Gunletter closed until further notice............

Dear Readers,

I regret to inform you that I will review no more guns until ammunition becomes more available.

I see no reason to waste time on writing gun reviews if we can't shoot the damned things.

Thanks for your indulgence. Good luck in finding another hobby.

Sincerely,

Me

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