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 ...
Some of it doesn’t apply to larger shot. Full choke can open up patterns. Better to test your loads, or just stick with modified.
Truth
People don’t realize u can miss with a small pattern scatterguns have at close range 4-5 inches
Maybe a laser.
Attached to shark heads.
Point -blank. Otherwise, slugs tor Yogi.
” (and smaller pellets like bird shot don’t penetrate outside walls).”
A police chief told me a shotgun (or a pellet load in a large pistol) is preferable for that reason so you don’t accidentally kill a neighbor.
I think a gun light with a tightly-focused beam could make a practical short-range aiming device, while also providing some useful illumination from the beam’s ‘halo’.
Has anyone here seen a rig like that?
That’ll work.
I have a UTG ELP38 on the barrel of my 870. It is blinding in a darkened room. I know because before mounting it, I had my wife test it on me in the dark living room with her on second story walkway and also ground level. It lights up an entire room with its spread.
I'm not concerned with it giving away my position because before the intruders can adjust with their puny flashlights, they are no longer active intruders.
Even though we are in California, we still have "castle" laws as long as the intruder is your home when you fire. However, you can not fire if the intruder is still working his way in and part of his body outside. You also can't fire if the intruder[s] are just casing your property.
We have a solid self-defense protocol from any room in our 3000 sq foot home. We have practiced it from all rooms.
Thanks, that was informative.
I will als point out that if home invaders have body armor on dumping buck shot at hip/groin area of a bunched up group of home invaders will be devastating in the immediate and the long term.
You’re welcome. He’s a great resource.
Being in California, I’m allowed a slingshot and 10 pebbles. And I have to register with the government to buy more pebbles.
Yes, except for the slug...not enough practice, plus the heat of the moment and intruders' movements. Birdshot shows the police you were willing to try a non-lethal load at first. After that, all bets are off and Buck up next.
I practice with my 870 every year or so at the local gun range. A couple things I've learned from those training sessions other than what Navy taught me:
1. With shoulder position you can get a better bead sighted shot, it takes longer to position and louder for your ears and the recoil can knock you off your sighting.
2. Under arm position is not as accurate, but if firing a 12 gauge, well, with the light and general sighting, still good. Plus, you just let the recoil swing backward under the arm.
3. The one I like the best is the "hip" position. Most people aren't trained for that because it is the least accurate and you need to keep the shotgun 2 to 3 inches from your body so as to avoid recoil on your hip. Like number 2., just let the recoil follow its open path with your arms swinging in tandem. The upside is quick positioning, quicker re-loading, and less sound pressure to the ears.
Whatever your experience with shotguns, get the blinding light attached at the end. It only takes a second to reach forward to turn on. It also comes with a cable you can run up to your receiver. I prefer turning on manually. I don't want a wire I have to trust is still attached during a surprise dark encounter.
Some things:
1. Most folks aren't sure shots with handguns unless they practice alot.
2. Intruders at night moving around inside your home don't make the best targets.
3. Those who live in the suburbs are concerned about their rounds going through the next house over. That's one of our concerns.
4. Shotguns are repeatedly suggested for in-home defense because of their wide spread.
5. I won't be giving a shit about my own "stuff" inside if we are actually being invaded. Priorities.
The late Paul Harrell has several great videos on home defense, including impact of rounds through sheet rock.
That is mostly a myth and I won't count on it. My 870 will be loaded and racked before I ever try to confront home invaders.
Yes.
Having shot bears with rifles, handguns and shotguns I agree.
The shotgun is just for close in work around the house.
Out to about 15 yards 00 works. I prefer more solid projectiles Further then that.
It also does good work on other varmints as well.
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