Home Defense Shotgun

abuckle · Aug 12, 2014

What is the best home defense shotgun setup, i.e. type of load, gauge and more importantly barrel type and stock choice?

If you don't mind elaborating on your suggestions, that would be appreciated too, thanks!

lonehoosier · Aug 12, 2014

pokersamurai · Aug 12, 2014

First, let me just say that there is no one perfect solution for everyone. We all have different living arrangements (house, apartments, etc.), family members, recoil tolerances, and so on. That being said, most of the questions you asked come down to personal preference. For example, my HD shotgun is set up like this:

Mossberg 500 TR (12 gauge, 18.5" barrel, 5+1 capacity, shortened fixed stock, fiber-optic sight)
Streamlight tlr-1s weapon-light
5-round butt-cuff

I chose this set up because I like my HD shotgun to be compact and fast with no frills. I keep it loaded with 5+1 of Hornady TAP #4 buckshot. I find this load to strike the perfect balance of terminal performance and reduced over-penetration (I have other family members in the house). I keep the butt-cuff stocked with 5 additional rifled slugs, just incase I need a little more range/penetration.

chezuki · Aug 12, 2014

This is always fun...

My setup:

Remington 870 with +2 mag tube
18.5" cylinder bore w/ XS Big Dot bead
Tube loaded with Winchester 00 Military Buckshot
Side-saddle with 3 more 00 buck and 3 Federal LE Slugs
Knoxx Recoil-reducing pistol grip/collapsible stock.
Single-point sling
Fenix light

Someone will be along shortly to tell you how my setup is all wrong and how all you really need is a single shot with birdshot.

cmr13 · Aug 12, 2014

chezuki said:
This is always fun...

My setup:

Remington 870 with +2 mag tube
18.5" cylinder bore w/ XS Big Dot bead
Tube loaded with Winchester 00 Military Buckshot
Side-saddle with 3 more 00 buck and 3 Federal LE Slugs
Knoxx Recoil-reducing pistol grip/collapsible stock.
Single-point sling
Fenix light

Someone will be along shortly to tell you how my setup is all wrong and how all you really need is a single shot with birdshot.

No no no you need a single shot with rock salt! Duh

ModernGunner · Aug 12, 2014

The specific make / model / in tube varies depending on the room and area, but 12 ga. w/ #4 buckshot, additional rounds of 00 buckshot, slugs, and additional #4 buckshot.

level0 · Aug 13, 2014

I like a 20ga. because I can handle it better - faster and quicker for me. In my mind I'm trading some stopping power (vs. a 12ga.) for some quickness and handling.

abuckle · Aug 13, 2014

lonehoosier said:
Checkout these threads.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...tgun-ammo.html?highlight=Home+defense+shotgun

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...stol-grip.html?highlight=Home+defense+shotgun

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...e-shotgun.html?highlight=Home+defense+shotgun

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...e-defense.html?highlight=Home+defense+shotgun

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...870-build.html?highlight=Home+defense+shotgun

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-shotguns.html?highlight=Home+defense+shotgun

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...omparison.html?highlight=Home+defense+shotgun

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...e-shotgun.html?highlight=Home+defense+shotgun

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-purposes.html?highlight=Home+defense+shotgun

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...ust-haves.html?highlight=Home+defense+shotgun

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...e-shotgun.html?highlight=Home+defense+shotgun

Thanks for the links, I will look into these too.

abuckle · Aug 13, 2014

pokersamurai said:
First, let me just say that there is no one perfect solution for everyone. We all have different living arrangements (house, apartments, etc.), family members, recoil tolerances, and so on. That being said, most of the questions you asked come down to personal preference. For example, my HD shotgun is set up like this:

Mossberg 500 TR (12 gauge, 18.5" barrel, 5+1 capacity, shortened fixed stock, fiber-optic sight)
Streamlight tlr-1s weapon-light
5-round butt-cuff

I chose this set up because I like my HD shotgun to be compact and fast with no frills. I keep it loaded with 5+1 of Hornady TAP #4 buckshot. I find this load to strike the perfect balance of terminal performance and reduced over-penetration (I have other family members in the house). I keep the butt-cuff stocked with 5 additional rifled slugs, just incase I need a little more range/penetration.

Thanks for these suggestions. Very helpful.

DownByTheTracks · Aug 13, 2014

Be sure to pattern several loads in your shotgun. 2 "identical" shotguns may work best with 2 completely different loads.

bmwguru · Aug 13, 2014

I run a Benelli M4 with a Carriercomp 7 round titanium mag tube. Also using a US made Wolf follower and a US made Freedom Fighter Tactical disconnector to get it all 922r compliant. I's currently loaded with 9 rounds of Hornady 00 buck.

BrewerGeorge · Aug 13, 2014

When my dad gave my his Rem 1100 for birds and clay, I re-purposed my Rem 870 for the house. It now has an adjustable shoulder shock and vertical forend with an old 18" smooth slug barrel (with iron sights) that I bought cheap off the used rack at Bradis several years ago.

#4 shot in the magazine and rifled Foster slugs in the side saddle carrier.

BiscuitNaBasket · Aug 13, 2014

Mossberg 930 SPX with Hornady 12ga 2¾" 00 buck shot shells is what I have for home defense right now.

Not sure that the shotgun matters as long as it's reliable and you know how to use it proficiently. I would think more about what ammo you choose for home defense. 00 buck is powerful and will go right through drywall.

chezuki · Aug 13, 2014

This is a preemptive strike:

chezuki said:
Oh good, more people advocating silliness.

At the risk of beating a dead horse, I'm going to break out the bullhorn for this one...

ANYTHING THAT WILL RELIABLY PENETRATE DEEP ENOUGH TO PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATE SOMEONE WILL EASILY PASS THROUGH COMMON HOUSEHOLD BUILDING MATERIALS!!!

Birdshot has no business in a defensive gun.

Know your angles and always be sure of your target and what's behind it.

dyerwatcher · Aug 13, 2014

Most people seem to lean towards a pump. In theory I agree. In reality, I have an 1100 that has never jammed. Thousands of rounds. Whatever you choose, please don't listen to our Moron Vice President.

BiscuitNaBasket · Aug 13, 2014

dyerwatcher said:
Most people seem to lean towards a pump. In theory I agree. In reality, I have an 1100 that has never jammed. Thousands of rounds. Whatever you choose, please don't listen to our Moron Vice President.

Oh yes, and that, don't do what Joe Biden recommended.

cmr13 · Aug 13, 2014

Consciouscitizen18 said:
Remington 870 with a pistol grip adjustable stock ghost ring night sights and explosive rounds.

What kind of rounds are "explosive"? Do you mean incendiary?

chezuki · Aug 14, 2014

cmr13 said:
Do you mean incendiary?

Oh man, I'm confused. Have we skipped worrying about "over penetration" and jumped directly to "**** it, burn it down!"?

BiscuitNaBasket · Aug 14, 2014

chezuki said:
Oh man, I'm confused. Have we skipped worrying about "over penetration" and jumped directly to "**** it, burn it down!"?

Just to be sure we got 'em all I've switched from my 12ga to a C-130 that circles around my house 24/7. It costs a ton to fuel that thing, but the remote firing device pad that I have ensures that I can effectively hit all the bad guys from every angle at once.

chezuki · Aug 14, 2014

BiscuitNaBasket said:
It costs a ton to fuel that thing,

Meh, mere chump change for us big-time private security professionals. :spend:

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