Any short barreled, 20ga, semi-autos?

wbw · August 27, 2012, 06:33 PM

I just cruised through 5 or 6 pages of shotguns on Gun Broker to try and get a feel for if there are any of these. Did'nt really see any. I'm the guy who had the thread last week about the Rossi Circuit Judge in .410. But before I jump on that ship, I was wondering if there are any short barreled (as in 18.5 or 19 inch), semi-autos in 20ga. I want short barrel because I see this as pretty much for home defense and not skeet or hunting. Trying not to use the dreaded 'T' word (tactical). But if I'm pulling this thing out from under the bed in the middle of the night, I think short will be better than some 26" barreled shotgun.

So are there any 20ga, semi-autos with a short barrel?

Thanks for any help.

mete · August 27, 2012, 06:46 PM

Benelli used to have one .I just gave them a quick look but couldn't find one.Hunters looking for grouse like the short barrels.
I assume you want the 20 for light recoil ? About the best for HD is a 12ga 'reduced recoil' 00 buck.

wbw · August 27, 2012, 06:58 PM

You are correct. I'm looking for light recoil. Not just for me. I would want my wife to be able to use this if necessary.

oneounceload · August 27, 2012, 07:26 PM

For light recoil, you'll want the heaviest gun with the lightest loads. For most folks using a shotgun for HD, the requirements seem to be the opposite - a lighter gun with some heavy loads

You might be able to find an 1100 and get a short barrel for it

dalecooper51 · August 28, 2012, 07:50 AM

You could check into a youth model. IIRC, Remington makes a 20 ga 1187 with a 21" barrel. The stock would need to be replaced for a standard length one, but stocks are normally much cheaper than new barrels. I kept a 20ga youth 870 as a general purpose camping/garden gun for a few years.

I would be willing to bet that a number of other manufacturers offer short and light 20 ga guns for younger and smaller shooters but I haven't really looked. Just make sure to have the gun fitted to the smallest person that will be using it. It is much easier to adapt to a stock that is slightly too short than too long.

hermanpj · August 28, 2012, 08:42 AM

Look at the Weatherby SA-459 TR.

19 inch barrel, semi auto. Comes in 20 or 12 ga.

I have the turkey model in 12 ga (cammo stocks, 2 inch longer barrel and comes w full choke instead of cylinder choke)

I love mine. They are not made in USA however. Weatherby has them made in Turkey by Armsan. I think you can get a Mossberg 930 in short barrel 20 ga - but you'd have to look at their website. THat would be made in USA.

wbw · August 28, 2012, 12:33 PM

hermanpj Thanks for the tip on the Weatherby. I'm going to look into that.

hermanpj · August 28, 2012, 06:21 PM

sure man. here's a pic of mine: SA 459 TR.jpg

wbw · August 29, 2012, 07:50 AM

Very nice. Thanks.

hermanpj · August 29, 2012, 11:03 AM

Also FWIW I have ordered a +3 extension from Choate. It was $48 plus shipping. You order the one for Benelli Nova, as this is a European made gun and has thread patterns (e.g. chokes, tubes) common to some European guns, like Benellis, Beretta Extremas, but not same patterns a Remmington, for example.

Also Weatherby for some reason decided 5 total rounds was enough, so they don't make the mag tube easy to extend. you have to dremel off a little flange at the end of the mag tube that currently holds the spring in place. I plan to order a replacement tube from Weatherby as a spare part just in case, and modify my original one so that I can have 7+1 capacity.

They may refuse to sell it or tell me the spare or tell me if I install it I'm voiding my warranty. Whatever. The gun's operating mechanism simple and its 1/3 the cost of of a Benelli so I'm not worried.

Choate's mag extensions come in +2, +3 and +4. The +2 should work on the TR guns without protruding beyond the barrel, where the +3 work on the turkey model with their longer barrel. The +4 would extend an inch past the end of the screw in, ported choke, and I do not prefer that, so I'm sticking with the +3. The Choate tubes (unlike Nordic which is twice the cost, and Tacstar, which is same cost) come with a barrel clamp, btw.

I expect I'll get the tube Friday or Saturday. Have CHL class on Saturday so I'm guessing I'll do the modifications on Sunday or Monday. Will document and post the procedure.

wbw · August 29, 2012, 01:09 PM

I just discovered that Mossberg has an SA-20 TR. I'll have to research that one also. I didn't notice it the first time through my research.

hermanpj · August 30, 2012, 10:52 PM

Also a good brand! Never had their autos, but i had a pump mossberg that was great

Sport45 · August 31, 2012, 04:16 AM

Why semi-auto? A pump will be reliable with a wider range of ammunition.

Semi's and low recoil shells may not be a good mix.

hermanpj · August 31, 2012, 02:19 PM

Once you find a load thats good you stick w it for home defense.

Versatility is a good argument for pumps but if you plan on settling on a choice of load then once you do verify it runs good a semi is just fine

hermanpj · September 1, 2012, 11:58 PM

WBW,

if you decide to get a weatherby SA 459 20 ga, this procedure I wrote after adding a mag extension to my 12 ga will work - just measure and order the right length of barrel extension so you dont have it sticking out then end past the end of barrel

Weatherby SA-459 TK Extension Procedure.pdf

Enjoy

wbw · September 3, 2012, 07:37 AM

Thanks for your help.

PeterGreg · September 3, 2012, 09:31 AM

Remington Special Field

Webleymkv · September 4, 2012, 01:53 PM

The Saiga 20 is available with a 19" barrel.

http://www.k-var.com/shop/IZ-105.html

August 27, 2012, 06:33 PM	#1
wbw Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Location: York Pa. Posts: 738	Any short barreled, 20ga, semi-autos? I just cruised through 5 or 6 pages of shotguns on Gun Broker to try and get a feel for if there are any of these. Did'nt really see any. I'm the guy who had the thread last week about the Rossi Circuit Judge in .410. But before I jump on that ship, I was wondering if there are any short barreled (as in 18.5 or 19 inch), semi-autos in 20ga. I want short barrel because I see this as pretty much for home defense and not skeet or hunting. Trying not to use the dreaded 'T' word (tactical). But if I'm pulling this thing out from under the bed in the middle of the night, I think short will be better than some 26" barreled shotgun. So are there any 20ga, semi-autos with a short barrel? Thanks for any help.

August 28, 2012, 08:42 AM	#6
hermanpj Member Join Date: August 9, 2012 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 77	Weatherby SA-459 TR Look at the Weatherby SA-459 TR. 19 inch barrel, semi auto. Comes in 20 or 12 ga. I have the turkey model in 12 ga (cammo stocks, 2 inch longer barrel and comes w full choke instead of cylinder choke) I love mine. They are not made in USA however. Weatherby has them made in Turkey by Armsan. I think you can get a Mossberg 930 in short barrel 20 ga - but you'd have to look at their website. THat would be made in USA.

August 31, 2012, 04:16 AM	#13
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Why semi-auto? A pump will be reliable with a wider range of ammunition. Semi's and low recoil shells may not be a good mix. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

September 1, 2012, 11:58 PM	#15
hermanpj Member Join Date: August 9, 2012 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 77	procedure for barrel extension on Weatherby SA 459 WBW, if you decide to get a weatherby SA 459 20 ga, this procedure I wrote after adding a mag extension to my 12 ga will work - just measure and order the right length of barrel extension so you dont have it sticking out then end past the end of barrel Weatherby SA-459 TK Extension Procedure.pdf Enjoy

August 27, 2012, 06:46 PM	#2
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Benelli used to have one .I just gave them a quick look but couldn't find one.Hunters looking for grouse like the short barrels. I assume you want the 20 for light recoil ? About the best for HD is a 12ga 'reduced recoil' 00 buck.

August 27, 2012, 06:58 PM	#3
wbw Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Location: York Pa. Posts: 738	You are correct. I'm looking for light recoil. Not just for me. I would want my wife to be able to use this if necessary.

August 27, 2012, 07:26 PM	#4
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	For light recoil, you'll want the heaviest gun with the lightest loads. For most folks using a shotgun for HD, the requirements seem to be the opposite - a lighter gun with some heavy loads You might be able to find an 1100 and get a short barrel for it

August 28, 2012, 07:50 AM	#5
dalecooper51 Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2007 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 318	You could check into a youth model. IIRC, Remington makes a 20 ga 1187 with a 21" barrel. The stock would need to be replaced for a standard length one, but stocks are normally much cheaper than new barrels. I kept a 20ga youth 870 as a general purpose camping/garden gun for a few years. I would be willing to bet that a number of other manufacturers offer short and light 20 ga guns for younger and smaller shooters but I haven't really looked. Just make sure to have the gun fitted to the smallest person that will be using it. It is much easier to adapt to a stock that is slightly too short than too long.

August 28, 2012, 12:33 PM	#7
wbw Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Location: York Pa. Posts: 738	hermanpj Thanks for the tip on the Weatherby. I'm going to look into that.

August 28, 2012, 06:21 PM	#8
hermanpj Member Join Date: August 9, 2012 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 77	sure man. here's a pic of mine: SA 459 TR.jpg

August 29, 2012, 07:50 AM	#9
wbw Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Location: York Pa. Posts: 738	Very nice. Thanks.

August 29, 2012, 11:03 AM	#10
hermanpj Member Join Date: August 9, 2012 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 77	Also FWIW I have ordered a +3 extension from Choate. It was $48 plus shipping. You order the one for Benelli Nova, as this is a European made gun and has thread patterns (e.g. chokes, tubes) common to some European guns, like Benellis, Beretta Extremas, but not same patterns a Remmington, for example. Also Weatherby for some reason decided 5 total rounds was enough, so they don't make the mag tube easy to extend. you have to dremel off a little flange at the end of the mag tube that currently holds the spring in place. I plan to order a replacement tube from Weatherby as a spare part just in case, and modify my original one so that I can have 7+1 capacity. They may refuse to sell it or tell me the spare or tell me if I install it I'm voiding my warranty. Whatever. The gun's operating mechanism simple and its 1/3 the cost of of a Benelli so I'm not worried. Choate's mag extensions come in +2, +3 and +4. The +2 should work on the TR guns without protruding beyond the barrel, where the +3 work on the turkey model with their longer barrel. The +4 would extend an inch past the end of the screw in, ported choke, and I do not prefer that, so I'm sticking with the +3. The Choate tubes (unlike Nordic which is twice the cost, and Tacstar, which is same cost) come with a barrel clamp, btw. I expect I'll get the tube Friday or Saturday. Have CHL class on Saturday so I'm guessing I'll do the modifications on Sunday or Monday. Will document and post the procedure.

August 29, 2012, 01:09 PM	#11
wbw Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Location: York Pa. Posts: 738	I just discovered that Mossberg has an SA-20 TR. I'll have to research that one also. I didn't notice it the first time through my research.

August 30, 2012, 10:52 PM	#12
hermanpj Member Join Date: August 9, 2012 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 77	Also a good brand! Never had their autos, but i had a pump mossberg that was great

August 31, 2012, 02:19 PM	#14
hermanpj Member Join Date: August 9, 2012 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 77	Once you find a load thats good you stick w it for home defense. Versatility is a good argument for pumps but if you plan on settling on a choice of load then once you do verify it runs good a semi is just fine

September 3, 2012, 07:37 AM	#16
wbw Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Location: York Pa. Posts: 738	Thanks for your help.

September 3, 2012, 09:31 AM	#17
PeterGreg Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Posts: 71	Remington Special Field

September 4, 2012, 01:53 PM	#18
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,462	The Saiga 20 is available with a 19" barrel. http://www.k-var.com/shop/IZ-105.html