A good shotgun for home defense?

Question

I was looking to buy a shotgun today for home defense, and was wondering if the Mossberg 500 Tactical Cruiser 12 Gauge would be a good choice. Here is a picture of it.

http://www.webarms.com/gun%20suppliers/Mossberg%20Shotguns/54125.gif

Answer 1

vangion is right on.  You don't have to spend a lot of money and outfit your shotgun with do-dads that have little or no utility for your purpose.

I will go one further.  Go to a gun show and buy a police trade-in shotgun with the short barrel and extended magazine.  What most people don't realize is the vast majority of cops shoot their duty sidearm as little as possible and their cruiser shotguns even less.  Many of the trade-in shotguns have a lot of wear on the outside and very little on the inside, making them a great value.

Also, get one with a buttstock.  Any shotgun is easier to control for the average shooter when fired from the shoulder.  Pistol grips are great when used in conjunction with a buttstock, but without a buttstock, the sight picture recovery time between shots is extended.  In a home defense situation, this my produce undesired results.

Answer 2

It will work, but you should just buy a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 with a short barrel.  Pistol grips are useless and do not allow control of the shotgun.  As for those who tell you to use buckshot......bad choice.  This will shoot through walls, which is what you do not want.  If you were to get into a home-defense situation, you will be inches or a few feet away.  A heavy, magnum load of 4 shot will do the trick.  This can also shoot through walls, but not as likely.  The reason you do not want to shoot through walls, is the fact that your family may be on the other side, or maybe a neighbor.  But, no matter what you decide, ditch the pistol grip.

Answer 3

A new shotgun doesn't shoot any better than a good used one.* Save $$$ and buy a good used one, reasonably priced in a pump shotgun with whatever Brand you prefer.* The Tactical Cruiser would be a good choice if you were a Law Enforcement Officer and had to go to work everyday with it.* Use number 4 bird shot for self-defense ammo in a 20 or 12 gauge shotgun, it will take them down permanently.*  

Answer 4

that would be fine for h/d. i have a 20ga at the moment but will be getting a rem 870 for christmas to replace it for h/d. i suggest loading it with hornady tap 00 buckshot.  

Answer 5

It is about $100 or so more than you have to spend on a new shotgun if all you are going to use it for is home defense.  Any Mossberg or Remington with a short smooth barrel (18-24") would work just fine.  Pistol grips are almost free if you wish to add one.  

Answer 6

Looks a little pricy - like it's overkill. I agree with others here a short smooth barrel Rem 870 or Mossb 500 would suffice.  I have a few "special rounds I keep in mine....

first one is rock salt with 7 1/'2's

rounds that follow are 3" Mag 00 buck

I figure if they're going to stick around after they hear you chamber a round and after you've given them a taste of salted lead... the 00 buck will do the trick.

Answer 7

The Mossberg 500 12 gauge Tactical / Cruiser models are an excellent choice for home defense. I have one in my home and my family members have these Mossberg 500's in there homes also......  I do think you should consider a slightly different model.  That one in the photo has the door breacher on the end of the barrel..... Its completely not necessary.... I also recommend against the pistol grip model..... Its very difficult to accurately aim and hit anything with the pistol grip model..... I tried it -- didn't like the fact you cant hit anything beyond 15 feet and its brutal on the right hand....  

Consider this model..... Its not as "mean" looking but does the job.... In the photo you will note it has a regular stock but the model # 50411 does come with a pistol grip in the box -- that way your not limited and can try them both....

http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_...

I happen to have a big house with lots of easy ability to move around so I use this.... Its a 20 inch barrel model that holds 8 shots....

http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_...

Answer 8

that's gun looks really good ide definitely get it for home protection

Answer 9

That would be perfect and I would use Horandy's TAP ammo and to buy it go to www.cabelas.com and seach for Horandy's TAP ammo  

Answer 10

First off, I'm a cop. If ur interested in a good shotgun for home defense, you can't go wrong with a 12 gauge. The one ur looking at is actually the one I have for myself. But... a 410 shotgun will work just fine if you're worried about the recoil. Also, don't use slugs. Buckshot #4 is the recommended. If you are worried about the shot going through walls and into your kid's room, I'd go with a .410. If you just really want a 12 gauge, use a large small animal shot, say number 6 shot with low brass. (low brass = less power. Still enough to get rid of someone but you save ur kid's hide too from penetration. Hope this helps. Also, check this out: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3...

Answer 11

why get a shotgun when you can get  a semi automatic rifle with just as little hassle since an ak is a rifle you only have to be 18 to buy and i believe its the same procedure as for a shotgun but hey thats just what ide get

Answer 12

I prefer a Remington for the extra few dollars, they have a smoother action, and resell better.

That 2 cents in I will say that a Mossberg is a very very sturdy shotgun that will serve you well for as long as you live. Keep her clean, and lubed, and shoot her as much as you want; you wont break her.

So yes it is a most excellent choice dude!!!

Answer 13

The best home defense shotgun is one you can trade even up for a nice M1911 type pistol.

Answer 14

That shotgun is an excellent choice but you can do better on price

That breecher barrel is not necessary unless you plan on using the gun to open doors and you are going to pay extra for it

I have owned many many shotguns

I know I have owned all the ones that will typically be offered as advisable for HD

I honestly don't see a dimes worth of difference in any of them for that task

Unless you want good looks, and there's nothing wrong with that, go to a pawn shop or gun shop and look through the used line up

But be careful many want to get new price for their used guns

I have a $130 Winchester that I will put up against any new gun in the looks department and had an old $75 Savage 69 that would out shoot any gun you put up against it

It is also my advice to stay away from pistol grips

They severely limit your options when using the gun

Answer 15

I am a huge fan of the Mossberg 500.  It is exceptionally reliable, simple and effective.  For home security an 18 inch barrel is best, a lot of people like 00 Buckshot for home security, at my cabin I keep two rounds of birdshot and follow it with 3 slugs; my thought is that if the first two don't scare it off it deserves to get 3 slugs.  Good luck.

Answer 16

Here's my M500A house gun:

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148...

I would recomend against the pistol grip. It's really useless in my opinion. It hurts like h**l to shoot with full power ammo and is not beneficial to accuracy. If you do get the pistol grip and don't like it you can easily add a normal stock.

Good luck

Kurdis

Answer 17

Yeah, that'll work just fine for home defense. Use 00 buckshot.

Answer 18

I think it would be an excellent choice.  However, I think the 20 gauge may even be better.  Essentially, the 20 gauge gives you about 75% of the power/energy of the 12, with only 60 percent as much recoil.  And, make NO mistake about it..one hit with the 20 gauge is equivalent to two hits with a .357 magnum!  When talking home defense, NOTHING compares with a shotgun.  Long rifles aren’t easy to maneuver in house (with halls, walls and doorways ;-).  Plus, unless you live by yourself, out in the boon docks, you have to worry about rifle rounds going through walls and killing your neighbors.  The same with pistols.  Plus, pistols are NOT going to have the stopping power of a shot gun (plain and simple).  

The Mossberg 500 is ultra reliable.  With the 18 inch barrel and pump action…I can’t think of NO better HD weapon (at any price)!

Answer 19

The Mossberg 500 (12 or 20 gauge) or the Remington 870HD (in 12 gauge only) are two popular/great choices.  4 Buck is a good self-defense load.  Buckshot is over-prescribed by people who like "fireworks".