Mossberg 500 Spas 12 Kit

At this moment I have a safe full of nice and expensive rifles and handguns. Butit is a shotgun that sits by the bed.

• Mossberg 500 Spas 12 Kit Instructions

Jerry goes out of his comfort zone and takes out the classic 12 ga Mossberg model 500 for some fast shooting, history, and evolution of the platform- all captured in slow motion!

Gun Bed!Why?Because, per trigger pull, it delivers the most terminally devastating payload possible from a controllable, shoulder-fired firearm.When it comes to home defense we all want the most effective weapon possible. Our family, our lives, and our homes deserve that protection. Mossberg 590A1That’s not the only reason though.Throughout this article, we are going to dive into what the tactical shotgun is, why it rocks, and how to recognize and address the weaknesses.And of courseour favorite ones across all price points. Table of ContentsLoading.Update: See the best beginner shotguns in action, and how we at Pew Pew kitted out our personal shotguns, in our video review! Don’t forget to subscribe to the also!What is a Tactical Shotgun?What separates a tactical shotgun from a hunting shotgun? Double Barreled Hunting ShotgunThere are certainly a few different features that make a shotgun ‘tactical’: 18 to 20-inch BarrelThis length of barrel keeps the weapon short and maneuverable when used inside buildings or even vehicles. 18 inches is as short as you can legally go with a shotgun barrel without requiring a tax stamp and federal registration.

Pump or Semi-Auto OperationShotguns come in every flavor imaginable. This includes pump action, semi-auto, lever action, bolt action, and single and double barrels.

Pump and semi-automatic actions are the only two that are practical for home defense. They are the fastest forms of operation for a shotgun. A Good Set of SightsMost shotguns come with a single bead at the end of the barrel that acts as a sight. These work for a lot of applications but if you want to squeeze the most out of your shotgun a front and rear sight are important, or even a quality (Aimpoint, Trijicon, etc.) Sling MountsA sling allows you to attach the weapon to your body. This allows you to retain the weapon while using your hands for other tasks and makes it difficult for an attacker to strip you of your weapon. Chambered in 12 or 20 Gaugeis the most common combat shotgun caliber, especially when it comes to semi-automatics.

The 12 gauge is the more powerful option as well. It also makes the firearm larger, heavier, and recoils fiercely. A 20 gauge is still a very potent round and is much friendlier for smaller people. 12 Gauge Speed Strips Capacity of 4+1 MinimumThe shells a shotgun uses are quite large and therefore most shotguns are limited in capacity. 4 +1 will settle most encounters, but preferably you are using something more akin to 7+1 to give yourself that extra edge.

A StockAny fighting shotgun needs a stock. Pistol grip only shotguns are fun, look cool, and handy in some situations. However, a shoulder stock makes a shotgun much easier to handle, much easier to shoot accurately, and more comfortable. What Can the Shotgun Do?Why is a shotgun so effective?First off versatility.I can fire the widest variety of projectiles from a shotgun. I can engage anything from pests like possums to two-legged varmints, and even creatures as big as bears.

Shotgun Ammo TypesThe shotgun has three primary loads: BirdshotA load filled with small pellets, ranging from dozens to hundreds depending on the particular load used. Designed for hunting birds, clay pigeons, and other small game. Not very effective for home defense.

12 ga Birdshot BuckshotA load of larger pellets commonly ranging in caliber from.24 (No 4 Buckshot) to.36 (000 Buckshot). The number of pellets varies per load and caliber of the ball used.

Perfect for medium game and tactical applications. The most common is 00 (“double aught”) buckshot. 00 Buckshot, Paracles Tech SlugsSolid projectiles, often quite larger, heavy and powerful. They allow you to extend your effective shotgun range.

12ga Slug Top 5 Tactical ShotgunsWith all this in mind, let’s look at the top 5 tactical shotguns on the market todayIf you want one of the longest serving combat and police shotguns, the is for you. Mossberg 500 with, andOne of the “Big 2” in the pump shotgun worldthe Mossberg 500 is one of our favorites.The big difference from the Remington 870 (the “other” popular pump shotgun) is that its safety is on top of the receiver and accessible with your thumb. Mossberg 500 Safety SwitchAnd since it’s so popularit has one of the largest pools of potential upgrades.

Check out all of them in.ButNeed something that’s built upon the 500 receiver but more hardened for combat and tactical use?Enter the. Mossberg 590A1 with an awesome paint job andMossberg has built a wide variety of different configurations for the 590A1.This includes Ghost ring sights, or night sights, fixed or collapsible stocks, and capacities of up to 9 rounds.

Regardless of the features you choose, you are getting one of the best pump action combat shotguns ever designed.Built for the dangers involved in military life, the Mossberg 590A1 is a solid combat shotgun. From the finish to the thick walled barrel the 590A1 is a tank.

Your Rating?Sample rating itemSomething can always be said about a classic hardwood stock and pump. Combined with the classic platform and you get a design that has lasted the test of time. One of our Remington 870The Remington 870 gives you 6+1 capacity and an 18.5-inch barrel for maneuverability inside close quarters. You get a front rifle sight, so I would certainly suggest adding a nice adjustable rear sight.The main difference from the Mossberg 500 above is that its safety is a button near the trigger. Remington 700 Safety ButtonThe 870 design is so well known and so popular that there are tons of different accessories for it available.This includes numerous different designs of sight saddles, lighting options, and even scope mounts for a red dot. Remington 870 with, andYou can swap the barrel with any other 870 barrel without modification as well.Top it off with a and you end up with a perfect home defense pump action shotgun.Check out all the options in our!If you were going to pick just one upgrade though, we highly recommend the. Not only is it awesome looking, but the integrated flashlight adds a lot of tactical and practical usefulness.

The design of the TL-Racker also makes the shotgun easier to rack, a major plus in a high-stress situation.Otherwise, it’s another workhouse pump shotgun that has a stellar reputation. Prices accurate at time of writingGot one you need to cleanor want to see how easily one breaks down? We go over it in our and video:Intermission: Mossberg 500 vs Remington 870We could stop right now if we wantedsince these two big boys of the tactical shotgun market are the two most suggested firearms. Mossberg 590But if you were to choose between these two dependable pumpshow would you?

Remington Model 870No worrieswe’re here to help!. In materials, the 870 has the upper hand since its receiver is made out of steel while the Mossberg is alloy.

However, for the normal user, this will never be a problem. In ergonomics, we believe the Mossberg wins because of its placement of the slide release and safety. You can reach everything with your shooting hand.Mossberg 500 Parts Diagram. The Mossberg also gets some points in having two extractors on its bolt instead of Remington’s one.

This is a “just in case” sort of thing since the Remington has a huge following and history of reliability. One thing we don’t like is that Remington’s ejector is riveted while the Mossberg’s can be removed and changed with just a screwdriver. If your 870’s ejector wears out or breaks, you’re going to your gunsmith. Both have similar accessories such as shell carriers to extend capacity (, ) and forend grips with flashlights (, ).In the endI chose the 590 since it holds more rounds (8+1) and I liked the placement of the safety on the top.

But you really can’t go wrong with either. Hold them both in your hands and see which one chooses you!Am I biased in this choice? Maybe a little.E ver since I saw the movie Heat I’ve loved the. Benelli M3That love grew the first times I got some trigger time on one. First off, Benelli makes the best combat shotguns on the market, and yes, their price reflects it.They innovate and grow shotgun technology with every design.

What makes the M3 stand apart from other shotguns is its operating methods.Yes, that plural.The Benelli M3 can function as both a semi-auto shotgun or a pump action shotgun with the twist of a ring. It easily changes from semi to pump to for handling lighter loads, or less lethal ammunition. Prices accurate at time of writingThe semi-auto mode reduces recoil and is one of the fastest cycling operations of any shotgun. As a Benelli you know it’s built to fight, and built tough enough to be an heirloom weapon. Benelli M2, Semi-Automatic ShotgunMy is my primary semi-auto shotgun that I run in 3-Gun competitions.

If you’re looking for the best pure semi-auto shotgunthat’s my choice!If you are looking for something that is incredibly affordable, and extremely durable the Hatsan Escort series of shotguns may be for you. Hatsan EscortThe Escort Aimguard has a 7+1 capacity and comes with a 20-inch barrel or 5 + 1 with an 18-inch barrel.One thing that is important to remember is the low price is not because the shotgun is poorly made. In fact, the Escort even has a chrome lined barrel and all metal components.The pump is actually quite unique and placed more rearward than most shotguns.This makes it much easier to use for people with shorter arms.The pump actually passes the receiver when used. The shotgun is available in both Marine grade finish and standard blued for between a $150 to $200 dollars. Prices accurate at time of writingHow about another budget choicethat’s essentially a clone of the Mossberg 500? Maverick 88 with Fab Defense Recoil Reducing Side Folding ButtstockThe Maverick 88 is made by Mossberg and the primary difference is that its safety is not on topbut is in front of the trigger. Maverick 88 SafetyThis cuts down the price drastically and the 88 can be had for under $200 if you look around.But because it’s essentially a 500it fits (almost) all the upgrades.

For us we put on a nice recoil reducing and folding Fab Defense buttstock and a. Prices accurate at time of writingWe also have a full-on review of the 88 it.The ($700) is the tactical derivative of the Mossberg 930 series.Out of the box, this shotgun is ready to rock and roll in the tactical shelf. Out of the box, it’s ready to go.

Mossberg 930 SPXIt’s also one of the most reliable semi-auto shotguns and is priced affordably.The 930 SPX is topped with an amazing set of sights, sling swivels, 7 +1 capacity and a Picatinny rail for mounting an optic.Since it’s made by Mossberg you know it’s a quality firearm and backed by an excellent warranty. The 930 SPX is built like a tank, and the semi-auto action reduces recoil to a pleasant thump.Adding a side saddle is incredibly simple, and there are a variety of options to go about it.The ambidextrous safety is certainly handy. You also have a wide ejection port for speed reloads, and clear and consistent ejection. Prices accurate at time of writing The One Thing to RememberA tactical shotgun is made to end the threat.Load it accordingly.When we start talking about using a shotgun defensively we will focus primarily on buckshot and slugs. Inside the home buckshot is king. If you keep a shotgun as a truck or trunk gun you can toss in some slugs for longer range encounters.Ammunition for shotguns is ridiculously common.

You have a wide variety of choices for buckshot and slugs for home defense as well. Every major ammunition company has a line of defensive shotgun ammo.Per round price wise shotgun ammo seems quite expensive. I can get 9mm for 16 cents a round if I go looking. (Good) shotgun ammo is a little pricier.It’s also much more effective.

Ammo Price RundownMy favorite costs about a 1+ dollar per round, this is my self-defense round. I can buy cheap buckshot like for training for about 60 cents a round.I train a lot with birdshot, especially for reload drills, and weapons manipulation, I can buy for 25 cents a round for training.My chosen self-defense slugs are the segmenting slugs. They run me roughly $1.50 per round. Some more cost roughly.86 cents per round.In a home defense situation, you will be in close quarters combat. CQC moves extremely fast and is supremely chaotic.

You want to end the fight as fast as humanly possible. The last thing you want is an extended firefight happening in your home.That’s why the shotgun rules in close quarters.Looking for more choices? Check out the. Paying to PlayA great quality shotgun can cost almost as much as a great quality rifle. See our most popular article.A quick search shows me the running price for a is $1700. DDM4A1Meanwhile, a goes for $1,700 also. Both of these weapons represent the best of the best when it comes to design and build quality.On the opposite spectrum, the cheapest AR I can find right now is the for $599.99.I can find a for $220.

Maverick 88 All Purpose Shotgun Downsides + FixesWith this, all said the shotgun does have some inherent weaknesses. A shotgunner needs to acknowledge these weaknesses and train or accessorize past them.Training is certainly the primary means to overcome weaknesses.Accessories also have their place on a shotgun. Short RangeA shotgun will always have a shorter range than a rifle.These range estimations are based on effective combat distances, not hunting birds range. There are also different factors that cause variances, like ammunition used and the presence or lack of a choke.Buckshot is largely limited to roughly 25 to 35 yards.Birdshot?This one is massively dependent on the load you use. In general, birdshot is not the best defensive choice. It’s made for birds, which are significantly smaller than people.

Mossberg 500 Spas 12 Kit Instructions

I’d say five yards for a critical wounding shot with most birdshot.Birdshot is like putting a fire out with a bucket of water. You can do it, but a fire truck works a lot better.Even when loaded with slugs you are looking at 100 yards effective range for a defensive encounter.

Because of the shotgun’s inherent short range, you need to squeeze every yard possible out of it. Choking UpA is designed to constrict the barrel at different levels.

Briley ChokeDifferent chokes produce different results with most ammunition. Some chokes are removable, some are fixed. Chokes can keep your pattern tighter, and give you a more effective range.Most tactical shotguns have a cylinder bore, which is the lack of a choke and encourages a wider spread for CQC. Maximize your Shotgun’s RangeAs a shotgunner, this means having a solid set of.This includes trigger pull, using sights, breath control, and turning your body into a stable firing platform. The old myth you can’t miss with a shotgun is just that, a myth. Pattern Your ShotgunThis means trying a variety of loads and see which loads is the tightest out of your shotgun.

When you pattern a shotgun you learn how the pellets hit over different distances. The old rule 1 inch for every yard is not always accurate.

Again, chokes and ammo selection cause a lot of variances here. Patterning a ShotgunWith my ammunition and a cylinder choke, I get basically one ragged hole at 10 yards.At 15 yards we have a palm-sized group. At 35 yards I cover the A zone of an IPSC target, which is roughly a 6 x 11-inch rectangle.Buckshot gives me about a fist size group at 10 yards.

At 15 yards I’m hitting mostly in that same 6 x 11-inch rectangle. 20 yards and I’m covering the entire upper torso of an IPSC target. At 35 yards the entire target is covered and some pellets miss.As you can see patterning is quite dependent on the weapon, the choke, and the ammunition.Patterning will allow you to find the best load for your shotgun, and you can also squeeze out a little extra range from it. You should also test slugs, and see how and where the slugs hit, and zero your sights for slugs. Why Do Sights Matter?In terms of accessories, the best thing you can do here is get a good set of sights.

Open rifle sights were the old standard, and they still work fairly well. However, a solid set of peep sights, mounted on the rear of the receiver are much better.

Ghost Rings and Open Night SightsMy favorite set is made by LPA and is completely adjustable for zeroing. Alternatively, you can use a short range optic. A good like an Aimpoint or the Trijicon MRO is excellent choices for a shotgun. Lower Ammo CapacityYou basic combat shotgun is a tube fed model, that typically contains 7 to 8 rounds.Personally, I prefer tube fed for a shotgun over a magazine any day of the week.

External box magazines are often bulky, and occasionally unreliable. A tube fed shotgun gives the user a smaller profile and a reliable feeding system.

Saiga Shotgun7 to 8 rounds is a relatively low ammo capacity compared to the 30 rounds a standard modern sporting rifle can hold, or even the 17 rounds most 9mm handguns can hold. To address this weakness you need to learn how to top off a shotgun.In a perfect world, your shotgun will never go completely dry. You should always ‘top it off’ when possible.

This means feeding the tube during each and every lull in the action.One of the more common tactics is to fire two, load two. Maintaining this rhythm will keep you from ever running out of ammo.To top off your shotgun you need to have ammo on hand. My personal preference is a side saddle ammo carrier.

Shotgun Side SaddleThis gives you a reload on hand as soon as you grab the weapon. So if something goes bump in the night, you can respond immediately and still have a reload on hand. Just remember to train with that side saddle, it isn’t there to just look pretty.Lastly, always keep the shotgun fully loaded.There is no reason to pump your shotgun unless you are reloading for a second shot. Do not fall for the gun store gossip that, “racking the shotgun will scare them away.” It won’t, and you’ll give away your position.The only time they should hear the sound is because you’re about to take a second shot. RecoilThe shotgun delivers a devastating payload into your target and can do the same for your shoulder. A shotgun’s recoil, especially the classic 12 gauge, can be quite fierce.

It is still controllable, but when compared to a modern sporting rifle it’s quite powerful.There are a few things you can do if recoil is an issue.For a pump action shotgun, is an excellent idea.is still key. Shooting Leaning StanceYou can also use the recoil from the shotgun to help you pump the weapon faster.

As the inertia pushes your shoulder backward you use that inertia to rack the shotgun. By the time the recoil impulse is over, you’ll be ready to shoot again. How a Semi-Auto Shotgun Can Be BetterYou can also look into a semi-auto shotgun. The actions and operating systems of a semi-auto shotgun reduce recoil significantly since either the gas or inertia is used to rack the next round.Most will not cycle reduced recoil loads reliably, but it’s not really needed with a semi-auto shotgun.A semi-auto shotgun can use several different operating systems, the most common being gas and inertia.

Gassed UpGas powered shotgun diverts some gas from the barrel to the action. Just like in the AR-15 and other gas operated guns. Gas GunThis gas is created by the gunpowder in the shells. As it burns and becomes gas it pushes the projectiles out of the barrel and cycles the shotgun simultaneously. Gas guns are typically more reliable with ‘lighter’ loads and reduce the most recoil. Use That InertiaInertia systems essentially use the recoil of the shotgun to cycle the bolt.The bolt carrier and what’s known as the inertia spring are not fixed to the receiver. The recoil caused by the gun firing causes the spring to compress and the spring then stores enough energy to send the bolt to the spring and hit the return spring to send the bolt back forward.Inertia guns tend to be thinner and lighter than gas guns, and need less maintenance.

ConclusionA shotgun is a helluva weapon.A tactical shotgun represents the absolute power a shoulder-fired weapon can have. If you go the tactical shotgun route remember that like every weapon you need to train with it to be effective. A shotgun is only as good as the shotgunner holding it.What shottie did you end up getting? Let us know in the comments! Need some gun food for your new scattergun?

Check out for Home Defense, Hunting, & Plinking. Paul McManusOne of the things that most people don't realize is that a 3' magnum 00 buck has typically 15 pellets moving out of my mossberg 590A1 20' barrel at around 1300fps.

A 9mm velocity out of my Browning Hi power 4 3/4' barrel is around 1200 at best. The buck shots are almost exactly the same diameter as a 9mm projectile.

In other words, a single hit with a big ole 3 inch mag is like getting hit by 15 9mm AT THE SAME INSTANT. It would take a full blown machine gun to come close to that. Also, some of the velocity will be taken from the Mossberg semi-auto as opposed to the pump. ChristianMossberg Shotguns (all of them, even the 500): If you skip ahead to about the 4:30 mark, you will see this shotgun fail a simple drop test. When dropped onto its side, the pins that hold the shell lifter arms in place in the sides of the receiver pop out, and jam the gun up.I was a bit sceptical at first, as my Mossy 500 has given me no trouble, unlike my Rem 870 Express which has had numerous extraction failures. When I tried this test myself, from only one foot onto a carpet, I replicated the exact same failure on the very first try.

Fortunately, jiggling the slide back and forth a bit popped the pin back into place.https://youtu.be/87XSOnQrCYg. VulcanNever understood why the magazine fed semi-shotguns that are known to run well, didn't dominate the market. I have a USSA MKA 1919 Pro, which kind of looks like a chubby AR.If you have bad shoulders the semi-auto is by far the best choice. And being able to slap a fresh loaded mag in the well in under 2 seconds seals the deal. Can pre-load mags with different loads too. 10 rd ProMags available too.

Thing runs good on the 2 3/4 in hi-brassCan do none of that fast reloading with a tube fed shotgun. Slower in the highly unlikely SHTF scenario. If you want a hunting shotgun, then get that. If you want a home defense shotgun, I'm going with the mag fed every time. Must break the mag fed semi-auto's in right with hi-brass.

Jimmy WilliamsGreat article. I wonder if you do double duty for Mossberg? Just kidding, They make some great shotguns. For years I depended solely on my Winchester Defender which is a great shotgun as well but as of late my home defense shotgun is my Mossberg Shockwave. Many years of experience and I feel comfortable with the pistol grip. Plus it throws a much better pattern than all my pistols. Although you did open my eyes for my next shotgun purchase.

My wife hates you. Keep the articles coming please.

I always find them informative. VulcanExcellent article and very well presented. Thank you!I've had 2 of the shotguns on the list including the Mossberg 500 with pistol grip.For home defense and perimeter rejection for my preference is without doubt my USSA MKA1919 Pro, using the factory metal 5 rd mags or the 10 rd poly ProMag. The factory mags are fairly priced and readily available.I can have #4 in one mag for not blowing a hole into the neighbors house, or the Critical Defense by Hornady 12ga 00 buck at 1,600 FPS in another, #1 or 2 Buck in another, high speed slugs in the 4th mag. Right tool for the right job, and the same shotgun delivers it all. In the highly unlikely SHTF scenario, someone else could be loading the mags as you empty them.

Try that with the above.MKA 1919 PRO comes with lots of extras and you can pop a reflex sight on it in minutes. Remove factory sights and replace with MBUS.Should one read the directions before shooting, follow those and break in with hi brass powerful ammo with the correct gas ring, clean and lube well prior to the first break-in outing, and get 150 rds through it, from there it should be good.

Buy some cheap RIO hi brass buck for break-in.Read this is also an optional issue gun for the Turkish Army, and doubt they would risk their lives with this weapon was it not up to the task. And the price was sweet too at the big Buds shop. At the time I got mine think I paid just under $500.Finally, if you wanted to use this in a pinch for hunting, the bbl is 18.5' but with the light gas ring, it would work fine, with whatever limitations the shorter bbl presented.Live Long & Prosper. Dave HaddixSo the article says the cheapest rifle you can find is the dpms at $499 so I bought i’d Steer you to an even cheaper deal. Now before I do I will warn you the customer service is horrible, they take the phone off the hook and won’t answer emails for weeks but eventually they will answer. However they do make a decent rifle for the price. Right now you can buy a complete 223 for $399 but they had a Black Friday sale and sold them for $299!

I have several of there rifles and the quality is good. They guarantee 1 MOA accuracy. The only problem I’ve had other than customer service was a 450bm that wouldn’t cycle the next round but with a little fiddling with the mag I got it to function correctly.

I guess that’s a pretty common problem with the 450 so I don’t hold it against them. The company is called bear creek Arsenal. I’ve often wondered why I never hear pew pew endorse them but figured it was because their customer service was so shitty. I guess if your selling the cheapest rifle on the planet your gonna be a little lacking in at least a few departments. Thankfully quality and value aren’t one of there problems.

As far as quality I’d say they are on par with Aero or PSA. So there’s my 2 cents about bear creek Arsenal. If your looking to build or purchase a rifle I strongly suggest you give them a try. Ian VanVrankenMy local shop had a black friday special on the Mossberg 590 for $325! Unfortunately I wasn't available for the weekend and tried to see if I could pick one up early, which i couldn't:( Instead, I ended up buying a lightly used Benelli Supernova tactical with a pistol grip and Mesa Tactical Urbino stock for $350. I am perfectly happy with it, the ghost ring sights are dead on and it has a limbsaver pad built it so it's pretty comfortable to shoot. It also has a magazine cutoff button that might come in handy if I need to change loads.

Now I just need to add a side shell carrier and mag extension and I'll be good to go. Dexter LuckI'm retired law enforcement and agree a 12 ga. Shotgun is at the top when it comes to home defense. I have owned the 870, and the Mossberg 500/590 and they are both very good options.

I have a field graded semi auto 12 ga. And recently purchased what I believe is going to be my best option for home defense, in addition to my two German Shepherds. I purchased a RIA VR60 (Turkish made) box fed semi auto. Have the two mags, that came with it, a 5 round and a 9 round, and just ordered more 9 rounders. Through the first 200 round of various brands and power levels, the VR60 is 100% reliable.

Robert KuijpersMy mum, who is 81 years of age (!) sleeps with a 12 gauge Mossberg shotgun at her bedsite. Her bedroom acts as a saferoom as well. I, just two bedrooms away used to have a Remmington shotgun, but sold it. Now I sleep with a M1911 next to me, and a SIG P226, in case the.45 ACP run out, and everything ends in a firefight with intruders. In my bedroom you'll find, locked away, two M4 rifles.

We are well prepared to 'receive' unanounced visitors, and even chase them away. I consider buying another shotgun, but am shure the M1911 (a SIG by the way) will be able to do the job. I've been with the British and Dutch marines for many years. Philip HankinsI am left-handed and have learned that Mossberg 590a1s are available in a left-handed configuration. Can anyone tell me what this exact configuration might be? I've only learned that this configuration can lead to excessive strain on the jaw and cheek due to the location of the speed tube. So, with this in mind, will a right-handed gun be okay for me (I'm a newbie, so please forgive my lack of knowledge)?

What would be the difficulties that I would encounter shooting a right-handed gun? Mark CrawfordI am a lefty also, yet I have never owned a left handed gun. I have never have had an issue with expended casings being a problem from any of my shotguns or rifles, and I have quit the mix of brands and caliber/gauges. As for safety position I have just became used to their position and due to practicing and hunting use of each one has just become natural. This might sound stupid but you have lived in a right handed world all your life. You have been getting used to items designed for right handers that same amount of time without even realizing it. I am NOT saying change the way you hold and shoot the gun.

What I am saying is that you will be surprised how easy and natural it will come using fingers that the designer may not have had in mind when he designed the safety position. You will find it might save you some cash as well as order and delivery time. Just my four and a half cents on the subject. David LI havent handled a left-handed shotgun before, I would assume it means the ejection port is on the other side and possibly the safety/slide release is moved or reversed.The ejection port being on the other side would be the main gain, removes the risk of a spent shell flying in your face when you pump the action.

The controls are less of an issue.I would head down to a LGS or range and seeing if you could handle a shotgun in person, you might not find a left-handed shotgun but you could at least handle a right-handed one and see if there are any issues. JohnStandard Manufacturing’s DP-12: Double-barreled bullpup pump shotgun. I have it and love it.

If you chamber 2 rounds it holds 16 total, it’s essentially 2 Ithaca model 37s in one billet receiver. It has 18.5” barrels but is incredibly compact and is very well built and fully ambidextrous.I admit, if you are super-trained to a standard pump, the cadence of pump once, pull trigger twice, pump once pull trigger twice is a deal breaker for a lot of people. If this isn’t a deal breaker for you, the gun is built like a tank, very effective at putting a lot of shot down range, is easily maneuvered indoors, and shoots a very wide pattern at home defense distances.

I can’t imagine much better for personal defense than this. Kona GoldenBirdshot comes in many flavors, too. Should have added that to the article.

I have my 870 loaded with #4 as a first round, followed by 00 Buck. 7 1/2 Birdshot would not be a good choice, I also keep 3 slugs in my sidesaddle.I use the #4 for less wall penetration and more spread at closer ranges.

If the douchebag is close, they're done anyway. If they are further away, the shock, pain, disruption of that first shot sets up the second, & subsequent shots with the double ought.Having the slugs in the side saddle is good. Since I can stuff them in pretty quick and have them if I need them. I just don't want them traversing my home and my neighbors. My neighbors are not happy having douchebag biologicals in their home.

DavidGenerally, I'm not a fan of PCCs for HD or SHTF. While they extend the range of a pistol cartridge and make it easier/better to shoot - they are still greatly limited since it is still a pistol cartridge.

Even in something like 10mm, it doesn't really hold a candle to a rifle. Since PCCs and rifles are effectively the same sizes in modern terms, there just isn't a real advantage to them.Make sure you try out some bullpups at the range before you buy one, they are cool guns and the Tavor-12 is a great option (if you can find one, I'd bet they will be sold out for a while) but bullpups are their own set of issues that not everyone likes. They balance differently, they require a good amount of training to operate smoothly, and their handling is awkward for some people.Mossberg 500 is a great choice, always. Simple, reliable, great shotgun.

Since this is your first gun - you might want to keep it simple and go with that. There is also a huge amount of aftermarket options out there so you can upgrade and perfect your Mossberg if you want to. JacobA lot of shotguns - Mossberg 500s and Remington 870s included - were designed before drop safeties were mandatory.

For that reason, I keep all my shotguns 'cruiser ready' with the chamber empty, safety off, and slide unlocked. If something goes bump in the night there's no need to futz with a safety or slide release, just pump the gun and go. And no, one should never count on the sound of a shotgun pump to scare off the bad guys; the blast should follow too close for an offender to even figure out what the pump was. TylerI'm a reluctant mossberg guy. Why reluctant? I strongly prefer steel to aluminum in my guns. But the 870 is the most popular alternative, and we all know about remingtons myriad of problems by now.Mossberg, despite my preferences, has had pretty consistent quality and QC over the years.

I've got a 500, 590, and 590a1. Despite the aluminum, I do think they'll probably outlast me.I also own an Ithaca model 37 (Deerslayer 1), and that one is far and away my favorite.

If money where no object, Ithaca would be me first choice. Steven Randall MinixGoing from the pictures and just from my own knowledge, I think that the Mossberg SPX 930 looks great and something that has what I would call useful features. I like a pistol grip, but I would install a collapsible rear stock. The ghost rings sights are nice and I would like to have them, but seeing as I would just shoulder the weapon and be shooting for speed & accuracy inside a home for home defense all of my engagements would be 10 yards or less. The picatinny rail would be extremely useful, I already have tons of optics, lights, and laser gear that would be easy to transfer from one weapon to another so no crazy adapters would be needed and I like that. The only thing I dont like about the Mossberg is that it isn't the best brand name in a shotgun, but even though the Mossberg isn't the most expensive name brand it is a real workhorse and every mossberg shotty I have owned never had any problems with the function of the firearm.I hope this helpsanyone wanting a self/home defense shotty.

The only advice I can really suggest that you do take into #1 consideration is buy a firearm that works for you and you can shoot well, that you can operate very easily, and isn't confusing so you don't booger up and have a damn negligent discharge. I love my firearms and as a responsible gun owner we do not need someone to have an accident out of sheer stupidity that gives us responsible gun owners and the firearms a terrible name.