Newbie Question

H&K4Life · December 12, 2005, 10:58 PM

Hey guys,

I am generally a handgun guy who as finally made the plunge to get a PROPER home defense gun.
I have a 18" Remi 870 (which seems to be the norm), however I am going to start skeet shooting and a see those guys using the LOOOOOOONG barrels/automatics.

Would it be realistic for me to seek out a shotgun that would be IDEAL for both home defense/CQB environments and be practical for skeet shooting?

I would not mind paying for a more expensive model (my limit would be around $1k),however, I just started shooting shotgun, and I don't think my virgin shotgun skills would be a good match for a super, top-of-the line model.

n3twrkm4n · December 12, 2005, 11:10 PM

You don't need to purchase a semi in order to shoot skeet. I do just fine hitting the same clay pidgeon three to four times with my pump action. It's just practice.

With that said longer barrels are easier to 'point-and-shoot' than shorter barrels. I've shot skeet with a 24" turkey gun and did well after realizing where I was shooting.

The reason behind the semi-auto's is reduced recoil for those long shooting sessions. The vent rig 28"+ barrel provides easier pointing and the vents provide cooling during long runs of shooting.

Benelli makes some great semi-automatics if that is the way you want to go.

Can't be beat with a nice over/under shotgun either.

The choice is yours really, if you wanted a home defense/skeet gun why not purchase another barrel for your 870? Get a short barrel and keep it on when not out at the range. And have a 28" + vent rib barrel so when you go skeet shooting it's just a twist away.

Good luck and happy shooting!

Dave McC · December 13, 2005, 04:41 AM

For $1K you can buy an 870 Express HD with short barrel, a shiny old WM with pretty wood and a long Remchoked barrel for clays and have money left over for lots of ammo.

Or, just shoot skeet with your present barrel. It's not ideal, but you're not trying to get into the skeet HOF.

Yet.

Clays shooting is as addictive as cocaine, just healthier and legal.

Or, buy a longer tube choked barrel and use it for trap, skeet, sporting clays, barn pigeons,ad infinitum.

warwagon · December 13, 2005, 03:57 PM

The fellow who won the ATA a few years ago did it with his 870 field gun, just changed barells for trap.An extra tube for sport might be a wise investment

Blair

Ruger4570 · December 13, 2005, 04:42 PM

Unless you want a "dedicated" skeet gun. Buy another barrel for your Rem. It takes some practice to get on the doubles, but many have done it. I just prefer an auto or O/U

Blackwater OPS · December 13, 2005, 09:02 PM

the two times I have done it I had no problem shooting skeet with my 870MM. I embarrased a few gents with LONG SGs who do it every weekend. I think this is another case of Shot Placement trumping all other concerns. And if you do it with an 18in 870 you will get even more nija points when you out shoot those oldtimers!

Ruger4570 · December 14, 2005, 10:08 AM

All shooting sports are about "shot placement" It is just that the longer barrels assist you in a smooth swing.

December 12, 2005, 10:58 PM	#1
H&K4Life Member Join Date: October 2, 2005 Posts: 77	Newbie Question Hey guys, I am generally a handgun guy who as finally made the plunge to get a PROPER home defense gun. I have a 18" Remi 870 (which seems to be the norm), however I am going to start skeet shooting and a see those guys using the LOOOOOOONG barrels/automatics. Would it be realistic for me to seek out a shotgun that would be IDEAL for both home defense/CQB environments and be practical for skeet shooting? I would not mind paying for a more expensive model (my limit would be around $1k),however, I just started shooting shotgun, and I don't think my virgin shotgun skills would be a good match for a super, top-of-the line model.

December 12, 2005, 11:10 PM	#2
n3twrkm4n Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2004 Posts: 629	You don't need to purchase a semi in order to shoot skeet. I do just fine hitting the same clay pidgeon three to four times with my pump action. It's just practice. With that said longer barrels are easier to 'point-and-shoot' than shorter barrels. I've shot skeet with a 24" turkey gun and did well after realizing where I was shooting. The reason behind the semi-auto's is reduced recoil for those long shooting sessions. The vent rig 28"+ barrel provides easier pointing and the vents provide cooling during long runs of shooting. Benelli makes some great semi-automatics if that is the way you want to go. Can't be beat with a nice over/under shotgun either. The choice is yours really, if you wanted a home defense/skeet gun why not purchase another barrel for your 870? Get a short barrel and keep it on when not out at the range. And have a 28" + vent rib barrel so when you go skeet shooting it's just a twist away. Good luck and happy shooting! __________________ There's no place like 127.0.0.1 > SELECT FROM users WHERE clue > 0 0 rows returned

December 13, 2005, 03:57 PM	#4
warwagon Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2005 Location: Dayton Oh Posts: 341	870 The fellow who won the ATA a few years ago did it with his 870 field gun, just changed barells for trap.An extra tube for sport might be a wise investment Blair __________________ SWAT certified Ret LEO certified weaponscraft instructor OPOTA Ret NRA Endowment member

December 13, 2005, 09:02 PM	#6
Blackwater OPS Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,152	the two times I have done it I had no problem shooting skeet with my 870MM. I embarrased a few gents with LONG SGs who do it every weekend. I think this is another case of Shot Placement trumping all other concerns. And if you do it with an 18in 870 you will get even more nija points when you out shoot those oldtimers! __________________ "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -Ben Franklin Spc. Jeremy M. Campbell Died 9/1/2005 and the best DS ever MSG Matthew Ritz Died 11.23.2005 matthewritz.com For those who have had to fight for it, Life holds a special meaning that the protected will never know. (\__/) (='.'=) Someone set us up the bunny! (")_(")

December 13, 2005, 04:41 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	For $1K you can buy an 870 Express HD with short barrel, a shiny old WM with pretty wood and a long Remchoked barrel for clays and have money left over for lots of ammo. Or, just shoot skeet with your present barrel. It's not ideal, but you're not trying to get into the skeet HOF. Yet. Clays shooting is as addictive as cocaine, just healthier and legal. Or, buy a longer tube choked barrel and use it for trap, skeet, sporting clays, barn pigeons,ad infinitum.

December 13, 2005, 04:42 PM	#5
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Unless you want a "dedicated" skeet gun. Buy another barrel for your Rem. It takes some practice to get on the doubles, but many have done it. I just prefer an auto or O/U

December 14, 2005, 10:08 AM	#7
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	All shooting sports are about "shot placement" It is just that the longer barrels assist you in a smooth swing.