Home Defense Shotguns

The Mossberg Model 590, 12 gauge, American Forces Shotgun of Choice in Iraq, $693:


Features:

• The only pump shotgun to pass all the U.S. Military Mil-Spec standards
• 6, 8 and 9 shot capacity with 2-3/4" shells
• 18-1/2" or 20" barrel lengths
• Blued, matte or Marinecote™ finishes
• Bead front or Ghost Ring® sights
• Rugged synthetic stock and forearm
• Ambidextrous, thumb-operated safety
• Proven Mil-Spec & NIJ performance
• Pistol grip models available
• 20-gauge and .410-bore models also available

Review Highlights:

• Breaks down and reassembles easily for cleaning
• Rugged and Dependable in the Field
• Safety accessible by both right and left-handed shooters while avoiding contact with trigger guard
• Deadly slug accuracy
• 7.75 lbs
  
• Well balanced in the hands
• Shoots 3" shells or shorter
• Perforated Heat Shield
• Trigger breaks cleanly at approximately 6 lbs.

Remington 870 Tac-2 FS, 12 gauge, Pump-gun choice of many top law enforcement agencies, $692:



Features:

• 12-gauge, 2-3/4" and 3" chambered and are available in 18" and 20" barrels with 2- and 3-shot magazine tube extensions
• Bead Sites
• Blasted black oxide finish with black, synthetic tactical style fore-ends
• All stocks include sling swivel studs
• Knoxx SpecOps pistol-grip folding stock
  

Review Highlights:

• 8.1 lbs
• 6 shot capacity
• Trigger breaks at 5.25 lbs
• Drilled and tapped for a Weaver scope
• Ergonomically poor as far as stock design, affecting site picture and access to safety button
• The action exhibited significant "stickiness", which did not change with use
• Harsh recoil/unpleasant to shoot
• "Overweight, hard-kicking, poor-handling"

Ithaca Model 37 Defense Gun 8 Shot 3-Inch 12 gauge, $469 (MY PICK)



Features:

• A receiver that is machined from a solid block of steel
• 18 ½” Fixed barrel with standard cylinder bore
• Brass bead front sight
• Walnut or synthetic butt stock
• Walnut or synthetic ring tail forend
• Crisp, rifle-like 4 – 6 lb. trigger pull
• Parkerized finish
• Shoot 2 3/4" or 3" Shells
• Pachmayr Decelerator Recoil Pad
• Light! 6.75 lbs

Review Highlights:

• Originally used by U.S. troops in Vietnam, and later by the Navy SEALs
  
• Solid frame with barrel permanently threaded into the steel receiver
• Bottom loading/bottom eject action for ambidextrous use
• Dependable shooter with forceful ejection
  
• Reversible trigger guard safety
• Ergonomically well designed
  
• Barrel made of 4140 chrome-moly steel
• Recoil not unpleasant due to Decelerator Recoil Pad
• Smoothest and slickest action of this group
• "Best trigger"
  
• "Easy to load and shoot quickly"
• Impressive 8-shot firepower
  
• The "best built, smoothest, best balanced shotgun of this test"
• Lowest priced