major liability
Active member
It's almost Christmas time once again!
This year I have some money saved up and I expect to get a little more for Christmas. I've been wanting a nice shotgun for home defense (but mostly fun at the range) for some time now. You might recall I asked about this before a while ago. Well, now I actually have the money to make the purchase! The only problem is, it's hard to find reliable reviews online. You never know if someone is making stuff up, or has only tried the gun they are endorsing.
You folks seem to know all about it, so please help me decide. I've narrowed it down to 4 choices.
Remington 870: I've fired one and heard great things about it. As of right now, this looks like the one I'm going to get simply because it's cheap and I'm familiar with the controls. There's a nice OD green "Tactical" 870 with a shell holder, pistol grip, and collapsible stock down at the gun shop.
Saiga-12: I want this more than any other shotgun, but I don't know anyone who has one and I've never fired it. The fact that it's a magazine-fed semi-auto is awesome. I want one before they ban it. But is it as reliable as the Kalashnikov it is based on? My sources conflict on whether or not the Saiga-12 features the side-mount for optics. Does it? The fact that it is going to take more time and money to get the US compliance parts and install a pistol grip is a negative; the standard wooden stock is too hideous (and uncomfortable looking) to leave on.
Benelli Nova: I liked how it felt (and how light it was) when I picked one up in the gun shop, but I've heard that the foregrip rattles when you move around (big no-no in case of home invasion) and that the action not as smooth as the 870 or Mossberg.
Mossberg 500: I don't know too much about this shotgun, but have heard it mentioned hundreds of times so I figured I might as well consider it.
Any buying advice from people who have actually fired these weapons would be greatly appreciated.
This year I have some money saved up and I expect to get a little more for Christmas. I've been wanting a nice shotgun for home defense (but mostly fun at the range) for some time now. You might recall I asked about this before a while ago. Well, now I actually have the money to make the purchase! The only problem is, it's hard to find reliable reviews online. You never know if someone is making stuff up, or has only tried the gun they are endorsing.
You folks seem to know all about it, so please help me decide. I've narrowed it down to 4 choices.
Remington 870: I've fired one and heard great things about it. As of right now, this looks like the one I'm going to get simply because it's cheap and I'm familiar with the controls. There's a nice OD green "Tactical" 870 with a shell holder, pistol grip, and collapsible stock down at the gun shop.
Saiga-12: I want this more than any other shotgun, but I don't know anyone who has one and I've never fired it. The fact that it's a magazine-fed semi-auto is awesome. I want one before they ban it. But is it as reliable as the Kalashnikov it is based on? My sources conflict on whether or not the Saiga-12 features the side-mount for optics. Does it? The fact that it is going to take more time and money to get the US compliance parts and install a pistol grip is a negative; the standard wooden stock is too hideous (and uncomfortable looking) to leave on.
Benelli Nova: I liked how it felt (and how light it was) when I picked one up in the gun shop, but I've heard that the foregrip rattles when you move around (big no-no in case of home invasion) and that the action not as smooth as the 870 or Mossberg.
Mossberg 500: I don't know too much about this shotgun, but have heard it mentioned hundreds of times so I figured I might as well consider it.
Any buying advice from people who have actually fired these weapons would be greatly appreciated.