Der Alte

The shotgun is the ultimate home defense weapon. I don't know how many of you have had the opportunity to have a gun barrel in your face - a .22 looks like a 1 inch water pipe and as the barrel gets bigger the greater the diameter appears - a shotgun barrel appears to be the size of a storm sewer. Additionally, a shotgun will allow you to stop someone on drugs and I do mean stop. Had one case where the BG, on drugs, took 5 body shots from a .38 revolver and before he went down he broke the shooters neck. A shotgun would have stopped him. At 5 to 10 feet a shotgun will probably leave a 5 to 6 inch hole in the perp.

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Its a shame that youth is wasted on the young.

Macattack

yes but think about the stains you just made on your carpet. I like the shotgun mainly for the stopping power, not really the noise it makes or how it looks. If you put a 45jhp center mass it will do some major damage. If you put a 12g slug or 00buck center mass, lights out I don't care who you are!

-mac

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Fuer Grissa Ost Drauka (Let's Dance)

"Every man has a right to risk his own life for the preservation of it."
-Jean-Jacques Rousseau

"Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular."

normal

I work in a prison and have talked to various customers and they have all said that shotguns scare the crap out of them far more than anything else. Our patrol vehicles have both shotguns and M-16's and they are far more intimidated by the shotgun.

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"To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace" George Washington

whamonkey

Read the same thing in an article in Guns and Ammo about 6 months ago. The author worked as a prison guard for several years and the overwhelming consensus among inmates was that a shotgun would be the absolute worst thing to face during a burglary. I also feel that no matter what anyone thinks, racking the slide WILL intimidate anyone within earshot and may cause them to exit without having to be injured/killed.

I can understand the idea behind grabbing a pistol and would do so if it was the fastest option, but I've heard and agree with the saying, "A pistol is for fighting my way to my rifle". Nobody is getting near my family when I'm on the 870. At that point I just wait for the cops to arrive.

hsuCowboy98

The offenders I talk to at work agree, a shotgun is a very intimidating opponent. Almost all the offenders I have worked with will say that when a shotgun is brought out, they pay attention.

Then again, one of these guys told me he stopped an elephant with a .357 snubbie....

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Fear No Evil.

phaed

i can't speak for a criminal, but i can say that if i was staring at an armed individual, i'd rather it be a handgun than a shotgun. but, that comes from a familiarity with firearms that a criminal might not have. i'd argue that most criminals probably do not have a very good understanding of terminal wound ballistics.

the only exception i can think of is if it's some long break action or double barrel bird huntin gun with a sheepish person behind it (more hunter, not killer), i might start thinking that it probably had bird shot (bloody mess, gonna hurt a lot, but shallow penetration, i'll live) in it and take a chance.

but, i'm still inclined to think that a criminal would be more intimidated by a shotgun for the simple fact that it's "bigger".

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War is not the ugliest of things. Worse is the decayed state of moral feeling which thinks nothing is worth a war. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which he cares for more than his personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free. -J.S. Mill

Bark'n

For pure visual intimidation, I really think that it's hard to argue a shotgun being less intimidating than a hand gun.

1) it's a long arm (bigger)
2) The muzzle is approximatly a 1 inch big black hole.
3) Hollywood and TV has pretty effectively ensured to everyone that the sound of a pump action being cycled is equal to bad karma and instant death.
4) Again, Hollywood and TV has effectively ensured that people believe all you have to do is point in general direction and BG is blown away.

These are pretty much "universal concepts" most people believe when in the mere presence of a shotgun.

As WE all know, a lot of that is bogus and doesn't mean squat, however we are talking about the "intimidation effect" towards most people, right?

I for one know, in self defense distances, you really have to accurately aim a shotgun.

I also know the muzzle energy of a full power 12 ga. slug or buck shot load is much greater than any handgun and therefore give the shotgun the proper respect it deserves when on the opposite end.

I also know that in close confines, a 20 inch barreled shotgun with full stock can be ackward to manuver with in hallways and doorways.

I also know that a handgun is much easier to retain control of in a disarming attempt over any long arm.

I also know that under stress, and without deliberate concentration and training, it's very hard not to lead with the barrel of a shotgun when moving throughout the close confines of a home and going through doorways thus leading to a possible disarming attempt. (We all know we are not supposed to stick that barrel out when approaching corners and going through doors, but time and time again, people do just that when under stress and afraid.) It's easy to say we won't do that, but when it's happening for real, you'd be surprised what you do that you didn't think you'd do!

I also know that a handgun can generally throw more rounds down range, quicker than a pump action shotgun being fired under stress.

I also know that under stress, "short stroking" a pump action shotgun can cause it to bind and lock up.

What do I use for home defense? Both!

For quickness and mobility and if I must move through the house I use a light mounted hi-capacity handgun. When startled and just awoke from a sound sleep, I grab a pistol.

From a fixed position when barricaded in room, I tend to use the mossberg 590 as my artillery for those foolish enough to come through my bedroom door. My wife tends to use the collapsible stock AR-15 carbine as she has better retention skills with that over the shotgun.

But if the question is, "which is more intimidating?" I have to say, The Shotgun! Without question!

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-Bark'n
Semper Fi

"The gun is the great equalizer... For it is the gun, that allows the meek to repel the monsters; Whom are bigger, stronger and without conscience, will prey on those of us who without one, would surely perish."

'75scout

IMO the 12 guage pump is the most intimidating firearm any jo blow citizen will likely have for home protection. While is range and capacity are surely handicaps, inside of a home it is the King IMO. The increased chance of hitting a vital organ and the massive amount of central nervous system disruption put it ahead of a handgun and rifle. I just wish I could buy the 14" Remington 870s without all the paperwork and tax stamp.

I also beileve that for a home protection weapon the 12 guage pump should have an extended mag because you will not be carrying extra ammo about your person so the weapon needs to have as much ammo on the weapon itself as is possible. Hopefully 1 round of 12 guage buck or slug would be enough, but you never know. Also added should be a light of some sort. I like the Surefire forearm. I plan to purchase one ASAP to complete my 870.

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Yeah I like Glocks, wanna fight about it!

General Geoff

Speak for yourself, I carry an extra 50 rounds of buckshot on my bandolier!

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Discretion is the better part of valour; and a virtue beyond reproach.
Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association

limatunes

Intimidating? yes. Easily accessible? In our household, no.

I bought John a Benelli Nova for his birthday two years ago and it sits under the bed in a rifle case. Yes, I'd go for it if I had the chance, but most of the time, in heated confrontation, I'm going to be going for me pistola. I know it best, I've trained with it more, and in honesty the Benelli would come to my mind only as an after thought.

Perhaps that's something that needs to be remedied, but it's a fact nontheless.

I wouldn't want to go up against a man with a shottie, however. They can be as intimidating as hell.

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Momma bear to Garrett.. born 11/25/2008
8 lbs 4 oz, 21" long

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