Why Shotguns?

[Crusader]

I've shot 1oz slugs that shoot through stacks of 2x8s and don't stop, where some handgun rounds might penetrate 2 or 3 boards.

And I've seen shotguns place a 5" or 6" group at over 100 meters fairly easily, which to me is just fine. A torso shot is all that's needed.

And of course buckshot will still penetrate walls, but it won't shoot through 8 or 10 like Box o Truth found, or whatever his experiment was.

[mcubed4130]

Penetrate may not be the right word for a slug at distance... but... inertia is a hard thing so stop... as a car wheel braced with river rocks on the 50gallon barrel - at 188 yards found out one day... :-)

223 made cute holes... 600gr 3" magnums launched the entire 15" car wheel and all the river rocks holding it off it's perch. :-D

-M3

[tombinghamthegreat]

Shotguns are great for CQC in urban and jungle warfare. Its also great for HD to clear rooms. Also if the user lacks in accuracy with long guns and handguns the shotgun is the type they would depend on. Every gun has its flaws and may be better in certain situations.

[lasereye]

Penetrate may not be the right word for a slug at distance... but... inertia is a hard thing so stop... as a car wheel braced with river rocks on the 50gallon barrel - at 188 yards found out one day... :-)

223 made cute holes... 600gr 3" magnums launched the entire 15" car wheel and all the river rocks holding it off it's perch. :-D

-M3

I've Shot FED.TAC. slugs at empty beer kegs at 110 yards,( not my deposit ) with my 20" Mossy. Easy as hell to hit at that range with the most incredible entry holes and even more incredible exits.

[fusionstar]

Your pros negate your cons.

[rassd71]

It's hard to find anything to contribute to this thread on. There was a lot of good information that reinforces my desire to add a shotgun for HD.

One point that was dismissed was a shotguns ability to intimidate and the value this has.

A friend of mine on another forum once told a story from when he lived in an apartment in Chicago. They frequently had people 'testing' the doors at night. Shaking the handles to see if they were locked or if the doors were fully closed. One night about midnight he heard someone at the door. Now I don't recall if he grabbed a 45 or shotgun, but the result was the same. He quietly stood behind the door and worked the action. He could hear them gasp and take off running. As he said to someone with bad intentions, that is the sound of the gates of hell opening up.

As a father and husband, I hope I never have to shoot someone in my home. Not out of regret for taking a life in a self defense situation, but for the level of risk to my family that would have to be present for that to occur. But if I have to, I was limited over penetration and as much stopping power as I can get.

just my 2cents worth. But thank you to everyone who made this an interesting read!

[Dark&Good]

You know your home enough so you don't hook into things nearly as often as an intruder would... even if you'd carry a broom.
I went hunting, had no recoil pad on, no Knoxx stock... when I shot at a poor deer, I forgot everything about recoil. If you're not completely lame, you won't give a sh*@&t about it while fighting for your life :-) And, flinching to recoil is mostly mental reaction - won't necessarily happen if higher necessity levels arise...
If you don't wanna give away your position, use a long Busse Combat knife rather than a pistol ;-) But in HD, I wouldn't be too worried to give away my position. I would give it away in the following way: "BOOM! (shotgun blast) Now you'll never know where death came from, sucker..."
2.5" with 3 slugs at 50 yds - good enough for me... "There was a head there before..."

[Dark&Good]

The hunting slug was a Brenneke Black Magic 3" - I don't have anything else at home right now, sorry ;-)

[Dark&Good]

Do Black Magics care that body armor is present at 15 feet?

[mcubed4130]

Do Black Magics care that body armor is present at 15 feet?

Depends on the body armor... but in general - at that range; you are likely to penetrate unless the hit the ceramic plate.

-M3

[Dark&Good]

And if I don't? Isn't that too much resistance? I"m figuring the impact energy is being spread over the resistant surface... how big is that? Doesn't the guy fall back?

[mcubed4130]

And if I don't? Isn't that too much resistance? I"m figuring the impact energy is being spread over the resistant surface... how big is that? Doesn't the guy fall back?

Assuming you aren't dealing with movie physics... you are still applying 3000+ ft lbs of force in a .73" diameter round - to your attacker.

So yes you are very likely... to stop your attacker - even without penetration through the plate - due to any number of things... getting slammed by the weight of a small sub-compact car... likely breaking ribs, or other bones, depending on hit location knocking the attacker off their feet... etc...

Btw, with training you can also fire a pump action shotgun very fast; so the double-tap would be possible.

-M3