Just registered newbie

[ron4735]

Gentlemen, glad to be among experienced Remington users! I've shot, but never hunted or owned a shotgun. I want to purchase a new 12 gauge Remington 870 strictly for home defense purposes. I am initially considering the 870 Express Pistol Grip pump model based upon the recommendations of several retailers and after some research online. (Mossberg 500 was in the mix as well.) Need recommendations for a defensive shell ("double ought"-did I get that right?- buckshot was recommended) and a target shell. You are probably tired of hearing these same questions from a newbie. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance to all who comment!

[Synchronizor]

I would strongly advise against the pistol-grip model, they're very hard to control and shoot accurately even when you're not under stress. I've personally seen someone smack their face trying to aim with a pistol grip-only setup. Get something with a full stock, or maybe a folding stock if you really need to store it in a small space.

I can recommend some specific models, but first I should ask: are you planning for this shotgun to be a dedicated home defense weapon, or would you like to be able to switch barrels and take this gun hunting or clay shooting? Also, what kind of sights are you interested in?

[ron4735]

Thanks for replying. This will be a dedicated home defense model. Which short barrel models without a pistol grip would you recommend then?

[Synchronizor]

If this gun will only be used for home defense, I'd recommend the 870 Express Synthetic 7-Round (#25077):



This 18.5"-barreled, 6+1 model features an easy-to-maintain fixed cylinder choke, a quick and simple front bead sight, and a single-piece magazine tube rather than a standard 4-round tube and a +2 extension - which is more complicated and can be unreliable if not installed just right. It's a nice, simple, no-nonsense defensive pump gun; everything you need, nothing you don't. This gun is widely available and a good value; you should have no problem finding one in a gun shop, sporting goods store, or Wal-Mart in your area for $300 - $400.

This model will accept most accessories intended for standard 870s, but I'd suggest holding off on adding a lot of extra crap until you get some trigger time in. The only thing I'd recommend doing to this gun initially is to replace the rubber recoil pad with a polyurethane Remington SuperCell recoil pad (if it doesn't already come with one). For $20, it's a night-and-day difference in shooting comfort.


I do want to make sure you understand that the current-production #25077 model is intended to be a dedicated combat/defensive shotgun. Its nonstandard 6-round magazine tube has several advantages, but it does prevent the receiver from accepting other 870 barrels intended for standard 4-round magazine tubes:



If you want to be able to change barrels and go hunting or clay-shooting at some point in the future, or even if you're not sure and you would like to keep your options open, I would strongly recommend avoiding specialized long-mag models and picking up an 870 that uses a standard receiver, like a pre-2012 #25077:

[Synchronizor]

You also asked about shells in your initial post. For home defense, just about any 2.75" buckshot from the major ammo companies will get the job done. You don't need to pay extra for premium ammo if you'll just be using it at across-the-room distances, especially if that price tag keeps you from practicing with it. Just make sure it runs reliably in your gun, and pattern-test it so you know how it'll behave at the ranges you expect to encounter in and around your home.

The ideal buckshot size depends on your specific situation. I prefer #4 buck for inside the home because it patterns well and puts a lot of holes in a target, but it can lose effectiveness at longer ranges or if there are things in the way. 0, 00, or 000 buckshot do well through barriers, but their penetration can be excessive at close ranges, and their higher mass means you don't send as many pellets per shot. For lower-velocity reduced-recoil loads though, 00 buck is a good choice. #1 buck is a nice compromise between size and pellet count, but it can be hard to find in some areas.

Defensive buckshot loads have been discussed quite a bit on this site, so go ahead and look around if you want to see some other opinions. If you're interested in learning more about the different buckshot sizes, I've put together a video guide here.

For practice, the bulk-pack Federal field/target loads are a good choice. These are the maroon shells with short steel cups, loaded with 1 or 1 1/8 ounces of #9, 8, or 7.5 birdshot. They're inexpensive, easy to find, and function fairly reliably for their price point. I'd recommend picking up a case or a couple value-packs of these, and running a hundred or so through your gun to get it broken in and identify any problems. Make sure you clean your gun before taking it out for the first time.