HD Question

[ceh383]

I understand this is the shotgun forum, but, I will ask here anyway.
There have been threads about which shotgun round is best for HD (personally I like #1 buck), the question I pose is...

Shotgun, rifle or pistol...Which would you choose for HD and why?

I understand each choice has its advantages and disadvantages.

My preference is Shotgun first, pistol second and rifle last.

Here is what I have to work with...

[deadcoyote]

It really depends on the situation. I live on acreage and have bear issues. If it sounds like someone is trying to break into my actual house ill typically grab a pistol as its easier to work around indoors. If it sounds like a person/animal is messing with a vehicle/outbuilding outside ill grab a shotgun for better range and bear splat ability.

[NYCShooter]

IMO, at typical HD distsnce (7-10 yds., max) there is no better all-around weapon than a shotgun loaded with #1 buck, specifically, LE132-1B.

[TwinStick]

IMO, at typical HD distsnce (7-10 yds., max) there is no better all-around weapon than a shotgun loaded with #1 buck, specifically, LE132-1B.

Unless you're worried about over-penetration.

[NYCShooter]

Unless you're worried about over-penetration.

Any load that is going to be effective will need to penetrate walls to have enough power to penetrate bad guys. If our only concern was to be sure we didn't penetrate walls, we would use BB guns. However, BB guns will not stop bad guys. Therefore, we must use loads that will STOP bad guys, and this means that they will also penetrate walls. So, be sure you hit the bad guy and do not shoot into walls where loved ones are on the other side. And, BTW, LE132-1B is a reduced velocity load.

You are not going to make an argument for birdshot, are you?

[bigbearbear]

I went with shotguns for HD, both wife and I have our own shotguns (Benelli semi-autos), we use low recoil or LE type 00 buckshots because they're effective, cheap and readily available online.

We selected shotguns because we shoot clay targets with them almost every week (trap and some sporting clays). We shoot 200 to 300 rounds each weekend, so we're fairly proficient and comfortable with them.

I think your choice of firearms should be based on what you're most proficient and comfortable shooting with. So if you have selected your shotgun as your HD firearm, make sure you practice with it often.

[Rosereader]

Personally I grab my shotgun first, loaded with 2 3/4" 00 buckshot.
Second, I grab my other shotgun, loaded with 2 3/4" 00 buckshot.

The Winchester "military". 9-pellet green hulls. They pattern well from my guns and are readily available, and I like to rely on the ammunition I practice with most.

The third would be my BHP, loaded with Federal Hydra-shok, which it likes to feed well. (It's an older weapon so it can be a little picky).

And then, and only then would I pick up on of my rifles. Because I really, really hate to think about what 7.62x54r would do to the drywall of the house down the road.

[NYCShooter]

And then, and only then would I pick up on of my rifles. Because I really, really hate to think about what 7.62x54r would do to the drywall of the house down the road.

I know what you mean. Back in the day, in the USMC, we range-qualified with the M14, chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO round at 500 yds. - without a scope. Talk about penetration: I would be concerned about the drywall of more than one house down the road!

[calif 15-22]

There is no right or wrong answer, only what works for you and where you live.

Having said that . . . I would not use my AR's for anything other than defending my home from SHTF type scenarios.

By my bed XD9 Tactical with Crimson Trace.
In my closet Remy 870 loaded with #00 and Surefire light.
I sleep well with both near by.

I don't feel as comfortable with my ARs as home defense especially inside the home. But that's just me.

[Frito Bandido]

Depends...

If I need to get to another part of the house, the handgun. You are able to open doors or pull someone while still aiming the weapon. Going around corners and maneuvering in tight quarters is easier. A mounted weapon-light can be easily actuated with one-handed operation as well.

If I'm going to hunker down in a room with the wife and kid while we wait for the police, the shotgun comes out.

I don't think I would consider the rifle at all for indoor use.... maybe only a SHTF type scenario.

[Marquand]

Depends...

If I need to get to another part of the house, the handgun. You are able to open doors or pull someone while still aiming the weapon. Going around corners and maneuvering in tight quarters is easier. A mounted weapon-light can be easily actuated with one-handed operation as well.

If I'm going to hunker down in a room with the wife and kid while we wait for the police, the shotgun comes out.

I don't think I would consider the rifle at all for indoor use.... maybe only a SHTF type scenario.

This is pretty much my thought as well. If you have to maneuver to a child's room or your designated safe room, a handgun offers significant advantages: Better weapon retention in the event of coming across a baddy at point-blank range, allowing the firearm to be deployed while opening doors, working lights or safe combinations, and gathering or carrying a child or loved one.

One you are in your barricade position, passing the handgun to a qualified user and taking up the shotgun makes sense. You now have an unparalleled fight stopper and it's requirement of two handed use is no longer a liability. While the rifle can be used in this capacity as well, this is the sweet spot for shotgun use so I'd go to it first.

If you are facing a social unrest/riot/end-of-the-world situation where your engagement range now extends beyond your front door, the rifle becomes king with it's better accuracy and increased onboard ammunition supply.

All three of your chosen firearms are excellent tools for your intended purpose. But just like golf clubs, one gets his best results when tailoring each one to the situation where it's advantages can be best employed.

[bernieb90]

As usual it depends on many variables. As mentioned before any projectile with enough energy to penetrate 12"+ of human tissue will easily penetrate drywall. A person could punch a hole through drywall I am not sure why people think it should stop bullets.

At close range the shotgun remains the most effective personal defense firearm available, but it has limitations as well. They are often heavier than rifles typically used for self defense, and have a more limited capacity. Recoil can be significant for smaller shooters. This often reduces practice time significantly. A shotgun pattern precludes precision shooting. Slugs can be selected, but overpenetration in the urban environment can be an issue. Some slugs also use a separate wad that cause injury to a hostage even if the slug hits its mark.

A magazine fed carbine chambered in 5.56/.223 is actually what I consider an ideal HD tool. Contrary to popular belief most .223/5.56 loads exhibit LESS overall penetration potential after penetrating intermediate barriers than service caliber pistol bullets or buckshot. The carbine has higher capacity, less recoil, and reloads faster as well. There is a good reason that almost every SWAT team I the country uses the M4 car one or other variant for urban entry work.

[ceh383]

The firearm I am most comfortable with is a 1911/1911a1. I have put more rounds through this platform, in various situations, than all other weapons combined. That being said, my eyesight is not what it used to be, I am nowhere near as good as I used to be with a 45. These days, I shoot a shotgun the most, and am quite comfortable with one. The AR, well, it is a very good platform for HD as well, when loaded with the proper ammo.
My personal first choice is a 1911, but I would not feel disadvantaged with either the shotgun or the AR...How about you?

[8886]

Sub 2000, it's a jack of all trades.

I feel comfortable enough with it to pick it up at the drop of a hat vs. other options. Also, I live in a free state so I can rock 30 rounders...

[ceh383]

Sub 2000, it's a jack of all trades.

I feel comfortable enough with it to pick it up at the drop of a hat vs. other options. Also, I live in a free state so I can rock 30 rounders...

Well, you don't live in Commiefornia. That gun here would be a PITA to get legally... IMHO, not worth the trouble...