Posted by You might want to read Jim Shepherd’s review of the Mossberg/Maverick HS12 short-barreled O/U in today’s SHOOTING WIRE:
“It was quickly apparent that you might forget how to unload the tube-fed guns, or that you might forget to rack the pump after each shot – but there was no messing about with the HS12. Load, mount as the safety slides forward, and PRESS. No problems.”
I bring this up because Marshal Halloway and I have been mulling over creating a class on self-defense with a double barrel shotgun, then film that class for DRTV. We had such great response with the “tactical” lever action rifle and the single-action revolver self-defense class as SHOOTING GALLERY episodes, and I get a surprising number of queries about using the double for self-defense.
Of course, we’ve featured Stoeger’s 2 DB tactical offerings, the SxS and the O/U. First time we noticed this product line was back in 2009 at the NRA Show in Phoenix:
Stoeger's line of Self Defense Coach Guns
As I’ve said for years and years that the double barrel is a fiercely efficient self-defense tool… like everything else, you’ve got to know how to operate the thing. Since I’m a cowboy shooter who shoots a double-barrel in competition, it’s pretty much second nature to me now… like breathing out and breathing in…
I really like this idea. I use a Stoeger two-trigger double and like it much better than my ’97. I want to love the idea but I wonder about reloads. I’d hope I wouldn’t need to after the first two shots but what if I did? At SASS matches I have a big Kirkpatrick belt of ammo to pluck and load, and pretty well, but I’d imagine it would take too long to “gear up” in many instances in the middle of the night. My Mossberg 590A1, on the other hand, keeps six on hand with no fumbling which makes me feel much better. Those sleeve things for the stock don’t really excite me, it’s a whole different technique to train and may not translate well to the double anyway. Thoughts?
I’m not hating on the idea like many I’ve read, that Stoeger handles very quickly in confined spaces. I’d hope the reload thing is a valid concern or I’m shorting myself.
Next stop: the new Versa Max Tactical, which looks awful darn long but if it will cycle anything I’ll have to pick one up to try. My rebuilt shoulder couldn’t take the magnum loads required to cycle the police 11-87 I traded for the 590.