is the defense shotgun still relevant?

[ethanjordan]

I happened upon this article and found it mirroring my own shotgun usage as of late. I haven't gotten rid of my shotguns but I found I just don't use them for home defense since I finally accepted the fact that loads like the 55 grain M193 FMJ or soft point 223/5.56 in an AR won't penetrate as much as most handguns.

Its just pretty darn comforting to have 30 rounds at my disposal instead of only 6-8 rounds from a shotgun. Especially so when living close to the border with the possibility of a home invasion and facing multiple aggressors. Plus, the AR's lack of recoil makes it much better suited for the task of home defense for other members of my family.

The home defense shotgun is certainly effective and pretty cheap as well with all the budget pump guns out there. However, the shotguns day has passed as a home defense option for me. So is the defensive shotgun still your go-for a home defense long gun?

[PoorRichRichard]

My response is simply, “Does a bear $h1+ in the woods?”

[Cowboy T]

Hell, yes, it is. Remember that a defensive shotgun, in 12- or 20-gauge, can launch a bunch of 00-Buck-sized pellets at an assailant. That's generally going to put that assailant down right there. There's a reason why cops continue to carry shotguns in their patrol cars.

I may have only 7+1 in my Mossberg 500...but each one of those is a stopped assailant. A hit from a 12-gauge 00 Buck round, and they're not getting back up to hurt me.

Assuming a pump shotgun, there's also the ability to load more rounds, one at a time, rather quickly. I see some of the Cowboy Action Shooters doing this. Yes, it works, and yes, it's fast, if you practice at it as they do (and we all should!).

Now, if you're concerned about multiple aggressors, then I would also suggest a magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle in .308 Win. An example would be a CETME, PTR-91, or LR-308. I know the LR-308 can be made California-compliant; I'm not sure about the CETME-pattern rifles. So, let's assume an LR-308. Have multiple magazines ready and loaded with some good, expanding hunting ammo. If it'll drop a 4-legged aggressor, it'll also stop a two-legged aggressor.

[357manny]

In the case of multiple invaders in close confines (eg 2-3 coming through a doorway), 1 round of 12g 00-Buck out of a shotgun affects all of them. Pretty sweet.

I like my odds with an AR-15 in the same scenario, but that's multiple trigger pulls. Most people with a compliant AR-15 in the PRK will have 10 rounds at most. If you were lucky enough to get the Standard Cap Mags during Freedom week, great--we still have the great majority of AR-15 owners using 10 rounders.

In the end, either firearm choice works great--training and practice will make the difference.

[SandHill]

So is the defensive shotgun still your go-for a home defense long gun?

Yessir. Still is. I expect always will be. Yes, 30 rounds on hand would be comforting. If you get a horde of ISIS trained super Ninjas coming though every window at once, it will allow you to spray them all just like something out of Fortnite. When confronted with your garden variety home invader, spraying is a problem.

7+1 in my Winchester Defender feels like plenty for me for real world threats. Each round would be aimed, and each one is highly effective.

[HOTWHEELS1]

After the first round of any firearm i’m going to be royally screwed in court, but it will be easier to justify 1-2 rounds of 12gauge anything vs 30 rounds of m193...so a shotgun will always be my go to

[naz]

Why is this a rifle OR shotgun question?

You should think about it like a multigun match with rifle, shotgun AND pistol for ever member of your household who can have firearms

Edit: OP if you are that worried about home invasion, I hope you have multiple layers of security (bars, reinforced door, alarm etc etc)

[The War Wagon]

I have one - a GOOD one. But I've gotta blow through a LOT of 5.56 & .308, BEFORE I get to it.

[operavoice]

Simple math.
Kel-Tec KSG loaded with Aguila Mini Shell buckshot.
Every trigger pull = Five .30 caliber holes.
Each tube holds 11 rounds.
2 tubes = 22 rounds.
110 holes, no mag changes.

What was the question again?

[BillSmith]

operavoice-

Does the Kel-Tec cycle mini shells flawlessly?

[FeuerFrei]

Back in the day (que old time banjo music) people used their shotguns to put meat on the table so it became the default weapon used to repel boarders. Everybody had one and they worked. Then the deer rifle took over from there for the occasional hunting and security. People still cling to the shotgun legend as a default tho.

Sometimes the HD weapon is just what you can get to quickest and go to work. Bad things usually happen when you're unprepared and they never make appointments. Repel boarders with a pump or double barrel if that's handy. Just be sure you can make it ready and put it to work in a hurry. Practice and test your ammo yourself. Prove it to yourself that which works and what doesn't.

With the near endless selection of good ammo available you have lots of good choices for HD. Arguing about which is best to throw the bullet/shot at somebody isn't that productive any more IMO. Ends up being the same dogma or subjective choices ad nauseam.

*I would not use a big 30cal load for HD (30 carbine is gtg IMO). Even with SP/HP they drill through damn near anything at close ranges. xm193 or a hunting load in an AR will penetrate walls, hollow core doors, car doors, empty refrigerators and... well you get the picture.

*I have a little family ranch and I get to test a lot of internet folk lore on my 400 yd range and I analyze my own results. Most of what I see/read on the net are gun demos done by knuckleheads or industry "experts" that sell products and monetize their YT videos. Some info is correct, but most preach "pigeon religion" and it spreads like an STD.

[operavoice]

Mine does.

Launches the mini slugs in a nice group too.
Took 5 shots to zero the bull at 25 yards.

[BillSmith]

Thanks for info.

[theLBC]

of course
for some, it might be the first choice
for others it might be the last
for me, it depends on the situation.
in my present residence, it is very unlikely that there would be a home invasion, and it wouldn't be an easy target for many reasons.
in any case, if i was surprised, the handgun is already within reach and will be grabbed first, and 147gr. HST should take care of most threats if i am doing my part.
if there is ample warning, i may grab a shotgun as well, depending on the nature of the threat (if known). i prefer federal flitecontrol for one big hole and no stray pellets.
personally, i wouldn't need a rifle unless they were more than 50 yards away, but if my wife wanted to participate, i'd probably get her a little AR she could handle.

[k1dude]

Yes, as a general rule, the shotgun has been replaced by the AR for home defense among those in the know. It's faster, more capacity, easier to shoot, and penetrates walls less.

I've made it a point for the past couple decades to ask my tactical shotgun instructors what they have bedside. Without exception, they all had AR's bedside. These instructors all carried shotguns in the military and/or law enforcement. Some were still serving. But all said the AR was far superior for SD/HD.

Another thing to keep in mind is you still have to aim with a shotgun. At typical self defense distances, there's very little if any spread. You have to aim it just as well as if you were using a rifle.