Tactical shotgun - medium range defense

I have an old 870 to which I added a 7 shot magazine tube and 18 1/2 barrel with no choke. The front sight is a bead. This will do anything I need it to. However, I have an itch for an upgraded version. What do you recommend? It seems like every manufacturer has at least one plus a dozen aftermarket outfits - which are worth their salt?

I know that I could upgrade my current gun but once you add side saddles, a new finish, new stocks, new sights, a light mount, etc. you are close to the cost of a new gun - only you still have an old gun. It may be the functional equivalent (or even superior) but it isn't nearly as cool as a new toy, is it?

I don't care b/w pump or semi-auto but it needs to be reasonably affordable ($700-800 max). This will be my medium range gun, taking the place of what most of you might use an AR for. I have a 30.06 for long range, should that ever be needed (seems pretty unlikely). Given my set up, I might need something more powerful than a handgun but probably not out beyond 100 yards. I am not terribly keen on a pistol caliber carbine but am open to suggestions.

I want something that looks like a shotgun though - no Saigas.

I bought an 870 Tactical with ghost ring sights and screw in chokes. I added a Knoxx Recoil Reducing Collapsable stock and forearm kit to mine. Really tames the 00 rounds.

I saw, in the latest Shotgun News, an AR based shotgun. Now that would be tacti-cool!

take your $700-800 and get a (H&R) New England Firearms Pardner Protector and with the remaining $500-600 get ammo and tacticool acessories. Dont let the price fool you, its a solid, reliable weapon, you wont be dissappointed (get one before NEF realizes what they have and jack up the price). Plus with 500 clams you can get a lot of goodies for it.

How about an M1 Carbine. 30 Cal firepower...15 round mag...zero recoil...good enough accuracy to 100 yards..light weight

how about a Mossberg Ulti-Mag 3 1/2" ? add whatever you want and it will be good to 100+ yds with 18pellets of 00buck. Knoxx Stock do work I've heard.

Mossberg 590 the actual military shotgun can be had for around 4 or 5 hundred dollars. It has a heavier barrel than most shotguns. Or an 870 tactical with some Wilson Combat accessories. I highly recamend a Surefire forend(you can't hit what you can't see).

I have a 870 tactical picked it up for around $350. Good gun but beware of finish defects.

gunluvinatty wrote:I have an old 870 to which I added a 7 shot magazine tube and 18 1/2 barrel with no choke. The front sight is a bead. This will do anything I need it to. However, I have an itch for an upgraded version. What do you recommend? It seems like every manufacturer has at least one plus a dozen aftermarket outfits - which are worth their salt?

I know that I could upgrade my current gun but once you add side saddles, a new finish, new stocks, new sights, a light mount, etc. you are close to the cost of a new gun - only you still have an old gun. It may be the functional equivalent (or even superior) but it isn't nearly as cool as a new toy, is it?

What exactly are you looking for?
Do you want a pistol grip stock or a conventional stock?
Do you want the light on the forend or attached to the barrel?
Do you want black, camouflage, or marine finish?

Some good starters
870 Express Tactical
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/tactical/shotguns/model-870-express-tactical.aspx

590A1 #51663


Benelli SuperNova Tactical


All come with ghost ring or rifle sights, points to attach a sling, and places to attach a light

gunluvinatty wrote:I want something that looks like a shotgun though - no Saigas.

What's wrong with the SAIGAs?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have looked hard at the Supernova. Benelli has a few other very, very cool offerings too. I like the magazine disconnect feature on the Supernova and have a hunting Nova already, so there is some familiarity of arms. Ditto the 870 Tactical. I do like the appearance of a pistol grip but haven't much experience with it in usage.

I'm still on the fence about weapon mounted lights. I understand the purpose but the objections are two-fold: a) you have to point your weapon at what may not be a target in order to identify it; and b) it is not easily separated should I still need the light but not the weapon.

Nothing wrong with a Saiga. I just don't want one. it is much easier to explain a traditional, police-type gun to a jury than something which looks like a Saiga. You and I understand that there are few practical distinctions but a prosecutor/jury might not always get it. Recall the AWB? All about cosmetics.

I have a Benelli M4 and so far I like because you can use it as a pump or a auto Sandy

You could always go the short route



Then mount it to your AR

crossedcannons45 wrote:take your $700-800 and get a (H&R) New England Firearms Pardner Protector and with the remaining $500-600 get ammo and tacticool acessories. Dont let the price fool you, its a solid, reliable weapon, you wont be dissappointed (get one before NEF realizes what they have and jack up the price). Plus with 500 clams you can get a lot of goodies for it.

+1 All of the 870 stuff interchanges with the NEF PP except the barrel. Great Shotty for the $$

DirtyWorks wrote:You could always go the short route



Then mount it to your AR

That thing hurts my hand just looking at it!

I've got the Knoxx recoil reducing stock on my 870. My wife can run a tube of mag slugs without flinching.

Worth every penny of maybe 30-40 bucks over a standard collapsible stock

Check out Wilson Combat for ideas. Or maybe one of theirs.

www.wilsoncombat.com

Now guys when you say the Knoxx RR stock are we talking the traditional looking stock or the ar pistol grip version?/ Just wandering cause I too would like to upgrade but dont wont nothing that does not have function.....thanks

I also would suggest the Mav88 because price wise it fits the same as the NEF but can use any Mossy 500 barrels and accessories other than forend.....I have been told that even that can be done jus dont know how....