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05/02/2025 08:16 am GMT
“Darkroom Technology” Inside A Tent Box?
One of the features we were most interested in was the “Darkroom Technology,” which Coleman advertises as blocking 90% of the sun, so you can sleep better once the sun comes up, or even go to bed early!
We headed inside the tent to see what this “darkroom technology” was all about…
The tent material did block a lot of the sunlight, with the mesh screen being where most of the light seemed to be coming in.
Final Thoughts on the Coleman Sun Dome 4p Tent with Darkroom Technology
We picked an extremely hot and sunny day to set up the Coleman Sun Dome 4p tent. However, that turned out to be perfect, because we were able to get a good feel for how much light and heat the Darkroom Technology blocks.
Well, it was still really hot inside the tent. And, while we didn’t have any kind of light meter to test the light level, it was in fact significantly darker inside the tent.
The Sun Dome 4p tent folded up nice and neat and went right back into the small carrying bag fairly easily!
All in all, the Sun Dome 4p tent seems like a great tent for the money!
Backpacking is one of the most unique ways to experience the outdoors. By accessing some of the world’s remote areas, you can certainly experience unforgettable moments outdoors.
However, backpacking is tough and requires a fair bit of knowledge and gear.
There are many camping stoves on the market, and you need one that is reliable and of high quality. After all, these directly affect whether you can eat hot food on the trail or not.
One of those important pieces of gear is… a stove.
Best Stoves For Backpacking [The Top 6]
So, let’s take a look at best camp stoves for backpacking! We’ll focus on six specific brands/models.
MSR PocketRocket
The PocketRocket stove from MSR is compact, structurally sound and efficient.
We will kick off the list with one of the most common backpacking stoves on the market… the MSR PocketRocket.
If you walk up to any campsite on the trail, there is a good chance they are cooking with the PocketRocket or a similar MSR model.
The Pocketrocket is one of the best stoves for backpacking, because it’s efficient, versatile and easy to use.
As compared to other stoves of this size, this one comes in near the top. The PocketRocket is pretty compact, and has decent structure to keep the pot stable.
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05/02/2025 11:12 am GMT
It’s an overall steady camping stove and has good marks on about every subset you can apply to it.
However, one of the faults of the PocketRocket is the ignitor.
There are many reviews that say that the built-in ignitor is not reliable and does not work after a certain amount of time. So, always have a backup plan with matches or a lighter.
Traditional camp stoves allow an open pot to sit on top to cook the food, but the entire Jetboil design is to specifically boil liquids very quickly, which is different.
The biggest drawback to the Jetboil is the amount of liquid that can be heated up at once. It is a small pot and really only serves one purpose.
So, if you want something that will make coffee or just enough water to add to a bag of dehydrated food, Jetboil is the stove for you.
The WhisperLite uses a hosed approach that puts the burner and stand right on the group and not on top of a fuel can. This adds stability and improves performance.
Going with an MSR stove with MSR fuel optimizes performance on the trail. This is important, as on longer treks it is not only crucial to have proper nourishment, but to have a stove that is reliable and steady.
For the price-conscience backpacker, the Soto WindMaster is not only affordable but super light, weighing in at only three ounces.
Our pick for the most efficient backpacking stove for the price is the Soto Windmaster.
For what you get, the Windmaster is a very affordable stove.
When a normal backpacking stove is faced with strong wind, the light will either go out, or the flame is so altered that cooking is slowed dramatically. But, as the name implies, the Windmaster is made to work well during high winds.
The stove itself is just three ounces, which is super light. The only other weight would be the isobutane or propane bottle that screws into the bottom of the bracket.
The BRS Ultralight Burner iscertainly super light, but is often outperformed by other stoves on the market.
One of the more unique offerings is the BRS Ultralight Camping Burner.
This “stove” is not the whole setup, but rather an attachment that goes on top of a propane bottle.
This helps you save money and overall weight. However, while you might be saving money, you may also be sacrificing better performance that can be found in other stoves.
The Ultralight requires a source of fuel. This burner screws right to the top of a fuel bottle, and you can then add your pot or anything else being cooked. The attachment is not super strong, but it is just about as light as it gets.
The Solo Stove is a steel cylinder that holds small pieces of wood and has air intake holes on the bottom to help you regulate temperature and steady burning.
This is a very light option, coming in at just nine ounces. Although you will save weight in your pack by not using fuel, you will need to either pack in wood or camp in areas with reliable wood sources.
Be careful how this is used, as many places will not allow campfires because of droughts and wildfire hazards. This probably does not classify as a “campfire,” but whenever using a live flame, it is best to check with someone and make sure it is okay to do so.
A shotgun is a popular choice for home defense, as the multiple pellets fired from the barrel spread out and provide tremendous stopping power.
After comparing some of the best home defense shotguns, I came up with a list of suggestions (more on that soon!)
Finding the best ones involved looking at various features, including the type, gauge, capacity, pull length, and price.
Hopefully, you never have a situation where you would need to defend yourself and your loved ones in your home, but if so, you want to have a shotgun that you can operate effectively.
While you have many shotguns to choose from, the Mossberg 590A1 is the best overall choice.
The Mossberg 590A1 is a pump-action tactical shotgun with a capacity of six rounds plus one in the chamber. It stands out as the only shotgun to pass the Mil-Spec 3443E test, making it the most reliable option. 3,000 buckshot rounds were fired through the weapon without any part breakages.
Yet, the Mossberg 590A1 may not be the best fit for everyone. Some people may prefer a shotgun without a pistol grip or a semi-automatic shotgun instead of a pump-action one.
You may also prefer the best budget shotgun. Each option has distinct advantages that may better match your needs.
Keep reading to explore the top picks for best home defense shotguns and learn more about the features to look for when comparing choices.
1. Best Overall – Mossberg 590A1
The Mossberg 590A1 is pump-action, has a removeable stock, and can accept various types of scopes/optics.
The Mossberg 590A1 offers several advantages that should appeal to anyone looking for a shotgun for home defense.
First, it’s a pump-action shotgun, which is recommended for first-time shotgun buyers. Pump-action shotguns are traditionally more reliable compared to semi-automatic shotguns, as they contain fewer moving parts.
The 590A1 is also the only shotgun to pass the military’s reliability test. If you keep the shotgun well-maintained, you should never need to worry about it jamming. On the odd chance that the gun malfunctions, you can cycle to the next round and fire as normal.
The Mossberg 590A1 is a 12-gauge shotgun with a 6+1 capacity. It has a barrel length of 18.5 inches and a length of pull (LOP) of 13.9-inches. It comes equipped with a pistol grip and a stock for increased maneuverability and less recoil.
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05/02/2025 06:35 pm GMT
As with most of the top shotguns, the Mossberg 590A1 comes with standard iron sights but supports a wide range of aftermarket sights and accessories. You can add optics or scopes that use Picatinny rails.
The 590A1 is also a popular choice with the military and law enforcement agencies around the country. It is a durable, heavy-duty shotgun and is available at a reasonable price. (The following Mossberg 590A1 video review from Hickok45 offers a detailed look at the shotgun’s parts and performance.)
The M2 from Benelli is a semi-automatic with good accuracy, due to the 26-inch barrel.
The Benelli M2 is a semi-automatic shotgun. While most semi-auto shotguns use a gas-powered system, the M2 uses an inertia-driven system for smooth, reliable action.
It includes just three parts, resulting in increased reliability compared to other semi-autos.
As with most of the recommendations, the Benelli M2 is a 12-gauge shotgun. It also features a barrel length of 26 inches. The long barrel helps deliver increased accuracy.
You can also choose from a pistol grip with a stock or a standard stock. Other options include a ghost ring or standard open rifle sights.
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05/02/2025 09:10 am GMT
The ghost ring has a small, circular aperture that lines up with the post on the front of the shotgun. If you are not an experienced marksman, you may find that the ghost ring allows you to quickly line up your shot.
The Outdoor Limits YouTube channel provides an in-depth look at the Benelli M2 in a video review of the shotgun. Overall, this is one of the most reliable semi-automatic shotguns on the market. However, it also comes with a high price tag that may put off some buyers.
Pros
Faster firing speed compared to pump-action shotguns
The Kel-Tec KSG has a pump behind the trigger, giving it a unique look and compact size.
The Kel-Tec KSG does not resemble the earlier recommendations due to its compact design. It has an 18.5-inch barrel, which is the same length used in most other shotguns. However, the overall length is just over 26 inches.
The KSG is also a bullpup shotgun. Instead of a manual pump in front of the trigger, the pump is behind the trigger, which allows for a more compact size.
The Kel-Tec KSG also offers a larger capacity compared to other options. The total capacity is 14+1 when using dual magazine tubes. It also has a pistol grip and a length of pull (LOP) of just 13 inches.
Kel-Tec is not the most recognizable manufacturer. The company mostly produces low-budget pistols. However, the KSG is a step up for the company and a reliable option for home defense. However, it is also one of the more costly choices.
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05/02/2025 11:55 am GMT
4. Best Budget Shotgun – Mossberg Maverick 88
If you’re looking for a good home defense shotgun on a budget, the Mossberg Maverick 88 fits the bill.
The Maverick 88 is another pump-action shotgun from Mossberg. It is also one of the most affordable shotguns available.
The Mossberg Maverick 88 uses 12-gauge rounds and has a capacity of 7 rounds plus one in the chamber. It is also available with a pistol grip or a standard stock. With the standard stock, the gun measures 41 inches long.
The length of pull is 14.5-inches, which may be a little long for some users. However, if you have larger hands or longer arms, you may find it more comfortable compared to some of the other options.
The safety on the Maverick 88 is in front of the trigger instead of on top of the receiver. If you choose to use a standard stock instead of a pistol grip, the placement of the safety may be a little awkward.
As you can see from this Maverick 88 review from TFB TV on YouTube, the Maverick 88 is a surprisingly dependable shotgun for its price. You can also accessorize it as necessary to meet your needs, such as adding a scope or different sights.
Pros
One of the most affordable shotguns from a reliable manufacturer
Available with a pistol grip or a standard stock
Compatible with parts and accessories designed for the Mossberg 500
The capacity, sights, and aesthetics are less vital when comparing shotguns. Most options have a capacity of five or six rounds, which is all you need for home defense with a shotgun.
Most shotguns also come equipped with standard iron sights and support scopes and optics using Picatinny rails or Weaver rails.
Below is a closer look at the rest of the considerations…
Shotguns use different types of action to eject and load rounds. The two most common options are pump-action and semi-automatic. Pump-action shotguns use a manual pump to eject and reload.
The pump-action design is a common choice due to its reliability. It requires fewer parts compared to a semi-automatic design and is less susceptible to jamming and malfunctions.
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05/02/2025 04:31 pm GMT
Semi-automatic shotguns include more parts, resulting in higher costs. However, the top semi-auto shotguns are often as reliable as cheaper pump-action models.
The best semi-automatic shotguns use gas to cycle the action. The gas-operated action ejects the used shell and loads the next one without requiring you to manually pump the gun. You get greater firing speed and less recoil.
For a more nuanced comparison of pump versus semi-automatic shotguns, watch the following discussion and demonstration video. It clearly explains the pros and cons of both choices.
The gauge of the shotgun barrel determines the size of the shots that it uses. The gauge measures the inside diameter of the barrel and typically ranges from 10-gauge to 28-gauge.
A smaller gauge has a larger diameter, which means that it uses larger shots. For example, a 12-gauge shotgun uses larger shots compared to a 20-gauge shotgun.
The 12-gauge shot is the most common recommendation for home defense. However, a 20-gauge shotgun still offers enough power to stop an intruder in his tracks. It also offers less recoil.
Yet, the top recommendations are mostly 12-gauge shotguns. A 12-gauge shot offers a wider spread at longer distances and the ammo is often cheaper.
Shotguns traditionally feature a straight grip with a long shoulder stock. The traditional shotgun stock absorbs more recoil and offers easier access to the underside of the gun. You may find that the traditional design feels more comfortable when firing a 10-gauge or 12-gauge shotgun.
The pistol grip is often recommended for beginners, as you can handle the shotgun with one hand. It also feels more like holding a tactical rifle, which may appeal to those that are used to firing rifles.
Length of Pull and Overall Size
The length of pull (LOP) is the distance from the butt of the gunstock to the trigger. The typical LOP on a shotgun is 13 to 15 inches. The standard length is 13.5 inches.
The LOP should match your size. If you have longer arms, you may feel more comfortable with a longer LOP. A shorter length requires you to bring your shoulders up in an awkward position.
Final Thoughts On The Best Shotguns For Home Defense
When it comes to choosing the best home defense shotguns, the Mossberg 590A1 is the clear winner. It is relatively affordable and incredibly reliable. It has a pistol grip and a pump-action design, which are two features that are often recommended for those that have never owned shotguns before.
In the unfortunate scenario where you have to defend your home, hopefully this article has provided you with detailed and helpful information to guide you in your selection of a home defense shotgun.
The Benelli M2 is a top option for those that want a semi-automatic shotgun. However, it is also one of the most expensive choices.
The Maverick 88 is the best type of shotgun for the budget-concious. It costs a fraction of the other shotguns, but still offers dependable performance. The Kel-Tec KSG is great for those that want something more compact, as it only measures about 26 inches in length.
Click on one of the links to check the current prices on the best home defense shotguns.
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