HD Sig P226 vs. Mossberg 500

[Dbl0Kevin]

was anything said about not aiming a shotgun that bugs you?

I'm not understanding your question. You stated that aiming is not as critical with a shotgun as with a handgun in order to achieve hits. This means to me that you were saying you don't have to aim as much with a shotgun as you do with a handgun to hit your target. I find that notion to be incorrect as was backed up by other people and the pictures that were posted. You must use proper aiming of ANY weapon in order to hit your target. This includes, pistols, rifles, shotguns, mortars, rocket launchers, etc. I don't understand how you can believe that aiming is any less "critical" with a shotgun then with a pistol. In fact aiming is THE MOST important factor when a shootout occurs with ANY weapon. If someone has an M249B Squad Automatic Weapon and they can't hit me with it and I make a nicely placed shot with a single shot .22 I win......doesn't matter who had the bigger or more powerful weapon.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

Aiming is relative with a 12ga cylinder bore shotgun. I use paper plates at about 25 ft for practice. I can empty my Mossberg in a big hurry and get multiple hits. In my case I aim, but I don't have to use pin-point aiming like lining up pistol sights. Just line up the bead on a chest sized target and shoot. Buckshot does the rest.

A handgun is really a low-powered, last resort defensive weapon. In a HD situation, I'll take a shotgun everytime.

ZM

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

I can empty my Mossberg in a big hurry and get multiple hits. In my case I aim, but I don't have to use pin-point aiming like lining up pistol sights

And that right there is my beef with shotguns. No one should be emptying a shotgun in a big hurry without properly aiming. You are putting a lot of pellets down range and especially without aiming properly you are asking for a lot of trouble if buck shot makes it to somewhere it's not suppposed to go.

Also in a combat situation you don't go through the whole line up the sights as if you are shooting a at a bullseye. Point shooting is the name of the game in a combat situation and can be done very quickly. At 7 yards (21 feet) to 10 yards (30 feet) I can draw and fire a double tap in under 2 seconds and have no problem hitting a man sized target. This is something that takes some practice to learn, but if someone is serious about shooting and self defense then it should be no problem.

I still stand by my statement that I'll take a rifle first and a handgun second in any self defense situation and only a shotgun if it's the only option available.

 

[Majic]

How can you support point shooting with a pistol, but say it's wrong for the shotgun and that's exactly what the shotgun was deigned for?
Just like you practice with the pistol, you can also practice with the shotgun to achieve the results you want. Like most other things in the gun world, it's just a learned motion.

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

How can you support point shooting with a pistol, but say it's wrong for the shotgun and that's exactly what the shotgun was deigned for?

Very simple, because point shooting is STILL aiming just not using the sights. A lot of people think point shooting requires no skill, especially with a shotgun, and can be done by anyone. This is where I take issue. I practiced for years to get to the level of proficiency I am at now. Those who do not practice regularly will not have the muscle memory required in order to do accurate point shooting. I can point shoot with a pistol at close range just as fast as I can with a rifle or shotgun.

I've already stated the reasons I don't like shotguns so I won't go into it again. My problem was that your statement, while it may not have been intended to, can lead inexperienced shooters to believe that if they have a shotgun they don't need to practice aiming or tune their skills as much as they would with a handgun. I believe that would be a dangerous and unsafe assumption.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

I'll take a rifle first and a handgun second

That's nice. You are entitled to use what you want. I have the option of a rifle if I want. However one stray round through a wall could cause more problems than a BG. Even a handgun can over-penetrate at indoor distances, 25 feet or less. I will not take that risk. I'll take the shotgun.

ZM

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

A low weight, soft point or hollow point .223 will have less overpenetration through walls then a handgun caliber round of greater weight.

 

[RandyB]

Well for my 2 cents worth.

1. I'd take the plug out of the mossberg. It is easy to do and I change all my pump shotguns back and forth with hunting season.

2. Keep both available, but I'd be grabbing my shotgun anyday over any handgun. Its easier to hit with (I still agree with the aiming of a shotgun, even at room distances)

3. I keep my .45 in a clip on holster with 2 spair mags and can attach it to any shorts I'm wearing to bed if need be.

4. My shotgun has an 8 shot tube with a 20 inch barrel (IC shoke and rifle sights for those curious) and the stock has the speedfeed that allows extra ammo. (#1 Buck is in the tube, action open with the 9th round ready just by closing the action. The speedfeed has 4 rounds 000 buck) This gives me 13 rounds on/in the shotgun! Just think if I add one of those slip on elactic things, an extra 4-5 rounds!

 

[Blackhawk 6]

Red Tornado,

I do not think you supplied sufficient information to answer the question. You need to describe the circumstances under which you expect to have to employ the firearm in question.

For example, if your home defense plan calls for you to remain static, barricaded in your bedroom, with your firearm trained on the door, then the shotgun is the best option.

However, if you plan to investigate or retrieve a loved one (children) the handgun may be more preferable. Most people lack the proficiency to properly negotiate the confines of the average house with a long gun. The need to remove a hand from the weapon for other purposes (opening doors, talking on the phone, holding a flashlight) negates many of the advantages offered by a long gun. Weapon retention also becomes more of an issue. Under these circumstances you are probably better srved by a handgun.

In either case, my recommedation would be to go with the handgun. It is the more versatile of the two, and is therefore the better choice for a one-size fits all situation. True the shotgun is a more decisive stopper, but as has been pointed out, few burglars are looking for a gunfight. In the odd circumstance where your nocturnal visitors are indifferent to gunplay, you'll find the Sig offers not only more rounds but faster reloads as well. Also, your ears will thank you when it is all over.