Fighting Shotgun

[Old Dog New Trick]

I don't know what a "Fighting" shotgun is but if that means "Tactical" or "Combat" then it should have a short barrel (<20") a large capacity magazine (tube or box fed) a stout stock and ultimately be reliable in all weather. And by weather I'd ask (myself) is this going sweat and freeze on a regular basis - Nickle, Parkerized or a Nitride finish. I would stay away from Blued metal for a trunk gun.

The next question I'd ask (myself) is how many bad guys or bears I'd think I have to take on in one engagement. Two or more I'd want a semi-auto. One at a time a pump does just fine. A pump will do just fine in practiced hands on multiple threats but there is always the chance to short stroke it. A good top quality semi will eat all your ammo under duress in a matter of seconds.

Lots of pumps will fill that bill on your budget with money left over. A few semi-autos will come in under or just at.

I have three - Bennelli Super 90 (just love this gun, a little ammo specific) a Mossberg 500 (trust my life to it,) and new to me haven't shot it yet but everything I've heard - it's the "Best" tactical shotgun ever made - Remington Versa-Max. (Is not finicky about ammo, quick to point, comes ready out of the box for a top tier 3-Gun Match. (Also the most expensive of the three)

I personally would not leave a Versa-Max unattended in a locked vehicle for long. The Mossberg - no problem - stolen - oh well.

Good luck with you hunt. I think an 870 or 500(590) would suit your purposes just fine.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Old Dog New Trick

I don't know what a "Fighting" shotgun is but if that means "Tactical" or "Combat" then it should have a short barrel (<20") a large capacity magazine (tube or box fed) a stout stock and ultimately be reliable in all weather. And by weather I'd ask (myself) is this going sweat and freeze on a regular basis - Nickle, Parkerized or a Nitride finish. I would stay away from Blued metal for a trunk gun.

The next question I'd ask (myself) is how many bad guys or bears I'd think I have to take on in one engagement. Two or more I'd want a semi-auto. One at a time a pump does just fine. A pump will do just fine in practiced hands on multiple threats but there is always the chance to short stroke it. A good top quality semi will eat all your ammo under duress in a matter of seconds.

Lots of pumps will fill that bill on your budget with money left over. A few semi-autos will come in under or just at.

I have three - Bennelli Super 90 (just love this gun, a little ammo specific) a Mossberg 500 (trust my life to it,) and new to me haven't shot it yet but everything I've heard - it's the "Best" tactical shotgun ever made - Remington Versa-Max. (Is not finicky about ammo, quick to point, comes ready out of the box for a top tier 3-Gun Match. (Also the most expensive of the three)

I personally would not leave a Versa-Max unattended in a locked vehicle for long. The Mossberg - no problem - stolen - oh well.

Good luck with you hunt. I think an 870 or 500(590) would suit your purposes just fine.

I know I wrote this on here somewhere.......

Back in the 80's, while in 5th Group we were given a drum fed 12 gauge. It only took a few moments of handling to send it back to the folks who made it. First, the drum sucked anything near it into the feeding mechanism. 2nd, it was heavier than a loaded M60....... and we asked if it comes with an ammo bearer.......

That said, it's a great weapon for close work as long as you don't need surgical precision........ and don't need to reload often.

I own a Mossberg 590A1 since they first came out. However in my LEO career I've shot a lot of 870's. As someone stated before me you really have to practice with a pump (aka slider).

So practice a lot of cycling and IMHO I would definitely trust my life to my 590A1. I just prefer it over the 870 because the safety is on top and for me the action just seems a little more robust.

[doctom54]

I have taken several classes from Rob Haught. He is a wizard with a shotgun and an Excellent instructor of the fighting shotgun (he is also good with a handgun).
Whichever one you decide on I highly recommend one of his classes.
https://www.gunstockfirearms.com/rob-haught/

[trunkmonkey]

As far as truck gun and fighting shotgun I'm wanting the rifle to be the grab as I leave all the time shotgun. I spend a considerable amount of time afield now, and sitting in surveillance vehicles. I want to have a shotgun that I can take anywhere to defend myself against any reasonable threat. I also want it to be legal in most places.

Thank you for the input and I have been catching up on shotgun research as I was not familiar with all of the options put forth. I am debating between the Benelli M3, M4, and the versamax. Instead of any accessories I'm going to buy snap caps and ammo. When I am more comfortable with it a shotgun class is in order.

[Peregrino]

Originally Posted by trunkmonkey

As far as truck gun and fighting shotgun I'm wanting the rifle to be the grab as I leave all the time shotgun. I spend a considerable amount of time afield now, and sitting in surveillance vehicles. I want to have a shotgun that I can take anywhere to defend myself against any reasonable threat. I also want it to be legal in most places.

Thank you for the input and I have been catching up on shotgun research as I was not familiar with all of the options put forth. I am debating between the Benelli M3, M4, and the versamax. Instead of any accessories I'm going to buy snap caps and ammo. When I am more comfortable with it a shotgun class is in order.

Recommendation - Get the M4, put an extended tube on it (example: http://freedomfightertactical.com/pr...li-m4-shotgun; restores it to the capacity of the M1014) and spend the rest of your money on training. Food for thought - I'm sticking with (top quality) semi-auto shotguns for most social work because I can operate them reliably with one hand. YMMV.