12 gauge or 20?
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fearless65
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12 gauge or 20?
I am considering the purchase of an 870 shotgun for home defense. Are the improvements and upgrades discussed by this site applicable to either the 12 or 20 gauge model or do they only apply to the 12 gauge? Thank you.
Re: 12 gauge or 20?
From the majority of what i've read it would seem that most of the upgrades work for both. I imagine mag tubes and barrels wouldn't but everything else should.
Rem 870 Tactical w/ Magpul stock, Forend, MS3 Sling and sling mount/Wilson Combat follower and spring/Vancomp big dome safety/Volquartsen Exact edge extractor/Heavy carrier spring/Elzetta Mount/ Streamlight polytac/Mesa Tactical poly Side saddle.
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ProjectCamaro
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Re: 12 gauge or 20?
If you have a question about a specific modification or change just ask on the forum and we'll be happy to help.
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Synchronizor
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Re: 12 gauge or 20?
The current 20ga 870s are built on a slightly scaled-down receiver, and so can't accept all the same add-ons that are available for the 12. Some things are interchangeable, and there are some adapters out there that allow putting a 12ga stock on a 20ga gun, for example. There's also a reasonable amount of aftermarket support for the small-frame 20ga specifically. Nothing near what's out there for the 12ga, but enough to build a perfectly functional HD gun with some useful bells & whistles.
To be honest though, while the 20ga can be quite effective for social work, my default recommendation is to get a 12ga for HD. Ammo is cheaper and easier to find, parts and accessories are more available, and there're a lot more choices if you want to customize the gun or use it for other applications like hunting. The topic of recoil is a moot one; the 12ga can be loaded just as light as the 20ga, and there are plenty of good low-recoil 12ga shells available these days that are as soft or softer than typical 20ga shells (the extra mass of the 12ga gun also helps keep recoil down for any given payload). The small-frame 20ga 870s do get you a noticeably lighter and smaller gun, which can be beneficial for younger or smaller-statured folks, but the 12ga models can also be tailored for smaller shooters with a short or adjustable stock and a longer fore-end.
To be honest though, while the 20ga can be quite effective for social work, my default recommendation is to get a 12ga for HD. Ammo is cheaper and easier to find, parts and accessories are more available, and there're a lot more choices if you want to customize the gun or use it for other applications like hunting. The topic of recoil is a moot one; the 12ga can be loaded just as light as the 20ga, and there are plenty of good low-recoil 12ga shells available these days that are as soft or softer than typical 20ga shells (the extra mass of the 12ga gun also helps keep recoil down for any given payload). The small-frame 20ga 870s do get you a noticeably lighter and smaller gun, which can be beneficial for younger or smaller-statured folks, but the 12ga models can also be tailored for smaller shooters with a short or adjustable stock and a longer fore-end.
Re: 12 gauge or 20?
I've had both for a while now and just recently got rid of the 20. the new 20's are slightly thinner and smaller everywhere, and roughly 1lb difference. If you're a smaller framed person carrying this around in the field all day I can see the appeal. For a home defense situation I feel that the 20 is at a disadvantage for the following reasons:
Good HD loads harder to find/more expensive for the 20
Less weight =more felt recoil. The factory loads coming out of a factory 20g 870 are usually equivalent or comparable to a 12ga 870 due to the 1lb difference
Low recoil 12ga HD loads readily available, not the case for 20ga
This is not to say that the 20ga would not be an excellent gun for HD and general purpose use. I would only suggest that for HD the 12ga is the more versatile choice (much more modification compatible as noted above).
Good HD loads harder to find/more expensive for the 20
Less weight =more felt recoil. The factory loads coming out of a factory 20g 870 are usually equivalent or comparable to a 12ga 870 due to the 1lb difference
Low recoil 12ga HD loads readily available, not the case for 20ga
This is not to say that the 20ga would not be an excellent gun for HD and general purpose use. I would only suggest that for HD the 12ga is the more versatile choice (much more modification compatible as noted above).
Re: 12 gauge or 20?
A 20-gauge for antipersonnel use could use No.3 buckshot or No.4 buckshot for the most part. In 3-in. magnum sized shells there are No.2 buckshot shells, and if one searches them out, there are some "exotic" 20-ga. loads with No.1 buck, but these are less common than the standard No.3.
Personally, based on my perceived needs, I'd find that more than adequate, but your situation might make you feel different.
I have a 12-ga. 870 Express that I used as the basis for my current defensive set up. It is the case that there are more options for the 12-ga. Personally, I use No.4 buck in my current situation, but I also have a whole bunch of double-aught buck available too. And that is the gauge I'll be working with for slugs.
The most important thing with either gauge chosen would be to size the stock correctly for the intended users. In my case, being short statured, that means a youth-size stock.
Personally, based on my perceived needs, I'd find that more than adequate, but your situation might make you feel different.
I have a 12-ga. 870 Express that I used as the basis for my current defensive set up. It is the case that there are more options for the 12-ga. Personally, I use No.4 buck in my current situation, but I also have a whole bunch of double-aught buck available too. And that is the gauge I'll be working with for slugs.
The most important thing with either gauge chosen would be to size the stock correctly for the intended users. In my case, being short statured, that means a youth-size stock.
Alle Kunst ist umsonst, wenn ein Engel in das Zündloch prunst.
Re: 12 gauge or 20?
Nothing can take the place of my 12 gauge Mag Express.. But last Sept. I bought a 20 gauge Youth Model at Walmart for roughly 300$ and I absolutely love it! Its a fun, good looking firearm I put a +4 sidesaddle and a +4 Nordic extension on it, a CDM clamp and its looking tactical and I wasn't even trying to make it tactical. The loads are plenty powerful, almost equivalent to the 12 gauge as far as felt recoil? But its spooky accurate and a breeze to lug around! The group is pretty right on, but it is possible to trick out a 20? Just gotta look a little harder and spend a few more pennies. As far as ammo, order it? That's what I do, cheaper that way anyways...