Thank you folks for the responses.

Since I live in a suburban area with close neighbors, I am extremely concerned about overpenetration. The many threads on this forum about caliber choices and their effects left me feeling uneasy about the idea of pistol caliber rifles and powerful handguns. So I'm going to stick with the shotgun, and judging by the responses, the Mossberg will be a good choice.

It looks like I should check out a stock pad and lower-recoil ammo first, and look for a good gunsmith in my area to ask about porting the barrel.

I have a couple of follow-up questions, though. Benjammin, does the increased porting significantly reduce muzzle velocity and add to noise generation? Utspoolup and MedB, can you tell me more about the speedfeed stock and the surefire forend? What advantages and disadvantages do they provide?

Thanks again.

Like you, I am also concerned about over-penetration. There are lots of theories out there, but some great real world testing has been done here...

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/theboxotruth.htm

You might want to nose around a bit in the forum section there too. Some very knowledgable folks including ER surgeons, ballistics experts and others.

As for Speedfeed stocks... they are simply an excellent aftermarket stock that integrate a nice recoil pad. Personally I don't like the slip-on pads for HD simply because I am paranoid and worry that it won't stay put. Probably silly on my part. -shrug- Also these stocks are very well made and fit like a glove on Remington and Mossberg. Super easy.

NOTE: Speedfeed has a model (Speedfeed I) that holds 4 extra rounds in the stock itself. Lots of folks like having spare ammo on hand and this is a sleek way of doing that instead of a protruding 5 shot "side sadddle" that bolts on the gun.

http://www.speedfeedinc.com/products.html


As for the SureFire... I believe this is the one "accessory" that really is needed for a HD shotgun. There is so much tacti-cool crap that can be bought and most of does nothing; or worse can cause problems! But a good weaponlight is a whole different thing.

I've posted in another thread on this, but it comes down to this fact. Hopefully it will never happen, but if it does you pick up a weapon that has the power to kill a human being. And other humans including kids hidden behind walls, neighbors, etc. I DARN sure want to see what I am aiming at at 3 AM in the morning with my heart pounding, scared to death for myself and my family. There is no "oops" when it comes to deadly force.

With shotguns, it's nearly impossible use a handheld light and the gun at the same time (yes I know some LEOs say it can be done). And again, bolt-on type items run the risk of getting snagged and/or fumbling with switches etc. No time for that. So the SureFire front end integrates right onto the gun. Rugged as heck (made to the vibrations of weapon fire), always there, instant-on switch right where it should be. It's the elegant solution.

http://www.surefire.com/Mossberg590500

Is the light expensive? Yup. But IMHO, if push came to shove and you only get one thing, this is it.

Hope this helps and keep up with the training,

Porting will have no significant affect on muzzle velocity.

+2 on TheBoxOfTruth

They have segment on HD shotguns.

One thing to keep in mind with a speedfeed is that to access and reload the rounds, you need your hand off the trigger. In other words, you're giving up control of your weapon. The segment on TBOT shows this well - assuming you shoot righty.

Like said before, if you can't hit it the first few times, the extra rounds probably won't help.

I was not going to comment on this thread about what gun to choose for shooting somebody.
I don't enjoy the question and I usually end up getting flamed by people who think you need bigger and bigger guns.
Bigger is not always better.

OK, here goes

#6 birdshot or smaller might not be heavy enough.

You start getting into trap and skeet loads and they might not have enough power to get through a heavy jacket and sweater.

#2 buckshot in a low recoil load (read lower power) was originally produced at police request just for the problem you describe. It has an effective range out to 25 yards instead of the hunting load's 50 yards, and is supposed to be stopped after one interior partition, but often get through 2. Box of Truth misses on this a bit because they don't have their sheets of gypsum board separated by the width of a room like 2 partitions would be.
You shouldn't need to shoot 25 yards (75 feet) in a home defense.
Anything larger like hunting loads on 00 buck or slug are simply overkill that puts innocent bystanders at risk.

You are right about birdshot from #4 up being effective at the ranges you need, likely less than 3 yards, certainly not more than 10 yards.
As you know, the lighter the shot the faster it loses power over distance.
Most light birdshot (<#6)has lost enough power to be nonlethal at 10 yards (30 feet)

Now about the tacticool stuff.
It seems most house invasions are either in the day when they are not expecting you to be home, or at night and they turn the lights on anyhow.
(Only the most retarded burgler would stumble around in the dark trying to steal what he can't even see.
If the lights are not on it is more likely one of your own kids trying to sneak out or back home without waking you up.)
If they didn't turn the lights on, then you should.
Besides, if you shoot in the dark you will likely end up blinded by the muzzle flash anyhow.

If it is a burgler and they are armed, and you expect them to shoot, then a flashlight on your gun just makes a real good target for them to shoot at.

Finally, if you shoot somebody inside your home you had better be ready to explain it to a judge. The more your home defense weapon looks like a wannabe military assault weapon the harder time you will have explaining.


Somebody mentioned that if recoil really bothers you a 16 gauge could be an option.
A nice innocent looking 16 gauge loaded with heavier birdshot (magnums?) or light buck, (like you might use at the trap range or for hunting) might be a bit easier to explain in court.

A shorter barrel is a nice thing too. Still long enough to point well and short enough to be easy to use in a house.

You should also consider spending a bit of time at the skeet range. The distance you shoot for skeet is more like what you need than traps and you need to get on target fast to hit skeet.

I agree with and respect a lot of what was said above. However...

There is an assumption there are no instances of power being cut to your home... or power outages after a hurricane/earthquake/incident... And consider this real-world scenario if you will:

It's dark oclock in the morning. You awake to sounds in your home and see the hall lights on outside your dark bedroom. You are sleepy, scared, disoriented. Unsure of what's going or if it's even a threat. You listen and sounds of hushed male voices come to you. You take out your (secured) HD shotgun as your whisper for your wife to dial 911. Not being a hero or ego-driven macho man, you are content to wait in the dark bedroom unseen. Just then a dark figure appears in the bedroom doorway silhouetted against the light in the hallway.

Shoot or don't shoot?

For me the answer is no. Too many questions. Do I know this person? Does he have a weapon? But if I wait I am risking our safety.

Flash the light on the dark figure.

a) It's my wife's drunk brother decided to crash at our place instead of drive further (insert any non-threat)
b) It's a crazed stranger I've never seen with a knife/gun in his hand stepping into our bedroom


The fact is, NOT using a light source runs counter to pretty much every training out there. And "flashing" is the reason SureFire puts and instant-on switch (instead of constant on) under your thumb.


The bottom line is this....

We are talking about an extreme situation where deadly force is required because, and ONLY because, you fear for your life or the life of loved ones. Otherwise run away, call the police, let your car get stolen, let them take your grandmother's silverware! Who cares? Ego, materialism, macho, and even legal "appearances" have no place in this moment. There is only one imperative... Am I in fear of my or my family's safety enough to take a human life? If yes, what is the safest way to do so?

I hope none of us ever face this situation. But if we do, I pray we have the clarity of purpose to make the right choice and focus on the gravity of what truly matters.

I think we can agree to have different opinions on how useful under the muzzle flashlights are.
It might even be a nice discussion topic in a gun forum thread.
I don't want to get into it though.

Your other comments above about being aware is a bigger comment than whether you turn the lights on or not.
Identifying what you are aiming at before pulling the trigger, instead of shooting just because of unthinking fear is very important.
Not everything that goes bump in the night is a monster.

Quite true. Often it's my 3-legged dog tripping.

[quote=scafool
Identifying what you are aiming at before pulling the trigger, instead of shooting just because of unthinking fear is very important.
Not everything that goes bump in the night is a monster.

[/quote]

We are in total lock-step on this most important point.

No one, and I mean no one, enters my house without advance notice. Not only do none of my relatives or associates have a legitimate means of entry (ie me giving them a key), but anyone who would enter without advance notice would be identified long before making it to my bedroom door. If they know me at all, they would have no doubt what action to expect on my part if such an event as you described were to develop. Finding themselves inside my house at night, the best thing they could do for themselves is lay on the ground with their hands out flat in front of them in plain sight, and hope that I am awake enough not to pull the trigger.

As for house lighting, if the power goes off, I have LED lights that would kick on, with enough ambient lighting to ensure I could identify my target.

The "a" scenario would never be a consideration. Anyone coming into my house unannounced would be an invader. If they are standing at my bedroom door, the next thing they will hear/see is the click of the sear releasing and a bright flash.