A Shotgun can be unwieldly this is true and the main reason I do not use it for HD. I keep a .357 GP100 in my nightstand for HD. Some may think that this is overkill however you shoot what you are comfortable with and I am very proficient with my trusty .357
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Ya got that right. No warning shots for any intruders in my home.
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I like the escalation of load.
I do somewhat similar, just at a lower level for me, and have pepper spray as my first non-lethal option if it makes sense to use it.
My pillow gun being a Ruger LCR 327, I actually have the first two as 32 Short (my version of warning shot I guess), then a couple 32 LWC to make it hurt a little more, then a couple 32 H&R Magnum. By the time those are gone, I need to be to my CZ 9mm.
Tried shooting 327 magnum out of the Ruger, but it would be painful for me to train too much with, and I forgot my ears on the first round out in the desert. Ears were ringing for a couple days, so that would probably be more pronounced in a small room in the house I’d guess.
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I LOVE this thread!!! BTW, many agree with me, many disagree with me, some are in the middle of the road. All is good! The main reason I posted this was to get folks to think about the HD/SD guns! Many people go through life betting their safety on firearms just because someone said it’s the one to have. I really just wanted folks to think about what they are reaching for when things go bump in the night! Is it the best choice? If you are convinced it is a YES, all is good!
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Welcome to the family brother @Peter133 and you are in the right place at the right time.
Think it is important to know the strengths and weaknesses of whatever tools we choose. We should have confidence in them and our abilities. But we need to make sure we are not falling victim to the Dunning-Kruger effect. A study that showed how competent people often underestimate their knowledge and abilities but incompetent people usually overestimate them. I believe most people here lean to the competent end of the scale but I know I have made decisions in the past made on old or faulty info that seemed sound at the time. We need to make sure the information we are working with is as complete and up to date as possible.
Tools, threats, and tactics evolve over time; making it equally important to reevaluate our choices and consider alternatives as our own skills, abilities and life situations change.
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I’ve got one. Short, light, simple and easily manipulated in tight quarters. Like a pistol, only longer.
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At the end of the day…
"We don’t rise to the level of our expectations;
we fall to the level of our training."
Archilochus (8th Century BC)
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Having worked in an OR and having seen what a shotgun does to human flesh I personally wouldn’t use one unless I had nothing else to hand.
I don’t own one personally.
But it’s a matter of personal choice.
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Well clearly you don’t reload or understand the power of your .223 or 5.56 mm. I personally have penetrated 1/4” steel plate targets with my .223 but as of yet not with any 12 g 00 buck loads. I guess you can start there. Then there’s that all important question of why it would take you “30 rounds” in a gunfight to stop the threat of a bad guy and you want to talk about mess? Well one thing is for certain when your awakened from a sound sleep at 0200 hours, youre still groggy and maybe a bit fuzzy, you don’t need to be right on the bullseye to stop the threat with 00 buckshot. And you sure ad heck don’t need 30 rounds to compensate for your misses.
Now I am of the impression everyone has the God given right to protect themselves and their family by and with any means they choose. I just think all the data should be presented before trashing someone’s opinions on HD or SD weapons. Last thing, best HD or SD weapon is the one you have on you at the time.
Be safe
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At most in home distances 00 buckshot is going to have a very small impact area and is going to be very likely to go through several walls if you miss and through the target and into whatever is behind it if you do hit.
Sure if you use steel core or fmj in .223 it can go through steel or a few interior walls. But in all the tests I have seen using these rounds they penetrate through less walls than buckshot and certainly than slugs. Using quality bonded bullets reduces unwanted wall penetration even more and manufacturers also make quality none bonded self defense .223 that is designed to not go through walls very well but still hits very hard and penetrates affectively when it hits the desired target.
Do you need 30 rounds to stop your typical burglar? I know I don’t. But I wouldn’t want to take on 3 to 5 armed home invaders with a firearm loaded with less than 20 rounds.
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I agree a PCC or an AR is the best for HD. If you are not experienced with a Shotgun’s operation.
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I have a 300BO pistol that I keep around for SD/HD uses. It lives in a bag that also goes in the car with me most of the time. However, I generally always a 9mm pistol on me. I’ve always said, pants on, gun on. My wife has a ruger pc carbine which she shoots very, very well.
While at home I’m not terrible worried about over penetration in the house, it’s a concrete and stucco house from the late 40s. We also don’t have any near neighbors. I will be semi moving to a big city nearby to work starting next month (cheap apartment for work, coming home when I’m not working). What would y’all recommend for hd for apartments? I have pistols, a 5.56 ar and 300 bo pistol and wouldn’t mind getting a shorter barrel shotgun if light loads would be indicated (I have an old Remington 31-precursor to the 870). I also reload, so as long as I can get components I can load whatever. I was thinking of a 5.56 varmint round…should break up pretty easily. Thoughts?
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My PSA AK-V has never had a hiccup on any HP I have sent through it, but I will admit it’s an aberration. From comparing notes with other owners, round nosed HP that do not have a wide mouth, work the best. Main thing is to TEST the HP you are going to use as defensive ammo. Holds true with any gun.
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I think you made your point. I would think the AR is better.
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I’ll just make one comment on HD that I have and that’s the “Judge”. Kind of best of both worlds. Loaded with 410 and Colt 45. Gives me enough time to get to my G19 if needed.
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I like the .410 with slugs for HD Lite not much kick. good penetration thru hollow core doors, almost no over penetration easy for younger or small frame women. most times only 1 to 2 shots needed. Just my thought’s. Thanks.
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Welcome to the family brother @Frank_A2 and you are in the right place at the right time.
I get trying to stop a threat, I really do, but a shotgun is a bit overkill for me. I’ll save it for the Terminators. Unless it’s the only thing nearby then I’m all for it. I personally find an AK easier to learn than an AR. The ammo’s cheaper and it takes quite a beating without fouling. It’s also more difficult to wield quickly for me. For close quarters I still prefer the handgun.
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Welcome to the Community Melissa. It really boils down to what works for you.
Stay safe!
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