Have tactical shotguns "lost it"?

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Has anyone actually used a shotgun in home defense? I can imagine it is one nasty picture that I would never want to see with my own eyes. I have no doubt of their effectiveness, just the thought of actually shooting another person with one... Good lord!! Glad it has never happened to me.

Well, you know, when someone's attacking me with the intent to kill me, I don't mind cheating. I guess I COULD use my 10/22, but I'd rather get the job done fast as possible, worry about getting the blood out of the carpet later. I've killed a LOT of animals, many with a shotgun, most actually since a 2 day dove hunting excursion usually results in limits on my buddy's farm. :D I'm quite used to the gun and that's part of the reason I prefer the same gun I shoot doves with, the little 20 gauge SxS coach gun. I shot a deer last year at 35 yards with 3 buck, died in his tracks with 3 rounds hitting the head, 5 in his neck. First deer I ever shot with a shotgun out of dozens I've taken with rifles and a few with handguns.

Anyway, if you don't wanna hurt the bad guy, maybe you'd be better off with mace or a tazer, non-lethal defense. I don't mind unleashing hell on my attacker, though, if, God forbid, I am ever in that position. An armed intruder in my house is no longer that likely, though, since I moved to the sticks. I don't worry about it like I did in the city. I'm at the end of a 2 mile rough dirt road. Anyone coming down that road is conspicuous and my two neighbors and I know our vehicles. I'm retired, love it out here, and part of the reason for moving is I don't really wanna blow some scum bag's head off with my shotgun. IOW, I don't wish to be put in that situation in the first place. But don't think I wouldn't do it if I had to!

Here, this guy caught some buckshot. Not at accross the room distance, but it still did a number on him.

Meet Bill Doolin.....

BillDoolin.jpg
 
Actually the only gun I've used in home defense or to kill an animal is a rubber band gun. It's actually really effective against the common house spider ;)
 
Has anyone actually used a shotgun in home defense? I can imagine it is one nasty picture that I would never want to see with my own eyes. I have no doubt of their effectiveness, just the thought of actually shooting another person with one... Good lord!! Glad it has never happened to me.
I have not used one for SD, but I have seen the results of SG blasts to the human head, upper torso, and in one case the upper arm/shoulder area. There is no rifle round comparable, in terms of damage, at close distance.

I was quail hunting in TN and one of our members, who hunted with an Ithaca pump, took a shot, lowered the muzzle (big no-no), pumped and slam-fired into his son's upper left arm, severing it at the shoulder. He survived (miraculously). That was #6 shot at about 10ft.
 
Unless I see stats, I'm willing to believe shotguns or pistols outnumber ARs, because of ye olde wisdom on shotguns and the versatility of the pistol for self defense (CCW or HD). I am not willing to believe .22s are the go-to HD weapon more often than ARs.

They are the defalt HD for many people because that is what they own. If we get out of the Tactical forum world for a minute and look at the rest of America. The ones not caught up in the Black rifles and Tactical Shotguns. Many own only one or two firearms and these are most likely to include a .22 rifle or pistol.

The stats are in the fact that the most common owned rifle is some form of a .22. Most all of us learned to shoot with a .22 and those same .22's are still in our families. Most all manufacturers offer some form of .22 rifle and some include the AR style ones. I don't know anyone in my circle that does not own a .22 rifle. I know this for a fact because they are all after me to find them .22 ammo.

The hardest to fine ammo today is .22 cal, yet manufacturers are running at full capacity. I can find .223, 7.62 X 51 and 7.62 X 39 all over the places and cases of 12ga. 9mm, .380 and .45 are plentiful today. But that little .22 round is like gold today.

I am not saying in any way that the .22 is a go to HD gun. But if that is all you have then use it. Me, I may just have an 870 or two nearby when needed if I look :)
 
Are you going to hit every shot with a shotgun? Is every shot going to stop a bad guy? Are there more than 1 bad guy? I think 6+1 or 7+1 is also more accurate a capacity for a dedicated HD 18.5" shotgun, but I'd prefer 30 or 100 .223. It allows me to make up for more mistakes that way; mistakes that are likely with my level of experience. That's also a plus for the .223; mistakes don't go as far through walls.

I wouldn't make the argument about having it taken away in the shotgun vs. AR debate, unless I'm a pot talking to a kettle...
At home defense ranges ? If you can't hit a center mass every time you need to be on the range now if you plan on using a gun for home defense. Have you ever actually shot any animal with #00 buck at 30 ft it will take the head off a medium size deer or large feral dog . Like I said before if you aren't messing drugs dealers or gangs chances of an intruder staying to fight is slim . I know the capacity of Most H.D. shotguns. The only reason my H.D./utility shotgun is 6+1 is the man who built it is set up to do mag extensions and would have had to order a Remington barrel nut with sling mount and a upgraded 4 shot spring He is a member here he can vouch for that
You can think what you want , you can shoot what you want .
I am a realist, chances are if 5 rounds of #00 buck doesn't get you out of a home defense situation you probably won't walk out under your own power. I have never had to defend myself against a human with deadly force and pray I never have too. I have defended myself against animals intending on doing me harm 3 times. I can tell you this,,, Had I missed with the first shot I would not have gotten the second shot off.
Roy
 
You must not own a .22 magnum. :D

Yes, I do in fact have one, however as it is a sporting gun the couple of hundreds rounds I have will do me just fine. I was smart enough to also have 2,500 rounds of CCI stingers in .22 before this mess started. I now wish I had got 5,000 rounds of Mini Mags instead so I could share some with all the friends bothering me about it. I am not sharing my stingers as my .22 1911 and my .22 M1 Carbine need at least Mini Mag or faster to cycle properly. My next .22 will be the Kingston Armory M14 so I will need ammo for that one also.

I can also say that the shotgun is a live and well for HD or I would not be so busy and would be picking up cans and bottles on the side of the roads.
 
I am not sharing my stingers as my .22 1911 and my .22 M1 Carbine need at least Mini Mag or faster to cycle properly. My next .22 will be the Kingston Armory M14 so I will need ammo for that one also.

Chiappa M1? Mine loves CCI standard velocity as well as Remington Thunderbolt which i used to think was crap until I got the M1 .22. :D .22s in general are picky individuals, though, when it comes to preferred ammo.

I'm glad to know that people think enough of shotguns now days to get training in significant numbers. There was once a day the riot gun rode in in most every patrol car in Texas. I don't know what they carry now days, don't keep up with such things.

One thing no one's addressed, or I don't THINK they have unless I just missed it, but the shotgun can fire all sorts of specialty ammo that the AR can't, like rubber shot, bean bag, and such. I'd find it hard to believe that police departments whole sale have given up shotguns for ARs. They may have added ARs, but give up the shotgun?

An uncle was deputy sheriff of Matagorda county when I was a kid. He carried a shotgun and an M1 Carbine in the car, don't know if he ever had occasion to use either. His sidearm was a K frame, of course. :D This was the 60s.
 
I think a good part of it is marketing trends similar to fashion to keep merchandise flowing much like floods are in one year then bell bottoms and over time floods are back in style.
 
At home defense ranges ? If you can't hit a center mass every time you need to be on the range now if you plan on using a gun for home defense. Have you ever actually shot any animal with #00 buck at 30 ft it will take the head off a medium size deer or large feral dog . Like I said before if you aren't messing drugs dealers or gangs chances of an intruder staying to fight is slim . I know the capacity of Most H.D. shotguns. The only reason my H.D./utility shotgun is 6+1 is the man who built it is set up to do mag extensions and would have had to order a Remington barrel nut with sling mount and a upgraded 4 shot spring He is a member here he can vouch for that
You can think what you want , you can shoot what you want .
I am a realist, chances are if 5 rounds of #00 buck doesn't get you out of a home defense situation you probably won't walk out under your own power. I have never had to defend myself against a human with deadly force and pray I never have too. I have defended myself against animals intending on doing me harm 3 times. I can tell you this,,, Had I missed with the first shot I would not have gotten the second shot off.
Roy
Roy, I would go easy on the marksmanship rhetoric. 50% of LE shootings take place inside of 5 feet, not 5 yards, 5 feet. And still, officers manage a hit rate somewhere south of 20% with their handguns. You can say all you want about the training of the officers, the fact is, even trained officers miss most of the time when they are fighting for their lives. It's always been that way, this is not a new phenomenon.

The whole "if you can't get it done with X" argument is, if you are honest with yourself, a justification for employing a weapon with a low magazine capacity because you like the weapon.

Your earlier comment about not having what it takes to defend yourself if you are worried about a gun grab is a bunch of machismo. If you are confronting an unarmed person while armed, a gun grab should be exactly your concern.

Shotguns are great, M4s work well too. I don't see myself running past one to get to the other if the situation arose.
 
my ar is packed away safe and sound. my 870 is under the bed with a belly full of 00.

i dont want to fool with a gun at night, i want to grab it and it be simple. kahr cw9 in the night stand with one in the tube and 870 under the bed.

from time to time change it up and put my security six in the night stand. 870 doesnt move unless its duck season and then my SXS takes over HD
 
Have tactical shotguns "lost it"?

Maybe so. Depends on who you ask... chances are the homeowner's shotgun here was not "tactical."

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http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/deputies-man-shoots-intruder-after-home-invasion/nkG8L/

Updated: 11:42 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 | Posted: 10:14 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, 2015

(Catawba County, NC) Deputies catch man connected with break-in that left 1 dead

Deputies said Brandon Lineberger ran off when the homeowner shot and killed his partner-in-crime, Vernon Dixon, at a home on Riverbend Road Monday.

The homeowner shot Dixon once with a shotgun after police said the men kicked in his door.
 
Have tactical shotguns "lost it"?

Maybe so. Depends on who you ask... chances are the homeowner's shotgun here was not "tactical."

==============================

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/deputies-man-shoots-intruder-after-home-invasion/nkG8L/

Updated: 11:42 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 | Posted: 10:14 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, 2015

(Catawba County, NC) Deputies catch man connected with break-in that left 1 dead

Deputies said Brandon Lineberger ran off when the homeowner shot and killed his partner-in-crime, Vernon Dixon, at a home on Riverbend Road Monday.

The homeowner shot Dixon once with a shotgun after police said the men kicked in his door.

Might say it sure went Tactical when he needed it to.
 
"Lost it"?

The thing is that shotguns never "had it" to begin with.

Too many of what people believe about shotguns are perceptions than reality.

First, shotgun shots are not that almighty death rays people make it out to be. This is from people who actually used shotguns in gun fights like Jim Cirillo. Don't be surprised if your opponent take all 9 pellets from 00 buck shot and still run.

And, yes I've seen that grusome pictures of skull being blown open from shotgun wounds, but rifle can produce skull popping wounds as well. And, yes, even that tiny 5.56mm also can. It's not something unique to shotguns.



Second, words like "versatile" thrown around further convinces me that this is a perception issue.

Versatile? In what regard?

It is versatile for SWAT since it can fire frangible for breaching, and be used for CS gas launcher, less lethal round launcher, etc. But, that has ZERO relevance to regular citizen's self-defense.

Sure, it can take a variety of different shots. But, are you really going to make the first shot with a 00 buck shot, then chamber load a #4 shot, then switch to a bird shot while twirling the shotgun or somethng? In the middle of a gun fight?

Let's be realistic here. Only thing that even remoetly sound plausible is switch between buck shot and slugs. But, at home defense distance, shots don't spread enough to even make a difference.

If is definitely versatile in regards to having a utility in hunting, but that does not mean it is versatile within fighting applications.
 
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As a fellow said earlier shotguns are like claw hammers they both do what they were designed to do very well. My 1982 Wingmaster got 2 upgrades in the 1980s and one since 2000, she got a choate set of Black plastic stocks and a,10shot tube extension with 2 sets of springs. Then since 2000 she got a new front sight that glows. Oh I forget I also have an Army Ranger 25 Round ammo sling I can put on it in about 30 seconds.
 
As usual a variety of opinions about fighting shotguns. Used within its limitations nothing is more effective at ranges under 25 meters. 99% of what is shown in popular entertainment regarding shotgun usage is purest BS and has contributed to lots of mis-conceptions about them. In my experience a single center of mass hit on an opponent is an absolute fight ender.

Most never take the time to pattern their shotguns properly (at various ranges from less than 7 meters out to 25 meters) and have never been taught just how buckshot behaves after hitting a hard surface (or a soft surface). Learning to "skip shoot" greatly enhances your ability to engage someone standing behind cover (particularly standing behind a car...) but most will never learn it or much less practice it. Along with buckshot (all I want is standard 2 3/4" 00buck) the use of slugs greatly expands your abilities with a standard short barrel 12ga. To this day I can still hit a 10" paper plate with a slug fired out of a tube that only has a simple bead sight at 50 meters almost every time...

There's one other thing about a standard "riot" gun that's not discussed much and that is it's the most intimidating weapon you can bring to a close quarters confrontation. I might have pointed one at someone a 1000 times in a 22 year police career - and only had to actually shoot once in all those years. In every case (except one) I never had to disengage the safety -my finger was never on the trigger unless it was the moment to shoot... Most, even heavily armed individuals, will absolutely stand down if they figure you can't miss and very, very bad things will happen to them if they're facing a shotgun.... I can't remember how many times someone I was pointing a pistol at didn't seem to fear it at all. No one (unless they're crazy or intoxicated) ignores a shotgun. At least that was my experience down here in the mostly suburban areas of south Florida.

As I've already mentioned the shotgun is no longer a standard police weapon. For anyone in a defensive situation though, a properly employed shotgun actually reduces the need to shoot. That's a very good thing from my perspective. What anyone goes though after a shooting (even a justified one) isn't something to look forward to at all.
 
While running chronograph results, statistics, etc., I also did some statistics for a one ounce slug load (as advertised--I haven't really chronographed it). So here they are:

.40 S&W 180 gr bullet @ 980 fps TKO =10.1
10mm Auto 165 gr bullet @ 1123 fps TKO =10.6
10mm Auto 180 gr bullet @ 1109 fps TKO =11.4
6.8SPC 115 gr bullet @ 2482 fps TKO =11.3
12 gauge 473 gr slug @ 1600 fps TKO = 78.9

It seems like there is an automatic aversion to slugs for HD by some people. I think ammo selection is important, just as it is with handguns.

If you look at the Winchester 12ga Super-X slug, it only penetrates to around 14.50" and expands to 1.24" in ballistic gel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKge3FF0Hx4

When a .45 ACP round penetrates to 15" and expands to around .78", people generally say that's a great performing projectile, but a shotgun slug that penetrates about the same distance but has over 1½ times the expansion is somehow not a great performing projectile.
 
The OP is right. The boards tell the story. The shotgun is in distant second place to the carbine. The shotgun will never go away. But, the carbine has so many more advantages

Easier for non gun female to shoot
Faster second shots
More reliable (pump) - no user inducing pumping errors.
More reliable (Semi auto) - shotguns are not as reliable as an AR15
Easier to mount a light
Easier to mount a RDS for low light
Higher capacity
Less recoil

The only thing a shotgun is said to do better is to deliver more stopping power per shot. I have heard people debate this and, to me, it is not clear.

I just sold my HD shotguns and will rely on my AR15s instead. The following quote sums it up

"I have an AR15. What do I need a shotgun for?"

- Pat Rogers
 
Room brooms....

As for "versatile" Id say check out the cool 12ga shotgun rounds sold thru www.deltaforce.com . ;)
Depending on your state or location laws/statues you can get a lot out of a 12ga shotgun with those little buggers. :D
About 40% the shotgun loads are illegal where I live, some to me are downright dangerous, :uhoh: .

12ga can and do offer a few benefits both to sworn LE & armed citizens but they aren't for everyone(or every defense-police situation).
 
Just because a SxS may be used tactically, doesn't make it a tactical shotgun. There is a reason you don't see leaves next to Charmin at the store.

In my opinion, a tactical HD shotgun must have the following attributes:
1) A light source for target identification (unless you have different ones for day/night). Don't plan on just turning on the lights, because power may be out.
2) Enough ammo to handle misses and/or multiple baddies. 4-5 is good, but the more the merrier. I try to have 6 or 7 in mine.
3) A short enough barrel to handle hallways. If you have a bullpup this doesn't matter, but 22" is the max barrel length I would suggest. Break action guns get a bit more leeway than repeaters.

Now, my shotguns also have shell caddies, red dot or ghost ring sights, and a sling, but I do not consider these primary must haves. I'd also list pistol grip as a must have, but neither of my shotguns have them and I don't want to be a hypocrite ;)
 
Roy, I would go easy on the marksmanship rhetoric. 50% of LE shootings take place inside of 5 feet, not 5 yards, 5 feet. And still, officers manage a hit rate somewhere south of 20% with their handguns. You can say all you want about the training of the officers, the fact is, even trained officers miss most of the time when they are fighting for their lives. It's always been that way, this is not a new phenomenon.

The whole "if you can't get it done with X" argument is, if you are honest with yourself, a justification for employing a weapon with a low magazine capacity because you like the weapon.

Your earlier comment about not having what it takes to defend yourself if you are worried about a gun grab is a bunch of machismo. If you are confronting an unarmed person while armed, a gun grab should be exactly your concern.

Shotguns are great, M4s work well too. I don't see myself running past one to get to the other if the situation arose.
My sister in law works for the sheriffs department, my mother in law retired from the sheriffs department, I have a good friend that is a deputy. I have shot with many law enforcement officers. You don't need to remind me how bad most of them are with a gun. I know 1 deputy that is flat out fearsome with a gun He is a Navy M.P resevist.
I pistol can be disabled if a bad guy grabs it . A long gun you pull back hard and pull the trigger . If you do not have what it takes to bring a gun to bear and squeeze the trigger without hesitation or pull back on a gun and pull the trigger . Milliseconds matter in self defense if you have to stop and think how do I react or where is the ???? on this gun you may not get the chance to react . There is no machismo involved just being a realist

I know people that would be just as effective with a rifle or pistol but they shoot like a shotgunner mount the gun so as to hit where they look .

This is from people who actually used shotguns in gun fights like Jim Cirillo. Don't be surprised if your opponent take all 9 pellets from 00 buck shot and still run.

This is another one I like I have shot many animals with many guns I have a 45-70 my 300 gr handloads drop deer like Thor's hammer same with feral dogs and coyotes in the poultry , Yet I blew a golf ball size hole through both lungs of a 20 lb beagle mix he ran a 100 yards and stopped second round put another hole the size of a golf ball and that one took the top of his heart out the dog traveled another 1/4 mile and I had to finish him (this was my dog and he was killing geese worth $40 each) there is always that animal that dies harder than most

The OP is right. The boards tell the story. The shotgun is in distant second place to the carbine. The shotgun will never go away. But, the carbine has so many more advantages


Easier for non gun female to shoot
For Home defense I will buy this If your job involves a gun learn to use the standard or do something else
Faster second shots
faster second third or forth shots don't matter if they don't hit the target most people tend to spray and pray with autos
More reliable (pump) - no user inducing pumping errors.
This one is beyond my comprehension in the 37 years since I got my first pumpgun I have never short stroked a pumpgun.. squeeze the trigger pull back on fore arm till it stops , push forward on forearm till it stops and repeat don't understand how you mess that up ??????
More reliable (Semi auto) - shotguns are not as reliable as an AR15
Agreed
Easier to mount a light
We are talking Home defense I don't want a light on my gun the bedrooms are all on one side of the house you must come down an unlighted hall to get to them you come down that hall I have led nightlights and curtains that allow the street light to back light anyone coming my way
Easier to mount a RDS for low light
Defense was considered buying the house see above for backlight pre planning so to keep H.D. gun simple as possible
Higher capacity
Don't believe it is needed we will have to agree to disagree
Less recoil
Yes they recoil less I still would prefer a smaller shotgun or reduced recoil loads If using a rifle I would prefer a 40 or 45 carbine at the same Ft/lbs level more frontal area Equals better stops. In my opinion, most the professional hunters of old who killed more dangerous game than all us combined believed that and what I have seen hunting deer and hugs it seem to ring true

Roy
 
If a perp takes 9 00 pellets in the chest and still runs off I will have witnessed what I would call a Miracle because a dead man just ran away. I have heard the term "shotgun dead" for my entire life. I have never heard the term "pistol dead" or anything like that. They use the term "shotgun dead" to describe being as dead as you can get. I am sure people can come up with some examples of someone taking a shotgun blast and living. It can happen but is the rare exception not the rule. Yet the number of gang bangers running around bragging about the 9mm rounds they have taken is common these days. Never met one who took a load of 00 in the chest.

I have built guns for Doctors, some of whom worked Trauma Centers. They all have first hand knowledge of the effects of a shotgun wound and all were choosing the shotgun for Defense. I am honored they were choosing my builds.

If you are going to a gun fight, take a shotgun. If you can't take a shotgun, don't go.
 
My sister in law works for the sheriffs department, my mother in law retired from the sheriffs department, I have a good friend that is a deputy. I have shot with many law enforcement officers. You don't need to remind me how bad most of them are with a gun. I know 1 deputy that is flat out fearsome with a gun He is a Navy M.P resevist.
I pistol can be disabled if a bad guy grabs it . A long gun you pull back hard and pull the trigger . If you do not have what it takes to bring a gun to bear and squeeze the trigger without hesitation or pull back on a gun and pull the trigger . Milliseconds matter in self defense if you have to stop and think how do I react or where is the ???? on this gun you may not get the chance to react . There is no machismo involved just being a realist

I know people that would be just as effective with a rifle or pistol but they shoot like a shotgunner mount the gun so as to hit where they look .



This is another one I like I have shot many animals with many guns I have a 45-70 my 300 gr handloads drop deer like Thor's hammer same with feral dogs and coyotes in the poultry , Yet I blew a golf ball size hole through both lungs of a 20 lb beagle mix he ran a 100 yards and stopped second round put another hole the size of a golf ball and that one took the top of his heart out the dog traveled another 1/4 mile and I had to finish him (this was my dog and he was killing geese worth $40 each) there is always that animal that dies harder than most

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Roy
Ok, sorry Roy I misunderstood what you said about the gun grab, I thought you meant it wasn't an issue. It sounds like you realize it's an issue but have a plan to deal with it.

And the Stat I gave about LE shootings doesn't just relate to cops. It relates to everyone, almost all cops can shoot 80% or better on a controlled range from distances of 5 to 25 yards. They do it at least once a year to qualify.

My point is that skill on a range does not equate to hits in a gunfight. Most people miss most of the time, LE or not.
 
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