What Sights For Self Defense Shotgun?

7mmWSM · December 20, 2012, 12:39 AM

My present self defense shotgun has a front bead only. Do you think this is good or do you have something that you feel would serve me better? Thanks.

ClydeFrog · December 20, 2012, 12:54 AM

For a protection 12ga, I'd buy a SureFire whitelight fore-end or add a laser-aimer/light if the weapon has any 1913 rails.
The EO holotech line of milspec red dot sights.
As many LE officials & security experts state, use of force incidents take place in low light. Aiming may not be needed with a "room broom" in a CQB event but a bright light may prevent mistakes/ADs.

ClydeFrog

7mmWSM · December 20, 2012, 01:01 AM

The shotgun has no rails, nor is it drilled and tapped. I am OK with having a gunsmith drill and tap it for a rail. Is that the type of attachment point you are talking about?

Viper225 · December 20, 2012, 02:11 AM

Several Companies make a Forend for the 870, and the Mossberg 500/590with a built in White Light Flash Light. They are not cheap.

I have also seen clamp on barrel light mounts.

They also make a Tritium replacement for the Bead front sight.

I have a Pre Wilson Combat ScatterGun Technoligy TR870. It has there Trac Loc sights. Tritium Front Sight, and Ghost Ring back sight.

The built in flash light forend with a pressure switch is probably your best place to start.

Bob

Perturbed Panda · December 20, 2012, 03:03 AM

Yeah I'd say your bead sight is just fine for in home self defense. If you're truly worried about it, I know there are rails that you can add on via the trigger pins on most shotguns. The obvious advantage going that route is you don't have to take it in to be drilled and tapped. A flashlight is a great addition, but if it's for use in your home utilize your knowledge and familiarization of it. You know where your light switches are.

tlm225 · December 20, 2012, 03:30 AM

My shotgun has a number of changes to it. Wilson (Scattergun Technologies) ghost rings, jumbo head safety, extended magazine and surefire fore end light. If I had to limit it to just one add-on it would be the surefire light.

7mmWSM · December 20, 2012, 04:02 AM

The area that I live, out in the country, has had a rash of daytime B&E's, in the last couple of years, where they just kick in your door, grab stuff and go. From their MO they would be long gone before the police arrived to save my rear end. I am usually home during the day since I recently retired and I admit that it has me a little concerned. One of these break-ins happened less than a 1/4 mile from my house at 12:45 pm. Since these intruders have not been caught to my knowledge I have no idea if they are armed or not. I just don't want to be there if it happens and not prepared for trouble if they see me and decide to take me out. I have handguns also but feel the shotgun would have a better chance of stopping the guy/guys quickly.

357 Python · December 20, 2012, 05:36 PM

For a home defense shotgun the bead sight will do just fine. It is quick to acquire and is usually right on target for the distances involved. Depending on the make and model of your shotgun a forend with the built in light is a good accessory. You may also wish to get a side saddle or other type of ammo carrier. If your is the 4 in the magazine type having extra ammo is always a good idea. Even with the shotgun don't forget about the defensive handgun. The shotgun is ideal for somethings but it does have its limitations.

jmortimer · December 20, 2012, 08:23 PM

Bead will have fastest target acquisition. Rifle sights better for longer distance.

scrubcedar · December 20, 2012, 08:47 PM

+1 on what mortimer says. My bps has a bead and I practice on stationary clay pigeons. They are perfect as they are about the size of a human heart, or even a head. At any range that would be reasonable in my house I can hit them almost every time, and I'm a noob to shotguns. It also helps in that it is easier to transition between multiple targets. I normally position my targets about 5ft away from each other so it is somewhat realistic.If it ain't broke don't fix it.

locnload · December 21, 2012, 12:54 AM

7MM I have two shotguns for HD use. One is a Winchester 1300 Defender that lives in the bedroom and the other a Remington 870 that lives in the safe or serves as a truck gun or for an occasional competition. Both have front beads and are quick to get on target. Unless you need to make 50-100 yard shots with slugs, the cost of adding rifle type sights would not be worth it in my opinion. I did add a a fiberoptic sight that snaps onto the front bead and is helpful in low light but lines up just like the bead. Good Luck.

WW2 · December 21, 2012, 07:18 PM

I really like this one: http://www.laserlyte.com/products/cm-15 as it shows a pattern that gives you an idea of your spread. Also, you keep your eyes on the target and don't need to see the bead if it is dark.

However, use a white light to IDENTIFY your target as you don't want to blast a shotgun pattern in to a friendly target!

For a shotgun tri-rail see: http://www.laserlyte.com/products/adp-trir-140

wyobohunter · December 22, 2012, 11:00 AM

None. Shotgun=point... Not aim (assuming you are using shot). Why complicate? Spend that money on shells and practice pointing it.

jason_iowa · December 30, 2012, 02:19 PM

I agree with the above. Nothing wrong with a flashlight on your shotgun but you really need no sights for a home defense shotgun. Look down the barrel that is where the lead is going to go.

ohiomossyoak · December 30, 2012, 02:31 PM

Bead or something simple will be fine..A light and or laser could also be useful imo..

Brit · December 30, 2012, 05:20 PM

The shotgun has a bead? Paint it with that nice white paint, the one used for fixing scratches on white fridges.

Your eye is your back sight, slug hits on IDPA targets at 100 yds, no problem.

Buck shot, cheek hits stock, flash sight picture, press trigger, easy.

Alabama Shooter · December 30, 2012, 06:57 PM

I no longer use a shotgun for primary HD but when I did it had 2X scope with shoot through rings a bead site underneath, laser and light. That is a lot of doo-dads but it was very handy and was perfect for HD and for use around the place. Very accurate within 100 yards.

Mezzanine · December 30, 2012, 09:25 PM

Front bead is plenty for a shotgun. Its all about having a consistent shouldering point and head positioning. Then you dont need to see the bead to know where your shot is going. Trap, skeet and sporting clays are great tools to build shotgun proficiency and also are very fun. Although HD is a little different senario, proficiency is proficiency...

Rifleman1776 · December 31, 2012, 10:05 AM

SD and aiming? Isn't that an oxymoron?
If he is that close you need to shoot, just point and pull trigger.

Alabama Shooter · December 31, 2012, 11:42 AM

I was also confused by the SD. In post #7 the OP clarifies that this is more for HD than SD.

amd6547 · December 31, 2012, 12:48 PM

The bead is fine for most uses.
If you want to see what a bead sighted shotgun is capable of, google "Hickock45 Mossberg 590". He easily and repeatedly hits his 80yd gong, as well as other demonstrations of accuracy.
I have fired pretty tight 50yd groups using slugs in my bead sighted Mossberg 500.
The best reason to have sights, I think, is the Federal Flitecontrol buckshot...it shoots so tightly that sights might be pretty useful.

BigD_in_FL · December 31, 2012, 07:54 PM

You only need your eyes.......
Trust your eyes to make your hands point the gun in the right location.
You don't see sights on baseball bats or tennis racquets, your eyes and hands work together to make it happen, the same applies to a shotgun that fits you. It merely becomes an extension of your hands

Pyzon · January 1, 2013, 11:48 AM

I've been pondering this same question, and stumbled onto the meprolight tritium front bead that might be the best all around solution for pitch black HD and regular lighting situations.

Any comments from users of this sight ?

Screwball · January 1, 2013, 11:54 AM

I go with Trijicons, but also have the M3X to light up the target. Real fan of Remington sights, but I cannot use the standard stocks with their rifle sights. Bead sights are ok, but need more cheek height for the rifle sights. Glad Magpul came out with their SGA furniture.

Tad_T · January 2, 2013, 02:25 AM

I snapped a green Tru Glo Glo-Dot II onto my Winchester 1200 Defender.

I also have these on both of my old Springfield 67E's, a 12 and a 20, that I use for hunting.

I like them. They are inexpensive, easy to pickup and see in both daylight and lowlight, and they have been durable for me. The length of the fiber optic also seems to make it easy to align instinctively.

They also come in red, if you prefer.

http://www.cabelas.com/ensemble/Shoo...uctId%3D741270

December 20, 2012, 12:39 AM	#1
7mmWSM Member Join Date: November 16, 2009 Posts: 33	What Sights For Self Defense Shotgun? My present self defense shotgun has a front bead only. Do you think this is good or do you have something that you feel would serve me better? Thanks.

December 20, 2012, 12:54 AM	#2
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	SureFire white light, EOtech... For a protection 12ga, I'd buy a SureFire whitelight fore-end or add a laser-aimer/light if the weapon has any 1913 rails. The EO holotech line of milspec red dot sights. As many LE officials & security experts state, use of force incidents take place in low light. Aiming may not be needed with a "room broom" in a CQB event but a bright light may prevent mistakes/ADs. ClydeFrog

December 20, 2012, 03:30 AM	#6
tlm225 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 962	My shotgun has a number of changes to it. Wilson (Scattergun Technologies) ghost rings, jumbo head safety, extended magazine and surefire fore end light. If I had to limit it to just one add-on it would be the surefire light. __________________ All that is neccessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke

December 20, 2012, 08:47 PM	#10
scrubcedar Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2012 Location: Southwestern Colorado Posts: 507	+1 on what mortimer says. My bps has a bead and I practice on stationary clay pigeons. They are perfect as they are about the size of a human heart, or even a head. At any range that would be reasonable in my house I can hit them almost every time, and I'm a noob to shotguns. It also helps in that it is easier to transition between multiple targets. I normally position my targets about 5ft away from each other so it is somewhat realistic.If it ain't broke don't fix it. __________________ Gaily bedight, A gallant knight In sunshine and in shadow, Had journeyed long, Singing a song, In search of El Dorado

December 22, 2012, 11:00 AM	#13
wyobohunter Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Back in Wyoming Posts: 1,125	None. Shotgun=point... Not aim (assuming you are using shot). Why complicate? Spend that money on shells and practice pointing it. __________________ Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results

December 20, 2012, 01:01 AM	#3
7mmWSM Member Join Date: November 16, 2009 Posts: 33	The shotgun has no rails, nor is it drilled and tapped. I am OK with having a gunsmith drill and tap it for a rail. Is that the type of attachment point you are talking about?

December 20, 2012, 02:11 AM	#4
Viper225 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Location: SC Missouri Posts: 663	Several Companies make a Forend for the 870, and the Mossberg 500/590with a built in White Light Flash Light. They are not cheap. I have also seen clamp on barrel light mounts. They also make a Tritium replacement for the Bead front sight. I have a Pre Wilson Combat ScatterGun Technoligy TR870. It has there Trac Loc sights. Tritium Front Sight, and Ghost Ring back sight. The built in flash light forend with a pressure switch is probably your best place to start. Bob

December 20, 2012, 03:03 AM	#5
Perturbed Panda Member Join Date: December 15, 2012 Location: WI Posts: 42	Yeah I'd say your bead sight is just fine for in home self defense. If you're truly worried about it, I know there are rails that you can add on via the trigger pins on most shotguns. The obvious advantage going that route is you don't have to take it in to be drilled and tapped. A flashlight is a great addition, but if it's for use in your home utilize your knowledge and familiarization of it. You know where your light switches are.

December 20, 2012, 04:02 AM	#7
7mmWSM Member Join Date: November 16, 2009 Posts: 33	The area that I live, out in the country, has had a rash of daytime B&E's, in the last couple of years, where they just kick in your door, grab stuff and go. From their MO they would be long gone before the police arrived to save my rear end. I am usually home during the day since I recently retired and I admit that it has me a little concerned. One of these break-ins happened less than a 1/4 mile from my house at 12:45 pm. Since these intruders have not been caught to my knowledge I have no idea if they are armed or not. I just don't want to be there if it happens and not prepared for trouble if they see me and decide to take me out. I have handguns also but feel the shotgun would have a better chance of stopping the guy/guys quickly.

December 20, 2012, 05:36 PM	#8
357 Python Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 941	For a home defense shotgun the bead sight will do just fine. It is quick to acquire and is usually right on target for the distances involved. Depending on the make and model of your shotgun a forend with the built in light is a good accessory. You may also wish to get a side saddle or other type of ammo carrier. If your is the 4 in the magazine type having extra ammo is always a good idea. Even with the shotgun don't forget about the defensive handgun. The shotgun is ideal for somethings but it does have its limitations.

December 20, 2012, 08:23 PM	#9
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	Bead will have fastest target acquisition. Rifle sights better for longer distance.

December 21, 2012, 12:54 AM	#11
locnload Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2010 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 118	7MM I have two shotguns for HD use. One is a Winchester 1300 Defender that lives in the bedroom and the other a Remington 870 that lives in the safe or serves as a truck gun or for an occasional competition. Both have front beads and are quick to get on target. Unless you need to make 50-100 yard shots with slugs, the cost of adding rifle type sights would not be worth it in my opinion. I did add a a fiberoptic sight that snaps onto the front bead and is helpful in low light but lines up just like the bead. Good Luck.

December 30, 2012, 02:19 PM	#14
jason_iowa Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 686	I agree with the above. Nothing wrong with a flashlight on your shotgun but you really need no sights for a home defense shotgun. Look down the barrel that is where the lead is going to go.

December 30, 2012, 02:31 PM	#15
ohiomossyoak Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2010 Location: East Central Ohio Posts: 143	Bead or something simple will be fine..A light and or laser could also be useful imo.. __________________ First it's pretty tires, then it's pretty guns and bows...next thing you know, you're shavin' your beard and wearin' capri pants

December 30, 2012, 05:20 PM	#16
Brit Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 1,934	The shotgun has a bead? Paint it with that nice white paint, the one used for fixing scratches on white fridges. Your eye is your back sight, slug hits on IDPA targets at 100 yds, no problem. Buck shot, cheek hits stock, flash sight picture, press trigger, easy.

December 30, 2012, 06:57 PM	#17
Alabama Shooter Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: Sweet Home Posts: 886	I no longer use a shotgun for primary HD but when I did it had 2X scope with shoot through rings a bead site underneath, laser and light. That is a lot of doo-dads but it was very handy and was perfect for HD and for use around the place. Very accurate within 100 yards. __________________ Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday.

December 30, 2012, 09:25 PM	#18
Mezzanine Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 103	Front bead is plenty for a shotgun. Its all about having a consistent shouldering point and head positioning. Then you dont need to see the bead to know where your shot is going. Trap, skeet and sporting clays are great tools to build shotgun proficiency and also are very fun. Although HD is a little different senario, proficiency is proficiency...

December 31, 2012, 10:05 AM	#19
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	SD and aiming? Isn't that an oxymoron? If he is that close you need to shoot, just point and pull trigger.

December 31, 2012, 11:42 AM	#20
Alabama Shooter Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: Sweet Home Posts: 886	I was also confused by the SD. In post #7 the OP clarifies that this is more for HD than SD. __________________ Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday.

December 31, 2012, 12:48 PM	#21
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,313	The bead is fine for most uses. If you want to see what a bead sighted shotgun is capable of, google "Hickock45 Mossberg 590". He easily and repeatedly hits his 80yd gong, as well as other demonstrations of accuracy. I have fired pretty tight 50yd groups using slugs in my bead sighted Mossberg 500. The best reason to have sights, I think, is the Federal Flitecontrol buckshot...it shoots so tightly that sights might be pretty useful. __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

December 31, 2012, 07:54 PM	#22
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	You only need your eyes....... Trust your eyes to make your hands point the gun in the right location. You don't see sights on baseball bats or tennis racquets, your eyes and hands work together to make it happen, the same applies to a shotgun that fits you. It merely becomes an extension of your hands

January 1, 2013, 11:48 AM	#23
Pyzon Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2009 Posts: 296	I've been pondering this same question, and stumbled onto the meprolight tritium front bead that might be the best all around solution for pitch black HD and regular lighting situations. Any comments from users of this sight ?

January 1, 2013, 11:54 AM	#24
Screwball Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2012 Location: ME Posts: 771	I go with Trijicons, but also have the M3X to light up the target. Real fan of Remington sights, but I cannot use the standard stocks with their rifle sights. Bead sights are ok, but need more cheek height for the rifle sights. Glad Magpul came out with their SGA furniture.

January 2, 2013, 02:25 AM	#25
Tad_T Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 231	I snapped a green Tru Glo Glo-Dot II onto my Winchester 1200 Defender. I also have these on both of my old Springfield 67E's, a 12 and a 20, that I use for hunting. I like them. They are inexpensive, easy to pickup and see in both daylight and lowlight, and they have been durable for me. The length of the fiber optic also seems to make it easy to align instinctively. They also come in red, if you prefer. http://www.cabelas.com/ensemble/Shoo...uctId%3D741270

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