Posted on 08/29/2018 5:40:37 AM PDT by w1n1
If you can give up a small perceived ballistic advantage and in exchange, get the ability shoot the gun better, that's a worthwhile trade-off.
But even so, I don’t usually recommend a 20 gauge shotgun over a 12 gauge for home defense. And not because it isn't powerful enough. It has a lot more to do with the lack of industry support for the 20 gauge.
The shotguns you can buy today that are set up for self-defense are almost all based on shotguns used by law enforcement and the military. For the last century or more, almost 100% of their shotguns have been 12 gauge. So all of the firearm industry’s research and new technology for fighting shotguns has been devoted to the 12 gauge, not 20 gauge.
It’s not really all that popular in the general consumer market, either.
The lack of R&D, there's really not much incentive for the gun and ammo companies to support 20 gauge. It’s primarily viewed as something for young hunters who need a shotgun with a little less weight and recoil than their dad's.
As a result, it's kind of an uphill struggle to put together a 20 gauge shotgun that’s optimized for home defense. Read and see the video of 20 gauge shotgun here.
“Can I gets me a huntin’ license here?”
While you can debate the ballistics and functionality of anything, no reason my pump action Remington 20 gauge can’t do the job at close range inside, or outside the door or window. Most encounters aren’t going to be a fire fight. Depending on circumstances, hearing the pump cycle may send them running.
I thought the 410 was all the rage for home defense.
Ain’t got none.
I would be embarrassed if my fourth grade teacher were to catch me reading this illiterate tripe.
Why aren’t they...
I have no trouble purchasing shells and slugs for my 20 gauge.
As a Soldier, I tend to read everything through the lens of the Army’s writing guide-” easily understandable in one quick reading, generally free from spelling and grammatical errors”. So, hey, get over it. This guy is simply sending a message about the clearly understandable topic of 20 ga shotguns for HD. You all know that.
Okay, so to the topic- why use one? There is a reason the 12 ga is the master of the modern shotgun, defensive or otherwise. It carries the biggest payload of all the common gages. It is the most developed and marketed because it is the most capable in terms of down range performance and shootability. Not too much recoil, not too little payload. Of course, the 10 ga carries nearly twice the payload, but Newton’s Law’s tend to make that rather uncomfortable....
Some writers needlessly look for topics to write about, and this one.
A person can go to any box store and find a selection of 12 ga ammo suitable for almost any purpose, but 20 ga, not so much. Maybe that is a good reason to select a 12.
If one looks online and lives in a free state, you can buy online mini to maxi 12s so if momma like a long gun for HD, a mini with a moderate payload of #4s likely is easier to handle and still as or more effective than a 20 with a similar payload. If big brother like a 3.5 inch mag for some odd reason, they are there too.
I hope my carefully inserted grammatic fax paux doesn’t make anyone lose sleep....
I know..you live in a houseboat.
Oh I forgot to add, I can find the shells but not that shotgun after last years fishing trip.
Why isn’t more people using proper English?
Depends upon where you live; my family lives way out in the country. Lots of varmints both four legged and two legged and the 12ga pump with eight rounds is our first line of defense. Double ought mix with slugs.
I am not a fan of the pistol grip shotguns. Even for home defense I want to line up sights or bead on the target. A 18” barrel with a stock that gives you the equivalent of a tactical LOP, and a light, works great. The pistol grip can smack you in the face if you try to sight in (granted 12 gauge more so than 20) particularly with slug or heavy buck shot. Its pretty much a shoot from the hip device, which works great inside of 10 feet or if you don’t have anybody or anything in the vicinity where collateral damage might be a factor.
I see the pistol grip Mossbergs in the store a lot, and a lot of folks buying them, but most of those I overhear really don’t know much about what they want or about tactical shotgun use, and the store clerks aren’t going to lose a sale in order to re-educate them.
I lost all my guns in a tragic boating incident, but then I moved to a different state and, miraculously, found them. :)
Why don’t people use proper grammar?
Why don’t dey be?
I used to use a youth model 870 20 gauge with a magazine extension which is full of No. 3 Buck. Very handy and perfectly suitable for home defense. Unfortunately I lost it in the great earthquake.
SkyDancer wrote: “Depends upon where you live; my family lives way out in the country. Lots of varmints both four legged and two legged and the 12ga pump with eight rounds is our first line of defense. Double ought mix with slugs.”
When we lived ‘way out in the country’, I found a 870 in 20 gauge very useful in dealing with varmints without legs. Quite effective on rattlesnakes, etc.
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