Is shotgun more intimidating?

P95Carry · July 19th, 2007, 10:50 PM

OK - forget the Hollywood racking sound hype .... and assume the perp is not on dope and very cognissant of a return threat from shottie.

In the milliseconds where he might decide to fight or yield, might the shotgun (assuming visible of course) be a greater deterrant than the production of a handgun?

IMO it might - if for no other reason than, while it might be regarded as relatively non lethal (depending on range) - anyone with sense will know and maybe imagine, multiple hits and the possible damage ... even to face and eyes.

Add to that the lesser need for accurate shooting ... it is a one-shot spay'n'pray compared to handgun, with very good odds of contact.

I like many have a house shottie but my handgun would almost always be out first .... and if so very necessarily and probably going to be used. However, maybe when visible, the shottie has a deterrant edge?

Bud White · July 19th, 2007, 10:53 PM

I think so the size of a 12 gauge pointed at ya .. and you dont have to be a expert to use it even if your shaking at close range buckshot is gonna hit something

rocky · July 19th, 2007, 10:55 PM

perhaps, the barrel is large and scary when viewed from the wrong end. On that note, is a AR15 , AK 47 variant or other military battle rifle scarier ?

falcon1 · July 19th, 2007, 11:02 PM

I would vote for the shotgun as the most intimidating of the options presented thus far...OMO.

Pete · July 19th, 2007, 11:02 PM

Depends on the preconceptions/misconceptions of the BG.

I disagree with the spray and pray notion, there's a great piece on Personal Defense TV where they shoot at a torso target at a variety of distances, it's a centered shot in most scenarios.

Everyone seems to say that racking a pump can stop a BG in his tracks, I would be inclined to move backwards if confronted with that noise but then I'm not a Darwin Award candidate... the sort of people who break into houses aren't always smart.

I would be happy to defend my life with a shotgun or a handgun, but I don't expect to have to show it to the person at the other end long enough for them to see what I have - they will not know what hit them, literally.

So, IMO it is a moot point. When it's time to rock and roll I won't be considering if they are a visual deterrent. Guns only come out when absolutely needed.

sgtD · July 19th, 2007, 11:20 PM

I am pretty certain that your average street level gang banger is very respectful of the "gauge". I recall reading somewhere that some were interviewed and stated so, but I can't recall where I read it.

Scott · July 19th, 2007, 11:28 PM

The two times I've pointed one at someone they became the most compliant individuals they could possibly be given that they were where they shouldn't have been. Haven't had the opportunity to point a handgun at someone so no comparison. Big black scary looking rifles work well also.

target1911 · July 19th, 2007, 11:40 PM

+1 on what Pete said

If any of my guns come out for SD (<<<and I dont mean stupid discharge), it will not be for show'n tell.

P95Carry · July 19th, 2007, 11:50 PM

Agreed re ''show'n'tell'' .... but I was making the proviso that a shottie would be visible - and then maybe permitting a split second decision on perp's part to - perhaps - call it a day

Perhaps the definition of a ''sensible decision"

ppkheat · July 20th, 2007, 12:39 AM

A shotgun is definitely more intimidating than a handgun in my experience. Unless I've forgotten someone, I've pointed it at 3 BG's (I've already written about 2 of them in Armed Success)and I think that the shotgun was instrumental in their capture and de-escalation of events. In other words they gave up, and what a good ending.

July 19th, 2007, 10:50 PM	#1
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,407	Is shotgun more intimidating? OK - forget the Hollywood racking sound hype .... and assume the perp is not on dope and very cognissant of a return threat from shottie. In the milliseconds where he might decide to fight or yield, might the shotgun (assuming visible of course) be a greater deterrant than the production of a handgun? IMO it might - if for no other reason than, while it might be regarded as relatively non lethal (depending on range) - anyone with sense will know and maybe imagine, multiple hits and the possible damage ... even to face and eyes. Add to that the lesser need for accurate shooting ... it is a one-shot spay'n'pray compared to handgun, with very good odds of contact. I like many have a house shottie but my handgun would almost always be out first .... and if so very necessarily and probably going to be used. However, maybe when visible, the shottie has a deterrant edge? __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

July 19th, 2007, 10:55 PM	#3
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 12,060	perhaps, the barrel is large and scary when viewed from the wrong end. On that note, is a AR15 , AK 47 variant or other military battle rifle scarier ? __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

July 19th, 2007, 11:20 PM	#6
sgtD Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,711	I am pretty certain that your average street level gang banger is very respectful of the "gauge". I recall reading somewhere that some were interviewed and stated so, but I can't recall where I read it. __________________ When you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts & minds will follow. Semper Fi.

July 19th, 2007, 11:28 PM	#7
Scott Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Old Dominion Posts: 4,594	The two times I've pointed one at someone they became the most compliant individuals they could possibly be given that they were where they shouldn't have been. Haven't had the opportunity to point a handgun at someone so no comparison. Big black scary looking rifles work well also. __________________ Obamamessiah... Let the miracles begin!!!

July 19th, 2007, 11:40 PM	#8
target1911 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ft Worth TX Posts: 185	+1 on what Pete said If any of my guns come out for SD (<<<and I dont mean stupid discharge), it will not be for show'n tell. __________________ David Ride hard and Shoot safe The first rule of gunfighting should be to know when the gunfight starts - being the last one to get the news certainly won't put the odds in your favor.

July 19th, 2007, 10:53 PM	#2
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	I think so the size of a 12 gauge pointed at ya .. and you dont have to be a expert to use it even if your shaking at close range buckshot is gonna hit something

July 19th, 2007, 11:02 PM	#4
falcon1 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 4,482	I would vote for the shotgun as the most intimidating of the options presented thus far...OMO.

July 19th, 2007, 11:02 PM	#5
Pete Ex Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,572	Depends on the preconceptions/misconceptions of the BG. I disagree with the spray and pray notion, there's a great piece on Personal Defense TV where they shoot at a torso target at a variety of distances, it's a centered shot in most scenarios. Everyone seems to say that racking a pump can stop a BG in his tracks, I would be inclined to move backwards if confronted with that noise but then I'm not a Darwin Award candidate... the sort of people who break into houses aren't always smart. I would be happy to defend my life with a shotgun or a handgun, but I don't expect to have to show it to the person at the other end long enough for them to see what I have - they will not know what hit them, literally. So, IMO it is a moot point. When it's time to rock and roll I won't be considering if they are a visual deterrent. Guns only come out when absolutely needed.

July 19th, 2007, 11:50 PM	#9
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,407	Agreed re ''show'n'tell'' .... but I was making the proviso that a shottie would be visible - and then maybe permitting a split second decision on perp's part to - perhaps - call it a day Perhaps the definition of a ''sensible decision" __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

July 20th, 2007, 12:39 AM	#10
ppkheat Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,205	A shotgun is definitely more intimidating than a handgun in my experience. Unless I've forgotten someone, I've pointed it at 3 BG's (I've already written about 2 of them in Armed Success)and I think that the shotgun was instrumental in their capture and de-escalation of events. In other words they gave up, and what a good ending. __________________ Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.

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