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Best self defense shotgun Benelli M2 or Mossberg 590 ?

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February 21, 2026, 02:47 PM
808
Best self defense shotgun Benelli M2 or Mossberg 590 ?
So I already have a Benelli M2 so to sell it off for a pump action Mossberg 590 would not be a good idea?


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NRA Life Member
February 22, 2026, 09:58 AM
r8rs4lf
quote:
Originally posted by 808:
Which would you want for self defense.

Benelli M2 semi auto with 14 inch barrel?

Or
Mossberg 590 pump action?


Is there a reason why you left out the Beretta A300 or the 1301?
February 22, 2026, 10:44 AM
808
I already have the Benelli and thinking of switching to a Mossberg pump.

The Benelli has always shot any ammo that was put in it with no problems. That is probably my answer to just keep the Benelli M2 .


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NRA Life Member
February 22, 2026, 11:14 AM
stormin
quote:
Originally posted by 808:
I already have the Benelli and thinking of switching to a Mossberg pump.

The Benelli has always shot any ammo that was put in it with no problems. That is probably my answer to just keep the Benelli M2 .


I completely understand getting pump for another option, or as a backup option, but in no world does getting rid of a working M2 to switch to a pump make any sense to me.
February 22, 2026, 07:00 PM
JoshNC
quote:
Originally posted by stormin:
quote:
Originally posted by 808:
I already have the Benelli and thinking of switching to a Mossberg pump.

The Benelli has always shot any ammo that was put in it with no problems. That is probably my answer to just keep the Benelli M2 .


I completely understand getting pump for another option, or as a backup option, but in no world does getting rid of a working M2 to switch to a pump make any sense to me.


This.


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"AND YEA THOUGH THE HINDUS SPEAK OF KARMA, I IMPLORE YOU...GIVE HER A BREAK, LORD". - Clark W. Griswald
February 22, 2026, 07:05 PM
JoshNC
Are people really choosing a 12g as a primary defensive long gun these days? 5.56 is a much better option. A 10” 5.56 with a can has less recoil, less muzzle blast, and is ballistically superior to handgun and 12g loadings. Why choose a shotgun if 5.56 is an option?


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"AND YEA THOUGH THE HINDUS SPEAK OF KARMA, I IMPLORE YOU...GIVE HER A BREAK, LORD". - Clark W. Griswald
February 22, 2026, 07:15 PM
MRMATT
quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Have always wanted and M2. Not a sbs though. Likely will never own one.
Have both a 500 and 590. Great shotguns. 18" They function great. The 500 has a slick action. Like butter. The 590 will get there with more shooting. I am a huge 500 series Mossberg guy.


Agree!


_____________________________
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." George Washington.
February 22, 2026, 07:20 PM
IndianaBoy
quote:
Originally posted by bubbatime:
I have the Benelli M2 tactical and it will walk circles around the Mossberg.

Many people with a short memory forget that the Benelli M2 was the 3 gun shotgun of choice for like a straight decade (Before the Betetta’s arrived) with many shotguns having hundreds of thousands of shells down range. Reliably.


IMHO it is still better than the Beretta.
February 22, 2026, 07:22 PM
IndianaBoy
quote:
Originally posted by JoshNC:
Are people really choosing a 12g as a primary defensive long gun these days? 5.56 is a much better option. A 10” 5.56 with a can has less recoil, less muzzle blast, and is ballistically superior to handgun and 12g loadings. Why choose a shotgun if 5.56 is an option?


My AR is propped up in the corner of my office and bedroom as choice number one.

But a tube full of 00 or number 4 buckshot from a benelli is a devastating weapon.

The Germans considered shotguns in the trenches as war crimes for a reason.
February 22, 2026, 07:24 PM
IndianaBoy
quote:
Originally posted by 808:
So I already have a Benelli M2 so to sell it off for a pump action Mossberg 590 would not be a good idea?


Heck no.

Do you have an extended tube on your Benelli?

Options are readily available.
February 22, 2026, 07:26 PM
IndianaBoy
Start at 1:00 for the shotgun goodness.
February 23, 2026, 07:13 AM
r8rs4lf
quote:
Originally posted by 808:
I already have the Benelli and thinking of switching to a Mossberg pump.

The Benelli has always shot any ammo that was put in it with no problems. That is probably my answer to just keep the Benelli M2 .


I actually went the total opposite that you did. I started with a 590S, did my thing to it and didn't like it as it was heavy. I haven't even shot that thing yet.

So I went with the 1301, kept the weight down as much as I could and is the current weapon of choice for HD. Glad I did this as I learned that I don't like a pistol grip. Just not enough LOP for me, at least on the 1301.

Maybe I missed it, what is your reason for wanting to go with a pump?
February 23, 2026, 11:33 AM
stormin
quote:
Originally posted by JoshNC:
Are people really choosing a 12g as a primary defensive long gun these days? 5.56 is a much better option. A 10” 5.56 with a can has less recoil, less muzzle blast, and is ballistically superior to handgun and 12g loadings. Why choose a shotgun if 5.56 is an option?


I live in a townhome with 3 kids down the hall from me. For the spaces that I may need to work within, a 12 ga loaded with #4 buck is a better option for me. If we’re leaving the house, then the 5.56 comes into play.

To be perfectly honest tho, I’m grabbing my G21 first, grabbing the kids 2nd and then working my way to the 12 ga
February 23, 2026, 12:21 PM
old rugged cross
quote:
Originally posted by JoshNC:
Are people really choosing a 12g as a primary defensive long gun these days? 5.56 is a much better option. A 10” 5.56 with a can has less recoil, less muzzle blast, and is ballistically superior to handgun and 12g loadings. Why choose a shotgun if 5.56 is an option?


Short answer, yes. Of available tools. If I hear the front door getting kicked down in the middle of the night. Yes. Shotgun loaded with OO buck.



"Practice like you want to play in the game"
February 23, 2026, 01:17 PM
808
quote:
Originally posted by JoshNC:
Are people really choosing a 12g as a primary defensive long gun these days? 5.56 is a much better option. A 10” 5.56 with a can has less recoil, less muzzle blast, and is ballistically superior to handgun and 12g loadings. Why choose a shotgun if 5.56 is an option?


No . I have both tools shotgun and rifle for different task/ Jobs that one may needed for .


_______________
NRA Life Member
February 24, 2026, 08:20 PM
JoshNC
quote:
Originally posted by stormin:

I live in a townhome with 3 kids down the hall from me. For the spaces that I may need to work within, a 12 ga loaded with #4 buck is a better option for me. If we’re leaving the house, then the 5.56 comes into play.

To be perfectly honest tho, I’m grabbing my G21 first, grabbing the kids 2nd and then working my way to the 12 ga


5.56 was shown long ago to have fewer issues with penetration through sheet rock than handgun. A 5.56 with m193 is a better choice.


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"AND YEA THOUGH THE HINDUS SPEAK OF KARMA, I IMPLORE YOU...GIVE HER A BREAK, LORD". - Clark W. Griswald