I’m a fairly pacifist type, but I have a .30-06 rifle and a 9mm pistol loaded and by my bedside now. I’d like to get a shotgun though…but there are new rules where I am so it’s going to take some time.
I’m from the Midwest so owning a pump action is basically mandatory. If you get one get some buckshot and slugs. Birdshot might be cheaper but it’s far too weak to actually do anything in a home invasion situation. If its armed ice agents busting down your door illegally I’d recommend steel slugs to combat their plates but they’re almost impossible to get since 2018. You won’t break through their armor with a normal slug but it sure as shit won’t feel nice and that might be enough to deter them depending on their goal.
Birdshot is perfectly acceptable in a home defense situation given the short ranges. It does have a lower lethality but unobstructed head and chest shots will most likely be fatal and will incapacitate.
An advantage to bird shot is that two layers of drywall may slow it down enough to prevent lethal injuries to bystanders such as family members in other rooms.
A disadvantage is that it will likely be stopped by body armor where buckshot packs enough punch that it can cause severe injury even if it doesn’t penetrate.
I don’t have ready sources for this, just general informed opinion.
Maybe against an average person. But we’re talking about armed I’ve agents who likely have armor. Also most people (me included) are trained to shoot center mass. If you’re getting shot at you’re not aiming for weak areas. You’re aiming for whatever is the easiest to hit.
Depends on how close you are. Most shotguns have basically zero spread in close quarters unless you modify the barrel to an illegal degree. That’s why I recommend slugs. You’re not gonna get enough spread anyway so might as well hit em with something that’s gonna hurt a lot more.
So to answer your question, not really. The spread of shotguns is greatly exaggerated in media and in a close quarters situation will probably be not existent unless you are using really specific shit. The real threat especially with 12 gauge is that it is more than powerful enough to take limbs off, turn organs into soup, and if you get hit in the head ya ain’t living.
This is actually why sawed offs are so dangerous they do infact increase the spread and when used in close quarters yeah… ya have a good chance of survival but I hope ya like hospital food.
Also yes I know shotguns are rarely that devastating but I ain’t over exaggerating by much either, if it’s good for home defense, Iwo Jimma, and the trenches of Verdun I suspect it’s a rather effective weapon to say the least.
I’m a fairly pacifist type, but I have a .30-06 rifle and a 9mm pistol loaded and by my bedside now. I’d like to get a shotgun though…but there are new rules where I am so it’s going to take some time.
Though it’s made by Israel, IWI makes a self defense shotgun that is California legal and holds 15 rounds.
Holy crap.
I’m from the Midwest so owning a pump action is basically mandatory. If you get one get some buckshot and slugs. Birdshot might be cheaper but it’s far too weak to actually do anything in a home invasion situation. If its armed ice agents busting down your door illegally I’d recommend steel slugs to combat their plates but they’re almost impossible to get since 2018. You won’t break through their armor with a normal slug but it sure as shit won’t feel nice and that might be enough to deter them depending on their goal.
Birdshot is perfectly acceptable in a home defense situation given the short ranges. It does have a lower lethality but unobstructed head and chest shots will most likely be fatal and will incapacitate.
An advantage to bird shot is that two layers of drywall may slow it down enough to prevent lethal injuries to bystanders such as family members in other rooms.
A disadvantage is that it will likely be stopped by body armor where buckshot packs enough punch that it can cause severe injury even if it doesn’t penetrate.
I don’t have ready sources for this, just general informed opinion.
Maybe against an average person. But we’re talking about armed I’ve agents who likely have armor. Also most people (me included) are trained to shoot center mass. If you’re getting shot at you’re not aiming for weak areas. You’re aiming for whatever is the easiest to hit.
Now I don’t do guns personally, so forgive me if I’m wrong. But wouldn’t buckshot also be finding soft tissue not covered by armor?
Semi related, I need to take self defense courses back up 🫡
Depends on how close you are. Most shotguns have basically zero spread in close quarters unless you modify the barrel to an illegal degree. That’s why I recommend slugs. You’re not gonna get enough spread anyway so might as well hit em with something that’s gonna hurt a lot more.
So to answer your question, not really. The spread of shotguns is greatly exaggerated in media and in a close quarters situation will probably be not existent unless you are using really specific shit. The real threat especially with 12 gauge is that it is more than powerful enough to take limbs off, turn organs into soup, and if you get hit in the head ya ain’t living.
This is actually why sawed offs are so dangerous they do infact increase the spread and when used in close quarters yeah… ya have a good chance of survival but I hope ya like hospital food.
Also yes I know shotguns are rarely that devastating but I ain’t over exaggerating by much either, if it’s good for home defense, Iwo Jimma, and the trenches of Verdun I suspect it’s a rather effective weapon to say the least.
Yeah not by much at all.
Hitting a person with a single 12ga shell of 00 buckshot is kind of like completely mag dumping a 9mm handgun at them.
Thank you for the info!
No problem. Stay safe out there.