Draconis:
I'd recommend you look at the Mossberg 500/590, Remington 970, or Winchester 1300. All represent top drawer combat shotguns. The Mossberg is used by the military and features chunky internals that stand up to all sorts of abuse. The Remington has been made popular by police departments and is extremely common. The Winchester 1300 utilizes a fire-assisted pump mechanism with a rotating bolt. It’s very fast and has been compared to autoloaders.
All three brand names above are ubiquitous and their accessories are endless. I recommend getting a simple scope-ring style mount and attaching a bright flashlight to your choice.
Mossberg 590:
Remington 870:
Anormalguy:
A shoulder arm is more stable than a handgun as it utilizes three points of contact on the body when in the ready position (2 flexing points in the hands and 1 solid point in the shoulder pocket) and makes for better retention (two hands as well as cross-body orientation plus any carrying sling) and is easier to control during a hand-to-hand scuffle where it may be part of a grabbing game due to the longer barrel and stock. Basically, it’s harder for it to be taken away and used against you in a potential nocturnal wrestling match. A handgun is lightweight and compact and the short sight radius means the muzzle can easily go from the bad guy to you with minimal effort.
Handguns have their place. Many educated people can argue over their application in home defense. I recommend a compact shoulder arm over a handgun unless you live in a Porta-Potty or already own a handgun and don’t desire to own a long gun.
The old adage goes: A handgun is what you use when you’re trying to get to your long gun.
You also typically get “more gun” for the dollar with a long gun than a hand gun. A 18” Remington 870 can be hand for $400. A used Glock 17 can be had for about the same.
Willravel:
I would not recommend an autoloading shotgun for home defense to someone who is new to firearms. Autoloaders are difficult to manipulate when stressed out and clearing a jam is the last thing a home owner needs to do when confronted with a one-in-a-million home invasion scenario. A slide-action shotgun allows the user to manipulate the entire feed/fire process.
Also: don’t discount the utility of a double-barreled shotgun. A side-by-side (SxS) “stage coach” cowboy-style shotgun is a viable tool for home defense provided one practices with it. A SxS that features dual triggers is useful as it allows a properly trained user the choice to deploy one of two different types of ammunition instantly such as a less-lethal bean bag / buckshot, or a buckshot / slug combination. A slide action shotgun would require the user to cycle the next round into the chamber or use a load unsuitable for the target. It is impossible to jam a break-open shotgun as it has no feed-related moving parts. SxS coach guns are noticeably shorter than pump action guns that feature a similar barrel length. SxS guns are also extremely durable and often make better clubs than other types of long arms should such a tactic need to be employed. But what about capacity, you say? Well, if you need more than two rounds at a time… you need to move. I own a Stoeger SxS coach gun and have trained with it, I would be confident in my ability to defend myself with it during an “oh-shit” situation. Sometimes simple is better.
WTF? I didn’t just read that. Nobody outside of the military responds to the sound of weapon actuation noise by opening fire. Home defense is home defense… not home offense. You can’t open fire unless you are faced with a situation that is a direct and imminent threat to your life or the lives of your family. That means a physical confrontation and close proximity, typically under 21 feet by most experts. Responding to an unknown noise with undirected gunfire is reckless at best. This takes place in your own home, remember? Easy there, Tex.
Your philosophy here is why I would be nervous if you purchased a firearm. Discretion… it IS the better part of valor.
Cynthetiq is correct. You may want to put some money towards training at Front Site.
TwistedMosaic:
The intimidation factor of the pump action 12 gauge is very real. The simplicity of the gun is a major boon to the user in confidence and the racking noise informs any “unfriendlies” close enough to hear it that they are in serious trouble.
Jinn:
Pfft… it’s okay for Will to post whatever he wants… admins still let me post in Tilted Politics sometimes.
Markd4life:
Firearm safety rule #1: Every gun is loaded at all times.
Home defense rule #1: An empty guy is an expensive club.
Look at it this way: Your car is only dangerous if you put gasoline in it (so it can drive). A firearm is only dangerous when you put ammunition in it (so it can shoot). Consider the purpose of the two: the car is designed to drive in order to get you to your destination, the gun is designed to shoot in order to kill your target.
If you don't want to shoot somebody... go buy a baseball bat. Don't buy a gun.
Your opinions are noted. I note them as bad policy.
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MSD is right about the ammo choice. Buckshot is for humans. Don’t use anything less than #4… I prefer 00 but 000 is popular in some circles. You can also use less-lethal ammunition such as the ball, buckshot, and beanbag loads produced by Sellier & Bellot.
As stated above… a flashlight is your primary weapon during a home defense situation. You can’t shoot at a target you can’t see. You need identify your target as a bad guy.
KirStang is correct about the threat of deadly force.
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For the record... reading this thread makes me want to cry.
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-----Added 16/10/2008 at 09 : 18 : 02-----
Quote:
Originally Posted by eXpired
<expects a "you're a noob" aimed towards me comment>  |
Urban legend. Rock salt shells are produced by hill billies with reloading benches and are not placed on gun shop shelves.
Professional less-lethal shotgun shells are popular with law enforcement and are easily purchased.
-----Added 16/10/2008 at 09 : 20 : 19-----
Quote:
Originally Posted by twistedmosaic
Under no circumstances am I going to show myself (and my toy gun) to an attacker of unknown armed status, who knowingly broke in to an occupied house. That sounds like a good way to get killed dead, and reminds me of a certain scene from Snatch. What exactly was the scenario that played out in your mind where representing an escalation to lethal force without being able to deliver was a good idea?
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+1
-----Added 16/10/2008 at 09 : 34 : 02-----
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonknight
1. It requires less aim then that of a pistol or rifle because of spread. It does not alleviate the need to aim entirely but requires less then the other type of firearms.
Since you’re not trying to become a solid marksman this is the quickest solution.
2. When shot it make a lot of noise, more noise then you’re going to get out of most other firearms. While the sound of the gun being loaded May scare your intruder, the sound of a shotgun going off Will scare the shit out of your intruder (unless of course they are a trained pro who has been in a shoot out). Also I say a shotgun will be louder then most guns because if you have a large caliber pistol or rifle that too will make a lot of noise as well and punch straight through the afore mentioned thin walls possibly hurting/killing/damaging something other then your intended target. Something you don't want to do.
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RE: 1. Shotgun spread should not be an issue for home defense. You are aiming center mass on your target because they are close enough to represent a lethal threat to you. Tactically speaking, a shotgun does not have spread because it is not a support fire weapon such as a machine gun, which would be mounted on a tripod and waved left and right to create such an effect. Tactically, a shotgun fires a single projectile. In combat situations, a shotgun shell is designed to increase damage to a target area, not to hit multiple targets or to improve chances of hitting a target in compensation for crappy aim (especially at the ranges we're discussing in this thread on home defense). Instead of the through-and-through poke of a pistol or rifle bullet, a shotgun is like a heavy slap.
RE: 2. Why are they going to hear the gun fire more than once if they are a single intruder? Warning shots are a bad idea. Shooting at something you can't hit is a worse idea. Firing at an intruder is the absolute last resort in a home defense situation.