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I will be getting my stepdad an HD shotgun for Christmas this year. He really likes my Winchester 1300 Defender 18'', but it is the older model, before the rebranding. I know that Winchester is currently making a Defender and was wondering if anyone here has any experience with the new model, or new Winchesters in general. Other than that, what are ya'll's opinions on other makes/models? I know Mossberg has lots or options, and the Remington 870 is a proven choice. A Rem 1100 Tac would be nice but I don't wanna break the bank... so no Scattergun Tech, FN, or Spas-12's
Here is my criteria:

18'' Barrel
Pump Action
6 or 7 +1 capacity
Sub $500 range

Some other considerations that would be nice are ghost ring sites, night sites, accessory compatable. Thanks all.

My first was a BOITO side x side bought at Foleys in the Mall (yeah, many years ago)

Can't help you much on Winchesters, I know Mossberg is good...

I'm a longtime Rem 870 fan, I used to custmize them for Policemen buddies 30 something years ago,
I currently have 1 with folding stock, custom forend in case of 1-hand operation needed, (that forend doesn't seem to be available anywhere anymore, company may be outta bidness?) extended mag tube add-on, heat shield, sidesaddle for extra shells, and other goodies; They didn't make the stainless marine grade one back when I got mine, or I''d have gotten it.

I had an 1100, but I like folders or shorter stocks for Home.

BUT I'm looking at Saiga semi-autos in .12, .20 and .410 GA. based on AK-47 design, to put in a folder or collapsing stock now.
Price is good; Russian import; AK design shotgun.
10-15 shells or so; semi-auto shotgun in a small, short package.because it isn't an under-barrel tube mag, but an AK type mag (or optional drum)

I mean, if I were a burglar, I'd hesitate before attacking anyone holding a Saiga (.20 or .410 even [lower recoil for elderly hands?]) with 15 rounds of triple ought in an AK-style mag ... (or 20 round drum in 12 gauge for Zombie night)

I may be selling my custom 870 some day (but probably not, might just buy more barrels) if I like the Saiga.

One last question .......... can I be your Step-Dad? I like presents.
I'm looking at a Saiga .410 model IZ-104; 19" barrel, $350.00 and American Made 15 round mag for about $35.00 and a folder stock ... (but any stock is OK for Christmas because my Birthday is in March ...)

Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 will fill the bill. The requirement for an 18" barrel with 6 or 7+1 is going to be hard to do. The Mossberg 500 with 7+1 has a 20" barrel to put the muzzle flush with the magazine tube. A +3 extension is going to be past the muzzle of an 18" barrel. The Mossberg with an 18" barrel is 5+1.

I should be going to the range Monday to let you know how the Escort HD shotgun I picked up at Academy for $289 shoots, but I don't expect any surprises. Here is my thread on it.

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=39866" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They also have a marine finish, traditional stock Escort for $259.

MoJo wrote:Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 will fill the bill. The requirement for an 18" barrel with 6 or 7+1 is going to be hard to do. The Mossberg 500 with 7+1 has a 20" barrel to put the muzzle flush with the magazine tube. A +3 extension is going to be past the muzzle of an 18" barrel. The Mossberg with an 18" barrel is 5+1.

Yea, thats why I really like my Defender, 18'' barrel and 7+1 capacity. The Remington M887T has an 18.5'' with 7+1 capacity.
Hadn't thought too much about the Saiga, I shot a friend's a few months back and like it. I don't know how the Step would feel about it though. I am hoping to go Monday and handle a few different models.

I have a Tristar Cobra Tactical, with an aftermarket folding stock. It's a 20" barrel, which is longer than you're looking for, but they have one really neat feature that I've not seen elsewhere. They put a return spring in the forearm, so you just have to rack it back and it does all the rest itself, which they claim gives quicker reloads (though I've never timed it, to be fair).

I got mine used and it was missing the spring, so I had to phone them. I can say, from experience, that their support is excellent. Affordable, too, starting at $369. http://www.tristarsportingarms.com/producttactical.html

chartreuse wrote:I have a Tristar Cobra Tactical, with an aftermarket folding stock. It's a 20" barrel, which is longer than you're looking for, but they have one really neat feature that I've not seen elsewhere. They put a return spring in the forearm, so you just have to rack it back and it does all the rest itself, which they claim gives quicker reloads (though I've never timed it, to be fair).

I got mine used and it was missing the spring, so I had to phone them. I can say, from experience, that their support is excellent. Affordable, too, starting at $369. http://www.tristarsportingarms.com/producttactical.html

Just took a look at their website. I don't really get the concept of the spring assisted pump, from the website..."This allows the user to pull back on the forearm to eject the shell and then simply release." Why would you want to release your grip on the forearm while chambering a round, only to have to regrip after the round is chambered. Seems like you would loose a lot of stability and have a hard time staying on target. Also, with a 20'' barrel and full length mag tube, I would expect more than 5+1 capacity.

Carry-a-Kimber wrote: Just took a look at their website. I don't really get the concept of the spring assisted pump, from the website..."This allows the user to pull back on the forearm to eject the shell and then simply release." Why would you want to release your grip on the forearm while chambering a round, only to have to regrip after the round is chambered. Seems like you would loose a lot of stability and have a hard time staying on target. Also, with a 20'' barrel and full length mag tube, I would expect more than 5+1 capacity.

Two good points. On the second, I have the older model with the short mag tube (still 5+1). I think the newer models have a fake extension on them, which can be replaced by a real mag extension, giving the extra capacity. On the first, I don't release, but I do allow the spring to do the work, which I think makes more sense than the way they put it.

Carry-a-Kimber wrote:

MoJo wrote:Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 will fill the bill. The requirement for an 18" barrel with 6 or 7+1 is going to be hard to do. The Mossberg 500 with 7+1 has a 20" barrel to put the muzzle flush with the magazine tube. A +3 extension is going to be past the muzzle of an 18" barrel. The Mossberg with an 18" barrel is 5+1.

Yea, thats why I really like my Defender, 18'' barrel and 7+1 capacity. The Remington M887T has an 18.5'' with 7+1 capacity.
Hadn't thought too much about the Saiga, I shot a friend's a few months back and like it. I don't know how the Step would feel about it though. I am hoping to go Monday and handle a few different models.

12 ga 870 Express Tactical at Academy has 6+1 w/18" barrel at $349. Bought one a couple months ago for a friend.

Linky

karl wrote:

Carry-a-Kimber wrote:

MoJo wrote:Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 will fill the bill. The requirement for an 18" barrel with 6 or 7+1 is going to be hard to do. The Mossberg 500 with 7+1 has a 20" barrel to put the muzzle flush with the magazine tube. A +3 extension is going to be past the muzzle of an 18" barrel. The Mossberg with an 18" barrel is 5+1.

Yea, thats why I really like my Defender, 18'' barrel and 7+1 capacity. The Remington M887T has an 18.5'' with 7+1 capacity.
Hadn't thought too much about the Saiga, I shot a friend's a few months back and like it. I don't know how the Step would feel about it though. I am hoping to go Monday and handle a few different models.

12 ga 870 Express Tactical at Academy has 6+1 w/18" barrel at $349. Bought one a couple months ago for a friend.

Linky

And that also gives you room in your budget for a Knoxx Specops stock. I have found it to be the best gun accessory purchase I've ever made. It's truly amazing how enjoyable shooting magnum 3" slug loads out of an 870 can be with one of these things. Here's mine:

Big fan of the knoxx myself, I got one for my Defender and never looked back. All this talk of getting him a shotgun makes me one to get another........must.....hold......off....no....purchases......for....myself....til....after.....Christmas.

Carry-a-Kimber wrote: A Rem 1100 Tac would be nice but I don't wanna break the bank... so no Scattergun Tech, FN, or Spas-12's

Here is my criteria:

18'' Barrel
Pump Action
6 or 7 +1 capacity
Sub $500 range

Some other considerations that would be nice are ghost ring sites, night sites, accessory compatable. Thanks all.

Aww, but with a nice 1100, you can have all that, plus semi-auto XD
I'm glad I got mine in the early 90's, I think it was only $350ish back then.

Anyways, here's my 1100 Home/Zombie Defense shotgun
(Bandoleer and Shell Strap is for effect, and would not actually be used normally, unless it was Z-Day )

NcongruNt wrote:

karl wrote:

Carry-a-Kimber wrote:

MoJo wrote:Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 will fill the bill. The requirement for an 18" barrel with 6 or 7+1 is going to be hard to do. The Mossberg 500 with 7+1 has a 20" barrel to put the muzzle flush with the magazine tube. A +3 extension is going to be past the muzzle of an 18" barrel. The Mossberg with an 18" barrel is 5+1.

Yea, thats why I really like my Defender, 18'' barrel and 7+1 capacity. The Remington M887T has an 18.5'' with 7+1 capacity.
Hadn't thought too much about the Saiga, I shot a friend's a few months back and like it. I don't know how the Step would feel about it though. I am hoping to go Monday and handle a few different models.

12 ga 870 Express Tactical at Academy has 6+1 w/18" barrel at $349. Bought one a couple months ago for a friend.

Linky

And that also gives you room in your budget for a Knoxx Specops stock. I have found it to be the best gun accessory purchase I've ever made. It's truly amazing how enjoyable shooting magnum 3" slug loads out of an 870 can be with one of these things. Here's mine:

Hey, I like that Knoxx. I may have to dress mine up a bit.
I love my 870. Classic. Proven.