A shotgun can be a good choice but likely not the best for home defense. If I only had one gun to do many tasks it would be a shotgun. Shotguns are very effective but do have some drawbacks and advantages. Let us examine them and why you might or might not want one. For many years I kept a shotgun as a primary self-defense firearm.
First what is a shotgun?
First a Shotgun is a long gun with a smooth bore barrel. It shoots a shell inside that shell are pellets of lead, steel or copper (and a bunch of other options!) A 00 (double ought) Buck Shell contains between 9-12 .33 caliber pellets that launch when fired in a “wad” that holds the shot together briefly before spreading. The spread for a 00 Buck in a large home of a hallway around 10 yard will be around 3 inches. Imagine nine .33 caliber balls in a three-inch circle hitting your aggressor. Pretty deviating, right? That is awesome, except if you miss and those pellets exit your residence or pass through a wall and injure a family member. Shotguns typically have more recoil or “kick” than other defensive weapons. This is why it may not be the best defense option.
Gauges
Shotguns are measured in gauges with the most common being 12 gauge and 20 gauge. There are many other choices including 10, 16, 28 and and .410 (technically not a gauge rather a caliber). 10, 16, and 28 gauge are far less common compared with 12 and 20 gauge with 12 gauge being by far the most common. There is much more research in 12 gauge defensive ammo as well. Shotguns may come in slide action (pump), semi-automatic, lever action, bolt action, and break action.
Defensive Shotguns
Defensive Shotguns are most often pump or semi-autos. A majority of users move toward a 12 gauge but remember there are other options. A 20 gauge can be just as effective with less recoil and can be easier for smaller built folks. Any one can shoot and master a 12 gauge, but it really depends on your willingness to put in the time. Smaller shooters must really lean into a 12 gauge to shoot it properly.
Reasons to Chose a shotgun
Why are some reasons you might choose a shotgun though?
- If you are over 18 but under 21 in some states a handgun or pistol is not possible to own.
- It is a cost-effective option—you can purchase a shotgun for quite reasonable prices. In fact, much less than a pistol or a rifle.
- You live in a rural area, and may need to protect more than just your home, including predators.
- You like to hunt birds or in some areas deer and might convert or modify a defensive shotgun.
- You are more comfortable with a long gun.
- They are easier to maintain and operate.
- You travel and need a firearm that is legal in most States.
An All Around Firearm
In many ways, a shot gun is a do all type of weapon but being a jack of all trades it’s a master of of one-bird hunting. In reality, shotguns are a very versatile weapon. Many shotguns are flexible, and you can purchase one for home defense, and with minor changes use it to hunt. Shotguns can shoot shot shells, slugs (a large size bullet), buck shot, and buck and ball (a defense round with a very large caliber ball and then 00 buck shot), birdshot, less lethal rounds like baton, flares and many other options. Over the years I have shot many things out of my shotguns and it can be quite fun. I enjoy using Shotguns and find them to be great weapons.
Shotguns history goes far back in time and was once a very common weapon for people to own. While still common they are less so than pistols or MSRs today.
Costs
Shotguns offer a lower cost entry into the self-defense arena. A typical Defensive shot gun would have an 18-inch to 18.5-inch barrel. These are pump actions that are reliable. They often hold between four and eight rounds. You can purchase a very workable shotgun brand new for around $200. Some of those shot guns are very flexible others are not. There are some very solid designed and functioning pump shotguns available today. There are also very good semi-autos for higher prices.
Legal
A few notes on legality. It is also important to note that you may not possess a shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches and an overall length less than 26 without a special tax stamp from the ATF for a short-barreled shotgun or “Any Other Weapon” (AOW).
Examples
Some examples of defensive pump shotguns include:
- Maverick 88
- Mossburg 500/590
- Remington 870
- Ithaca 37
An example of a typical Defensive Shotgun. Above is a Remington 870 with a Shell Holder mounted both on the stock and the receiver.
Notice the first shell in the receiver shell holder is facing down while the others face up. This is so the user can drop the first shell into the chamber reaching over the top of the firearm, drop it into the chamber, and push the slide shut, then topping off the magazine. Practice must be given to do this with accuracy under stress. A user would reload the shotgun while holding it in the right hand on the shoulder then reload from the shoulder with this method.
Police Returns
For some time Police Shotguns were widely available used as departments moved away from them. They had lots of wear and tear on the outside from being bumped, loaded in and out of police vehicles, and just riding around. That said most had very little actual use, thus are very workable.
While not the most effective for home defense, shot guns are effective and work well. A 12 gauge shotgun loaded with 00 Buck will stop most aggressors fairly well. Shotguns were a main staple of most Law Enforcement Agencies until about twenty-five years ago, when they were more commonly replaced with Modern Sporting Rifle or MSRs. A shotgun used with a slug can also be effective against assailants in body armor, but slugs are not recommended for use in the home. Due to their deep penetration, and heavy mass.
Over Penetration
One real concern about shotguns is that they may over-penetrate. 00 Buck will go though walls if you miss. There are numerous studies that show this. Shooting accurately is still important. You can’t just point a shotgun and expect to hit your target. Focus and aim are still important. This is a real risk and a huge concern especially if you live in a city apartment or have someone on the other side of a wall. To some extent this can be mitigated using #4 buck shot however there are not very many studies with #4 buck. In addition, it can be very hard to find shells. Do not use bird-shot. It’s for birds.
Availability
Shotguns are available all states in one form or another though, some models are not sold in some states much like pistols. Generally, anyone over 18 can own a shotgun is most states.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Lower cost than most rifles or pistols.
- Effective.
- Multiple projectiles reaching your subject.
- Widely Available in most states.
- Can be owned by 18-21 year olds in most states.
Disadvantages
- Large physical size.
- Harder to secure in the home.
- Generally not Drop safe (don’t keep a round in the chamber).
- Over Penetration can be an issue
- Follow up shots can be difficult for some users.
- Harder to master than a pistol or rifle.
- Recoil and Noise are an issue for some shooters.
- Not as adjustable for all family members to use.
What will you choose?
-Castle
