Hi: Based on information I got at this site quite a while ago, I finally got to a local gunshop. I asked for a Charles Daly Field Tactical Ramp Sight 12 G. shotgun 18 1/2" L.

The young man who waited on me offered a Mossberg Mavrick #88 12G. 20" L as an alternative.

This weapon is for home protection and will not see heavy field duty.

Can any of you more knowledgeable folks comment? Thanks

 

I have no first hand experience with Charles Daly but I have been using Mossberg shotguns all my life and have never had a problem with them. In fact, Mossbergs are used quite a bit in police and military service. I see no reason to shy away from the Mossberg but I would stick with a true mossberg and skip the mavrick. I am wondering why did they not want to sell you the gun you asked for?

 

I concur with Scott, I have a Mossberg 500A with pistol grip for "in house" work. Main thing is to make it no longer than the width of a passage way in your house. I believe the 500A has a 18 1/2" barrel. Never had a problem with it when trying it out at the range to ensure proper working.

 

Nothing really wrong with that choice...but I see some problems as mentioned. It's too long for easy manuvering and its a 12ga. For interior home defense I don't see the need for a 12. I have a 20ga Cruiser and if required it will be more than adequate without the excessive recoil. Its very handy and easy to use. I have a side saddle ammo carrier and the forend with the retainer strap, so its a grab and go affair. True, it only has 5 rounds + 1 in the chamber...but if you need more than that you have big trouble.
Unfortunately...i don't think they make a 20ga in that configuration anymore.

You said "won't see heavy field duty"...even better reason to get a Mossberg 500 or 590. You could buy the pistol grip seperate..put the full stock on when you go out, put the pistol grip on when you come back.

Hey TI..is the Maverick just a model? Like Cruiser or Persuader? Though I see it does have a crossbolt safety...which I wouldn't want on a defense gun. Hmm...maybe these are made overseas and somehow cheaper? If so..then I too would skip them for a Real Mossberg 500 or 590.

 

Yeah, the Mavrick brand is just a cheaper version of the Mossbergs. I think they are made overseas and imported.

I just measured my shotie is it is about 28" long with the pistol grip. I also noticed it is a "New Haven" 600AT which I think might be before they did the Mavrick. I got off my friend for $50 so I can't complain

Maverick Arms

 

TI...yeah just did a little search...yours is just a store brand of a 500. Looks like Western Auto, Service Merch, Monkey Wards all carried them. You got a good deal!

 

Thanks to all who replied. Much appreciated.

 

Whichever you choose go to the range and practice cycling the action and shooting. Then go home (make sure the gun is unloaded) and practice working the action until you can do it in your sleep on a bad day.

Personally I never grew up with a pump gun and to this day I don't feel "natural" enough cycling the action to use it for defence. I'm an auto loader fan (but still pretty darn fast reloading a single shot).

 

I have been using pump shotguns my whole life. I think I can cycle a pump just as fast as an autoloader, but I'm sure I'm wrong. When I'm hunting pumping the gun just happens. I don't even think about it. I believe this is from the days I played paintball with a pump gun. by the end of the day I would have blisters on my hands from cycling the pump on the paintball gun so much. (about 750 rounds worth. I like to go with "target saturation")
The home shottie sits with the hammer down on an empty chamber so all I have to do is give it a pump and I'm ready to rock and roll. If the intruder hears the pump cycle and sticks around, I know he means business and need some lead in his diet.

 

"The home shottie sits with the hammer down on an empty chamber so all I have to do is give it a pump and I'm ready to rock and roll. If the intruder hears the pump cycle and sticks around, I know he means business and need some lead in his diet."

That's exactly what I tell my wife.

 

Maverick 88 is an entry level, economical shotgun. Many of the parts are made in Mexico and assembled here to cut costs. The shotgun will work with great success, just shoot it to "proof" it. Also you should pattern whatever load you are going to shoot out of it. This means that you should shoot paper targets to find out exactly what kind of spread each load will perform at varying distances.

For home defense, you would be better off with an 18" barrel but 20" will work well. Use a good buckshot and stay away from birdshot or anyone who preaches birdshot in relation to over penetration issues.

I highly suggest having a good plan of action for your home and know your angles and your backstops and what is beyond them. Along with a good plan is being very proficient with your weapon which includes proper safety and handling.

Having said that, keeping your weapon in condition 1, (loaded, round chambered, safety on) is the most ideal. Racking a round into the chamber should not be used as an attempt at a deterrent to "scare off" a potential threat. If that person is determined, racking a round is useless. Not only that, but it gives away the fact that you are armed and more importantly you have given up your location. In essence, cutting down your odds. In a potential life and death situation you want to stack the odds in your favor, not the other way around.

Be highly proficient, have a sound and practiced plan, maintain noise and light discipline and know how to use them to your advantage, be aware of cover / concealment within your home, and know your angles. Going on the "hunt" so to speak is not a good thing if you don't have to do it. Lying in wait, in an ambush position will give you the advantage of surprise and action vs a bad guys reaction.

Know your local laws well.

 

Good advice, shooter. But my home isn't Hogan's alley. Not much concealment between the bedroom and the living room area. Racking the gun may give up my location but hey, where else would I be at 2am? After the racking, if they still want to proceed with their death march, so be it. Certainly not useless as you assert. Warning was given. Now, 911 is useless.

 

You also have to remember....you need to give warning to avoid being hung out to dry (in most states). You can't just snipe someone as they turn the corner in the hall. If you do that..(again...in most cases)..you are in for a world of hurt for the next few years. Most sources say..."I have a gun..and I am prepared to defend myself, my family and my home!" Racking the action is just an emphasis that all but the most stoned will recognise. Even then..its all about YOUR state of mind...your REAL state of mind.

Read "In the Gravest Extreme" by Massad Ayoob for some of the best home defense advice I've found.

Hmmmm I should probably read it again myself.....

 

Maybe, not at home or elsewhere in the home. You are still leaving quite a bit of doubt in the intruders mind and there are many possibilities that the intruder will have to account for. Basically his OODA loop will have far more variables to deal with. Racking your slide and giving up your location will will take much doubt out of that persons mind and much less things for him to process or take into account.

Far be it from me to give anyone an absolute in how they should defend themselves in their own home. I can only offer perhaps better alternatives.

 

Again with all due respect, I understand the basic mantra that you are speaking of, heck every single basic NRA home defense, personal protection, or CCW course nationwide outlines it. However we also need to understand that warnings, while written into many laws, also have counterpoint to them. While they may be worded different they all pretty much say the same thing. Which goes something along these lines...

Verbal warnings - If feasible, and if to do so would not increase the danger to the person or others being protected, a verbal warning to submit to the authority of the member shall be given prior to the use of deadly force.

In other words if your verbal warning only serves to place you or those whom you wish to protect in more jeopardy of imminent serious bodily injury, or death, such verbal warnings may be omitted. We are using the reasonable person standard here also. Which is also why I stated that one should know all of their local laws.

Trust me, I am well aware of the teachings of Masaad Ayoob. I have had the pleasure of meeting him on more than one occasion on a professional level and even had the pleasure of training with him.

Even if it works, I will again reiterate that racking a slide as a warning, or hoping that it will send all but the most determined scurrying away, is not a good idea.