Best short 12 gauge pump?

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Bushman_Benty

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Terrace, BC
I work in forestry and my employer's policy changed for carrying protection against bears. No more rifles which sucks because my lever action model 94 30-30 Win is an awesome bush gun and has always performed well during the training exercises we do. New policy requires everyone to switch to a 12 Gauge pump. CO service standard is the Remington 870 which they'd prefer everyone to use. But as long as it's a pump, it's allowed. For me, my cruising vest, axe, I-pad, caulk boots, rain gear and all the other equipment I need pack around, a compact shotgun that gets me through the brush with relative ease is essential (kind of like my 30-30). I'm thinking the shorter the better but I also need it to be deadly accurate since I work in the North Coast of BC and deal with lots of black bears and G bears, so I'm thinking full stock. Total length on my 30-30 is just under 38" and I don't want to go any longer than that. Had an old defender once that worked well but my fishing buddy really wanted it so I let it go. Would appreciate some recommendations on the best pump action 12 gauges out there for the money. Thanks
 
Thanks, I did ask for compact! I noticed a post from Kmck on here about length though. "...keep in mind of the 26" over all length so it is not prohibited...". Need it for work so it has to be legal. Sure would fit nice in the cruising vest! though. Cheers
 
Fabarm martial 14” or a Rem 870 with a 14” barrel, I’d honestly go with the Rem 870 if it’s a work gun due to ease of finding parts and such. The fabarm is a great gun but getting parts for it quickly isnt easy from what I hear, I have a 20” sdass which is pretty much the same receiver as the Martial and it’s awesome. The martial has a shorter barrel and a different butt stock than the sdass.
 
I recommend a Mossberg 500. Their aluminum receivers make them lighter to carry than 870s. They are cheap and tough. With a folding stock they are very short and easy to carry.

Choate's top folder locks up very solidly and their customer support is amazing.

They are ugly but as a fieldman I am only concerned about function rather than form.

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I'd recommend Remington 870, with a 14" Remington barrel. GET IT CERAKOTED. Slap on a 12.5" LOP Hogue stock and go with their rubber coated forend.

If you want it even more accurate and better penetration (albeit slightly longer) for the bigger bears in that region go with a fully rifled 18.5" barrel and good expanding Sabot slugs. (wish they offered a 14" fully rifled !!)

I love the Fabarm's and some of the other various brands that will be recommended but when used as a true defend yourself tool stick with the 870 or Mossberg 590/500. And nothing will beat the 870 for setting it up exactly like you need it.
 
I have to agree with the reply above. My trusted field gun is an 870 Cerakoted with a short LOP Hogue stock. The barrel is a bit short being 8.5 inches. 14-18 inch would be ideal. It's very easy to pack, weather proof and has such versatility with the ammunition types available.

Another reason I like the 870 is the lack of parts. It's simple in comparison to other offerings.
 
If it was not so hard to locate a 14 inch barrel, I would recommend the older M37 Ithaca with the slightly shorter and lighter 2 3/4 inch receiver. Should not be too hard to find one with an 18.5 inch barrel though.
Bottom feed, bottom eject, no side port so it stays cleaner in dense bush. About one pound lighter than an 870 with same length of barrel.
 
I'd look at the Dlask 8 1/2 inch 870, even with a collapsible/pistol grip AR conversion stock, they (just) make legal length. Failing that a 14 inch 870 with a short stock is a good choice. As noted, Cerakote is a good plan, as is a replacement extractor. Also just spotted a Tac Ord 870 with a 14 inch tube - which is pretty much everything you could ever ask for in a bet your backside on it gun.

https://dlaskarms.com/collections/870-shorty/products/remington-870-shorty

https://www.firearmsoutletcanada.com/tactical-ordnance-remington-870-operator-12ga-2-3-4-or-3-14-barrel-5-shot.html
 
"mellows" is correct, the simplicity of the 870 is very appealing to me as well. And the parts availably support for the 870 is also hard to beat.
I have several different brands of 14" 12 ga's but if I could have only one it would be an 870 hands down.

"Brutus" I would love to own a 14" Ithaca 37 !! Indeed it would be a hair shorter and a bit lighter. But again, if I could have only one it would be an 870. And Brutus is correct the replaceable choke & rifle sight option could be great but of course you could have that all done on a 14" 870 barrel.

"TreMoR" I have a 21" Remington turkey barrel and really like that setup, but not for the OP's requirement, I think the more compact 14" would be more appropriate.

"enefgee" recommendation for a 8.5" Dlask 870 is a cool SG, really like them for compact & light as possible, but it doesn't work for me. It doesn't quite swing right at that length and given the necessity to modify the mag tube and barrel support ring it suddenly makes the 870 a lot more limiting. If you need shorter that the 14" I suggest the Dlask 12" barrel and call it day. That way you don't have to modify the gun permanently.
 
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