Quoted: An 18" for home defense need no choke. jj
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I too am new to shotguns. This answer (above) probably doesn't answer your question, but I'll try the best I can based on what I've learned.
The 'choke' of a shotgun barrel determines the internal tapering at the end of the barrel. Think of it as a constriction towards the end of a barrel. A 'tighter' choke will give you tighter group patterns at 25 yards. (25 yards is the standard of measure for distance when discussing chokes).
There are 4 types/degrees of chokes:
Cylinder Bore (wide open barrel, no choke)
Improved Cylinder (slightly tapered/choked barrel)
Modified (moderately tapered/choked barrel)
Full (very tightly tapered/choked barrel)
The desired amount of depends on the range and size of targets. The tighter the choke, the more effective range you have, as well as the tighter the patterning of your shot at any range. Some barrels come threaded to allow you to change chokes and others are fixed. I have a Remington 870 Police Magnum that has an Improved Cylinder choke (It says IMP CYL on the left side of the barrel, just a little in front of the receiver). If I wanted to change the choke of my barrel, I'd have to change barrels.
Anyway... As is stated above, you don't need a choke, especially for home defense. With an IMP CYL barrel, your effective range is around 25 yards (75 feet), and you'll still maintain 50% of your shot within a 30" circle at 40 yards. Even a cylinder bore an effective range of 20 yards (60 feet) with 40% of your shot maintained within a 30" cirlcle at 40 yards.