Bird/Buck/Slug what does LE use

[1911su16b870]

00 Buck and 1 oz foster slugs.

The Federal Flight Control loads give you additional accuracy at longer 12G ranges.

FWIW there are some 12G slug loads that have 3000 ft-lb of muzzle energy whereas the low recoil stuff is at 1400 ft-lbs.

[CBR_rider]

00 Buck and/or 1oz slugs; Winchester Ranger seems to be what we are gonna stick with for now.

Like others have already mentioned; my agency may be moving away from the shotgun except for "less lethal" configurations. A group of us were asked by training staff what our thoughts were on getting rid of the shotguns and going to just AR-15's for patrol... it was about 90% in favor of getting rid of them. The only ones who were adamant they stay were those who had used them in shootings (and none of those shootings were particularly recent in our group).

Personally, it is a great tool but in my opinion we don't train to shoot enough so we might as well focus on a rifle platform that is easier to shoot for most folks and provides a better all around utility (especially when compared to how we have our shotguns setup). In a perfect world I think we would certainly have both rifles and shotguns and loads of training on each; but alas, I don't work for the Perfect World Police Department.

I would be perfectly comfortable having one for self defense at home; I choose not to have one setup for self defense at this time.

[code_blue]

I still believe in having all tools available in the vehicle to combat the ever changing climate of scenarios:

Carbine and Shotty in the rack with less lethal in the trunk. The two in the cabin are there for emergency encounters with the less lethal in the trunk as needed.

You just never know what you'll come up against and frankly, I'd much rather have my options. Alas, the general public and council thinks along the same lines as "rack the shotgun and it'll deter the criminal" mindset. Shotguns are demonized despite their effectiveness and versatility of less lethal, scatter, and rifle capabilities.

[mixicus]

1oz slugs (low recoil tends to be more common) and 00 buck. No agency I know of issues or authorizes bird shot for defense. Bird does not have the range or penetration to make for a good LE round.

Standard shotguns still have their place. LEOs spend a good amount of time working problems around vehicles and a 1oz slug has a much higher probability of addressing issues inside and behind cars.

[bobboberson]

We are carrying magnum OO buck (Winchester Ranger) in the mag. tube and slugs in the side saddle.

I love my 870 and have pulled it from the rack more often than my AR. My department has had a couple of shootings were the officer bounced buckshot under the vehicle that the suspect was using as cover and it was effective.

[IrishJoe3]

Federal Premium high velocity 00 buck. GREAT shotshell, the cup keeps the shot very tight, and has a much further range than standard buck.

Also have 00 in my home gun. Would absolutely not even consider birdshot.

[oddjob]

00 buck and slugs.

We did at times use birdshot for training, but for the most part we used 00 buck.

[FalconLair]

ok, great - thanks to everyone who took a minute to respond

i went ahead and ordered 10 boxes (50 rounds) of 00 Federal buck shot and i also ordered 6 boxes of Federal #8 birdshot

im going to familiarize myself with both loads, i haven't fired a shotgun in over 20 years, it'll be fun - i'll set aside a couple of boxes of 00 Buck for HD and i'll shoot the rest for the fun of it

hope my shoulder holds up

[code_blue]

In my personal home loads I have Winchesters in the side saddle with Federal 00 Buck in the tube. My shotgun is a Winchester SXP Defender in 12g.

[esy]

ok, great - thanks to everyone who took a minute to respond

i went ahead and ordered 10 boxes (50 rounds) of 00 Federal buck shot and i also ordered 6 boxes of Federal #8 birdshot

im going to familiarize myself with both loads, i haven't fired a shotgun in over 20 years, it'll be fun - i'll set aside a couple of boxes of 00 Buck for HD and i'll shoot the rest for the fun of it

hope my shoulder holds up

Just be certain you're setup in behind the gun in an A frame type of stance. A weaver stance won't help you get behind the gun. I can shoot a couple boxes of magnum loads without feeling any effects of the recoil.

[FalconLair]

Just be certain you're setup in behind the gun in an A frame type of stance. A weaver stance won't help you get behind the gun. I can shoot a couple boxes of magnum loads without feeling any effects of the recoil.

my issue is i suffered a brachial plexus injury to my right shoulder many years ago that caused some nerve damage in that area - to this day i still have a slight loss of feeling in my tricep region and the back of my shoulder - the area is very sensitive though

it's one of the reasons i didn't shoot rifles or shotguns for a very long time

bought an AR15 a few years ago and shot it without really having the kind of lingering pain i used to get doing things like that after the injury - previously the recoil was just too much for my shoulder to handle

im hoping i don't have any issues with the shotgun recoil - if i do i'll probably have to stop, but, im sure my son will get loads of enjoyment out of it

maybe i just have to suck it up - i don't think i can do anymore damage, i could be wrong about that though

[esy]

I see. Ever try one of those Knoxx type stocks or thicker buttpads? That may help lessen the recoil. I learned not to shoulder the shotgun in the traditional sense. I start by putting the stock at the top of my sternum, place my chin on the stock, and then slowly move the stock to my shooting side and the moment I have a good cheek weld and can line up my front bead, that’s when I have found where I mount my shotgun. Sometimes you may have to slightly cant the shotgun inward. Then I just develop muscle memory of that point and go there every time I bring my shotgun up.

This places the stock on the outer edge of your chest/pec rather than on your shoulder.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fS1_nmSMGy0

This video gives a slight explanation, just not how to get there. Couple that mounting position with a different stock and/or pad and maybe even some of the low recoil Federal loads and you should be good.

Worse comes to worse, learn how to shoot lefty.

[sirvimmy]

When I went on a ride along with my city's pd I learned they use only slugs for their 870 that is in the car. They also had the ar there too.
I feel like 00 buckshot would be better for HD since you are probably not going to need to reach out as far as LE may have to. You also have the benefit of tailoring your ammo choice to your specific home. Are there neighbors nearby? Do your hallways have perpendicular spots where people live? Do you live out in the boonies where the only house is a mile away?
I think the slugs offer a good option of high impact, semi long range lethal options. But I don't think it would be chosen as a HD gun, since that's not the usual situation for patrol weapons.
I load some Winchester 00buck for my rounds. They seem the most appropriate for my needs.

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[1911su16b870]

Shotguns dedicated to slugs are simply large caliber rifles for engaging targets out to 100 yards.

Shotguns with 00 buck are short range/rapid threat immobilization tools, with 8 or 9 32 caliber "bullets"/pellets hopefully 1 or more hitting various terminal areas of that threat out to 15 yards.

Depending on the loading you can have more energy in a 12G load than a 30-06 cartridge.