Mossberg 500 vs. Winchester Defender for home defense

[Roadrunner]

The title says it all. My brother and I will soon be moving into a new house in Erie PA. While not exactly as rough as say Washington D.C. :barf:, it's no small town USA either. I like the versatility and, um, 'effectiveness' of a 12 gauge pump for investigating bumps in the night. I have a Mossberg 500 which has never worked right since the day I got it. I like the gun when it doesn't jam or double feed, but I'm also considering a Winchester 1300 Defender with the 8 rd mag as a replacement. I've never used the Winchester and would really appreciate some feedback from those who have experience with both. Thanks!

 

[Cougar Allen]

That's an endless debate on the gun forums. It's unresolvable except as a matter of individual preference, but whatever your preference might be they're both reliable. That Mossberg of yours needs to be fixed. Maybe after that your motivation to get a Winchester will evaporate....

 

[silenthunterstudios]

What about the Remington 870? I've been told by many people that its the only shotgun I'll ever need.

 

[Roadrunner]

Cougar, I think the Mossberg is going to be sold off for parts. It's totally whacked and we've had it looked at by several gunsmiths. Hence my interest in the Winchester.

hunter, I hear the same thing, but 870 = $$$ that I don't really have. I also need a new tire on my car, a CCW pistol, and a new laptop for school. So the budget shotgun will have to do for now.

 

[Frank]

I've had 2 Defenders. The first was fine, we only fired it a few times but it worked. The second was usually very smooth except it almost locked up several times. I would fire it and the pump would have to forced to the rear position. I tried different types of ammo but the problem would not go away so I had no confidence in it as a self defense gun and sold it.

I would recommend a used 870 or Ithaca 37 over a new Defender.

 

[Frank]

So the budget shotgun will have to do for now.

Check the big sporting good chains in your area. I see the budget 870s going for almost the same as Defenders in ads.

 

[Matteo Escobar]

Go with the 870, even if it's a couple of extra bucks.

 

[comet]

ITHACA DS Police Special is great Riot gun

 

[joeshredd]

hunter, I hear the same thing, but 870 = $$$ that I don't really have. .

As someone else mentioned; check Big 5 Sporting goods... I got my 870 w/2 barrels - a chokeable birdshot tube and a deerslug tube - I keep the slug tube on and Brenneke Rottwielers in it all for a package of less than $200!

 

[RGRAY]

Remington/ 870 express/ 12 gauge 3 inch chamber/ folding stock/ blued reciever and barrel/ sling studs/ pump action/ stock holds 3 and shotgun holds 7 and one in the chamber (extended tube)/ rubber recoil pad/ trigger safety/ new in the box.

I've seen them for $399.

 

[Ryan8]

Whatever shotgun you go with, I'd suggest using 2-3/4" shells. Not as much power but less recoil which is important.

 

[PWork]

I've owned both a Mossberg 500 (2), and a Winchester 1200. One was as reliable as the other. I shoot left handed, so the Mossberg's safety worked better for me.
Ithaca is a great pump gun. Sadly, they recently closed their doors.

Paul

 

[m1marty]

hunter, I hear the same thing, but 870 = $$$ that I don't really have. I also need a new tire on my car, a CCW pistol, and a new laptop for school. So the shotgun will have to do for now.

The 870 HD or Police model will cost you roughly about the same as a Winchester Defender. Hit me up in PM and I'll see what I can find as I work part time in a gunshop.
*EDIT* Here is an 870 Police NIB for $299. You will not find a better pump gun than the 870.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976593894.htm

 

[donovan]

Try the 590 instead of the 500.

Jack

 

[KaBar]

have you ever considered a saiga 12? its basically a kalashnikov, think of it as a "ak47" chambered in 12, 20, or 410 gauges. theres so many options for customizing these, ive seen them with sidefolders, underfolders, and even a krinkov one time i like the fact that you can use drums if you like.

Tactical shotgun equipped with the "Alpha-1" "green dot" laser target indicator and a night vision monocular. The monocular makes it possible to see the green dot, which cannot be observed with the naked eye. Nor can it be observed with other optical devices.

speaking of krinkovs, forget a shotgun, get one of these

http://www.subgunvideos.com/videos/Rob Silvers Videos/Misc. Rob Silvers Videos/AKS-74U.wmv

 

[Kohai999]

I did a LOT of research into shotguns years ago. The big thing with 870's is that they got a lot of contracts for police departments. They still had failings, no more or less than Mossberg's, but the public perception is that the 870 is THE shotgun to have.

I am a Mossberg guy, but as previously suggested, the 590, not the 500. To carry it out even more specifically, although I have a HEAVILY mod'd 590 MarineCote (Parkerized barrle with bayonet lug and Vang-Comp'd, Ghost rings, poly follower, steel safety...), if I could do it all again, I would get the 590 A1™ features heavy-wall barrel, metal trigger guard and safety button and field synthetic stock.
I do not believe any manufacturer, with the exception of Benelli produces a shotgun of similar evolved design.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[m1marty]

Hey Steve,
I will not argue that the 590 is a good shotgun. I find the slide release a little hard for me to use, but that's because I am so used to an 870. The Mossberg safety is easier though. For user simplicity, an 870 still can't be beat IMHO. I can take mine apart with no tools save a pen (or something like it) to punch the two retaining pins. The whole thing is easy to strip down to the last small part. A Winchester bolt? Not fun 'till you learn the magic chants and the proper tongue position.
Seeing that the Mossberg 590, Winchester 1200 and 870 (plus a few others) are all still used by the various Armed Forces, it's really up to the end user to pick cuz their all good shotguns.
I still vote for the 870 though.

 

[mete]

Comet, Ithaca Gun Co is now closed !The end of a fine company. ....For home defense use reduced load 00 Buck . These have been found to work very well and easy to shoot....BTW a common misconception is that a rifle has too much penetration for home defense. A 223 can be less penetrating than some handguns !!! The least penetration will be found with the Federal 40 Gr 223.

 

[Cindy Denning]

Get the Winchester! I have and I liked the Mossberg ok BUT it has never shot right after just shooting Dove and Quail load!!! For home defense we have handguns but I'd rather have a shotgun with turkey load in it...no miss.

 

[greencobra]

Roadrunner, did you ever consider getting the Mossberg repaired? They sell a lot of them and I've never seen one that didn't work. (I worked in a gun store) Was it bought new? How long ago? You might have said but I didn't read the whole thread. Can you take it back to where you got it? If honorable, they could get it working hopefully at no charge.

I use an old Rem. 870 police turn in for HD. Beat a bit from riding in a car for several years, 18" bbl, and I put a mag extender on it. Works for me. I don't take it out of the house so it doesn't have $300 worth of extra equipment on it, folding stocks, hand guards, and the like. The only real thing that matters is a short (and read legal) bbl so you're not wacking door frames and walls when you need to move quickly within the house.