Where to Start?

[California Jack]

I want a tactical HD shotgun. Where do I go to learn about these, other than here of course?

Pump, 12 gauge I know I want. But where do I go to figure out if I want an over-sized safety or the stock that absorbs recoil (can't remember name right now), do I want the barrel woried on by Vang (did I get that name right?), what type of sites. All that stuff, I need recomendations on where to learn.

Thanks,
Jack

[GlocksterPaulie]

A $300.00 shotty is going to do the same as a $800.00 one for HD. All the bells an whistles are not going to do you any good for your purpose. I have an older Win 1300 that has been beat to hell and it sits by my bed at night, if the police have to take it better that one verses one of my Benelli's.

Paulie

[MrMurphy]

Louis Awerbuck is the king of combat shotguns. He's an instructor. What he says you can take to the bank.

Gabe Suarez wrote a book years back, somewhat dated now, but still "relevant" (aside from the Knoxx stock and a few other things, shotguns don't change much) called The Tactical Shotgun. Amazon has it for around $15.

Prioritize. Is this a home gun? A Range Toy? A mall ninja wannabe-weapon with everything in the world strapped on even though you never shoot anything but squirrels and paper? Is money an issue?

A basic 870 Express, or a Police Magnum if you can afford it (better finish and internal parts, though both work well) will do to start. I would add a XS Sight Systems Big Dot tritium front bead. If money is tight, a Hi-Viz fiberoptic version also works if you have any kind of illumination (night light, starlight) for about 1/3 the price ($25ish vs $90ish).

Next? Light. The Surefire shotgun fore-end is "the best", though at around $200 it's nearly as much as the gun. There are rail-equipped replacement fore-ends and various other versions that also work, for less.

I would add a sling, because a sling to a long gun is like a holster to a pistol. I wear a sling-equipped rifle 8-20 hours a day, so to me it's a natural. That would be up to you.


Extra ammo: Some people like stock shell holders or Sidesaddles. I prefer the Sidesaddle and the Mesa Tactical one is probably the best out there.

Training: You don't just point a shotgun. Awerbuck is the best, followed up probably by Rob Haught and after them, there's a lot of "good" instructors and some of the bigger schools (like Gunsite) have their own classes.

For close range use I would stick with the bead. If you're a cop or work outdoors and might use a slug at extended ranges (30-100 yards), then ghost ring/aperature sights make sense, but for room to room work, a bead is fine. And sometimes faster.


Edit: A Mossberg 500 or 590 will do the same job as the 870, and if you're a lefty, I would recommend them as they have the tang safety. Both are good guns, as is the Benelli Nova SP or SuperNova.

[California Jack]

Thanks for the guidance.