Spike12

I'm with Joe, The Wonder Veep on this one. It's my primary beside the bed tool.

I'd say Joe knows as much about shot guns as he knows about guns laws as he knows about women - NADA.

Sbh87

Just picked up a Mossberg 500. There are tons of accessories (stock, forearms, shell carries, etc.) and there are tons of barrels in different lengths (smooth bore and rifled) that it really becomes one gun that can do it all. Since you don't hunt a rifled barrel probably would not be of interest but you can get a short smooth bore for home defense and a longer barrel for some trap and skeet shooting.

Walnutz

Two of my favorite firearms. The Mossberg 590a1 on the left has kept a smile on my face since day one. It is my primary home defense and the gun I take out when I really need to beat the hell out of some milk jugs and steel plates. 8 in the tube 1 in the chamber and 4 slugs in the speed feed stock...more firepower than I, hopefully, would ever need. Biden can suck a "duck" cause that's all he'll be shooting with a double barrel! Me I like to have the ability to rain lead if it is absolutely necessary.

Seriously though...shoot a few slugs and tell me you're not beaming from ear to ear

..don't get me wrong though I love double barrels as well.

jags09dr

Idk if it has already been talked about but if you enjoy just shooting and are interested in a shotgun try taking up sporting clays. It is another animal of addictive shooting. Im sure you will enjoy

DBJones416

Definitely get one for home defense. The only reason to use a handgun in a home defense situation is to fight your way to a long gun, and there are very few things more lethal than a shotgun.

Thor45AZ

I honestly can't think of any reason not to own a shotgun...

GJHIII

Shotguns are reliable, accurate and efficient with very little practice. I think everyone who owns a firearm should have one.

exodus

pros:
-abundance of ammo even during this drought
-versatility of ammo including the specialty shells
-can be used to hunt all kinds of critters: birds/small game/large game
-pump shotguns are mechanically simple design and easy to maintain
-very effective weapon in close combat situations like 25 yards

cons:
-ammo can be heavy if carrying large quantities
-shotgun is heavy

jlh820

Best home defense weapon, comparatively inexpensive to buy and shoot, great for all sorts of hunting and shooting clay targets is just way too much fun!

While I've shot them for years, I never owned until last year. I've had it about 12-13 months now and no regrets.

Unless you're into clay target sports or breaching doors, no you don't need one. But man, they're a whole lotta fun!

jwh321

Best reason to get one is that you don't have one. Nothing beats the bang of a shotgun at close to medium range. Absolutely nothing (well, maybe a .50 cal).

Smage

You mention your backyard range, is it large enough and far away from neighbors enough for hand thrown Clays? Enjoyable!!
I reccomend a pump either Mossy 500 or Remington 870 with screw in chokes .
12 or 20 Ga 3 inch chamber, depends on how you handle recoil. JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET!!
Smage

Mullet72

whats the best loads for home defense, BUT with kids in the house ? I wouldn't want anything to go through walls and hit them of course.
I have Hornady critical defense 12 GA 00BK right now.

gunjunkie

If for some reason I could only have one gun, it would be a pump shotgun.

elrondo

First I would say because you don't have one. I own 6 my father and grandfather were both big into Bird hunting and I got their guns. , duck ,geese, dove, quail. I like to shoot trap and skeet now and then. it's just another gun to add to the hobby.

ZommyGun

I would say the same except that if I only had two it would be my 12ga coach gun w/ external hammers and my 12ga pump...all roads lead home to the coach gun in the end...which I have had for 40 years...was the first gun I ever bought (prior to that had a 22 rifle inherited in the sixties)...I bought then for the same reasons I would keep it if I could only have one now...have shot trap very well with it much to the dismay and displeasure of the rest of the group mocking me for toting up to the podium...

The 12ga breech loader w/ external hammer(s) is the simplest, easiest, most reliable...you ALWAYS know if it is cocked or not...and you NEVER have to be concerned about the position of the safety...and you NEVER have to be concerned about a potential jamb...it is capable of packing the most punch at close range in a short, light, quick gun...it can use no. 7 birdshot-cut-shells...which are much cheaper...have a lot less recoil...and pack more punch than buck/slug...