Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/shop/product/3/personal-defense-network-dvd-series/
Pump Shotguns For Home Defense
Personal Defense Network DVD Series, 2012
#75160D
Presented by Rob Pincus
This one apparently is new enough not to even show up on the web page yet, at least it wasn't there when I looked for it today. And I couldn't find any other references to this specific DVD anywhere else on the web either, so I suppose you folks here are getting a first look
. But there's a copy of the DVD here on the desk, and I just watched it earlier today, so I know it exists.
And I can offer it a favorable review. It's basic, down to earth, well rounded and very useful for anyone looking for an introduction to using a pump shotgun for defense at home. Of course everyone who looks at something like this will have some quibbles and quirks of their own that don't necessarily agree with the presenter's opinions, and I'm no different. But I'd have no qualms about sitting a family member or friend down in front of the TV and showing them this video before we headed out to the range, as well as sending it home with them afterward.
At least Rob has finally slowed down the rate of fire of his verbal machine gun to the point Southerners can understand him. So I don't have to bug him any more about talking so fast.
Chapters on this DVD include:
- Shotgun myths
- Shotgun setup
- Fundamentals of defensive shotgun use
- Shooting a defensive shotgun
- Reloading the defensive shotgun
- Switching to a specialty shotgun shell
- Extreme close quarters retention shooting
- Home defense shotgun storage
- Defensive shotgun ammunition options
I found it interesting that the shotgun Rob uses as a demonstrator in this video is very much like the last defensive shotgun I set up personally. It's a H&R Pardner Pump Protector model in 12 gauge (http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/pardnerpump.asp) with a bead sighted 18.5" CYL bore barrel and a 5-round magazine. The gun has been fitted with a short light rail that clamps on the magazine tube in front of the forearm and a simple carrying strap on the factory QD sling swivel studs, and that's it for attachments - though Rob does mention Sidesaddles in passing (my latest addition to the safe has a 4-round version attached). He also demonstrates several different white light and light/laser combinations that fit on the optional rail. Even with the additions, it's still a very simple shotgun compared to the amount of stuff a lot of people seem to think they need to add in order to properly 'tacticalize' their shotguns before they ever even fire the first round out of them. Well, this particular shotgun does a lot better as a real world working shotgun than it does as a photographer's kewl-gun model.
Louis Awerbuck, who is the shotgun Yoda as far as I'm concerned, has a short list of things he considers useful on defensive shotguns. That list coincides closely with the list as presented on this video. A white light source, a stock short enough for the shooter to manage easily, a sling, a way to keep spare ammo handy and sights if the shooter needs them. That's all covered in the chapter on shotgun setup.
I will say that I don't think any video, even one as good as this one, is a substitute for hands-on training with a competent instructor. Everyone who is learning a new skill set needs a set of critical eyes to notice mistakes and point out corrections or improvements. There is no substitute for that IMHO. No matter how much a person thinks they know, it's amazing what a good instructor can teach in a short while. And a good instructor can shorten a shooter's learning curve dramatically, and will save that shooter a lot of range time, range fees and ammo money into the bargain. Is a pro trainer worth it? You bet, in my book.
But so far we can't get Rob, or Louis Awerbuck, or any other instructor, boxed up and delivered by mail to our door in person. The best we can manage for home delivery is things like this DVD. And I think the DVD approach can be a good introduction to a particular instructor or concept, and a good review of the class or subject after the fact as well.
As far as I can tell, ordering a specific DVD from PDN costs $21.95 plus $5.45 S&H for a total of $27.40. Given the price of many firearms training DVDs these days, that seems pretty much a bargain to me. If you're interested, here's how to contact PDN:
If you have questions or comments regarding our Personal Firearm Defense DVD Series please call toll-free 1-877-489-9367 or e-mail us at [email protected].
For questions and comments regarding our privacy policy, content on this site, the site layout, navigation or technical assistance or to contact our editors, please fill out the form below. You may also write to us at:
Personal Defense Network
1903 Wayzata Blvd. East
Wayzata, MN 55391
As a side note, my wife and I purchased this DVD, as we do many of the others in the series as offered through the Second Amendment Foundation. I have no commercial interest in PDN and received no compensation for this review.
Pump Shotguns For Home Defense
Personal Defense Network DVD Series, 2012
#75160D
Presented by Rob Pincus
This one apparently is new enough not to even show up on the web page yet, at least it wasn't there when I looked for it today. And I couldn't find any other references to this specific DVD anywhere else on the web either, so I suppose you folks here are getting a first look
. But there's a copy of the DVD here on the desk, and I just watched it earlier today, so I know it exists.And I can offer it a favorable review. It's basic, down to earth, well rounded and very useful for anyone looking for an introduction to using a pump shotgun for defense at home. Of course everyone who looks at something like this will have some quibbles and quirks of their own that don't necessarily agree with the presenter's opinions, and I'm no different. But I'd have no qualms about sitting a family member or friend down in front of the TV and showing them this video before we headed out to the range, as well as sending it home with them afterward.
At least Rob has finally slowed down the rate of fire of his verbal machine gun to the point Southerners can understand him.
So I don't have to bug him any more about talking so fast. Chapters on this DVD include:
- Shotgun myths
- Shotgun setup
- Fundamentals of defensive shotgun use
- Shooting a defensive shotgun
- Reloading the defensive shotgun
- Switching to a specialty shotgun shell
- Extreme close quarters retention shooting
- Home defense shotgun storage
- Defensive shotgun ammunition options
I found it interesting that the shotgun Rob uses as a demonstrator in this video is very much like the last defensive shotgun I set up personally. It's a H&R Pardner Pump Protector model in 12 gauge (http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/pardnerpump.asp) with a bead sighted 18.5" CYL bore barrel and a 5-round magazine. The gun has been fitted with a short light rail that clamps on the magazine tube in front of the forearm and a simple carrying strap on the factory QD sling swivel studs, and that's it for attachments - though Rob does mention Sidesaddles in passing (my latest addition to the safe has a 4-round version attached). He also demonstrates several different white light and light/laser combinations that fit on the optional rail. Even with the additions, it's still a very simple shotgun compared to the amount of stuff a lot of people seem to think they need to add in order to properly 'tacticalize' their shotguns before they ever even fire the first round out of them. Well, this particular shotgun does a lot better as a real world working shotgun than it does as a photographer's kewl-gun model.
Louis Awerbuck, who is the shotgun Yoda as far as I'm concerned, has a short list of things he considers useful on defensive shotguns. That list coincides closely with the list as presented on this video. A white light source, a stock short enough for the shooter to manage easily, a sling, a way to keep spare ammo handy and sights if the shooter needs them. That's all covered in the chapter on shotgun setup.
I will say that I don't think any video, even one as good as this one, is a substitute for hands-on training with a competent instructor. Everyone who is learning a new skill set needs a set of critical eyes to notice mistakes and point out corrections or improvements. There is no substitute for that IMHO. No matter how much a person thinks they know, it's amazing what a good instructor can teach in a short while. And a good instructor can shorten a shooter's learning curve dramatically, and will save that shooter a lot of range time, range fees and ammo money into the bargain. Is a pro trainer worth it? You bet, in my book.
But so far we can't get Rob, or Louis Awerbuck, or any other instructor, boxed up and delivered by mail to our door in person. The best we can manage for home delivery is things like this DVD. And I think the DVD approach can be a good introduction to a particular instructor or concept, and a good review of the class or subject after the fact as well.
As far as I can tell, ordering a specific DVD from PDN costs $21.95 plus $5.45 S&H for a total of $27.40. Given the price of many firearms training DVDs these days, that seems pretty much a bargain to me. If you're interested, here's how to contact PDN:
If you have questions or comments regarding our Personal Firearm Defense DVD Series please call toll-free 1-877-489-9367 or e-mail us at [email protected].
For questions and comments regarding our privacy policy, content on this site, the site layout, navigation or technical assistance or to contact our editors, please fill out the form below. You may also write to us at:
Personal Defense Network
1903 Wayzata Blvd. East
Wayzata, MN 55391
As a side note, my wife and I purchased this DVD, as we do many of the others in the series as offered through the Second Amendment Foundation. I have no commercial interest in PDN and received no compensation for this review.
