Posted on 08/29/2018 5:40:37 AM PDT by w1n1
If you can give up a small perceived ballistic advantage and in exchange, get the ability shoot the gun better, that's a worthwhile trade-off.
But even so, I don’t usually recommend a 20 gauge shotgun over a 12 gauge for home defense. And not because it isn't powerful enough. It has a lot more to do with the lack of industry support for the 20 gauge.
The shotguns you can buy today that are set up for self-defense are almost all based on shotguns used by law enforcement and the military. For the last century or more, almost 100% of their shotguns have been 12 gauge. So all of the firearm industry’s research and new technology for fighting shotguns has been devoted to the 12 gauge, not 20 gauge.
It’s not really all that popular in the general consumer market, either.
The lack of R&D, there's really not much incentive for the gun and ammo companies to support 20 gauge. It’s primarily viewed as something for young hunters who need a shotgun with a little less weight and recoil than their dad's.
As a result, it's kind of an uphill struggle to put together a 20 gauge shotgun that’s optimized for home defense. Read and see the video of 20 gauge shotgun here.
Why AREN’T they?
Another semi-literate headline writer.
Writing headlines used to be both an art and and a science. Now it is neither.
Mossberg makes a few nice 20 gauge models suitable for home D. Not sure I agree with the author about lack of industry support.
First thing that stuck in my mind too.
Why isn’t morer people’s using proper english?I
CC
Really stupid grammar errors make the author look like a retard before you even read the article. You see that and thnk, “What can that dumbass say that’s worth reading?” And then you answer yourself - “nothing” - and move on.
Whah AIN’T them?
Because Quail rarely break into my home??
“Why isn’t more people using the 20 Gauge for Home Defense?”
Same reason 22s ain’t popular for self defense ?
Because they’re bird/trap guns! Mine is the most accurate at distance!
I had a Mossberg 20 gauge with a pistol grip and 20 inch barrel for home defense, but it fell out my boat, along with several other weapons...worst day of fishing ever.
All your 20 gauge are belong to us.
LOL!
Exactly.
Personally, I think 12 gauge is better, cuz more physical shot pellets are sent down range.
Plus you do NOT need high powered double aught magnum rounds. They will tear you and the house apart.
Low recoil rounds, alternating between buck and #8 in the tube is a fine load for shooters of all ages and strengths.
The ever faithful 870, pump, tactical, 12 gauge is the go to firearm INSIDE our dwellings.
I used to use a 20G for home defense, but it fell off the boat.
For clearing a house after a 'bump in the night', I'm not a fan of going around corners with a long gun.
Once you're outside, things change again, depending on where "outside" is.
Why read an article of an illiterate?
I’m not a big fan of pistol grip shotguns, but if that’s the preference, the 20 gauge is much easier to control in that configuration than the 12. Of course low recoil loads can be had in the 12,and that helps. The 20 with it’s payload of #3 buckshot is certainly sufficient for home defense, in either a pistol grip or standard configuration. My wife’s defense shotgun is a 870 Remington “youth” model filled with #3 buck.
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