Small shotgun for bear defense

Skogkatt

Skogkatt

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I always carry a bear spray but... I would feel safer with a shotgun. I actually have a Winchester SX4 but it is too long and heavy to carry around with fishing gear.
I am looking for something cheap but reliable and I found the Maverick 88? Mossberg 590... I am not sure if Remington has something as well.

What do you use?

Thanks
 
Canada Ammo was selling their Grizzly (870 clone) with an 8.5" barrel. You might be able to find a used one.
 
I took an older Ithaca 37 and shortened the barrel (to 18.2") and the buttstock, leaving the overall length obviously over legal. Put sling swivels on it and good to go.
 
I would pick something that’s been around for awhile so forget about a Turkish shotgun, Remington or Mossberg will put you in 14” barrel territory, you can get 12.5” barrels that fit 870’s. Lots of other options in say a 20” barrel, Winchester sxp I’m pretty sure sells a combo that comes with a 20” defense barrel. As mentioned you could cut something down to 18.5” like an Ithaca m37, which are awesome pump guns. Light to carry around and one of the smoothest actions around, the older Grizzly 870 clones are great guns and come in 8.5”, 12.5” and 14” barrel options so lots of options.

Personally I grab an 870 with either my 12.5” or 14” barrel, both are threaded for chokes and I’m usually hunting small game anyway so they cover all my needs for a gun in the bush.
 
Depending on your budget, I have had a Grizzly all steel 870 clone for many years, zero issues. Heavy as hell but it tames the recoil for a follow up shot, shotguns are not .22s!

This is 12.5", super handy to use, the adjustable ghost rings make hitting pails at 100 yards real easy with slugs.

 
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Maverick 88 aught to fit the bill. There is 3 owned by my hunting buddies (one of which was previously mine) and they have all been great guns. The only reason I sold mine was I shoot lefty and wanted the tang safety of a 500.

The question I would be looking to answer is how much weight are you willing to carry? Because if its too heavy then it gets left in the truck (or at home) at which point it does you zero good if you actually need it.

Boy life would be so much easier if we could just strap a 10mm Glock or a 44mag to our hip...
 
Mav 88 with an 18.5" barrel is very light, great when you are already carrying other gear. I have thousands of rounds through mine. Very durable. Rem 870 is much heavier to drag around. Plus the 88 is about the cheapest GOOD shotgun on the market.
 
I prefer doubles for bush carry. In a bear close encounter the 3rd shot prolly isnt going to help. A double gives 2 loads and its alot easier and faster to load and unload if youre in and out of trucks or atvs. Also can fire both rounds one handed if need be.
If set on a pump id take a mossberg 500 or 88
 
Another bear friendly feature the 88/500 has that the 870 doesnt is 2 extractors. Makes me feel easier about reliabity for bear safety. (Lots of shells I am finding these days have been out-of-spec, and gave me stiff extraction. I fear that an 870 wouldnt have ejected the same shells)
 
sgt.rock said:
Another bear friendly feature the 88/500 has that the 870 doesnt is 2 extractors. Makes me feel easier about reliabity for bear safety. (Lots of shells I am finding these days have been out-of-spec, and gave me stiff extraction. I fear that an 870 wouldnt have ejected the same shells)
Click to expand...
I believe the left side ‘extractor’ is actually a shell guide.
 
Another vote for the Maverick. I've got one with the 18 inch barrel and also the field barrel for birds. You can find these new often for less than 300.
 
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