Buckshot vs Slug: What’s Best for Self-Defense?

Ammo ^ | December 18, 2023 | Chris Dwulet

[Az Joe]

I would like to have the shortest legal shotgun I can wield.

Any ideas anyone?

A “streetsweeper” type model

[Az Joe]

I love these short posts.

[throwthebumsout]

Take a look at the Mossberg 590 Shockwave.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

If someone is coming up the stairs - just theoretically speaking - I think buckshot might provide good, sweeping coverage and discourage an evil doer.

[Az Joe]

Thank you kindly sir.

[freepersup]

[Reno89519]

Definitely buckshot or even smaller. I want absolutely minimal chance of missing if I have to shoot in self-defense.

[freepersup]

Packing a giant 6-round cylinder, the Taurus Raging Judge® shoots the 454 Casull round in addition to delivering the same popular ammo combo of 45 Colt and 410 shotshell from the original Judge models. Along with added capacity, the Raging Judge features the famous red Raging Bull® backstrap for added cushioning.

[freepersup]

RAGING JUDGE 513
513 45 Colt / 454 Casull / 410 Bore Matte Stainless 3 in.
MSRP $: 1167.75

[unread]

#4 buck.. It's a real crowd-pleaser..

[Antihero101607]

If I Hornady 55gr Critical Defense wasn’t an option, I’d be inclined to go for #4 buck.

[caver]

Good article! I guess I knew most of that, but still good to read.

[Reno89519]

Like this?

From direct personal experience with this shotgun I highly discourage using hunting loads. My wrist hurt for several weeks!

[Deaf Smith]

Mossberg 500 Cruiser.

[Yo-Yo]

I would like to have the shortest legal shotgun I can wield. Any ideas anyone?

Without a $200 tax stamp and a 9-12 month wait to get it, you're stuck with an 18" barrel as the minimum for a shotgun.

However, for a short overall weapon, I suggest a bullpup shotgun like the Kel Tec KSG or KS7. The KSG holds 14 2 3/4" shells in twin magazine tubes, and the KS7 holds 7 rounds in a single magazine tube. Both have 18 1/2" barrels, but their overall length is only 26".

Kel Tec KS7:

[Tijeras_Slim]

I feel like the author once had a shotgun described to him but has never shot one.

[freepersup]

[E. Pluribus Unum]

If we are talking about home defense, overpenetration of slugs and buckshot is a real danger.

But since we are talking about home defense, if you ever have to shoot an intruder it will probably be at a distance of twenty feet or less.

Bird shot does a fine job of turning a thoracic cavity into hamburger at that distance, and there is little chance of a #7-1/2 shot pellet penetrating a wall and killing an innocent person on the other side.

[freepersup]

NINE .33” balls per shell will be coming at you, and if using the Taurus Magnum Raging Judge, SIX rounds can be unleashed.

6x9=54

Fifty Four .33” balls downrange as fast as you can pull the trigger.