Is the Defensive Shotgun Still Relevant?

luckygunner.com ^ | 9/24/2015 | Kyle Eggimann

[TTFlyer]

I think it’s best to have all three:

1911

870

AR-15

And lots and lots and lots of ammo.

These will cover any home defense situation you may find yourself in, from home invasion to SHTF.

[rktman]

Geez. That look REAL familiar. Minus the “heat shield” of course. Pistol grip is available if I feel a need to swap it out. And, can use the 2 3/4 or 3 inch.

[archy]

I think I pretty much have the bases covered. Maybe a Glock G43 just to round things off.

You have the close-in business and nighttime work nicely covered. But get yourself something that will reack out a little farther than what you're now working with, at least an AR15/AK, preferably a nice centerfire bolt gun- which need not be an expensive one. And, of course, ammunition for all.

[Feckless]

the unmistakable sound of a pump shotgun being racked

If the perp hears this in my house I either missed with the first shot or he is perp #2.

You are not likely to kill a next door neighbor with a shotgun, unless he's the one breaking in.

[central_va]

A shotgun is no good without a good alarm system to go with it.

[BuffaloJack]

> I’ve got an AR but also have a Mossberg 500.
I’ve got two Mossberg 500s. One is guaranteed to bruise with every shot and the other has less kick that a pellet gun. I bought them 12 years apart. The look identical and I’ve never figured out why one kicks and the other doesn’t. The only difference I’ve ever noticed is the shade of the wooden stock. One’s light and one’s dark.

[Dubh_Ghlase]

Rifles to reach out and touch someone or hold them at bay... (far away),
Shotguns for medium-to-close range work...
Handguns for close-quarters...
Edged weapons (knife, hawk) for up-close-and-personal...

For home defense, a shotgun with #8's or #9's work well. Might want to keep a 00-buck at the end of the tube, just in case....

[rktman]

LOL! Looking down the barrel of a .22 with a deranged ex on the other side looked like the 16 inchers on the New Jersey to me. YIKES!

[Resolute Conservative]

One and two are 8’s the rest are 000. Then the Glocks come into play.

[Despot of the Delta]

I ditched the pistol grip and went with a Shockwave Raptor grip

[imardmd1]

A two= to ten-year-old child will think twice about messing with a shotgun, if he/she has ever seen one fired. Plus its characteristic performance might not please some diminutive women. But for sure, one does not have to put up with handgun restrictions in some states when a shotgun is the preferred defense.

On the down side, it's really inconvenient to hide when answering ones doorbell --

[Pollster1]

I think it’s best to have all three: 1911 870 AR-15 And lots and lots and lots of ammo. These will cover any home defense situation you may find yourself in, from home invasion to SHTF.

I agree completely. I'm a big fan of the 1911 for close quarters (although I personally prefer the Glock, it's not something I recommend to anyone without impeccable firearms manners). I'm a big fan of the 870 for static home defense. I'm a big fan of the AR platform for longer distances and more active neighborhood defense. If I weren't such a lousy boater, I'd own all of the above, and a .22LR pistol and rifle too.

[Secret Agent Man]

Felt recoil can be reduced.

[rktman]

Guess it doesn’t qualify for your ccw. :>}

[PapaBear3625]

The finishing them off part, while gratifying, gets you locked up for defending yourself.

If the guy is still standing with a weapon in his hand, then he remains a legitimate target for another round.

If he's on the ground, but still has a handgun in his hand and is still conscious enough to potentially raise his arm and fire, then he remains a legitimate target for another round.

[PapaBear3625]

The finishing them off part, while gratifying, gets you locked up for defending yourself.

If the guy is still standing with a weapon in his hand, then he remains a legitimate target for another round.

If he's on the ground, but still has a handgun in his hand and is still conscious enough to potentially raise his arm and fire, then he remains a legitimate target for another round.

[Goldsborough]

Felt recoil can be reduced.

Not to .223 levels it can't. But what I was getting at is that I don't mind heavy recoil out of a 12ga. at all, so that's not even a comparative factor between a 12 ga and an AR to me.

[Secret Agent Man]

I didnt say it could be reduced to .223 levels. I said it could be reduced.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Ditto.
I have a pump because it’s idiot proof and very reliable.

[archy]

Guess it doesn’t qualify for your ccw. :>}

Mine does. Use a Singlepoint sling attatched at the top rear of the pistol grip.