I've been seriously considering a shotgun for home defense and would love some input from experienced users. I'm stuck deciding between a 12-gauge and a 20-gauge. I get that the 12-gauge packs more punch, but I've heard the 20-gauge is easier to handle and has less recoil, especially in tight spaces. What do you all think?
When it comes to features, what's crucial for a home defense shotgun? Barrel length, stock type, or anything else? I want something straightforward and reliable. Also, any specific models or brands you swear by?
Lastly, how important is training for this? I've shot shotguns casually but nothing extensive. What kind of practice should I focus on to feel confident if the need arises?
I've been seriously considering a shotgun for home defense and would love some input from experienced users. I'm stuck deciding between a 12-gauge and a 20-gauge. I get that the 12-gauge packs more punch, but I've heard the 20-gauge is easier to handle and has less recoil, especially in tight spaces. What do you all think?
When it comes to features, what's crucial for a home defense shotgun? Barrel length, stock type, or anything else? I want something straightforward and reliable. Also, any specific models or brands you swear by?
Lastly, how important is training for this? I've shot shotguns casually but nothing extensive. What kind of practice should I focus on to feel confident if the need arises?
Pistols are for getting to your shotgun, which are for getting to your AR, which are for getting to your overwatch rifle....as in overwatch the whole damn county. One hopes to never have to apply any of those steps. But, with the drugged up crazies, anti-American shitheads and politicians.....Dad and Mom always said...."Better to have, be ready and not need, than to need, not be prepared, and not have." Actually, personally had to apply step one a year ago last week, encountering a crackhead with crowbar in hand in one of my garages at family property. For all of my suburban and rural properties structures, at the shoty step, my choices are the Mossberg Shockwave 590 pump magazine-fed and Aftershock 990 semi-auto, both in 12ga with 14.5" barrels and Crimson Trace LaserSaddles and Birdshead short pistolish stocks. Light, short, fast handling, with great punch. Mossbergs are reliable, cost effective, well respected options for defensive needs. Wish the only 5+1 round 990 were offered in mag version as mag feed allows switching between birdshot/buckshot/slugs very quickly for specific need, providing 5-20 rounds, quick reloads. Greater than 5+1 round options is preferred as Evil Dispensing Violence often comes in greater than one quantities. I started at 7yo bird hunting with a pump shoty so there is little difference for me between pump and semi-auto, actually lean toward the pump in grave situations......less malfunction potential....IMO. Both are very short for confined hallways, home spaces, and as vehicle guns. The LaserSaddle aims via laser on target for accuracy from hip or face high without shouldering a longer stock. Only downer of lasers, as with tracer rounds, is they work both directions pinpointing the origin. However, the laser can be instantaneously button activated at the moment of shooting, so if one is practiced, proficient, there won't be return incoming. Lasers can also be a bad guy intimidating, stopping factor avoiding having to actually shoot. With a little practice, one can be very fast and accurate with the "stockless" short barreled shotys. For recoil sensitive folks, the Shockwave is available in 20ga and .410....Aftershock only 12ga, but the semi-auto action is a soft shooter....in my perspective....YMMV. You will encounter bad mouthing of the shorty Mossys from those not having set one up properly and/or put in the work to become proficient with their unique manual of arms, designs. Should the threat be at longer range, i would initially go to an AR.....5.56 to ~600yds, or 308 out to ~1000yds. For long threats, I'd go with a bolt-action,mag fed rifle such as any of my 12 caliber conversions in a Barrett MRAD rifle. If the shorty shotys are not your liking, I'd consider a Mossberg pump 510 youth model available in 20ga or .410. It has the shorter youth stock, is light short, fast handling yet offering shoulder shooting. I have both 20ga and 410 using for squirrel hunting.....handy, cute little shotys. For full size big boy shotys, any of the very broad Mossberg line will be a great option. Varioius laser options are available for most shotguns. Selecting the shoty is only the first step. Practice for competence is critical with any firearm. Take a defensive shotgun/handgun/rifle course, then PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. The more one practices, the luckier one becomes., And, KNOW THE LAWS IN YOUR JURISDICTION REGARDING APPLICATION OF DEADLY FORCE. Don't be "THAT GUY" on the 6PM news, video at 10, making all pro-Second Amendment citizens look bad.
