Bowen Calssic Arms .475 Linebaugh. 400gr bullet at over 1400 FPS
Posted on 03/12/2005 8:39:18 AM PST by 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.
If I was going to use a pump shotgun for home defense duty I'd load a snap cap, dry fire the shotgun , leaving the snap cap in the chamber and fill the mag tube with a 50 /50 mix of 1 oz breneke sabot slugs and 00Buck.
I use an old double barrel 10 gauge with 18.5 inch barrels w/ a spare 6 rounds in a sock and 2 x 00Buck rounds in the chambers. Got it a few years ago in a trade ,American Gun Co. Knickerbocker in very bad condition. Had it reworked, barrels cut back from damaged parts, refinished and restocked and it has been doing backup duty to my puppies Havoc, Chaos and Tenifer since.
You are correct as usual........
If the barrel is level to the ground, then you're right on target when one is facing your target.
This also has the advantage of 'shortening' the overall length of the weapon. (I know it really isn't shorter, but you know what I mean...) Another advantage is that you have a much firmer grip so noone can grab the barrel and attempt to wrest the weapon away from you.
Try it sometime. Just pull the shotgun straight up so the top of the butt lands right in your armpit. It almost naturally points straight in front of you.
Yea, I know it isn't pretty, and it isn't right out of the manual of arms, but I learned this technique from an old Gunnery Sergeant one night when I drew guard duty.
It's a heck of a lot faster for point shooting, and it has the added advantage of securing the stock underneath your arm so anyone trying to take the weapon away from you will have a most difficult time doing so.
I still practice this move and when you get the feel for it, I think you'll find that you can almost instictively dump a couple of rounds into the 5 ring without really thinking about it.
L
Yep........good points. That's why I like a double barrel w/ 18.5 inch barrels.....really short and easy to use in confined space if ya have to move in the home vs waiting for the threat to come to you which is what I plan on doing.
Doggies and Doubles !.......works for me !
I've got a Mossberg 590 with the 18" tube. It's a drill I work on frequently. Just pull it straight up so the top of the butt lands right in your armpit, then drop your arm around the butt of the weapon.
It's a rock solid position once you get used to it.
If your adversary tries to grab the barrel, all you have to do is shove it right towards him and pull the trigger. That's just about guaranteed to wreck his day.
If he's within five meters or so, I think you'll find that just pivoting in his direction will put you dead on target. This also works for the 'recoil sensitive' among us as when the weapon is fired, they won't be taking it right in the shoulder. The piece will tend to go straight back.
A quick pump, and you're right back where you want to be.
I was amazed at how fast this old Gunny could dump 3 full power 12 guage rounds on target. It also has the advantage of giving you additional control of the butt of the shotgun should someone grab the barrel and attempt to take it away from you.
All you have to do is lower your arm around the butt and you have a 'lever' with which you can toss the assailant around. If you were to have the shotgun against your shoulder, you would not be able to use leverage against him or her.
With the stock of the gun locked in between your side and your arm, you can toss someone who was dumb enough to grab the barrel around like a rag doll. Once you toss them to the ground... well you get the idea.
Take care my friend.
Regards,
L
Bowen Calssic Arms .475 Linebaugh. 400gr bullet at over 1400 FPS
oops Calssic=Classic
Gotten enough replies yet?!?! *LOL*!!
A few years back, I had occasion to pull out my Savage 59RXL 12GA pump (ex-sherrifs dept surplus - $100) for real...
...in the dark San Jose night, I heard foot steps, on my *roof* of all places!
Grabbed "The Cannon" and tippy-toed out to the patio....
....and I don't know if they heard me directly, but the *KA-CHUNG!* of that first round being racked up sent two kids scurrying back along the rooflines FAST!
The houses were inter-connected, patio homes, and the SJ Police had had a rash of vouyer reports.
Pretty sure the kids didn't venture, for any bedroom window peeks, to OUR area therafter!!
FYI....I keep a .38 Chiefs Special (loaded with +P ammo) by the bedside. The shotgun lives three steps away in a closet. I use #04 shot as that is what Brinks uses for their Amored Car personnel...and what's good enough for them....
My current home is a two-story unit now...and I keep a firearm of some variety tucked away on each level; never more than 15' away!
I'd vote for the shotgun in any of the recommendations you've recieved. It's what ever fits you the best and I know from my own experience that the intimidation factor is awesome!
Enjoy your purchase!!
GCR
Thanks to all who've replied.
I was told a lot of years ago, if you stay quiet and listen, you might learn something:) This thread really is like eavesdropping on a conversation where a lot of experienced people are chatting, I have learned a lot and now have some idea about where to start asking questions.
That's a big one
I am no expert, but I have been thinking about the same thing.
I personally think a 12 is too much for a hall gun. You don't want to blow the house down. You don't need that much. A 16 or a 20 would be just fine. Probably a 20. I don't know about a 410.
Noise is good. Therefore a pump. You don't want to use it. A dog and a small guage pump shotgun should keep you out of trouble. You don't want to kill anybody. This is just protection, right?
You did not say whether you shoot right or left. That makes a difference.
I shoot both ways, so it is better for me to have a gun that kicks the shells out of the bottom. It is not good to have them flying across your face. There are not many of those.
You also did not say what other applications you might have in mind. Boat?
If I were you (or me), I would make a call to Ithaca. They can give you whatever you want. They are very good.
The Dragon's Breath round sounds pretty cool. Seems like it might set the house on fire, though. Or the front lawn, for that matter.
Yeah, definitely an outside kind of tool.
You put one up the pipe instead of something like rock salt, as your first round for when you're stepping out on the porch to confront some rowdies. Particularly at night. They start coming at you and you let fly in their general direction I guarantee you it will get their attention.
If there are a few small brush fires you can deal with them after the perps have left the scene. Definitely not recommended for California or similar environments during dry season.
Can you get these rounds in a gun store? I definitely feel like trying one in my Mossberg.
Depends on the gun store. Many years ago I first ran across them in a gun store in South San Francisco (which I'm sure is no longer in business).
I'm sure any dealer can order them for you, though, if they will.
I feel the need to jump in and highly recommend the Remington model 870 pump shotgun.
Having hunted with shotguns for 40 years I have owned them all. I don't like Mossbergs because of the shabby bars the pump action slides on. Put one in your hands and twist the front slide back and forth, now do it while pumping it. It binds. Same for Winchesters and Weatherby's. I have not tried Binelli's new pumps.
Clenaing is another important consideration. The Remington 870 comes apart neatly by removing the front magazine cap and two pins for the firing mechanism. Goes back together just as easy.
The Mossbergs fall apart during disassembly leaving you with parts to put back in, if you can figure where they were before they fell out. I hate cleaning my Mossbergs (yes I own a few).
Finally reliability. I own three Reminton 870s and my wife has one also. We shot competitive trap for 20 years and never have they failed us, after hundreds of thousands of rounds. I have put my hunting shotguns through literal hell. Drug through the mud, dropped in half frozen lakes, sat out in freezing drizzle, 30 below zero, blowing sand, you name it. The 870 is RELIABLE. period. My Mossbergs and Winchesters have failed me in the past. There are a few more geese flying around out there as a result. LOL!
I would recommend to you, assuming you are a novice with firearms and have a spouse around:
Remington model 870. 20 guage 3 inch magnum.(note, shoot 2 3/4 inch shells in your 3 inch magnum to avoid the possibility of a jam during ejection). Choke doesn't really matter for close range protection, but open chokes like improved cylinder will help hitting targets at 20 yards or so. Bird shot, 8's will do, is great for close range and less chance of putting anything into your neighbors house. ALSO TAKE A FIREARMS TRAINING CLASS.
One thing is for sure. If you ask for advice on firearms here on FRee Republic, you sure get your moneys worth.
All the Best,
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.