First Tactical 12ga. Build! Suggestions?

[LongArmoftheLaw]

Alright so I'm looking at building up an 870 to use for home defense primarily along with the random 3-Gun match I can afford. Looking for suggestions on stocks, sights, mag tubes, and forend stuff! Let me know what ya all think!

Thanks!

[M2]

[nisils14]

Mesa tactical has some neat stuff for the 870.

[JohnTRourke]

a good home defense shotgun and a good 3 gun shotgun are not really the same thing IMO.

home defense, your ranges are inside 30 feet (probably inside 20), 3 gun shoots a lot of slugs out to 100 yards. You're not ever doing either one of those things in your home.

Most 3 gun shotguns are semi-auto's (benelli's).
most home defense shotguns are pumps.

home defense: KISS

3 gun: go wild baby. [Muaha]

[Goodburbon]

agreed, KISS.

Weapon light for target id, everything else works as is for home defense.

[blacklabel]

I have to agree that you should keep things nice and simple for a home defense gun. 3 gun and home defense don't really jive.

[bellavite1]

SureFire light forend, best one improvement for any shotgun!

[BPTactical]

Huge difference between "Practical" and "Tactical"
HD shotty is the former
3 gun the latter

[LongArmoftheLaw]

Thanks everyone for the input! Glad I could get the suggestions about keeping a home defense and 3-gun separate! Guess I will just have to get another shotgun! haha fine by me!

[JohnTRourke]

so for home defense
simple
extended magazine. (reloading a shotgun is by far the slowest operation)
a LIGHT. the best ones just function as the forearm and when you squeeze it it goes on. automatic.
short length of pull. (clearing corners, etc),
short barrel (18.5"),
wide open choke. (cylinder) (inside of the 20 to 30 feet in a house, it's not going to open up more than an inch or two.)
simple bead sight.
if it's a pump, add a shell carrier on it, if it's a semi-auto, don't(tends to jam up with the weight, esp on a benelli)
pumps run, like a revolver, you just keep pumping if it jams. semi-autos work with less manual of arms, in worse positions (try shooting a pump under your bed), but they jam. all semi-auto's jam at some point, usually the worst possible time.

test test test. go shoot some trap and some skeet, make sure it runs well and it fits you.
teach others in your household how it works. make them practice with it.

leave it easily accessible and loaded. (I like to leave mine, hammer down on a empty chamber, i.e. cruiser ready. one pump and away we go, but nobody can just pull a trigger accidentally).

[LongArmoftheLaw]

Sounds good! Thanks again for all the input! It has helped out a lot already!

[JohnTRourke]

if you go pump it's basically down to remington vs. mossberg.

Look, I'm a huge remington 870 fan (esp the older wingmasters or the P models, the express is kinda a cheapie) but the safety is in a STUPID place.
STUPID STUPID STUPID.

The mossberg's safety is naturally where you expect it to be on a shotgun.

if it's just you using the gun, doesn't matter, if lots of people might be using it, it matters.

[Daniel_187]

if you go pump it's basically down to remington vs. mossberg.

Look, I'm a huge remington 870 fan (esp the older wingmasters or the P models, the express is kinda a cheapie) but the safety is in a STUPID place.
STUPID STUPID STUPID.

The mossberg's safety is naturally where you expect it to be on a shotgun.

if it's just you using the gun, doesn't matter, if lots of people might be using it, it matters.

I'll 2nd this, got an 870 and love it. just has an odd place for the safety, like the mossberg but I thought it was more of a PITA to put back together after cleaning due to the 2(I don't know what they are called) rails, action bars. At least thats how it was on an old marvick 88

[MadDog]

For HD I went the KISS route. 870 with side saddle and a 3-rail forend so I can mount a light if needed. I did however, paper mine as an SBS on a Form1 so it now wears a 12" bbl. Very handy around the house and 00 buck still will hold a tight pattern for indoor distances.

MadDog

[joeyshoe]

Do you plan on putting a pistol grip stock on it?

[LongArmoftheLaw]

Joeyshoe,

Yeah I plan on putting a Mesa Tactical Urbino Tactical Stock on it. Probably check out what they have for forends too.

MadDog,

Im still debating on going with just 00 buck or using the Winchester PDX1's with the slug/buck combo. I know what 00 buck can do but adding a slug to the mix I feel would do a hell of a job if need be as well.

[joeyshoe]

No experience with the urbino stock, but it looks just like the one I had on my Benelli M1S90. My guess is that the mossbergs are out of the running since the safety and pump release would be in awkward positions.

I have the Wilson combat stock adapter on a 870. I have an oversized safety installed that makes working the safety from the pistol grip feel natural. Pump release is still an issue of training.

I have the surefire tri rail forend. I had an extra m3x laying around so I went for the rail vs their lighted forends (which I hear are uncomfortable after lengthy shoots). No personal experience. Just hearsay. I have a magpul RVG on mine that I use as a handstop.

[JohnTRourke]

I used to be a proponent of the pistol grip stock.
usually adjustable, allows you to hold the gun with one hand on perp (while calling 911 with the other), BUT

I've changed my mind.
it's hard as hell to shoot
it's NOT a natural hold on the gun.

it's a much easier point (and remember you point a shotgun not aim it) with a standard style stock. It's easier (IMO) to run the pump action too.

My favorite home defense is a really short length of pull (LOP) pump. I mean about 13", normally I shoot a 15" LOP.

and slugs are a bad idea for home defense. Go pattern a load of buckshot at 30 feet sometime. It makes a ragged hole about 1-2" in diameter.

[Goodburbon]

I said KISS.

Lose the side saddle, lose the pistol grip, lose the mag extension. nothing but a light to identify targets.

What sort of HD situation arises and you need more than 7 shots of buck? Think about it.



Addressing the "safety's in the wrong place" issue. Use it, it becomes second nature. Let it sit in the closet until you fire it once every 5 years and yeah, anything can be awkward. My first shotgun was a 500 and it was stolen when I was 13. I've had an 870 as a replacement ever since and I have zero problem locating the safety any time that weapon is in my hands.

[JohnTRourke]

I said KISS.

Lose the side saddle, lose the pistol grip, lose the mag extension. nothing but a light to identify targets.

What sort of HD situation arises and you need more than 7 shots of buck? Think about it.


agree, although usually you need a mag extension to get to 7. most stock only hold 5. but nothing crazy like needing 11.




Addressing the "safety's in the wrong place" issue. Use it, it becomes second nature. Let it sit in the closet until you fire it once every 5 years and yeah, anything can be awkward. My first shotgun was a 500 and it was stolen when I was 13. I've had an 870 as a replacement ever since and I have zero problem locating the safety any time that weapon is in my hands.

only works if it's just you using the gun. If there are other household members (spouse typically), it's not so hot. that was my earlier point. I just don't use the fucking thing it's so stupid. You pick up my 870's, they are hot. but that's not a great solution with others in the house.

[LongArmoftheLaw]

Rourke: I guess I will just have to try out the standard stock and one with a pistol grip to get an idea for myself. I plan on doing some ammunition testing with my buddy anyway soon so Ill throw in some buck and those pdx1's just to compare.

[JohnTRourke]

or in true gun nut fashion, you could always get both. [Coffee]

[LongArmoftheLaw]

haha that is always an option! ah the addiction of a gun nut!