Is a shotgun good for home defense?

Millie

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Pros and cons of shotguns for home defense please?
 
The very best weapon one can have for home defense (besides that thing between your ears) is that weapon you are most proficient with and comfortable to safely use.

Lots of other things to consider as well such as where do you live (neighbors, condo, etc), who else lives in your home and in what room, etc.

So yes, a shotgun can be a great home defense weapon depending upon your KSA's.
 
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The very best weapon one can have for home defense (besides that thing between your ears) is that weapon you are most proficient with and comfortable to safely use.

Lots of other things to consider as well such as where do you live (neighbors, condo, etc), who else lives in your home and in what room, etc.

So yes, a shotgun can be a great home defense weapon depending upon your KSA's.
Neighbors are not very close, live in an old house, mostly on my own but not always. Just trying g to get an idea about whether I might want to try one out. Many robberies in our area, don't always feel safe. And to think just a few years ago nobody even locked their doors around here! Scary how things have changed in such a short time. Very sad...
 
A shotgun could be an excellent choice for HD.

Do some homework on bbl length, action type, capacity, and ammo choices. Bbl needs to legal length, but shorter is better for maneuvering in a hallway. I'd want 5-round capacity, so no SxS for me. Pump or semi-auto would be my choice.

Also, look into how far different shot sizes or slugs penetrate walls. This is a fun place to start: https://www.theboxotruth.com/

Figure out what gauge you're comfortable with, and start shooting & get a feel for it.

Understand that HD shotgunning is different than wingshooting or clay shooting.
 
Pistols make holes in bodies ... Rifles make thru bodies ... Shotguns blow chunks off bodies!

Now as to usage depends as others have said above. Your home’s variables along kinda what firearm and type ammo combo you use along with your familiarity with said firearms.
 
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As another member said shoot what you’re comfortable with.

For me personally, I don’t like them for home defense for several reasons.

First and foremost, I don’t like something that kicks that hard for CQB. And since my HD long weapon also needs to be able to be handled by my wife I really don’t want something that kicks that hard.

For HD I prefer an AR. A short barreled AR to be exact. I’m extremely familiar with it’s funciton and so is my wife. It will penetrate most body armor, at close CQB range is devastating on soft tissue and the light recoil will ensure I don’t lose site of my threat.

I also really like the idea of having 30 rounds at my disposal. Just in case.
 
There are a lot of 20 gauge pump shotguns with 18" barrels available for reduced recoil. You can also get low recoil 12 gauge shells. Most will accommodate 5 shells with the plug taken out, some more with an extender.
 
There are a lot of 20 gauge pump shotguns with 18" barrels available for reduced recoil. You can also get low recoil 12 gauge shells. Most will accommodate 5 shells with the plug taken out, some more with an extender.

Another option is run Aguila Minishells #1/#4 Buck combo shells which carry a good payload, ease on recoil and up the rounds in the mag tube. A Mossberg 500 or 590 w/ an OPSol Mini-Clip adapter runs ‘em real nice.
 
Pros and cons of shotguns for home defense please?

Good evening Millie.

I think it’s good that you’re asking questions, but you seem somewhat discombobulated. I believe that you purchased a 38 revolver recently, and now you’re thinking about a shotgun. Everyone here will encourage you to buy more guns, we all like them. I suggest however that you think about how you’re going to get comfortable with your new weapons. There is good training available, some of it provided by and primarily for women. You might want to reach out to @Miss Lily , I believes she still moderates the women shooters section here and can probably suggest something from training to just meeting a group of shooters at a range close to you.

All that said, I prefer a pistol to a shotgun, and there is generally a lever gun by the bedroom door. Wife has a 38 revolver.
 
Just occurred to me that my post probably came across as condescending and misogynistic, not my intent at all.
 
If you can handle the recoil, I think something as maneuverable as the Mossberg Shockwave in close quarters (indoors) (max distance in my house 30 feet) is very formidable. One solid hit from one round of 00 buck is similar ballistically to being shot by 7+ rounds of .380 at one time!! Take that bad guy :) when the shockwave is empty grab your handgun as a backup...
 
Good evening Millie.

I think it’s good that you’re asking questions, but you seem somewhat discombobulated. I believe that you purchased a 38 revolver recently, and now you’re thinking about a shotgun. Everyone here will encourage you to buy more guns, we all like them. I suggest however that you think about how you’re going to get comfortable with your new weapons. There is good training available, some of it provided by and primarily for women. You might want to reach out to @Miss Lily , I believes she still moderates the women shooters section here and can probably suggest something from training to just meeting a group of shooters at a range close to you.

All that said, I prefer a pistol to a shotgun, and there is generally a lever gun by the bedroom door. Wife has a 38 revolver.
I am considering many things in life...just gathering information right now. I have been advised by Miss Lily already and have gotten great information. I do plan to purchase more guns...I like them, not only for their protection, but also aesthetically. But I always do plenty of research. Hence all these questions. The shotgun is way in the future. I'm going to a range as soon as I deal with home repairs. Thanks for responding! I appreciate all input.
 
If you can handle the recoil, I think something as maneuverable as the Mossberg Shockwave in close quarters (indoors) (max distance in my house 30 feet) is very formidable. One solid hit from one round of 00 buck is similar ballistically to being shot by 7+ rounds of .380 at one time!! Take that bad guy :) when the shockwave is empty grab your handgun as a backup...
I'll look into that when I visit gun shops...just to see what they're like. Big recoil sounds like I need to find a person who has one and try it out! Thanks!
 
Just occurred to me that my post probably came across as condescending and misogynistic, not my intent at all.
No offense taken! It's nice that you took the time to offer much-needed advice, which is, after all, why I came here!
 
short answer: yes, and while nobody wants to get shot with anything - bird shot is for little birds. Use buck or slugs.
Also consider that you won't be taking the shotgun with you when you leave and you've been having break-ins in your neighborhood. You'll need a way to secure it when not at home, which adds to the expense.

If you can only buy one then I'd buy a mid-sized handgun for double duty as daily carry and home defense.
If your budget allows for more guns and storage than a shotgun or an AR-15 with a weapon-mounted light should be on the list.
 
short answer: yes, and while nobody wants to get shot with anything - bird shot is for little birds. Use buck or slugs.
Also consider that you won't be taking the shotgun with you when you leave and you've been having break-ins in your neighborhood. You'll need a way to secure it when not at home, which adds to the expense.

If you can only buy one then I'd buy a mid-sized handgun for double duty as daily carry and home defense.
If your budget allows for more guns and storage than a shotgun or an AR-15 with a weapon-mounted light should be on the list.
I do need to think of a hiding place! Can't leave the house with an arsenal, can I? I'm still getting used to taking the revolver with me....it's all very weird to me. Those prepper sites have all kinds of ideas for hiding your stuff...
 
Not saying this is right for you because we are all different, but my choice for home defense is a pistol caliber carbine and I think you should at least consider them.

They are light recoiling, very easy to hit what you are aiming at compared to a pistol, hold many many rounds (typically about 30), and don't produce the ear shattering muzzle blast that a shotgun or rifle do, the last thing being something I worry about in a confined area like a hallway. Also better suited to defending against multiple attackers IMO. Lots of firepower in a package a grandmother could easily handle.
 
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Not saying this is right for you because we are all different, but my choice for home defense is a pistol caliber carbine and I think you should at least consider them.

They are light recoiling, very easy to hit what you are aiming at compared to a pistol, hold many many rounds (typically about 30), and don't produce the ear shattering muzzle blast that a shotgun or rifle do, the last thing being something I worry about in a confined area like a hallway. Also better suited to defending against multiple attackers IMO. Lots of firepower in a package a grandmother could easily handle.
I'll look into that too, then! Not that I'm a Granny! But old enough to be, I guess....sheesh! I don't feel like a granny!
 
I use a shotgun, Benelli Nova. It has 7.5 bird shot in it to begin, then buckshot followed by slugs. I would likely be shooting down the stairs so I am not worried about penetration through walls so it will just progressively worse if teh first round does not persuade them to go elsewhere.

Nice thing about a shotgun the aiming especially with bird and buck shot does not have to be precise. Point and pull.
 
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lots of good replies

my .02


IMHO
A shotgun is the most practical weapon for a typical woman you can get. (not that your typical because your not otherwise you wouldn't be on CFF)

You can just basically point at the intruder with out having to use a lot of time trying to get a good bead, also less collateral damage to a neighbors home etc . There are many different types available some with a pistol grip etc.

I have a Remington Tac14 which I keep loaded with low recoil .00 buckshot btw its fun to shoot, this is one of my truck guns.

I have shot the aguila mini shells through it and to be honest .38 revolver has more recoil just MO. That being said I have a G19 on my night stand every night.
 
You definitely have to aim a shotgun as much as you would any long gun. At across the room distances there is hardly any dispersion of the pellets, maybe an inch or two. Then you have to recover from the recoil, rack the slide (most HD shotguns are pump operated), and aim again if you missed or there is more than one BG.
 
You definitely have to aim a shotgun as much as you would any long gun. At across the room distances there is hardly any dispersion of the pellets, maybe an inch or two. Then you have to recover from the recoil, rack the slide (most HD shotguns are pump operated), and aim again if you missed or there is more than one BG.
Hmmm...not liking the idea of a shotgun so much after some of these posts. Maybe just stick with "not shotguns"... But I'll keep an open mind on it.
 
You definitely have to aim a shotgun as much as you would any long gun. At across the room distances there is hardly any dispersion of the pellets, maybe an inch or two. Then you have to recover from the recoil, rack the slide (most HD shotguns are pump operated), and aim again if you missed or there is more than one BG.


Actually you point a shotgun, most do not have rear sights just a bead. Shooting 3 gun has really helped my shotgun skills. Pump is not an issue and recoil on bird is not that much. If I am using a shotgun it is down the stairs and that is 15 yards probably. It has a fixed open choke barrel and the pattern at that distance is easily man sizedfor 7.5. With any home defense weapon you need to use it and know it. If it is a shotgun pattern it at the distance you will likely use it at.
 
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Actually you point a shotgun, most do not have rear sights just a bead. Shooting 3 gun has really helped my shotgun skills. Pump is not an issue and recoil on bird is not that much. If I am using a shotgun it is down the stairs and that is 15 yards probably. It has a fixed open choke barrel and the pattern at that distance is easily man sizedfor 7.5. With any home defense weapon you need to use it and know it. If it is a shotgun pattern it at the distance you will likely use it at.
Thanks. Are you near Scotland co.?
 
I have quite a few shotguns, of different sizes, configurations, actions, and calibers.
None of them are slated for home defense, with the exception of one; Taurus Judge.
 
Hmmm...not liking the idea of a shotgun so much after some of these posts. Maybe just stick with "not shotguns"... But I'll keep an open mind on it.
Consider a 410. Its very deadly and less amounts of recoil. There is no perfect home defence gun. All will have negatives. A short 410 and some practice and you be a regular mall ninja in no time.
 
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