What the difference betwenn shotguns? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**Dozer** · 10-08-2007, 08:58 PM

I am wondering what is the difference between shotguns for hunting and home protection. Besides the way they look and feel , is there an absolute need for 2 shot guns? Can one multi purpose unit competently handle both duties?
Does this come down to the wheel gun vs. auto type thing again? I'd rather have a duck hunt than a pump IMO , but what do I know.

**Frenchy** · 10-08-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozer

I am wondering what is the difference between shotguns for hunting and home protection. Besides the way they look and feel , is there an absolute need for 2 shot guns? Can one multi purpose unit competently handle both duties?
Does this come down to the wheel gun vs. auto type thing again? I'd rather have a duck hunt that a pump IMO , but what do I know.

A Mossburg combo would be the way to go, IMO.

danp · 10-08-2007, 09:01 PM

Biggest thing is barrel length. If you get a Mossberg 500 or Winchster 1300, you can get two barrels (one 18"-20" and the other 24"-28") and you can swap barrels depending on what the gun's funtion of the moment is.

**XDAndMe** · 10-08-2007, 09:05 PM

In my opinion, the choice of shotgun for any given situation is personal, but in general you're going to want a shorter barrel for home defense. Hunting guns tend to have longer barrels that are too difficult to maneuver inside a house. In addition, they hold tighter shot patterns for longer distances, making it easier to miss your target in a close-quarters engagement if you're not careful.

Some hunting models can be retrofitted with a short barrel (18"), such as the Mossberg 500, while retaining the option for a longer barrel for hunting. You might want to look into a gun like this.

Another big difference between a hunting gun and a defense gun is capacity. Many states limit how many shells you can have in the magazine for hunting, hence most have smaller magazine tubes (5-6 shells tops). A defense configuration will have 8-9 shell tubes, but not necessarily.

As for auto-loading vs. pump, that comes down to preference. Many autos have been known to jam... and that's a no-no when you need it most.

Apdl · 10-08-2007, 09:17 PM

For me it would come down to length
In a home it would suck to have a 24" barrel swinging around

vafish · 10-09-2007, 07:19 AM

My home defense shotguns are Mossberg 500's or Remington 870 with 18.5" barrels.

Those exact same shotguns have extra barrels, generally a 28" vent rib model, for hunting. The 870 also has a rifled slug barrel for deer hunting.

I picked up a couple 18.5" heavy walled barrels with replaceable chokes for my Mossberg 500's. With that barrel and some chokes tubes it really becomes a one gun does all.

**XDAndMe** · 10-09-2007, 08:32 AM

When I was in the market for my first shotgun that I could call my own (was tired of borrowing shotguns for hunting), I was wooed by a nice combo package that was being sold for a decent price at the gun show. It was a Mossberg 535 ATS. The package came with a 28" vent rib barrel and a 24" rifled barrel. Perfect combination package for hunting, so I bought it. It's a great gun for that purpose.

But... sadly... the barrels and magazine tubes are not interchangeable with the Mossberg 500. They also don't make any 18" barrels for the 535. So like it or not, I"m stuck with a 6 shell capacity and a 28" barrel for firing buckshot. The upside is that it's chambered for 3-1/2" shells, which the 500 is not.

That little oversight at the time means that at some point I will have to spend more and get myself a real practical "defense" shotgun as well. I've tried swinging that 535 around my house out of curiosity, and it's not fun. Moving around corridors and corners with a 28" barrel is clumsy at best.

ichy_trigger · 10-09-2007, 08:44 AM

My HD shotty is a Remington 870 with a 20" smoothbore slug barrel. Swap to a 26" vent rib and its a bird gun.

**AZXD** · 10-09-2007, 08:49 AM

Mossy 500 or Rem. 870
Go for the HD setup, but plan for versatility. I though I screwed up when I bought the 8-shot 500, then I found out Maverick (low end mossy) makes a 28" barrel for my 8-shot, so I am still happy. Switch barrels, put a stick in the magazine, and I am legal to hunt.

Ishpeck · 10-09-2007, 09:04 AM

Maverick 88, my friend. It's a Mossberg 500 less $100.

10-08-2007, 08:58 PM	#1
Dozer XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 115	What the difference betwenn shotguns? I am wondering what is the difference between shotguns for hunting and home protection. Besides the way they look and feel , is there an absolute need for 2 shot guns? Can one multi purpose unit competently handle both duties? Does this come down to the wheel gun vs. auto type thing again? I'd rather have a duck hunt than a pump IMO , but what do I know. __________________ Luck favors the prepared. Last edited by Dozer; 10-09-2007 at 06:12 AM.

10-08-2007, 09:01 PM	#3
danp XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 1,313	Biggest thing is barrel length. If you get a Mossberg 500 or Winchster 1300, you can get two barrels (one 18"-20" and the other 24"-28") and you can swap barrels depending on what the gun's funtion of the moment is. __________________ God made cops so that firefighters could have heros too. "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Nietzche

10-08-2007, 09:17 PM	#5
Apdl XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Burnsville, MN Posts: 2,354	For me it would come down to length In a home it would suck to have a 24" barrel swinging around __________________ "He took off running, and we caught him, and he just kept resisting. So we just kept whipping his ass." -HulkXD "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." -Albert Einstein If you are not part of the solution you are part of the precipitate Springfield XD-9 TOTAL COUNT 8206 Daily Carry Springfield 1911 Loaded Target 9mm Walther P22... needs bigger mag Ruger 10/22 Carbine Remington 700 SPS Tactical .308 Win EBR Build in progress

10-09-2007, 07:19 AM	#6
vafish XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,239	My home defense shotguns are Mossberg 500's or Remington 870 with 18.5" barrels. Those exact same shotguns have extra barrels, generally a 28" vent rib model, for hunting. The 870 also has a rifled slug barrel for deer hunting. I picked up a couple 18.5" heavy walled barrels with replaceable chokes for my Mossberg 500's. With that barrel and some chokes tubes it really becomes a one gun does all. __________________ \"If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children.\" -- Confucius

10-09-2007, 08:32 AM	#7
XDAndMe XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PA, USA Posts: 3,402	When I was in the market for my first shotgun that I could call my own (was tired of borrowing shotguns for hunting), I was wooed by a nice combo package that was being sold for a decent price at the gun show. It was a Mossberg 535 ATS. The package came with a 28" vent rib barrel and a 24" rifled barrel. Perfect combination package for hunting, so I bought it. It's a great gun for that purpose. But... sadly... the barrels and magazine tubes are not interchangeable with the Mossberg 500. They also don't make any 18" barrels for the 535. So like it or not, I"m stuck with a 6 shell capacity and a 28" barrel for firing buckshot. The upside is that it's chambered for 3-1/2" shells, which the 500 is not. That little oversight at the time means that at some point I will have to spend more and get myself a real practical "defense" shotgun as well. I've tried swinging that 535 around my house out of curiosity, and it's not fun. Moving around corridors and corners with a 28" barrel is clumsy at best. Last edited by XDAndMe; 10-09-2007 at 08:35 AM.

10-08-2007, 09:05 PM	#4
XDAndMe XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PA, USA Posts: 3,402	In my opinion, the choice of shotgun for any given situation is personal, but in general you're going to want a shorter barrel for home defense. Hunting guns tend to have longer barrels that are too difficult to maneuver inside a house. In addition, they hold tighter shot patterns for longer distances, making it easier to miss your target in a close-quarters engagement if you're not careful. Some hunting models can be retrofitted with a short barrel (18"), such as the Mossberg 500, while retaining the option for a longer barrel for hunting. You might want to look into a gun like this. Another big difference between a hunting gun and a defense gun is capacity. Many states limit how many shells you can have in the magazine for hunting, hence most have smaller magazine tubes (5-6 shells tops). A defense configuration will have 8-9 shell tubes, but not necessarily. As for auto-loading vs. pump, that comes down to preference. Many autos have been known to jam... and that's a no-no when you need it most.

10-09-2007, 08:44 AM	#8
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,525	My HD shotty is a Remington 870 with a 20" smoothbore slug barrel. Swap to a 26" vent rib and its a bird gun. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

10-09-2007, 08:49 AM	#9
AZXD XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Valley of the GUN Posts: 14,612	Mossy 500 or Rem. 870 Go for the HD setup, but plan for versatility. I though I screwed up when I bought the 8-shot 500, then I found out Maverick (low end mossy) makes a 28" barrel for my 8-shot, so I am still happy. Switch barrels, put a stick in the magazine, and I am legal to hunt. __________________ SCOTUS judge appointments ... Will last much longer than Obama or McCain. Who do you want selecting people who have the ability to support or remove individual rights ?? AZXD At least I don't need any Viagra just to get myself to a point where I can do the Palin librarian fantasy Veep thing. KEVWYO There are a bunch of you that need to hit the head and grab your jar of vaseline and just get it over with. KEVWYO

10-09-2007, 09:04 AM	#10
Ishpeck XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 4,024	Maverick 88, my friend. It's a Mossberg 500 less $100. __________________ When given a chance to issue letters of marque and reprisal against Bin Laden, Congress voted against it and instead, voted the Patriot Act into law. Tells you who they think their real enemies are. http://www.ishpeck.net/

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