rabywk

I have to agree with this, but most people don't know it. There are a lot of criminals that don't know jack about firearms or are smoking the wacky weed , but they know what they have seen in movies. They think the shotgun pattern will open up and blow a huge hole through you. That coupled with the sound makes be believe that the shotgun is much more scary to the criminal then a handgun.

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--- Some of the friendliest people I have ever talked to are gun owners and shooters and according to the gun activists we are the mass murders and felons of the nation???

Redneck Repairs

As an interesting thought on the intimidation value of various firearms ;

Some years ago i attended a world wide police conference , and had the opportunity to spend a week with some fairly street level officers from across europe .

The Wife and I drew the " Duty " to escort , or guide about a half dozen members of the Italian National Police boxing team on a " Cultural tour " of some of the attractions of Denver Colorado . Specifically the tour involved fine establishments that served " Adult Beverages " as well as nubile young maidens who seemed to serve themselves for the dashing young officers .
Now this leads not into a tail of the debauchery that young officers can partake of , but back into topic . Since while setting in the Grizzly Rose bar enjoying the live band and having a soft drink some of us had occasion to talk shop ( a couple of the kids were married , and in a real " cathlic " way if you know what i mean ).
The Italians just had trouble believing that we put a shotgun in every patrol car and had that much " firepower " for all our officers . Note that the same guys had Baretta sub guns issued personaly to each of them , and routinely carried same in crowded venues such as airports , and sporting events. When i explained that in America the little sub gun is normally reserved for SWAT since we really did not want a lot of " machine guns " in the hands of lesser trained officers they could not believe it . It seems that a shotty is even more restricted there than a full auto is here as far as police work goes , and the public thinks nothing about a sub gun on a cop , but fears a shotgun as a police tool . Its interesting about cultural ideals when it comes to weapons and their uses .

Scot Van

Due respect, P95, I think you're undervaluing the impact the 'SHA-LOK-LOK!' sound that racking a shell into the chamber can have on an intruder or would-be assailant, especially if you're yet to be seen. After sneaking up on some bonehead trying to steal diesel from the tank on our farm one night last fall, that was all I had to do to send him running! He left his beater pickup idling just a few yards away! HA!

O'course, I was behind him and could see that he didn't have a gun in his hands, so I definitely had the advantage.

But he never gave a thought to turning on somebody who obviously had him dead to rights. I don't suggest relying on the indimidation factor for ANY weapon (ok...maybe a minigun), as that means guessing how impressed the BG will be.

We make some stuff for shotguns that looks fierce, but practically speaking hasn't a real function (see heatshield). My (roundabout) point is that I'm certain I wouldn't be MORE or LESS afraid of a 'tactical' shotgun versus a single shot 20 G versus a .44 Mag., since I know they can ALL make me have an extremely bad day if I'm in the way.

So, the 870 stays ready in the corner and the Siggy sleeps in the nightstand. One will definitely be out and ready before the other, and if there is an intruder ALREADY in the house, I'm going for the pistol because it is already in my hand.

HOWEVER, if I hear someone trying to get in, I might tiptoe to the shottie and accompany the 'Hollywood Shotgun' sound with a booming "GET THE HELL OUTTA' HERE" of my own.

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SubNine

I would think a 12 gauge pump shotgun would be more intimidating than a handgun, and maybe the racking noise a pump shotgun makes is a deterrent, I don't know. I haven't used my home defense shotgun in a home invasion, and pray I never have to. If you were to use the shotgun's racking noise as a deterrent, it may give away your position, which may or may not give the intruder an advantage, especially if there are other members of your family scattered about the house. I know my Dad keeps his 1911 loaded with empty chamber in his night stand. I live in a split level home so there's a downstairs (my room), and then an upstairs where my parents sleep. I keep my 870 and my G19 ready to go downstairs, so both parts of the house are covered, and there are phones around the house as well.

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USMC rule # 23 of gunfighting: Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

Rob72

Know your environment. I would say Sct V. has it pegged. How hard is the hardcase coming into your dwelling? Home invaders in TX are well aware that the inhabitants are armed, frequently with shottys- the invaders rely on surprise and overwhelming violence.

In limited context, taking 1-2 individuals of no particular vicious intent, or covering several while in uniform, the SG has "presence",no doubt. Among a group of armed men, who are willing to kick in a door (or facing one who has done so previously), you're facing different animals. To be blunt- choose a weapon you know you can kill with, and do so with speed and precision.

Also consider, which is more intimidating: the kla-klak of your shotty, or two voices on either side of the room you're facing saying, "What now, homeboy?"

Stetson

Looking down the tube of a twelfe gauge shotgun is almost as intimadating as hearing a pump shotgun rack!

FknRa

Remember that most of us here are "Gun People" we understand that Tacticool is just that. However homie from down the block only knows what he see's in movies. A short black 870 with a surefire and lazor ( :P ) pointer mounted on the front combined with the sound of a round chambering will send all but the most hardened running for mommy.

However if mister crackhead is so twacked out of his gourd that the sound of a round chambering doesn't register I'd rather have the knockdown power of some 00 or 000 buck than a 230JHP.

My pistol is there to get me to my rifle.

and as (mis)quoted from another thread... "The reason I carry concealed is that they won't let me into the pizza hut with my 870"

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I WILL NEVER FORGET.

As with all statements I've made and All that I will make, please check your local laws to verify accuracy. (and if i'm wrong let me know as I like to be right in the future) After all I'm just some goofball posting on an internet forum.

craze

I think a shotgun is a fine home defense weapon. I don't think in most home invasion scenarios the physical appearance of the weapon makes much difference. These incidences usually happen in dark or at least very low light conditions. Yes the sound of racking a shotgun may be intimidating. I don't think its any more intimidating than racking the slide on my XD 45acp. If you're gonna get scared by one you're gonna get scared by the other.

If someone breaks into my house the only sound they have to worry about is the sound of gun shots.

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"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good.
--George Washington

OPFOR

Interesting that the board pretty much agrees that the pain of actually being shot should not be counted on to deter an attack, but the mere appearance (or sound) of a shotgun will....

I'm not knocking the intimidation factor - after all, the VAST majority of defensive weapon applications end before shots are fired, and if presenting your P3AT will stop the threat, then presenting your M1S90 certainly will - but IMO we should never, ever count on anything to end the attack short of CNS failure. I for one keep all my SD/HD weapons loaded, round in the chamber. If I use any audible cues to communicate my intent to the BG(s), it will be "Drop your weapon and get on the ground, NOW!" not the chambering/cylcling of a firearm. As always, YMMV.

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"It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way."

Doc Holliday

I know that if I was going to be in a gunfight I would rather my opponent be armed with a handgun than a shotgun anyday.

The shotgun is my primary HD weapon. I would go to it first over my AK or any handguns that I own.

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Give Doc the shotgun.
They'll be less apt to get nervous if he's on the street howitzer.

Why, Johnny Ringo, you look like somebody just walked over your grave.

I have two guns, one for each of ya.