Quote:
Originally Posted by Crompsin
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.
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1. By spread I mean the spread of the shot on impact with the target, may be using spray would have been clearer? Either way even at a distance of 5-10 feet your impact area will be larger then that of any pistol or rifle other then a deagle or .50 cal. The added force you’ll get from hitting some one with a shotgun vice a pistol (again other then larger rounds) will be sufficient enough to stop your target without punching through a wall. The spread or spray effect you’d get from a mounted machine gun is vastly different and for vastly different reasons… I’ll not post them here because it is completely beyond Deaconess’s question and the original reason for the post. So like I said while a shotgun will alleviate the need for marksman accuracy (because hitting a target with a projectile that measures roughly the size of a 1’ x 1’ square then the far smaller size you’d get from most anything else) it still requires some accuracy.
Scenario1. Intruder gets shot with a nine mil in the shoulder at 5-10 feet, gets hurt gets angry and since Draconis is thinking about getting this because of the increase of Armed break-ins the intruder shoots back unloading their gun most likely and the day gets worse. If Draconis misses bullet goes into wall 5-10 feet beyond target may be going through the wall maybe not.
Now change that nine mil to a .45 shooter looses arm lays and stays on ground for the rest of the day maybe bleeds out and dies, however now if Draconis misses bullet most likely punches through wall and causes damage to what ever is unlucky enough to be in its way.
Lastly change the pistol to a shotgun at 5-10 feet intruder looses arm and if paramedics are not quick intruder bleeds out, now if Draconis misses completely the extra 5-10 feet will help to turn the pellets into a peppering on his wall rather then a whole unless he’s using a far heaver grain then necessary for home defense.
2. Why would they hear a second shot….only if he completely misses because as Draconis said he is not an avid shooter. I agree warning shots are a bad idea if not a horrible one. Even with positive id, shooting at another human is not something that someone who is not in that line of business will do easily or accurately. With all of the emotions involved with waking up in the middle of the night realizing there is some one most likely armed and in your home will make most people (again not trained for these types of situations) a wreck. If you can say you will hit your target with 95% assurance in any situation you are a sniper and have no need for a shotgun or anything else for that mater as you have the skill and ability to pacify your target all alone. If the first shot doesn’t scare the shit out of them instantly putting them into flight mode or disable them the second will either do that or hopefully put them down well enough to stop any further action from them. Again Draconis said the increase is in Armed-entry so I’m working off of that.
Lastly you are completely correct in the importance of a flashlight being a very important factor in all of this, I haven’t said it and you mention it a lot. A good solid light with at high lume number (60 or more I’d say) will be a great help.
