Hi

 

I want to get a shotgun for greater home defense firepower.  This would be my 2nd gun.  I've had a .38 revolver for home defense for a few years.  I have only females in my house who aren't too comfortable with guns and gunshot noise.  I'm skinny and not solidly built.

 

Factors to consider:

-Firepower

-User Friendliness

-Expandability

-Left Handed vs Right Handed

 

Guns I'm looking at:

1) Mossberg 500 Tactical 20 gauge

Advantages: Lower recoil/flash/noise.  I can tolerate 20 gauge recoil well with even a plain wood stock, so a cushioned tactical stock should be fine.

 

 

2) Mossberg 500 Tactical 12 gauge

Advantages: Higher firepower/greater choice of loads.  More accessory options (maybe a laser sight for easier aiming?)

Disadvantages: I've shot a 12 gauge and it banged me up hard with a plain wood stock.  Even a cushioned stock hurt.

 

3) Left Handed vs Right Handed.

I'm a righty, but my left eye sees well, the right eye doesn't.  Without glasses, I can shoot left handed fine.  With glasses, I can shoot fine either hand.    

 

Where I'm Leaning:

20 gauge left handed feels like my best choice as I'll be more comfortable with the gun and can shoot without glasses in a home defense situation.  But it may be hard to find, and how much of a firepower upgrade would a 20 gauge be over a .38? 

 

Comments/Advice appreciated.

I used to think the Taurus Judge was a silly revolver but after a lot of consideration it makes pretty good sense for a HD hand held shotty.  It works either left or right handed to boot.

 

As far as 12 GA goes, you can always give the reduced recoil/managed recoil shotshells a try.

I would think a 12 gauge with reduced power loads would be better for you in the long run.  With time and use you will adjust to the twelve gauge just fine.  I have seen this will several people who have "12gaugeitis".  You will find more variety and selection in the 12 gauge family.  Sounds like you may be left eye dominate, show shooting left handed may suit you better.  Mossbergs are a fairly reliable shotgun.  A model will beaded sights would allow you to use another barrel for others uses such as hunting, trap, clays, etc.

A 12/20 gauge shotgun is much more devastating a weapon than a 38 revolver, but...

 

#1 - Does where you live support using a shotgun? Condos, Apartments, a home with loved ones in adjacent rooms? Any of these make it a questionable choice. Buckshot does not stop in drywall. Knowing your target and what is beyond it is really important here. If you fire, expect the blast to make it through a few rooms. And do NOT think that birdshot is an effective means of stopping someone. Go to www.boxoftruth.com to see how it stacks up. Very little penetration. Good for not going through walls. Bad for stopping bad guys. 

 

If you can say that you still want a shotgun, then a 20 gauge is a great choice. Half the recoil with 3/4 the effectiveness. That is a solid tradeoff in my opinion. If you want a 12 gauge, an alternative is an autoloader, where the action absorbs some of the recoil. Check out www.grabagun.com. They have a Black Friday sale on the Beretta 1301 Tactical shotgun, if you are interested in that route. 

I've seen 14 year old girls shoot 12ga like it is their job. Also very often 20ga guns are built on lighter frames negating the difference in recoil.

I used to be at the top of the list of whining about thread drift. But the additional info always helps. So here it goes. What is your thought process for choosing the SG for HD? If you think its because it "sprays" better. It' does NOT.

 

If you wanted more power, then yes. But don't think the SG covees more to bail you out on your aim.

 

But based on your lengthy post it definirley seems like you have thought hard about it

I've seen 14 year old girls shoot 12ga like it is their job. Also very often 20ga guns are built on lighter frames negating the difference in recoil.

I have too, in competition with birdshot. 00 Buck has a nasty recoil and blast. Recovery for a second shot is slower. I do agree that 20 gauges are often lighter, but there are purpose built defense guns in 20 gauge that are not lightweights.

 

 

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There are shotgun muzzle breaks.  You can also put lead in the stock to help with recoil.  Any mass you add to a shotgun will help with recoil.

I have too, in competition with birdshot. 00 Buck has a nasty recoil and blast. Recovery for a second shot is slower.

 

Nah, low recoil and/or law enforcement buckshot is as soft as bird shot. For self defense purposes you don't need buckshot designed to take down running deer at 50 yards. Not only does it recoil better, it also patterns better.

I have found that most people who have shot my 590 with a Knox recoil reducing stock have commented on how soft shooting it is. It also has an adjustable length of pull to fit anyone in your family. As Vlad mentioned the low recoil/low noise TAP shells are both soft shooting and incredibly tight patterning. At HD ranges it won't open a pattern larger than a baseball.