Best all around gun?

[RoyJackson]

If one has not practiced with the shotgun you can really mess up its operation. I have seen people dump live rounds out of pump guns because they pumped too many times. Range time is not as stressful as having to shoot someone.

What if you need a second round?

It is safer to have the chamber empty and the slide ready to pump a round but it is more complicated to load.

Practice.

Later,
Dan

I leave my pump (Mossberg 500) with 4 or 5 in the tube (the Mossy carries 6 or 7 in the tube) and the chamber empty. To me, that's the safest method.
BTW, a standard Mossberg 500 carries 3 or 4 in the tube. The Persuader (now called the Cruiser, I think) has an extended tube.

 

[nybirdman]

Our barn gun is....a Savage over-under .22/.410 ,If I were to purchase a new one it would be .223/20gauge.

 

[wdchyd]

If you seriously anticipate using a gun for home defense why would you have to work the slide under pressure? Just take it off safety and pull the trigger.

I think the "Chi-Ching" of the pump action alone would be best warning that the next thing is the BANG to a would-be intruder....:thumbsup:

No need to holler out "Stop...Who goes there"

 

[chucko]

I have a 44 mag lever action rifle that I really like for such use

 

[brin]

All of my Pump shotguns...12 ga and 20 ga. have the plugs in the tubes...anyone know how I can safely take those plugs out so I can load more shells...I googled it but it was not clear to me...I realize there is a spring in there and I know without trying that you better know what you are doing before disrupting a spring or I may never get it back it...Help please...I have an old JC higgins 12 ga. and an Ithica 12 ga.. Thanks..

 

[JMER817]

WOW! That was a lot of responses in a short time...lol. Thanks for the input! I am no novice to guns, I own 1)Remington 1100 12gauge 2) Ruger 10/22 3) Mossberg bolt action slug gun 4) AR15 .223 5) .22 cricket for the kids 6) Ruger LCP.380 7) Ruger LCR 38 special. Do plan on adding more to my collection. I like the revolver for answering the door at night, the slug for the larger animals, and .22 for the coons and head shot on a close coyote. I keep the 38 special loaded in an easy access safe in the closet. The other guns are locked away in the basement. Just trying to decide which is going to be my best "go to" gun. I am also considering some type of lever action, or the mini ruger as mentioned in a previous reply.

 

[wdchyd]

All of my Pump shotguns...12 ga and 20 ga. have the plugs in the tubes...anyone know how I can safely take those plugs out so I can load more shells...I googled it but it was not clear to me...I realize there is a spring in there and I know without trying that you better know what you are doing before disrupting a spring or I may never get it back it...Help please...I have an old JC higgins 12 ga. and an Ithica 12 ga.. Thanks..

It pretty easy, open the action halfway, just take the screw plug on the magazine off, the forend comes right off, expose the tube/spring area....take the barrel off the assy, then it will look easier once you get to that part

It's not rocket science, the springs are not that tough..

 

[two_bit_score]

If one has not practiced with the shotgun you can really mess up its operation. I have seen people dump live rounds out of pump guns because they pumped too many times. Range time is not as stressful as having to shoot someone.

What if you need a second round?

It is safer to have the chamber empty and the slide ready to pump a round but it is more complicated to load.

Practice.

Later,
Dan

Agree practice is always needed.

As far as needing a second round......if you get the first one right the second may not even be necessary........if it s then that's where the practice comes in handy.

 

[two_bit_score]

I think the "Chi-Ching" of the pump action alone would be best warning that the next thing is the BANG to a would-be intruder....:thumbsup:

No need to holler out "Stop...Who goes there"

Yeah, that's the 'conventional wisdom'.

Other 'conventional wisdom' as stated above says that it's more likely that someone under stress may not be able to make that operation as effectively as needed. I can agree. It's not like in the movies.

I prefer simply "stop" .......if they don't stop ......'bang". Some cases may not require "stop" ...... Just "bang".

 

[Larry Caldwell]

By far the handiest gun to have around is a .22 rifle. It's good for raccoons, 'possums, skunks, greydiggers, porcupine, rats or any other small nuisance animal. Use hollow points, the solids slugs just poke neat holes with no real wound value.

The traditional rural firearm tripod is a .22 rifle, a shotgun, and deer rifle.