20ga riot gun?

DunRanull · Apr 20, 2020

Getting older and bones arent as tough as they once were. Have used 12ga patrol shotguns for years, and two of them retired with me a few years ago. Pretty handy with them, if I say so myself.. Now Im thinking of down-sizing- something in 20 ga maybe semi-auto.. preferably with extended mag tube and 20"-ish barrel. Any suggestions? Have several ARs but I live in town and they just arent practical for my needs now.

Andy54Hawken · Apr 20, 2020

I like too the idea of a 20 gauge riot / home defense gun....
Even been toying with the idea of trading my 12 gauge Wingmaster for a 20 gauge Wingmaster ( or the like )
20 is my favorite gauge...and if all my shotguns were in 20 gauge...then ammo is a bit easier.
Andy

liggy · Aug 11, 2020

I bought the wifey a 20g 870 w Knoxx stock. She's petite and it suits her well. Racking the action still sounds pretty ominous.

FourTeeFive · Aug 11, 2020

I really like 20-gauge shotguns for home defense. Have a modded Mossberg 500 20-gauge with a 20" barrel and equally long mag tube, and also a Mossberg 590 Shockwave in 20-gauge. I do have some 12-gauge tactical guns too, but the 20-gauge are fun to shoot and I don't see anyone volunteering to stand in front of them. The only "problem" is a much more limited range of available ammo. Buckshot is pretty limited, but available if you look around. #4 shot seems to be a good compromise for defense. Maybe up to #6 for indoor home use.

Rascal01 · Aug 11, 2020

You can't go wrong. Light, fast and potent.

CountryGent · Aug 11, 2020

My Smurfy sidekick's shotgun is a short, light 20-gauge. It is a "Youth" model, so fits her. Second from top:

madmax · Aug 11, 2020

Remington 870 20g model 81100, 18.5" barrel 6+1. its a pump action. The shotgun world is slowly coming around to 20g. I can not think of a semi auto 20g, that factory set up for HD. can always make your own

HA556 · Aug 11, 2020

Mine.

FourTeeFive · Aug 11, 2020

madmax said:
I can not think of a semi auto 20g, that factory set up for HD. can always make your own

Very few out there. Only one I could find was the Hatsan. They make decent products although I'm not familiar with their semi-autos.

The Escort Gladius 20 Gauge for Home Defense

The Escort Gladius is a 20 gauge home defense shotgun that comes with a lot of extra features. How well does the economical shotgun perform?

www.gunsamerica.com

No_Regerts · Aug 11, 2020

20ga is plenty effective. 12ga has the market share on HD stuff, but finding a shorter barreled gun that is suitable shouldn't be too hard. IMO, tactical/HD shells are a waste of money. Hunting stuff is usually got more power and is cheaper.

coop44 · Aug 12, 2020

No_Regerts said:
20ga is plenty effective. 12ga has the market share on HD stuff, but finding a shorter barreled gun that is suitable shouldn't be too hard. IMO, tactical/HD shells are a waste of money. Hunting stuff is usually got more power and is cheaper.

Exactly, in 12 gauge I keep #4 shot waterfowl loads, should be able to find something comparable in 20 gauge. Why #4 shot? At close range it makes hamburger.
I try and be good, not necessarily nice.

Btw "tactical" is mostly cosmetic, an 870 iis an 870 no matter what it looks like. I'll take my wingmaster magnum.

revjen45 · Aug 12, 2020

Have you considered low recoil 12 ga loads?

Stomper · Aug 12, 2020

No_Regerts said:
20ga is plenty effective. 12ga has the market share on HD stuff, but finding a shorter barreled gun that is suitable shouldn't be too hard. IMO, tactical/HD shells are a waste of money. Hunting stuff is usually got more power and is cheaper.

"is usually got more power"?

Thanks for that, Jethro! :s0140:

doobee8 · Aug 12, 2020

The remington 1100 20ga youth model would be perfect and yes, they do have extended magazine tubes. Our local trainer Jim Jacobe was pushing this 20 years ago for self defense!