Maverick 88 Security 8 shot

[MO_Soldier]

Just encountered these today.
I want a home defense shotgun for the lady in particular, and I am leaving for Japan soon. These seem like a great option.

I even read briefly of a forearm.conversion so you can mount a light and forearm vertical grip which I would do.

Drilling and tapping the upper receiver to accept a sight or rail wouldn't be difficult would it?

Also I would install an M4 collapsable stock and vertical pistol grip. Plus a single point sling maybe.

That setup is my dream home defense gun and could be had for <$350, mayne even $300. (w/o a reflex sight)

Any suggestions or insight?

[Alfonse]

I tend to be for less in home defense shotguns. Slings tend to get in the way in a home and can catch on things. I would go for the shorter barrel.

I prefer a semi-auto for my wife so she doesn't have to worry about pumping in the next round. I just put a mepro night sight on the front, have an 18 1/2 inch barrel and am done.

But, that's just me. Mossberg makes a fine pump for the money. They have a home defense semi for in the $400 range too.

[mr surveyor]

I have a Maverick 12 ga. shortie myself, and I tend to agree with the KISS principle as well. For anyone not totally proficient with a pump gun, the sliding forearm should be the only external action they need to be concentrating on. Too many gadgets to deal with could lead to a bad outcome in the event the gun is really needed.
The main disadvantage to the Maverick (over the 500) is the crossbolt safety. I also have a 22" Mossberg 500 "Bantam" in 20 ga. that fits mrs surv well, and for some strange reason it has become my favorite dove hunter. You may want to look into the "Bantam", particularly if it's for the "mrs."


surv

[Popeye]

I'd go with a 20Ga. with #3 buckshot and a light for the wife. As Mr Surveyor says, Keep it simple on the guns used for HD. If you wake up in the middle of the night forgetting to do something could cost you your life as well as other family members. I have the Mossberg Crusier in a 20 ga.with #3 buck that's been on duty fully loaded 24/7/365 for 15 +years. I shoot it about every 6 months if I don't use it and install new ammo. I have no doubt what so ever that it will get the job done if called apon to do so. For short range HD I'll recommend the Mossbery Crusier in a 20 Ga. and #3 buck everytime. It's just a darned good reliable set up if your a married man and a wife who needs to have away of defending herself when your not home. Just replace the pistol grip with a regular stock, as most people can not keep on target racking a shot gun with a pistol grip on it. JMHO of course.

[jlottmc]

The Maverick has an aluminum receiver. If you drill and tap, use Heli-coils, but the smallest I have seen those in is 1/4-20 (Ten times bigger than needed on a gun). The Maverick also has a lip holding the spring plug in place, making accessories like magazine extensions impossible. Other than those, great gun, hard to beat a good pump shotgun, unless it is an older one with only one action bar. Get whichever gauge she can shoot well, and remember that most women need a shorter length of pull, so with an aftermarket stock, plan accordingly. I would also look into a recoil reducing stock to give to the wife.

[el_chupo_]

Good advice given, IMO.

I purchased a 18" "Home Defense" shotgun as well, and the wife hates it. Too much recoil. So I had the perfect excuse for another gun - I went with a Mossberg SA20. This is a semi-auto 20ga. You can get it in Bantam, with a 24" barrel and a 13" LOP, or in "Home Defense" mode, with a 18 or 20" barrel (dont recall), pistol or standard stock, 14" LOP.

MSRP is around $500, but you can find them cheaper at gun shows. A very reliable little gun (some reviews online, personal use): http://www.mossbergowners.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=66 has some info.

A quick video on 12 vs 20ga for HD use:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMv2z_PX7s0

[Bawanna]

I have to agree with the keep it simple theory as well. I've had officers bring me shotguns and a box of way cool add on stuff.
It looks cool and really neato but usually after about the first trip to the range stuff starts to loosen or not feel positive or just falls off.
I usually end up removing everything and putting it back the way it was designed.

I do like Speedfeed fixed stocks with a pistol grip built in. In fact I got the very first 3 Orange ones for our less lethal shotguns. He made them in black and after I inquired he said why not, I'll just pour in the orange instead of black.

I like the control even with one hand with a pistol grip.

I'd definitely go the 500 or 590, I like pumps. 20 gauge is all you need.
I don't like broom handles on the forend, again they look cool but don't work.

I'm sure others make them too but Speedfeed has a LE version that is a little shorter (like the bantam?) for use wearing a vest where a shorter length of pull is handy.

All that being said I did that on Remington 870's but everything would apply the same to the 500 which incidently I much prefer over the 870. Just personal preference.

[Infidel proud]

My defensive shotgun set up is also KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid...Mine is a remmy 870 synthetic w 18 inch barrel...the modest mods are an extended mag tube, side saddle for a few extra shells, and a light attached to the front...That's all I feel I really need...

[gb6491]

We have a Maverick 88 (the 5+1 version); bought it used, but it's given us no problems.
There are mounts available (at least in 12 ga.) that do not require any drilling /tapping.
http://www.amazon.com/Mossberg-Maver.../dp/B001UK5AXG
http://www.amazon.com/Weaver-No-Guns...m_cr_pr_sims_t
http://www.amazon.com/B-Square-Saddl.../dp/B0000V2Q3I
870 (top) and 88

Regards,
Greg

[jeepster09]

I agree go with 20 guage, #4 buckshot is great choice also saves on recoil and overpenertration.
Here is my 20 guage:

[MO_Soldier]

Ok...im on my phone at work and a lot to reply to. Thanks for all of your advice. After all of that I'm considering keeping it stock plus a pressure switch light only.

However, I'm split on the M4 collapsable stock with the pistol grip now. Some seem for and some seem against it. Why?

I'm also now considering the 20Ga which I haden't before.

Should I get the 1.5" shorter barrel and sacrifice 2 extra rounds that I PROBABLY wouldn't need? My thought is that the 1.5" won't be enough to matter, and I'd rather just have 2 extra rounds. Opinions?

I'll have to look up those other guns when I have more time. I like the thought of the pump. With a little practice, it cycles as fast as a semi with less mechanically to go wrong. So it'll just take some range time. Besides, knowing my wife she'd forget about that "thingy that sticks out where the shells come out" and the boom stick would just click lol. I'm also on low income, so keeping it cheap is important to me. That's what draws me to the 88. I don't mind the safety, although I do prefer the tang safety on my moss 500a. (its a long barreled turkey gun in camo. I dont wanna put money into it to modify it, just to look like a piece of patchwork.)

[TheTman]

I picked up a youth model 870 at a gun show for around $200. It hold 5, 2 3/4 inch shells. It's small enough to manuever thru the house with, but has all the firepower I think I need. I got it for the wife for defense, and my son to shoot clays with, but the wife showed no interest in it, so I kept it after the divorce, and keep it handy by my bed. Right now it's loaded with #4 birdshot, and I have some 3" magnum BB shot for it too, but that cuts the capacity down to 4 shells. It's an inexpensive alternative to those home defense shotguns. Plus fun to hunt quail and dove with.

[Bawanna]

Ok...im on my phone at work and a lot to reply to. Thanks for all of your advice. After all of that I'm considering keeping it stock plus a pressure switch light only.

However, I'm split on the M4 collapsable stock with the pistol grip now. Some seem for and some seem against it. Why?

I'm also now considering the 20Ga which I haden't before.

Should I get the 1.5" shorter barrel and sacrifice 2 extra rounds that I PROBABLY wouldn't need? My thought is that the 1.5" won't be enough to matter, and I'd rather just have 2 extra rounds. Opinions?

I'll have to look up those other guns when I have more time. I like the thought of the pump. With a little practice, it cycles as fast as a semi with less mechanically to go wrong. So it'll just take some range time. Besides, knowing my wife she'd forget about that "thingy that sticks out where the shells come out" and the boom stick would just click lol. I'm also on low income, so keeping it cheap is important to me. That's what draws me to the 88. I don't mind the safety, although I do prefer the tang safety on my moss 500a. (its a long barreled turkey gun in camo. I dont wanna put money into it to modify it, just to look like a piece of patchwork.)

You should be able to pick up a slug barrel for your 500a I'd guess for around a 100 bucks. You'd have a camo gun with a blued barrel but the bad guy your wife is dealing with I'm sure won't be concerned with the fashion statement.
Not sure if there's a camo slug barrel available or not, probably more money if there is one for the paint job.
I think the M4 collapsible might be ok and allow her more adjustment on pull. I'd probably give that a try.
Shotguns with a pistol grip only are totally worthless in my infinitely small mind.

[JFootin]

I, too, am pondering the purchase of a home defense shotgun. I have qualified and narrowed the field with the decision to go for a semi-auto in 20 guage. Here is what I am looking seriously at:
the Weatherby SA-459™ TR.

[gb6491]

... I don't mind the safety, although I do prefer the tang safety on my moss 500a...

If you do go with a pistol grip style stock, a trigger guard safety is a lot more convenient operate than a tang mounted one.
Regards,
Greg