Posted on 09/14/2024 4:39:32 AM PDT by MtnClimber
Writing about firearm issues is fraught with peril. One’s experience, ability and knowledge matter little to at least some portion of the gun-interested public. No matter what an author writes, even if it’s non-controversial, someone will attack their man—or woman—hood, and suggest they’re less intelligent than an order of packed sardines. With that in mind, are shotguns the ideal home defense weapon?
Ideally, in any armed confrontation, one should employ a weapon with ease of use, exceptional accuracy, overwhelming power and significant ammunition capacity—many home invaders these days run in packs—and excellent reliability. That means, in general, a rifle or submachinegun. We carry handguns because while they’re generally far less powerful, they’re much easier to carry and conceal. Shotguns, like all long arms, aren’t, and it’s virtually impossible to own a machinegun of any type these days.
Choosing any weapon for a specific task requires knowledge of all the parameters of that task, and whether the capabilities of that weapon, and its ammunition, meet those parameters. Allied with that knowledge is the knowledge and training necessary to safely and effectively employ the weapon.
Graphic: Mossberg 940 JM Pro, Mossberg
Is a shotgun a potentially effective home defense weapon? Certainly, but only if the aforementioned conditions and abilities exist.
Shotguns, particularly 12 gauge shotguns, have considerable recoil and muzzle blast, particularly indoors. Fired in the dark, they temporarily impair night vision, and fired without hearing protection, can be temporarily stunning. The latter can be resolved by wearing electronic hearing protectors kept close at hand with the shotgun and closing one’s eyes when firing. Recoil is another matter.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Graphic: KelTec KSG (the red dot sight is an accessory), KelTec
closing one’s eyes when firing? I think it is better to have a bright flashlight on it.
20 gauge double barrel, 20” barrels, buckshot. Loaded. Just one little thing for self-defense. The other system is secret and for someone to find out the hard way.
Racking a mossberg “should” send an intruder running. If not they are more stupid than you can imagine.
I would never use a shotgun for home defense. Why destroy your own property in the process of eliminating an intruder? Minimize damage to walls and furnishings by using a handgun.
Of course, there's a good side to a wide area of damage too. You are less likely to miss (and smaller pellets like bird shot don't penetrate outside walls).
Birdshot
Buckshot
Slug
In that order.
You are certainly going to have to repaint the walls if you use a shotgun.
Many experts and chairgun warriors believe the shotgun to be the best choice for home defense.
I am not one of them.
I’m a handgun and rifle kind of guy.
I am better, faster and more accurate with them than a shotty.
Whatever you use, train, practice and then practice some more.
At indoor distance the spread on a shotgun pattern would likely be 10 inches or less.
Yup.
Since their creation they have been used for home defense, especially with those who are not as proficient with accuracy in times of emergency action.
whilst there is no more terrifying burglar alarm than the distinctive racking of a pump shotgun, i don’t recommend the use of any long guns in the tight confines of the average home interior. not only are they easier to spot b y the bad guys, but they take longer, and more room to bring to bear on target. if you have to move rapidly they can get entangled in all sorts of things like curtains, furniture, etc.
I was waiting for someone to make that excellent point. I knew soneone would. :-)
Depends on the situation. In the dark, racking it reveals your position to an armed intruder. Not a good idea.
someone told me once that the sound of a scattergun is universally respected. You donâÂÂt even have to hit anything!
“You are certainly going to have to repaint the walls if you use a shotgun.”
You just painted them, and now you need to repaint them.
I have a Mossberg 500 - I bought 2-1/2 inch and 3 inch shotgun shells
Mostly 7-8 birdshot - but I’ve never fired a shotgun before
I think we lost a FReeper who told me what to buy to reduce the recoil (named above)
.410 pump action
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