Racking a pump action shotgun: Deterrent or Provoker?

[calibased]

Racking a pump action shotgun: Deterrent or Provoker?

There's This saying from Doug machida. Something like "weapons are meant to be felt not seen"

That really stuck with me. I never want the person to know I'm armed until I'm ready to engage. This gives me potential for tactical advantage

[Mitch]

I never want the person to know I'm armed until I'm ready to engage. This gives me potential for tactical advantage

He's going to know I'm armed because I'll be yelling, "I'm armed and calling 911, now get out of here!"

[NoNOS67]

Now that we cleared that up...buckshot or birdshot?

[Mayor McRifle]

Now that we cleared that up...buckshot or birdshot?

Buckshot.

[TacticalThug]

"I never want the person to know I'm armed until I'm ready to engage. This gives me potential for tactical advantage" Are you going to hide in the dark and shoot a moving shadow without warning?

[003]

Hmmmm . . .



Sounds like real-world experience to me . . .

Originally Posted by jyo View Post

"Well, I am one of the few who actually used an 870 to end a potential armed robbery. I was the manager of a gun store in the SFV---a couple of hours before closing, two guys came into the store to case it out---we could tell because they didn't look at any guns or stuff and were dressed as gang guys---and yes they were young black men (we had several black customers)---they looked us up and down, tried to look thru the door into the back room, etc.
I was openly armed with the Browning Hi Power I always carried (plus a Walther TPH in my pocket)---my store worker was also openly armed with a stainless Colt Commander 45 he always carried. In addition, there were several 4" DA 38 Special revolvers located secretly behind the counter around the store in case you needed another weapon. Behind the door into the back room rested a chamber-empty but otherwise fully loaded Remington 870 with factory mag extension.
We were creeped out by these guys and were put on alert by their actions. Later, just before closing time, I was in back doing paperwork when my guy in the showroom informs me: "They're back!" Yeah, they were back, this time with two cars and three more guys! I grabbed the 870 on my way out to the front of the store and approached the front door---I had placed a whole row of large, heavy gun safes on either side of the door to use as cover if needed. The five of them got out of their cars and were coming towards the front door (we had already called the cops). As they approached the door, I hid behind the safes and racked a round into the 870's chamber---EVERYBODY knew what this meant---and they all turned tail back towards their cars, swearing out loud!
The cops arrived just in time to capture one of the cars and it's passengers---the others got away.
So, I am firmly on the side of racking a shotgun just before action starts..."




Was it the sound of the action being worked, or was it the fact that the bad guys saw the manager with the shotgun and noted that he was prepared to use it if necessary.

My comments are/were directed to those that believe the sound of a shotgun racking has some mystical power.

I firmly believe that the legal display of a firearm can very definately have a positive effect on a bad guy.

[TacticalThug]

Was it the sound of the action being worked, or was it the fact that the bad guys saw the manager with the shotgun and was prepared to use it if necessary.

My comments are/were directed to those that believe the sound of a shotgun racking has some mystical power.

I firmly believe that the legal display of a firearm can very definately have a positive effect on a bad guy.

It was both, no one is saying to play an MP3 clip of a racking shotgun and for some reason it casts a spell on potential intruders that make them fly away to fairyland. The sound of any gun racking being cocked or even yelling I have a gun IS enough most of the time, and IF it aint you are already ready for any threat. But I digress, by all means please shoot at anything without any type of warning.

[OutlawDon]

Now that we cleared that up...buckshot or birdshot?

Slugs.

Bam!!!!

[Mayor McRifle]

I firmly believe that the legal display of a firearm can very definately have a positive effect on a bad guy.

I absolutely agree. But we're getting away from the primary point of this thread. The OP asked whether the sound of a shotgun being racked was a "deterrent" or a "provoker." Do those who are arguing that the sound of a shotgun being racked has no deterrent effect on a home intruder believe that it actually provokes an attack instead?

[bsg]

my primary objective in the event of a break-in is to ensure the safety of myself and loved ones. that means ensuring that loved ones are in a safe room while calling 911, and me not separating from them. i'm not going to do a room clearing exercise that will leave my loved ones to fend for themselves.

i'm not going to assume anything about human nature or the potential reaction to a fear stimulus by bad guys when my life and the lives of my loved ones are at stake. one size does not fit all and what may well work with one may or may not be effective with another. with that in mind, if i know there are bad guys in my home it is essential to me that my weapons be ready to go. i'm not going to wait until a psychologically strategic moment to chamber a round in any weapon that i've chosen to employ.

[toby]

Probably works as well as (Stop! Police, put your hands up)..

[NIB]

I laugh when the shotgun pumping debate kicks up. I've personally seen a crowd of 100+ run like the building was on fire when a deputy racked the slide on his shotgun. Long story short, someone threw a bottle at the deputy's car. He exits car with shotgun in hand and racks the slide. Sure was able to hear it clearly over the sound of the crowd.

[Mayor McRifle]

I laugh when the shotgun pumping debate kicks up. I've personally seen a crowd of 100+ run like the building was on fire when a deputy racked the slide on his shotgun. Long story short, someone threw a bottle at the deputy's car. He exits car with shotgun in hand and racks the slide. Sure was able to hear it clearly over the sound of the crowd.

Uh oh . . . more real-world experience . . .

("But that tacticool guy on YouTube said it was a myth!")

[AceGirlsHusband]

I'm sorry, this isn't a Hollywood myth. I live in the hood, and have had so much experience with criminals. 98 percent of the time the sight or sound of a gun is enough, no need to murder anyone.

Using a firearm to kill in self-defense is not murder. It is a justifiable homicide.

[AceGirlsHusband]

I'm going to rush into my safe room and hit the button to play a continuous loop, high-fidelity recording of my 870 being racked. A loudspeaker in every room should drive the BG crazy. If that doesn't deter him/her, I can switch to a barking Rottweiler recording.