20 ga. side by side for home defense...

Why not? It's better than a stick.

Seriously though, I wouldn't mind trading in my 12 gauge 500 for a youth model something in 20 gauge. Strictly for HD though.

If they know how to work the controls and can handle the weapon, why not?

I know they make a few buckshot loads for the 20ga that would make it a viable h/d weapon.

I'd rather have something that fires more than 2 shots before requiring a reload, but that's just me...

A shotgun will work fine unless they get too close to the BG and then it could very easily be taken away from them. I think they are the easiest to grab away. Just stay back and know how to fire and reload if necessary. Most of the time 1 shot is all that will be needed. Nobody wants to be shot with a shotgun including the worst MF's around.

Why not go with a semi auto in a 20 guauge less recoil and you can have 5 or more rounds no pump needed

MoToRNecK said:

Why not go with a semi auto in a 20 guauge less recoil and you can have 5 or more rounds no pump needed

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The SxS has less controls to deal with under stress, and can have a lot less go wrong with it (dud first round? Just hit the second trigger...).

Unless people get very serious about shooting, simpler is better.

And, the only drawback I can see is less of a choice in buckshot loads for the 20 over the 12.

Personally, I'd look at a 12 with a reduced-recoil 00 load; quite often, it'll have less recoil than full-power 20ga buck.

MoToRNecK said:

Why not go with a semi auto in a 20 guauge less recoil and you can have 5 or more rounds no pump needed

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I would argue that a semi-auto requires greater skill and familiarity than a pump to run well, but that's me.

And yes, SxS shotguns are great for HD, with a 20 Ga being more than enough for most situations.

Cuda66 said:

The SxS has less controls to deal with under stress, and can have a lot less go wrong with it (dud first round? Just hit the second trigger...).

Unless people get very serious about shooting, simpler is better.

And, the only drawback I can see is less of a choice in buckshot loads for the 20 over the 12.

Personally, I'd look at a 12 with a reduced-recoil 00 load; quite often, it'll have less recoil than full-power 20ga buck.

Click to expand...

I agree with Cuda here. What good is a gun if you can't get it to work easily? If they don't spend much time with the gun, simpler is better.

I recently read an article comparing different loads and their effectiveness in stopping power given recommended LE guidelines. a #1 buckshot was the most preferred with 00 being a good second. Any lighter loads didn't have the penetration or surface area to cause adequate damage.

I'll have to see if I can find that article for you...

Found it:

Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo

Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition, .357 SIG -- A Solution in Search of a Problem?

You'll have to wade through discussion of handgun rounds as well but there is some good information there!

Polymerhead said:

I would argue that a semi-auto requires greater skill and familiarity than a pump to run well, but that's me.

And yes, SxS shotguns are great for HD, with a 20 Ga being more than enough for most situations.

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The double will be okay, but a Browning or Beretta auto would be the best for your purpose. Safety off (just like a pump), fire multiple rounds. Even the most experienced people with a pump will short shuck it and jam it if in a hurry or excited a lot of times. I have never understood why all the magazine articles on self defense shotguns always repeat 'get a pump for reliability' when every jamb I've seen has been with a pump.

ive searched around, but have yet to find a 18.5 inch bbl for my wifes 870 in 20 ga.

anyone know if anyone out there makes one. IMO i think it would make a great HD weapon. not to mention she loves it and is super comfortable with it and could run the gun in the dark easily.

If the double barrel was all I had I'd use it.

I have a long list of firearms I'd rather have (or that I'd rather my wife or daughters have) in my hands to protect my family.

I don't like to limit myself anymore than necessary when it comes to personal protection. In my opinion a double barreled 20 gauge shotgun would limit the capabilities of a person in a fight for life.

Again if it was all I had I'd use it.

If it is what you have, and they are BOTH familiar with the workings of it, then Yes, by All means use it for H/D.

I would rather both your Wife and Daughter feel comfortable in using a 20g, and Not afraid to use it if they if need be, then NOT use a 12g just because of the FEAR of the recoil... and I hope and Pray that they Never will have to use it.

Like several have said before, simple is probably the best for them. unless they both shoot a lot, and are familiar with most any weapon, and by the sounds of it, they are not.

Get them use to your 20guage, so that they are very familiar with it. (controls, reload,etc...)

Heck, if all I had was a hunting rifle, then guess what I would be using.... yup, a hunting rifle...


Stay Safe.

XD357sig said:

I have never understood why all the magazine articles on self defense shotguns always repeat 'get a pump for reliability' when every jamb I've seen has been with a pump.

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Really? I don't see a lot of pumps on the Sporting Clays course (of course) but I see lots of autos and lots of O/Us. I see dirty Rem 1100s and Browning A5s choke all the time. I see some O/Us choke, but it's usually the new guy who dropped the $500 on the Mossberg Silver Reserve or Stoeger Condor and is learning a hard lesson.

Pumps are great to me because if it has a problem, it will show up in the first hundred rounds. If nothing has broken by then, it will probably run the next 2,000 rounds without a hiccup - clean or not.

I also had friends return from Argentina last year very disappointed in their Beretta 20 ga autos. They didn't hold up to the high round count of Argie doves very well at all. Granted, that's what I consider bordering on torture testing, but several broke, none the less.

Buy a gun. Shoot it a lot. If you're comfortable that it's reliable enough for you, then it is exactly that.