shotgun recommendations?

[roff]

i am looking to get shotgun for home defense. the only one i am familiar with is the mossberg 500. should i get a 12g or 20g?

[karder]

Either a 12 gauge or a 20 gauge will do the job. It depends on how recoil sensitive you are. You also want to consider the needs of other household members who may need to use the gun. If you have a recoil sensitive wife, or perhaps live with elderly parents who may use the weapon in an emergency, you might want to give strong consideration to the 20 gauge. If none of these are factors, go with the 12.
The Mossberg 500 will certainly get the job done, though there are a number of good options in the Home Defense Shotgun markets. Good luck!

[A-R]

Only nudge I'd give to a 12 gauge over 20 gauge is likely easier to find quality defensive loads in 12 gauge. Anything of significant shot size in 12 gauge or 20 gauge is plenty lethal. But better loads in 12 gauge will control the spread better. I've personally seen a 6-inch spread difference at 15 yards from an 18-inch barrel Mossy between something like Federal's Premium "flight control wad" round (4-inch spread) and basic Remington yellow/green box 00 buckshot (10-inch spread). At first glance, the larger spread seems "better" .... but like anything else you want to know and control where all those hunks of lead or going (preferably all on target). If 7 of 8 pieces of shot hit the bad guy and one sails over his shoulder, out the open front door, and hits your neighbor's house - or God-forbid your neighor - you're in big trouble.

Only other suggestion I'd give you is not to waste money on tacticool junk to hang off the gun. Basic Mossy 500 with 18-inch barrel, "normal" stock and forend, a $5 nylon shell holder around the stock, and a basic sling and you're good to go. Maybe an add-on Hi-Viz front sight if you want to get really fancy. Usually anything more is just Mall Ninja aesthetics, IMHO. If aesthetics is your thing, more power to ya. Just don't think any of it is going to make the gun any more lethal or "better" for home defense.

And nice part about keeping it stock with an 18-inch barrel and standard 5-round tube underneath, is you can change out the barrel for a 28-inch and go shoot clays or birds or whatever. In fact, buy the gun with the 28-inch barrel then add the 18-inch barrel for only $90 ... if you do it the other way, buying gun with 18 barrel then the additional 28-inch barrel will set you back about $150.

[A-R]

all above are good points in favor of Rem 870.

with a standard stock (no pistol grip) I prefer the location of Mossberg's tang safety. I also prefer synthetic stocks to wood stocks.

But both are great guns.

[lonewolf]

I have the Mossberg 500. Came with both barrels and the stock, along with the pistol grip (all easily interchangeable). Very basic gun. Nothing fancy, just effective. The bad guy or the bird or the clay will never comment on what a pretty weapon, all slicked up with fancy accessories, that is pointing at him ready to do its work......I did, however, replace the stock polymer (plastic) safety thumb tab on the Mossberg with a steel one from Numrich. Easy to do.

Used Mossberg with both stock and pistol grip, along with both barrels: $175.00
New safety thumb tab: $6.00

Happy owner: Priceless

[flb_78]

Mossy 590 with a 20" barrel and a M4 style adjustable stock. 9 rounds of Fiocchi reduced recoil 00buck.