1. Double-tap, center of mass on the guy with the gun. He's armed and threatening my employee, he has to be instantly and completely incapacitated. Also, my 'target acquisition skills' aren't good enough to be sure of an arm or leg hit with the adrenaline pumping.
2. Swing and cover the second guy. If I can't see his hands and he moves in a threatening manner, I'm afraid he's going to receive a double-tap, center of mass as well. Otherwise he will be instructed to freeze and raise his hands slowly. But he shouldn't be out with the robbing crew if he doesn't want to get shot.
Point taken re: rifle over penetration. I should have been specific. I use a .45 ACP carbine for home defense. Probability of hit is much higher with a long gun. At least for me.
I would grab my shotgun if it was nearby - otherwise the handgun that is always on my hip. Same for me with shot placement - center of mass to account for all of the variables (motion, adrenalin, etc.).
Also, with two bad guys, and only wounding the one, now you STILL have two potential bad guys to worry about. I’m glad the other punk didn’t have a weapon he was willing to use.
A shoulder shot can mean the guy stays conscious and can still be a threat. It was actually stupid of him not to do center of mass. To be as certain as possible the threat is neutralized.
That said, I’m glad his response was to take the thugs on head on and deal with them. But if you have to use a gun you don’t shoot to injure, sorry, that ain’t right.
“Given an even choice, I would have to say handgun (assuming it was something in a significant caliber, i.e. beginning with 4), because handling a shotgun in cramped conditions can be a bit dicey.”
http://www.keltecweapons.com/news/preview-kel-tec-shotgun-ksg/
Methinks the above device would fulfill your “close-in” shotgun requirements. Use low powder charge/No. 1 buckshot shells for low recoil with 12G shells. It’s a pump, so no worries about the low powder charge not cycling, as with a semi-auto. TWELVE-SHOT capacity!