Looks like my daughter will be moving to southern New Jersey this summer for her first job (Mt Laurel area).

I'm thinking if she moves there in possession of a < 5 round capacity semi-auto shotgun, she can possess it at her home. (Need to verify all NJ legal stupidity...)

If legal, a nice 20-ga seems about as good as I could provide right off.

I've seen a Mossberg SA-20 reviewed - would probably be OK for the purpose.

I also saw, for ~$1K more, a Benelli M3 in 20 gauge.

As this will also be part of a graduation present, I'm willing to go M3, if it is that much better.

Opinions? Other options to consider?

Thanks

Edit- yes, this is a home defense application, best option approach for NJ. She did not like the kick of my 12-ga FN SLP, but loves her AR.

I don't mind getting her a Benelli, she appreciates quality too

This message has been edited. Last edited by: feersum dreadnaught,

Is this for a 'home defense' type application? I have an M2 in 20 ga with a 24" barrel. It's nice & light and handy, but expensive. One could get or make a shorter barrel if desired.

If just for home defense type use I'd consider a short barreled 20 ga pump. Even for an adult some of the 'youth' type guns are viable options. They can be short, lightweight, & handy. They can be had at a fraction of the cost of the higher end semi-autos.

Someone may say, 'they kick to much'. It's not like one shoots 50 rounds routinely through them. There is also no need for 3" 'magnum' loads either.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
If just for home defense type use I'd consider a short barreled 20 ga pump. Even for an adult some of the 'youth' type guns are viable options. They can be short, lightweight, & handy. They can be had at a fraction of the cost of the higher end semi-autos.

I vote pump, too. Remington made a Model #81100 - an 18.5" 870 20 gauge Express Tactical 7 shot. It is no longer cataloged but they show up from time to time in the low $300s.

Cabelas has a Mossberg 500 20 ga tactical. 6 position adjustable stock. Looks nice.

http://www.cabelas.com/product...-shotgun/1836535.uts

2x cabelas points if you're a VISA club member.

I have a Youth Model Remington 870 20 gauge pump. I am very happy with it. I bought it from this guy who upgrades the standard Remington 870 with better springs and higher capacity. He is honest and will talk you into the best shotgun for you:
https://www.aiptactical.com/

quote:

Originally posted by Jimineer:
Cabelas has a Mossberg 500 20 ga tactical. 6 position adjustable stock. Looks nice.

http://www.cabelas.com/product...-shotgun/1836535.uts

2x cabelas points if you're a VISA club member.

He was asking about, "a "Tactical" 20-ga semi-auto."

Mossberg makes one. SA20 Tactical.

http://www.mossberg.com/produc...d-pistol-grip-75780/

Since he wants a semi-auto vs a pump, I'm thinking he has a reason for that.

I cant speak for him, but semi-auto shotguns are typically more reliable in the hands of a novice than a pump gun. Many novices dont pump with authority, or short stroke the action. I dont know if his daughter is a novice or expert. But I do believe that a semi-auto shotgun is a better home defense gun for most people than a pump gun.

In the American made sector, the only semi-auto that I am aware of is the Remington 11-87. They do make a 20 gauge, but finding a short barrel might be a challenge. Might have to have a gunsmith shorten it.

The Mossberg is made in Turkey, and imported by them. There are several "off brands" that are identical. Escort, Howa and TriStar also import basically these same Turkish shotguns for comparisons sake.

The Mossberg 75778 would be my choice if I chose a Mossberg.
http://www.mossberg.com/produc...-sa-20-railed-75778/

One last consideration, is that New Jersey has a very anti-tactical, anti self-defense stance on guns. Instead of a black, tactical looking gun, it might be a good idea to find one with traditional wood or a camo hunting stock.

Don't forget the high point carbine. They are cheap, but they work. 45ACP version loaded with hard ball, since they frown on hollow points as well unless you are a "sportsman".
https://www.cheaperthandirt.co...cks&refType=&from=fn

As to Benelli, anything they make is expensive, but works well. Dont forget to look at Franchi Affinity 3 Compact, which is Benelli owned and their sister company. Same quality, cheaper.
http://www.franchiusa.com/affinity-3-compact-shotgun

The Stoeger M3020 shotguns are Turkish copies of the Benelli action. Stoeger is ALSO owned by Benelli as well.
http://www.stoegerindustries.com/m3020-shotgun

If you go with an "auto" loading shotgun, it cannot have a pistol grip here in NJ. A pump with a pistol grip is just fine though. Just another whacky NJ law.

5 round capacity is ok here as well. Limits are 15 rounds in any firearm.

Check out the state laws here before making your purchase, we have some doozies, especially when it comes to transporting.

I currently live about 10 min from Mt. Laurel and it and most of the surrounding areas are nice.

She needs to avoid Camden and Pennsauken like the plague, as they are crime ridden areas that are not very safe even during daylight hours.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to shoot me an email, I am a life long NJ resident (42 yrs)and have lived in the southern part for the last 12 years.

-Jeff

My wife & I lived in Mount Laurel when we were first married 20 years ago. It's a basic suburban 'hood with normal suburban pluses and minuses, but pretty tame on the whole.

Quick and redundant NJ tips: Have her get a New Jersey "Firearms Purchaser Card" as soon as she's settled. Technically, it's a license to purchase and possess a long gun (yes, NJ is really that messed up) and while there are ways to legally possess a long gun outside your home without one, there remains a cross-section of local LE who might or might not know or care (again, yes, NJ is really that messed up.)

"Plugging" a semi-auto shotgun to 5 rounds doesn't make it legal. If you go semi-auto, make sure it's a "factory" 5 rounds capacity.

Every facet of NJ gun law starts with a presumption of illegality, then carves out narrow exceptions (final time: Yes, NJ really IS that messed up.)

Remington makes a 20G an all black 870 with 6+1 capacity w/syn stocks. Item Num: 81100

If you want a semi, I suppose you could look for an old polymer Rem 1100 in 20 gauge and chop the barrel incrementally to be sure it would still cycle since it is gas operated.

quote:

Originally posted by CQB60:
Remington makes a 20G an all black 870 with 6+1 capacity w/syn stocks. Item Num: 81100

Is there an echo in here?

Discontinued per my post above.

quote:

Originally posted by feersum dreadnaught:
. . . but loves her AR.

Just another thought, if the AR is not an option (I assume that's a NJ thing), and she already has expressed a problem with the recoil of a shotgun, but is OK with rifles, how about a lever action rifle instead? Is there are reason that wouldn't be OK in NJ?

Get a .357/.38, and you have good little HD rifle. Also, it has the added bonus of being a little more PC looking than some other "tactical options." It can be "combat loaded" like a shotgun (not including the Henry ones), and you can get 10 rounds in a rifle that's about 6#, has relatively light recoil, and an OAL of about 38".

AR's are ok here, as long as they do not have a bayonet lug, flash hider, or a collapseible (sp?)stock. Muzzle brakes need to be pinned or welded.

I know this has been said previously, but 15rd mags are the max allowable capacity.

-Jeff

I have one of the SA-20's from when Weatherby was selling them as the SA-459. It is very picky about the type of shells it will fire/cycle. It only holds four in the mag tube and one in the chamber (whereas, the Mossberg 500 pump will hold five in the mag tube and one in the chamber). There is an internal gas ring part that has to be swapped out (requires removal of the forestock) to allow the shotgun to handle different shells. I thought I really wanted a semi-auto 20 ga because I have short stroked my Mossberg 500 and was worried that in an emergency that would happen. Having fired a bunch of different types of shells in the semi-auto i now realize that the semi-auto is just too unreliable and too picky about ammo. I use the Mossberg 500 pump as my home defense shotgun. Short stroking can be trained away. Reliability of the firearm can not be.

Also, as an aside, the semi-auto spits a ton of flame and shit out the ejection port when it is fired. It ruined a pair of eyeglasses by burning the lenses. And, whenever I shoot the thing, I get crapola all over my arms and chest.

NJ Assault Firearm Definition

C. a semi-automatic shotgun that has at least 2 of the following:
1. a folding or telescoping stock;
2. a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
3. a fixed magazine capacity in excess of 5 rounds; and
4. an ability to accept a detachable magazine.



MOSSBERG
MOS Model 500 Persuader 20 Gauge 3 Inch Chamber 20 Inch Barrel Matte Blue Finish Adjustable Synthetic Stock 7 Round
Model 500 Persuader Eight Shot
Pump action. Twenty inch barrel with Cylinder bore. Synthetic stock. Total capacity which includes one in the chamber is eight.
Factory Number: 54301

quote:

Originally posted by bubbatime:
Since he wants a semi-auto vs a pump, I'm thinking he has a reason for that.

I cant speak for him, but semi-auto shotguns are typically more reliable in the hands of a novice than a pump gun. Many novices dont pump with authority, or short stroke the action. I dont know if his daughter is a novice or expert. But I do believe that a semi-auto shotgun is a better home defense gun for most people than a pump gun.

In the American made sector, the only semi-auto that I am aware of is the Remington 11-87. They do make a 20 gauge, but finding a short barrel might be a challenge. Might have to have a gunsmith shorten it.

The Mossberg is made in Turkey, and imported by them. There are several "off brands" that are identical. Escort, Howa and TriStar also import basically these same Turkish shotguns for comparisons sake.

The Mossberg 75778 would be my choice if I chose a Mossberg.
http://www.mossberg.com/produc...-sa-20-railed-75778/

One last consideration, is that New Jersey has a very anti-tactical, anti self-defense stance on guns. Instead of a black, tactical looking gun, it might be a good idea to find one with traditional wood or a camo hunting stock.

Don't forget the high point carbine. They are cheap, but they work. 45ACP version loaded with hard ball, since they frown on hollow points as well unless you are a "sportsman".
https://www.cheaperthandirt.co...cks&refType=&from=fn

As to Benelli, anything they make is expensive, but works well. Dont forget to look at Franchi Affinity 3 Compact, which is Benelli owned and their sister company. Same quality, cheaper.
http://www.franchiusa.com/affinity-3-compact-shotgun

The Stoeger M3020 shotguns are Turkish copies of the Benelli action. Stoeger is ALSO owned by Benelli as well.
http://www.stoegerindustries.com/m3020-shotgun

good write up,

as clarification,
Benelli, Franchi, Stoeger are all owned by Beretta,

some Stoeger's are also made in Brazil

I can answer a few questions about the Mossberg SA-20.
I can't tell you if it will work for your daughter but I can tell you my experience with it.
I bought it for my daughter but she preferred an 870 in 20 ga. instead.

They are offered in three different models:

Tactical without pistol grip


tactical with pistol grip


All-purpose which is in a standard configuration

I have a Mossberg SA-20.

It is the tactical version without the pistol grip. It comes with ghost sites and a Picatinny rail.
There is a tri-rail adapter in the front (the tri-rail might not be offered any longer).

The SA-20 in the tactical guise weighs a mere six pounds but the gas operated action produces a remarkably soft recoil. The action is very fast and it can be kept on target while pulling the trigger as fast as you can. At 12 yards, it can keep a charge of #3 buckshot in about a ten inch circle. It has a five round magazine and with one in the chamber it can hold six shells of 2 ¾”. The gun is chambered for 2 ¾” and 3” shotgun shells. It comes with a Picatinny rail and an adjustable ghost ring rear sight. The front sight is mounted on a tower and has a fiber optic bead. The Picatinny rail is grooved allowing for unobstructed sighting with the ghost ring. The ghost ring and the Picatinny rail are removable. Other barrels available for the gun are 24”, 26” and 28” with removable chokes and vent ribs. Removing the ghost ring and the rail and replacing the barrel will allow for hunting or shooting clays.

As mentioned before the gun is a very light recoiling gun. Surprisingly, it handles anything from light 7/8 oz. loads to the high velocity saboted Hornady SST slugs with no issues. When I first shot it had some issues with the low base (steel-base) Winchester 7/8 oz., #8 shot cartridges. Other brands of low base (brass-base) shotshells functioned fine. Mossberg recommends running about a hundred heavier loads through the shotgun before trying the light loads.

At 50 yards the Hornady saboted SST slugs produced about a two inch group with several shots touching. Not being shot out of a rifled barrel will probably make these tumble at longer ranges as they are base heavy. Standard Winchester rifled slugs produced about a four inch group at 50 yards. At 100 yards, the Winchester rifled slugs produced about a six inch group. Remington #3 buckshot produced about a 10 inch pattern at 12 yards. My only gripe with this shot gun is that the rear ghost ring sight needs to be elevated to the maximum to hit point of aim at 25 yards with slugs. The sight is sturdy, made of steel and protected by two steel ears on each side.

Cheap, light Winchester shotshells from Walmart might not function the best.
Almost everything else was Ok. It functioned 100% with buckshot and slugs.

If by tactical you have certain cosmetic features then, this may not be what you want. But I woulds suggest the Benelli M2 Field Compact. http://www.benelliusa.com/m2-field-shotgun I personally think a typical vent rib sighting system without ghost rings or rifle sights are easier and faster to use at close distances. You can always add a Nordic Components magazine extension tube as well to get extra capacity if you want. https://nordiccomp.com/categor...assemblies-for-20ga/ I have the older the M1 20 guage field and its an excellent shotgun.

An even softer shooting shotgun is the Browning Silver Midas. http://www.browning.com/produc...ter-micro-midas.html You can also buy a Nordic Components magazine extension for the Browning. Once again an excellent shotgun that doesn't look like an EBR but would be a great choice IMHO.