home defense

SPUSCG · February 9, 2008, 10:22 PM

ive heard a double barrelled is best for hom defense since you have a quick second shot and its simple but ive also heard a pump gun is best

for strictly home defense, what would be best?

EEL92fs · February 9, 2008, 10:24 PM

I will take the pump and my 6 shots..

hoytinak · February 9, 2008, 10:26 PM

I prefer my pump Mossy 500.

KMO · February 9, 2008, 11:38 PM

I was out practicing with my Mossberg 500 today, using 00 buck loads. Honestly, I cannot imagine this being less than whatever any home defense incident might require. It's an awesome thing. No BG is going to be on the wrong end of this weapon. I've got 8 rounds to shoot with this gun. I'm convinced 1 is plenty.

bcrash15 · February 9, 2008, 11:40 PM

no ones going to argue if you're holding any shotgun in their face. But if the intruder somehow determines that you have a double barrel and knows you fired two shots, that is not good. I expect most situations two shots would be enough, but if you do have to shoot more than that, a pump is a great advantage.

Also, pumps let you have the psychological factor of loudly racking the slide. This should make most thieves flee without having to fire a shot.

KMO · February 9, 2008, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Also, pumps let you have the psychological factor of loudly racking the slide.

You're right...With a pump, one might never get a shot off. BG's don't like that sound...

nate45 · February 9, 2008, 11:51 PM

I was just watching this Thunder Ranch video on Defensive Shotgun earlier. Even a single shot shotgun can be used effectively if you know what you are doing.

I myself would not say a single or double barreled shotgun was the best for defense, but they are both certainly viable options.

m24shooter · February 10, 2008, 12:15 AM

Whatever gun you have is going to be the best. Doubles are OK, I would prefer to have a little more though. Doubles do give you an extremely short package without sacrificing barrel length. The second shot is pretty fast, but then that's it. While that may be enough, I don't put just enough gas in my truck to make it to the next stations, I have insurance, and I carry a spare and tool kit.
And I seriously hope you guys aren't relying on the alleged benefit of the sound of a shotgun being pumped.

KMO · February 10, 2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

And I seriously hope you guys aren't relying on the alleged benefit of the sound of a shotgun being pumped.

Nah, if that was true, I suppose I'd have invested in a P.A. system instead of a shotgun...

m24shooter · February 10, 2008, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Nah, if that was true, I suppose I'd have invested in a P.A. system instead of a shotgun...

I've often wondered why the true believers don't do just that.

skeeter1 · February 10, 2008, 01:15 AM

I've got a couple of SxS doubles, and wouldn't hesitate to use them for HD. I've shot them for years, and would feel comfortable using one.

OTOH, they're also a lot more expensive (SKBs) than a pump, like a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870.

Unless you're committed to a double gun, go with the pump. You'll save a bunch of money and have more firepower to boot.

curmudgeon1 · February 10, 2008, 01:21 AM

Mossberg pump with 18.5 inch barrel and pistol grip
for manueverability. 6 rounds for more than one predator.
12 ga. of course.

SPUSCG · February 10, 2008, 09:27 PM

which would be better for firing slugs at a range? not that id use slugs for home defense

YukonKid · February 10, 2008, 09:52 PM

personally if i heard a shotgun close to me in the dark being racked i would be running like a bat out of heII. You guys are probably hard ass's though, it would take a .50 being cocked (double pull) to make you even consider you were in danger

I like my 7 shot 870. I always know it will work.

m24shooter · February 10, 2008, 10:39 PM

The problem with your analogy is that you don't go around breaking into houses. You are probably sober (at least for the most part), rational, law-abiding, and do not suffer from ED issues. You are deterred from crime either through internal controls, or by means of law and law enforcement, and don't see the consequences to getting caught as worth the risk or a job hazard.
The people that you would encounter in an HD situation aren't.

c_o_jones · February 11, 2008, 03:23 AM

Here's my HD mossy 500.
To me, nothing says "I don't love you" quite like a laser dot...

Buzzcook · February 11, 2008, 05:14 AM

A pump before a double.
Just remember that in home defense the shotgun is supposed to be a "wait till they come to me" rather than a "go and get'em" type weapon.

KMO · February 11, 2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

...the shotgun is supposed to be a "wait till they come to me" rather than a "go and get'em" type weapon.

Since our context here is home defense, how much "waiting" is the home defender supposed to do? If the intruder is already in the house (my house), I'm not doing much waiting at that point. If I'm equipped (shotgun), and he's in my familiar territory, he's in serious trouble. I'm track'n him down.

SR420 · February 11, 2008, 08:58 AM

No pump for me... mine is a semi-auto HK/Benelli

KMO · February 11, 2008, 09:27 AM

B-b-but, you get no rack sound with that.

SteelCore · February 11, 2008, 09:33 AM

I think I'd prefer a semi for home defense also. If you're being shot at, it could be very easy to short-stroke a pump. And if you take a bullet in the arm, operating the pump is gonna get a lot more difficult.

Some say that semis aren't as reliable as pumps, but others have opined that this isn't really true anymore as long as you're not using light loads. For example, I've read about more than a few owners' experiences with the Mossberg 930 SPX, and I've heard that it digests pretty much everything without a hiccup. I'd probably trust it to cycle an action in a firefight more reliably than I could.

KMO · February 11, 2008, 09:44 AM

I have no argument against the semis, but if the home defender has something like c o jones’ tactical monstrosity pictured above, I’d say he’s on the offensive in a home intruder situation – not likely to have much return fire coming his way…at least not much accurate fire...

SR420 · February 11, 2008, 09:51 AM

Quote:

kmoffitt

B-b-but, you get no rack sound with that.

Exactly, I prefer stealth.

I never understood why one would want to give away the element of surprise by racking the action...

KMO · February 11, 2008, 10:14 AM

Nothing wrong with that stealth strategy, but while I'm racking my gun (& drawing his attention), my other family members are quietly fixing their sights on him (or her)...gotta involve the whole family ya know...togetherness & stuff like that.

hogdogs · February 11, 2008, 12:34 PM

The "poop their pants sound of a racking slide is BS the first thing a BG is going to do is seek cover maybe on the way out or to fire in the direction of the sound...
Call me a ruthless prick but my gun already has a round in the pipe and if they can make out the sound of the safety being slid forward or trigger rearward they have got a chance! With the adequate light to ID the person as a BG I won't even utter a sound... I won't consider the job done until I rack the 3rd round and if more than one thug is insider I will bust off number 3 and 4 saving 5 and 6 to be used in case unexpected motion dictates their use!
Mossberg all the way...
Brent

February 9, 2008, 10:22 PM	#1
SPUSCG Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2008 Posts: 3,004	home defense ive heard a double barrelled is best for hom defense since you have a quick second shot and its simple but ive also heard a pump gun is best for strictly home defense, what would be best?

February 9, 2008, 11:38 PM	#4
KMO Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2008 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 952	Mossberg 500 Plenty Good I was out practicing with my Mossberg 500 today, using 00 buck loads. Honestly, I cannot imagine this being less than whatever any home defense incident might require. It's an awesome thing. No BG is going to be on the wrong end of this weapon. I've got 8 rounds to shoot with this gun. I'm convinced 1 is plenty.

February 10, 2008, 01:15 AM	#11
skeeter1 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 3,403	If you're unsure, go with the pump I've got a couple of SxS doubles, and wouldn't hesitate to use them for HD. I've shot them for years, and would feel comfortable using one. OTOH, they're also a lot more expensive (SKBs) than a pump, like a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. Unless you're committed to a double gun, go with the pump. You'll save a bunch of money and have more firepower to boot.

February 11, 2008, 03:23 AM	#16
c_o_jones Junior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 10	Shotty for HD Here's my HD mossy 500. To me, nothing says "I don't love you" quite like a laser dot...

February 11, 2008, 09:44 AM	#22
KMO Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2008 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 952	Semis Are Fine, But... I have no argument against the semis, but if the home defender has something like c o jones’ tactical monstrosity pictured above, I’d say he’s on the offensive in a home intruder situation – not likely to have much return fire coming his way…at least not much accurate fire...

February 9, 2008, 10:24 PM	#2
EEL92fs Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2007 Location: Dayton OH Posts: 155	I will take the pump and my 6 shots..

February 9, 2008, 10:26 PM	#3
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	I prefer my pump Mossy 500.

February 9, 2008, 11:40 PM	#5
bcrash15 Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2007 Posts: 455	no ones going to argue if you're holding any shotgun in their face. But if the intruder somehow determines that you have a double barrel and knows you fired two shots, that is not good. I expect most situations two shots would be enough, but if you do have to shoot more than that, a pump is a great advantage. Also, pumps let you have the psychological factor of loudly racking the slide. This should make most thieves flee without having to fire a shot.

February 9, 2008, 11:51 PM	#7
nate45 Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,746	I was just watching this Thunder Ranch video on Defensive Shotgun earlier. Even a single shot shotgun can be used effectively if you know what you are doing. I myself would not say a single or double barreled shotgun was the best for defense, but they are both certainly viable options.

February 10, 2008, 12:15 AM	#8
m24shooter Member Join Date: January 26, 2008 Posts: 68	Whatever gun you have is going to be the best. Doubles are OK, I would prefer to have a little more though. Doubles do give you an extremely short package without sacrificing barrel length. The second shot is pretty fast, but then that's it. While that may be enough, I don't put just enough gas in my truck to make it to the next stations, I have insurance, and I carry a spare and tool kit. And I seriously hope you guys aren't relying on the alleged benefit of the sound of a shotgun being pumped.

February 10, 2008, 01:21 AM	#12
curmudgeon1 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: n.e. ohio Posts: 544	Mossberg pump with 18.5 inch barrel and pistol grip for manueverability. 6 rounds for more than one predator. 12 ga. of course.

February 10, 2008, 09:27 PM	#13
SPUSCG Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2008 Posts: 3,004	which would be better for firing slugs at a range? not that id use slugs for home defense

February 10, 2008, 09:52 PM	#14
YukonKid Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: NW Posts: 744	personally if i heard a shotgun close to me in the dark being racked i would be running like a bat out of heII. You guys are probably hard ass's though, it would take a .50 being cocked (double pull) to make you even consider you were in danger I like my 7 shot 870. I always know it will work.

February 10, 2008, 10:39 PM	#15
m24shooter Member Join Date: January 26, 2008 Posts: 68	The problem with your analogy is that you don't go around breaking into houses. You are probably sober (at least for the most part), rational, law-abiding, and do not suffer from ED issues. You are deterred from crime either through internal controls, or by means of law and law enforcement, and don't see the consequences to getting caught as worth the risk or a job hazard. The people that you would encounter in an HD situation aren't.

February 11, 2008, 05:14 AM	#17
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	A pump before a double. Just remember that in home defense the shotgun is supposed to be a "wait till they come to me" rather than a "go and get'em" type weapon.

February 11, 2008, 08:58 AM	#19
SR420 Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2005 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 3,343	No pump for me... mine is a semi-auto HK/Benelli

February 11, 2008, 09:27 AM	#20
KMO Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2008 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 952	B-b-but, you get no rack sound with that.

February 11, 2008, 09:33 AM	#21
SteelCore Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2007 Posts: 522	I think I'd prefer a semi for home defense also. If you're being shot at, it could be very easy to short-stroke a pump. And if you take a bullet in the arm, operating the pump is gonna get a lot more difficult. Some say that semis aren't as reliable as pumps, but others have opined that this isn't really true anymore as long as you're not using light loads. For example, I've read about more than a few owners' experiences with the Mossberg 930 SPX, and I've heard that it digests pretty much everything without a hiccup. I'd probably trust it to cycle an action in a firefight more reliably than I could.

February 11, 2008, 10:14 AM	#24
KMO Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2008 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 952	Nothing wrong with that stealth strategy, but while I'm racking my gun (& drawing his attention), my other family members are quietly fixing their sights on him (or her)...gotta involve the whole family ya know...togetherness & stuff like that.

February 11, 2008, 12:34 PM	#25
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	The "poop their pants sound of a racking slide is BS the first thing a BG is going to do is seek cover maybe on the way out or to fire in the direction of the sound... Call me a ruthless prick but my gun already has a round in the pipe and if they can make out the sound of the safety being slid forward or trigger rearward they have got a chance! With the adequate light to ID the person as a BG I won't even utter a sound... I won't consider the job done until I rack the 3rd round and if more than one thug is insider I will bust off number 3 and 4 saving 5 and 6 to be used in case unexpected motion dictates their use! Mossberg all the way... Brent