Shotgun Question

[anomalee]

automatics jam, and you dont know it until you pull the trigger. with a pump you will feel it hang and know there is a problem. On the other hand the autoloader would be faster if you had to fight off a half dozen. I live in kentucky...and theres a good chance ive been called a redneck at some point....but if someone broke in my house...i would erase their face. There would be no wounding. Personally i shoot a .45 but for someone who isn't s shooter, and enthusiast a shotgun will fit the bill for home defense. As far as using it as a scare tactic...i wouldn't really recommend it. You may rack the action of the gun and scare off most of them, but someone will pull something out and try to shoot you first. The best rule for using guns for defense is that if you see it, your toast.

 

[AxtoOx]

Why not? Most police officers/armed guards carry them for exactly that--intimidation. Yes, policemen do shoot their guns occasionally, but guns in many situations are often used to scare someone into submissing to your orders. I see no problem with using it as a scare tactic in the case that someone breaks into your house.
If I were you, I'd go for a handgun because they are smaller, easier to handle, and more easily hidden in a place where you could grab it in an emergency. Also, if you ever were to shoot your gun (I hope you'll never have to), it should be known that shotguns make quite a big mess, if you know what I mean.
-Alex
edit: I see you're talking about children...that sort of brings a whole new aspect into consideration. I am young and do not have children, but if I did, I'm not so sure if I would even make them aware of whatever gun I might own for their safety's sake. Yes, most kids can't shoot themselves with a shotgun, but they certainly could accidentally shoot each other or someone else entirely. Children and guns do not mix well--even the most responsible child could get curious around such a "no no" item as you said and make a big mistake.

It's a good way to get yourself killed, the other guy if armed will shoot.
Police have body armor and rules of engagement.

 

[guy n. cognito]

automatics jam, and you dont know it until you pull the trigger.

So do pumps. I had a Winchester 1300 Defender that would double feed on a regular basis, and couldn't be put back into service without being fully dismantled.

On another note, I'm waiting for a certain someone to join this thread..........

 

[BassManPatsFan]

^ Good point about endangering yourself by displaying your weapon. Like anything, there is a professional way to go about personal security--maybe there are classes you could take on armed defense if you really want to. Or, I guess you could join the police force.
-Alex

 

[Jeff Martinez]

The NRA offers a good veriety of home-defense firearms classes. No matter how much you might think you know, it's always a good idea to get a bit of training.

 

[guy n. cognito]

The NRA offers a good veriety of home-defense forearms classes. No matter how much you might think you know, it's always a good idea to get a bit of training.

Very true. I have taken some private defensive shotgun training classes, which taught things about spreads, aimpoints, malfunction clearance, moving with the shotgun, etc. There's alot more to it that spray and pray.

 

[kserg]

Shotgun is defenatly way to go with home protection IMO. You have far less chance of hitting someone outside your house as with a gun/rifle if you miss it might go through window/wall and be powerful enough to injure someone else. Shotgun with semi low power won't do that.

As far as spread concern, you control it with a choke. You can make it spread fairly wide or fairly nerrow. That's all up to you. Shot gun i use has ajusteble choke.

There are basically 3 types of chokes: Full, modiffied and Improved.

I wouldn't worry about kick too much. In general heaveir the shotgun lower kick it has. If she hold it tight enough she'll be fine. when firing rifle/shotgun you gotta hold it very tight and in general you will be ok.

I personally recommand Remington 870. Decent kick, nice gun IMO.

You are a good man to worry about training, defenatly good idea to have everyone in house trained with guns if you have a gun in your house.

 

[AxtoOx]

^ Good point about endangering yourself by displaying your weapon. Like anything, there is a professional way to go about personal security--maybe there are classes you could take on armed defense if you really want to. Or, I guess you could join the police force.
-Alex

He says he's going to take one and I highly recommend it to any gun owner.
BTW, the police officers I know would not warn anyone entering their house, but that's around here. Our police dept. encourages concealed carry licenses. He lives in Calif. 2 whole different worlds and completely different laws.
He has a 10 day or 2 week wait, we have instant background checks and you can walk right out of the store with an AR 15, just as soon as the FBI clears you.

 

[AxtoOx]

Shotgun is defenatly way to go with home protection IMO. You have far less chance of hitting someone outside your house as with a gun/rifle if you miss it might go through window/wall and be powerful enough to injure someone else. Shotgun with semi low power won't do that.

As far as spread concern, you control it with a choke. You can make it spread fairly wide or fairly nerrow. That's all up to you. Shot gun i use has ajusteble choke.

There are basically 3 types of chokes: Full, modiffied and Improved.

They have handgun shell now that are fragment. They disperse on impact. Safety Glasers come to minds.
I don't know about windows though.
Most shotguns w/ a choke are hunting guns and hard to use indoors. Besides how much spread are you going to get in a room. That's for choosing between ducks or quail.

 

[guy n. cognito]

As far as spread concern, you control it with a choke. You can make it spread fairly wide or fairly nerrow. That's all up to you. Shot gun i use has ajusteble choke.

There are basically 3 types of chokes: Full, modiffied and Improved.

While this is true, you generally can't use anything but your most open choke tube with defensive rounds (00 or 000 buckshot) Anything tighter causes the large buck to bounce off of each other in the tube, making the pattern worse and larger.

 

[kserg]

here is a better idea, just make sure you have a decent lock on your door, there is no need for a gun...

This isn't a political discussion, so I don't want anybody saying something that will get my thread closed down.

Why must you do this?

 

[machine gewehr]

Woaa shutgun for home? Even if you shot the bad guys in the leg,it would take the leg off wouldn't it? And if you shoot them in the torso it would tear 'em apart.In the head,you'll collect the brains from the walls.

I'm saying that because we can't kill the bad guys even in our home because of the law.I don't know all about it though.Is it OK there to kill 'em? Couse if it is,I'd go with a shotgun too.

 

[kserg]

They have handgun shell now that are fragment. They disperse on impact. Safety Glasers come to minds.
I don't know about windows though.
Most shotguns w/ a choke are hunting guns and hard to use indoors. Besides how much spread are you going to get in a room. That's for choosing between ducks or quail.

I am more worried about 1) glass and 2) open door behind the criminal. Having said about how i think shotguns are good for protection, I don't have one in home.

As far as choke, i guess i withdraw my comments. Sorry.

While this is true, you generally can't use anything but your most open choke tube with defensive rounds (00 or 000 buckshot) Anything tighter causes the large buck to bounce off of each other in the tube, making the pattern worse and larger.

Hmm, intresting... so would modified chock be the best one? It's not really tight but doesn't go all over the place either? I have not used defensive rounds...

 

[SomecallmeTim]

Woaa shutgun for home? Even if you shot the bad guys in the leg,it would take the leg off wouldn't it? And if you shoot them in the torso it would tear 'em apart.In the head,you'll collect the brains from the walls.

People hunt squirrels with shotguns, man. Your average shotgun isn't going to tear someone in half, regardless of what you see in video games and horror movies.

 

[guy n. cognito]

I am more worried about 1) glass and 2) open door behind the criminal. Having said about how i think shotguns are good for protection, I don't have one in home.

As far as choke, i guess i withdraw my comments. Sorry.



Hmm, intresting... so would modified chock be the best one? It's not really tight but doesn't go all over the place either? I have not used defensive rounds...

Depends on the shotgun. On my 870 and my Winchester Defender, they recommended the use of only the "Open" Choke.

 

[AxtoOx]

Woaa shutgun for home? Even if you shot the bad guys in the leg,it would take the leg off wouldn't it? And if you shoot them in the torso it would tear 'em apart.In the head,you'll collect the brains from the walls.

I'm saying that because we can't kill the bad guys even in our home because of the law.I don't know all about it though.Is it OK there to kill 'em? Couse if it is,I'd go with a shotgun too.

You don't know your guns very well.
Here in Oklahoma, I can shoot anyone who is not invited into my home legally. Other states are more strict.

 

[anomalee]

This isn't a political discussion, so I don't want anybody saying something that will get my thread closed down. [/SIZE]

I was expecting a Dich Cheney joke when i first read this.

I forgot to offer my take on kids and guns. Im not saying you should take your 3 year old shooting...but i think that teaching kids about guns should be a little more involved than teaching them they are a 'no no'. Teach them about guns, how to use them and especially what they do. If you take a child out and show them that a .12 guage shotgun will blow a watermelon into a million pieces, they will have a better understanding of why guns are a no no. My dad taught me to shoot a bb gun when i was 4 years old. He also showed me what a shotgun would do and that showed me why i wasn't allowed to play with guns. My son is only 3, but i have shot my pistols in front of him (with mommy holding his ears) and explained to him what they are and what they do. I always keep my guns locked up, but he never even tries to mess with my cabinet.

 

[machine gewehr]

People hunt squirrels with shotguns, man. Your average shotgun isn't going to tear someone in half, regardless of what you see in video games and horror movies.

Couple of years ago I remember a psycho busting in a house with a shotgun and shooting the man in the head......Result:No heads.

If they are weak as you say,is it the same for military shotguns?They are supposed to tear apart you know.

 

[Dean N]

my .02:

If you point a gun at someone, you better be intending to kill them.

I have a short barrel Remington Wingmaster (12 gauge pump) under my bed. I got it used; it used to live in a police officer's trunk. I'd like to get pistol grips and a tactical light for it, but it just hasn't happened (yet). 00 buck.

You want wide spread, and low penetration through walls (to minimize collateral damage). That means no choke.

Sorry if this is reiteration; I didn't read the whole thread.

Oh, a street cleaner would be nice! I think they're illegal though...

 

[anomalee]

the right shotgun at the right distance with the right ammo would blow an arm or a leg off...easily. It would have to be one charming motherf__king shotgun to explode a torso though.