Question about Shotguns and MP15/22

[MasterMason]

I planning on getting a shotgun for home defense and have a question. First of all, I am not all that familiar with shotguns and only have limited hands on experience with them. Having said that, what are some suggestions for a decently priced shotgun that would be good for a.)learning and b.)home defense? Also, can anyone suggest a good course ? Or, if you think that there are reasons why a shotgun is no good for home defense i'd like to hear that too.

Also, sometime soon (or not so soon depending on finances) I was thinking about picking up one of the S&W MP15/22s just for some plinking fun. Has anyone purchased one and if so was it worth the money??

Thanks!

 

[TheRoland]

Also, sometime soon (or not so soon depending on finances) I was thinking about picking up one of the S&W MP15/22s just for some plinking fun. Has anyone purchased one and if so was it worth the money??

I picked one up to match my real AR, and like it well enough. In MA, the ten-round magazines are a pain in the rear-end. I'm planning on keeping it for training, but if I were to sell a gun, it would be the first to go.

 

[wolf223]

Shotgun: Remington 870 youth model

ETA: the youth model because it's shorter, old school wood grain, or you can get the black one w / extended tube...

M&P 15-22: i have one, it's a tack driver and i it comes to the range with me EVERY time I go since i got it. CCI mini mags and NOT one failure to date. i'm close to 1k rounds and haven't even cleaned it.

 

[s4mt3k]

Home Defense Shotgun = Mossberg 500 maybe?
M&P 15/22 = Have one, lots of fun, specially when you bring someone to shoot

 

[s4mt3k]

Shotgun: Remington 870 youth model

ETA: the youth model because it's shorter, old school wood grain, or you can get the black one w / extended tube...

M&P 15-22: i have one, it's a tack driver and i it comes to the range with me EVERY time I go since i got it. CCI mini mags and NOT one failure to date. i'm close to 1k rounds and haven't even cleaned it.

I shoot the bulk Federal stuff through it with absolutely no problems, cheap shooting ftw...

 

[Tim94gt]

Can't go wrong with a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870.

The M&P15-22 is a pretty fun gun, I've heard a lot of good things and will probably get one eventually.

 

[lupis42]

Since nobody's mentioned it yet, for pump shotguns, if you can get past the cost premium (or wait till MassMark runs another group buy), I like the Benelli Super Nova Tactical. Accessories are through the roof though, so if you want one shotgun and enough barrels to do everything for short money, that's not the gun for you.

As for the M&P 15-22, I've seen three on Appleseed lines now, through just about every kind of weather the northeast has to offer, with nary a single failure. Plus, unlike the 10/22, they come with good iron sights. Shame about the huge 10 round mags though.

 

[Dtess17]

Id say get a Remington 870. Its less expensive than the Benelli, and has just as many if not more accessories.
If you don't buy the youth model outright, you can always buy a shorter stock for a better LOP.

The gun has been around forever, and I have yet to meet someone that owns one that doesn't like it. Its proven and reliable gun.

The Super Cell pad makes the gun much more fun to shoot. It really takes the recoil down to the point where you can shoot all day and night and not be sore

 

[crazymjb]

Another fan of the Remington 870 right here.

Mike

 

[Dogdad]

The 12-gauge Remington 870 and Mossberg 500/590 are the most popular pump shotguns, and have the most aftermarket parts available if you want to customize them. 18.5" barrels are the standard for defensive use. If you want to also try clay sports or hunting, you can get combo packages with two barrels. Swapping a barrel takes under a minute.

Use inexpensive light target loads for practice, and reduced-recoil buckshot for defense. The Federal loads with the Flitecontrol wads tend to produce the tightest groups in most guns. The Remington low-recoil also works well.

You don't need to add much to a basic shotgun, but if you want to accessorize...

For home defense, a simple bead sight is fine. Some folks like the tritrium beads such as the XS Big Dot for low light.

A lot of folks advocate a having light on the gun for target identification. CDM makes high-quality mounts. The Streamlight TLR-1 is a popular light, or you can use a flashlight such as the Polytac. http://www.cdmgear.com/

Extended magazine tubes add capacity and weight, as do sidesaddles.

Short stocks are becoming more common as more folks shoot with a squared-off stance instead of the traditional bladed stance. The 12" Hogue seems to be a popular choice.

The only regularly scheduled courses I know of in the area are at the SIG academy: http://www.sigsaueracademy.com/Courses/

 

[Gemini74]

Remington 870 express, bought one in june with the mag extension for 6+1 for short money (350 NIB) love 870's, they have been a shotgun staple for years and you can find just about every accessory you can imagine for it as well. . .
as far as the M&P 15-22 they are fun plinkers but the 10 round mags are rediculous... but i state again fun

 

[Bulldog87]

I'm in the same boat. After looking into it I think I have my sights set on a Mossberg 500 Tactical, with the expandable stock and heat shield. Very cool looking gun. Now I just need to find one set up with those accessories. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[whatluck]

Mossberg 500 fan here. Grab one used for sub-$200. It can be used for everything from HD to clays to shooting deer. Easiest gun I have to strip. Eats everything. The only malfunction I ever had with it is one time on cheap remington slugs it dented the back of a cartridge and I had a weak primer strike.

Any pump/lever gun is going to be very reliable because you use physical force to eject and rechamber.

 

[xtry51]

Benelli Supernova for shotgun.

The MP15-22 is great for teaching people to shoot, kids and first time adults who've never held an AR style.

 

[Bob P]

Shotgun: Remington 870 youth model

ETA: the youth model because it's shorter, old school wood grain, or you can get the black one w / extended tube...

M&P 15-22: i have one, it's a tack driver and i it comes to the range with me EVERY time I go since i got it. CCI mini mags and NOT one failure to date. i'm close to 1k rounds and haven't even cleaned it.

I've seen Wolf's and several others. Were I to be getting a .22 this is what I'd be getting. (I've got a 10/22 already) Great gun.

 

[MARINE96]

Mossberg 500 used is a good starter shotty.

Remember this if for some reason you lose it in a boat accident you're not out much.

 

[md2020]

I wouldn't buy the 15-22 if I had to do it over again. I've tried changing trigger springs and several brands of ammo for it and it can't do much better than about a golf ball at 50 yds w/ Mueller APV set at 14X. I would buy the 50th anniversary edition Marlin 60 DLX ($200 from Bass Pro Shops) since it can shoot inside a nickle/quarter at 50 yds using Weaver Rimfire scope set at 7X and CCI Std velocity ammo. With the left over $$$ I would get a nice rimfire scope (it does have better than usual iron sights on the 60 DLX) and 3000 rds of CCI SV. For comparison, the old Remington 513T I got in a trade can put just about any ammo inside a dime at 50 yds using the std Redfield Peep sights on it. These were all done off a bench using just a front support. IMHO, there are different levels of what it means when some one says it is a tack driver.

Remington 870 Express w/ short barrel w/ extension tube kit OR the Mossberg 500 w/ extension tube on it will get the job done. Both are reasonable $. Go handle each one and see which one feels better when you shoulder it. I found the Mossberg length of pull a bit too long stock out of the box. You can always find them used or look in the classifieds here on NES.

 

[MasterMason]

Wow, thanks ! I think Ill look at the Mossberg 500 or the Remington. I have seen the price tags on the Bennelli and I know that is a little beyond my price range.

I'll also hold off on the 15/22 seems to be also a fun gun to shoot but perhaps the for the money I could find something a little better or maybe invest that money into something else....

Hmmmmm hopefully this weekend will bring a new addition to my "family" !!

 

[x-frog-22]

Ithica mod 37 12 ga. Bottom load and eject. Drop it in the mud ,just shake it out.Left or right hand frendly.....For Home D. make it a short pull depending on your size,You dont want to short stroke it when the S23t hits the fan. I had one for two tours in Vietnam.

 

[wolf223]

I wouldn't buy the 15-22 if I had to do it over again. I've tried changing trigger springs and several brands of ammo for it and it can't do much better than about a golf ball at 50 yds w/ Mueller APV set at 14X. I would buy the 50th anniversary edition Marlin 60 DLX ($200 from Bass Pro Shops) since it can shoot inside a nickle/quarter at 50 yds using Weaver Rimfire scope set at 7X and CCI Std velocity ammo. With the left over $$$ I would get a nice rimfire scope (it does have better than usual iron sights on the 60 DLX) and 3000 rds of CCI SV. For comparison, the old Remington 513T I got in a trade can put just about any ammo inside a dime at 50 yds using the std Redfield Peep sights on it. These were all done off a bench using just a front support. IMHO, there are different levels of what it means when some one says it is a tack driver.

Remington 870 Express w/ short barrel w/ extension tube kit OR the Mossberg 500 w/ extension tube on it will get the job done. Both are reasonable $. Go handle each one and see which one feels better when you shoulder it. I found the Mossberg length of pull a bit too long stock out of the box. You can always find them used or look in the classifieds here on NES.

DEAR LORD! why are you shooting @ 50 yards with a 14x scope????

i use my Mueller APV on my 10/22 at 4 to 8x at 100 yards!!!! my 10/22 is more accurate with the bull barrel and hogue stock.

hell, i use a 10x fixed power scope on my .223 Savage 10 up to 300 yards!

suggestion: use a 1 to 4x variable red dot (i.e. Millet DMS or a low power bushnell). leave the trigger alone and practice. i can shoot sub- 2" groups with mine at 100 yards consistently. occasionally, 1" (ish) groups using the irons... i do want to get a low power scope eventually, but i have fun training with it using the irons.

the 10rd mags are a PITA...

also, the Ruger AR (or is it SR) 10-22 is another option, since it will take standard 10-22 mags, including the pre-bans

 

[Dogdad]

Go to http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/downloads/brochure-downloads.aspx and download "The Remington Guide to Shotguns". It is excellent basic information that applies to any brand.