Small shotgun for bear defense

Wow, thank you all for the recommendations. You guys are amazing!

Maverick 88 looks like a strong candidate money/reliability wise...but for what I have seen it has a lot of recoil? Is there any recommendation to reduce it with a pad or something like that? Is there any similar shotgun gas operated?(My SX4 is fantastic regarding recoil).
 
I have a 12.5" 20g Dominion Arms Grizzly that is super small and handy. It is in an NRS Blackhawk stock with a simple sling. Recoil with slugs is stout due to the low weight and surprisingly decent velocity. Completely manageable and not painful though. I'm only in about $350 altogether...
 
Skogkatt said:
Wow, thank you all for the recommendations. You guys are amazing!

Maverick 88 looks like a strong candidate money/reliability wise...but for what I have seen it has a lot of recoil? Is there any recommendation to reduce it with a pad or something like that? Is there any similar shotgun gas operated?(My SX4 is fantastic regarding recoil).
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Recoil? Pfft. Unimportant. It IS a 12ga, so its not going to feel like a 22lr, but its still a 6+lb gun (Mossberg lists the 18.5" maverick 88 at 6.25lbs, and that would be without any ammo in it). It does come with a decent recoil pad from the factory. My Maverick certainly didn't kick anything like my single shot which weighs 5lb and has a hard rubber but pad not a soft squishy rubber pad like the Maverick.

Consider your reason for buying this gun - is it to shoot a hundred shells at the trap field every Sunday? No. The expectation would be that you'll carry it a lot and only shoot it a little. Besides, when Yogi is bearing down on you, you probably won't even notice the recoil.

Now, semis certainly exist that would also fit the bill for what you're after, but then you're looking at spending a lot more money. If you've got the budget for it, I'm sure others can suggest some good quality semis. Have you looked into what it would cost to get a new shorter barrel for your SX4? Thats the only way I can see you getting into a semi without spending at least twice what a Maverick would cost (and I have no idea if you can even get barrels for that particular gun).
 
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0faustus0 said:
+1

Mossberg Shockwave or a used Remington Tac-14

The smallest (shortest) non-restricted shotgun for the woods ...
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Agree on the Tac 14 as well. I specifically didn't mention it because I don't know of anywhere in Canada that has one in stock. And it seems finding a used one is not easy either. :(
 
Suther said:
Recoil? Pfft. Unimportant. It IS a 12ga, so its not going to feel like a 22lr, but its still a 6+lb gun (Mossberg lists the 18.5" maverick 88 at 6.25lbs, and that would be without any ammo in it). It does come with a decent recoil pad from the factory. My Maverick certainly didn't kick anything like my single shot which weighs 5lb and has a hard rubber but pad not a soft squishy rubber pad like the Maverick.

Consider your reason for buying this gun - is it to shoot a hundred shells at the trap field every Sunday? No. The expectation would be that you'll carry it a lot and only shoot it a little. Besides, when Yogi is bearing down on you, you probably won't even notice the recoil.

Now, semis certainly exist that would also fit the bill for what you're after, but then you're looking at spending a lot more money. If you've got the budget for it, I'm sure others can suggest some good quality semis. Have you looked into what it would cost to get a new shorter barrel for your SX4? Thats the only way I can see you getting into a semi without spending at least twice what a Maverick would cost (and I have no idea if you can even get barrels for that particular gun).
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This is a really interesting point that I never thought about... did anybody try this? I will try to find info on this matter. Thank you!
 
bb07 said:
Agree on the Tac 14 as well. I specifically didn't mention it because I don't know of anywhere in Canada that has one in stock. And it seems finding a used one is not easy either. :(
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Not having a real stock is great for compactness/carry. Not so great when it comes to quickly aiming and hitting a target though.

This video compares a PGO, pump, and double barrel shotgun. IIRC the PGO shotgun has the most misses, and the slowest times, while the Double barrel is the fastest until they get to shooting 3 targets. And this was all done with static targets, not a moving bear...
 
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0faustus0 said:
And all of this is not done with a moving bear ... but with flying birds .... ;)
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I didn't say you CAN'T hit something with 'em. I just said that it had the slowest times and most misses of the three options tested in the video. And when seconds count, and misses can cost you dearly...
 
brybenn said:
Shorter the better when the bear is on top making you his ##### though
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In that case, then a double barrel (or the triple barrel from Chiappa! lol) would take the cake because its the only option that allows for more than one shot without needing a second hand to work the action.
 
Suther said:
I didn't say you CAN'T hit something with 'em. I just said that it had the slowest times and most misses of the three options tested in the video. And when seconds count, and misses can cost you dearly...
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And in that video .... they used a pistol grip shotgun ... or a birds head grip shotgun?
And what would the difference be .... I am wondering?

Can you tell us what the difference might be between the two and with respect to speed?

You have shot both ...... right?
 
time4t said:
The current fad of short barrelled shotguns with pistol and birds head grips is quite laughable. Many people lack the skill to shoot them well, and the recoil is fierce. Short barrels also mean high hits, as much as 2 feet above point of aim at 20 yards. Simple solutions- a defender type barrel at 18 inches in many configurations, or a good old double coach gun.
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Line up bead sight short barrel shotgun at 25-30 yards.
Immediately drop the bead downwards just out of line of vision.
Press the trigger..........reload. Them feed another live shell into the loading port tubular mag. All the while keep it into your shoulder and maintain sight picture.

This current fad has been around long before you and I were born & will continue when we both are merely bone dust.
Remington Model 17 whippit gun 1930ish. Continued with Ithaca Stakeout of 1988 and other newer variants today.
 
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I bought a churchill for like $260 and I've shot ~200 rounds through it. (Half 2 3/4, other half 3") and I've had no issues. Its super light compared to the other shotguns I've held, and comes with a sheath type of thing. Comes with a short grip like a shockwave and a cheap stock so it gives you options.
 
Suther said:
I didn't say you CAN'T hit something with 'em. I just said that it had the slowest times and most misses of the three options tested in the video. And when seconds count, and misses can cost you dearly...
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Their video would have been better if they were actually using the shockwave 14" gun that motivated them to do a comparison.

They talk about the pain of the classic pistol grip with the long 18" barrel, and how stupid it is and how they have little experience using it.....? Bit biased to say the least.

That said you don't see many people using pistol grips of any type in competitive shotguns shooting and you'd have to be pretty dumb to argue that a shockwave is faster and more accurate then a typical setup. If your looking for lite weight and compact size there is going to be some compromise.... to each their own and run what your comfortable with would be my suggestion. Some people hike and fish with bear spray alone, some with just a pocket or belt knife, and some with no defensive tools at all.
 
K.s.47 said:
I bought a churchill for like $260 and I've shot ~200 rounds through it. (Half 2 3/4, other half 3") and I've had no issues. Its super light compared to the other shotguns I've held, and comes with a sheath type of thing. Comes with a short grip like a shockwave and a cheap stock so it gives you options.
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The Fabarm's are also very light weight for someone that doesn't like the cheaper options.... and a short single shot is also nice and light if your comfortable with a one punch , make it count approach.
 
Can-down said:
Their video would have been better if they were actually using the shockwave 14" gun that motivated them to do a comparison.

They talk about the pain of the classic pistol grip with the long 18" barrel, and how stupid it is and how they have little experience using it.....? Bit biased to say the least.

That said you don't see many people using pistol grips of any type in competitive shotguns shooting and you'd have to be pretty dumb to argue that a shockwave is faster and more accurate then a typical setup. If your looking for lite weight and compact size there is going to be some compromise.... to each their own and run what your comfortable with would be my suggestion. Some people hike and fish with bear spray alone, some with just a pocket or belt knife, and some with no defensive tools at all.
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Can-down, I think you are spot on!!!

You summarized it nicely.


Sometimes I am wondering ... if it would not be wiser to spend all that money on a course that would teach me ... the different specie's behaviors ... and teaches me how to read a bear's body language .... and to de-escalate a situation ... or to stand my ground if needed and without having to pull the trigger ....

A black bear behaves differently than a grizzly .... and a grizzly behaves differently than a polar bear ...
And how do you know that you are facing a brown black bear .... and not a young grizzly?

Somehow, I don't think that being able to shoot a split second faster will save me if ever I am faced with the situation again .... but the knowledge of how to read a bear and evaluate the situation ... to understand what its motivation and intentions are ... and to respond accordingly .... probably would ....

I only know that my Tac-14 is much easier and convenient to carry ... and once I learned how to shoot it "instinctively" ... and without aiming ... it is fast and accurate enough .... if needed .... for me at least ...
 
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