The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Best type of gun for home defense in the suburbs with children in the home?

Uncle Billy · June 4, 2012, 08:18 AM

I'd choose a 20 gauge skeet gun - open chokes, shorter barrel - and load it with target loads.

A "long" gun is held with both hands which might make it harder to lose to an assailant, a shotgun is more intimidating than smaller guns like pistols when pointed at an intruder, light-loaded shot shells are much less apt to penetrate walls than a single projectile weapon, a target or hunting gun pressed into use as a defense weapon has more credibility than one that's obviously intended to be anti-personnel as its first purpose, at least in some jurisdictions.

All that's been said here about getting training and practice is on the mark, IMHO.

June 4, 2012, 08:18 AM	#24
Uncle Billy Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2009 Location: Small city in New York Posts: 482	I'd choose a 20 gauge skeet gun - open chokes, shorter barrel - and load it with target loads. A "long" gun is held with both hands which might make it harder to lose to an assailant, a shotgun is more intimidating than smaller guns like pistols when pointed at an intruder, light-loaded shot shells are much less apt to penetrate walls than a single projectile weapon, a target or hunting gun pressed into use as a defense weapon has more credibility than one that's obviously intended to be anti-personnel as its first purpose, at least in some jurisdictions. All that's been said here about getting training and practice is on the mark, IMHO.