by Rich Grassi Why a shotgun for defense? It may be hard for you to own a pistol due to legislative incompetence. A rifle could be too much for your venue - a friend on the local police department had to put an injured deer - victim of an auto collision - down in a neighborhood. The blast from his 16" Colt in 5.56mm - using, I believe, Hornady TAP Urban - was majestic in the wee hours of the night. It's not just noise abatement. While most .223 loads available to consumers is light enough that a wall or two pretty much puts them asunder, the same can't be said for the .30 WCF, 7.62x39mm, .270 or .30-06. In fact, much of the handgun ammo available will out-penetrate .223 on sheetrock and studs. Besides, there are certain people who see the Black Rifle as evil incarnate and, based just on your rifle, will conclude that you are evil. Some (not all) of the same folks look at the elegant name "Wingmaster" on the side of your 870 and sigh. Nice gun. So, if you select a shotgun, what do you need? Well, make sure it's sound and it works. Make sure it fits everyone who may have to use it and that everyone knows how to use it. If it's an all around utility piece, particularly if you live in rural America, we can fix it up just a little. For starts, let's get the Vang Comp replacement safety - it's in the form of a big dome, easily struck, for the 870 or the oversize paddle for the Mossberg. (www.vangcomp.com/) If you have a Remington shotgun from the locking safety days - you need a green tab to unlock the safety - get the safety replaced before you rely on the gun.

This shotgun has the XS Sights Express Sights set-up on the barrel.

For farm/ranch/rural use I prefer XS Express Sights. With 870 that has Remington rifle sights, the shallow 'v' rear fits in the space for rifle sights. A Big Dot with tritium is up front. Plenty enough precision for 100 yards, the XS Express Sights is faster than anything but a reflex sight. Look at the sighting arrangement used by those who hunt dangerous game - a big ball up front with a shallow "V" aft. I can clear a plate rack faster with the Express Sight than ghost rings. (For more info, see www.xssights.com) The barrel mustn't be any shorter than 18" unless you want some ATF entanglements. I prefer a receiver mounted spare ammo holder. A butt cuff is okay if you will never fire the piece from the other side around cover - and who can bank on that? If you are rural with considerable distance to other habitation, you may elect to have a few slugs. Know where they are and when you can employ them.

This 10 yard pattern out of an untreated barrel is Federal 8-pellet Tactical 00B buckshot. Check your patterns with your ammo!

For ammo, use #6 rabbit and squirrel loads - this will penetrate clothing, but not several walls of a residence. Don't use 2 3/4" magnums or any cannon fodder. Someone else in the household may have to use that gun. They need to be able to make quick follow up hits just like you. If you're in a "buck shot appropriate area," I like police loads from Federal, Hornady and Remington. Winchester Ranger has worked well for me too. The current "tactical buck" from Federal has the "FliteControl" wad, which keeps eight 00 pellets in a very tight pattern -- out to 10 yards, you can cover the pattern with a coffee cup! If your gun is a Remington, ensure it has the Flexi-tab kit installed. This ensures that a shell that slips past the shell stops can be racked into the chamber. The stock on the factory issued shotgun is too long. Monikers like "youth model stock" or some such other name are clues to dimensions. I like the length of pull at less than fourteen inches. Do you need ghost ring sights or a sling? No. A carry strap is nice to have, a way to hang the piece if you need both hands for something else. Do you need the Vang Comp System - a barrel treatment that yields terrific patterns from shot, while still letting you accurately shoot slugs? No, you don't need it, but I'd hate to have to explain a flyer out of the pattern. The VCS pretty well does away with those. Some of the new ammo is great in its own right, but the gentle treatment of shot through a VCS barrel makes sure of tight patterns regardless of the ammo you buy when you can't find the high dollar LE stuff. The shotgun has enormous amounts of power and is fairly easily handled. Outfit it properly and maintain it and it'll see you through the night.