OK, thinking about one of these for the wife for her home defense shotgun. I honestly have never fondled one much less shot one, so.. who has? It's gonna be a 12G., and I'm looking at the SPX or Home Security versions, but with the 7 +1 option. AND- I want to make sure it functions with low base shells. I read somewhere that the 930's are tunable for low base shells, just not sure if that's hype or reality. Anyone have one? Thanks, JB. (Mods. and Scotty-O, thanks for this forum! Beats the crap out of another site I'm not using anymore.)
Nothing wrong with the 20g. at all. But, the 930 in 12g. should be a sweetheart, especially with low-base. IF it actually can be dialed in for low-base.
In the heat of battle it's a point and shoot to save your life kinda thing. I think the 12 ga. will be just as safe as a 20 with better results on 'shoot to stop'. Weight may be an issue to consider.
What loads would be considered effective for home defense that are low brass? I assume the gun is semi-auto based on the shell question. For me, I would want my wife to handle a pump gun simply for the reason that a novice is likely to forget that the gun is automatically reloaded following a shot. Good way to have a mistaken discharge. Pumps are plenty quick to operate.
For myself, I wouldn't choose a low base shell, but for her it will be the starting point. She's shot my 870 with OO and 4 Buck and wasn't comfortable with the recoil. But she's really good with an SKS. So my course of thinking is the 930 op system is similar to the SKS, and the SPX with the pistol grip will have similar ergonomics to the SKS, so she should transition quicker. As she becomes comfortable with the 930, she can move up in power in the ammo. I don't want her to become scared of the recoil.
Won't go through doors or walls though. If you are going to arm yourself, do it right. I still think avoiding semi-auto is wise. 20 gauge would be fine with buckshot too. Best selling self defense gun in a while is the judge. It is a 45 pistol that also shoots 410 buckshot shells.
The Judge and it's ilk were designed to ward off car-jackings initially. My wife has shot the 2" Public Defender 4510, she would prefer a long gun for home defense. 7 rounds of 1-1/8 oz. #7.5 shot should deter most folks from doing whatever they're doing.
That's my toy,- 870 with breacher choke, a mix of 2-3/4 OO- to 3-1/2 #2 steel. I'm good. It's my wifes new toy I have questions about. I have to get some real-world input on the 930 before I commit.
That can be a good thing if there are other people IE children in the house. I know someone with a 930. I can ask him today.
He only bought it this year used for $250. It had an intermittent shell extractor. He hasn't shot any low brass out of it.
Thanks for checking, let me know if he tries any low-base or if it's actually tunable for certain loads. Thanks, JB
I've got a 935 and have no complaints... But it doesn't cycle 2 3/4" shells well, which was expected.
The pump Mossberg Maverick 88 can be had w/ the short 18.5" barrel and extra capacity tube. I got mine at duck's sporting goods for $189 last spring. Nice shooting gun, and for something that may never get used for it's intended purpose, why spend a lot? Available in 12 & 20 Ga. This gun + 00 buck loads will stop just about anything.
Unfortunately at very close range you patten is quite small with standard loading practices due to the wads used, Hand loading at standard trap velocities with a base wad only and no shot cup significantly opens the pattern at close range using open choke. There are also 2" shells available. Personally I second the pump function vs auto although I understand the recoil reduction related to the auto. There is something kind of sinister about the sound of that slide going back and forth. Sends a message all of its own.
The Maverick 88 may be an option, but I'm digging into 930 mods. to make it work with low-base. A little chamber polishing, very slight enlargement of the gas ports, a few other things. The initial sound of the first shell being chambered = extreme intimidation. The sound of a big bolt going -Ka-chunk!, followed by boom, boom, boom... = Priceless! (remember the rationale for the 930- she is good with an SKS. 930 will be similar.)
