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Posted: 9/2/2005 4:36:25 PM EDT
I currently have a late 60's Mossberg 500. I have cut the barrel down to 18.5 inches and put a HiViz sight on it. I was wondering what do you guys think would be better for a SHTF Shotty a Remington 870 Marine Magnum, 1300 Winchester Defender or a Mossberg 500. I am trying to figure out what I want to do and I am looking for some kind of direction. I figured I would ask you guys for some helpful hints.
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Just add a mag exstension and there you go SHTF gun.Choate
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Marine Mag,
It has the nickle coating to withstand the weather in a SHTF situation. You just don't know when and where you will be able to clean your weapon in a SHTF. |
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Whichever one you're the most proficient with would be my recommendation.
Personally, having owned all 3 brands, I like the Mossbergs for several reasons including cost and the ambidexterous safety mechanism. My list of mods usually includes a side-saddle filled with more reduced-recoil buckshot and an elastic buttcuff shell holder filled with reduced-recoil slugs, a high-visibility white front bead sight, a Wolff +20% mag tube spring, a Choate hi-vis mag tube follower and a 1" shorter (cut down) stock fitted with a Pachmayr Decelerator Sporting Clays recoil pad. (I like the Sporting Clays pad because has a slick insert on the heel to better "slide" up your shirt to your shoulder.) I also usually stipple the grip area for better grip. With the reduced-recoil loads and the Pachmayr pad my Mossys are real pussycats to shoot all day long. Eric |
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I would most definitely prefer the 870 over those choices listed, but the guys have come to expect that from me, I suppose. Obviously, however, the working shotgun you HAVE is better than the one you don't, and your current Mossy will certainly get the job done.
I think if I was going to spend the bucks for the Marine Magnum, I would prefer to go with the parkerized Police Model instead. You will get the upgraded internals, polished action, an IC choke and your choice of several sight and stock combinations. IIRC, while the MM is, indeed electroless nickled both inside and out, it is built on the Express platform, and offered only with a Cylinder bore. In addition, I am not a big fan of "high visibility" firearms under most circumstances, preferring instead that the BG not see my shotgun / rifle / pistol until I WANT him to. I will admit, however, to having cast a covetous eye more than once upon a Marine Magnum or two. |
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That nickel sure is Pimp!
Mossberg offers a shiny gun too. "Marinecoated", whatever that is. They even offer orange furniture as an option for even more visibility. Eric |
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Just use what U got unless U want another weapon for the collection.
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Well guys I went and got me a 20" barrel 870 express magnum with a factory installed +2 mag extension. Man I mean to tell ya I love this gun!!!!!! I could not be happier with my purchase. I think that I will get me a Specter sling, a Hi Viz follower , and a Mesa side saddle and it will be 100% perfect for a SHTF situation in my opinion. Thanks for the pointers guys.
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The 870 is an awesome gun...I have a Win mod 120 bird gun and love it...just ask Dan357, it's a great gun. I would either have to choose the 1300 Defender(1st) and the 870(2nd)
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I just took my 870 wingmaster that I bought for $75(barrel cut down to 20") added a +3 extension(8 total) and put on a nice black synthetic stock and shazam I will post pics. Cost me $85 for the finished product.
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He he. "Ribbed, for _his_ pleasure". Seriously though, I am unfamiliar with that gun. Pump or auto? Approximate price? Eric |
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Funny. My 870 came with a factory extension. The first thing I did was get rid of it. Might go with a +1 in the future but I think the +2's are too fragile for real ruffing it SHTF. Drop it and you got yourself a nice little single shot. The things I would recomend for a SHTF shotty is: 1. Sling 2. Side saddle of some sort 3. Surefire forearm light In that order and the only must is the first one. But of course YMMV. |
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I have the Win 1300 Defender and a Benelli M1S90 .
The Benelli is sweet and pretty , but the 1300 is simpler and holds 13 rounds of mini shells which it feeds and cycles smoothly . In a true SHTF situation I'm grabbing the 1300 . ETA The 1300 isn't for everyone because of the speed pump design . It does take some getting used to , because it forces you to eject and chamber a fresh round after each shot . Which isn't necessarily a bad thing |
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Why do you think the +2 factory extension is too fragile? I have one on my 870 and with the barrel clamp (a barel calmp is a MUST for any tueb extension) It is rock solid. the only downside I can see is you need a screwdriver or at least a coin to remove the extension clamp if you want to remove the barrel, but I find you can pretty much clean an 870 well enough with the barrel still on. No rifling to worry about, and in the SHTF I won't be switching barrels at all. [ETA] The three dollar solution to the marine coat being hi vis is a can of Krylon OD paint. Still got weatherproof nickel and you can paint to match the surroundings! |
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Its Benelli's pump shotgun. I got mine for around $300. 3.5" mag chamber, 6+1 with the extended mag tube. It also has a button to remove the shell from the chamber without loading one from the mag tube, which is pretty nice. I have countless rounds through it, from regular trap loads to full magnums and nothings broken yet. Thats just my choice. I would not hesitait to pick up a Remington or a Mossberg as they are fine smoke poles as well. I just prefered the features of the Nova. Edited to add link: Link |
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1st 1300 winchester defender
2nd 870 3rd Mossberg 500 They are all great but this is MHO. |
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+1. If used for close-quarters, definately in this order. However, if I'd want to be able to hit anything at a distance, I'd swap the 1300 and the 870 due to the "Speed Pump" action of the Winchester. I can't seem to tag anything at range with the Surefire fore-end on my FN slapping me in the knuckle. User error? Most likely. Do I need more practice? Yes. Do I like the action and feel of the firearm? Definately. http://www.imagecave.com/thumb.asp?u=17138&filename=FNHerstalSureFireStandingCropResize.jpg FN Herstal Police Shotgun Get ahold of each model, see which one you prefer. I personally like the slick action of the FN (1300), but since the slide kicks back immediately after the trigger is pulled, I wouldn't prefer it for longer ranges or slug use, too much movement going on at once. In a close quarters engagement with some 00 buck, or walking through the woods waiting for a partridge to burst from cover, I'd feel more than comfortable. Keep your fore-end hand pulling the stock snugly into your shoulder as you pull the trigger and you'll cycle through rounds very quickly. With the 870, you're not inclined to work the slide instantly prior to each shot. To me, less user movement during firing means more accuracy. At the same time, I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable using it in a stressful situation due to the slide locking up temporarily with each shot. I wouldn't doubt if your Mossberg was any different, I believe the 590's are identical in that respect. Given, this is all coming from a 19 year old newbie, but hey, I figured I'd put in my $0.02. Veterans, feel free to enlighten (or correct) me with your knowledge if you'd be so kind. |
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Just do what I'm doing.
Go to a local pawn shop, pick up an 870 Police Magnum for as cheap as possible, get a Speed Feed 1 stock that holds 4 rounds, buy some Krylon in olive green, spray everything but the black furniture, throw on a vented barrel shroud, and go shoot the hell out of your $260 invested beater and make sure it's tough enough for SHTF. |
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"How/why important is the barrel clamp?"
VERY - one good blow to the mag tube without a clamp installed, and you could easily mess up the threads on the mag tube - then, you're pretty much screwed... For less than $10, a mag clamp is cheap insurance against this very real possibility... - georgestrings |
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Not to hijack but where can they be found? ( the clamps) I am drawing a blank at midway and google isnt producing anything. |
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Just an added layer of reliability. Plus, I hate barrel clamps. |
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Brownells has 'em - I'd also imagine that Wilson does, too... - georgestrings |
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I think that your current shotgun is perfectly adequate. I also have a very old Mossberg Model 500 (inherited it from my Pawpaw) and bought a factory 18.5" bbl for it. Those old Mossbergs are slick as greased goose shit, before I started shooting it quite a bit and got it dirty the action was so slick it would fall all the way open by itself when the bolt release was activated.
Because of it's sentimental value (don't want it to get stolen), I carry another Mossberg in the truck. It is a synthetic stock ghost ring sight model. IMHO, these shotguns can be absolutely trusted to function flawlessly. If 6 rounds of 12 gauge #4 buck or 00 buck won't get SHTF business done, it's time to throw the gun at them and run. Like your username BTW. |
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RocketMan you hit the nail right on the head. That is the main reason i dont want to use My Mossberg is becuase it means so much to me. It is in 100% perfect condition works better than any Shotgun that I have ever used. I got it from my dad about a year ago he bought it brand new in 1968 for $72 hahaha. It has never given me or my dad any failures of any kind whatsoever smooth as silk. Thanks for the compliment on the name man. I love Mossberg they sure are one hellova gun for the money. |
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And yet you purchased a Remington? Eric |
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We all grow up sometime . MIKE. |
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No, we don't. How does the adage go, "I may grow older but I refuse to grow up". Otherwise, how could we possibly explain this sickness we have called guns? "Well Doc, it was all downhill after getting that GI JOE set when I was 5". |
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Shot gun newb here. I'm still trying to decide which to puchase. I would also love to see a list of good sites for accessories. Anyone have a favorite store or two?
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Boy you are new. Go with a Remington, Mossberg, or Winchester. They're all good but I prefer the Remmy. Choate has some good stuff like side saddles. Specter has some good slings. Speedfeed has some good stocks. Edit; Holy crap I forgot Surefire. |
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The kickback of the forearm during fireing is the greatest weakness of the Winchester 1200 / 1300 / FN Pump Shotguns. Our MP unit had a mix of Winchester 1200 and Rem 870s. On qualification day at the range we had MANY more stopages (mostly due to operator error) on the 1200s because the forearm would kick back enough for the trooper to re-lock the action afterfiring. Result is a tied up gun that doesn't pump or go bang!! NOT what you want when S.H.T.F. and Killer Mutant Zombies come scambling for your brains On the Range, I had to teach the troopers to use different holds with the different shotguns. On the Winchesters we had the troopers pull the forearm hard backwards (instead of pushing it toward the target as is done with most pump shotguns) NOT good for unit training to need to give "special instructions" just to use the gun. First chance we had, we rotated all the 1200s to another unti and kept all the 870s (including theirs - Boy were they PISSED!!) The 1200 / 1300 / FN is not a "bad" gun if you practice and practice and practice (you can get to the point where the movement feels natural and you really can speed up your shooting cycle. Just not my cup of tea! The Mossberg is a better gun in my opinion, but the Best of the Best is still old faithful - The Remington 870! BIGGER_HAMMER |
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I would take a Mossberg or a Remington, just becuase they are the most reliable and you can find the most aftermarket stuff for them, like side saddles, mag followers, pistol grip stocks and whatnot what have you and such, but I'd also take a bare bones 1897 just becuase they are built like tanks. Hard to disasemble, but they are friggin tanks.
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Think I'd stick with Mossbergs. Must have three or four already. Bought them dirt cheap and with few frills. Worst case scenario is to give these out as the chump/sacrificial lamb. Considering the other threads going on about confiscation seems appropriate.
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