Best Choice For Home Defense?

1388 Views 96 Replies 33 Participants Last post by Gun Nerd, 16 h ago

Gun Nerd

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

So Im thinking, would a shotgun be the best choice for home defense? Shotguns have tremendous stopping power and they don't over penetrate the way rifles do. As such I think a good semi automatic or pump shotgun, ideally a 12 gauge, might be the ideal choice for home defense.

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Moark Willy

· #61 · 29 d ago

I currently have a s&W Bodyguard 380 in my nightstand. I feel the laser is a good choice for home protection.
6 feet away from my bed is a closet with a S&W 657 tucked away in a safe.
I like the heavier gun for home, easier to point and shoot, but I like the laser on the .380.
I had a shotgun in the closet which I took out.
But I have an alarm system and a dog as well. And my lights are automated so I can turn on anything with just one command.
I don't know if there is a perfect weapon for home defense.....other than what you feel the most comfortable with and don't have to think about before you act.
It's good to talk theory, kind of fun as well. But when the SHTF all of that goes out the window.
Your half asleep, your heart is pounding through your chest and you are half dressed at best.
You may have a spouse or a few kids and your mind is going in 10 different directions.
At that point you need to have whatever is the most comfortable and second nature to you to rely on.
Lethality, action, size, weight......none of that matters when your a$$ is on the line....and that of your families.
A baseball bat, a cast iron pan or a kitchen knife may be what you need when you need it.

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Wag

· #62 · 29 d ago

Moark Willy said:
It's good to talk theory, kind of fun as well. But when the SHTF all of that goes out the window.

^^^ This right here.

--Wag--

bc38

· #63 · 29 d ago

Moark Willy said:
Your half asleep, your heart is pounding through your chest and you are half dressed at best.
You may have a spouse or a few kids and your mind is going in 10 different directions.
At that point you need to have whatever is the most comfortable and second nature to you to rely on.

Bluwtr

· #64 · 24 d ago

My f.i.l. and I were discussing HD shotgun load one time and he told me of an article he'd read. The article stated an outstanding HD load is 3.5" mag turkey loads. They typical carry two different sized pellets and are loaded "hot". The shot cup is designed to make for a smaller shot string as well. All of this equals great power without overpenatration. Just food for thought.

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Northtidesix

· #65 · 24 d ago

Bluwtr said:
My f.i.l. and I were discussing HD shotgun load one time and he told me of an article he'd read. The article stated an outstanding HD load is 3.5" mag turkey loads. They typical carry two different sized pellets and are loaded "hot". The shot cup is designed to make for a smaller shot string as well. All of this equals great power without overpenatration. Just food for thought.

It sounds and is a great idea. A standard hunting load that covers both needs. The one thing to never want to do is modify a bullet to increase the killing power. ie, cutting the plastic hull on your shotgun shells. It is a devastating bullet. But can indicate you were planning to Kill Not Stop the threat. Remember the bad wrap Winchester got over the 'Black Talon' hollow point bullets. They were killer bullets, designed to kill not wound criminals.

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Mad Scientist

· #66 · 24 d ago

Northtidesix said:
Remember the bad wrap Winchester got over the 'Black Talon' hollow point bullets. They were killer bullets, designed to kill not wound criminals.

There is the rub. I want ammo that will kill criminals, because that way I know for sure the threat has ended and the criminal can't contradict my reporting of what happened.

Reactions: 5

Oldoutlaw

· #67 · 24 d ago

Northtidesix said:
It sounds and is a great idea. A standard hunting load that covers both needs. The one thing to never want to do is modify a bullet to increase the killing power. ie, cutting the plastic hull on your shotgun shells. It is a devastating bullet. But can indicate you were planning to Kill Not Stop the threat. Remember the bad wrap Winchester got over the 'Black Talon' hollow point bullets. They were killer bullets, designed to kill not wound criminals.

Exactly right. I hear too often of guys cutting the hulls. I have told a couple of guys locally that if they have to ever use one, it could go very bad for them in court. Don't think they listened at all.

Bluwtr

· #68 · 24 d ago

That's the great thing about the turkey loads---"I just shot them with birdshot officer".

In all seriousness though, I get what you mean, but I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 as the old saying goes. Also, dead men don't testify.

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Gun Nerd

Discussion Starter · #69 · 23 d ago

Bluwtr said:
In all seriousness though, I get what you mean, but I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 as the old saying goes.

That is all the more reason you should be prepared to be tried by 12, knowing that you will make that choice should you have to choose between those two options.

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Square target

· #70 · 23 d ago

Northtidesix said:
The one thing to never want to do is modify a bullet to increase the killing power. ie, cutting the plastic hull on your shotgun shells. It is a devastating bullet.

I've heard of this, never tried it and I'm pretty sure I've watched a video or two in the past about this. Doesn't it essentially make it a slug? For some reason I have it it my mind that it's possibly dangerous as well(for the shooter/gun). I may have read it somewhere but not sure if it's true. A shotgun at close range no matter what the load is going to make one hell of a wound. Even 1oz of #9 at 10-15 feet is going to ruin your day.

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Bluwtr

· #71 · 23 d ago

Yes, modification of a round or if you reload, making a load above recommended upper limits could put you in the realm of guilt. A prosecutor would say your intent was meant to kill rather than scare off or incapacitate the intruder. Given the political climate in our country today and these lib DAs. victims are the ones being prosecuted and the thugs are being defended.

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Gun Nerd

Discussion Starter · #72 · 23 d ago

Bluwtr said:
Yes, modification of a round or if you reload, making a load above recommended upper limits could put you in the realm of guilt. A prosecutor would say your intent was meant to kill rather than scare off or incapacitate the intruder. Given the political climate in our country today and these lib DAs. victims are the ones being prosecuted and the thugs are being defended.

When it comes to self defense, your intent is to stop, to stop the attacker, plain and simple.

Reactions: 2

40nascar

· #73 · 23 d ago

Bluwtr said:
Yes, modification of a round or if you reload, making a load above recommended upper limits could put you in the realm of guilt. A prosecutor would say your intent was meant to kill rather than scare off or incapacitate the intruder. Given the political climate in our country today and these lib DAs. victims are the ones being prosecuted and the thugs are being defended.

Move to a 2A county and this won't happen.

Stamps6

· #74 · 23 d ago

Deadmen don’t fie law suits ether

Wag

· #75 · 23 d ago

Bluwtr said:
A prosecutor would say your intent was meant to kill rather than scare off or incapacitate the intruder.

That always comes up in these discussions but, get ready, a prosecutor is going to say that anyway. Be ready for it.

--Wag--

Reactions: 1

Irminsul

· #76 · 22 d ago

I have a home rig for the Glock 30 and an extra mag. I've been firing .45 ACP since 1979 and I'm more than comfortable with it.

Bogeymanjcc

· #77 · 22 d ago

Caveman Jim said:
I would agree wholeheartedly, great choice.
In my case I’ve got old arthritic hands so a 20 gauge would be optimal.

I know what you mean about the discomfort of arthritis. Just so you know, I have a Shickwave in 20 ga., and it stills kicks plenty because of the 14" barrel. It comes with a ployester hand strap on the fore-grip, and the ends of the strap are uncomfortable against the skin on the back of my hand. Not so much I don't like the gun, but I am looking to mod. it with a different retention piece. It still needs a strap, because it'll kick up out of your hand without it if your grip isn't solid, but I want one that isn't annoying.

Reactions: 1

Northtidesix

· #78 · 22 d ago

Mad Scientist said:
There is the rub. I want ammo that will kill criminals, because that way I know for sure the threat has ended and the criminal can't contradict my reporting of what happened.

I agree. But the courts and law enforcement are leaning toward disabling the threat. Not killing the predator.

Reactions: 1

Bogeymanjcc

· #79 · 22 d ago

Northtidesix said:
But the courts and law enforcement are leaning toward disabling the threat. Not killing the predator.

"If the intruder is dead, the threat is disabled. My logic is undeniable." - AI

gvaldeg1

· #80 · 22 d ago

Mad Scientist said:
There is the rub. I want ammo that will kill criminals, because that way I know for sure the threat has ended and the criminal can't contradict my reporting of what happened.

Me too!

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