Shotgun for home defense?
- Thread starter Trey Veston
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"Stopping power" plays a role in why I choose the shotgun for home defense. While I train with the shotgun regularly, I am better with a handgun. But my particular home defense situation is largely about defending a stairwell - it's the only access to the upper floors, and as long as the bad guys stay on the ground floor, we're hiding upstairs and waiting for the police. If I do need to defend the stairwell, I want it to be as decisive as possible, and the distances and backstops are ideal for buckshot and slugs.
Shotgun near my bed. A loud squeak wakes me, and if I hear one that sounds suspicious we have a home defense plan. Perps can take any non-living possession in my house but if they venture into our shooting lane... game on! Wife with the pump and both my hands filled. Only one way in and we've got enough to last until the sirens come.
Gun near my door? Apologies, but why there?
Gun near my door? Apologies, but why there?
ScubaSteve99
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It sounds as though in your area, a pistol you are familiar and accurate with would likely suffice. At the same time though, PCC's are excellent home defense choices for many of the reasons you already mentioned like solid mag capacity and maneuverability. Between that and a shotgun, I would definitely take the PCC. You get 6x the rounds (though you probably wouldn't need all 30, better too many than too few) and its more accurate yielding lower chances for property damage including to your own place. You could say the shotgun has more "stopping power" but with hot defensive loads and rounds firing as fast as you can pull the trigger, you're just as set to drop whatever bad guy that's breaking down your door. Having a semi auto is also very helpful for scenarios with multiple burglars, which are not all that uncommon. On top of all this it's cheaper to buy more ammo for practicing. I'd say just make sure whatever JHPs you feed it will cycle reliably but I think its otherwise a great choice. Or if you really like it that much, do use a shotgun, I just think the PCC is better fit for the job.
bdickens
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This may be a stupid question, but when the people against whom you are thinking you might have to use said shotgun break in through that door, how are you planning to get ahold of it?
bannockburn
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When we lived in a more rural setting I use to go with a Maverick 88 12 gauge or else a Winchester Model 1300 in 20 gauge for home defense. Not too thrilled with the idea of leaving any gun unsecured near any entrance way into the house. Would feel more secure and better prepared carrying a handgun on my person rather than trying to get to a long gun somewhere in the house.
Nowadays I would characterize our home as being in a subdivision, set in a semi-rural area. Houses are fairly close together with lots of woods around us. I have a gun on me at most times when I'm at home (usually a S&W Model 638), both inside and outside (like working in the back 40), where I can't see the front of the house. I also have several guns locked up in strategic places in the house were I can access them at a moments notice. And then there's my primary home defense gun, a SIG P229 with a laser/light combo on it in the master bedroom.
Nowadays I would characterize our home as being in a subdivision, set in a semi-rural area. Houses are fairly close together with lots of woods around us. I have a gun on me at most times when I'm at home (usually a S&W Model 638), both inside and outside (like working in the back 40), where I can't see the front of the house. I also have several guns locked up in strategic places in the house were I can access them at a moments notice. And then there's my primary home defense gun, a SIG P229 with a laser/light combo on it in the master bedroom.
X62503
Contributing Member
My Model 12 loaded with 00 is by the bed, along with a S&W Model 27 on the nightstand and an AK-47 within reach. No other guns between me and our entry-way.
I’m working my way through this thread and wish to say how much I agree with this post. Even folks who practice by standing and shooting at a stationary target at their favorite range aren’t really learning skills that aid a quick and accurate response in a defensive situation requiring action.
if you can’t attend a training program such as the one mentioned in the quoted post, attend a defensive league event or even a steel challenge. If you’ve never done it before, you’ll be surprised how much room for improvement you’ll have, if you are anything like me. And to improve speed and accuracy, you’ll develop practical skills.
OP
OP
Trey Veston
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The posts that bought into question the wisdom of having a gun sitting out in the open make a good point. I guess I just was used to living in a rural area where having a long gun handy by the door was standard practice.
I think I'll just put it back in the gun room. I have my nightstand gun, which makes sense, and the rest of the time, I have my carry pistol either on me or sitting on the kitchen counter by the door, so there is always a gun nearby, anyways.
I think I'll just put it back in the gun room. I have my nightstand gun, which makes sense, and the rest of the time, I have my carry pistol either on me or sitting on the kitchen counter by the door, so there is always a gun nearby, anyways.
TheWarhammer
Member
IMO, any HD shotgun should have a light (handguns, too) and a sling, and the user should know how to properly use them both. (That's where getting real training and practice come in, as mentioned several times above.)
Shooting at anything you haven't positively identified is not good. I good light can dazzle and disorient an opponent, especially in what is, to them, a dark and unfamiliar environment. Most importantly, it helps you identify your target AND what is around and behind your target. I prefer a light with momentary activation, so that it is easy to only turn on when it's needed.
A sling allows you to use your hands for other things without setting your shotgun down (and out of your control) and helps with fatigue should you have to keep someone covered for a period of time. It also helps with weapon retention in the event that you let someone get too close. With a little practice, it is quick and easy to don the sling when picking up the shotgun.
Shooting at anything you haven't positively identified is not good. I good light can dazzle and disorient an opponent, especially in what is, to them, a dark and unfamiliar environment. Most importantly, it helps you identify your target AND what is around and behind your target. I prefer a light with momentary activation, so that it is easy to only turn on when it's needed.
A sling allows you to use your hands for other things without setting your shotgun down (and out of your control) and helps with fatigue should you have to keep someone covered for a period of time. It also helps with weapon retention in the event that you let someone get too close. With a little practice, it is quick and easy to don the sling when picking up the shotgun.
This all assumes that you’ll be awake before they get to the bedroom.
In the case of a burglary, they’re coming in because they don’t think you’re home. In the case of a home invasion, they’re gonna know you’re home and will take measures.
Lycidas Janwor
Member
Yep. I bought the exact same gun, just a step up (Mossberg 500 with wood furniture, I love the look) at a pawn shop. It still had the Mossberg stickers on it when I bought it for, I think, $120? I'm not going to do one thing to this shotgun, it's cheap, reliable and for home defense. I have it locked in a safe that is locked in a closet. Beside my bed, I have a handgun, hidden in a drawer that is in a quick access safe with a Glock in it and two full magazines. I can step off or fall off the bed on to the floor and have immediate access to this pistol in a matter of seconds.
Both guns are locked up, and hidden. The pistol is immediately accessible and the shotgun is close by if I really need it. I figure that the shotgun is one of those "must have" guns for home defense and I'm guessing that if I ever have to use it in some kind of home defense situation it's because the TSHHTF and I'm prepared to defend my home.
I have shot a shotgun more than any other long arm including a .22 rifle. They point more natural for me than the AR. I have gone back and forth between a 12 gauge and 5.56, but have settled on the fact that my 590 works best for me.
I can reach a pistol faster than my shotgun, but I keep the Mossberg hanging inside the closet that is right on the way out the bedroom door. My plan of action is to post up defensively at the top of the stairs. It's a straight shot down the landing. Everything of value is downstairs. They can have it. If they wipe me out, I MIGHT be out $1500 in electronics. I'd they attempt to come up the stairs I should have the high ground, good viable backlight from the street and nightlights downstairs, be concealed in the dark, and any shots I take (God forbid), will be down and not toward the neighbors.
I'm not going down there until the cops show up.
Now, I have a couple things going for me: Cameras, alarms, an actual locked door, I'm a light sleeper, and I get up between 3 and 4am so the house starts automatically switching on around then.
I would say that the fact I live in a "good" neighborhood and not a targeted NICE/Ritzy neighborhood and on a corner lot with good lighting and a fair amount of activity during the prime break in times keep me far safer than my shotgun...but I'm still happy to have it at the ready.
I can reach a pistol faster than my shotgun, but I keep the Mossberg hanging inside the closet that is right on the way out the bedroom door. My plan of action is to post up defensively at the top of the stairs. It's a straight shot down the landing. Everything of value is downstairs. They can have it. If they wipe me out, I MIGHT be out $1500 in electronics. I'd they attempt to come up the stairs I should have the high ground, good viable backlight from the street and nightlights downstairs, be concealed in the dark, and any shots I take (God forbid), will be down and not toward the neighbors.
I'm not going down there until the cops show up.
Now, I have a couple things going for me: Cameras, alarms, an actual locked door, I'm a light sleeper, and I get up between 3 and 4am so the house starts automatically switching on around then.
I would say that the fact I live in a "good" neighborhood and not a targeted NICE/Ritzy neighborhood and on a corner lot with good lighting and a fair amount of activity during the prime break in times keep me far safer than my shotgun...but I'm still happy to have it at the ready.
FL-NC
Member
I live in a low crime area. There are several handguns secreted throughout the house, to include near the front door. For a HD long gun, I think the PCC with a white light is superior to a shotgun.
lemaymiami
Member
Just did a quick scan of this thread - I'm a shotgun guy all day long for close quarter work so it's not a question for me....
I did note one thing that just jumped out at me and that was the folks who noted that they lived "upstairs" and that defending the stairway was their prime consideration... For everyone that thinks this is all they need to plan for - exactly what will you do upstairs if the folks you face decide to torch the lower floor? Bad folks with very bad intentions aren't always carrying guns - sometimes it's a can of gasoline or other accelerant.... that might just ruin your day or night...
Something that I was forced to address with my officers was that any modern structure on fire is generating very poisonous gasses and that going into or remaining in a structure on fire was extremely hazardous. The scenario was this... although we told our young guys not to go into burning buildings since they didn't have the necessary breathing gear most times they were first on the scene and just had to act... When the firefighters showed up, some of the first folks they needed to rescue... You guessed it they were our officers... The docs who worked on our officers reported stuff like cyanide as well as the usual carbon monoxide poisoning and similar agents from inhaling that nasty smoke from a modern dwelling...
So once again, you're in a superior barricaded position upstairs - what will you do if someone sets fire to the house? It's a very serious tactical concern in my book...
I did note one thing that just jumped out at me and that was the folks who noted that they lived "upstairs" and that defending the stairway was their prime consideration... For everyone that thinks this is all they need to plan for - exactly what will you do upstairs if the folks you face decide to torch the lower floor? Bad folks with very bad intentions aren't always carrying guns - sometimes it's a can of gasoline or other accelerant.... that might just ruin your day or night...
Something that I was forced to address with my officers was that any modern structure on fire is generating very poisonous gasses and that going into or remaining in a structure on fire was extremely hazardous. The scenario was this... although we told our young guys not to go into burning buildings since they didn't have the necessary breathing gear most times they were first on the scene and just had to act... When the firefighters showed up, some of the first folks they needed to rescue... You guessed it they were our officers... The docs who worked on our officers reported stuff like cyanide as well as the usual carbon monoxide poisoning and similar agents from inhaling that nasty smoke from a modern dwelling...
So once again, you're in a superior barricaded position upstairs - what will you do if someone sets fire to the house? It's a very serious tactical concern in my book...
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Is setting a house on fire by burglars a common thing in your part of the country? House fires here are very rare and usually come from lightning strikes, space heaters, gas leaks, and the like.
There are a lot of house burglaries and murders here (not necessarily on the same premises), but the criminals all seem to leave the scene as quick as the crime was committed.
In the case of my house which is a 2 story with all bedrooms upstairs, defending the top of the staircase makes sense. And if the house was set on fire, we could step out of one bedroom window onto a subroof and let ourselves down from there. Of course, that's counting on the burglars not waiting by that window with guns to make sure we stay inside, which would start a firefight for sure. And that is so unlikely to happen here in suburbia with a lot of witnesses nearby and cops on their way from a 911 call.
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my pet-less, child-less, home defense shotgun is a $100 h&r 20” 20ga single shot loaded with #5 game shot, secured under my bed with a 3 digit travel cable lock around the action. im not a shotgunner, so wanted something light, handy and simple that won’t jam or be shortstroked in the heat of the moment. since the h&r autoejects spent rounds i can run it fast.
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This could be it's own thread, but the scenario you raise is why my plan for an encounter where I can safely give commands is more to do with getting the intruder out of the house rather than down on the floor.
.38 Special
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I have honestly never heard of this happening.
BigSteve57
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We have a chain ladder for scenarios where we must exit the bedroom. This was suggested when we had our house gamed. I just hope we don't get killed trying to use it at night while in a hurry and/or panic!
What we don't have is a chain ladder in EVERY upstairs bedroom.
Perhaps we should.
REF: QuickEscape Fire Escape Ladder QFL12SL
She's 60 and still has her terrific college figure. Here's hoping when I need steady sights she won't distract me in her nightwear!!Is that really the best time to be groping your wife???? Or am I missing the point?
This is actually part of our home defense plan.
.38 Special
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A very good idea. I imagine house fires are more common than home invasions. I still wonder about the likelihood of someone breaking into my home with the intent of setting it on fire, though. I'm not sure that's something I really need to prepare for...
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