Shotguns homesteaders actually grab first when something’s in the coop

When you hear a racket in the coop, you don’t grab the prettiest shotgun you own. You grab the one you trust to go off, cycle, and not wreck everything around it. The “grab first” gun is usually boring, affordable, and already wearing the scars of barn life.

Here are the styles that end up getting chosen in that moment more often than not.

A Mossberg 500 or Maverick 88 in 12 or 20 gauge

The Mossberg 500 and its budget cousin, the Maverick 88, are classic homestead choices. They’re simple, pump-action, and the top-mounted safety on the 500 is easy to run with gloves. In 12 or 20 gauge with an 18.5″–20″ barrel and an improved cylinder choke, they’re about as practical as it gets for barnyard ranges.

They’re also cheap enough that you don’t mind if they get muddy, scratched, or rained on.

A basic Remington 870 that actually runs

A well-made older Remington 870 Wingmaster or a newer 870 that’s been properly cleaned and checked can be a rock-solid coop gun. Shorter barrels (around 18″–20″) and 2¾” shells loaded with #4 shot or similar give you plenty of pattern at close range without going overboard.

Most folks who keep these by the coop have already run a case or two of shells through them, so they trust exactly how they behave.

A 20-gauge youth or compact pump for smaller shooters

For smaller-framed homesteaders, a 20-gauge youth-length pump like the Mossberg 500 Youth or a compact 870 in 20 gauge makes a lot more sense than a hard-kicking 12. Shorter stocks and lighter loads mean you can actually mount and fire it quickly without getting punished.

If a gun fits and doesn’t scare you with recoil, you’re far more likely to grab it in a hurry and use it well.

A plain 12-gauge semi-auto that eats cheap shells

An unfussy semi-auto like a Beretta A300, Weatherby SA-08, or basic Mossberg 930 that runs reliably on common 2¾” field loads can be a nice step up when you want faster follow-ups on multiple raccoons or opossums.

As long as it’s been kept more or less clean and you know what ammo it likes, a soft-shooting semi-auto is easy to live with in the dark.

Guns already staged with a light and sensible load

No matter the brand, the shotgun you actually grab is usually the one that’s already set up: short barrel, choke you understand, a simple white-light mounted if you shoot at night, and a familiar load in the tube.

You don’t have time to think through options when feathers are flying. If it’s ready and you’ve trained with it, that’s the one you reach for.