What's your opinion on a shotgun for home defense

[bloodandgutsmurphy]

A Remington 870 will not fail you.

 

[figley]

My understanding is that the idea of "tumbling" is misunderstood. If the bullet is traveling at above 2700 fps, when it enters the human body it will try to flip over to heave end first. When it begins to turn over, the stresses on the jacked are too much, and it breaks apart inside the body.

Ironically, it's at longer ranges when the velocity is less, that the bullet tends to punch neat holes.

What you are describing is termed, "yaw". The most basic example is when a toy top slows down and wobbles.

Bullets do counter-intuitive things, at fragmentation velocities

 

[gunman41mag]

No, thanks. Shotgun, unless is it illegally short or a dogleg, is just too long to maneuver in a narrow hallway and the spread really is not great enough to significantly affect accuracy at close quarters. I prefer a handgun, or three.

My BENELLI M1 SUPER 90 has a 18.5 inch barrel & my BERETTA 1201 FP has a 20 inch barrel, both will work just fine in the house, with more stopping power than a handgun

 

[Mr. FiveseveN]

In my opiniona shotgun is an excellent choice for a home defense weapon. As far as racking the slide in an attempt toscare would be invaders might be foolish. If you are dealing with well armed hardened criminals you have just escalatedthe situation.


PersonallyI have a Mossberg 500 Cruiser loaded up with one slug followed by 2 3/4" lowrecoil 00 buckshot.

 

[Salty Possum]

Ye . My reasoning is the power in close range you shoot the bad guy close range with some buckshot and he's not getting up.

 

[gunman41mag]

SHOTGUN will do some major damage

 

[mjblazor]

If purp is outside then a shotgun is best defense. If I'm clearing a house I'd prefer my handgun w/light. Once I find him I'd like my shotgun.

 

[FERLACH]

Home defense, I would take a shotgun over a handgun anyday.

 

[The Bubba Effect]

I do not own anything that hits harder within 15 yards than my 12 gauge 870 loaded with 3" magnum 000 buck.

It is not my first choice for clearing a room, but it is first my choice for shooting whatever is breaking down the door while I'm calling 911.

 

[figley]

there is not a sound that is more chillen than the rack of a shoty to me

If your adversary is more well traveled, he or she, may respond better to the unmistakable clack of an AK-type rifle chambering a round.

However, should one wish to maintain the element of surprise, the AK-style rifle is most undesirable, and the Mossberg 500 is only slightly better. Any safety mechanism that incorporates large pieces of material, sliding by one another, is difficult to hush. On the contrary, any long gun having a safety activated by a push, or turn of a cylinder, and held in place via a spring-loaded detent, may be switched to a firing position very quietly, by using a slow, deliberate motion, in order to avoid any loud clicking noises.

 

[j706]

I vote ne. Shotguns over penetrate big time. Nothing like dropping an intruder and then a loved one in the next room. I vote on leaving the shotgun for deer and duck hunting. In the 21st century there are much better options IMO.

 

[davedolli]

A shotgun is my pick also, there are lots of ammo choices to pick from. Mossburg 500's are super cheap. I also have a pistol on my night stand.

Dave

 

[Oppugnall]

KSG shotgun.

Could load mix of lethal buckshot/slug and could have other tube with rock salt or non-lethal rounds.

 

[gunowner930]

there is not a sound that is more chillen than the rack of a shoty to me

Why? If you or anybody else can provide evidence to this urban legend I'd love to hear it. Furthermore, you shouldn't have to chamber a round in a defensive weapon once a bad guy arrives. It should already be chambered.

 

[gunowner930]

The M4-like carbine has 30 .223 rounds of ammo ....

Using the 2 3/4" shell, the 00B delivers 9 .36 caliber projectiles with one pull of the trigger.

It has been demonstrated many times that the .223/5.56 is bbasically a 22LR and that shot placement is absolutely critical. You better plan to shoot several times.

You need a 30 round magazine to equate 4 shotgun shells.

And I shoot both the shotgun and AR regularly. While you can state that you prefer the M4, you cannot state that it is 'better' at HD ranges.
With regards to over penetration, you better be shooting frangible because any FMJ will not break up in drywall or plywood.

I don't think anybody would claim that one .223 will cause the damage that one 12 gauge buckshot shell will cause. However, the .223/5.56x45 is a helluva lot more than a .22 LR. The .223 will typically produce 10x the energy of a .22 LR. They're close in caliber but they're about as similiar as a 32 ACP and a .308 in that regard.

 

[wxchick.h3]

ye! My boyfriend just bought a shotgun for our house and I can't wait to shoot it!! If I like shooting it... I might even get one for myself for home defense!

 

[JohnP82]

To each their own. Use what you are comfortable with and what you are confident with. Every weapon has its pros and cons. Personally I have much more practice with my handguns so that is what I am most confident with. Also depends on specific situation as to what I will grab.

 

[tv1217]

lol @ calling a 5.56 "basically a .22lr"

By that logic, an M107 is "basically a Desert Eagle"

 

[Tactical Flannel]

Alot of interesting replies here.
I personally look at my handguns for immediate home defense before my 12ga 870.
With that said, Im very comfortable in using my 12 ga for room to room clearing and engaging of 'problems' to my family's safety.
Good luck on making a decisioin.

Stay safe

 

[Robjps]

I'm not even a fan of shotguns really besides their versatility and you should never feel outgunned in a HD situation with a shotgun unless you encountered armored thugs.