Shotgun Advice


 
GrantT

GrantT

TVWBB Pro
Hey all.

First off, if this discussion is not appropriate here, just let me know.

Me and wife are looking at purchasing a short barrel shotgun - perhaps a Mossberg 500/590 or Remington 870. Looking for advice. Want both the stock and barrel short (pistol grip or raptor grip?) - it's primary purpose is basically just a "bush gun", something to put in the trailer if camping in a more remote area and carry around when gold panning, metal detecting etc. Easy to carry around. Not used for hunting at all...maybe some fun target shooting once and a while (to get comfortable with it).

Last time out gold panning we had a run in with a bear and made enough commotion and used a bear banger to scare it off, but looking to up the defenses a little. Also don't think anything is as scary to an intruder as the sound of a pump action gun being loaded!!

Handguns are not an option. We don't have a restricted arms license and could not carry a handgun in the bush even if we had one...not legal here for that purpose (Canada).

Thoughts?
 
The Mossberg or the Remington are both great choices. An 18.5" barrel, extended magazine and a good sling would be perfect for what you want to do. I would not recommend a pistol grip for a 12 gage. Also, take a look at some of the shotguns Cowboy Action Shooters use like coach guns and Winchester 1897 clones.
Hope this helps.
 
I'm a former cop and current NRA Shotgun Instructor. We used 870's and Winchester Model 12's when I was a cop and both are great guns. The old Model 12's would fire continuously with the trigger held down as you pumped the action. The Mossberg's are also excellent guns. I personally use a 12 gauge Winchester 1300 Marine Defender as my home defense and camping gun. I would steer you away from a pistol grip stock because while they are concealable and maybe easier to carry, they are uncomfortable to shoot and certainly less accurate than shoulder mounting a shotgun. If I had to shoot a bear, I would want something I could shoulder and aim, rather than shoot from the hip. Perhaps if Canada permits it, a folding stock might work for you.

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My Winchester 1300 Marine Defender example
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I don't think a shotgun would defend against a bear unless loaded with slugs. Even 00 would only make it mad I would think. The Remington 870 is a fantastic shotgun BTW. In a home defense situation I think just the sound of racking one in would drive off an invader as they make a sound all their own.
 
I bought a Mossberg Cruiser not too long ago and like it so far. I just got the plain one, not one with all the fancy handles and all that. It is a pistol grip but I replaced that with a hogue short stock. I didn't see the point of the pistol grip and definitely didn't like the control with one. It's not like I was going to be holding it up to aim with it like a pistol. The short stock gives me nice maneuverability while keeping the gun stable while firing.

Mossberg

Hogue
 
I'd agree with @LMichaels. Bears are a difficult animal to kill with a single shot, and you do not want to just make them mad. If you're serious about bear protection, I'd talk to some serious hunters & outfitters for advice in the venture. Might even want to consider discarding sabot rounds, not just slugs (along with a good rifled barrel.)

I concur with the idea of target practice and getting comfortable with it. The last thing you want to to be fumbling around looking for the safety if you're already getting charged, this needs to be completely second nature.
 
Remington and Winchester (perhaps others) used to make a copper hollow point shotgun slug which would more than likely kill a bear with a proper shot placement (just behind the shoulder and through the lungs or head-on through the chest center into the spine). Copper is harder than lead and the hollow point causes extreme expansion when penetration is achieved. A lead slug is too soft to penetrate or expand with enough energy to kill a medium to large bear, especially with one shot, even if hit in a vital area. As others have said, you need to practice enough to fully understand your firearm operation in even the most severe or unusual conditions. Being surprised by a bear in the woods falls into that category.

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I had a friend who had a 12 guage with double pistol grips (2nd grip was part of the slide). Sinister looking shotgun but, damn... that thing hurt to shoot.
 
I recently bought a Black Aces pro series bull pup. Semiauto with 2 5 round magazines. It can handle 2 3/4"& 3" shells, and cycles everything smoothly, very compact, and very early to maneuver.


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I was into guns a bit a while ago but really haven't handled one of mine in over 2 years. Also from Canada.
I don't believe a short barrel or a pistol grip is something that is " legal " to take out in the woods with. I am in Ontario so that may also be different from your location. Minimum barrel length is required here anyways. Also Trudeau is basically banning all guns based on the wording used to eliminate all guns similar to the AR-15. Based on projectile speed ect.......It is actually B.S. if you ask anyone who knows what is going on with it. I own a 3" 12 guage Browning that is a semi auto.......squeezing off 3 quick ones feels good and might be something to consider. Semi pricing will be higher of course.
 
IIRC you need a minimum 24" barrel length for a hunting shotgun to be legal in the US but I could be wrong because I have not hunted in years and even then I never got anything LOL.
 
I have owned several shotguns. They all have worked well. If you are hunting or shooting trap or skeet the way a gun carries and handles is important, less so for a self-defense role. I'd go with the Remington 870 because of brand loyalty but you really can't go wrong with the Mossberg, either.
 
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