Shotgun as only HD weapon?

[shappy0869]

I have had a Glock 27 for over 10 years and I recently purchased an 870P. I have owned and shot many other pistols and my Glock is a vestige of when I used to have a CW permit. However, I find it a bit uncomfortable to shoot and, as a result, I don't like to shoot it very often. Plus, I really like shooting my 870 so, given a choice, I shoot it over the Glock.

In the case of a HD situation, I would almost certainly go for the 870 over the Glock because, even though the Glock has night sights, my 870 has an attached light and a laser zeroed in for in-house distances. Because of this, I think it would be the more effective HD weapon.

Now, there are some additions I would like to make for my 870 to make it as much fun at the range as it would be an effective HD weapon. These include an additional longer barrel for clays and a holosight for shooting slugs at long range, a nice sling and of course ammo. But my budget has other priorities, so funds are not readily available.

I have had some offers for my Glock that would pay me enough to do pretty much everything I would want to do to my 870, but this would leave me without a pistol of any kind. Is there any compelling reason why I should have a pistol? I am not one to ever carry a gun on me when I am home and, as I stated, I prefer to shoot my shotgun anyway. What is your opinion of this?

 

[Mooseman]

I generally don't like selling off guns but since it's to enhance your collection I'd go for it. A shotgun is about as good as it gets for home defense IMO.

 

[SoCalShooter]

in-house distances

You have it zero'd? seriously

In my opinion and I am sure many will agree with me,if I had the choice for an HD weapon it would be a shotgun. Nothing clears the room like a shotgun...except for an AK 47.

I dont sell my weapons to get new ones I just save my money, but if your tired of the GLOCK and dont use it very much then sell it to someone who will get more use out of it.

 

[PaladinVC]

I have no experience with firing shotguns in homes, or anyplace other than outdoor ranges, but I read someplace that the concussion of a shotgun blast indoors is disorienting and/or debilitating to the user as well as the intended target. If there's any credence to that old wives' tale, it might be an argument in favor of keeping the Glock around, but it's the only one I can think of.

 

[shappy0869]

Paladin,

You are right about what you have said and one of the accessories I would love to get is some electronic hearing protection:

 

[M2 Carbine]

I'm not actually a big shotgun fan but no doubt at normal HD distance the shotgun is devastating.

shappy0869 you mentioned having a light and laser on your SG. Lately I've been doing some experimenting with a Streamlight TLR-2 laser/light on a pistol grip Ithaca. It's been very interesting just how deadly accurate and fast the light/laser equipped SG is.

Last night in total darkness I tacked up a target at 20 feet just to see what the light and laser/light would show.

Using just the light it's difficult to tell just where the 5-7 inch spread of #4 or 00 Buckshot would hit.


But with the laser/light there's no doubt.
(for some reason the camera sees the small Red laser dot as a large white dot with a Red circle around it?)

 

[shappy0869]

Your picture shows exactly why I mounted the light and laser on my HD SG. Imagine being awoken in the middle of the night by the sound of a possible intruder. In the time it might take for you to wake up and clear your head, trouble may already be upon you. A blinding light coupled with a laser painting the target means that your intruder will be both clearly identified and quickly acquired without the need to sight properly or even see clearly.

 

[M2 Carbine]

This is one of the targets shot using the laser. It sounds like a pistol grip on a shotgun isn't for you if you are finding a pistol hard to handle anymore but just for interest all shots here are from the hip.

The #4 and 00 Buckshot was shot from 17 yards.
The lower target and two holes in the BG's blue jeans were shot from 26 yards, somewhat rapid fire, using Wolf slugs.

I'm becoming a fan of the light/laser equipped shotgun.
Later I shot at 35 yards. (still from the hip) The slugs all hit center.
About half of the 00 buck missed the silhouette, and only about a quarter of the shot hit center.

 

[WeedWhacker]

I'm not sure if I'd SELL a pistol to buy a shotgun. Instead, why not keep your pistol, then put some money away to buy a shotgun in addition to your pistol?

Pistols are not as effective as shotguns, but they are quite a bit more portable - and subtle. If you ever have to, for whatever reason, go out in possible view of the public while you feel the need to be armed, it's much easier to do so with a pistol rather than a long gun.

Keep the pistol: save up for and buy a shotgun, too.

 

[shappy0869]

I just got a Knoxx Specops stock, which should make my 870 more comfortable to fire (haven't had a chance to get to the range yet).

As far as pistols being uncomfortable, my Glock 27 is, but the 23 feels great. I just think it is the small size of the 27, along with the shorter barrel and unburnt power making more kick that makes it feel that way.

I still can't decided if I need to have pistol if I already have a shotgun. Between the 27, extra magazines, ammo and a small safe, I can get $500. That $500 would buy me the extra stuff I want for my 870 (extra 26-28" barrel, bushnell holosight, electronic ears, etc).

Damn decisions!

 

[rustymaggot]

i know the lazers and doohickeys are fun and can help sometimes, but im a fan of ba/uu/r spend that same money on ammo and range time and you will not need a lazer. why rely on things that might fail. dead battery in the lazer, ect. know what i mean?

i say keep the glock. pistols better for when you MIGHT have to move room to room. shorter and easier to manuver. even if you have no reason to move, a back up piece isnt bad.

 

[SniperStraz]

M2 Carbine

If that first hosatge target was an intruder and a loved one I'm not so sure I'd take the shot with a SG. Thats the reason I don't like SGs for HD. That being said, in your other picks the slugs are clearly a safer choice so if I were to use a SG I'd deffinately use slugs.

As far as selling a glock? It hurts a little to hear you say that . But if you really need the money I guess its better to have a SG that you practice with than a glock that you dont practice with. Handguns are very handy though and you never know when your gonna be having to drive somewhere that you'll want a little buddy on your hip. My suggestion is sell the glock, buy a hi point or another accurate cost effective handgun and use the left overs to pimp out your SG.

Either way g'luck and straight shootin'

 

[M2 Carbine]

SniperStraz
If that first hosatge target was an intruder and a loved one I'm not so sure I'd take the shot with a SG. Thats the reason I don't like SGs for HD. That being said, in your other picks the slugs are clearly a safer choice so if I were to use a SG I'd deffinately use slugs.

The hostage target was the only one I had handy for the pictures but it does bring out the point that there can be HD situations where you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Don't shoot and the BG may shoot you and kill all the witnesses (your family) or shoot and take the chance of harming the hostage?

That's why it's good to practice for not only what is likely to happen but what probably isn't likely to happen.

This is a little off subject but is still about HD weapons and I thought was an interesting experiment.
What do you think your chances are of hitting the BG in the dark if your flashlight fails, etc, and the shooting starts and you know about where he is?
I tried it out.
7 yards. Standing, two hands. Two magazines from my Taurus PT99 AFS 9mm. Single shots, eyes closed, starting with the gun pointed down at the beginning of each shot.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Well, I took the shot.

20 feet.
Pistol grip Ithaca, hip shot.
21 count #4 Buckshot.
Laser dot on the BG's left ear lobe.
(I had removed and reinstalled the laser and mount, looks like I have to adjust it a little left now)

 

[JShirley]

I am not one of those who believes the shotgun is the Ultimate Home Defense Weapon or any such nonsense.

That said, with practice and good ammo selection, the shotgun is still a pretty good option, and probably good enough for the vast majority of tasks a home defense weapon could be used to resolve.

I'm a fan of reduced recoil slugs for social purposes. I think you may be surprised to find a RR slug to have both the accuracy and reasonable penetration most useful for HD. (And I always suggest that folks test this themselves. Water-filled milk jugs work fine, as long as you remember that penetration will be about 40% more than in gel.)

John

 

[M2 Carbine]

JShirley
I am not one of those who believes the shotgun is the Ultimate Home Defense Weapon or any such nonsense.

My HD includes the possibility of a 35 yard or longer shot so the SG isn't my first choice either but if my HD was "normal" I'd lean toward a SG.
At present a laser/light equipped Kel Tec .223 pistol or l/l pistol is the first thing I'd grab.

One more shot at the BG using a Wolf slug, again shot from 20 feet.
I definitely have to readjust the laser. I had the dot on his nose.

 

[ronto]

I have quite a few loaded pistols and revolvers hidden around the house (no kids)...But if I heard a bump in the night, the first thing I'd get would be my 12GA pump (nothing in the chamber but 5 in the tube)...the sound of racking the slide might make the intruder reconsider his intentions.

 

[sacp81170a]

I just got a Knoxx Specops stock, which should make my 870 more comfortable to fire (haven't had a chance to get to the range yet).

I've got one on my Mossberg 590, they're great. One of the nice things about the Specops stock is that you can adjust the length of pull so you can maneuver better in tight spaces. Another is that with the recoil reduction, you can get back on target with your laser that much quicker. I took mine to our last range qual and got my chief to shoot it. He's now thinking about getting them for all the other officers in our department.

 

[shappy0869]

My SpecOps was on backorder for 2 months...they are a hot commodity right now!

 

[Zoogster]

The shotgun would work great for home defense in ideal situations (waking up to sound of bad guy and grabbing it) but the pistol is more likely going to be taken with you to investigate something that may or may not be an intruder.
You can carry a pistol when unsure in situations, like late night knock at the door, or a person you don't know wanting to use phone (with story of being broke down etc) or some other similar thing that may or may not be someone trying to turn you into a victim. You cannot carry the shotgun readily available in such situations without intimidating those that might see you, or creating a panic or a visit from the local police if you went to investigate strange noises on your property outside and others see you walking around with a long gun. The pistol will be in more situations to defend your life in unforseen events because of this.

So even though the shotgun is ideal if confronted with trouble, the pistol is more likely to save your life.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Zoogster
You cannot carry the shotgun readily available in such situations without intimidating those that might see you, or creating a panic or a visit from the local police if you went to investigate strange noises on your property outside and others see you walking around with a long gun.

The neighbors are more likely to become alarmed if they see me walking around without a gun.

One once said, "I haven't heard you shooting lately. I like to hear you shooting, it kind of sends a message".

But I agree, that a pistol is more convenent to have with you most of the time.

 

[shappy0869]

Zoogster, you may some excellent points, thank you.

 

[MCgunner]

I prefer a handgun for home defense for several reasons, but keep a shotgun in my "safe room" (the bedroom). It's just an old double, but I know where it shoots. It's killed one hell of a lot of doves, ducks, geese, and quail. It was my only shotgun for a lot of years.

I would prefer to take my .38 revolver with me to check bumps in the night. For one, the long gun is a big lever. Harder to get your hands on a 2" revolver. Main thing, though, is I stick the revolver in a back pocket, if it's not a BG for some reason, I don't have to greet him with twin 12 gauge pipes. Heck, I had a couple of cops in my yard once chasing a "mojado" around. They'd stopped a truck out on the highway and these illegals had scattered to the woods behind my house. What if I'd greeted that cop with a 12 gauge? He never knew I was armed.

So, I keep both handy. JMHO

 

[M2 Carbine]

shappy0869,
With all the picture posting I don't believe I gave an opinion on your original question.

I hardly ever get rid of guns anymore, so I'd say keep the Glock or trade it off for one that you like better.

For the above posted reasons, and more, you need a handgun along with your shotgun.

 

[jad0110]

shappy,

If you don't like your Glock, you could sell it to by another handgun more to your liking that suits your needs better. If you want an accurate, reliable handgun for HD backup duty, IMHO, you can't go wrong with a nice used S&W Model 10 38 Special. Decent ones can be picked up for $250, so you'd have money left over for other stuff.

The Model 10 is probably one of the best bargains in handguns going. Very reliable, extremely accurate, and affordable. It is nice to have a handgun in addition to the shotgun for all the reasons stated above. If, God forbid, a perp ever awoke you in your bedroom, a handgun like the Model 10 is probably easier and quicker to put into action and less likely to be grabbed away than a long gun.

My primary HD gun is my S&W 686 Plus. I don't have a shotgun (yet), as I can't afford a safe large enough right now (part of the deal with my wife), and I couldn't afford to shoot it unless I get into shotshell reloading. Maybe one day though.

Just my 2 cents (or less).