Looking to buy a defender 12 gauge

troutbug · #1 03-20-2014, 04:28 PM

I am looking for something smaller and more compact to take fishing and hiking for bear protection (yes I have bear spray and don't turn this into a debate please). Anyone recommend a good defender style gun for a reasonable price?

I have had a few close encounters the past 3 years with bears, 1 in particular had me and the wife puckering good. But I dont want to always carry a rifle.

NUK SOO KOW · #2 03-20-2014, 04:40 PM

Myself I carry a remington 870 marine magnum. Great gun, not cheap, but has held up great and have had that thing everywhere in all weather conditions. If $ is a concern, maybe 870 express. Or if you want somthing really short check out the dominion arms grizzly on Canada ammo. Can get a 12.5 or 8.5 inch barrel. And ghost ring sights . 870 replica action. Friend has one nice little gun. I do a lot of back country hiking and camping. It's always in arms reach. And yes I carry spray as well.

Kaz Dog · #3 03-20-2014, 06:01 PM

Was wondering if you had considered a 45/70, or were you firm on the 12 gauge? I pack a Marlin 1895 GS (Stainless Steel/Wood) loaded with 405 grain SP. I don't find it weighs too much.

troutbug · #4 03-20-2014, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaz Dog

Was wondering if you had considered a 45/70, or were you firm on the 12 gauge? I pack a Marlin 1895 GS (Stainless Steel/Wood) loaded with 405 grain SP. I don't find it weighs too much.

Yes, I plan on purchasing one later in the year but its not in my proce range at the moment either. It will be something I buy though

troutbug · #5 03-20-2014, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NUK SOO KOW

Myself I carry a remington 870 marine magnum. Great gun, not cheap, but has held up great and have had that thing everywhere in all weather conditions. If $ is a concern, maybe 870 express. Or if you want somthing really short check out the dominion arms grizzly on Canada ammo. Can get a 12.5 or 8.5 inch barrel. And ghost ring sights . 870 replica action. Friend has one nice little gun. I do a lot of back country hiking and camping. It's always in arms reach. And yes I carry spray as well.

thanks for that info, im liking this one so far
https://www.canadaammo.com/product/d...t-ring-sights/

Bearbreath · #6 03-20-2014, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutbug

thanks for that info, im liking this one so far
https://www.canadaammo.com/product/d...t-ring-sights/

I have a Weatherby PA-459 with ghost ring sights. Acquiring the sights in a hurry is easier with the ghost rings. Takes a little getting used to at the beginning, but I like it now. I carry mine when I bow hunt.

Hawkhills · #7 03-20-2014, 08:39 PM

X2 on 870 marine.Money well spent.

nc21 · #8 03-20-2014, 10:12 PM

X3 on the 870 Marine, used to carry it in the quad and it went through hell and always cleaned up good !

rosh · #9 03-20-2014, 10:28 PM

Mossberg JIC( just in case) there cheap. I've got a mossberg maverick, love it. Cheap and really smooth action.

Smokinyotes · #10 03-20-2014, 10:33 PM

I have a Winchester defender. Pistol grip, kicks like a mule. If you want something strictly for defense, it'll work fine. Other than that it's use is pretty limited.

waterninja · #11 03-21-2014, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

I have a Winchester defender. Pistol grip, kicks like a mule. If you want something strictly for defense, it'll work fine. Other than that it's use is pretty limited.

i agree. i have a moosberg 12. ga. defender with a pistol grip, which makes it more compact, but i have smaller hands and can't grip it fully which means the webbing of my hand takes the punishment, and much harder to aim then reg. stock. really smooth action though and lots of fun to shoot.

brother1 · #12 03-21-2014, 10:10 AM

I have the 8.5" grizzly, and the 12.5" outlaw double barrel, but they're both a bit heavy to pack, so I just bought a Rossi Ranch Hand in .44mag that is only 4lbs and holds 6 shots of .44mag. I think this will be the best packable gun. I'm installing a longer buttstock as well, which I can switch out for the smaller one if I want more accuracy.

carpediem4570 · #13 03-21-2014, 03:56 PM

Remington 870 police magnum in blue or parkarized, plastic or wood furniture. You can find them at Tier One Armoury in Edmonton.

beltburner · #14 03-21-2014, 11:07 PM

If you are using it for hiking/quading etc; then a maverick 12 ga with a top folding stock is hard to beat. Cheap and tough.Mine rode around with me for years full of dust and mud and always fired great.

Dewey Cox · #15 03-21-2014, 11:32 PM

Mossberg Maverick 88. Inexpensive and reliable. Had no problems with it. 870 express, not so much.

thirty-30 · #16 03-22-2014, 12:36 AM

Rather than get a short shotgun that is useless for anything but bear defense, you can likely get an 1895G on CGN for $500 no problem, which is a fine hunting arm as well.

It's only $180 more and you have awhile until the bears come out. Wait a little longer and get something you won't throw away for being useless in a year.

roger · #17 03-22-2014, 07:04 AM

I had an 8 shot defender with pistol grips. Too nose heavy when loaded. Now ive got a 5 shot 870 home defence(HD). With the vindicater pistol gripset. Both are very useless. Id prefer pepper spray.
I also hve a ruger frontier in 300wsm with a 16" bbl, which also works in deer season. Much easier to use.

herbie 2 shoes · #18 03-05-2018, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutbug

I am looking for something smaller and more compact to take fishing and hiking for bear protection (yes I have bear spray and don't turn this into a debate please). Anyone recommend a good defender style gun for a reasonable price?

I have had a few close encounters the past 3 years with bears, 1 in particular had me and the wife puckering good. But I dont want to always carry a rifle.

Have a stainless like new for $350.00

fordtruckin · #19 03-05-2018, 06:36 PM

WOW talk about bringing back an old thread....I'm not certain but I hazard a guess that the OP got something in the last 4 years to suit his needs...

Digger1 · #20 03-05-2018, 06:43 PM

Just be aware that in the event of an exciting event where one forgets to stop and screw in the ear plugs, a short barreled shotgun will possibly cause permanent hearing damage. I wouldn’t go shorter than 20”, and yes I also have a nasty 14” that hardly ever gets used anymore.

Dewey Cox · #21 03-05-2018, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herbie 2 shoes

Have a stainless like new for $350.00

Stainless what?

Puma · #22 03-05-2018, 07:15 PM

Last two things on earth I would recommend for a bear gun are pistol grips or a cheaper shotgun.

Nobody can hit anything comfortably with a pistol gripped shotgun, let alone under the pressure of a charging bear.

A cheap gun like a Dominion, Maverick, etc is just looking for trouble at a time you need a reliable quality firearm.

Best recommendations I see are the Remington Wingmasters above.

stay safe,

Puma

Dewey Cox · #23 03-05-2018, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puma

Last two things on earth I would recommend for a bear gun are pistol grips or a cheaper shotgun.

Nobody can hit anything comfortably with a pistol gripped shotgun, let alone under the pressure of a charging bear.

A cheap gun like a Dominion, Maverick, etc is just looking for trouble at a time you need a reliable quality firearm.

Best recommendations I see are the Remington Wingmasters above.

stay safe,

Puma

Have you ever shot a maverick?
Nothing wrong with a maverick.

Bellero · #24 03-05-2018, 09:59 PM

Remington 870 Police or Marine.

I love mine

YoteStopper · #25 03-05-2018, 11:16 PM

Since this thread is back from the dead anyway...

Mossberg 590A1. I have two of them, built like a brick sh*thouse and go bang every time.

I personally avoid both the Chinese and Weatherby pumps like the plague.

Coiloil37 · #26 03-06-2018, 12:51 AM

I pack a can of spray on my hip and a little grizzly with a Blackhawk stock, single point sling, oversized safety and keep it full of brenneke slugs.
It lives under my right arm when I’m bowhunting around grizzlies.

This year I’’ll try the new 1895 trapper marlin released at the shot show in 45/70. I’’m just waiting for an email from prophet river telling me it’s arrived. Tanner said he thought it had showed up Friday but it wasn’t unpacked yet. The little 16.5” barrel should make it easy to carry, I’ll just have to change the stock to a gray laminate and load up some heavy hardcast.

58thecat · #27 03-06-2018, 05:45 AM

Got a 590, bought it of a fella on the forum, ran it through every possible scenario this past year with regards to being exposed to the elements. Functions great.

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Norwest Alta · #28 03-06-2018, 06:02 AM

As stated before " stay away from the pistol grip".

Huntsman · #29 03-06-2018, 06:11 AM

I carry the Warrior single shot with shell sleeve on butt.
I had a case made for it that can be worn as a backpack.
On my quad I also store a Chiappa Lil Badger .22.

Puma · #30 03-06-2018, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewey Cox

Have you ever shot a maverick?
Nothing wrong with a maverick.

I'm sure its a fun gun to shoot cans & stumps with, but when it comes down to a life and death tactical situation, there is a big difference in reliability between a 300 dollar shotgun and a 1000 dollar one. Stressful situations are very hard on equipment.