Cheap home-defense 12 ga. suggestions

[UnderwaterMike]

I'm moving from a large house to a small apartment, and have been thinking about a purpose-built home defense shotgun, rather than swinging around my long 870 Express or putting 9mm rounds into my neighbors' bedrooms. The two guns I'm exploring are the Stevens 320 Pump (pistol grip and ghost ring) and the ATI TACSX2 Semi (front post and scope mount). Price is the same on each, and they're both no-frills guns with reputedly solid performance. The Stevens is Chinese and the ATI is Turkish, so no one in the U.S. is getting a job from either.

I don't own any other shotguns, and the idea of using a semi is appealing, if only for being a bit more idiot-proof in the dead of night. (Truth be told, I'd like a nice Beretta or Remington semi with a pair of barrels, but that ain't gonna happen.) I had thought about cutting down my 870 Ex, but that was my first long gun and I can't bear to maul it. (Sorry for the pun.)

Any comments on either choice?

[dmharvey]

There are a lot of options on this site:

http://www.slickguns.com/category/shotguns?caliber=6

The best shotgun is going to be the one you train/practice with before you need it.

[Kreutz]

doesn't get cheaper than this:

[ShotgunBlast]

Can't you just get a shorter barrel for your 870? Wouldn't that be the least expensive option without mucking up your existing barrel?

[Snakester]

I'd think twice before cutting down an 870 ....Wally World has the Partner Pump for less than $200 . You can shorten the stock and the barrel to be exactly what you want for "CHEAP " . They also have the Mossberg Semi Auto for $500. Just a couple of choices !!!

[Diggs27]

You could always get the Mossberg 500 in a combo that comes with I believe the 28"barrel for hunting and trap shooting as well as an 18 1/2 inches for "home security". Go on Mossberg.com and explore your options... may be a tad bit more than you are willing to spend; but at least you are buying an American made gun.

[UnderwaterMike]

Extra barrel might just be the cheapest thing I could do. I rarely shoot it any more, but the HD barrel would let me put the original back on if I need to.

I looked at the 590 combo, and it is indeed a nice setup. But, a bit more than I can spend at the moment.

Thanks all!

[jdonovan]

I'm moving from a large house to a small apartment, and have been thinking about a purpose-built home defense shotgun, rather than swinging around my long 870 Express

so everyone has this notion of needing to do home clearing. unless this is a grid down, end of times situation, take cover and call the boys in blue, and let the trained pro's do the clearing.

unless you have training in indoor operations you're going to likely get beat by the bad guy. Usually the ones in motion are at a significant disadvantage unless there are alot of you, and you are well trained.

or putting 9mm rounds into my neighbors' bedrooms.

Anything thats going to go into a bad guy far enough to be immediately effective is going right the heck through drywall. Also 50% or more of your shots are likely to miss in a high stress situation. Going through walls is going to happen.

I'd say keep the 870, and work with it. Drop a $20 or what you can spare into the coffee can each friday, and when you've got enough for what you want upgrade.