What makes a shotgun so much better for home defense than a 5.56 semi auto?

[KINGMAX]

I use a REMI 870, loaded w/ #4 buckshot.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Everyone is debating long guns (my preference is a riot-style pump 12 with buckshot, by the way) but no talk of a good solid DA revolver. Something in a .357, .44 special, or .45 (ACP or LC). Functionally it is simplicity at its most basic - no operator controls other than the trigger, no slide to bind or short-stroke, no safety to have to remember to flick off, just point and click. Plus, it is far easier to use, and maneuver with, a pistol when you are also on the phone with police or if you need an extra hand for something (flashlight, opening a door, holding a child, etc...)

Brad

 

[budney]

Everyone is debating long guns (my preference is a riot-style pump 12 with buckshot, by the way) but no talk of a good solid DA revolver.

“The best reason for carrying a handgun is so you can fight your way back to the rifle that you should have had in the first place.” --John Farnam

 

[HerrWolfe]

Much easier to hit your target if you make the right shotshell selection. And reasonably safer in close proximity to others. Plus the sound of a pump being cycled is fearsome.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Plus the sound of a pump being cycled is fearsome.

Only in the movies. To some baddie in your house it is a sound to shoot at. Plus, you have given away the element of anonymity. If the baddie doesn't know where you are and what you're armed with, you have the advantage.

“The best reason for carrying a handgun is so you can fight your way back to the rifle that you should have had in the first place.” --John Farnam

Nice quote, but unsound in a home defense situation (both tactically and practically).

Brad

 

[budney]

Nice quote, but unsound in a home defence situation (both tactically and practically).

Perhaps--but it's still good food for thought. It's right up there with, "When you know you're going to a gunfight, bring a rifle. A pistol is what you carry when you aren't expecting a gunfight." Can't remember who said it, but Kenneth Royce likes to quote it.

--Len.

 

[benEzra]

Everyone is debating long guns (my preference is a riot-style pump 12 with buckshot, by the way) but no talk of a good solid DA revolver. Something in a .357, .44 special, or .45 (ACP or LC). Functionally it is simplicity at its most basic - no operator controls other than the trigger, no slide to bind or short-stroke, no safety to have to remember to flick off, just point and click. Plus, it is far easier to use, and maneuver with, a pistol when you are also on the phone with police or if you need an extra hand for something (flashlight, opening a door, holding a child, etc...)

I think the premise of the original post was to provoke debate regarding which class of long gun is the best for HD, rather than an open-ended debate on handguns vs. long guns.

I agree that under certain circumstances, a handgun would be my first choice (i.e., I want to go get my kids into our bedroom while we wait for 9-1-1, and I'll need a hand free to do that). But if circumstances do allow a long gun vs. a handgun (watching the hallway and waiting for 9-1-1, the rest of the family accounted for), a carbine would be my first choice.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My defenses are set up so the intruder has to approach my safe room down a hallway, with a dim night light behind him. Under those circumstances, a long arm is dramatically superior to a handgun.

 

[AStone]

Ugh, Nematocyst, you totally missed the joke. Or you're just being difficult. Either way...

Au contraire, Dorryn.

Just adding another twist to your joke
(which I did "get" and laughed when I read it).

 

[Zundfolge]

Torque, scroll up to post #129

 

[blackhawk2000]

Nobody is talking about pistol, because the thread is about shotgun, VS 5.56.

Can we please keep this on topic, and stick with why you prefer the shotgun, or 5.56? No .308, no 7.62X39, no 50 BMG. I have ADD, and I am able to do this, so should everyone else.

 

[HerrWolfe]

Shotgun is the best. Only perhaps 50 cents per bad guy, whereas by the time you got your finger off the auto trigger, have already spent maybe $5 and the BG is not even worth 25 cents.

 

[blackhawk2000]

What the hell is that supposed to mean??? Somebody lock this thread it's giving me a headache:banghead: