Asking for firearm advice/suggestions - Shotgun?

3/12/05 | me

[not_apathetic_anymore]

I know this question gets asked repeatedly, but this time maybe it's slightly different...I'm leaning more towards a shotgun, unless the consensus convinces me otherwise.

[ORECON]

It’s just my personal preference. I have two frangible rounds and four hollow points just in case they keep coming after the first two rounds. My uncle prefers all six frangible like yours.

[Dutch Boy]

Claymores are better for hunting ducks and geese. :-)

[investigateworld]

What ever your choice: Practice - Practice - Practice !!!!

[2nd_Amendment_Defender]

Whatever weapon you choose for home defense, I must emphasize training. Train with your firearm monthly atleast. Pay $400 if needs be to get some training from somebody who knows tactical situations and guns.

You are very likely to end up killing yourself, a loved one or getting yourself in legal trouble if you simply buy a firearm and do not train with it. In stressful situations we resort to the practice we have had with our gun.

The type of firearm I would recommend is either the shortest carbine you can find or a reliable shotgun with a barrel no longer than 18 inches.

Load a shotgun with slugs or buckshot. Birdshot and lighter loads in shotguns will not likely stop an intruder with one shot if you have to use your firearm.

A good cheap carbine is the M-1 carbine. They used them in World War II and you can get them for around $400. A lot of people rip on the M-1 carbine because it doesn't have very effective range past 200 meters. But in your home you are dealing with ranges probably less than 7 meters.

M-1 Carbine Picture

[2nd_Amendment_Defender]

"I would recommend an AR-15 with a red-dot Aimpoint and Surefire light.

Good choice for a home defense rifle. I have a side note with firing rifles indoors. You will most likely permanently damage your hearing discharging a rifle indoors. It is a good idea to keep your hearing protection near your rifle and use it if you have sufficient time to put it on.

[navygal]

I have to agree with you on this.

[RightWhale]

The idea is to startle the intruder with the sound of your firearm and then pummel him with the baseball bat or nine-iron until he submits.

[RightWhale]

Practice, and practice from the hip and in the dark. No time to aim and the light won't be good enough anyway.

[Mulder]

Practice firing from the hip. Don't shoulder the shotgun unless you have the time.

If you have time to put it on your hip, you have time to put it on your shoulder and do it right.

Firing from the hip is not something that is taught by *any* serious instructor that I'm aware of.

[Bottom_Gun]

Firing from the hip is not something that is taught by *any* serious instructor that I'm aware of.

so I guess that the teachings of Col Jeff Cooper, of point or "hip" shooting isn't serious instruction? Or the teaching of the marine cardaris' at naval security acads aren't serious either? hip shooting is one of the many tennons, or positions taught to naval security personnel. it is also taught by NRA instructors, of which I'm one.

[Shooter 2.5]

Col. Cooper doesn't teach point shooting. I'm not sure where you read that. He's an advocate of using the front sight.

[Bottom_Gun]

I'm sorry, you're right. I'm crossing up my thoughts due to Vicoden from oral surgery this week. It was Massad Ayoob at an LFI Tactical Workshop I attended a few years back. Probally the best 800 bucks I spent, for the knowledge I gained.

[ORECON]

I was taught in the Navy during Viet Nam to carry and shoot the 12 gauge riot gun at the hip. I have witnessed what it can do to a person at close range. It wasn’t pretty. Plan on hiring someone to clean up the enormous mess.

[Bottom_Gun]

yea, and a few coats of paint to cover the walls, because blood doesn't come all the way out even after cleaning. Hip shooting is still taught in the Navy today. My wife, who just attended the Auxiliary Security Force course here in Groton, was taught hip shooting with the Mossberg. It is taught, but now a days not used too often. Her instructor, a SEAL stationed her to teach and monitor the security forces, and I trade info back and forth, being we're both gun enthusiasts *L*

[Mulder]

hip shooting is one of the many tennons, or positions taught to naval security personnel. it is also taught by NRA instructors, of which I'm one.

I should have clarified my statement to say that I'm not aware of hip shooting being taught as the *primary* method of using a weapon.

In the pistol and carbine classes I've taken, we did shoot from positions other than the shoulder, but only in extreme CQB situations did we shoot from the hip.

Shooting from the shoulder is much better.

[Bottom_Gun]

I agree, now it isn't a primary position, or shooting method, but it's always good to have the knowledge. in one of my basic shotgun classes last year, I had a pregnant woman who perfered hip shooting to shoulder shooting.
She didn't like shoulder shooting because she thought she might do something to the baby, with the force of the shotgun kick ( we were using 12 gauges..the one day I didn't bring a 410). Like you I perfer on the shoulder, peering down my ghost ring, but you never know when alternative methods may be needed.

[Mulder]

Like you I perfer on the shoulder, peering down my ghost ring, but you never know when alternative methods may be needed

I agree 100%

I'm all for shooting from various positions, and the secondary side, etc....

It just goes to reiterate that the guy who started this thread should go to a good gun course, for ANY weapon that he purchases.

[bad company]

Practice firing from the hip. Don't shoulder the shotgun unless you have the time.

If you think you don't have time to aim, what you really don't have time for is a miss. Always aim.

[Mulder]

It is a good idea to keep your hearing protection near your rifle and use it if you have sufficient time to put it on.

Definitely. I'm about to pick up a pair of electronic muffs for that purpose.

[Gilbo_3]

Ok guys, on the 1300 Winchester, [18" w/ pistol grip & #4 buck ], how are the internals configured, relating to the firing pin ? Wont leaving it in 'ready' condition cause fatigue to the firing pin spring ?

While I dont want to need to take the time to rack it, possibly short stroking, I also dont want to strike the primer too lightly and end up with a pi&&-poor excuse for a baseball bat...