[BodySnatcher]

#1 buck, for all your domestic indoor needs.

[dks7895]

I have a Pardner Pump (870 clone) and a Mossberg 500. Both are equally lethal. It's a Ford vs. Chevy thing.... check them both out and get the one that fits your budget and needs. The Pardner Pump Protector or Interstate Arms Defender are great choices too. They are 870 clones and built like tanks.

[00possum]

If I were u I would use fletches and a Winchester blindside combo. Kinda like a 1-2 punch. Buckshot would go through your wall you neighbors wall and his neighbors wall. Blind side ammo is square and rips and tears through flesh, and fletches are just beast. I use a maverick 88 but some models don't always fire. A Remington is the way to go in 20g for your girlfriend, I'm not sayin she's weak just it would be easier to handle with the load I just told you. If you want to be a real BA add a frickin bayonet with teeth and they will leave you alone.

[gmaster456]

I'd personally go with a Mossberg 500. Whatever variant suits your needs whether its the 12ga. 16ga or the 20ga. Its a great bang for your buck gun. I personally just don't like the 870 for various reasons. Its mostly as Coke vs Pepsi thing though. You might also want to look at a Maverick 88 security which is like Big K cola which is fine for most people. Just Stay away from the 500E .410 Home defense model. From what I've seen, that gun is nothing but problems and is comparable to expired, warm, flat dollar store brand cola.

[DaveShooter]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

Another opinion, since I voted "Neither" and am now obligated to explain my vote.

I would suggest either a Winchester Mod 1897 or an Ithaca Model 37. Both of these should be in the 18" to 20" riot configuation (with shield and bayo lug, if possible).

The reasons for my suggestions are as follows:

The Winch 1897 is ugly and heavy (the heavy helps reduce recoil and the adrenaline rush will make it seem light if you ever really need to use it). The ugly helps (maybe) on intimidation with the bad guy(s). Also the '97 has an external hammer. That is always a nice feature.

The Ithaca is a very light, very fast action and ejects and feeds from the bottom. This helps with the right handed / left handed thing.

These are both military shotguns and will take a lot of abuse and neglect. Both will "slamfire" which may or may not be of use to you (this is only true of pre-1976 (?) Ithacas, I believe). Both have provisions for slings.

As to ammo, #4 buck is the FBI load. 00 & 000 are about .38 cal, so they are comparable to emptying (sp?) a six shot revolver all at once. Slugs are also an option unless you need to worry about over-penetration. They work great on car bodies however! There are lots of other speciality rounds (fletchettes, "wired" shot, etc). Check the web.

So, another opinion. Just remember, opinions are worth what you pay for them!

Some of the ithaca 37's will slam fire up to the 1975 model 37Ithacas. I had a 1951 12Ga Ithaca 37 that was a blast to slam-fire. It was like a machine gun going off...

[jimbobpissypants]

That would be a win-win. Both are good quality, reliable guns. A shotgun is a very powerful weapon.