HD Shotguns: Extra shell or intimidating sound?

[gotime]

5 in the mag tube + 1 in the hole

or

5 in the mag tube + ability to pump the shotgun and scare off any burglars.

I'm convinced the sound of a pump action will scare 99% of burglars off. This of course comes at the cost of having that extra shell chambered though.. What say you

[cntrolsguy]

There is nothing more intimidating than the sound of the 1st round going off!

[Freagan]

Why give away the ace in the hole? You just let them know you are armed and let them know where you are. If someones in my house I want to gun to go bang, not try and intimidate someone who also is probably armed.

[forgiven]

Chambered with safety on.

[Fjold]

When I pick up a weapon for self defense I want it ready to go that very second.

[SScott]

round.

[Turo]

Let's answer your question with another question.

You have already decided to draw a shotgun and confront a ppotentially armed home invader. Would you like to have a gun that fires lead or one that just makes noise?

You have to prepare for the worst case here. Not every home invader is going to make their presence known to you to allow yourself to "make an intimidating noise" and scare him off. Sounds don't stop people that are intent on causing you harm, lead does.

[emilio]

a gun not ready to fire is not a defensive weapon.

you never know - you may find yourself grappling literally face-to-face with a bad guy with no room to rack the slide.

- emilio

[evidens83]

That's for the movies. Here in the land of reality you don't want to have to take the time to rack a round.

this

[tgriffin]

Please... I'm taking the extra shell and element of surprise any day. I have to assume if they have the balls to break into my house, a sound isn't going to do the same trick as 00.

[gotime]

Good points gents.

[Merc1138]

The extra shell. If all I wanted was a noise maker I could just play a sound of pumping a shotgun over some speakers, it'd be cheaper than getting a shotgun.

[PsychGuy274]

Most criminals are deterred by the sight or sound of a firearm without discharge (Lott).

However, this is not absolute. Keep it locked and loaded. If you want to make a scary sound you can rack the slide and lose one live round. Big deal.

[Saym14]

There is nothing more intimidating than the sound of the 1st round going off!

this - extra shell. if you need the gun it is to protect your life. not to scare people.

[CrippledPidgeon]

5 in the mag tube + 1 in the hole

or

5 in the mag tube + ability to pump the shotgun and scare off any burglars.

I'm convinced the sound of a pump action will scare 99% of burglars off. This of course comes at the cost of having that extra shell chambered though.. What say you

Several thoughts:

-You can never have too much ammo in your gun.
-If you're confronted by an armed baddie in the night, which will be easier to remember when you're panicked, how to turn off the safety, or how to release the pump and rack it?
-Even assuming you've racked the pump, what if that baddie is one who is aggressive or crazy enough to still confront you? You have to figure that he already has the balls to break in WHILE YOU'RE STILL THERE, so the fact that you could be armed must have crossed his mind, and you've just let him know where you are.