Home defense shotguns

[CDR_Glock]

I am going to look for a Shotgun for defensive purposes. I'm strongly considering the Mossberg 930SPX Semiautomatic. I haven't committed to that particular model but I don't want to go crazy like I have in other items.

When I go shopping for one, the common comment I hear is, "No one mistakes the distinct sound of racking a pump shotgun.". To me, that comment sounds lame. Isn't it more ideal to have it loaded, already, like a Pistol? Just release the safety and shoot rather than rack and go?

So those of you who intend to use a shotgun for home defense, do you keep yours loaded and ready? Or do you actually do the rack and go?

I have seen the debates of Pump versus Semiautos and I'm not interested in the pump, though I know about a Benelli M3 that does both.

[lachrymalex]

i keep a Mossberg 500, with an 18" barrel, loaded, but not chambered. the reason being: in a stressful situation, i might forget if it was chambered. that, and the whole "sound of the pump racking" thing isn't necessarily untrue. i've been in a situation where a shotgun was racked, and the sound of it made me go from white to red. there is an intimidation factor there, no doubt about it.

i'd rather have a pump action than a semiauto; they're less prone to failures, like jamming. not saying that semiautos are prone to failures, but i'd rather have the reliabilty of a pump.

i'm probably going to be getting another one eventually. i can't decide if i want another Mossberg, or a Remington 870.

[Blademan101]

I have several shotguns pumps, autos, and , SS. The one I use for home defense is a "cut down" SS coach gun in .12 gauge. I agree that racking a slide on a pump is good crowd, or mob control, but in my house if you are stupid enough to enter without being invited, looking down two barrels that look like the Lincoln tunnel will make you soil yourself. It is simple, no moving parts and two rounds of 00 buck should be all you will need to handle a home intruder. I have been looking for another double barrel, and found one in a LGS that is an O/U design, short real easy to maneuver in door ways, and points like your finger. It was only about $400 bucks. I will be picking that up next week along with a couple new handguns. Merry Christmas.

Blade

[GEEZER]

I love my 870.

'nuf said.

[rio]

Cant go wrong with a shotgun, i love my coach shotgun

[SoonerBJJ]

When I go shopping for one, the common comment I hear is, "No one mistakes the distinct sound of racking a pump shotgun."

First clue you're dealing with another dipshit gun shop commando. Next, they'll tell you that you don't even need to aim a shotgun.

KISS applies, especially with shotguns.

Have you put any more effort or resources into seeking formal training?

[bfm]

For some reason, I have heard more stories about unattended shotguns discharging than any other type of fire arm and a lot of people who say they will not leave a round chambered in a shotgun for that reason. Now, I have taken a lot of this to be old wive's tails and urban legend, but for some reason, the shotguns are the only firearms I have that never sit with a round in the chamber.


That said, any of the modern semi autos would be great for home defense. My only advice would be get as short a barrel and as long a magazine as possible. Even if you are waiting for trouble to come to you while dialling 911 and not trying to clear your house, a shorter barrel will still be easier to manuver around furniture, doors, corners etc.

[Sheldon_Wickersham]

Mossberg 500 pump in one room, Remington 870 in another. Both with 18" barrels, both loaded but not chambered. IME, most semi's can be finicky, and are usually long & heavy. I don't keep a chambered round for the reason mentioned above, and also don't like the idea of a spring under pressure over time caused by a chambered round.

That said, my 'go to' home defense guns are all revolvers loaded with hot +P .38 Spl HP's like Corbon and similar. I want a free hand for manuvering, flashlight, phone, etc. That's my choice, YMMV

[bfm]

That said, my 'go to' home defense guns are all revolvers loaded with hot +P .38 Spl HP's like Corbon and similar. I want a free hand for manuvering, flashlight, phone, etc. That's my choice, YMMV

Mine are .357s, a 4" S&W 19 and a Ruger SP101

[JohnnyBmore]

I keep my Home defense shotgun Loaded with a 20 rnd drum and one in the Chamber ready to rip ... Fuck racking a pump .

[siriusaudio]

I do not keep a round chambered in the HD shotgun (rem 970) for the reasons stated above. I don't like the long term storage of the firing pin under pressure.

Pump shotguns ARE simpler and more reliable but with a semi auto, you don't run the risk of short stroking the pump if you lack good formal training.

For an HD gun, keep it simple, stupid.

[bfm]

Pump shotguns ARE simpler and more reliable but with a semi auto, you don't run the risk of short stroking the pump if you lack good formal training.

For an HD gun, keep it simple, stupid.

Ummm, so are you recomending a pump or a auto?

[siriusaudio]

Ummm, so are you recomending a pump or a auto?

The OP said he didn't want to get into that argument, so I will let him decide his definition of Simple.

[DaBird]

My HD shotguns are all kept with the tube or mag downloaded by 1 , bolt closed on a empty chamber and the safety off.


And IMHO --- those that say a shotgun being racked is not scary have never been on the wrong end of one while hearing it

I've seen it take a total drunk and sober them up in under a second -- and I bet so have a lot of LE Devils also.

[shakie]

love my 930spx. I always leave the chamber empty for safety and it is a great sales pitch to chamber a shell. I would like to have the stock cut down like the JIC Mossy, but you can't because the semi-auto stuff is in there.