Can it be practical to use the same shotgun for home defense and skeet?

[76shuvlinoff]

Although there probably wasn't a lot of skeet shooting going on I believe as the western US was settled the shotgun served various roles without different length barrels or changing out choke tubes.

So is it practical? Yes. The rest is gravy.

 

[DanLee]

DanLee, ca 1972 in Venice, Ca, I used an 870 to convince two "Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Youths" that breaking into my apartment in the wee smalls was not only illegal, but a really stupid idea.

No shots fired. That 870 had a 30" Full choke barrel and a decent set of wear marks.

These days, it's been shortened and reworked into a tactical shotgun and has a better set installed. It's still on duty.....

Nothing wrong with using a shotgun to defend yourself. My only impatience is with people who think they're going to be ready just because they have a scary tactical shotgun that's not much use for anything else stashed in the closet. I have a handgun on me at all times, and it's more practical than strapping a shotgun to my back. Works better for going to the grocery, too!

 

[Hollywood Marine]

My Model 12 30 inch full cut to 24 inch Cylinder bore HD gun is adequate to the task and is also my skeet gun of choice. (I didn't cut it, I bought it that way.)

 

[JWF III]

I have to agree with Dan here. There is too much emphsis put on "tactical" shotguns for HD. Dave's post points out that a 30" barrel worked just fine. It may not be ideal, but for someone just getting into it, it'll work till another gun (or barrel) has been gotten.

Most likely you'll use a shotgun thousands more time at the skeet range than at home. Buy for the skeet range. Practice speed on the pump at the sporting clays course. And when you get home, have it loaded for HD use. There's really no need to have a specialty weapon if you don't/can't have one.

I have an 870 with both 26" and 18.5" barrels. I have a 590 with a 20" barrel and 8 in the tube. (Plus multiple others, but those are the 2 I have to choose from with short barrels.) What do I shoot the most? The 26" 870. What am I most comfortable with (balance and handling)? The 26" 870. What do I want in my hands if my life depends on it? The 26" 870.

In the end, if you're going with a different set-up to (possibly) save your life, be sure to put even more rounds downrange with it than you do your sporting set-up.

Wyman

 

[daka]

btg3

Well said!

 

[KAK]

just throw a handgun on your nightstand and put the shotgun away.

 

[dom1104]

my sporting shotgun IS my home defense shotgun.

I dont get why it wouldnt be practical to have two uses for one gun.

 

[HardShell]

... I dont get why it wouldnt be practical to have two uses for one gun.

It would be very practical to so... it just might not be very practicable.

IOW, different tools for different jobs. You can usually use a pocket-knife in place of a screwdriver in a pinch, but it doesn't work nearly as well as an actual screwdriver and will eventually ruin the knife...

OTOH, one shotgun with multiple barrels (each better suited for particular tasks) is both practical and practicable.

If one shotgun/bbl suits all of your needs, then God bless you in your good fortune.

 

[foghornl]

For several years, I had only 1 shotgun setup 1 way...a Maverick 88 with the 28" mod choke barrel.

Well suited for woods-n-water work; a bit long turing the corners at home. I got the OK from the Finance Group (Mrs. Foggy) to get the 18-1/2" barrel after the SECOND time I poked a hole in the wall with the muzzle.

I now also have her late dad's Mossberg OLD 500A with the 28" barrel, so I am set.... Maverick w/short barrel for HomeLand Security work, 500A for woods-n-water. I put my Maverick long barrel on the Mossy 500A since it is rated for 'non-toxic' shot we have to use for waterfowl, and has the 3" chamber. The OLD 500A barrel was 2-3/4" only.

 

[Foofles]

thanks for the replies Great advice

 

[Leaky Waders]

The advantage of one shotgun is that you'll know the controls.

Personally I wouldn't worry about some home defense barrel. Go to the range and practice with what you get.