Cheapest 12 gauge pump that works?

Model12Win · July 24, 2015, 05:44 PM

Hello everyone!

What is the least expensive 12 gauge pump shotgun that is still considered "reliable" and is offered in a short barrel for home defense use?

The budget is... strained right now, shall we say... and I need a home defense weapon that is better than the few handguns I have. I own a PTR-91 GI .308, God knows it COULD do the job but I have neighbors very nearby and my new apartment has thin walls. I have some Hornady TAP 110 grain "Urban" ammunition for my PTR-91 but most I've spoken with still think this would overpenetrate my apartment. I'm thinking a #4 buck or one of the heavy birdshot loads would be right up my alley for HD use.

I have no price range in mind, but like I said... I really want about the least expensive newly made 12 gauge pump shotgun with a short barrel that is still considered "good" or "reliable".

Thank you all so much!

FITASC · July 24, 2015, 05:50 PM

Mossberg Maverick is about $200 @ Walmart

gyvel · July 24, 2015, 05:51 PM

H&R Pardner. Got mine from Bud's Guns for $131.00 shipped.

Bake · July 24, 2015, 07:07 PM

With your handle [finest pump ever made], number posts [almost 1500], I am surprised at this question...

Model12Win · July 24, 2015, 07:39 PM

My Model 12 is a sweetie, but I've had it crap out on my several times lately.

It wants to double feed on a fairly regular basis. Not sure why. As much as I like it, I think it will be for sale soon.

I'm wanting a more modern gun that is very inexpensive but still reliable.

Bake · July 24, 2015, 08:09 PM

Model 12, I understand, you probably have ran at least, 150 thousand rounds through your shotgun. It's time for a "Good" "Model 12" gunsmith to check it out. Unfortunately most of the "Good""Model 12" smiths, have died 20 years ago.

Roadkill2228 · July 24, 2015, 08:18 PM

Probably a mossberg of some kind. Ain't pretty, doesn't fit like a love, but quite a good track record. Proven.

skizzums · July 24, 2015, 11:39 PM

that's an easy one....the H&R pardner pump. i paid 100$ for mine, well used, and have bet it half to death over the last two years. shot nothing but tons and tons of buckshot through it, never a single hiccup and never a strip and clean, just some oil and a snake every once in awhile. it's heavy, no frills but runs like a champ. no regrets, would buy another in a heartbeat. and the poster above said 131 BRAND NEW @ buds!!!! don't pass that up, this thing is a rock for real.
points and shoots as it should. i have no problem keeping up busting clays all day with my buddies all running their rem's and moss's

drobs · July 29, 2015, 12:03 AM

Check your local Pawn Shops and small Gun Shops. Ought to be able to find a used Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 cheap. They've made millions of the things over the years.

Bake · July 29, 2015, 03:01 AM

Quote:

My Model 12 is a sweetie, but I've had it crap out on my several times lately.

It wants to double feed on a fairly regular basis. Not sure why. As much as I like it, I think it will be for sale soon.

I'm wanting a more modern gun that is very inexpensive but still reliable.

Model 12,

Take a close look at PN#11012, (Cart, cutoff). If you turn your shotgun upside down, on the right-hand side Of the receiver, next to the magazine to you will see the cartridge cut off.

DUB · August 2, 2015, 12:06 AM

Another vote for the H&R Pardner Pump Protector.

wicat3 · August 29, 2015, 05:20 AM

H&R Pardner Pump. I have shot the hell out of it and very little to no issues. I had one time that I can recall where the shotgun did not go bang. Im still unsure if it was the ammo or the gun. It is cheaper then most mavericks ive seen around its heavy and useful. One thing I would suggest to you that I have heard from a few people and I have come around too agreeing with is you might want to look into a 20 Gauge over the 12. The 12 is a great round but for living in an appartment I would worry about over penitration. Just something to consider. If I didnt have as much invested in my 12 I would be switching up to a 20 myself

Dreaming100Straight · August 29, 2015, 11:58 AM

Why would the gauge affect penetration? Either a 12 or a 20 should penetrate the same given the same muzzle velocity and size pellets.

July 24, 2015, 05:50 PM	#2
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,441	Mossberg Maverick is about $200 @ Walmart __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

July 24, 2015, 05:51 PM	#3
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	H&R Pardner. Got mine from Bud's Guns for $131.00 shipped. __________________ As always, YMMV. __________________________________________ MIIAA SIFE

July 24, 2015, 08:09 PM	#6
Bake Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Location: San Joaquin Valley, Calif. Posts: 482	Model 12, I understand, you probably have ran at least, 150 thousand rounds through your shotgun. It's time for a "Good" "Model 12" gunsmith to check it out. Unfortunately most of the "Good""Model 12" smiths, have died 20 years ago. __________________ 1. The pattern board is your friend, use the Dam thing!!! 2. The maximum range of a firearm and/or cartridge, is usually measured in miles, and means nothing. 2a. The effective range of a firearm and/or cartridge, is usually (the ability of the shooter) measured in yards, and means everything.

July 24, 2015, 11:39 PM	#8
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	that's an easy one....the H&R pardner pump. i paid 100$ for mine, well used, and have bet it half to death over the last two years. shot nothing but tons and tons of buckshot through it, never a single hiccup and never a strip and clean, just some oil and a snake every once in awhile. it's heavy, no frills but runs like a champ. no regrets, would buy another in a heartbeat. and the poster above said 131 BRAND NEW @ buds!!!! don't pass that up, this thing is a rock for real. points and shoots as it should. i have no problem keeping up busting clays all day with my buddies all running their rem's and moss's __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

July 24, 2015, 05:44 PM	#1
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Cheapest 12 gauge pump that works? Hello everyone! What is the least expensive 12 gauge pump shotgun that is still considered "reliable" and is offered in a short barrel for home defense use? The budget is... strained right now, shall we say... and I need a home defense weapon that is better than the few handguns I have. I own a PTR-91 GI .308, God knows it COULD do the job but I have neighbors very nearby and my new apartment has thin walls. I have some Hornady TAP 110 grain "Urban" ammunition for my PTR-91 but most I've spoken with still think this would overpenetrate my apartment. I'm thinking a #4 buck or one of the heavy birdshot loads would be right up my alley for HD use. I have no price range in mind, but like I said... I really want about the least expensive newly made 12 gauge pump shotgun with a short barrel that is still considered "good" or "reliable". Thank you all so much!

July 24, 2015, 07:07 PM	#4
Bake Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Location: San Joaquin Valley, Calif. Posts: 482	With your handle [finest pump ever made], number posts [almost 1500], I am surprised at this question... __________________ 1. The pattern board is your friend, use the Dam thing!!! 2. The maximum range of a firearm and/or cartridge, is usually measured in miles, and means nothing. 2a. The effective range of a firearm and/or cartridge, is usually (the ability of the shooter) measured in yards, and means everything.

July 24, 2015, 07:39 PM	#5
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	My Model 12 is a sweetie, but I've had it crap out on my several times lately. It wants to double feed on a fairly regular basis. Not sure why. As much as I like it, I think it will be for sale soon. I'm wanting a more modern gun that is very inexpensive but still reliable.

July 24, 2015, 08:18 PM	#7
Roadkill2228 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2014 Location: Nipawin, Saskatchewan Posts: 311	Probably a mossberg of some kind. Ain't pretty, doesn't fit like a love, but quite a good track record. Proven.

July 29, 2015, 12:03 AM	#9
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	Check your local Pawn Shops and small Gun Shops. Ought to be able to find a used Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 cheap. They've made millions of the things over the years.

August 2, 2015, 12:06 AM	#11
DUB Member Join Date: June 25, 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 43	Good,inexpensive shotgun Another vote for the H&R Pardner Pump Protector.

August 29, 2015, 05:20 AM	#12
wicat3 Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Posts: 72	H&R Pardner Pump. I have shot the hell out of it and very little to no issues. I had one time that I can recall where the shotgun did not go bang. Im still unsure if it was the ammo or the gun. It is cheaper then most mavericks ive seen around its heavy and useful. One thing I would suggest to you that I have heard from a few people and I have come around too agreeing with is you might want to look into a 20 Gauge over the 12. The 12 is a great round but for living in an appartment I would worry about over penitration. Just something to consider. If I didnt have as much invested in my 12 I would be switching up to a 20 myself

August 29, 2015, 11:58 AM	#13
Dreaming100Straight Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Posts: 1,235	Why would the gauge affect penetration? Either a 12 or a 20 should penetrate the same given the same muzzle velocity and size pellets.