Shot gun choice

[rm9802]

Hello...im looking for a nice allaround shotgun...i'm a police officer...so i am looking for a do it all gun one that i can carry on duty so it has to fire 3inch shells...and then maby switch out barrles and take it to the field or shoot trap and or skeet...if i can find a 12 guage that would fit that bill...i could justify spending a little more money...thanks for your opinions

[nikegundog]

90% of all police shotguns is the Remington 870.

[Firemedic]

90% of all police shotguns is the Remington 870.

And the other 10% are usually the 11-87.

[nikegundog]

One thing to think about is semi autos can have a hard time cycling less than lethal ammunition.

[mcbosco]

Why don't you look for a nice Ithaca 37 "riot control" pump. They are very cool & reliable and very reasonable. The only downside is the short barrel. Outside of that a Benelli Novo or Super Nova would be my choice, especially for on duty. The Marine Corp uses them.

[Mountaineer]

Any departmental requirements aside, an 870 would seem the easiest route.
A Mossberg pump, the cheapest choice.
An inertia auto like the Benelli the most solid choice.
A gas-auto like a Beretta or an old 1100 the most comfortable choice.
An old Winchester Model 12 could be the classiest route tho the 3" Model 12s were not always best on ease of shucking the long ones.
Personally, you are far better off with more than one scattergun.

[nikegundog]

A gas-auto like a Beretta or an old 1100 the most comfortable choice.

The reason why you see hardly any semi autos being used is because of two reasons, less than lethal ammo (bean bag rounds,rubber bullets,etc.) won't cycle in some semi autos, the other being is there is A LOT of filthy squad cars out there with very neglected shotguns. The old 1100 is not that famous for being the most reliable gun, I wouldn't risk my life with it.

[mcbosco]

I see elite NYC police officers everyday and they all carry Benelli pumps with all kinds of attachments.

[rm9802]

well i already carry a Winchester Mariner pump...i was thinking along the lines of a good reliable semi auto...i like the the Mossberg i think its the 930 x model im not sure...anyway its the Mossberg's defense model semi auto...i was thinking if i could swap barrels that might fit the bill. We have the option to carry a patrol rifle or shotgun...i feel a shotgun gives me more of an option...not to mention w a semi auto u can throw some heavy lead down range at any threat

[nikegundog]

Do you carry bean bag rounds? Have you looked at the Benelli M3?

[Mountaineer]

A gas-auto like a Beretta or an old 1100 the most comfortable choice.

The reason why you see hardly any semi autos being used is because of two reasons, less than lethal ammo (bean bag rounds,rubber bullets,etc.) won't cycle in some semi autos, the other being is there is A LOT of filthy squad cars out there with very neglected shotguns. The old 1100 is not that famous for being the most reliable gun, I wouldn't risk my life with it.

Makes sense re the dirt, I guess.

I recall Massad Ayoob writing that for police officers a semi-auto was preferred by many as ..."it always stayed frosty", meaning ready to go.
Beats me tho.

[barthowes]

I own a mossberg 935. I would not bet my life on it(dirty squad car settings). sure her at my house I might grab it in an emergency, probably not. The forearme retainer(a 1" piece of plastic around the mag tube) is prone to break. Also the 935 is an overbored to 10ga barrel. I have read numerous article on how this is overrated and in reality allows gasses to slip by the wad losing velocity. auto loader wise if money is an issue go with the rem 11-87, if not benelli all the way. Remingtons new versa max is alittle too new for me to put stock in. Rem 870 for a pump.

[Firemedic]

Do you carry bean bag rounds? Have you looked at the Benelli M3?

I personally have never seen a Deparment use the same gun for lethal/non-lethal rounds. They are clearly marked accordingly. Around here non-lethal guns are kept in the trunk and lethal in the passenger compartment of the squad car.

Let's face it, in the heat of the moment, are you gonna remember what is in chamber??????

[nikegundog]

We kept non-lethal ammo in a compartment in the squad, the weapon was always kept loaded with lethal. We didn't have a need for a dedicated non-lethal weapon.

[Firemedic]

We kept non-lethal ammo in a compartment in the squad, the weapon was always kept loaded with lethal. We didn't have a need for a dedicated non-lethal weapon.

Now that makes sense. Our Dept only has 2 dedicated non-lethal shotguns.

[Britguy1]

Your crazy. You can't use a duty gun in the field. A duty gun will have an 18 inch barrel. A field gun will have a 26" barrel. If you must use a Benelli M4.

[Firemedic]

Your crazy. You can't use a duty gun in the field. A duty gun will have an 18 inch barrel. A field gun will have a 26" barrel. If you must use a Benelli M4.

Review the 5th sentence. It states the following:

"and then maby switch out barrles and take it to the field or shoot trap and or skeet"

[rm9802]

thank you....I tell you what i've ben eying the new Stoeger 3500 looks good for the money...i've heard they have pretty much Benelli enternals....

[birddog1968]

My Winchester 1300 pump has been a great durable gun, I put it thru the worst conditions. I believe they have or had a defender version with short barrel for home protection/police work. A longer 26-28" barrel can be easily had.

edit they don't make a 1300 anymore but im sure they can be had on gun broker or at a store that sells used guns.

The new pump from Win is the super x pump, and there is a defender version. 379.00
suggested retail. I think there is a camp model too with the 18" barrel and the field barrel for under 500 bucks.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/ ... mid=512252

[shooter2005]

i have used a mossberg 500 for many of years. i had the combo so i could swap for slug barrel and i had killed many of deer with it never had any malfunctions. i also have a mossberg 500 home defender aswell. have never had any problems with the gun. no misfires no problems cyclying or anything. they maybe a cheaper gun but i would not have a problem puting my life in the hands of either of these shot guns. i persoanlly like it more then the standard issued m870 (remington 870) for the navy. the benelli m4 the seals use is a nice gun but i personally dont like a pistol grip on a gun im hunting with but that is just me.

[thelast2]

Your crazy. You can't use a duty gun in the field. A duty gun will have an 18 inch barrel. A field gun will have a 26" barrel. If you must use a Benelli M4.

Used to be and im sure it is still available that you can buy a remington 870 with both a slug barrel which I believe is a 21" barrel and a 26" rem choke barrel. Barrel swaps out in under a minute no problem.

[Garfed]

I have a Mossberg 935. I would not bet on my (dirty police set) of life. I'm sure she could grab at my house in case of emergency it may not. The forearme holder (1 "plastic film around the magnetic tube) can easily be broken...

[BirdBuster]

If you want a pump, get a Remington 870. If you want a auto, get a Benelli. We carry 870's on duty. Get one with a short barrel with rem-chokes. Can use it for everything. Get one without iron sights if you plan on using it for skeet. If you do not, get one with iron sights.

[nikegundog]

If you want a pump, get a Remington 870. If you want a auto, get a Benelli. We carry 870's on duty. Get one with a short barrel with rem-chokes. Can use it for everything. Get one without iron sights if you plan on using it for skeet. If you do not, get one with iron sights.

Do you bird hunt with iron sites?