I need to ask a question to someone familiar with shotguns?

Question

Please look at this link and tell me if this gun would be an ok gun just to have around the house for a woman who wants to feel a little safer while at home alone. I cannot pay much money. This gun is very inexpensive, but I have no idea if it's any good. Can I please get some advice. Thank you!:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4756266

Answer 1

It's better than a rock, but not by much, to be honest you'd be better off going to a local gun shop in your area and looking at used shotguns, get one with more than one shot, even a double barrel is 100% better than a single shot, minimum gauge should be 20, not 410, for a woman I would highly recommend a remington 870 20 gauge pump, you can get a decent used one for around the same price your link shows.

Answer 2

The shotgun/.22 combo isn't bad, but it can be tricky to operate for a novice. You must select which barrel you want to fire by moving a selector on the hammer. In a hurry, it could let you down. The 410 gauge shotgun is a little on the underpowered side, but you can get slugs for it. But 410 shells are more costly than 20 gauge, which would be a better choice for you. Do you live in the city? rural? these are important questions. A shotgun slug would go thru a wall. endangering a neighbor close by. Buck shot will do a good job in a rural setting, but in an apartment or a close neighborhood, I'd load it with #7 bird shot. I would also recommend that you shop around at a couple of pawn shops and gun shops for a 20 gauge shotgun, used, they run about the same price as what you are looking at, and sometimes a little less. Buy a brand name, don't get one with a barrel longer than 18 1/2" if possible, but under no circumstances longer that 20" or it will be too unwieldy for use in the home. Then you need to decide if you want a single shot, which can be bought used for around $50.00 or a pump gun that holds 3-7 rounds. These are $85 to $125.00 used. A good new shotgun like a mossberg pump will run you around $225.00

Answer 3

A single shot shotgun is better than no gun, but really you should look at stepping up to a 20 or 12 ga, because with a shotgun, you are looking for a decent shot spread along with penetration (but not too much penetration-you don't want the pellets going through drywall). The problem with a .410 is you can get good penetration with 00 buckshot or slugs, but you lose the spread, or you can shoot #4 buck but then you lose the penetration. With a 20 or 12 ga, you don't lose that much penetration with #4 buckshot and you get a really good spread from the buck so you know you'll hit something.

Also, take into account that pump shotguns ratchet up the intimidation factor, which can mean the difference between having to shoot a burglar and being able to hold him at bay until the police arrive.

Answer 4

That shotgun is a single shot. That means you can only load 1 shot into it. If you miss you may be in trouble, since you have to reload.

Not mention its bit small, 410 gauge , its made for shooting birds, and squirrels.

Get a 20 gauge, pump shotgun where you can load several shots into it.

Heres a good one only a little more than your budget (also from Walmart):

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2685488
Its a youth model, the good thing is its shorter in length (36 inches) compared to other models (40 to 45 inches), shorter will make it easier to handle for yourself if you are small, and in enclosed areas such as a house.

This is good too its a little less expensive but its also longer in length (40 inches).
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4665626

Another benefit of a pump shotgun is sometimes just the sound alone of someone pumping a shotgun is enough to scare intruders aways, without even firing a shot.

Answer 5

i really like how everyone says its only a .410 and not a good choice. Rightfully so the single shot would not be good. But a .410 will do damage within the confines of a house. No one here would want to get hit with it. That being said, it sounds as if you are not familar with firearms and therefore need some training and safety. Take a course somewhere and consider getting a handgun, especially if your state has concealed carry permits. They the gun you buy will be multi funtional, for when your out and when your home. But buying a gun without experience will not make you safer at home, it will actually put you at risk of either misusing it, or having it used by someone breaking in. A good glock or kimber will cost more, but in the long run it'll pay off. And only with training will you feel safe. Can you really put a price on your safety? as for a handgun round going through to a neighbors house? possible, but with hollow points less likely then FMJ. Besides, if this happens, will it be your fault? your not the one who broke into your own house. And with training, you won't need to sporadically pop off rounds.

Answer 6

There are deals out there where you can get a 20 gauge shotgun for $120.
Get a solid pump shotgun in 12 or 20 gauge
Remington 870's is very reliable
Mossbergs 500 and 590's are good too

But you choose but you must inspect it for quality and function otherwise you should have a very reliable shotgun.
And if you cannot afford a shotgun try to save money until you can afford an entry level pump shotgun which is good enough to last many generations.Remington and Mossberg offer Express,Maverick 88,Persuader,and cruiser model shotguns that are less expensive then standard models but still great.

Answer 7

There is nothing wrong with it at all..
But if you will look you will find the same gun in a 20ga at the same price...

The 20ga will not only have more knockdown but will be a lot lighter as well...
I do not suggest getting a 12ga because they have quite a bit of kick when shot and the idea isn't to hurt yourself....

I hunted for years with a single shot 20ga and with a little practice a person can fire rounds almost as fast as with a pump action...Also a trusty single shot DOES NOT jam....And in home defense you ARE going to hit what you aim at...Its point and click!

Avoid a high powered pistol...Because if you have close neighbors a stray round might just pass through your home into the next door neighbor's home....

I might suggest looking around at local pawn shops for the same shotgun...You might find one for a fraction of the price of a new one...

Me:
50+ years of killing sh*t........Nuff said.

EDIT:
For the guy that said to find a 18 1/2 inch barrel....The 1/2 inch makes it legal..

In the United States, it is illegal for a private citizen to possess a sawn-off modern smokeless powder shotgun (a barrel length less than 18 in. or 46 cm and an overall length less than 26 inches) without a tax-stamped permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which requires an extensive background check and a $200

Answer 8

It would be a good, inexpensive choice to play with squirrel hunting, but for defensive purposes, it isn't a good choice, simply because it's a single-shot. Most people prefer a pump gun for defense, but a double-barrel "coach gun" would do. Of course, anything is better than nothing. I'd suggest rather than going to Wally World or a general sporting goods store you visit a couple of gun stores. There's still a risk you'll get a salesman who's more interested in sales than in helping you out, but it's more likely you'll find a guy who can point you to a good deal on a used shotgun that will fit your needs and budget well.

Answer 9

New England Firearms (NEF) Pardners are great guns. Rock solid, never fail to work perfectly, safe, and will outlast all of us posting here. The basic design is a hundred years old and about as proven as any machine could ever be.

It's a terrific first gun or only gun....though I do agree with the other fellows that you'd be best served with a 20ga instead of the .410.

Answer 10

One more vote for a 20-gauge pump-action. Mossberg and Remington and excellent, sometimes you can find a Winchester in a "youth" model with a shorter stock if the full-size is awkward to shoulder. Five rounds of buckshot at hand should let you sleep soundly.