Security footage of an 80-year-old store owner has gone viral. Craig Cope shot an armed criminal’s “arm off” with a shotgun when the robber entered his store with a semi-automatic weapon.
Cope said he “just did what he had to do.”
“I would always protect my employees, my customers, myself,” he said. “This instance, fortunately, I was here by myself, so I only had to worry about that. I took care of it and that was that.”
Cope also commented on the recent crime uptick at convenience stores, saying, “We’ve got bad people. Let’s face it … we need to get them locked up because this is a scary situation when that happens. Everybody works hard. They got bills to pay. These guys are going to come in and take it away from you. Not here.”
A shotgun is a great choice for store owners. This article will help you find the best home defense tactical shotguns.
1. Mossberg 590 Persuader 20 Ga Shotgun
The Mighty 590. It is no surprise that the 590 has been selected for overseas duty for its decades-long military and law enforcement service and the many success stories and performance stories it has produced, making it the perfect choice for home defense or guarding your store.
Specs:
- Price: $470.99
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 20 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 18.5 in.
- Overall Length: 39.5 in.
- Capacity: 6 +1 Rounds
- Weight: 7 lbs.
2. Mossberg Remington 870 Tac-14 Synthetic 12 Gauge
Home invaders and store robbers have just drawn the short straw.
The Model 870 TAC-14 is small in size, but powerful enough to defend your store and home. It features legendary Model 870 reliability, a Raptor pistol grip, and Magpul M-Lock forend. This powerful personal protection is at its absolute best.
Specs:
- Price: $460.99
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 14 in.
- Overall Length: 26.3 in.
- Capacity: 4 Rounds
- Weight: 5.6 lbs.
3. Benelli Nova Tactical 12 Gauge
You might have thought there was nothing more to say on the pump shotgun. That was before Benelli applied Italian engineering style to the most American of shotgun models and the Nova Pump took the market by storm.
Doubters predicted American shooters wouldn’t accept a gun with a steel action that was encased in lightweight, weatherproof polymer.
They couldn’t have been more wrong. American shooters loved the 12-gauge Nova Pump, which is ultramodern and stylish. For over four years, it has been a popular choice for American shooters.
With the Benelli Nova, you will never again think of pump shotguns quite the same. The shortest distance possible between powerless and prepared.
Specs:
- Price: $399.99
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 18.5 in.
- Overall Length: 39.75 in.
- Capacity: 4+1 Rounds
- Weight: 7.2 lbs.
4. Remington 870 Express Tactical 12 Gauge
Remington 870 Express Matte Black 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun – Its reliable, solid action is what makes it America’s favorite. You’d see the Model 870 Express pumps more than any other shotgun if you could open every duck blind and go to every pheasant field. This is the slide-action standard for performance for over 60 years.
The Model 870 Express is a shotgun that you cannot afford to live without because of its versatility, reliability, and uncompromising quality. Remington is proud to make them, but you can be prouder that they are America’s Pump Guns ready to defend homes and businesses.
Specs:
- Price: $449.99
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 18.5 in.
- Overall Length: 38.5 in.
- Capacity: 6+1 Rounds
- Weight: 7.5 lbs.
5. Winchester SXP Dark Earth Defender
Winchester SXP Dark Earth Defender Pump Shotgun is lightweight and compact. It can handle buckshot or rifled slugs efficiently through the 18″ fixed cylinder choked barrel for wide patterning. The barrel is fully chrome-plated and the open choke makes it very precise when using Foster-type Slugs. It also has non-glare metallic surfaces and a tough composite stock and forearm.
The Invector-Plus chokes can be interchanged so you can create great patterns for taking small game, screw in the appropriate choke for your slugs or buckshot for protection against home invaders and robbers.
Specs:
- Price: $439.99
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 18.5 in.
- Overall Length: 38.5 in.
- Capacity: 6+1 Rounds
- Weight: 7.5 lbs.
6. Tokarev USA TX3 12HDM 12 Gauge
The Tokarev TX3 12-ga. pump-action shotgun looks just like the old riot guns, but has many modern features. These features will be covered in detail shortly, but before we do that, let’s take a moment and appreciate the craftsmanship and materials used to make this gun. It retails for just $299.
This 12-gauge shotgun is classic in appearance. It comes with a Turkish Walnut Stock, Nickel Rec/Barrel and ghost ring/fiber optic sights.
There are no compromises in strength or weight when you combine a 4140 chromoly-steel barrel with an aluminum-alloy receiver. The parts are then bead-blasted and finished with electroless nickel plating which provides rust inhibition. Perfect for storing in a closet or behind a store counter ready to defend against any invaders.
Specs:
- Price: $319.79
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 18.5 in.
- Capacity: 4+1 Rounds
- Weight: 6.8 lbs.
7. IWI Tavor TS12 12 Gauge
The IWI Tavor TS12 12 Gauge Shotgun is a gas-regulated bullpup shotgun. It feeds from one (1) of three (3) individual magazines that can hold either four 3″ shotgun shells, or five 2 3/4″ shotgun shells. The total capacity of all three (3) magazines combined is 15 rounds, plus one extra round.
Unique features include the TS12’s ability to automatically load a round into the chamber when the next loaded magazine has been rotated into place. It can be loaded and unloaded from either the left or right.
The TS12 also features four (4) sling attachments points, M-LOK compatible rails, a continuous accessory rail on top, Benelli/Beretta choke tubes compatibility, and all the reliability you would expect from IWI products. The overall length of the TS12 is only 28.34 inches, despite having a 18.5-inch barrel.
The TS12 is a compact, innovative and versatile sporting or home defense shotgun. It can be used for any purpose, especially warding off robbers.
Specs:
- Price: $1,399.00
- Action: Semi-Auto
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 18.5 in.
- Overall Length: 28.34 in.
- Capacity: 15+1 Rounds
- Weight: 8 lbs.
8. TriStar Cobra III Force 12 Gauge
The Cobra III Force, a 3-inch pump action shotgun, allows you to shoot everything from light targets to heavy buckshot loads. The forearm has a spring return. Pull back on the forearm and let go. The spring will return the forearm forward, closing the chamber.
This allows you to fire quickly in a pump shotgun. You can take out the spring, and the gun will still work as a pump. Beretta/Benelli Mobil Threads: One extended choke tube (Cyl), chokebox and choke wrench are all part of the removable choke system.
The Cobra III Force has a pistol grip with soft rubber gripping and a picatinny-rail with ghost ring sight mounted on its receiver. A second picatinny-rail is mounted under the forearm.
Specs:
- Price: $600.09
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 18 in. to 18.99 in.
- Overall Length: 28.34 in.
- Capacity: 5+1 Rounds
- Weight: 6.5 lbs.
9. CZ 612 Home Defense 12GA Shotgun
CZ 612 Home Defense is an affordable, reliable pump action 12-gauge shotgun designed for home defense. For delivering uniform shots, the 612 Home Defense Shotgun is equipped with an 18.5-inch bore barrel.
The gun’s simple design includes a black synthetic stock and a cross-bolt safety. The 612 Home Defense 12GA shotgun is a reliable, ready-to-defend home and store shotgun.
Specs:
- Price: $299.99
- Action: Pump
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 18.5 in.
- Overall Length: 28.34 in.
- Capacity: 4+1 Rounds
- Weight: 6.0 lbs.
10. American Tactical Bulldog 12 Gauge
Bull-Dog semi-automatic shotguns have a modern design and modular construction that make them a great choice for all gun owners. For tactical gun owners, the Bull-Dog semi-automatic shotgun features a quick acquisition flip up sight, 3″ chamber, choke tube set, and AR style charging handle.
It also has an adjustable cheek rest and picatinny cut out at the base of your magazine. This allows for you to slide your spare full or empty mag onto the bottom picatinny and use the magazine as a fore grip. Quick release button makes it easy to quickly change magazines.
Specs:
- Price: $395.79
- Action: Semi-Auto
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Barrel Length: 18.5 in.
- Capacity: 5+1 Rounds
- Weight: 8.1 lbs.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to choose the right tactical shotgun for you. There are a few things that can help you pick the right tactical shotgun. There may be a preference for how the shotgun performs or how long it takes to fire. You want a shotgun that can serve its purpose well for many years.
You should choose a tactical gun that suits your needs and budget. Your choice could be a lifesaver in a crisis.
