Home protection shotgun vs. handgun

[Nightcrawler]

Logistar, that may be the case if one were using a single shot shotgun. But a pump shotgun can be cycled very, very fast, and pumping the slide becomes a reflexive move after each shot if you practice enough. It's more like BOOMkerchack BOOMkerchack etc.

Or, you can use a semiauto shotgun, if you want.

 

[Flashpoint]

Croyance-Gunhead

Croyance, here is more or less what the guy said.
I tried to find the post so I could post exactly what he said but it was a while back and I can't find it. Basicly he said that it is to hard to look under beds, in closets, under your house, ect... with a shotgun. He also wanted to be able to carry it with him while he mowed the grass (must live in a pretty rough neighborhood) and that a heavy coat would block penetration and that the gun is overall useless.

When I think shotgun for home defense the pic posted by Gunhead nailed it. I don' thave one of those but I plan to.

 

[Logistar]

I guess that makes sense, Nightcrawler. I guess I have only shot a single-shot shotgun before. It is hard for me to think of a shotgun as a semi-automatic. Hmmmm. I guess I need to buy a shotgun too.

 

[Croyance]

I'd prefer a shotgun with a stock, though a short one.
I don't think that looking under stuff with a shotgun would be that bad, though checking into closets would be more difficult.
I really don't see this guy's arguement. When looking under stuff, you still have to bend at the knees with either handgun or shotgun.
If you do have to carry outside, I would not consider that home defense, strictly speaking. That is CCW, which indicates, to me, a handgun.

that a heavy coat would block penetration and that the gun is overall useless.

Any article of clothing that can stop a shotgun slug has a good chance of stopping a handgun round. Besides, unless there is something very solid underneath, the attacker still has some broken bones to deal with.

 

[cslinger]

For me personally my most likely first response weapon will be a handgun. Could be a 9mm, .357 or .45 but the fact is it is easier for me to have a handgun close at hand at all times.

If for some reason I know for a fact somebody is busting through my door or window and it is not a simply bump in the night that will most likely be nothing then I grab the 12 gauage with 7 rounds of tactical buck.

If I happen upon somebody breaking in they will be met with handgun fire as I reatreat towards the shotgun. I figure they will either be dead or gone by the time I get back but if not they are in for a world of hurt.

Bumps in the night happen all the time and occasionally they may sound like an intruder but probably not It just isn't practical for me to room search with a shotgun. The handgun is more maneverable and gives me more than adequate firepower to allow a retreat to the artillery if need be.

The other benefit of the handgun is the concealability. I don't like answering my front door un armed but I am not so paranoid as to answer the door with the boomstick stick out the crack either. My snubbie or P7 make great pocket guns to answer the door with.

So I guess my answer is it depends on the situation. The shotgun is much much better if you actually have an armed shooting confrontation but it has some serious drawbacks in size and handling.

Just have a plan for whatever you use. The shotty is great for a get to the safe room and hold them at bay gun. They open the door to your safe room and you pop off 2-4 rounds of 12 gauge and chances are they are not going to press the attack even if they are still capable of doing so.

Chris.

 

[Mute]

Both. Shotgun as primary, handgun as secondary.

 

[Blain]

Shotgun all the way with a pistol as backup....just about anyone can manage a shotgun loaded with birdshot.

Besides, it's easier to make hits with a shotgun, and hits are what count.

 

[tommytrauma]

The right tol for the right job

I keep both a handgun adn a shotgun in the bedroom. If I really believe there's an intruder in the house, I'm gonna hunker down with the shotgun at the top of the stairs, (can cover the master bedroom and both of the kid's rooms from there) and wait for the cops. But I can't call the cops everytime we hear a bump. Thus, I have a handgun for portability when I feel the need to skulk around the house TJ Hooker style.

Only one gun? How many golfers only have one club?

 

[ares88]

Training first and foremost.

After that, it is what you feel most capable with to defend your home and family.

Shotgun is extremely flexible with diferent types of ammunition, loads, ability to keep different kinds of loads mounted to the shotgun. If you pattern your shotgun with a specific lot number of ammo at different ranges, you do not have to worry as much about tearing up your property. Also it is very effective. As far as the overall length, there are different techniques for getting around corners or to recover your weapon if it is grabbed.

The pistol is small and a lot easier than a shotgun to maneauver with for most people. Also in small rooms you can keep it in a drawer. As far as effectiveness, a double tap can increase effectiveness.

In your house, what would you rather go fight with?

Either way, I would recommend a mounted light. Clearing a house without a light is a lot less fun when you really have to do it. Either way use good ammo.

 

[larry_minn]

Also Both. If you KNOW or highly suspect BG is in house stay behind locked bedroom/safe room door with heavy dresser between you and door with shotgun over top. Have called in LEO and in my case neighbors on both sides. (just over 1/2 mile away) They both have FRS radios so we have comm. Their (job) is to be ready on end of road and if things go south and LEO not hear (real possibility with 40++min response time likely) to take some of the heat off. (get too long to print details)
Anyway for stopping the threat shotgun is great inside.
If I don't KNOW then handgun/flashlight. My EARS are biggest assett. Unless they don't move I will hear/locate them. Then decide if to retreat or close.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

the most horrible longarm beats the best pistol any day.

 

[Ikari]

I didn't vote, because I'd vote "both" if there were an option.

However, at the current time, I don't own a shotgun, so it's limited to the handgun for now.

I like the handgun for portability and concealability if I have to answer the door in the middle of the night.