I can't hit a barn from the inside, so I'm thinking about a shotgun for home defense and hunting (I'm a vegetarian, but if the SHTF and my supply of goldfish crackers dries up ....). Anyway, what would be the best all-around "pre-owned" (used) shotgun costing less than, say, $300.00? $500.00? And what ammo for which purpose? I should add that I'm female, original hippie (age 61), and partially disabled, so a mild kick would be a good thing as opposed to something that would land me flat on my rear.
I've been told that the best idea would be to buy from a registered dealer with a reputation to uphold? Or at a police auction? Swap meet? Back alley?
Your thoughts and suggestions will be much appreciated!

Rainey

I would recommend a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 in 20 guage. In my area Walmart sells a 20 guage pump that is a Mossberg 500 with a different name on it. (I can not seem to recall the name right now.) This is a pump action shotgun that will hold 5 rounds after the plug is removed from the magazine. It does have a little kick, but a lot of kids ( as young as 7 or 8) use them to hunt with no issues from the recoil. What you load it with depends on a few different issues. There are many different kinds of rounds that are used in these guns.

Slugs - Slugs are what shotgun hunters use when they hunt deer. Which slug you would use depends on the barrel you have on your shotgun. If you have a smooth barrel you would use a rifled slug. If you use a rifled slug barrel you would use a sabot slug. even though some people use these for home defense, I do not recommend it. A slug is a very heavy chunk of lead that will travel through walls and keep going for quite a ways.

Buckshot - Buckshot is basically large round lead balls in a shotgun shell. They are about a third of an inch in diameter and there are from 9 to 12 in a shell. These are very effective for larger game and on intruders as well. The only draw back to buckshot for home defense is any projectiles that may miss the intruder will travel through a wall. Buckshot does come in several sizes (00 to #2), and the smaller projectiles would lose more of their energy if it went through a wall. I use buckshot in my house, but my defensive plan would not leave any chance of shot going through a wall and hitting a family member. I also have plaster walls rather than dry wall. Plaster slows down shot and bullets more effective than dry wall does.

Regular shot- Regular shotgun shells come with many different sizes of shot. The number of pieces of shot is determined by the size, and some is even smaller than a regular BB. In a house with dry wall on the walls, 7-1/2 shot is very effective against intruders at short ranges, and normally will not penetrate through both layers on a wall that is covered with dry wall. This is a safe bet if there would be a chance that family members could be in the next room.

I would recommend buying a new shotgun from a reputable dealer. This way you know how it was taken care of, and don't have to worry about getting a gun that was not taken care of, therefore unreliable. The shotgun at walmart is less than $300, and the others at most gun stores are in the $450 to $600 range depending on what features come with it.

I hope I helped you with this info and did not confuse you. If you have any questions please ask.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 is the way to go IMO.

I'm getting ready to get the Mossberg 12ga home defender. It is relatively inexpensive and highly rated.

Tim

Mossberg does make a very good shotgun. Just make sure you are using the right ammo in it.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

I would reccomend the Mossy 500 series in 12 ga. Some of the reasons I like the Mossy are
it is reasonably priced, reliable, I can get a rifled slug barrel for it, it will feed the Aguilla shortie
12ga shells.

_________________
Retired Navy SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Instructor
certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, home defense Instructor
NRA Life Member
Survival & Disaster Preparedness Instructor

Like others have already said, I don't think you can go wrong with either the Remington-870 or the Mossberg-500. I prefer 12ga, but 20ga like dclaarjr recommended is probably perfect for your situation. Buy from a reputable dealer.

I'm partial to the 870 (wingmaster) simply because that's what I've owned since I was 12, and I'm 48yrs young. Never had a need for another shotgun. Many fond hunting memories (goose, duck, rabbit, squirrel, deer) and it looks/shoots as well today as it did when it was new.

Note to self ... it still has the original long barrel. Since I don't take it to the fields anymore, NEED to get off my buttox and get a shorter barrel better suited to home defense. Get on it, RAT NOW !!! There, that should do it .