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Short read from Shooting Illustrated:
http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/22463/double-barrel-self-defense/
http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/22463/double-barrel-self-defense/
Double Barrel for HD/Self-defense!
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I'd prefer more than two shots. The idea of birdshot in one barrell and buck in the other sounds like a receipe for confusion!
The double-barrell would be better than nothing, but I'd prefer the pump-action shotgun if we're talking about scatter guns.
The double-barrell would be better than nothing, but I'd prefer the pump-action shotgun if we're talking about scatter guns.
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I think they are an excellent choice, and in some ways superior to a pump.
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I don't think I'd want to let more than two shots loose in my house. I don't want to have to do that much spackling after it's over
.I doubt I would feel undergunned with a double barrel 12ga. I don't have one, but i'd be in a world of trouble if I can't dispense a threat with more than two shots anyway.
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Stoeger Tactical Double
I have not shot with it but have handled several. Very simple and probably fairly effective. They even have rails for tact light etc.
I have not shot with it but have handled several. Very simple and probably fairly effective. They even have rails for tact light etc.
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2 rounds 3" magnum #4 Buck with a sleeve on the butt holding 00 Buck. Not my first choice but not a bad choice at all. 18 1/4" barrel, light short, very handy, I would not want to be on the wrong side of it.
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Points I disagree with in that read:
1. Spring fatigue- This has been talked to death and also proven to not exist, springs fatigue with use not remaining under pressure.
2. Advocating birdshot for HD- Again talked to death and proven to not be an effective round to stop a threat, don't use it.
3. Visual effect- Counting on brandishing a firearm to scare an aggressor is just plain stupid. If someone has entered your home uninvited they are there to cause you harm of even death, be prepared to stop the threat immediately with justifiable force.
Points I do agree with in that read:
1. Double barrels make fine defensive shotguns- Use what you have and what you are comfortable with. A fancy HD weapon will do you no good if it never sees range time and you are unfamiliar with its operation.
2. Double barrels are simple to operate- Similar to my last statement, 2 rounds loaded, cock hammers and fire. No pump to work, no bolt release, no searching for magazine port.
3. Double barrels are well accepted- Shotguns period are the most commonly owned firearm in the US. If a self defense situation arises and you shoot a threat you can count on being scrutinized by the police, possibly a prosecutor and maybe even a jury. Tactical, zombie killing guns don't look to good when waved around in a courtroom as evidence.
Bottome line, use a good quality buckshot in your shotgun, familiarize yourself with its operation, and be prepared for the worst outcome.
1. Spring fatigue- This has been talked to death and also proven to not exist, springs fatigue with use not remaining under pressure.
2. Advocating birdshot for HD- Again talked to death and proven to not be an effective round to stop a threat, don't use it.
3. Visual effect- Counting on brandishing a firearm to scare an aggressor is just plain stupid. If someone has entered your home uninvited they are there to cause you harm of even death, be prepared to stop the threat immediately with justifiable force.
Points I do agree with in that read:
1. Double barrels make fine defensive shotguns- Use what you have and what you are comfortable with. A fancy HD weapon will do you no good if it never sees range time and you are unfamiliar with its operation.
2. Double barrels are simple to operate- Similar to my last statement, 2 rounds loaded, cock hammers and fire. No pump to work, no bolt release, no searching for magazine port.
3. Double barrels are well accepted- Shotguns period are the most commonly owned firearm in the US. If a self defense situation arises and you shoot a threat you can count on being scrutinized by the police, possibly a prosecutor and maybe even a jury. Tactical, zombie killing guns don't look to good when waved around in a courtroom as evidence.
Bottome line, use a good quality buckshot in your shotgun, familiarize yourself with its operation, and be prepared for the worst outcome.
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There's not much that can rack off two shots quicker than a single trigger double.
except a twin trigger double and a modified hold on the gun
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I tried that once. My shoulder hated me.. . .except a twin trigger double and a modified hold on the gun
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I decided to buy a coach gun for my bedside defense. I've read quite a bit into nighttime break in defense. The idea of fiddling around with a pistol or short stroking a pump is none to appealing to me. Lets face it, although i consider myself to be an experienced shooter, most of those skills would be out the window at 2am, in the dark and half asleep. Something simple, cheap and effective appealed to me. A second plus is should I have to use it, it will look better in court being a simple, non-taciticool firearm.
While reading about real life situations where a firearm was needed in a home defense situation, it seems that less that 5 shots are ever fired with most being 1-2. Few people will stick around for more even if you miss on the first shot.
Hell...I guess that even if I don't hit them with she'll 1 or 2 I can always crack them in the head with that stoeger...that thing is built like a tank!
On a side note...I leave mine loaded with federal LE132 low recoil 00 buck
While reading about real life situations where a firearm was needed in a home defense situation, it seems that less that 5 shots are ever fired with most being 1-2. Few people will stick around for more even if you miss on the first shot.
Hell...I guess that even if I don't hit them with she'll 1 or 2 I can always crack them in the head with that stoeger...that thing is built like a tank!
On a side note...I leave mine loaded with federal LE132 low recoil 00 buck
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Clint Smith from Thunder Ranch (one of if not THE best firearms instructors in the country IMHO) wrote a column in GUNS magazine awhile back stating that double barrel guns are indeed effective for HD. I do agree that they certainly be effective, I'd still prefer a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 for an HD shotgun.
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I agree.
When people who are not going to to be serious shooters (by that, I mean they might shoot once or twice a year, at the most) ask me what a good defensive gun would be, I almost always recommend a revolver (if a handgun) or a hammerless coach gun (long gun). As long as they can remember to hit the safety, they pretty much have the two shots, guaranteed. And, I'd be willing to say that a double barrel is easier to load; no failing to shove the shell in far enough and have it pop back out at you, no getting your thumb caught in the lifter (on some models)--just two great big holes staring right at you.
Add in the short stroking issues one cna have with a pump...the coach gun has a lot going for it.
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^ This is why my pumps are always chambered. Too much wasted time, too many unnecessary movements, and too many points of failure. Plus, I've never been a fan of the idea that the sound of a pump is going to save me from a bad encounter.
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I'm more of a mossberg fan with my 7 shots of nasty locked and loaded.
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I tried it one handed.
the takedown lever is not nice to the web of your hand when the gun flies out of it
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One important consideration in choosing a long gun for home defense is the extreme difficulty (that I find, at least) in moving around inside my home with it.
I may have to go get my daughter and bring it to our room (the safe room), and I prefer a handgun to the shotty for that. Once in the safe room it's shotty all the way.
Another issue is that both your hands are occupied with a shotgun (coach or otherwise) whereas a handgun you can use with one or both hands.
I would definitely take a coach gun but not over my pump.
I may have to go get my daughter and bring it to our room (the safe room), and I prefer a handgun to the shotty for that. Once in the safe room it's shotty all the way.
Another issue is that both your hands are occupied with a shotgun (coach or otherwise) whereas a handgun you can use with one or both hands.
I would definitely take a coach gun but not over my pump.
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Yeah but now you have just sprayed human body parts all over your house. You will be cleaning up little pieces of flesh and bones out of your walls, carpet, new sofa from now till the end of time. why dont we just shove a stick of dynamite up the bad guys anus, light it and call it a day.
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Ignorant? of what?
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Of how shotguns work.
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