Personal choice based on economics, ammo, shared use by wife or children etc. would be (and is) a good 20 gauge pump with a relatively short barrel. I enlisted in 1965. One of the things they said repeatedly in training was that no matter how well you cared for an auto or semi someday,somewhere it would jam. I own a couple of semi's but for survival I will go to my wheel guns, pumps, levers, and bolts. Before all the disagreement starts I will add that semis will be my FIRST line of defense . I will always have my manually operated guns as back up and for family members should it be neccesary. To get back to your q though, A 20 pump with a short barrel will swing well in a confined area and will be a food getter as well as a defender. If you NEED to hand if off to a less experienced member of your group they will do better with a 20 than a twelve.

 

Mossberg 590A1 for me.

 

Saiga 12 is no defined as an "assault weapon" by NYS. That means it has to be registered if you already own it and if you do not already own it in NY, there is NO legal way you can EVER own it in NY. Sux.

 

Buy yourself a used Remington 870 or used Mossberg 500. Millions of each made and tons of spare parts available.

Use the money you save to buy more ammo or a 2nd shotgun.

 

get a reliable, inexpensive pump shotgun. as the above poster said, mossberg 500 or remington 870.

 

Absolutely agree,especially the mossy 500 in 20 gauge

 

Customized semi-auto Remington 11-87. I'll take the few disadvantages along with the many advantages.

Just my opinion.

 

Thanks for the input. I would prefer a reliable semiautomatic. Cost isn't too much of an issue.

 

Semi... Remington 1100 series is the best bang for the buck (I own an 11-87). Pump, there are quite a few, I lean more towards the Mossberg 500 series (have a 590a1), but my old 80's Winchester ranger can reach out and keep a great pattern with buck. Semi's are nice, but in a SHTF situation, a pump is more reliable and will last a hell of a lot longer. Ask any cop that's had a shotgun in their trunk that was rusty when they finally had to use it... a pump no problem... semi, you're screwed.

 

What I have learned is that most shooting HD situations last seconds and the semi autos are faster with less recoil making them more effective. The Benelli's seem to have a reputation for being very reliable and durable.

 

IMHO Benelli M2 Tactical

http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli-m2-tactical.php

or without the scary pistol grip:

 

Why M2 instead of M4?

 

I have two of the Benelli M4 Tactical with 2 round additional extended tube, 7 total plus one in the chamber, very quick, reliable, low recoil.
If its good enough for the Marine Corps it's good enough for me.
Your mileage may vary
Best
Reardon Steel

 

Why M4 instead of M2?

 

kel tec ksg 12 ga

 

Another pump. I saw on youtube someone using the Kel Tec and they were fast, but I also saw someone using a Benelli and they were really fast. Seven shot in six seconds without difficulty. Could that be done with a pump?

 

I say get a Mossberg 590A1. Many more people have pumps they are more reliable and can be shot extremly fast with practice. If recoil is an issue get reduced recoil loads and/or this http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/74...-reducing-traditional-stock-mossberg-500-590-590a1-835-12-gauge-synthetic-black

No excuse for not having a 12ga I'd rather have 15 pellets of 00 buck.

 

Mossberg 590 A1,ready right out of the box, fast and reliable. 1000 +rounds and never skipped a beat. Can't ask for any thing else.

 

I say its hard to beat a 590A1 for the price and durability.

 

Mossbergs - when you run out of ammo you can use it as a bat!
Gun is well built, tough and inexpensive!

 

If your zip codes includes reality, the Mossberg 500 is the cheapest pump out there, In the combo package you get a 18" cylinder bore and a 28" vented rib in mod choke. Before the insanity buying they were under $300.00
But the one you have is always better then the one you want.

 

If you have to have a semi - I'd go with the Saiga 12 or Vepr 12 (both are lefty friendly).
Otherwise a mag tube is a mag tube - slow to reload.

Family friend who taught me to shoot/hunt can shoot his old 20ga Ithica bottom ejectioon pump faster than most with a semi auto.

 

For me personally It'd be the mossberg 500. But if you want a Semi auto the FN SLP or Mossberg 930 are good choices. I'd lean more towards the first one.

 

Please Help. What is the best HD/SHTF shotgun you can buy?

My Remington 870 Police Magnum is the best. Forward $1500 to stillsearchin', and it can be all yours.

 

another fan of the Mossberg 500. :thumb:

 

I like my mossberg 500 persuader, 20" barrel, 8 shots total, safety on top so you can disengage simultaneously as gun is coming up on target, and trigger finger is engaging trigger, reliable-goes bang every time, affordable, parts and gear readily available. Not much of a semi-fan for shotguns but to each their own.

 

Mossberg 590 9 shot. Why? Because its cheap (around $400) and it has 9 shots capacity :

 

Ithaca 37 is my choice.

 

Remington 887 Nitro Mag Tactical. http://www.remington.com/en/products/firearms/shotguns/model-887/model-887-nitro-mag-tactical.aspx

The price is great and the thing is extremely well built. No better shot gun in my opinion and I have quite a few.

 

Yup. Throw a light and some optics on it and your done! Well, I would like a side saddle........:thumb: