Defense Shotguns Q and A

underdog2u

underdog2u

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Southwestern Ontario
Hi everyone, i am starting look for a good defense shotgun. I have read some posts and found some answers for some questions i was loking for. but i am asking these questions. i read that you should stay away from pistol grip shotguns. I am actually looking at the beretta 1201 fp or the Fabarm sat 8, which seems to be very high quality defense shotguns. WHY?
also ghost ring or rifle sights ?? Why?

i guess i am just looking for some other gun nutz to share their personal experiences with and maybe show some pics of their set up. i would also like to be able to add a flashlight and wondered where you go to get parts for such a gun.
Thanks Gun Nutz
George
 
For a bad ass Coastal Grizzly , all dressed please. :D
grizzly6.jpg
;)
 
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My predator control gun on the farm is a Remington 870 with a 20" barrel. I use rifle sights because I also have a 14" and 30" barrel and ghost ring sights don't work well with a vent rib barrel.

Pistol grip only shotguns are hard to shoot well and hard on the shooter. They are very compact but if that's necessary the 14" barrel with a full stock is a better option.

Below is a picture of the light mount that I use. It's made by Speedfeed although I think it may be out of production. It allows me to mount a Streamlight Tactical Light and yet remove it easily if I don't need a light on the gun.

P1000602.jpg
 
I don't see why pistol grips aren't good for defence? You're ostensibly not doing a lot of shooting so who cares if your wrist hurts as long you and yours are alive ;)
As far as home defence goes, their compactness helps you navigate hallways and aiming should not be an issue at those distances.

fyi, my defence shotty is a Winchester 1300 with pistol grip fore & aft
 
C9er said:
I don't see why pistol grips aren't good for defence? You're ostensibly not doing a lot of shooting so who cares if your wrist hurts as long you and yours are alive ;)
As far as home defence goes, their compactness helps you navigate hallways and aiming should not be an issue at those distances.

fyi, my defence shotty is a Winchester 1300 with pistol grip fore & aft
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Do you shoot your gun much? Of all the guns you own the one that you are going to depend on to save your skin should be shot a lot in practice.

I've owned a pistol grip only shotgun and there is no comparison when it comes to control and ability to hit targets when measured against a full stock.
 
C9er said:
I don't see why pistol grips aren't good for defence? You're ostensibly not doing a lot of shooting so who cares if your wrist hurts as long you and yours are alive ;)
As far as home defence goes, their compactness helps you navigate hallways and aiming should not be an issue at those distances.

fyi, my defence shotty is a Winchester 1300 with pistol grip fore & aft
Click to expand...

Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, why would you leave a barricaded room to clear the house. Barricade and call 911.
 
It's not so much that pistol grip only shotguns aren't good for defence,but full stock ones are better.shoulder fired weapons are all ways more accurate ,at any range up too muzzle contact ,which you don't have to use sights for.
And you can mount ammo carriers on full stocks or get a speed feed stock for extra ammo.
also so you have to keep in mind over all length .
 
I have the older Beretta 1200 FP with no pistol grip and limited to 2 3/4". I love it but would always take a carbine first for "home defence." If you are stuck on shotties for defence there is alot to say for the effect of the universal sound of a pump action to a POS home invader.
 
Shotgun

I would stay away from Semi Auto shotguns for defense (I can hear the Benelli crowd screaming...now;) ). I know, modern semi auto's, properly maintained blah blah. Get an 870 or 590 with bead or rifle or GR sight's, slap on a Surefire fore end, and take advantage of the endless variety of accessories if you want. The gun's affordable and they are bomb proof. You can shoot ANY 12 ga. ammo through them without worry of cycling. There are plenty of good semi auto's available, but for defense I'll stick with a pump gun.
 
piperdown said:
There are plenty of good semi auto's available, but for defense I'll stick with a pump gun.
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Me too but only because I shoot a pump gun regularly. The semi-auto is more dependent on the ammunition while the pump is more flexibile but depends on the operator.

A semi isn't a bad choice if the owner keeps their gun clean and uses ammo of the right strength. The pump is a good choice for someone who practices with it regularly.
 
Thanks for the advice

that advice has been great. i guess it depends alot on preference and your situation. now where is the best palce to get after market parts.
to add flashlights,etc.

Thanks for all your help
George
 
Fabarm Sdass Pro Force

I agree with "NINE" the Fabarm is a great pump! Mine also has the pistol grip with picattiny rail, ghost ring and fibre optic sights. (Stock items) mine has a 20" barrel and the sight is fully adjustable for height and azimuth. Very accurate and operates very well, I also ordered the flash suppresor this will add a couple of inches but not a big issue. Bonus it holds 7 + 1 rounds 2 3/4". This model has a small bite as apposed to the Benelli, my wife has the Benelli H2O super nova and it has a recoil reducer built in hence softer on the recoil but it also handles 3 1/2" rounds. If you're able visit The Shooting Edge in Calgary, they carry both makers and you can compare for yourself both brands. At the TSE you can decide first hand and not necessarily what I or the others say, all advice is good but follow what feels right to you (in your own hands):cool: . Good luck in your choice.
 
They say if you want something done right do it yourself - hence there are those - myself included - who prefer slide action guns to semi autos. However, if the gun is to be used for serious work an auto has one huge advantage.

If you are shooting to save your life you are in a high stress situation. Under stress it is possible to make a mistake - such as short stroking a pump action shotgun. A semi auto does not feel stress, and if you have a good quality, well maintained gun, and good quality ammo it will work every time you pull the trigger.

When the situation has been resolved, stop and think about what condition your gun is in. Is it ready to fire again? Is it on safe? How many rounds did you fire, and how many are left in the magazine? A few years back I had a go around with a polar bear in the dark - very close and very scary. When I walked in the door afterwards, I found that that I had walked home with the gun slung with a round chambered without engaging the safety - yet I had topped off the magazine. My brain had short circuited due to my attention to the threat, and I had not cleared the chamber once the situation resolved itself.
 
Boomer said:
When the situation has been resolved, stop and think about what condition your gun is in. Is it ready to fire again? Is it on safe? How many rounds did you fire, and how many are left in the magazine? A few years back I had a go around with a polar bear in the dark - very close and very scary. When I walked in the door afterwards, I found that that I had walked home with the gun slung with a round chambered without engaging the safety - yet I had topped off the magazine. My brain had short circuited due to my attention to the threat, and I had not cleared the chamber once the situation resolved itself.
Click to expand...

Aftermath of incident is often not discussed, very valid to make sure your gun is safed. Would suck to defend against a charging bear and have a unintended discharge into you or someone else.
 
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