Best 12 gauge shotgun for under $300??

Mossberg 500. Got at a gunshow a few years ago for $220.
Great for home defence, not so good for dove hunting.... 125 rounds and one bird, but fun, fun, fun...

 

Another vote for the 870.

 

You can't ever rely on sound to deter a crime. If you can't pull a trigger then you have no reason to keep a gun for defense IMO.

The sound of a shotgun racking isn't doing you any favors. Myth.

 

/\/\This... yes, will ask questions afterwards... I stay for hurricanes and I can vouch for the fact that some people are just looking to do harm, either day or night when they know the LEO's are not going to be around for a bit...

 

OK. thanks for clarifying.

 

When I turned twelve I got an 870 20 gauge for Christmas. Excellent bird gun. I now have the 12 gauge version as well. I love them both.

 

Born in the movies. Revolvers being cocked and Glock's magically having hammers and other firearm unicorns.

 

General consensus is Remington 870, looks like that's the one i'll be going with.
Now where has the cheapest prices and the shells?

 

Last thing you want to do is give away your position or the element of surprise. I know my home, I know where he is and I know my backdrop. I will angle myself in a manner that leaves the least possible chance of collateral damage as I live in a residential neighborhood. If they're in your home they're not delivering cup cakes and this sort of criminal needs to be met with the maximum amount of force possible to keep your and yours safe. The idea that racking a shotgun slide is a good deterrent is almost as idiotic as owning one for HD because you 'don't even have to aim, just point in the general direction and shoot' and both are dangerous enough to get someone killed who doesn't know any better.

Something else to keep in mind... people who break into homes with the intent to harm are the same ones who once broke into homes with the intent to get what they could and get out w/o hurting anyone. They got away with it a few times and the confidence builds. Violent criminals all take a similar path on nearly the same trajectory too. If someone breaks into my home I plan to rid society of the problem and my plan is to give them absolutely zero chance.

 

I guess it depends where you live. I'm an LEO too so I'm not ignorant to this stuff. And I know for a fact that the sound of a racking shotgun can cause someone to stop in their tracks. In my area shooting an intruder is not something I would jump to. If I lived in areas with higher crime and gun violence I'd probably have a bedside gun too. Home invasions aren't a problem where I live if you don't grow or sell drugs.

 

Gun shows honestly. Gander Mountain is pretty overpriced. Cabelas is usually in between.

 

On bass pro shops it's listed for $329 w/ free shipping brand new.
I'm not sure where to look for it at a police trade in

 

I was gonna say Bass Pro, but I haven't been to one in years and completely blanked on whether they carry guns or not

 

STOP OR ILL SHOOT YOU does also, the difference is carrying an empty chamber around your house while trying to confront a possibly armed and deadly.violent intruder. That makes zero sense and is seriously jeapordizing your life.

No way in hell would I ever believe it's a reasonable response.

 

It may have prevented a crime, but sure didn't stop a threat.

 

...The threat of a 15 year old stealing a tv. If I ever felt like I was in danger I would not feel compelled to give a warning. You said warnings never work and said they are a myth. I think that's ignorant. I personally know that's wrong. That's all I'm saying. You can shoot whoever you want to prevent property crime in the future. To each his own.