001, 11:18 AM

Thanks, Huntsman. For working doubles, the old Savage 311 is possibly the best buy. No great shakes as a game gun, they are durable,cheap and reliable, and a short bbled version makes a good Lupara.

Still, the 870s is hard to beat, and lots of used ones at low prices.....

George Hill · July 27, 2001, 12:07 PM

The new 11-87 14" model...
Man! LOVE THAT!

July 27, 2001, 02:27 PM

As for your question about what caliber:
I would go with a 12 gauge for ammo varsatility reasons. However, if 12ga seems to be just a little on the harsh side, 20ga can do the job for home defense just as well. Ammo prices on the two are comparable. With just about anything else, you will be paying for an odd-ity.

Grizz · July 28, 2001, 10:11 AM

Oh Man, Here's one I know:

12ga Mossberg 500 with fore and aft pistol grips. Stainless if you have the xtra cash. It's the 2handgun. Ammo holder on receiver and sling. Don't wait for empty to reload.

Grizz

cuerno de chivo · July 28, 2001, 02:18 PM

Blue Heeler,

Are you allowed to have pump action shotguns? If so, I'd reccomend a Mossberg 590A1 or Remington 870P. If the 18" to 20" bbls on these models are too short to be legal, then I'd reccomend a 870 Wingmaster, pre-keylock-safety, with the bbl cut down to minimum legal length.

If you are not allowed pump guns, I'd reccomend a 'drop safe' single shot cut down to minimum legal length since it can be kept loaded (which might not be legal in your country either) and is much faster into action than loading a double. Also in loading a double quickly while under stress/fear it is possible to push the the shells past the extractors and jam the shotgun. This occurred to Randy Weaver while his family was being assaulted and murdered by out of control Federal Law Enforcement agents.

OkieCruffler · July 28, 2001, 04:01 PM

Resting quietly in the corner by my bed is a Stevens 311 that I bought for $110 about 2 years ago. It had sat in a pawn shop rack for 5 years with a crack about 4 inches down the right barrel. A quick trip out to my shop and I had a very handy dbl with 20inch tubes. You can't beat the fright factor of those twin dark holes looking at you.

Blue Heeler · July 29, 2001, 07:48 PM

Here,in Queensland Australia it is possible to own just about any firearm PROVIDED one has a demonstrable need for it.For instance,pump action shotguns are available to clay target shooters with some minor restrictions(that's all you can use it for).Or if you are a primary producer(farmer-fisherman etc.)then you can have just about anything.I know the laws are stupid,and so do most of us,but we fill in the forms and do the dance so we can have the guns.----I might add that these laws are not much enforced,they are just a pain in the arse imposed by our pansy Feral Govt. who seem to want to appease the trendy liberals- I know you have them over there too,but your Govt.doesn't give in to their every whim.

Dave McC · July 30, 2001, 05:46 AM

Actually, our govt did, being composed of way to liberal types. We voted those folks out and other in who read the writing on the wall. Catch my drift?....

Blue Heeler · July 31, 2001, 06:48 PM

There is a problem with voting out the Govt.here--they are the conservatives(who bought in these stupid laws)the other mob is even worse (the socialist Labor Party)---independents seem to be the way to go,but as you probably know,independents haven't generally got a snowflakes chance in Hell of getting control of the Govt.

July 27, 2001, 05:43 AM	#1
Blue Heeler Junior member Join Date: October 4, 1999 Location: Queensland Posts: 1,043	Short Barrelled Shotguns First off--I don't know much about shotguns.What I am looking for is a short barrel gun of reasonable quality(a coach gun?)I would like to add one of these to my arsenal for home defence--I have some spare cash just now,and more than enough rifles and pistols---any advice as to make and calibre? Price isn't relative,as long as it is not ridiculous(I've seen the shotgun ad's,and sometimes I wonder how there can be such a Huge range in prices.)

July 27, 2001, 09:28 AM	#3
huntsman Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2000 Location: ohio Posts: 121	double shotguns Amen dave, I would avoid the russian,turkish, and southamerican doubles like the plague, but that's just my opinion If I was hung up on wanting a short barreled SG than a pump is the most pratical way to go. But if you really want a double look around the used gun market for something American or from japan or italian, a double with 24"-26" tubes will be shorter than a pump or auto with the same length barrels. __________________ cause he liked the quiet clean country livin and 20 more years slipped away -JB

July 27, 2001, 12:07 PM	#5
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,546	The new 11-87 14" model... Man! LOVE THAT! __________________ MAD OGRE

July 28, 2001, 02:18 PM	#8
cuerno de chivo Junior member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Posts: 919	Blue Heeler, Are you allowed to have pump action shotguns? If so, I'd reccomend a Mossberg 590A1 or Remington 870P. If the 18" to 20" bbls on these models are too short to be legal, then I'd reccomend a 870 Wingmaster, pre-keylock-safety, with the bbl cut down to minimum legal length. If you are not allowed pump guns, I'd reccomend a 'drop safe' single shot cut down to minimum legal length since it can be kept loaded (which might not be legal in your country either) and is much faster into action than loading a double. Also in loading a double quickly while under stress/fear it is possible to push the the shells past the extractors and jam the shotgun. This occurred to Randy Weaver while his family was being assaulted and murdered by out of control Federal Law Enforcement agents. Last edited by cuerno de chivo; July 28, 2001 at 02:47 PM.

July 28, 2001, 04:01 PM	#9
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	Stevens 311 Resting quietly in the corner by my bed is a Stevens 311 that I bought for $110 about 2 years ago. It had sat in a pawn shop rack for 5 years with a crack about 4 inches down the right barrel. A quick trip out to my shop and I had a very handy dbl with 20inch tubes. You can't beat the fright factor of those twin dark holes looking at you. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

July 27, 2001, 06:23 AM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	You've come to an incredible resource,BH. Search the Archives, there's tons of input and plenty of knowledgeable folks. As to your query, my choice is an Remington 870 with a short list of mods and addons. One prerequisite is training, without it any hardware's useless, or worse.... One thing, most if not all the modern "Coach" guns available are of second quality....

July 27, 2001, 11:18 AM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Thanks, Huntsman. For working doubles, the old Savage 311 is possibly the best buy. No great shakes as a game gun, they are durable,cheap and reliable, and a short bbled version makes a good Lupara. Still, the 870s is hard to beat, and lots of used ones at low prices.....

July 27, 2001, 02:27 PM	#6
PreserveFreedom Guest Posts: n/a	As for your question about what caliber: I would go with a 12 gauge for ammo varsatility reasons. However, if 12ga seems to be just a little on the harsh side, 20ga can do the job for home defense just as well. Ammo prices on the two are comparable. With just about anything else, you will be paying for an odd-ity.

July 28, 2001, 10:11 AM	#7
Grizz Junior Member Join Date: May 30, 2001 Posts: 3	Oh Man, Here's one I know: 12ga Mossberg 500 with fore and aft pistol grips. Stainless if you have the xtra cash. It's the 2handgun. Ammo holder on receiver and sling. Don't wait for empty to reload. Grizz

July 29, 2001, 07:48 PM	#10
Blue Heeler Junior member Join Date: October 4, 1999 Location: Queensland Posts: 1,043	Here,in Queensland Australia it is possible to own just about any firearm PROVIDED one has a demonstrable need for it.For instance,pump action shotguns are available to clay target shooters with some minor restrictions(that's all you can use it for).Or if you are a primary producer(farmer-fisherman etc.)then you can have just about anything.I know the laws are stupid,and so do most of us,but we fill in the forms and do the dance so we can have the guns.----I might add that these laws are not much enforced,they are just a pain in the arse imposed by our pansy Feral Govt. who seem to want to appease the trendy liberals- I know you have them over there too,but your Govt.doesn't give in to their every whim.

July 30, 2001, 05:46 AM	#11
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Actually, our govt did, being composed of way to liberal types. We voted those folks out and other in who read the writing on the wall. Catch my drift?....

July 31, 2001, 06:48 PM	#12
Blue Heeler Junior member Join Date: October 4, 1999 Location: Queensland Posts: 1,043	There is a problem with voting out the Govt.here--they are the conservatives(who bought in these stupid laws)the other mob is even worse (the socialist Labor Party)---independents seem to be the way to go,but as you probably know,independents haven't generally got a snowflakes chance in Hell of getting control of the Govt.