[dukefan70]

Before I get crucified for a "dumb" question, let me explain. Looking to buy my first gun. Not yet 21, so the .45 will hafta wait a few months. Heard great things about the Marlin 795 and its economical. A few .22 rounds can stop someone cold and can be placed more accurately, but I've obviously heard great things about the 12 g too, and have researched several models such as the Stoeger P350 18.5”, Rem. 870 Tact. 18.5", Mossberg 500 18.5", Pardner Protector, and Maverick 88. HERE'S THE IMPORTANT PART: I've got four other people in the house including a much younger bro and sis, and I'm concerned about person/wall penetration in a home defense situation. Any advice on shotguns/shotgun loads on this topic? Much appreciated.

By the way, live in an old house with plaster and lathing in the walls.

[rcmodel]

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm

But the bottom line is, hit the target with the first shot and you won't shoot through walls with the ones that miss.

rc

[earlthegoat2]

But the bottom line is, hit the target with the first shot and you won't shoot through walls with the ones that miss.

Ditto.

Also there is nothing wrong with a 20 gauge shotgun either.

[RetiredLawman]

For my own HD insurance, I have a 20 gauge Nova loaded with #6 Walmart promos. I feel very confident that I am safe if I do my part. I've helped load many a ex-bad guy after a load of 6s took him out, straight to the funeral home. Some survived but a HD ranges, very few.

[vicdotcom]

How much experience have you had already shooting a .22 or a 12 gauge? I know this will be your first purchase, but what have you shot before and what are you more comfortable with?

[jlg]

.22 is great for practice and shooting squirrels...that's it.

If the shotgun is for HD only (which is all the tactical style guns are good for)...12ga isn't necessary. 20ga is sufficient and allows for quicker follow up shots if necessary.

Aim before you shoot. Bird shot won't go through a BG, the wall and your brother.

[dukefan70]

Nope, can't say I've ever shot anything but a BB. I have been thinking over the 20 ga. since I've posted this and looked at boxotruth.com and retiredlawman's post. That does get good marks on penetration to stop without running wild through the whole house. Ideally I'd like to own both the .22 and a good HD shotgun soon enough, but with the economy, we'll see.

[JImbothefiveth]

It's worth noting that if someone breaks in to your house, you have to be absolutely certain you don't shoot your little brother. You also should not clear the house(go seaching for an intruder), you should wait in a "safe room" with your family, although this might not be possible if someone breaks in.

[vicdotcom]

Nope, can't say I've ever shot anything but a BB.

Because of this, Id say start with a .22 and learn some rifle/gun basics including saftey. I say this for the following reasons.

1) you should learn the basics first.
2)a shotgun takes a LOT of practice to use well.
3)shotgun shells costs a lot more than a brick of .22
4)you can even let your little brother use your .22 (with permission from your parents of course)

Some might say to start off with a 20 gauge if you really want to learn the shotgun. But be prepared to spend at least as much on ammo as the shotgun in order to get used to it and use it well.

If you cant afford that, then I say wait untill you can before you get one. You go through a box of shells REALLY fast when learning.

I personally disagree with the statement that a .22 is only good for practice and squirrels. Some .22lr ammo can reach up to 1400FPS and thats nothing to snarf at.

My vote is for .22 first. Then move on from there.

[Dave McCracken]

Everyone needs a 22 and a shotgun. Starting off with the 22 makes sense. Cheapnkickless.

But, shotguns have no equal when it comes to close range power.

Best you should learn both, going carefully.

Walk before running.

[TAB]

I say a auto loading 22.Cheap to shoot, lots of fun, and still extremely deadly. I can dump all 15 rounds from my nylon 66 into a 6" circle in few seconds.

[KINGMAX]

You might consider a 20 gauge Remington 870 pump shot gun. :fire: You can look around and find a shorter barrel if needed. I think it will serve your needs for home protection.

[KINGMAX]

Do you want to get rid of the Remington NYLON 66? Is it the Brown stock, or the Black one w/ stainless steel barrel????:cool:

[earlthegoat2]

Im not saying a 20ga is the same as a 12 but I firmly believe that if the shooter does his part they have near equal stopping power. As in a center mass hit with either is going to be lights out.

I definitely dont believe that a 20ga necisarily recoils less and you can get faster follow up shots with it.

The 20 is just another option to the 12 and I believe it is a good one.

Just dont use birdshot.

[KINGMAX]

USE #4 BUCK SHOT:fire::fire::fire::fire:

[Milkmaster]

I posted this in the autoloader handgun forum, but I thought it also fit this discussion. Mr McCracken may choose to delete it if it is not appropriate.

A new respect for the .22 lately.

I am going to jump in here a little to relay a recent lesson I learned that may be of benefit here. I am 50 and have shot most anything at one time or another except something with only a 2" barrel like a snubby. A few weeks back I bought a little .380 semi auto pocket pistol that has a 2.5" barrel. I practiced shooting about 3 boxes through it the first day. I quickly found out just how close a threat needs to be before you can hit them reliably with every shot and that shot be placed in the right spot to bring the threat down. The .380 caliber in the tiny pistol made the recoil a bit harsh and taking successive rapid shots less than accurate. I still like the little pistol, but what happened was that I now have greater respect for my .22 pistol. I realized that 10 shots easily and correctly placed with the lessor recoil .22 pistol just might be as effective as 6 with the .380 if I don't get them placed very well. I still plan to carry the .380 for now and get better with practice to find my sweet spot with it. Never the less, the thought of carrying the .22 sure crossed my mind as an option!.

[61chalk]

Consider this...no you have other people in the house? Are you sure its a intruder?.....How badly do you want to kill someone? With these thoughts lets continue...with a pump
shotgun by your bed, shells in tube, but not chambered.....you wake to sounds...is it someone you know?....are they walking towards you...whats that sound...? your think its a intruder, but not sure...now lesson to that LOUD pump action as you chamber a shell.....if its family they yelling DON"T SHOOT!!!!!....if its a intruder,
he is going to run away....you saved his life...if he doesn't run, you will now have to put him down...if no one was there at all, at least you'll feel safer, by pumping that shotgun, instead of whimpering..."anyone there?" I have heard of a lot of stories where the sound of a pump was all it took....consider this in your choice....

[357sigRog]

I like the 20 gauge with #3 buckshot.:)

[AKElroy]

I keep a Winchester 1300 12 g next to the bed. 6 in the tube, 6 shot side-saddle, two more in the speedloader stock, and most importanly a tube-mounted light w/ a contact switch on the slide. I have a 7 & 11 year old sleeping upstairs, so OP is a big concern; it sits loaded, chamber empty w/ 3" 1&7/8ths oz 4 shot.

[TAB]

Do you want to get rid of the Remington NYLON 66? Is it the Brown stock, or the Black one w/ stainless steel barrel????
black and stainless, I don't sell guns... ever.

[larry_minn]

Tons of options. Simple answer? Get a .22 pistol, a 9mm pistol, a shotgun, AR/AK/SKS/M1 or similar. Then take a training course a month till you have mastered them all. (then give us advice) :)

My making a TON of assumptions. You are not rich, want to make this your life for months,etc.
Don't buy anything. Go to a range and RENT a few shotguns (cheaper yet have some friends take you to range and let you shoot thiers) Find out what you like and watch used adds/get word out and buy used as most folks hardly shoot thier guns.
The 12 guage pump is the "go to" answer for home defense. Its the generic answer. IF after shooting you find the recoil is more then you are comfortable with (with stock firmly against shoulder/close to proper stock length) the 20 guage is no slouch. (I have a 16 guage that was my shotgun for decades)
From what I understand of your post. Take a "firearms safety course" If there is a "hunter safety" course you could call talk to them. They likely will have some materials you can read/they MAY allow you to assist with class in exchange for letting you shoot a variety of weapons afterwards. (this will be 100% in instructors call)
Get the .22 (cheaper gun/ammo) and get some practice and spend the$$$ on door locks. You want to be 100% POSITIVE before you shoot a threat. I would rather get shot/killed then shoot a loved one.

[chuwee81]

i am looking at 12 ga maverick 88 at academy for $169 with the 18.5" barrel i believe (where's my tax return money *&&^$^%#$ ??) and starter asking around if i should get a 20 or 12 ga. My friend told me that since most 20 ga will be a lighter, smaller gun, the recoil will be greater. And 12 ga would be the round to go with since it's generally heavier. ANd as mentioned before, you can always play down the round if anything. If i get the money to get this, it will definitely be my first shotgun.

[KevinAbbeyTech]

1) you should learn the basics first.
2)a shotgun takes a LOT of practice to use well.
3)shotgun shells costs a lot more than a brick of .22
4)you can even let your little brother use your .22 (with permission from your parents of course)


I might also add that if you start out with a 12 gauge shotgun, you are at a high risk of developing a flinch.
(not that it matters much with a shotgun, but when you want to be shooting a rifle, that is a different story)

[Howaido]

Yet another one of life's questions answered by simply posting, "870."

[kmrcstintn]

I'm a bit mixed in my thinking about this...:confused:

by default...#00 buckshot in 12 ga is the 'golden standard'

#4 buckshot is nothing to sneeze at:
www.tacticalshotgun.ca --great info
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=241478 --I patterened #4 buckshot

I asked about an alternative to backshot & slugs:
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=249452 --even after I interjected that I was going to stick with a revolver the variety of answers continued... :uhoh:

if I was to take either my 12 ga Mossberg 500 (modified choke) or 12 ga Benelli Nova (modified choke) and load it for home defense duty today...2 3/4" #2 steel 1 1/8 oz waterfowl load (the Winchester stuff that I shot recently patterned pretty well with modified choke and didn't hurt my shoulder even after emptying a whole box)

do I have some #00 buckshot on hand? yes, but use it when at hunting camp for defense against critters while exploring or doing chores in a stationary area (I wear a .357 mag revolver when I am moving around alot)