Building a Budget Home 

Defense Shotgun

Many experts rightly contend that a simple 12 gauge pump action shotgun is the best home security firearm for most home owners. 

Depending upon local laws and circumstances, a shotgun is very often the best solution. Some localities make it difficult to obtain a pistol permit. Some homes are better suited to a shotgun. Rifles present other issues, such as greater risk of penetrating through multiple walls and endangering family or even neighbors. Shotguns can be loaded to minimize that risk, although at reduced effectiveness and lethality. Many experts, and I agree with those, feel that a handgun is the least effective tool for defending one's family and home. I consider it the firearm I would use until I can get to my shotgun.

Should a homeowner elect to purchase a home security firearm, most would be best served by a shotgun. 

It is reasonable that cost will be a factor in the type of firearm you might consider. Handguns are usually more expensive than basic pump action shotguns. At the low end of cost are several quality shotguns. These include Mossberg's Maverick 88, Savage-Stevens 320, and various other imported shotguns. There are many to choose from, and most are of good quality and adequate reliability.

Nonetheless, I am going to recommend the Maverick 88 with an 18.5" barrel and 5+1 capacity.

Why the Maverick? It is a Mossberg, very similar to the more expensive Mossberg 500 and 590 series. Several changes were made to keep the cost low. The foregrip is pinned to the action tube, and cannot be easily replaced with an aftermarket foregrip. This should not matter as the foregrip provided is excellent. Unlike the higher grade Mossberg shotguns, the Maverick does not have the tang-mounted safety. Rather, it uses a simple crossbolt safety at the front of the trigger guard. This the most common type in the industry and it works just fine and is easy to use. Unlike the more expensive Mossbergs, which usually have a Parkerized, phosphate finish, the Maverick 88 has a blued finish. Not as durable as Parkerization, it is perfectly serviceable. Maverick shotguns do not have drilled and tapped receivers. So, adding optics requires specialized accessories. However, spending more money negates the advantage of cost.

Maverick 88 shotguns can use Mossberg 500 barrels and many of the same accessories. You really don't need much in the line of accessories.

A basic Maverick 88 as described previously has a base price of under $200. I paid $189.

So, this becomes the baseline. As purchased, the 88 is a perfectly useable shotgun. But, for home security, a few optional items are best added.

Sling: A sling is to a shotgun what a holster is to a handgun. Should you need to use both hands for some purpose, it is far better to sling the shotgun on your shoulder or back than to put it down. An adequate sling will cost under $10.

A sling should be attached with quality sling swivels. There are several brands that cost under $10.

It is a simple fact that most folks who use a shotgun for home defense, do so with only the ammunition in or on the gun. Thus, being able to carry additional ammunition on the gun is vital. There are several options for this. An Allen $6 elastic sleeve that fits on the butt stock is the least expensive way to carry more ammo. However, these are often awkward to use. I recommend the NcStar self-adhering side saddle. This is the simplest and least expensive side saddle option, and it has proven to secure and reliable. The kit typically costs about $14 and is very easy to install, requiring only a pair of sharp scissors. No other hand tools are needed.

Finally, I get to sights. The stock Maverick 88 is fitted with a simple gold bead front sight. As simplistic as it is, it works well. Except, that is, in low light conditions. I recommend a TruGlow snap-on fiber optic front sight. Cost is about $15 and no tools are required to install it. This sight fits the Maverick perfectly and stays in place no matter how many rounds are fired through the shotgun. 

Now that you have built yourself a first rate home defense shotgun, you will need ammunition. As discussed before, the ammo selected will determine effectiveness and over-penetration risk. This is something you will have to assess yourself. If you don't have children and live in a house, you can buy more powerful ammunition. If you have a genuine issue with kids or neighbors on the other side of interior walls, then you must consider a less powerful ammo selection. I recommend that you use nothing smaller than #6 shot in that case. #7 1/2 and smaller may not be adequate for several reasons. If you don't have concerns about over-penetration, than you should consider #4 or 00 buckshot. You also have the option of several self-defense loads like Winchester PDX-1, which is 00 buckshot over a 1 oz rifled slug. You can mix your ammo, combining various types. I do not recommend mixing these in the magazine. If you want to carry another type of ammunition, carry it on the side saddle. A box of typical #6 shot costs no more than $8 for 25 rounds. Your local Walmart carries Suprema brand 00 buckshot. This is Spanish made ammo of very high quality. A box of 25 rounds costs just under $10. It is reliable and very effective ammo on a budget. Among specialized self-defense ammunition, I recommend the aforementioned PDX-1 or PDX segmented slug ammo. Both types are outstanding. I load 5 in the shotgun and store 6 more on the gun.

So let's add up the cost for a ready to use, quality home security shotgun

Maverick 88 18.5" barrel: $189

                                 Sling:     $9

                             Swivels:   $10

        NCStar Side Saddle:   $14

 TruGlow fiberoptic Sight:   $15              

    Ammo 25 rds #6 Shot:     $8  or

25 rds Suprema 00 Buck:   $10  and

                    12 rds PDX-1:   $13

                        Total Cost: $245 to $260 depending on ammo.

This is about the least expensive home security firearm system you can buy for the level of effectiveness offered.

I strongly suggest getting some training. There are excellent and free online training videos available as well as inexpensive DVDs with full instruction courses. I like Clint Smith. He cuts through the myth and nonsense to present clear and concise instruction. See below for a link. Most of all, practice with your shotgun often. Practice live fire at the range and simulated fire at home. You can find snap-cap dummy shotshells available from several sellers. Become proficient in shooting and loading under various conditions, including low light. Typically, you can get 10 for about $10. As before, see below for a link.

Accessories links:

TruGlo fiberoptic front sight

NcStar Side Saddle

12 Gauge Snap Caps

Sling

Swivel kit for Maverick 88

Clint Smith: Pistol vs Shotgun for home defense

Clint Smith: Defensive Shotgun

Shotgun for Personal Defense: Knowing Distance vs. Pattern

Defensive Shotgun DVD. 2 hours of Instruction

Subtle Lesson Learned From Baptist Church Massacre

 

There is a lesson to be learned about preparation from Stephen Willeford's heroism in the Sutherland Springs shooting.

Willeford engaged Kelly with his AR-15 without a full magazine, and in his bare feet.

His rifle was stored in a gun safe. However, his magazines were unloaded. What this means is that he had to take time to partially load a magazine. This can be incredibly frustrating if time is critical. In this case, time may have been critical. Willeford decided to go with what he had, because every shot he heard meant someone getting killed or wounded. He's an incredibly courageous man.

Another factor; because loading a magazine sucked up time, he elected to leave the house in bare feet. 

When Willeford and Johnnie Langendorff caught up to Kelly after a 10 mile chase, Willeford had just two rounds remaining in his rifle, and no additional ammo. As a result, had Kelly been capable of continuing the fight, Willeford's options were very limited. God and his angels were watching over Stephan Willeford Sunday morning...

Here's the lesson. If your firearms are in a safe with boxed ammo, keep several magazines loaded on the safe's shelf. In a home defense situation, time is your most precious commodity in reacting to a threat. Unloaded magazines means expending that valuable time. In my safe, you will find stacked and loaded magazines, ready to go. 

Another minor lesson... I keep a pair of moccasin type loafer shoes near the front door of the house. These are there if I need to put out trash or go outside for some purpose. I can simply step into them and go.

There's no honor too great to bestow on Willeford. Under the most trying of circumstances, he performed as well or better than anyone else could have, including highly trained persons. Despite being scared, he overcame the fear and functioned with wisdom and great precision. His actions will be studied by experts for years to come.

I fully expect Willeford and Langendorff to receive the highest award for civilians, personally presented by the President. They surely deserve it. Two civilians as courageous as any men who ever fought on a battlefield. Both utterly selfless.