[Eaker]

"Either way, you will dissuade most malefactors with a shotgun" The sound of a shotgun being racked is a sure attention getter.

It is my opinion, if someone hears the racking of a shotgun shell, they are the next to die!

No.

The shotgun should be charged when you engage. You ain't there to scare them, you are there to stop the threat. This ain't a movie. You do not want to be sleepy, nervous and scared talking to a tuned up goblin. You will need to make a split second decision to shoot them. Guessing whether or not you are locked and loaded shouldn't be part of that decision. Screwing around with your weapon will get you killed.

[Squantos]

You are correct Eaker !

My Benelli M1 is on safe w/ one in the chamber and the magazine tube full. It gets exercised once a week rain or shine.

Racking a slide may scare one but it'll let three know where ya are.....

[mylife]

The shotgun should be charged when you engage. You ain't there to scare them, you are there to stop the threat.

Good Point and well heeded. I often worry that scattergun mentality will make an idividual lax. But it does provide a better hit ratio while all hell is breaking loose.

My bottomline is shoot it like you mean it. As you said, this aint a movie

[makoman]

"Either way, you will dissuade most malefactors with a shotgun" The sound of a shotgun being racked is a sure attention getter. It is my opinion, if someone hears the racking of a shotgun shell, they are the next to die! No. The shotgun should be charged when you engage. You ain't there to scare them, you are there to stop the threat. This ain't a movie. You do not want to be sleepy, nervous and scared talking to a tuned up goblin. You will need to make a split second decision to shoot them. Guessing whether or not you are locked and loaded shouldn't be part of that decision. Screwing around with your weapon will get you killed.

You must have mis-read my post! I said if someone hears the racking of my shotgun, they are the NEXT to die!