I have a bud who wants a long gun to defend the home.  Would be his first gun.  He is willing to kill.  A shot gun or a carbine.  Of course I will stress to him the importance of weapon handling drills & target pratcice since owning a gun doesn't make you armed anymore than owning a guitar makes you a musician...

He is a school teacher so he can't be dropping the big bucks for a AR, I mean a good AR that an non-tinkerer can bet his life on(colt, LMT etc).  Especially w/ what evil black rifles are going for right now...

So for $500 or less, something that he can depend on I have a few things in mind:
-20 gauge pump
-12 guage pump
-44 mag lever gun
-30-30 lever gun

Might be nice if his dainty wife could handle it too.


Walmart sells a youth camo stock 20 gauge w/ 18.5" barrel w/ full turkey choke!  Nice. I dont' know what the price is but I bet its a pretty good deal.  It has a vent rib so it would be pretty easy to get fiber optic or tritium sights for it.

(please, no comments from people who think shooting a cylinder bore 12 guage w/o actually aiming is a good idea)

I am not sure about using a 20 gauge for home defense though???  Are there any acceptable loads?

I am not sure if you could get a tri-rail for end for a 20 guage shotty or whatever so we could get a light on the forend???


Since this will be his only gun for probably a while it would be more ideal to get a carbine since they are more versatile than a shot gun, but I would feel bad if he shot his neighbor across the street...  He lives on street w/ a culdasack (spelling?) lined w/ houses.  He would likely be shooting down the stairs from the second floor if his first floor was breeched in the night.    

Somehow I would help him get a surefire G2L on the gun...


Can anyone make some suggestions on some guns.

Mossberg 500A is less than $300.

+1 on the Mossie!

I prefer the Remington 870, but if budget is your concern the Mossberg would do just as well.  

A 12 gauge shotgun is the first weapon anyone should have for home defense, IMO.  The sound of someone racking a slide translates to every language.

I would get a Remington 870 18.5

I got my 870 used for $150. That leaves plenty of room for either ammo or a second gun.

You could also look at the Keltec sub 2000, it's a .40/9mm carbine. I've actually heard some good things about it.

A storm would be worth considering.  If he is only using it for defense and at close range the 30-30 takes to long to reload.  Either a storm or a 12guage for the availability of loads.

I really don't like the idea of using a pistol caliber weapon for home defense if you can help it.  

The more I think about it the more I am liking the idea of a shotgun for vic.  Even though a carbine (like a rifle caliber) is a better all around weapon I really don't feel confident about using a medium bore rifle for home defense in a neighborhood.  

Probably the best thing would be to get a used 12 gauge.  If you get one w/ a vent rib

he is L handed so I'll probably recommend the mossy.  Plus the mossberg is usually a little lighter.  

Can someone please tell me whether a 20 gauge w/ certain loads can be an acceptable HD weapon?

Nothing wrong with a 20 ga.  Do your research on something like Ammo Oracle for the right kind of shot size.

Another vote for the Kel-tec Subby.  I picked up a used one for $200 that accepts the Glock 22 magazines.  Upgrade the front sight, add a sleeve for a better cheek weld, and the recoil buffer, and it is one easy shooter.  The Blue Force Gear front sight has a rail along the bottom for a light.  No, it's not a Colt or LMT, but your bedroom isn't Afghanistan, either.

Pump shotgun...12 or 20ga. Good to go!

500, 870, SKS, or AK

20ga Rem 870 Youth with buckshot.  Should be well under $500.  It will be light, handy, and shorter then the "adult" model.

Saiga

Yeah, I was thinking 223 or 7.62. The shotties work well once you adjust the gas for your load.

around here you could buy 3 used pump shotguns for $500.

If it were me I would find a used Winchester 1200 or 1300 with an 18" barrel for around $150 - $200 and spend the rest on training ammo.

This, of course.