The slim design cuts down on the number of rounds in the single stack magazine to a very limited five. Despite this, we think this looks like an exciting piece, and we are very excited for it to hit stores!

Benelli M4 12 Gauge Shotgun – Semi Automatic

Cost? Only $1,600.00

If the idea of spending sixteen hundred dollars on a military shotgun makes you shake your head, please keep reading.

Instead of worrying about all of these new and fancy guns, let’s focus on what we know. Maybe you have a simple pump action shotgun at the house which gets used for hunting here and there. Maybe you have any old break action shotgun your grand father left you. Maybe you are looking to pick up your first shotgun today. Here are some suggestions and tips to quickly take any shotgun and trim it into a sturdy and reliable home defense gun.

1. Before buying a second shotgun for home defense, stick with the one you have.

One of the most important aspects of owning ANY firearm for defense, is to be very comfortable with the gun. What better way to feel comfortable then by using the gun which you have had for years? The gun you grew up shooting with will treat you better than a complicated tactical shotgun that also drains your wallet. Odds are you will also be very accurate already with your own shotgun and your knowledge of the controls will be automatic.

You need to know how to run the gun you have.

2. Shorter Barrel

You may already have noticed that the 28 inch barrel which you use to pull birds out of the sky is not the most practical thing to use for defense indoors. Corners can be tight inside a house, and it is important to not only have maneuverability, but also be concealability. Nothing gives your position away more quickly than a long barrel protruding from beyond your cover. Be sure to always follow regulation regarding barrel length. Avoid shotgun barrels that are less than 18 inches in length. Finding short barrels is fairly easy for the two most common pump shotguns in the United States today: the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870.

Mossberg 500 with the standard “field” barrel. The shorter security barrel is shown underneath.

An additional barrel for either a Mossberg or a Remington will cost you a hundred dollars or so, but you can still use the shotgun during the hunting by quickly swapping out barrels. An online sporting goods store, such as Midway USA, usually will have short security barrels for common shotgun brands. Here are some links for the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870.

3. Shell holder / Shell bandolier

Shotguns are not known for their high capacity internal magazines. Your five rounds or so could be quickly gone after a short altercation. Any easy fix would be to add a shell holder sleeve which you quickly slip onto the stock of virtually any shotgun you might own.

Shotgun shell holder – Mossy Oak

As an alternative or in addition, a great buy would be a shotgun bandolier. Most standard shell bandoliers carry 25 extra shells, and buying two not only decks you in a great Pancho Villa look, but you are also armed to the teeth.

Shotgun Bandolier by Allen Company

Having extra shells on hand for your shotgun is one of the best improvements you can make in a home defense situation. Both the shell holder sleeve and the bandolier are not going to be expensive additions, as you can easily pick up both for less than $40.

4. Light attachment

The ability to see your target is a crucial factor when engaging an assailant in your home. A clearly visible target becomes the difference between shooting an intruder, and shooting a member of the family coming home later than usual.

Unlike a handgun, holding a flashlight with your non-shooting hand is very difficult to do with most shotguns. Pump actions tend to be heavier, and you would obviously need both hands to operate the firearm appropriately. The good news is, there are a wide variety of attachments that can allow for a small light to be mounted to a shotgun.

Streamlight PolyTac LED flashlight with a Shotgun Mount

A quality light mount that also includes its own flashlight could run around $100. This particular light from Streamlight is about $80 on Amazon.com. A light attachment could end up being one of the more pricey additions to a home defense shotgun, but the practicality pays for itself.

If you still want to go in a much cheaper direction, we have heard of using cheap scope mounts and their mini Mag Lite flashlights as a light attachment.

Duct tape works great too.

5. Ammunition

Choosing certain types of shotgun ammunition can be an easy way to improve your shotgun’s effectiveness as a home defense firearm. Having said that, any ammunition is better than NONE. If all you have lying around the house are old bird shells or the shells you use to plaster clay pigeon, they can also do the job. Tiny balls of metal flying through the air at a several hundred feet per second is pretty terrifying for a bad guy no matter how you stack it.

If you feel like spicing up your ammo selection, consider these options for your home defense shotgun:

• 00 Buck Shot – A favorite for defense. Instead of many many small steel shot used for bird hunting, Buck shot uses just a few larger pieces of shot packed in front of a more powerful amount of powder. The result means much more energy on target and devastating effects to your intruder’s well being.
• Slug – Shooting a slug from a shotgun is essentially similar to shooting one big a** bullet down range. You no longer have the spreading pattern as you would from bird or buck shot, but you still preserve a VERY destructive effect on target when shot accurately.
• Reduced Recoil shells – You can even buy fancy cool guy shotgun rounds that have a “reduced recoil” effect. Obviously these shells will cost you a few extra dollars, but you gain more control due to less recoil. Shooters of a smaller body type tend to find this option a great plus and helps make the shotgun feel more manageable and comfortable.

6. Practice, drill, train

This applies especially to people who have the mentality that buying a wonderful and $1600 gun automatically make them secure in their home. A gun is worthless if you do not know how to properly operate it in a safe and defensive manner. Whether it is a new shotgun you just picked up, or the old hand me down – drill, drill, drill. Take your shotgun out to a range and force yourself to practice important areas of defensive shooting.

Practicing how to do smooth reloads between your firearm and your ammo sleeves or bandoliers is very important. You want to get a feel of where the ammo lies on your person or the gun, and how you are going to use your hands to put that ammo into the firearm. Practicing on a range can make the motion automatic even when you are under stress. The whole concept behind training is to mentally prepare your mind to work in an automatic state when the chips are down and your heart is racing.

Take yourself outside of your comfort zone out on the range, so you will not be surprised when you are outside of your comfort zone in a fight.

You and your shotgun need to become quite acquainted with each other, as well as acquainted and handled by any members of your family who may also need to use the firearm for defense. Perfect practice will save your life.

Hope you came away with some good ideas to improve your shotgun for home defense. Please add comments, questions, suggestions, concerns. Cheers.

Currently, 22 states ban the carrying of concealed weapons on college campuses, and Utah is the only state that explicitly forbids the banning of concealed weapons at its 10 public colleges and universities, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) web site.

 

If only more states decided to act like Utah. Regardless, it is always refreshing to see states showing random acts of common sense from time to time.

Check out the link below to read the full article on Reuters.

Reuters.com

What does it mean for a handgun to be a Pocket Carry? The last two words of that sentence are a big hint. Any handgun that you can comfortably slip into a pants or coat pocket is referred to as a pocket carry option. Having said that, please understand that we do not recommend simply carrying a handgun loosely in a pocket. For safety reasons, we always suggest carrying a handgun in an approved holster which is designed to cover the trigger guard. The term “pocket carry” was coined to give shooters a perspective of the size in proportion to something they knew well; their pants.

Deciding between a pocket sized handgun and full framed handguns is a very personal decision. You must be able to understand the differences in how the gun feels in the hand, magazine capacity, and above all – the best caliber for your needs.

Assuming that you already have your choice narrowed down to a pocket pistol, we have featured some of our favorites in this category. The following pistols are favorites here at SlightRecoil, for their reliability, great feel in the hands, and general affordability. Let’s have a look.

Walther PPK (.380 ACP) – Magazine Capacity: 6 + 1

The gun that James Bond made world famous is also an affordable way to carry the .380 ACP. It has curved lines to make easy to draw, and it feels wonderful in your hands.

Price: $525.99 at ImpactGuns.com.

Walther PPK .380 ACP

As you can also tell, it looks fabulous. Wouldn’t you agree Sean?

Yessshhh.

 

Beretta Tomcat (.32 ACP)

This little joy is a very light creation of Beretta. It has an incredibly simple design and functionality quality. Like the PPK, it is considered “snag proof” so you will not have to worry about producing this pistol in a jiffy.

Price: $372.99 at ImpactGuns.com.

Beretta Tomcat in .32 ACP

The Tomcat is a wonderful size handgun option for a .32 ACP cartridge. It easily fits pockets, purses, or an ankle holster.

Kahr P380 (.380 ACP) – Magazine Capacity 6+1

Kahr is known for their high quality line of semi – automatic pistols which are all American made. They are becoming extremely popular in the concealed carry community and this .380 ACP is a brilliant option.

Price: $569.99 at ImpactGuns.com

Kahr P380 chamber for the .380 ACP

Even though the P380 is a little on the large side for a .380 ACP handgun, it still remains very concealable and comfortable due to its thin frame. Shooting this firearm is a treat and stays very accurate for a subcompact pistol. Kahr has a very convincing spokesperson as well.

Copyright Kahr Firearms

Ruger LCR (.38 Special) –  5 round cylinder

There are a few good brands of pocket sized revolvers on the market today, Smith and Wesson, Colt, etc, but Ruger has established a undeniable reputation of reliability and affordable. The LCR is small, small, small yet can still pack a devastating blow with its .38 Special cartridge.

Price: $395.00 at ImpactGuns.com

Ruger LCR in .38 Special

A revolver like the LCR can make a wonderful deep conceal option, as well as a reliable back up for duty carry.

North American Arms Guardian (.380 ACP) – Magazine Capacity 6+1

Even though N.A.A. is not as much of a “super brand” as Beretta or Kahr, they produce high quality handguns for a variety of uses. The Guardian closely resembles the Walther PPK in styling and functionality but for around $150.00 less of the cost.

Price: $387.99 at ImpactGuns.

North American Arms Guardian in .380 ACP, also available in .32 ACP

The Guardian has reasonably good accuracy, however it only features very subtle steel fixed sights.

Ruger LCP .380 ACP – Magazine capacity 6 + 1

This gem has become insanely popular among concealed carry holders. The price is unbeatable and you still get Ruger quality during the manufacturing. It is roughly the same size as the PPK and Guardian, yet lighter than both due to polymer materials around the grip.

Price: $288.88 at ImpactGuns.com

Ruger LCP in .380 ACP

For those of you who are looking to enter into the pocket pistol market, the Ruger LCP is an ultra affordable option that still delivers good performance. Always handle a firearm before purchasing though, as many shooters prefer a full steel frame and the balance it provides.

If you are looking for a great carry gun, but do not want to compromise on a smaller caliber round, the XD(m) Compact is a great choice. We have also been very pleased with the customization available on these pistols as they feature adjustable grips and an accessory rail. Reliability is also top notch as the XD and XD(m) pistols are modeled after the near flawless design of Glock pistols. Despite a good compact design, the XD(m) Compact is slightly more exspensive compared to some compact pistols of Glock or Ruger, but $679.99 is still a reasonable price. (ImpactGuns.com)

To see more on the Springfield XD(m) Compact, check out this fun video by Hickok45, or check out the Springfield website.

Remington R1 1911 .45 ACP, Photo by Remington

The 1911 by Remington embodies what it means to be a beautiful yet extremely useful handgun. This particular model is a very simple design as very little has been done to change it’s original appearance and function. The difference instead lies in the quality of the manufacturing.

Compared to some variants of the 1911, Remington seems to have got the ingredients just right with this handgun. Because this firearm has been made by dozens of manufacturers for years, there are a few versions that have their issues from time to time. If you ever pick up an old, used 1911 and compare it to a R1, you will quickly notice the overall difference in quality. The Remington 1911 just feels “solid”. Without going into the technical terminology, this handgun is made at a very high quality level, with each component carefully made. Here is a short discription from the Remington website:

The new Model 1911 R1 is truly the finest blend of exacting craftsmanship and out-of-box performance available today. Every element is produced with ultra-tight tolerances on equipment representing the height of modern technology. The result is a sweet-shooting advancement of a legendary design we’re more than proud to put our name on.

Based on our experience, we believe every word.

What the Remington R1 1911 is good for:

Personal defense, home defense, vehicle carry, shooting at a range, looking gorgeous.               This .45 ACP firearm comes standard with 2 seven round magazines when purchased from Remington. The .45 ACP round is a very powerful handgun round so having only 7 rounds per magazine is still very formidable.

The R1 and the case it comes in

What the Remington R1 1911 is NOT good for:

One small disadvantage of a 1911 pistol is the fact that it is single action. Even though this semi-automatic pistol brings the hammer in the firing position after each shot, the hammer needs to be cocked manually for the first shot. For this reason, we do not classify this a “no thinking required” gun. A firearm like a revolver can be pretty much picked and fired with very little effort or knowledge of the firearm. We recommend you do plenty of research into a firearm so it fits your personal needs.

A second disadvantage is simply that this model is a FULL sized, full framed handgun. It is a big gun. There are many compact and sub-compact 1911 variants across the board that might be better options for carrying and deep conceal purposes.

Reliability:

This a very reliable handgun. Little has been changed to the 1911 design, mainly due to the fact that it was such a simple layout. Compared to other semi-auto handguns and other 1911 variants, the Remington 1911 has so far performed flawlessly through our experiences. It can also safely handle defensive ammunition.

Safety:

The 1911 features one manual safety located near the hammer, and a second “auto” safety located on the back of the grip. We call this an “auto” safety because the mechanism automatically depresses when the user grips the firearm. You should not have to think about this safety once you grab the firearm.

An example of a generic 1911 manual safety

Price:

You should be able to find a new R1 between $600-700. You can also often find these models on sale, so keep a sharp lookout. This model is currently available at ImpactGuns.com for $649.00.

Parting thoughts:

We are huge supporters and fans of the M1911 pistol, and this Remington version is a true beauty. The traditional “classic” look and feel remains with this modern pistol even after 100 years. If you are looking for a basic 1911 pistol that will shoot true and stay durable for many years, we cannot recommend any brand other than Remington. When other 1911′s can run in price of upwards $2,000, we think this is a sensible option and a great way to continue tradition.

For more information, check out Remington’s website here.

Marlin 1895 SBL Lever Action rifle in .45-70 – Photo by Marlin

When it absolutely, positively has to be dead in 6 shots or less; please refer to this firearm. Marlin Firearms manufacturers this gorgeous “little” gem as part of their lever action rifle line up. This 6 shot lever action rifle delivers the very potent .45-70 Government round down range and thus destroying anything in its path. This firearm was designed to be a rugged yet very tactical guide gun. Essentially, if you are wandering around in the North American wilderness, you chances of survival increase exponentially with this fine gun. Here is a brief description from Marlin…

Destined to be a top choice of North Country guides, it delivers the massive punch of a 45–70 Gov´t. with unmatched speed – with the lethal assurance of a 6–round capacity thanks to a full–length magazine tube. Rapid target acquisition comes natural with its 18½” barrel and XS Ghost Ring Sights and scout scope mount. And its big loop lever adds a distinctive traditional style while promoting sure follow-up shots, even with gloves. True to the inhospitable territory it was born to thrive in, the Model 1895SBL features the weather resistance of a grey/black laminated stock and stainless steel finish on all major metal components.

 

Any lever action rifle that comes standard with a tactical rail mounting system is a must buy. A laser dot or quick reflex sight could be a good option for short range encounters, but you can also extend your range with a quality scope. If you are not keen on depending on a secondary sight system, this firearm comes standard with durable ghost ring sights. Since the 1895 SBL also boasts a weather resistant stock and stainless steel parts, you can kick this gun around if you so choose. Lever action rifles, especially those made by Marlin, have a reputation of being ultra reliable and simple. This beauty is no different.

Prices for the 1895 SBL should be around $800.00. ImpactGuns.com features this model for $825.99.

The new CompactCougar from Stoeger – 9mm. Photo from Stoeger

The Stoeger firearms company has recently announced a fine addition into their already wonderful line of Cougar handguns. This is a compact version of their popular Cougar pistol, which was originally manufactered by Beretta.

The new CougarCompact features a 13 round magazine which delivers 9mm rounds into a devastating patented rotating barrel system.  This firearm allows features a rounded frame which is ideal for conceal carry and draw. Currently, the CougarCompact is only available in 9mm, but we hope Stoeger will soon release .40 SW and .45 ACP models as well. We are also slightly disappointed that the new Cougar does not feature an accessibly rail under the barrel.

However, we are very excited to see an addition to the Cougar line, and priced at $449.00, it is hard to NOT order one immediately.

Glock 19, Generation 4 chambered in 9mm – Photo Copyright – GunGuyOnline

Compared to the other Glock pistols chambered in 9mm, the Glock 19 is considered the midsize; with the Glock 17 being a full sized service pistol, and the Glock 26 being a small, subcompact version. Glock has uniquely set up their pistols, so that magazines for a specific caliber, are compatible with all of the firearm models in said caliber. (Glock 19 magazines work in the Glock 17 and vice versa).

What the Glock 19 is good for:

Personal defense, home defense, everyday carry, recreational shooting. The Glock 19 features a standard 15 round magazine which means you can put a lot of “lead” down range, every time you need to reload.

What the Glock 19 is NOT good for:

Looking pretty. The Glock 19 is a no-thrills firearm which is designed for awesome performance and ease of use. If you are looking for a “sexy” firearm to gaze at while sipping on some Scotch, I would suggest other firearms. If you don’t care about such things..

“Get yourself a Glock and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol”

 

Price

A new generation 4 Glock 19 will cost you between $520 – 600. There are generation 3 and 4 Glocks listed on ImpactGuns.com.

Reliability

This is where the Glock brand really shines. There are few handguns that can compete with a Glock in terms of realibility. The design of the pistol has been copied time and time again by Springfield, Ruger, Kahr and others.  We give the Glock 19, a 5 out of 5 rating in reliability.

Safety

Many handguns have an external, manual safety. Glock 19 pistols and its relatives do not have a manual safety. There is an integrated safety located on the trigger itself and it is designed to prevent an accidental pull, snag, or squeeze of the trigger.

Glock trigger safety – Photo from highpowersandhandguns.com

If worn properly in a  secure holster, a Glock 19 should not pose any problems because of having “no safety”. Always remember to practice safe firearm techniques when handling your Glock. Refer to our page on firearm safety.

Parting thoughts

The Glock 19 is simply a fantastic firearm. If you are considering buying one, we suggest doing so at your earliest convenience. It is highly likely that this firearm will perform flawlessly for the term of your natural life, only to be passed down to someone else to enjoy.