What makes shotguns...

Are you serious?

Nice pattern spread of the pellets make hitting a BG in the dark a simple task using sleepy eyes and the simple battery of arms works well with limited motor skills.

Some have also said that the simple sound of a round being jacked into the chamber is one of the most universally recognized! (and able to strike fear into anyone hearing it from the barrel end!)

Target aquisition...you really dont have to aim. Broad POI ;-) Shot is less likely to penetrate through houses/walls.. Less liability, 00 Highbrass absolutely mutilates at defensive ranges.. Generally very simple to operate. And can double as a club weapon.. And I love the big boom..

I actually have my shotgun as a back-up HD... or more particularly, in case some one breaks in and lethal force is used with my XD45... then my shotty is waiting on the homies to do a drive-by. I figure a Saiga-12 with 75 rounds sitting in mags will do real nice on a car and the homies in it.

Would you rather be shot by your average gun owner with a 9mm or a shotgun?

Shotguns are easier to shoot with some accuracy (bbl length is easier to point without understanding sight pictures) and pack a LOT more punch than a pistol. While the recoil can leave bruises on someone not used to the gun, it's better than a pistol flying off target or putting holes in the ceiling.

So Flo said:

Nice pattern spread of the pellets make hitting a BG in the dark a simple task using sleepy eyes and the simple battery of arms works well with limited motor skills.

Some have also said that the simple sound of a round being jacked into the chamber is one of the most universally recognized! (and able to strike fear into anyone hearing it from the barrel end!)

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+1

IMHO, a Remington 870 with an 18" barrel is the ideal HD weapon. If you can't get the job done with 8 rounds, simply surrender. Like So Flo said, usually the racking sound of the Remy 870 is more than enough to scare the BG off into the night.

Thanks for the quick responses gang.

Re: spray pattern

I have been told this is a big myth. The fact that people believe a shot gun throws out a room clearing radius of pellets. From what I understand, the pattern doesn't spread out until a considerable distance is met. Fire down a set of stairs at an intruder, and the pattern is still particularly tight. Basically you DO have to aim a shotgun and you CAN miss with a shot gun by just pointing it in the general direction of the perp.

I just watched the DVD of this demonstrated on the first season of Tom Gresham's Defensive TV show. I forget the exact distance he(instructor from Gun Sight) moved back before the pattern opened up enough to not have to precisely aim the shotgun.

Also, what's the purpose of chokes?


Thanks.

What makes them the King of Home Defense?

The missing torso.

Chokes determine how tight the patern will or will not be.

Yeah, the whole 12" spread of pellets is crap. Typically you can expect maybe a 2-4" spread at defensive distances. You do have to aim a shotgun still. It's just EASIER to aim. Someone made a comparison recently to a pool stick. Imagine trying to shoot pool with a 13" stick vs. your standard stick. It's going to be a LOT harder to put the balls in the pocket. Shotguns & rifles are easier to aim due to being able to sight down a longer distance.

nikon777 said:

Thanks for the quick responses gang.

Re: spray pattern

I have been told this is a big myth. The fact that people believe a shot gun throws out a room clearing radius of pellets. From what I understand, the pattern doesn't spread out until a considerable distance is met. Fire down a set of stairs at an intruder, and the pattern is still particularly tight. Basically you DO have to aim a shotgun and you CAN miss with a shot gun by just pointing it in the general direction of the perp.

I just watched the DVD of this demonstrated on the first season of Tom Gresham's Defensive TV show. I forget the exact distance he(instructor from Gun Sight) moved back before the pattern opened up enough to not have to precisely aim the shotgun.

Also, what's the purpose of chokes?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

So, let's say it didn't spread. You still just got shot with a .90 caliber, and the doctor is trying to figure out the best way to dig a total of nine .32 caliber bullets out of your chest cavity and head.

LUVMYSIGP225 said:

What makes them the King of Home Defense?

The missing torso.

Click to expand...

LOL

Yes, you still need to aim the shotgun, but it doesn't have to be quite so exact.

No choke is the best for HD. It will have more spread in a shorter distance.

LUVMYSIGP225 said:

So, let's say it didn't spread. You still just got shot with a .90 caliber, and the doctor is trying to figure out the best way to dig a total of nine .32 caliber bullets out of your chest cavity and head.

Click to expand...

Where did you get a .90 caliber shotgun??? My 12 gauge is a .729 caliber.... I wanna bigger barrel!!

also a 9 or a 45 or whatever else could go through a wall, a shotgun's pellets would most likely stick into the wall. so if you live in an apartment you wouldnt want a bullet to go through a wall a hit alittle kid or something.

Bearcreek said:

Where did you get a .90 caliber shotgun??? My 12 gauge is a .729 caliber.... I wanna bigger barrel!!

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You get my drift. I was going for dramatic effect.

LUVMYSIGP225 said:

So, let's say it didn't spread. You still just got shot with a .90 caliber, and the doctor is trying to figure out the best way to dig a total of nine .32 caliber bullets out of your chest cavity and head.

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Good point. Can't argue with that.

nikon777 said:

Good point. Can't argue with that.

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If you have your 9mm on you, it will take about 8 or 9 trigger pulls to equal the number of bleeds. Plus, ask any officer that has ever used a 12 gauge in defense. Very few people will stay on their feet after a 12 gauge blast to the body. Now, ask officers that have use 9mm's in defense.

Not knocking the 9mm, but just saying. If you are in my home, that means you are within 20 feet or so of me in any direction. I want you down NOW!!!

Tripledigitride said:

Yes, you still need to aim the shotgun, but it doesn't have to be quite so exact.

No choke is the best for HD. It will have more spread in a shorter distance.

Click to expand...

do not shoot a shotgun without a choke if you ever intend to put one back in it. there are very fine threads in the end of a shotgun barrell. shooting without a choke tube can destroy them. use an improved cylinder choke and you will get just as much spread. also like stated before at hd ranges the spread wont be over about 4-5" no matter what choke you use.