Lately I've been considering the purchase of a shotgun for home defense and of course was considering a pump action at first. The one comment that I heard over and over was that you need to really spend time practicing with it to avoid short stroking etc. I have shot handguns for many years and these days most of my shooting is done at an indoor range. This means that I know I won't get in the practice I need to become proficient with a pump. I would like to hear opinions on using a coach gun for this purpose. Thanks, Mike
Coach gun for home defense?
- Thread starter MikeJ
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I got a Stoeger coach gun as the first gun I bought for HD. I found that they SxSs tend to fit me very well. Upside is on my model (external hammers) you can store it loaded with the hammers down (I dont, and do not reccomend it), simple manual of arms. Downside is it only has two rounds.
El Tejon
Member
Uncle Jeff was enthused about the lupara for HD. Tape the muzzles for bugs.
I've come to the conclusion that too much is made about which style or gauge of gun and type of ammo is needed for this purpose and not enough about developing a plan.
Having spent some time considering the subject, my plan is such that I feel just as comfortable with a pump, o/u or sxs. The gun matters less once you have considered some scenarios and determined what you will and will not do.
A coach gun will do just fine and has some inherent advantages IMHO.
Paul
Having spent some time considering the subject, my plan is such that I feel just as comfortable with a pump, o/u or sxs. The gun matters less once you have considered some scenarios and determined what you will and will not do.
A coach gun will do just fine and has some inherent advantages IMHO.
Paul
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Coach guns, or other short bbled doubles, are quite effective. There's a TFL thread I'm going to post a link to about building a Lupara, you might get some insight thereby.
Ciao, Paisan...
Ciao, Paisan...
Wildalaska
member
Fageddaboutid
Cant tell you..Omerta of course..
Goin back to sleep wid da fishes...
PATH
Member
Short barreled shotgun as seen in the movie Godfather and Godfather II.
Gordon
Member
I think it means "little wolf" in Italian. Used in Italy to describe the ubiquatous short barreled hammer double kept for defense.
sm
member
Any shotgun can be an effective HD weapon. From single shot to a $35K Kreigoff and even evil black ones.
What is the budget? You may find a used pump is less $ than a coach gun, holds more shells, you may practice clays games to improve skill, hunt...more you use something the more it becomes a natural extension of user. Tight quarters and reloading a consideration, been in a crowded duck blind with a break open action?
Try before buy. What will budget $ buy.
What is the budget? You may find a used pump is less $ than a coach gun, holds more shells, you may practice clays games to improve skill, hunt...more you use something the more it becomes a natural extension of user. Tight quarters and reloading a consideration, been in a crowded duck blind with a break open action?
Try before buy. What will budget $ buy.
Gabby Hayes
Member
"A lady of our acquaintance, who lives alone, has asked us what sort of instrument is best for house defense in her case. To me the answer is easy: The 'Lupara,' a double-barreled 12-gauge shotgun with exposed hammers and short barrels. I understand the term Lupara is Sicilian and means approximately 'wolf killer.' Such a piece is enormously authoritative, it is easy to use, it requires minimal training in its management, and it may be left loaded and uncocked indefinitely on the closet shelf. The only precaution is to seal the muzzles with scotch tape or cotton wool to avoid the building of nests in the barrels by little varmints."
- Jeff Cooper's Commentaries, Vol. 2, No. 3
"... if house defense is your primary purpose, do not overlook the Lupara -- a short-barreled double 12-gauge shotgun with exposed hammers. If your object is to defend your hearth and home, you can almost certainly do it better with that than with an Uzi or an M16."
- Jeff Cooper, February 1990
- Jeff Cooper's Commentaries, Vol. 2, No. 3
"... if house defense is your primary purpose, do not overlook the Lupara -- a short-barreled double 12-gauge shotgun with exposed hammers. If your object is to defend your hearth and home, you can almost certainly do it better with that than with an Uzi or an M16."
- Jeff Cooper, February 1990
sm
member
Yep
Due to arthritis mom keeps a youth 20 ga handy.
she used to be a great pistol shot
still can defend, different tool thats all
Due to arthritis mom keeps a youth 20 ga handy.
she used to be a great pistol shot
still can defend, different tool thats all
ReadyontheRight
Member
Talking about home defense once, a guy told me why he likes a 12-gauge side by side:
"1. If you have kids in the house, you can keep the shells and gun separate and load it quickly in the dark.
2. Two shots ought to be enough and if it's not, the bad guys don't have any rounds left to use against you after your two shots -- which will be loud as hell.
3. Makes a great club."
"1. If you have kids in the house, you can keep the shells and gun separate and load it quickly in the dark.
2. Two shots ought to be enough and if it's not, the bad guys don't have any rounds left to use against you after your two shots -- which will be loud as hell.
3. Makes a great club."
Gordon
Member
And the biggest reason to use a SxS 12ga is there is nothing more scary to face a close range.
WonderNine
member
I posted a thread about this over at TFL a couple months ago. I'm looking for a good side by side 10 guage coach gun (20" barrel) with exposed hammers. Found a couple 12 guages that I like, but not a 10 guage which is what I really want.
I'm open to all suggestions!
I'm open to all suggestions!
WonderNine
member
Also, this guy is offering a NIB Stoeger Coach Gun for $199.00.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976304231.htm
Thought I'd alert everyone to this deal.
Personally I must have the exposed hammers though and 10 gauge is also a must. I guess they don't make this type of gun nowadays? I've been looking for months and haven't been able to find one.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976304231.htm
Thought I'd alert everyone to this deal.
Personally I must have the exposed hammers though and 10 gauge is also a must. I guess they don't make this type of gun nowadays? I've been looking for months and haven't been able to find one.
Trisha
Member
Susan loves her Coach Gun; though we may get a recoil pad for it...
We agree with Cooper's philosophy on them and have adopted them unhesitatingly, Mike.
Trisha
We agree with Cooper's philosophy on them and have adopted them unhesitatingly, Mike.
Trisha
If I didn't already have a good Maverick/Mossberg pump, I would certainly consider the SxS 12 Ga 'Coach Gun', particularly with the exposed dog-ear hammers. Reliable, and as simple a manual of arms as you will find.
And, if you have ever been on the business end of a SxS, you know the "Oh, S...!" factor
And, if you have ever been on the business end of a SxS, you know the "Oh, S...!" factor
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Paul had it right a few posts back, the software is much more crucial than the hardware. Have a plan....
Trisha, by all means get a good pad installed. Fit and comfort are essentials.
One candidate not mentioned here but of great merit is the Savage 311 series shotguns. While no masterpiece of gunmaker art, these are H*ll for strong, durable as a crowbar,and common in the used gun racks. Not expensive, either.
One of the last models introduced was a Security version with short barrels, 3" chambers and evil black painted wood.
These are not exposed hammer shotguns, but quite effective.
Trisha, by all means get a good pad installed. Fit and comfort are essentials.
One candidate not mentioned here but of great merit is the Savage 311 series shotguns. While no masterpiece of gunmaker art, these are H*ll for strong, durable as a crowbar,and common in the used gun racks. Not expensive, either.
One of the last models introduced was a Security version with short barrels, 3" chambers and evil black painted wood.
These are not exposed hammer shotguns, but quite effective.
WonderNine
member
Too bad I can't seem to find any with 3.5" chambers.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
BAaainx, neither would I. But, different strokes for different folks. A trained and cool hand with a double gun is deadly to at least two perps. And, I've seen some very fast reloading done by the SxS crowd in dove fields and on covey flushes. Don't discount doubles or double gunners completely.
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