A pump action shotgun is an exellent all arround choice as a defense weapon. I personally agree about the commando terror tactics also being a very real threat. You did not state what specic gauge the shotgun is but I presumin 12 ga, 16 ga 20ga or maybe 28 ga. As a general rule the choice of shells will be governed by the type of target and range you are shooting.
Once more the three most common shotgun shell manufacturers are Remmington, Winchester, and Federal. All are prmium quality ammunition manufacturers.
For personal defense inside one's home bird shot prevents some overpenetration problems but as a general rule over ranges greater than 10 feet i would suggest buck shot. There are a number of opinions about what size shot (diameter of the balls of lead inside the shotgun shell) is optimum. I personally recommend alternating #00 buckshot with #4. I do not know the specifics about which pump action you have in its box but it should be very serviceable. Once more I heartily recommend a handgun as a companion to your shotgun. The handgun is there when the shotgun has been left for daily tasks that may have to be accomplished with a threat present
Did I not? 12 Guage. Thanks for the advice on ammos. Hajj Week is almost over guys! Time to clean and oil....
There are two ways American civilians would act using rifles and shotguns.
1. For home self defense (this is where your birdshot comes in...).
2. In groups, operating as Militia or Home Guard, under the command of a duly constituted Law Officer (see Jeff Head's excellent Dragon's Fury series for an illustration using a hypothetical Chinese attack on the Klamath Falls Lock and Dam system as an illustration: I think that is what we are looking forward to). That, I suppose, it where your buckshot comes in.
And yes, I know, having an M1A Garand in one's hand is far preferable to having a shotgun in a tactical assault environment.
Oh, yes, and I do know one thing about the safe operation of a firearm: aim just below the turban and squeeze very slowly.
Be Seeing You,
Chris