Shotguns..convince me

[DunedinDragon]

I have a pretty decent collection of guns at this point including several handguns and some AR-15 variants. I've begun to notice that it appears a significant number of gun owners have shotguns. Since I'm not a hunter and typically fire at an indoor range which only allows slugs, would there be any particular reason for owning a shotgun?

 

[chipp]

Shot guns

Because at close range (in your home) a shotgun is unequalled in stoping power. buck shot has muck less chance of ending up in your neibors house. Try Chambering a pump shotgun in the middle of the night when its dead silent. Not too many bad guys will stick around. For home protection its my first choice

 

[kudu]

Go try busting some clays sometime at a skeet or trap range. There is nothing like reactive targets that disintegrate when you pull the trigger as they fly through the air.

 

[foghornl]

For "Homeland Security" up close and personal, nothing beats a shotgun. I live in "The 'Burbs", so after the handgun, my next up is the 12 Ga Pump.

 

[aguyindallas]

Besides, its just another reason to add to your collection...for the sake of diversity.

 

[Fly320s]

Shotguns = versatility.

What other firearm can be used for hunting everything from dove to deer? With what other firearm can you easily switch from a wide coverage projectile (shot) to a precision projectile (slugs, sabots) and back at will. You can also add all the gee-whiz gadgets, such as lights.

A pump shotgun is second only to a single-shot in reliability. And it is just as tough. The shotgun isn't likely to be the target of gun-grabbers anytime soon, if you're worried about that. As a bonus, you can find them just about everywhere at very good prices, along with the ammo to feed it.

Don't put too much trust in the idea that the sound of racking a shotgun will scare away intruders. Instead, let the buckshot or slugs do the talking.

 

[BozemanMT]

Go try busting some clays sometime at a skeet or trap range. There is nothing like reactive targets that disintegrate when you pull the trigger as they fly through the air.

Exactly it. You'll be hooked for life, it's great fun.
And the 2nd best reason is as was said earlier

Because at close range (in your home) a shotgun is unequalled in stoping power.

Besides, you can't play 3Gun without 3 guns.

 

[Biker]

Well, in a SHTF situation, a 12G SG can drop everything from a dove to a moose or bear.
Biker

 

[ravencon]

I haven't hunted since I was a kid. I don't do trap or skeet. I have a shotgun as part of my HD arsenal. But, I've never warmed up to the shotgun--for me it is a tool, devoid of personality.

Of course, there are many who love 'em. I'm just not one of them.

 

[rudolf]

Look at the BIG FAT Hole at the front end of the barrel. Look at the size of a slug compared to any other bullet. Now on which side of a shotgun do you want to be. Right, on the owners side. So it is best to own one

 

[MrTwigg]

A great way to waste a morning

is shooting sporting clays, think "Golf with guns". Not quite as snobby as you'd think. Challenging. Bring extra chokes and lotsa shells !

+1 on the home defense thing too.

 

[MedGrl]

I was looking to get a revolver as my first gun primarily for use in home defense. My friend who has been mentoring me in guns took me shooting with his shotguns a week ago and it was alot of fun. We went shooting Clays today and it was realy chalenging and fun. And from all the reasearch i've done and what I've seen at the range SGs are great fun to shoot and very plausable for home defense.

 

[AF_INT1N0]

would there be any particular reason for owning a shotgun?

Would there be any reason for not owning a shotgun??

But seriously
+ 1 Biker Not much you can't shoot / hunt with a shotgun.

Also they have a very easy course of fire. Also you can exchange barrels magazine sizes, and chokes, to go from weekend clay buster, to weeknight watchman.

 

[Shotgun12]

.... convince me ....

Won't even try.

It's kinda like, when someone asks a person "why do you ride a Harley?" (as opposed to another "brand") .... if they have to ask - they probably wouldn't understand anyway.

In other words - it's mostly a matter of personal preference, and what type of shooting you like to do. There are a few things that the SG can do better than a rifle, and vise-versa. As far as HD, much of it depends on situation .... the rest is personal preference.

I think if I hear anyone else mention that "pump-shotgun sound" .... I'm gonna

Anybody "nuts (or stoned) enough" to enter an occupied house .... they just might not be all that intimidated by that sound - it just might "tell them" to take cover, and open fire, at you.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Big firestick, yessir big firestick. Learn to shoot one of those things an you are versatile. Dove season? good to go. Deer season? Slug barrel an you are good to go. Crowd control, SHTF? Make it a 12 guage sir, ammunition aplenty.
.410 slugs are nothing to laugh at either, albeit a little on the expensive side.

 

[Bridger]

They are just cool. Every red blooded American needs a shotgun just because of how awesome they are.

I don't know why, but almost anything with shotguns is a lot of fun. From just messing around, "plinking" with them, busting clays, practical shooting, all of it is tons of fun with those big shells and the pattern of shot instead of a single projectile.

 

[lrb111]

http://www.special-operations-technology.com/article.cfm?DocID=491
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_9_50/ai_n6125526
http://www.firequest.com/catalog/12_gauge_ammunition.html

less than lethal, check the product lists
http://www.securityandsafetysupply.com/product-firearms/Gauge10.html
http://www.iejs.com/TechnologyandCrime/Law_Enforcement_Technology/less_than_lethal_weapons.htm

There are also flechette, flares, rubber shot, rocket shapes, rubber dum dums, rubber covered steel balls. Too much to list.

With a pistol grip, folding stock, speed loaders...............

 

[355sigfan]

QUOTE
{Because at close range (in your home) a shotgun is unequalled in stoping power. buck shot has muck less chance of ending up in your neibors house. Try Chambering a pump shotgun in the middle of the night when its dead silent. Not too many bad guys will stick around. For home protection its my first choice}
END QUOTE

Actually 223 softpoints are just as safe inside as buckshot. The .223 is also a very effective stopper with softpoints.
Pat

 

[Coltdriver]

A shotgun loaded with .30 cal pellets has the firepower of a machinegun and its legal!

 

[355sigfan]

More like the power of a submachinegun firing 32 auto.
Pat

 

[JShirley]

Pat's right.

Even when using the 12, I only use reduced recoil slugs now.

John

 

[355sigfan]

I do like the possibilities of the new line of reduced penetration slugs marketed for home defense. I like the 12 gauge as a big bore rifle. Like you I am not a huge buckshot fan.
Pat

 

[ArmedBear]

If all you do is shoot at indoor ranges that allow slugs, I wouldn't try to convince you to get a shotgun. A slug gun is a state-mandated handicap for deer hunting. Otherwise, it's a very-high-recoil, inaccurate, annoying, heavy, bulky carbine. A .45-70 lever carbine would be far superior on all counts.

Shoot clay sports, though, and you will learn to use and love a shotgun. And slugs won't seem so bad when you do shoot them. Shotguns are made to be pointed, not aimed. If you want to aim your gun and you don't want to shoot multiple projectiles, there are better options -- unless your state requires a slug gun for deer hunting.

 

[ArmedBear]

Well, in a SHTF situation, a 12G SG can drop everything from a dove to a moose or bear.

Only in the hands of someone who has practiced with it.

I love shotguns. I shoot other guns less and less. Clay things flying through the air are infinitely more fun to shoot than anything else I've tried. But shooting slugs at an indoor range sounds like something that would give someone a really negative impression of shotguns!

 

[Lonestar.45]

I love my handguns and rifles. But, shooting 25 rounds indoors at paper with my rifle is no fun at all compared to shooting 25 shells in sporting clays or skeet. It's just plain fun.

If that's not your game, and you need another reason, then home defense should work for you. NOTHING compares to a shotgun in close quarters short of a full automatic.