Since the capacity is this good, you should get many more people who would want it. Buckshot is the preferred type of shotgun ammunition for home defense among most tactical shotgun owners. If you’re going to use your shotgun specifically for home defense and protection, you should be looking at a gun with these features. Perhaps a followup article on choices and availability for that – for us that are OTB (old tired broken). If 12 gauge has too much kick, you can consider a 20 gauge shotgun, though I'd recommend avoiding anything smaller if you can help it. This makes it quite versatile. For a self-defense situation, I am always looking for higher capacity, so long as the added weight isn't drastic and it doesn't affect the performance of the gun. However, the express is still the most cost-effective way to have a basic tactical shotgun in your home. This eliminates many manufacturers on the market, including Kel-tech and most imported guns. What if there were 3 intruders? As several have noted not nearly enough info regarding the .410 bore. I’m not. Filed Under: Uncategorized. This leaves you choosing between pump-action and semi-automatic shotguns. If you have to choose your own gun, then consider the following 5 fast home defense tactical shotguns. Very well written and informative without the tendency to inject too much detail loosing the less versed to firearms reaching for their mouse after paragraph three. The Winchester SXP Defender is a 20 Gauge tactical shotgun with an 18-inch barrel and a fixed magazine. It’s been manufactured for over 70 years and has sold more than 11 million units. The users like it also for being made of strong materials. This is the best tactical shotgun for the vast majority of shooters looking for one. I’m under-armed in MY castle. The company swears this mag will eat any ammo, 3 inch or 2 and ¾ inch shells, slugs and anything else you care to put through it. This placement is less accessible than the 500 if not using a pistol grip and stock, though a definite plus if you are. 870s are usually priced around Mossberg 500 models, or sometimes in between a 500 and Maverick 88. You will always find that it is possible to fit more rounds in a 20-gauge shotgun as compared to the similar size 12-gauge shotgun. 5. If you’re simply looking for the best of the best when it comes to tactical shotguns, then the Remington 870 Express Tactical might be your best possible option. Best Tactical Shotgun for Home Defense in 2020. Put simply, this makes it less likely to neutralize a threat in a home defense situation. Comes in 410 also. Birdshot also has a very limited effective range. This shotgun offers precision. This is because the manufacturer explains the process in the manual. Latest. Saiga or vepr are far better choices. Special processes and finishes have been done to the inside of the receiver to make the parts even more reliable. The 18.5" barrel 590A1, comes with either a ghost ring rear sight/fiber optic front sight (shown top) or dot sights (shown bottom). More bang for the buckWhen it comes to guns you measure effectiveness in first use stopping power. Trijicon RMR Type 2 3.25 MOA Adjustable LED Red Dot Sight. The 930 SPX has a top-mounted tang safety (like the 500 models). I like #7 the Remington 870, 20 Gauge Shotgun.. Despite this, the 930 SPX is still very affordable compared to competitors like the Benelli shotguns we'll cover below. Novice shooters, in particular, are likely to short-stroke them when trying to operate them quickly. The set might be slightly expensive, but they definitely live up to the needs of the users. Shotguns offer a ton of different benefits such as being simple to use, inexpensive to purchase, and extraordinarily lethal. The only accessory I added to the Mossberg was a Surefire light effectively maintaining one of its attractions for those seeking solid, dependable elimination of threats at a very affordable price. It is not just the power that is less, but also the recoil. That is great to know if you are going to be practicing with low-cost bird shot or target loads. Many of the tactical models have features that you can upgrade. Benelli M2 Tactical 12 Ga Shotgun Tactical Stock Ghost Ring Sights 18.5" Barrel. The design of bullpups allows for much shorter overall lengths. There is no doubt you will have a great time when it comes to using it for years to come. I'd ultimately make my decision based on whether you plan to use a stock & pistol grip or a stock without one. You can always get a Mossberg shotgun or rifle in any other gun shop around the world. Thus, some people living in apartments opt for birdshot loads for home defense. The best about this model should be that it is easily adjustable. After all, the M2 has been proving its reliability since the 1980s. Instead, the Benelli Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated (A.R.G.O.) For home shotgun defense have you ever considered a 410 pump or double barrel coach? This is the most important part of a tactical or self-defense. And go home and load up with a high brass buckshot for home defense. Whereas most shotguns on our list with 18.5" barrels have an overall length approaching 40", the KSG has an overall length of just 26.1". This has led to a long-time comparison of the Mossberg 500 vs the Remington 870. Another thing you will like should be the total soft padding. You will like the fact that is built to be strong to deal with any of the recoils from a shotgun. With all the positives I have to offer about semi-auto Benelli shotguns, I do have one gripe with them. We have a variety of manufacturers and styles of shotguns available from over under bird guns to home defense and tactical models. These high quality materials should keep it working for longer without a doubt. It is always possible to switch back to a magnified option if you have to. Pump-action shotguns require you to manually cycle the action by "pumping" the forend in a back and forward motion after each shot. Based on things such as lighting, heart rate, and excitement I’m not sure that I could do that (and I’m a pretty good shot). The gas-operated Benelli M4 shotgun can accept a broad range of optics and accessories and comes with a pistol-grip stock, ghost ring sights and a Picatinny rail. An experienced operator with this gun can shoot it almost as fast as a fully automatic firearm. Therefore, this shotgun has quite a following when it comes to having fanatics. They are common when it comes to hunting in a bush, scrub, and the marshland. July 18, 2020 2 Comments, Join the Conversation. It has been around for over 490 years now. Get a 20ga instead-cheaper ammo and more readily availble,better pattern,same recoil,better intimidation factor,doubles as a hunting gauge. If you can fit it into the chamber, it’ll fire it. The 20-gauge shotguns can deliver less 60 to 75% less power as compared to the 12-gauge shotguns. Especially, as a civilian shooter. More Protect. In other words, I won't be owning a KSG myself for this purpose. It will also come with more power. With that said, I don't believe there are any substantial benefits to it over the M2 as a home defense shotgun. This kind of padding keeps your shotgun from getting any scratches when it comes to carrying in this case. The primary benefit is that buckshot is less likely to over-penetrate or penetrate through walls, whereas slugs will easily penetrate through multiple interior walls. While my somewhat unique preference would be a safety in front of the trigger, most people love Mossberg's top-mounted tang safety. This combat shotgun is also much heavier than other guns because of the heavy steel parts, a heavy duty polymer stock, and a heavy wall barrel. Best Tactical Shotgun for Home Defense [2020 Reviews]. As ballistic gel tests show, this would create a huge stretch cavity in your attacker while also penetrating deep enough to hit vital organs. In this article I highlight some of the top tactical shotguns on the market. One thing to note is that it can be a little bit tricky to get together once you have cleaned it. Sponsored Post. Pump-action shotguns are the most affordable shotguns, followed by semi-autos. MOSSBERG - 500 TACTICAL 20IN 12 GAUGE BLUE BLACK SYNTHETIC GHOST RING 8+1RD. When it comes to the best of the best, the Mossberg 500 takes it all. It is also one of the most expensive. Of course, it’s good to go right out of the box. The best combat shotgun can mean a lot of different things depending on who you ask. Another thing you will love is the type of pump action you get with it. is cleaner and more reliable for extended periods of shooting. It comes from a line of reliable firearms that you can enjoy using starting today. However, fewer people are likely to agree with me on this one. It comes with the Mossberg 500 action that has twin action bars, fully ambidextrous battle proven design fitted to a 20-inch barrel with extended magazine tube. This is another top performance model that you can use today. Considering the M4 can costs $600+ more than the M2, I'll be sticking with the M2. The safety is non-ambidextrous, as well as being a cross bolt safety that is sometimes hard to reach. This will also include what accessories you might want on your gun to make it work better for you. With its battery, it should last you for long without having to worry about to change it. Please check your entries and try again. A typical loading of 12ga 00 buckshot fires nine .33 caliber pellets. No target or enemy will stand a chance against you with a … For many shooters, they find the model being good for boosting the shooter’s confidence. Upgrades include a heavy-walled barrel, metal trigger guard, and metal safety buttons. The good news is, almost all Mossberg 500 accessories and parts will fit the Maverick. It’s a classic tool in the firearm toolbox. It will stand up to the various conditions so that your shotgun is well protected at all times. There is no doubt you are going to have an easy time setting the right kind of brightness when it comes to starting using it today. Every tactical shotgun needs a provision to mount a flashlight. All Benelli shotguns are incredibly well crafted. Its side-mounted charging handle is knurled and well-sized for easy handling. Simple to dis assemble. Your email address will not be published. Fewer mimed parts were included and more robust forgings than the lower grade guns. Ideally, you'll want to get as close to these minimums as possible for maximum maneuverability. This is one of the most balanced shotgun designs both in terms of features and literal weight. For a home defense shotgun, I'd say the steel receiver is a slight net positive. Updated: March 16, 2020. Personally, I'll always opt for the control, accuracy, and speed a stock offers, over the better maneuverability of no stock. Appearing literally everywhere from Terminator to Jurassic Park. Indoor environments can make it challenging to maneuver a long firearm. As a result, even the newbies will have a good time when it comes to using it. I'd argue this is the ideal location if not using a pistol grip, but awkward if you are planning to use a pistol grip and stock. If accepting this level of penetration from your home defense firearm, I'd start considering a rifle over a shotgun. That is why shotguns have become a favorite of security minded homeowners. Only add a sling and a light to make it fully serviceable. With a classic cross draw holster, myriad ammo pouches, pockets for your tech items, pepper spray, stun gun, emergency radio, shotgun shells and more the Barska VX-200 Tactical Vest is ready for whatever threat presents itself. So, what is the Best Semi-Automatic Shotgun? Mossberg's 500 Tactical and 590 Tactical series have long served as the shotguns of choice for U.S. Armed Forces and law enforcement across the country. AK Layout, Short Barrel Monster It’s an AK receiver style shotgun with a 12.5 inch barrel and a folding SB Tactical pistol stabilizing brace that you normally find on an AR pistol chambered in 5.56 NATO or AAC 300 Blackout . This is one of the top sights you can get today for your shotgun. As for the “best” shotgun for home or self defense I have had both a 500 Tactical in 20 ga. and a “fully dressed” Kel-Tec loaded with mini-mags in one pipe and hot #4 shot in the other. Starting with the 12-gauge shotguns, you will always find that the ammunition is readily available. This is an excellent shotgun for anyone looking for a low-cost deal. It is not just good for making shotguns, but also many other types of firearms. The interesting thing is that this model has been in production for 70 years now. The Kel-Tec KSG 12 Gauge shotgun stands out as one of the high capacity shotgun today. As far as accessories go, all of my home defense guns have at least a red dot sight and weapon light. You are in luck when it comes to using this kind of ammo. The semi-automatic Mossberg 930 SPX Tactical is an excellent alternative to the Benelli shotguns at a relatively affordable price. I would have to be perfectly accurate with both shots. As mentioned throughout this guide, we'd recommend going with an 18.5" barrel for maximum maneuverability. There are three primary types of shotgun loads: Birdshot, Buckshot, and Slugs. Thanks to the performance, you will also get better precision and accuracy. Well, it can also depend on the shooter and not the ammo. Let's get started by taking a look at a relatively affordable series of pump-action shotguns. You will also get that the model is compact and also recoil proof. Mossberg offers 930 SPX models both with or without a pistol grip. People know shotguns for being able to use buckshot or birdshot (not very effective for home defense). 2 3/4″ still takes up 2 3/4″. There are legendary companies on the market that make guns for elite military and law enforcement units. You are also going to like it for having a lower recoil as compared to the many other models on the market. With all this in mind, let’s look at the top tactical shotguns on the market today…. Whereas a Mossberg is like a bulldozer, Benelli shotguns are finely tuned Italian sports cars. We get to check them out both just to understand what you get with the two. Top Tactical Shotguns For Law Enforcement Pros Designed for the U.S. Marine Corps and proven in combat, the Benelli M4 is a very rugged semi-automatic shotgun ready for LEO duty. Simple to maintain. You can rely on manufacturers like Remington, Benelli, and Mossberg. Mossberg Model 500 Tactical – SPX This pump action shotgun from Mossberg is a beast. The downside is they can be more picky with ammo and sometimes prone to jams. Forrest Cooper. It is a pump action shotgun that will feed anything you try to put through it. The ghost ring rear sight and fiber optic front sight are great, but the available rail space also allows you to fit a red dot sight if you so choose. Ask anyone, Marine or law enforcement, and they will say the same. Well, it can be scary if a person pulls a concealed shotgun out of nowhere. One thing that makes it stand out should be the kind of intensity you get with the model. Another thing about this model should be its construction. It is definitely more as compared to the other models on the list. Shotguns can serve as both hunting and self-defense weapons, making them a perfect choice for the prepper. Let’s define “tactical shotgun” as a shotgun made for the explicit purpose of defending against other people. This is one of the best models when it comes to combat shotguns. Size the gun to the smallest adult shooter in the household. It is not just about making the shotguns as the manufacturer also makes some good rifles, pistols, and submachine guns. Some will argue there were some issues with 1st generation KSGs, but the vast majority of KSG owners praise newer models. It is still one of the best semi automatic shotgun ever to be sold on the civilian market. Not likely! They're also generally lighter recoiling because some of the energy is used to cycle the action. The 500 Tactical shotgun, with its classic corn cob fore end, though, has a 20-inch barrel and will likely do everything you’ll ever need a home defense shotgun to do. Birdshot will no doubt leave a horrifying wound, but it generally lacks the ability to penetrate deep enough in an attacker to hit vital organs. The only time 20ga is cheaper is the second mark down when the 12ga is all gone from hunting season. Instead of the Inertia Driven system found in the M2, the M4 has a gas operated system. They offer thicker barrels that are less susceptible to bending or denting. One thing that stands out for it should be the pump action itself. Red dot sights allow me to get on target quicker than traditional sights. The best part is that you can set them up with so much ease. This is a budget friendly, ambidextrous and tank of a shoulder fired cannon of a home defense gun. The 940 JM Pro is a dedicated 3 gun shotgun. It also comes with durable steel spring hooks that should keep the sling working for long. Being versatile makes it possible to use on the different types of weapons you might have. As far as semi automatic shotguns go, this is the absolute best shotgun on the market. You can also drop the mag fast, slot another one home and you’re good to go. These kind of shotguns comes with a shorter barrel. Including the FN SLP shotgun is one of their best shotguns for home defense and a great tactical shotgun. If you have experience using the shotguns, you should then have a good time when it comes to working with this one. The 940 is the 930 improved significantly. Being a robust shotgun, it is less susceptible to the vagaries when using different shotgun ammunition types. As of now, the manufacturer operates in many countries worldwide. At some point, every homeowner thinks about the possibility of a break-in. It is also seen as reliable when it comes to using it as a home defense weapon. I'd generally recommend staying away from box magazine fed shotguns as they're notorious for having reliability issues. Let’s see if you are clever enough to take my 930 Mossberg SPX from me. You'll also want to get a side saddle to keep shells for reloading close by. However, in a tactical situation you need as short a barrel as you can legally get away with. Full disclosure: I have a 12ga pump that I can still shoot from the hip – as I was taught over 45 years ago – shoulder firing, ain’t gonna happen. Few other shotguns come close to the weight balance and feel of this pump action shotgun. As a result, the ammo is good in terms of remaining great for overall use. I keep a 12 gauge shotgun loaded with low recoil 00 buck for outdoor use only as they are large and very loud. Finally, for those placing an emphasis on maneuverability, check out the KEL-TEC KSG bullpup shotgun. It also has greater corrosion resistance and is made of a higher grade steel. Load and into the magazine and shuck shells into the action as fast as you can. But if you are on a budget, there  is simply no better shotgun to have than this one. The Mossberg 590A1 Mil-Spec gets to be the best pump action shotgun. This model is one of the best on the market. The company has been around for almost a century. There is no doubt you will always love to get the best ammo for your tactical shotgun. You can, however, find aftermarket products, like the TacStar Tactical Railmount/Sidesaddle, that will allow you to mount scopes and red dot sights. Keep in mind, Mossberg pump-action shotguns are used by the U.S. military, so there shouldn't be any concern over the 500 or 590s reliability. The best tool for defending your home is a shotgun. When not unlocked, the case remains secure to keep the shotgun from the unauthorized access by anyone. Shotguns are also cheaper more reliable. With hunting shotguns, a longer barrel is easier to hit moving targets. If there’s one thing your gun NEEDS other than ammo, it’s a light. It is the reason you always get this manufacturer delivering on the best performance you could use. And there are companies looking to cash in and will sell an inferior product stamped “Tactical.”. If you are planning to run a stock and pistol grip on your home defense shotgun, the Remington 870 or Maverick 88 have safeties in a better position. That lineage of high-stakes, hard use situations make for an excellent firearm that you can bet your life on. This is another top model that comes with a great reputation when it comes to making some of the best shotguns on the market. Having reviewed our six choices for the best home defense shotgun, I'll leave you with some parting thoughts to help make your decision. They will always have more power to make sure that the enemy can easily be subdued by the person who is holding the weapon. Adjustable stock, standard or pistol grip, six-shot or eight-shot capacity, ghost rings or bead sight, heat shield or Pic rail…there’s a 500 made for anyone. The 870 is worse for carrying around, but the extra weight eats up more of the felt recoil. The front sight is AR-15 height, allowing you to co-witness with optics that you may already own for an AR-15. You also get that the recoil is considerably less. It’s ready to mount a red dot or scope to the combat shotgun. However, I think it's clear that the company designed and manufactured the KSG to a higher standard than their handguns. This model easily attaches to the standard sling swivels for ease of setup. Last to note on birdshot is many semi-automatic shotguns have issues reliably cycling birdshot loads.