Bird/Buck/Slug what does LE use

[FalconLair]

in their shotguns?

taking into consideration spread, penetration, distance - im trying to decide what i want to use as HD shells for my home - im leaning toward birdshot mainly because i figure any real threat to me will be close range in my home - i don't consider my shotgun as my primary go to gun for HD, but, if the situation ever did arise i wouldn't hesitate

i'd also like to hear what kind of loads LE use and WHY?

what do they take into consideration when deciding what loads they want in their shotguns? i get the fact the situation(s) may be totally different, one reason i'd like to know why

for me, birdshot seems like it would deliver at close range just as well as 00 buckshot, with maybe just a little less penetration - 00 is doable for me, but my fear is over penetration, possibly thru walls, into other rooms, etc.

im not really considering slug rounds, unless maybe a bear breaks in, they seem a bit overkill for HD, unless im given a viable reason for their HD use besides the bear theory - the threat of a bear in my neighborhood is pretty miniscule

what's LE's take on shotgun loads for self defense

[hermosabeach]

The search function will show you a lot of threads with videos and pictures on this topic.

Standard load in vehicles in OO buck.
Some departments use standard velocity 9 pellet.
Some will use low recoil 8 or 9 pellet.

[robocop1051]

[gorn5150]

My department used #4 shot for patrol.

[Atomic Donut]

OO buck in the tube, Slugs in the side saddle is what my department used to use. Now that we all have AR15s, the only shotgun rounds our cars are equipped with are beanbag rounds.

[FalconLair]

The search function will show you a lot of threads with videos and pictures on this topic.

Standard load in vehicles in OO buck.
Some departments use standard velocity 9 pellet.
Some will use low recoil 8 or 9 pellet.

yeah, i did a little of that, but i also wanted some fresh opinions

[SoCalDep]

I would not use birdshot for home defense. If I was super concerned about overpenetration I would go with number four Buck, but even that is substantially less effective than 00 buck.

[code_blue]

Nowadays??? Beanbags/less lethal stuff. Maybe ferret rounds of whatever flavor depending on the agency. The tool has gotten kind of obsolete in modern urban environments. Now special teams folks get lots of stuff and plenty of options. I'm sure they're running 00 out of their Benellis.

Some agencies are only doing the POST mandated minimums for shotgun, but have added AR-15 carbines as a part of their academy curriculum. It makes sense considering the current state of the nation.

[esy]

My department no longer uses the shotgun as a lethal option (which I don’t like). Our department ran 00buck Federal LE tactical flite control and slugs which I also run at home.

Federal flite control is a fantastic round and extremely accurate.

Birdshot is a poor choice to use as a defensive round, IMO.

[GizmoSD]

[Bobby Ricigliano]

slugs.

So your department's designated primary ammunition for duty shotguns is slugs?

[veeklog]

We are issued slugs and 00 low-recoil buckshot for our 870's. I usually carry slugs in side saddle, and 00 buck in the tube when going out on a op.

[RudyN]

When I was a Reserve Deputy back a looong time ago (1970s) it was 00Buck and Slugs.

[Ron-Solo]

My department used #4 shot for patrol.

Probably #4 Buck, not #4 shot. Big difference. #4 Shot is for game, not defense.

For several years, LASD issued #4 Buck because you get more pellets than #00 Buck. They’ve gone back to #00 Buck.

I would not use birdshot for home defense. If I was super concerned about overpenetration I would go with number four Buck, but even that is substantially less effective than 00 buck.

Bird shot is for birds, NOT HOME DEFENSE.

My department no longer uses the shotgun as a lethal option (which I don’t like). Our department ran 00buck Federal LE tactical flite control and slugs which I also run at home.

Federal flite control is a fantastic round and extremely accurate.

Birdshot is a poor choice to use as a defensive round, IMO.

Too bad. The shotgun helped save my life in a gunfight against three suspects. All were armed and one had an AK-47. He shot first. The shotgun is still a great self defense tool.

[Bart1015]

My department was using Benelli M1 S90 loaded with buckshot. Every patrol car also had a box of slugs.

A few years ago, the Benellis were removed and replaced with the 870, loaded with less lethal.

It came down to training and maintenance costs.

The Benelli shotguns are not very user friendly for those that don't shoot much. For that reason they were not deployed often. The only way to change that was with training, which the department could not do for a number of reasons.

I was not thrilled to see this change but I understand it is how things are going.

I was very fortunate to buy one of the Benellis just as I retired. I think our boys and girls in blue really lost a great weapon.