single shot 12 ga for home defense?

[inSight-NEO]

Can we settle this?

Settled (as far as Im concerned).

If you have the funds to buy one, a repeater gives the user more options than a single-shot.

If you only have a single-shot, you are not helpless.

Agreed on both accounts.

A longarm is better than a sidearm for everything except concealed carry.

Well...I must respectfully (and somewhat strongly) disagree with you at this point. But, any comments regarding this statement would spark an entirely different debate which would certainly be "off topic."

However, a "private" debate would be exceptionally interesting!

 

[lefteyedom]

Here is a good reason to use a Single shot shotgun for home defense. When you have to shoot a bad guy in your house the POLICE may (will) take your weapon away to the crime lab for "testing ". Months or years later after all possible court action have been settle you may see your weapon again. Now this does not happen everywhere but it does happen often enough to warrant consideration.

 

[inSight-NEO]

Here is a good reason to use a Single shot shotgun for home defense. When you have to shoot a bad guy in your house the POLICE may (will) take your weapon away to the crime lab for "testing ". Months or years later after all possible court action have been settle you may see your weapon again. Now this does not happen everywhere but it does happen often enough to warrant consideration.

Personally, as much as it would upset/bother me, I would rather have the police confiscate my high capacity HD weapon than to be possibly toe-tagged at the morgue because I relied on a single shot weapon. Weapons can eventually be replaced...human lives cannot.

Now, if you were merely being facitious, then please disregard my previous comments.

 

[Noxx]

I think John put it down best.

Personally I own all three types, but the 20ga pump is the one in my bedroom. (of course it's not alone, there's the 686, and my wifes sig.... we need bigger nightstands.)

My single would work find for defending a position (12ga bolt), but I imagine one would have to summon the calm necessary to take a second to get the most effective shot on a charging intruder.

Frankly I wouldn't be comfortable with it. It'll work, a 1976 pickup works, but I prefer to drive my Accord.

 

[inSight-NEO]

I think John put it down best.

Indeed, as he managed to summarize (within a few sentences) what has been said multiple times before. But, as I mentioned, Im not so sure about the "longarm" comment. But again, thats another topic entirely. Either way, Im sure the OP gets the gist by now. From here, its all up to him to decide if the single shot is any way to go for HD. Im assuming since he obviously has other alternatives, he will probably opt for something more, umm...practical.

 

[colorado_handgunner]

One thing to consider is the stress of said HD environment during use. While you may be extremely proficient in firing, ejecting, and loading in you practice sessions, will you be able to do it after being awakened in the middle of the night and having to do it in the dark? Probably not. Yes, it is definitely better than a .22 or a pointy stick, but why not go with something that is a bit more reliable in reload, if you can? I would much rather trust my Springer's mechanicals to chamber the next round than my nervous, adrenaline pumped fingers.

PS: Only read first post, short on time tonight, so sorry if I am repeating what was already said by others.

 

[JShirley]

Sigh.

Actually, considering all the many times I fired that 20 gauge, not knowing (in my youth) the hearing damage that I was suffering...It's hard to imagine any firearm I could handle more intuitively. Just thinking about it, I can easily feel the ejection lever under my thumb, hear the musical chime of my action breaking open and smell the powder, and I am ready to toss another shell in the chamber and shoulder that evil-kicking but sweet-handling little gun again, my thumb drawing back the hammer seemingly of its own free will.

I'm still not going to give up something like my AR-15, .45 Colt lever-action, or 12 gauge for defense if I can help it, though.

insight, I'm not sure what would be the best place for such a discussion. Strategy, maybe?

John

 

[plumberroy]

Actually, considering all the many times I fired that 20 gauge, not knowing (in my youth) the hearing damage that I was suffering...It's hard to imagine any firearm I could handle more intuitively. Just thinking about it, I can easily feel the ejection lever under my thumb, hear the musical chime of my action breaking open and smell the powder, and I am ready to toss another shell in the chamber and shoulder that evil-kicking but sweet-handling little gun again, my thumb drawing back the hammer seemingly of its own free will

This is what a lot of people,not raised on a farm or in the sticks don't understand. I got my first H&R 410 just before I turned 10 . I was carrying it down the hollow or to the garden by myself by the time I was twelve. I got a pump at 13 but could not carry it when I was by myself If I wasn't at school or sleeping or doing chores a singleshot shotgun was in my hand ( a lot of times doing garden chores it was close by ) A singleshot is like an extension of my arm I have pumpguns and can hold my own with most anyone against live targets I just never can get serious about target games.
As I have said beforethe majority of my home defence chores are defending the garden or animals from critters. If a desturbance is obviously human I will grab an 870 or stick an XD40 in my waistband most of the times noises are investagated with a H&R 12 ga turkey gun . An elastic shell holder on my left fore arm . I don't like shell holder on the buttstock changes the balance and is hard on the face if I have to shoot right handed (I'm a lefty) plus I have big enough fore arms it stays put. #4 buck in the gun the loads in the shell holder are: #1 or #4 buck closest to my hand 2 #4 bird shots then 2 slugs. After 35 years of using this style gun it is like an extension of my arm I can change from buckshot to birdshot or slugs faster than most can ever think about doing it with a pump or auto

One thing to consider is the stress of said HD environment during use. While you may be extremely proficient in firing, ejecting, and loading in you practice sessions, will you be able to do it after being awakened in the middle of the night and having to do it in the dark? Probably not.

I guess I'm lucky I am cool calm and collected in an emergency until every thing is secure and safe then I get the shakes.
Roy

 

[lefteyedom]

Yes I was being a little factitious. I should have add the disclaimer that in my night stand is a custom 45acp with a 10 rd mag.
In my pickup there's a H&R single shot 12 gauge. The barrel has been cut down to 20" and stock sleeve shell holder added. The two slugs, 3 buckshot in the holder and the left over box of birdshot should cover most problems. Simple, cheap, effective and my conceal carry permit covers it nicely.
If it is stolen I am out $50 for the gun and $10 for the ammo. The first rule of a gun fight, bring a gun.

 

[tactikel]

My father always had a 20 ga single shot (18 1/4" barrel) in his bedroom closet, and 3 shells, his thoughts were that it would be "all over" in 3 shots or less. I keep a 870 special field 20 ga (3 shots, 21" barrel) AND my XD-45, just in case it takes 16 shots to end the problem

 

[plumberroy]

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=k&ll=38.561682,-81.503883&spn=0.001166,0.003417&z=18
King I can make the sticks statement because very few are left that grew up as far back in the sticks As I did. You didn't get with in 2 miles of our home with out locking the hubs in I walked 2 1/2 miles to the bus stop
The area you grow up in has a lot to do with people using pump or autos here in Western Ohio Most people were using pump in th 70's yet were I lived single shot shotguns still were the most common not because of they thought singles were safe but they didn't have the cash.
You seem to have the idea I'm not good with a pump All though it has been years since I have lived where quail are common , when I was in Ok. I all most always doubled on a cover rise triples were common and have knock down 4 birds more than once (I quit doing that because I lost the forth bird often) Back when I measured hunting succes by game killed I carried a pump gun now hunting succes is being outside being with friends listening to the beagles and killing just enough to have a mess of game once in a while I have come back to where I started
I guess where we are splitting ways is Your Idea of home defence is only against bad guys where I consider defending my garden or chickens home defence too As I stated in an earlier post if the bump in the night is obviously human I'll grab the 870 or stick a 40 cal in my belt. but if It is the usual what made that noise or whats scaring the chickens I like the ability to change loads to suit the target quickly and silently that My single give me
I really think the gun you are most familiar and comfortable with is the best home defence gun . If you have to think about where the safety on an auto or have to consiously think about not short stroking a pump . but you shoot a single like it is an extention of you body then a single is the better gun for you But it goes the other way too if you have to think where the break open lever and a pump is the extention of your hands you have know busness defending youself with a singleshot.
There is no cookie cutter answer for the question the best gun for me may not suit you at all But I do think there are more people out there than you think that can run a single shot effectively
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on some things
Roy

 

[Dirty Bob]

I'm really enjoying the stories of hunting and growing up in a rural area. Thank you!

I'm in the city, and I rely on a pump, but I appreciate the safety of a single shot. A single shot is one of the few guns I might consider loaning to a non-shooter in the event of a Katrina-like general emergency. A bolt-action shotgun is another fairly safe and simple firearm.

All my best,
Dirty Bob

 

[Colton White]

my first post

thank all of you for the advice and information i have learned for some time now im done putin it off now im a member and heres my 2 cents

a single shot shotgun is one of my favorite guns! i have 2 H&Rs and i love em. i got a one cut down to 18.5 barrel with an ammo cuff on the butt with #4 buck.
it rides in a blanket under the back seat of my truck. i like to know that its there if my ccw wont take care of business that shotgun will. omg it kicks like a crazy horse but self preservation aint sposta be fun when the bloods pumping u wont notice lol

anyway as said i keep mine in my truck but my other sits in a lil hidin spot in the house far away from other guns if my hd shotgun runs out or if i cant get to it my H&R is there to save the day not the best but far from the worst

thanks all

 

[peacemaker45]

Better than a sharp stick, better than a muzzleloader, probably better than a .25 Raven.

Otherwise, most other things surpass it. If you've got better suited tools, you'd be kind of silly to hang your life on a single shot.

I really don't understand why people keep posting these goof ball questions. Can I carry an SAA for CCW? Is a .22 enough stopping power? How about a single shot for home defense?

Does it make people feel tougher to contemplate "handling a situation," with inferior tools?

You say you have them all? Very well then. Take your handy dandy 870 or 1100 to the range. Take your single shot. Take or borrow an electronic shot timer. Tack up five targets at about 10 yards. Hit the five targets with the repeater. Then do the same with the single shot. Which is faster? Why would you even think about the other one?

Home/Self defense is serious business. You're contemplating the use of deadly force, to stop someone applying deadly force to you. Put in plainer terms, you're talking about a situation where you have to kill or maim someone who is trying to kill or maim you. Now after you miss that first shot, because you were in a hurry, and fumble the second shell, what happens? He's on you, and all you've got is a poorly designed club, when you could have had a loaded shotgun. Does this really sound like a good idea?

Every time i go on this rant, someone thinks I don't know what I'm talking about. However, in this case, it happens that I do. I go to a lot of SASS matches. I see a lot of people miss close, easy shots. I see a lot of people fumble shells. All that with what sort of pressure? Someone just set off an electronic buzzer in their ear. Wow. Not much compared to an assault in progress, is it?

I myself am probably among the top 20 in the country as far as speed loading and shooting with a double barrelled shotgun. I've practiced. A lot. A whole lot more than 10 minutes a day. When I go to bed, however, the SxS doesn't stand near my bed. It goes in the safe. Next to the bed is a Remington 1100, stoked up with 9 rounds of buckshot, and a belt filled half with buck and half with slugs.

See sig line

 

[contender]

Wow........just got done reading all these pages.

not because i want to use a single shot for HD, but just because i like them as a general purpose gun and am rather sentimental about them.

While reading all the responses, it sort of was like the old arguments that have been going on for decades such as revolver vs semi on capacity and reliability, or the 9 vs the 45 on capacity and power. Same goes for the old arguments of a single shot rifle vs a bolt or a pump rifle vs a semi rifle for hunting.

Some folks are passionate while others would argue with a fence post............

As to the orginal starter thread.......what ever floats your boat as it is your tail on the line and not mine. it will be your decision to make. I know nothing of your area, home, or your capabilities---you have to make a decision hopefully on those factors and not on 2nd hand information. This can be "what if" and monday morning quarter-backed for decades-----in reality, it sort of has already in other gun arguments.

The plus side is you already posess the tools, its up to you to choose the one you are confident/competent with. You are blessed with choices while others may not be. I understand you already feel the repeaters are probably superior and just wanted "thoughts" about the single shots-----6 pages running...oh yeah, excellent thread to get the mind working! Still, it will be ultimately your decision to make.

i believe this one reply here purty well sums it all up about single shot shotguns in general......

Can we settle this?

If you have the funds to buy one, a repeater gives the user more options than a single-shot.

If you only have a single-shot, you are not helpless.

A longarm is better than a sidearm for everything except concealed carry.

John
__________________

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I agree with post number 3 Training is the only factor.

 

[JShirley]

I myself am probably among the top 20 in the country as far as speed loading and shooting with a double barrelled shotgun.

Well, that's easy enough to check. Just post the name you compete under.

John

 

[peacemaker45]

Quote:
I myself am probably among the top 20 in the country as far as speed loading and shooting with a double barrelled shotgun.

Well, that's easy enough to check. Just post the name you compete under.

John

Jerkline Jesse, SASS # 64073. 2008 Ohio State Champion, among other things. More to the point, I was second in the speed double barrel side match at the Midwest Regional in 07, and I think 08 as well.

~~~Mat

 

[JShirley]

Too easy, right? It's so much easier to believe folks when they've actually practiced what they advocate. (I still don't usually believe there's a single "right or wrong" answer, but I respect educated opinions.)

Thanks.

John

 

[TheAzn]

This is a very interesting topic. In fact, it is my most favorite thread on this forum.
Is it true, though, that a single shot cannot be reloaded faster than 2 or 3 seconds?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPSiMlrnAnM&list=FL9PNrvcRiid9Icpc5Nneb0A&index=10&feature=plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txB6Ul8mMd4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIOeg0_ZMSI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw&list=FL9PNrvcRiid9Icpc5Nneb0A&index=13&feature=plpp_video

I apologize for making some assumptions, but all the videos that I have seen were quite consistent about the 2 or 3 seconds reload time for single shots.

 

[Fred Fuller]

It's also a very ... mature ... thread. Some might call it a zombie thread even , since it was last updated in 2009.

I wouldn't take that 2-3 second figure too much to heart, someone in practice reloading their single shot ejector gun with a couple of shells between their fingers can do a lot better than that.