Home defense shotgun: Myths and reality

[Jack Burton]

If you stand around a gun counter long enough, someone will walk in and ask the so-called “expert” behind the counter, “What is the best thing for home defense?” Without missing a beat the answer usually is, “buy yourself X brand of shotgun, you can’t miss.” At this point, I usually leave said store because I can’t stand hearing sewage like this spewed at uneducated buyers.

Read more: Home defense shotgun: Myths and reality | The Daily Caller
​

 

[swany11]

Wait...I thought racking the slide would scare the bad guy away?!?

 

[GNRPowdeR]

Solid article... Now I have something to suggest as reading material to those whom "spew" ignorance around or genuinely have a question.

Thanks for the link!

 

[ViperJock]

Interesting article. I recently made the conceptual switch from shotgun/sidearm to ar/sidearm. I started a thread a while back tho where some serious shotgunners made some correct points which were highlighted in this article about the small patterns of buck shot etc. I think the key point of the article is that shotgun is difficult to master.

Looking from tom a noob point of view though, what do you tell them to get? This is what I say; if you are going to spend minimal time practicing, get a revolver and a pump shotgun for no other reason than I think they are the simplistic to make a bang with. If you are willing to train, get an AR and a pistol. And I guess if you are willing to put in the hours to master the tactical shotty, that's a good option for you too. I know a lot of people that just want "something by my bed" we all know they need to train, but if it's obvious they won't train hard enough to master anything, what gun do you recommend they get?

 

[Denny347]

Interesting article. I recently made the conceptual switch from shotgun/sidearm to ar/sidearm. I started a thread a while back tho where some serious shotgunners made some correct points which were highlighted in this article about the small patterns of buck shot etc. I think the key point of the article is that shotgun is difficult to master.

Looking from tom a noob point of view though, what do you tell them to get? This is what I say; if you are going to spend minimal time practicing, get a revolver and a pump shotgun for no other reason than I think they are the simplistic to make a bang with. If you are willing to train, get an AR and a pistol. And I guess if you are willing to put in the hours to master the tactical shotty, that's a good option for you too. I know a lot of people that just want "something by my bed" we all know they need to train, but if it's obvious they won't train hard enough to master anything, what gun do you recommend they get?

A good home alarm and a baseball bat.

 

[bingley]

Read more: Home defense shotgun: Myths and reality | The Daily Caller

This article may be an improvement over the ever-popular "just rack the gun to scare the bad guys away," but it's still so gear-centric. The shotgun is a complicated weapon, and certain skills require fine-motor movements in times of stress -- just when blood has drained from your extremities, making doing things with finger tips difficult. I'd like to see people take their time to choose the right load for the right distance and target when they're getting shot at, and then load the shell. After doing a Gunsite course on the defensive shotgun, I still feel more confident with the pistol.

 

[John Galt]

Great article, thank you!

 

[Jack Burton]

Wait...I thought racking the slide would scare the bad guy away?!?

No, silly. You have to shoot through the door for the proper use of the shotgun.

 

[Leadeye]

Personally I see the shotgun as a "best value" for home defense.

 

[bmbutch]

Nice article, thanks for posting! I learned some good points & training g tips.

 

[Denny347]

I love my shorty shotgun, lots of officers don't carry one. Most people just don't practice enough, if at all, with their shotguns.

 

[Hoosierdood]

I know Denny already answered this but I'll ask again for everyone else...

Someone walks into the gun store and you are the clerk. They have never shot ANY gun before, and want something purely for home defense, not to carry. They have no intention of actually training with the thing. They are just going to leave it unchambered (for safety) somewhere in the house.

Question: What do you recommend to this person?








By the way... I see this scenario on a daily basis.

 

[GIJEW]

I know a business owner who got one of those "judge" revolvers loaded with 410 buckshot as a "cash register" gun.

 

[cedartop]

I know Denny already answered this but I'll ask again for everyone else...

Someone walks into the gun store and you are the clerk. They have never shot ANY gun before, and want something purely for home defense, not to carry. They have no intention of actually training with the thing. They are just going to leave it unchambered (for safety) somewhere in the house.

Question: What do you recommend to this person?








By the way... I see this scenario on a daily basis.

As much as I don't like this answer, for that person who you are talking about, the one who will stick it by the bedside and never practice with it, I am going to say a full size revolver. Easy to use, fairly accurate, fairly powerful, can sit loaded for long periods of time, again not what I would carry or use but for this specific situation, which lets face it is very common, this is what I would say.

 

[GNRPowdeR]

Question: What do you recommend to this person?

Personally, (depending on living space & build of person) I'd suggest a Steel Frame .357 loaded with .38 spl or an 18" 20 GA with #4 Buckshot.

 

[Hoosierdood]

Personally, (depending on living space & build of person) I'd suggest a Steel Frame .357 loaded with .38 spl or an 18" 20 GA with #4 Buckshot.

And this is almost always my response to them as well. Sturdy (not airweight) revolver or 20 ga with buckshot.

 

[Denny347]

And this is almost always my response to them as well. Sturdy (not airweight) revolver or 20 ga with buckshot.

Curious, if they are clear that they have no intention of do ANY training/familiarization with what they are about to buy, why would a gun be even considered? I would argue that person possessing a firearm (who intents to use it) who has never fired one or trained with one is actually LESS SAFE than a person who owns no firearms at all.

 

[LPMan59]

I know Denny already answered this but I'll ask again for everyone else...

Someone walks into the gun store and you are the clerk. They have never shot ANY gun before, and want something purely for home defense, not to carry. They have no intention of actually training with the thing. They are just going to leave it unchambered (for safety) somewhere in the house.

Question: What do you recommend to this person?








By the way... I see this scenario on a daily basis.

how are they dressed? do i know what kind of car they drive?

 

[cedartop]

Curious, if they are clear that they have no intention of do ANY training/familiarization with what they are about to buy, why would a gun be even considered? I would argue that person possessing a firearm (who intents to use it) who has never fired one or trained with one is actually LESS SAFE than a person who owns no firearms at all.

Because in this hypothetical you work in a gun store and will get fired if you talk people out of buying a gun. Good point though.

 

[Mackey]

I know Denny already answered this but I'll ask again for everyone else...

Someone walks into the gun store and you are the clerk. They have never shot ANY gun before, and want something purely for home defense, not to carry. They have no intention of actually training with the thing. They are just going to leave it unchambered (for safety) somewhere in the house.

Question: What do you recommend to this person?


By the way... I see this scenario on a daily basis.

You do the person a huge favor and let them know that this is not a wise plan.
You encourage them to take some firearm class or classes to actually learn what would work for them.
This would be much better than offering them the false sense of security that a shotgun would provide.

Then if that didn't work. I'd recommend a 38 revolver.