devildog32713
Member
It would be great for you, if you are effecient with it, and that suits you, personally, I have a Mossberg 500 8 shot Persuader for HD, but a double would be nice!
Coach gun for home defense?
- Thread starter MikeJ
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LRS_Ranger
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It's whatever you feel comfortable with.. Either way if you do your part, you will splater it all over the wall, be it a semi or a double. I have a Benelli M3 that will hold 9 rounds (floating one on the carrier) and I am still thinking about getting a double just for the simplicity. I figure if I am still half asleep or God forbid I'm not home and my wife has to use it, the simple path might be the best. Same reason I like a revolver as a bedside blaster too.
reading through this thread there is an occasional mention of firing both barrels, pulling both triggers at once 
. I was foolish enough to actually DO this ONCE while in an open field at the deer lease. (12ga coach) The gun ripped itself promptly out of my hands and barely missed my forehead on its way behind me and into the grass. I walked away with a few scratched fingers from the force of the recoil as the gun was ripped out of my hands.
. I was foolish enough to actually DO this ONCE while in an open field at the deer lease. (12ga coach) The gun ripped itself promptly out of my hands and barely missed my forehead on its way behind me and into the grass. I walked away with a few scratched fingers from the force of the recoil as the gun was ripped out of my hands.ghitch75
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if someone is in my house they will get both barrels......then there will be a mess....they wouldn't get in anyone else's house...
AcceptableUserName
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the problem I have rationalizing a coach gun is the price for one of acceptable quality - in this case, Stoeger. In my area, the CHEAPEST you will find a Stoeger on the shelf is 340.00, BEFORE taxes and fees.
For that price, I could get a Mossberg 590a1 on sale (mine was 349.99 last year) that has a metal trigger guard, metal safety tab, HEAVY barrel and 6 shot capacity. At the very least I could come away with a nice 500 persuader and some ammo, or a used Winchester 1300 Defender and ammo.
Guess which one (s) I'd take?
My thoughts are the prices would go down if more companies started introducing a competitor for the Stoeger, but I don't see it happening. If one was given to me, I'd feel snug as a bug in a rug with it as my home gun once I learned to run and operate it properly. It's not the gun - it's the market that prevents me from owning one right now.
For that price, I could get a Mossberg 590a1 on sale (mine was 349.99 last year) that has a metal trigger guard, metal safety tab, HEAVY barrel and 6 shot capacity. At the very least I could come away with a nice 500 persuader and some ammo, or a used Winchester 1300 Defender and ammo.
Guess which one (s) I'd take?
My thoughts are the prices would go down if more companies started introducing a competitor for the Stoeger, but I don't see it happening. If one was given to me, I'd feel snug as a bug in a rug with it as my home gun once I learned to run and operate it properly. It's not the gun - it's the market that prevents me from owning one right now.
I was using 3" shells in this case and the coach gun is pretty light.
I remember looking for related stories on google after that and read a story about a Dallas police officer that went after a crazy guy on a DART buss. He let both barrels go and was knocked unconscious by the gun when it hit him in the head. But he got the guy before he could hurt anyone else IIRC.
DHart
Member
Coach guns are a real favorite of mine. First introduced to them when getting into Cowboy Action shooting. Picked up a Stoeger 12 ga. Coach Gun, had the action slicked, chambers polished, auto safety made manual, recoil pad added. That made the gun really sweet!
I would generally choose one of my 12 ga. pumps for defensive purposes, but there are times when having a Coach Gun means you will have a shotgun in addition to your pistol, rather than just a pistol alone. I would argue that having a 12 ga. double AND a pistol is a heck of a lot better than the pistol alone.
When I travel, I used to take just a pistol or two. Now, I take the Coach Gun too because it breaks down into three pieces in LITERALLY 2.2 seconds and is no longer than 20". This easily drops into a suitcase, backpack, motorcycle saddle bag, etc. So easy to have along. Short, handy size, light weight, potent! When sleeping in a distant motel or hotel room, it's nice to have the Coach Gun along with a pistol. Probably (hopefully) never need it, but if I had to shoot in defense, I'd like to start with two loads from the Coach Gun before needing to resort to a pistol.
I would generally choose one of my 12 ga. pumps for defensive purposes, but there are times when having a Coach Gun means you will have a shotgun in addition to your pistol, rather than just a pistol alone. I would argue that having a 12 ga. double AND a pistol is a heck of a lot better than the pistol alone.
When I travel, I used to take just a pistol or two. Now, I take the Coach Gun too because it breaks down into three pieces in LITERALLY 2.2 seconds and is no longer than 20". This easily drops into a suitcase, backpack, motorcycle saddle bag, etc. So easy to have along. Short, handy size, light weight, potent! When sleeping in a distant motel or hotel room, it's nice to have the Coach Gun along with a pistol. Probably (hopefully) never need it, but if I had to shoot in defense, I'd like to start with two loads from the Coach Gun before needing to resort to a pistol.
I've lurked here for awhile, I guess it's time to make a post. And resurrect an old thread at the same time. 
I have a Rossi Overland that I keep loaded with 00 Buck for things that go bump in the night. I would feel pretty confident wielding it in a HD situation.
I have a Rossi Overland that I keep loaded with 00 Buck for things that go bump in the night. I would feel pretty confident wielding it in a HD situation.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Welcome,Reb.
I too would be confident wielding a SxS shotgun during a crisis if.....
I knew the weapon well.
I had shot the thing frequently at various drills and games..
And knew it like my tongue knows my teeth.
IOW, BA/UU/R......
I too would be confident wielding a SxS shotgun during a crisis if.....
I knew the weapon well.
I had shot the thing frequently at various drills and games..
And knew it like my tongue knows my teeth.
IOW, BA/UU/R......
treadhead1952
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I can't resist keeping this one alive.
Being a belt and suspenders sort of guy, I have a JW 2000 12 gauge SXS at the head of the bed and a Remington 870 12 gauge Pump just under the right side where I get out. Hard to beat a 12 gauge and while 00 Buck is pretty potent, I prefer #4, more pellets and up close and personal, just as destructive.
Being a belt and suspenders sort of guy, I have a JW 2000 12 gauge SXS at the head of the bed and a Remington 870 12 gauge Pump just under the right side where I get out. Hard to beat a 12 gauge and while 00 Buck is pretty potent, I prefer #4, more pellets and up close and personal, just as destructive.
DHart
Member
YJake... I have an Uplander as well as the coach gun. My Uplander sees no use whatsoever.
My coach gun, however, is ever present (along with a pump shotgun and some handguns) around my home and RV.
I think you'll be thrilled with the coach gun. I would grab a pump shotgun first (for capacity), if I knew I had serious trouble to deal with, but the coach gun is a great tool, nimble and handy, and has served exceptionally well in a defense capacity for well over 100 years! I would grab my Winchester 1300 8-shot Defender first (if available) and my wife is comfortable grabbing the simpler, point-and-pull-triggers-coach-gun. I guess what it comes down to is that I just like having a coach gun, in addition to other options, at my disposal.
My coach gun, however, is ever present (along with a pump shotgun and some handguns) around my home and RV.
I think you'll be thrilled with the coach gun. I would grab a pump shotgun first (for capacity), if I knew I had serious trouble to deal with, but the coach gun is a great tool, nimble and handy, and has served exceptionally well in a defense capacity for well over 100 years! I would grab my Winchester 1300 8-shot Defender first (if available) and my wife is comfortable grabbing the simpler, point-and-pull-triggers-coach-gun. I guess what it comes down to is that I just like having a coach gun, in addition to other options, at my disposal.
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1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
I've got an exposed hammer Liberty coach gun standing beside my headboard. The charge is 2.75-inch #4 buck. Across a room, that brings a world of hurt.
EmGeeGeorge
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don't have to worry bout short stroking in a stressful situation...
RX-178
Member
I've got a Baikal external-hammer coach gun on my Xmas list.
Although with my current schedule it'll likely be a mid-late January post SHOT show Xmas present to myself.
With the way these things break down I might even add it to my BOB.
Although with my current schedule it'll likely be a mid-late January post SHOT show Xmas present to myself.
With the way these things break down I might even add it to my BOB.
DHart
Member
1911Tuner... hey buddy, I don't know if you remember or not, but years ago we had quite a long online interaction about 1911's.... strange how so many years have passed since then. Anyway, just "sayin' hi".
And, this means SO very much to me:
"Speak kindly to me, beloved master. Revel in my unconditional love, and give me every minute that you can spare, for my time with you is short."
I love my golden lab dearly and this is such a great reminder to lavish attention on him whenever and however I can because indeed, his time with me is so, so, so very short. :-(
And, this means SO very much to me:
"Speak kindly to me, beloved master. Revel in my unconditional love, and give me every minute that you can spare, for my time with you is short."
I love my golden lab dearly and this is such a great reminder to lavish attention on him whenever and however I can because indeed, his time with me is so, so, so very short. :-(
GMcBoozer
Member
I've got a Stoeger coach, great little scatter gun. It shoots clays and birds great, well, at least so far this year. Only a few issues, the forearm furniture had a hair line crack in it, and it developed some play between the barrels and the rest of the firearm. I talked to Benelli about both issues, and they said they would fix the wood for free (factory defect) and would check on the barrels, and would let me know if anything was unsafe or not. All in all, totally worth the $400 bucks I paid for it. I've received a few offers from range buddy's to buy it, everyone who has shot it has loved it.
DHart
Member
The Coach gun is not a "premium" SxS shotgun intended for hunting or long range accuracy shotgun shooting.
It's a freakin' defense shotgun!
As such, and within personal-defense shotgun ranges (like within your home or back yard distances) it is PLENTY accurate enough and reliable enough to get the job of defense done splendidly.
Of course if one is looking for a birding SxS shotgun, the longer-barrel and more premium-priced guns are going to be the better choice.
BUT, when it comes to buying a SxS for defense use, I will easily place my full faith and trust in the quality and reliability of a coach gun such as the Stoeger. Ask any cowboy action shooter if they feel the Stoeger Coach Gun can serve well for defense purposes and you will no doubt receive a resounding thumb's up.
Given the opportunity, I'd prefer one of my Winchester 1300 Defenders with 18" barrel and 8-shot capacity if I knew I'd have to do defense against bad people. But I'm always comfortable having my Stoeger 12 ga. Coach Gun loaded and at the ready if I should need to employ a weapon to defend my home or RV.
It's a freakin' defense shotgun!
As such, and within personal-defense shotgun ranges (like within your home or back yard distances) it is PLENTY accurate enough and reliable enough to get the job of defense done splendidly.
Of course if one is looking for a birding SxS shotgun, the longer-barrel and more premium-priced guns are going to be the better choice.
BUT, when it comes to buying a SxS for defense use, I will easily place my full faith and trust in the quality and reliability of a coach gun such as the Stoeger. Ask any cowboy action shooter if they feel the Stoeger Coach Gun can serve well for defense purposes and you will no doubt receive a resounding thumb's up.
Given the opportunity, I'd prefer one of my Winchester 1300 Defenders with 18" barrel and 8-shot capacity if I knew I'd have to do defense against bad people. But I'm always comfortable having my Stoeger 12 ga. Coach Gun loaded and at the ready if I should need to employ a weapon to defend my home or RV.
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AJumbo
Member
I don't own one, but if I did I might take the following steps-
Get the chambers polished to allow my empties to freely eject;
Get one of the DVDs aimed at the CAS crowd about how to manage the coach gun in competition, and study it closely;
Invest in a couple of heavy rubber bands so I can strap a decent flashlight under the barrels;
Maybe have the stock cut down so my girlfriend can use the gun, too. Better,of course, to get her one of her own;
And, most importantly, have a home defense plan in place. An AA12 will avail you nothing without a clear idea of how and when to employ it.
Get the chambers polished to allow my empties to freely eject;
Get one of the DVDs aimed at the CAS crowd about how to manage the coach gun in competition, and study it closely;
Invest in a couple of heavy rubber bands so I can strap a decent flashlight under the barrels;
Maybe have the stock cut down so my girlfriend can use the gun, too. Better,of course, to get her one of her own;
And, most importantly, have a home defense plan in place. An AA12 will avail you nothing without a clear idea of how and when to employ it.
mustanger
Member
a 20 ga. double with 18-20 inch barrels would be handy, easy to control, and with buck shot rather deadly. The holes when looked at from the bad guys position would look much larger, and the overall much shorter. He is going to think "sawed off shotgun" and if you have one of them you are going to use it, and leave quickly. That is better than to actually have to shoot someone.
mustanger
Member
.410 would be sweet. Always have been drawn to a .410 double. Would work way better than a 10 ga. and better than a 12 ga. even. A 20 ga. would be ideal. A .410 looks like a .410 where a 20 would look bigger to the intruder and still be manageable. Think about shooting a 10 ga. then think about shooting a short one. Does not good to blow a hole in the cieling and end up with the gun behind you. If you hang on to it, recovery would be slow. Scare factor definately should not be counted on, should only be used in your favor. If you scare the BG away, GOOD. If not then you most definately have a situation on your hands. You can only count on controlability and accuracy. Shoot some paper plates froom 10 feet away and 5 feet. Look at the patern size. Really doesn't matter if you use #12 bird shot or slugs. You will still need the same accuraccy. The choice between shot, buck shot, or slugs, is penatration. Who will be on the other side of the wall. We can't help ourselves, we think of a shotgun as a street sweeper, or an alley cleaner, but it's not. At ten feet you need the same accuracy as with a rifle or pistol. The advantage of a shotgun is less penetration, if you use shot, not the patern. A double can be made shorter than a pump ( making it handier in the house), a short double has a good scare factor that might work in your favor (maybe) but, think of sneaking through somebody elses house and hearing the rack-rack of a pump. Definately would rattle my nerves.
I think the problem with this subject is that so many ideas have good points, but you cannot put them all together in one gun. Take your 26" pump gun, for instance. Afterwords the officer investigating is going to see "bird" gun, That you defended yourself and family with. Not some sawed off, decked out "man killer". He is going to be more simpathetic to you. If you live through it.
I think the problem with this subject is that so many ideas have good points, but you cannot put them all together in one gun. Take your 26" pump gun, for instance. Afterwords the officer investigating is going to see "bird" gun, That you defended yourself and family with. Not some sawed off, decked out "man killer". He is going to be more simpathetic to you. If you live through it.
mustanger
Member
I thought I would add this as a seperate post. Give us pause. I outsmarted myself. I took my Stevens 311 20ga. and knowing I would screw it up the first time, I cut it off at 20 inches, for practice, using a hacksaw. That way I would have room to cut it again. I wanted 18 1/2" barrels. Did such a good job that I don't dare cut it again, lol. I have never needed a home defense gun and hope I never will. If I do the only Improvement I would want is a .45 ACP with hollow cavity silver tips on my hip.
KodiakBeer
member
My old Baikal is my primary home defense gun, as well as my packing gun for fishing in these parts. I have plenty of guns that I could use for home defense, but this one seems to be the best compromise. In terms of close-range stopping power, there is no compromise at all. Nothing beats a load of buckshot in the chest at close range.
The length makes it nearly as handy as a pistol.
My pump guns would give me more shots, but they are also a heavier and longer package and maybe slower to get on target in the close confines of a home. My first two shots will be quicker than a pump, and reloads (with practice) are pretty fast. At any rate, I'm more concerned about getting that first shot in the right place than in having more shots on tap.
The length makes it nearly as handy as a pistol.
My pump guns would give me more shots, but they are also a heavier and longer package and maybe slower to get on target in the close confines of a home. My first two shots will be quicker than a pump, and reloads (with practice) are pretty fast. At any rate, I'm more concerned about getting that first shot in the right place than in having more shots on tap.
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