I have one of each, but it’s the Glock 23 that sits on my nightstand. But between the two, the AR-15 gives me 30 chances to neutralize any threat. My 870 only holds six rounds, plus one in the chamber. The additional six rounds in the side saddle would never get loaded unless there was a lull.
I got a mag extension for my 870 that brings me up to 9+1
Yes, but a single pull of the shotgun trigger puts 9 rounds out (00 buck) each of which is larger than 5.56 round.
Exactly. I’m surprised how few people grasp the hard limit of round capacity: you run out, you’re done - and likely dead.
Yes, a 5.56 doesn’t have quite the lethality of a 12ga ... but after 6-8 rounds, the AR still has >21 rounds available for followup, compensating for misses, or taking down additional threats - while the shotgun becomes little more than a lousy club.
On top of that, reloading (if possible) fills the AR with another 30 rounds in one short operation, while the equivalent operation gets the shotgun just 1 more round.
While you’ll run out eventually, don’t make choices that make it much sooner.
Depends on situation, I would probably go with AR if I were an officer on patrol. At home a glock 21 rests on my nightstand with a 22 inch barrel mossy 500 loaded with 4 low recoil buckshot loads and a slug for #5 round. If I answer the door after dark I have a Commander .45 in my hand or waistband. If there is sufficient cause for concern outside my door I have an old chicom SKS with a 30 rd magazine I turn too.