Shotguns for the house

[Echo Unit]

I've been thinking that I might get a shotgun. They seem like fun, and I like the idea of having heavier firepower on hand if, you know, WWIII breaks out or something.

I've heard lots of people advocate shotguns for home defense. They point out that it's easy to hit your target (when firing shot), packs a punch, and makes a real scary noise when chambering a round in the dark.

I mentioned this to a military friend of mine, who scoffed and told me to stick with my handgun. His points were that a handgun turns corners faster and packs plenty of 'punch'. He also reminded me that 00 buckshot, while devastating, is not ideal for use in a house with people you care about.

Military types with experience in CQB, FISH, CQC, or <insert equivalent acronym here> what are your thoughts on using a shotgun indoors?

[bitparity]

Not military, but something you also want to keep in mind is bullet penetration. 00 buckshot will have less individual kinetic energy that will be more likely to be stopped by walls than a handgun bullet. The last thing you want is for your stray shots to go through the walls of your house hitting your family and neighbors when you weren't even aiming for them.

Also, though a handgun will turn corners, you'll still need to either be lucky with where you hit your target for immediate incapacitation, or pump several rounds into them first before they stop. A shotgun blast ANYWHERE on the body will be taking a big chunk of flesh out, that I guarantee will drop them in their tracks. And even if they were wearing body armor, a full shotgun blast to the chest will completely smash their ribcage.

[rsobrien]

If you are really concerned about penetration, don't shoot a gun in the house. Maybe you could try birdshot. But not penetrating walls alsom means not piercing enough flesh.

One cool thing to keep in mind about a shotgun, is buckshot for the close encounters, and slugs for when battling it out with your neighbors during civil insurrection.

[Yrkoon9]

I'm going to say a few things. None of which make any sense. So treat me as... a random internet poster whose advice should never taken in place of a professional...errr wait.

Your military friend suggests a handgun over a shotgun in a house? Ask him if he has ever cleared a building or room before. Might give you some indicator right there. Either answer he gives - ask him this - when clearing a room or house would you rather clear it with a handgun or a shotgun. (Because that is essentially what you are doing in home defense)

This is a no brainer.

In terms of over penetration...if you live in an apartment it won't matter which you use. Your neighbors are gonna be in trouble. Frangible rounds mitigate some of the danger but lets be real...it's fuckin sheetrock. If you live in a house I wouldn't worry so much.

[mad_malk]

I Will sum up what every instructor who had two brain cells has repeated over and over and over again. The hand gun is there to get you to a shot gun. the shot gun is there to a long gun. The long gun is there to get the **** out of there. or in internet words. Bare hands < Hand wielded weapon < Hand Gun < Shotgun < Long gun < Out of danger.

[vigilus]

Military types with experience in CQB, FISH, CQC, or <insert equivalent acronym here> what are your thoughts on using a shotgun indoors?

Are US soldiers allowed using shotguns on people?

[Yrkoon9]

Yeah. But we mostly use them for breaching.

[Rock Ape]

..//..Military types with experience in CQB, FISH, CQC, or <insert equivalent acronym here> what are your thoughts on using a shotgun indoors?

Good for removing doors at their hinges ;-)
Bad for self inflicted collateral damage
Good for low skill/high hit probability
Bad(ish) for mobility in confined space
Good for pwnage factor
Bad for self pwnage of own family (depends upon the construction of your home)
Good value for money
Bad for street cred
Good for not having to wait for a gun licence
Bad for not being able to conceal it on you

--Dave

[Wounded Ronin]

Which would you recommend I load up if I heard a suspicious noise downstairs/outside and was concerned about defending my home? 00 shot or slugs?

[pauli]

i've heard some fairly persuasive arguments in favor of #1 buck for sd. big enough to go through one person, not big enough to go through two. puts more net surface area (lead) in contact with the target than #00.

my shotgun's loaded with #2, but then, mine's a 20ga...

unless you're acutely concerned about home invasion bear-ery, slugs are pretty significant overkill.