Recommend to me a shotgun for home defense please

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  • WildWeasel

    Active Member
    Mar 31, 2019
    468
    MI>FL>MD
    Do the Limbsaver recoil pads help reduce recoil like the manufacturer claims they do? I've been wondering whether to attach one to my Remington 800. Thanks.

    Cal68

    It won't make it worse.

    My dad has a Mossberg 930 JM Pro. Some people report issues, but aside from cleaning and fresh lube, his ran great. A couple FTF with light loads early on, but after maybe 100 shells, no problems. Easy to manage, and empties the tube as fast as you pull the trigger.

    That said... I'd just use an AR. Even without a shoulder issue, the only benefits of a shotgun I can think of are a 2 inch pattern at 15 feet and slug stopping power.
     

    joppaj

    Sheepdog
    Staff member
    Moderator
    Apr 11, 2008
    46,459
    MD
    My M1 Super 90 Kicks like a mule, much harder than any pump gun I have. Maybe the newer Benelli guns manage recoil better?

    I’d go with low recoil shells or go to a 20 ga, OP.

    My VERY limited experience is that the Benelli M4 does indeed seem to kick less than the M1 Super 90.
     

    dbledoc

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Apr 8, 2013
    1,526
    Howard County
    I currently have a remington 870 police edition, but I find that after 3 shoulder surgeries I can't take the kick. I have been reading that semi-auto shotguns divert some of the gas (ala AR-15) which reduces the kick. I figured I would try one before reducing the gauge to 20 gauge.

    Suggestions on something that minimizes the kick and won't break the bank?

    Thanks - stay COVID-19 free.

    From an orthopedic standpoint, Avoid the pounding on your shoulder completely. Get an AR. From a home defense standpoint for any firearm to be effective you have to practice. You will really hurt your shoulder more practicing. Moreover, if you have to use it, the anticipated pain may make you hesitate or flinch and that can have detrimental consequences.
     

    Mightydog

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    My VERY limited experience is that the Benelli M4 does indeed seem to kick less than the M1 Super 90.


    It’s on my list to find!
     

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    davsco

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 21, 2010
    8,607
    Loudoun, VA
    my benelli m2 has been 100% no excuses reliable over a couple of years of 3 gun matches.

    same for my benelli sbe2 - but only with full strength loads. because it's sprung for up to 3.5" shells, it's not 100% reliable with the soft stuff at skeet ranges nor the fed/win/rem regular loads at walmart. most of the time but not 100%.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,667
    Not Far Enough from the City
    From an orthopedic standpoint, Avoid the pounding on your shoulder completely. Get an AR. From a home defense standpoint for any firearm to be effective you have to practice. You will really hurt your shoulder more practicing. Moreover, if you have to use it, the anticipated pain may make you hesitate or flinch and that can have detrimental consequences.

    Yep.

    AR or otherwise, what OP needs most IMO is something that he can....and will....shoot, and shoot often. And if it hurts to shoot, OP almost certainly isn't going to want to shoot. Can't say I'd blame him.

    Nothing is more important IMO than to build and maintain familiarity with one's choice in home defense weapon. The only way to do that is through frequently having that weapon in your hands, and shooting it as much as possible. Be it an AR, a PCC, a lever action, a handgun or even if necessary a rimfire, the overriding concern IMO is what can (and what will) OP shoot, both often and well?
     

    davsco

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 21, 2010
    8,607
    Loudoun, VA
    so i highly recommend doing a match (or more) with guns you're planning to use to save your life. peacemaker (below hagerstown and above winchester) (when they get back up and running, like all the others) has a monthly 'super steel' match where you can use a shottie (or handgun or pcc...). basically run around and knock down falling steel, 20+ pieces per stage and normally 5-6 stages. you WILL get some great shotgun shooting and reloading practice. york and other clubs also have similar matches. find some and do some! and here's a free hint, you CAN miss with a shotgun...
     

    pbharvey

    Habitual Testifier
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    30,158
    I currently have a remington 870 police edition, but I find that after 3 shoulder surgeries I can't take the kick.

    I have ARs and they are part of the home defense plan, but shotguns are so good with Buck shot at so many things.

    Buck shot is irrelevant if the recoil makes it such that you are compromised in the fight.
    Stick with the AR.

    Any gun is suitable for home defense; you either have a gun or you don't.
     

    Driver9

    Member
    Apr 14, 2020
    36
    Baltimore County
    I specifically bought a Benelli M4 because it's an easier gun on the shoulder. Have a decent amount of experience with a stock Mossberg 590 and found that it could be tough on the body with heavy loads. I found the M4 to be a very, very easy and fun gun to shoot and far more friendly for the girlfriend to shoot as well, a big part of why I went with it, the benefits of having a semi-auto shotgun notwithstanding.
     

    joppaj

    Sheepdog
    Staff member
    Moderator
    Apr 11, 2008
    46,459
    MD
    From an orthopedic standpoint, Avoid the pounding on your shoulder completely. Get an AR. From a home defense standpoint for any firearm to be effective you have to practice. You will really hurt your shoulder more practicing. Moreover, if you have to use it, the anticipated pain may make you hesitate or flinch and that can have detrimental consequences.

    OP, FWIW, if you don't know dbledoc, this is his specialty. He's actually the doc I started with two years ago when I dislocated my AC joint.
     

    BlueHeeler

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 28, 2010
    7,086
    Washington, DC
    BlackHawk Knoxx recoil reducing stock and reduced recoil shells.

    I shoot a lot of clays with a recoil reducing stock 870. The 870 shoots softer than any of the SA Benelli/Beretta that my buddies shoot.
     

    Skipjacks

    Ultimate Member
    Thinking outside the box....but could you learn to shoot left handed? Use the good shoulder?

    That wouldn't be ideal for competition marksmanship competitions. But for a 5 yard max range with a shotgun? I feel like you could learn to be accurate and efficient enough for home defense with that pretty quick
     

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