Which HD Shotgun - Page 2

GarandTd · January 17, 2017, 05:57 PM

Budget is the idea not just because of low use, but also in the event of actual home defense, you will possibly lose that gun to police evidence.

I'm a fan of the Maverick. I have a 5 round field model, but it is available in an 8 round model. I find my Maverick to be plenty smooth. That could be lack of experience, but I believe in a home defense situation you won't be dwelling on the smoothness of the action.

Rob62 · January 17, 2017, 07:58 PM

If on a budget, and who isn't nowadays. I also recommend a used Mossberg 500 or even better, a Remington 870 Express.

Right now is a great time to purchase used guns. Hunting seasons are over in most places and long guns will not be "moving" again until July - August. Scour those Pawn and Gun shops used gun racks for good deals. And remember cash is what these places want - not debit or credit cards.

lefteye · January 17, 2017, 08:13 PM

I prefer the Remington 870 Home Defense shotgun. I have the earlier model with the synthetic stock. Because I am small I replaced the buttstock with the youth model synthetic buttstock. The gun is sized just right for in the home defense.

Akgeezer · January 17, 2017, 10:47 PM

Just purchased a Savage/Stevens 320. I Haven't shot it yet, but I spent plenty of time researching and also watching various videos on Youtube. Seems to be a solid shotgun. There were some early issues with the racking grip breaking loose. It was only held with about 4 spot welds. The design has been changed to eliminate this problem. Mine came with a pistol grip stock and ghost ring sight with a fiber optic front sight. These are accessories I prefer, but you can also get it with a regular stock and front bead sight. This model is based on the Winchester 1200/1300. I understand many parts are interchangeable with possibly some minor modification. I buy American, when possible, but this met my need for a HD shotgun and the price of $199.98. was too good to pass on. This gun meets most of my requirements minus possibly adding a flashlight. No need to spend bucks to get some of the other guns mentioned modified to come up to the way the 320 comes out of the box. It all depends on what you want I guess. Good luck!

dreaming · January 18, 2017, 02:51 AM

Of the three the OP inquired about, and having none of them, I would go with the Maverick, even though my HD gun is a Remington 870 and I believe the Pardner is pretty much a clone of the 870. Whatever you get, I think you are making a big mistake if you think you can go cheap just because a HD gun will never be used.

Should you ever need to use it for home defense, it has to be reliable, which is why you had best take care if you are going to buy a used gun or a cheap gun. Are you competent to tell if a used gun is good operating condition?

Even if you are only buying it for HD, consider whether or not you may also want to shoot some trap or even do some hunting with it and in that case you will probably want at least one other barrel. Is it available for that gun and for how much.

You may later wish to add accessories to the gun, in which case more are available for the Remington 870. I believe nearly as many can be found for the Mossberg 500. The rest I don't know.

Targa · January 18, 2017, 06:42 AM

I have a work issued Remington 870 and my dad gifted me a Mossberg 500. If I had to spend my own coin on a HD shotgun it would have been on the Maverick.

g.willikers · January 18, 2017, 09:35 AM

Another vote for the Mossberg.
They make good and inexpensive pumps, with abundant parts availability from many sources.
Something folks seem to ignore until they need to fix it or just want an accessory.
But, in the final analysis, success in home defense is far more about the defender than the weapon.
So, don't forget the training aspect.
Especially with yours and your family's life at stake.

FITASC · January 18, 2017, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Budget is the idea not just because of low use, but also in the event of actual home defense, you will possibly lose that gun to police evidence.

Not the brightest idea. Do you carry a Jennings or other cheap gun because of the same thought process?

Quote:

Should you ever need to use it for home defense, it has to be reliable,

^^^^ THIS should be the deciding factor. IF the cheapest gun is also reliable, then you get a win-win. If it isn't, then you get a lose-lose.

Virginian · January 18, 2017, 10:31 AM

When I was selling guns, guys would often say they just wanted something in a cheap handgun for their wife. I would always tell them
"The odds you or she will ever actually need to use the gun are probably better than a million to one, against it. The odds you will ever actually need to fire the gun are then probably better than another million to one, against it. But, if it doesn't work then, you're dead. If you can't afford to lose, no matter the odds, don't bet."

osbornk · January 18, 2017, 10:32 AM

Videos of the M5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-EH8Czmd1Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWqGnLBukss

Targa · January 18, 2017, 11:34 AM

Nice review on the RIA. Certainly shows me, in reference to a HD shotgun anyway, cheap is not indicative of quality.

zincwarrior · January 18, 2017, 11:43 AM

Looks like we're talking budget shotguns for HD. Excellent. IU would look at Stevens as well. They get consistent good reviews of vale for price.

Maverick: as noted thats a Mossberg design. Other than being utilitarian (which hey you want) I've heard nothing bad about them.

Used: Mossies and Remingtons are pretty rugged so a used one is also a route. You don't care if its pretty as long as it works, and lots of people buy and then sell shotguns after using them very little.

dreaming · January 18, 2017, 06:51 PM

Keep in mind the availability of barrels and accessories you may need down the road, in which case I would recommend a Remington 870 with a 4+1 capacity. More accessories are also marketed for the 870 than any other shotgun. Should you ever go to a pistol grip stock, you will curse the tang safety on a Mossberg 500.

If you choice is limited to the three in your original post, I would go with the Maverick. It is very much like its big cousin, the Mossberg 500, but no tang safety and I believe it takes some of the Mossberg barrels.

All you need for HD is a short barrel and a simple bead sight. I would stay away from ghost rings unless you just want to look cool. If that is what you want, its fun to look cool. I wish I was young enough to be a mall ninja.

Personally, since getting the 870 I have been converted to believing a handgun is a superior HD gun,. The reasons are beyond the scope of this thread, but I keep my 870 as a back up clays gun for guests and when not at the range I pop the short barrel back on and it resumes its duties as a secondary HD gun.

dreaming · January 18, 2017, 07:06 PM

Quote:

The plastic safeties are a bigger liability than a polymer trigger group housing.

Virginian has that right, but it is no big deal to replace the plastic tang safety with a metal one. Still, $35 for parts to replace a plastic safety is a no go if you are on a budget, and we all have one, limiting you to $200 to buy a gun.

dreaming · January 18, 2017, 07:19 PM

If the barrel of the RIA M5 can't be swapped for at least a field barrel, I would stay away from it. I glanced at its web site and didn't see where barrels could be purchased. Looking at a video, the barrel is threaded into the receiver. It isn't secured to the mag tube via a cap over the barrel lug. There is no cap to remove which keeps you from using a magazine extension. This is limited to use as a security gun. I would go with the 870, 500/Maverick.

Blindstitch · January 18, 2017, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Still, $35 for parts to replace a plastic safety is a no go if you are on a budget

$15.24 with free shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ProMag-Mossb...sAAOSwG-1WzRK3

I have one and wish I could find similar for my Browning Citori when hunting late season pheasants. Gloves suck when seconds count.

osbornk · January 18, 2017, 08:01 PM

Quote:

If the barrel of the RIA M5 can't be swapped for at least a field barrel, I would stay away from it. I glanced at its web site and didn't see where barrels could be purchased. Looking at a video, the barrel is threaded into the receiver. It isn't secured to the mag tube via a cap over the barrel lug. There is no cap to remove which keeps you from using a magazine extension. This is limited to use as a security gun. I would go with the 870, 500/Maverick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz1qTJ6j7N4

baddarryl · January 18, 2017, 08:21 PM

I keep a Rem 870 20ga Youth model loaded with 00 Buck. Very reliable, affordable, easy to repair and quite handy for the tight spaces of a home. Found one basically unused for $250 a couple of years ago.

GarandTd · January 18, 2017, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Not the brightest idea. Do you carry a Jennings or other cheap gun because of the same thought process?

My Maverick is not a "grenade" because it cost less than some premium shotgun. Budget doesn't mean garbage and I would trust my life and the safety of my family and home with my Maverick. And I would have no qualms putting it against much much more expensive brands.

My $20 Nikes are just as durable and comfortable as the $200 Nikes. Neither help me run faster or jump higher. I don't need the flash to feel good about myself or feel safer. I need function.

Wish I had the financial freedom to look down on inexpensive firearms. Must be real liberating.

reynolds357 · January 18, 2017, 10:37 PM

Since you are considering the China guns, Hawk 981.

dreaming · January 19, 2017, 03:54 AM

That's much better than the $35 I saw on Brownell's, but that was for a kit that included a few parts that supposedly can wear. http://www.brownells.com/items/mossb...ety-parts.aspx

Blindstitch · January 19, 2017, 05:42 AM

I doubt those parts even wear. That is unless you sit there all day/week/year... and flick it back and forth. Hardest part is removing the oneway screw and that isn't that hard either.

TB9 · January 19, 2017, 07:30 PM

I owned the H&R Pardner protecter pump and I own the Maverick 88 SP 18.5 6shot 12ga. that I keep for HD duties . the H&R now does HD duties at my daughter's house when she and the S I L and kids moved up to the north woods. these are 2 shotgun's I would recommend without a second thought .HTH

FITASC · January 19, 2017, 07:51 PM

Quote:

My Maverick is not a "grenade" because it cost less than some premium shotgun. Budget doesn't mean garbage and I would trust my life and the safety of my family and home with my Maverick. And I would have no qualms putting it against much much more expensive brands.

My $20 Nikes are just as durable and comfortable as the $200 Nikes. Neither help me run faster or jump higher. I don't need the flash to feel good about myself or feel safer. I need function.

Wish I had the financial freedom to look down on inexpensive firearms. Must be real liberating.

Ya, know, if you are going to quote me, then quote the WHOLE thing instead of taking a snippet to make some snarky, illogical jab and insult

Quote:

Quote:
Budget is the idea not just because of low use, but also in the event of actual home defense, you will possibly lose that gun to police evidence.
Not the brightest idea. Do you carry a Jennings or other cheap gun because of the same thought process?

Quote:
Should you ever need to use it for home defense, it has to be reliable,
^^^^ THIS should be the deciding factor. IF the cheapest gun is also reliable, then you get a win-win. If it isn't, then you get a lose-lose.

GarandTd · January 19, 2017, 07:59 PM

I am an advocate of the Maverick, no secret there. One thing that I had to overcome when I first shot it was the slide release lever. It is located at the rear left side of the trigger guard. There were a couple times in the beginning when I was catching the release with my ring finger. It would open the action just enough to keep the gun from firing. This was always on a follow up shot. I noticed it while shooting clays. I haven't had a problem since as I pay attention not to touch it unintentionally.

It would be one of the only negatives I could come up with and something to keep in mind.

January 17, 2017, 05:57 PM	#26
GarandTd Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2016 Location: Rural PA Posts: 1,639	Budget is the idea not just because of low use, but also in the event of actual home defense, you will possibly lose that gun to police evidence. I'm a fan of the Maverick. I have a 5 round field model, but it is available in an 8 round model. I find my Maverick to be plenty smooth. That could be lack of experience, but I believe in a home defense situation you won't be dwelling on the smoothness of the action. __________________ 22lr, 20 gauge, 8mm Mauser, 35 Remington, 30-06, 5.56x45/223, 9mm, 380acp

January 17, 2017, 07:58 PM	#27
Rob62 Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 1999 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 560	If on a budget, and who isn't nowadays. I also recommend a used Mossberg 500 or even better, a Remington 870 Express. Right now is a great time to purchase used guns. Hunting seasons are over in most places and long guns will not be "moving" again until July - August. Scour those Pawn and Gun shops used gun racks for good deals. And remember cash is what these places want - not debit or credit cards. __________________ NRA & NAHC Life Member

January 17, 2017, 08:13 PM	#28
lefteye Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2006 Posts: 1,433	I prefer the Remington 870 Home Defense shotgun. I have the earlier model with the synthetic stock. Because I am small I replaced the buttstock with the youth model synthetic buttstock. The gun is sized just right for in the home defense. __________________ Vietnam Veteran ('69-'70) NRA Life Member RMEF Life Member

January 17, 2017, 10:47 PM	#29
Akgeezer Member Join Date: September 24, 2005 Location: Mason, Ohio Posts: 76	Just purchased a Savage/Stevens 320. I Haven't shot it yet, but I spent plenty of time researching and also watching various videos on Youtube. Seems to be a solid shotgun. There were some early issues with the racking grip breaking loose. It was only held with about 4 spot welds. The design has been changed to eliminate this problem. Mine came with a pistol grip stock and ghost ring sight with a fiber optic front sight. These are accessories I prefer, but you can also get it with a regular stock and front bead sight. This model is based on the Winchester 1200/1300. I understand many parts are interchangeable with possibly some minor modification. I buy American, when possible, but this met my need for a HD shotgun and the price of $199.98. was too good to pass on. This gun meets most of my requirements minus possibly adding a flashlight. No need to spend bucks to get some of the other guns mentioned modified to come up to the way the 320 comes out of the box. It all depends on what you want I guess. Good luck! __________________ Happiness is a warm gun mama. --- Yes, it is!!! Springfield Armory XD-40 Tactical, Bersa 9mm Ultra Compact, Kahr CM9, EAA Windicator 357, Springfield 1903 30.06, AK-47 GP WASR 10, ArmaLite M-15TN, Marlin Glendale Model 60, Savage/Stevens 320, and ....

January 18, 2017, 09:35 AM	#32
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Another vote for the Mossberg. They make good and inexpensive pumps, with abundant parts availability from many sources. Something folks seem to ignore until they need to fix it or just want an accessory. But, in the final analysis, success in home defense is far more about the defender than the weapon. So, don't forget the training aspect. Especially with yours and your family's life at stake. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

January 18, 2017, 02:51 AM	#30
dreaming Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2016 Posts: 186	Of the three the OP inquired about, and having none of them, I would go with the Maverick, even though my HD gun is a Remington 870 and I believe the Pardner is pretty much a clone of the 870. Whatever you get, I think you are making a big mistake if you think you can go cheap just because a HD gun will never be used. Should you ever need to use it for home defense, it has to be reliable, which is why you had best take care if you are going to buy a used gun or a cheap gun. Are you competent to tell if a used gun is good operating condition? Even if you are only buying it for HD, consider whether or not you may also want to shoot some trap or even do some hunting with it and in that case you will probably want at least one other barrel. Is it available for that gun and for how much. You may later wish to add accessories to the gun, in which case more are available for the Remington 870. I believe nearly as many can be found for the Mossberg 500. The rest I don't know.

January 18, 2017, 06:42 AM	#31
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	I have a work issued Remington 870 and my dad gifted me a Mossberg 500. If I had to spend my own coin on a HD shotgun it would have been on the Maverick.

January 18, 2017, 10:31 AM	#34
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	When I was selling guns, guys would often say they just wanted something in a cheap handgun for their wife. I would always tell them "The odds you or she will ever actually need to use the gun are probably better than a million to one, against it. The odds you will ever actually need to fire the gun are then probably better than another million to one, against it. But, if it doesn't work then, you're dead. If you can't afford to lose, no matter the odds, don't bet." __________________ What could have happened... did.

January 18, 2017, 10:32 AM	#35
osbornk Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2012 Location: Mountains of Appalachia Posts: 1,598	Videos of the M5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-EH8Czmd1Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWqGnLBukss

January 18, 2017, 11:34 AM	#36
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	Nice review on the RIA. Certainly shows me, in reference to a HD shotgun anyway, cheap is not indicative of quality.

January 18, 2017, 11:43 AM	#37
zincwarrior Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2011 Location: Texas, land of Tex-Mex Posts: 2,259	Looks like we're talking budget shotguns for HD. Excellent. IU would look at Stevens as well. They get consistent good reviews of vale for price. Maverick: as noted thats a Mossberg design. Other than being utilitarian (which hey you want) I've heard nothing bad about them. Used: Mossies and Remingtons are pretty rugged so a used one is also a route. You don't care if its pretty as long as it works, and lots of people buy and then sell shotguns after using them very little.

January 18, 2017, 06:51 PM	#38
dreaming Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2016 Posts: 186	Keep in mind the availability of barrels and accessories you may need down the road, in which case I would recommend a Remington 870 with a 4+1 capacity. More accessories are also marketed for the 870 than any other shotgun. Should you ever go to a pistol grip stock, you will curse the tang safety on a Mossberg 500. If you choice is limited to the three in your original post, I would go with the Maverick. It is very much like its big cousin, the Mossberg 500, but no tang safety and I believe it takes some of the Mossberg barrels. All you need for HD is a short barrel and a simple bead sight. I would stay away from ghost rings unless you just want to look cool. If that is what you want, its fun to look cool. I wish I was young enough to be a mall ninja. Personally, since getting the 870 I have been converted to believing a handgun is a superior HD gun,. The reasons are beyond the scope of this thread, but I keep my 870 as a back up clays gun for guests and when not at the range I pop the short barrel back on and it resumes its duties as a secondary HD gun. Last edited by dreaming; January 18, 2017 at 07:01 PM.

January 18, 2017, 07:19 PM	#40
dreaming Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2016 Posts: 186	If the barrel of the RIA M5 can't be swapped for at least a field barrel, I would stay away from it. I glanced at its web site and didn't see where barrels could be purchased. Looking at a video, the barrel is threaded into the receiver. It isn't secured to the mag tube via a cap over the barrel lug. There is no cap to remove which keeps you from using a magazine extension. This is limited to use as a security gun. I would go with the 870, 500/Maverick. Last edited by dreaming; January 18, 2017 at 07:29 PM.

January 18, 2017, 08:21 PM	#43
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	I keep a Rem 870 20ga Youth model loaded with 00 Buck. Very reliable, affordable, easy to repair and quite handy for the tight spaces of a home. Found one basically unused for $250 a couple of years ago.

January 18, 2017, 10:37 PM	#45
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	Since you are considering the China guns, Hawk 981.

January 19, 2017, 03:54 AM	#46
dreaming Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2016 Posts: 186	That's much better than the $35 I saw on Brownell's, but that was for a kit that included a few parts that supposedly can wear. http://www.brownells.com/items/mossb...ety-parts.aspx

January 19, 2017, 05:42 AM	#47
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,693	I doubt those parts even wear. That is unless you sit there all day/week/year... and flick it back and forth. Hardest part is removing the oneway screw and that isn't that hard either.

January 19, 2017, 07:30 PM	#48
TB9 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2013 Location: N.H Posts: 120	I owned the H&R Pardner protecter pump and I own the Maverick 88 SP 18.5 6shot 12ga. that I keep for HD duties . the H&R now does HD duties at my daughter's house when she and the S I L and kids moved up to the north woods. these are 2 shotgun's I would recommend without a second thought .HTH __________________ Why thats... Brilliant ! now go lay down by youre dish and shut up .

January 19, 2017, 07:59 PM	#50
GarandTd Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2016 Location: Rural PA Posts: 1,639	I am an advocate of the Maverick, no secret there. One thing that I had to overcome when I first shot it was the slide release lever. It is located at the rear left side of the trigger guard. There were a couple times in the beginning when I was catching the release with my ring finger. It would open the action just enough to keep the gun from firing. This was always on a follow up shot. I noticed it while shooting clays. I haven't had a problem since as I pay attention not to touch it unintentionally. It would be one of the only negatives I could come up with and something to keep in mind. __________________ 22lr, 20 gauge, 8mm Mauser, 35 Remington, 30-06, 5.56x45/223, 9mm, 380acp