Why Shotguns Are Really Best

[Kendal Black]

Following on from this thread about why rifles are best, I thought I would point out that, well, they aren't.

At short range, the shotgun has a higher hit probability than any other small arm. ( http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/Military_Law/pdf/10-1997.pdf ). I'm impressed by that--it's better than an AR, an AK or a buzz gun. I'm particularly impressed because almost all instances of justifiable self defense are short range affairs.

You can hunt any game animal the Americas with a 12 gauge shotgun. (Whether you get it or not is another question. It's called hunting for a reason.) So for versatility you can't beat the shotgun. You can use it for squirrels, grizzly bears or whatever else you wish. The fault that may be found with it is its short range compared to a rifle. It is a long range weapon compared to a bow.

As there is no squizzly rifle (squirrel and grizzly) the comparison to rifles is moot.

Conversations with shotgunners are more interesting because riflemen tend to be bound by the limitations of science and common sense, and they use technical terms like PSI, MOA, FPS and such alphabet soup. There is much less sound science behind shotgunning, thus more poetry and imagination.

 

[withdrawn34]

They may be "best" for certain situations, but I wouldn't say they're the "best" all around. No firearm is "best" all around.

However, I do agree with your preference for a SG in close-ish quarters.

 

[adenbaiss]

i agree...based purely on the vast and varied different ammo that can be used...one gun can hunt a rabbit to a deer...breach a door and kill multiple targets in the room..it can be a less lethal option...and a home defense firearm...and with new shotguns entering our world such as the KEL TEC KSG...you now have a compact fire arm with a full 18 inch barrel and as many rounds as a 9mm....you can not do all these things with any thing other than a shotgun....from a zombie day pov it is the best choice to defend and hunt and survive,because if the enemy is anything over 150 yards away i would try to evade than engage...

 

[RX-178]

I'll also add that Shotguns also tend to be dirt cheap compared to handguns and rifles.

 

[benellimax4]

In addition to the higher hit probability, the shotgun I believe give the fastest target incapacitation. Nothing is for sure. Both rifles and shotguns can fail to incapacitate quickly. But, I believe the shotgun will fail less often.

Up close, speed of incapacitation is key. While they are busy dying, they can be busy killing you back.

 

[monkyboy1975]

Not to mention that you can have more fun with a shotgun. You can spend hours at the trap range, punch paper with slugs or hit a turkey shoot every once in awhile. Now granted, I like my rifles; but find I get more use out of a shotgun.

 

[Frozen North]

Rifles and handguns poke holes, shotguns remove big chunks!

 

[Sky]

No argument here.

 

[withdrawn34]

I also feel that while not always true, in general, shotguns are simpler in construction than a common carbine or semi-auto rifle. This could be an advantage in some situations.

 

[Spec ops Grunt]

Dare you to post this in the Rifle section.

 

[Nushif]

There is much less sound science behind shotgunning, thus more poetry and imagination.

^^^

Yup!

 

[leadcounsel]

For nearly every social encounter, it is superior. It is only restrained by law. If you could easily and legally have an SBR shotty, it would even be a great CCW alternative. Imagine a semi-auto 20 guage shotty handgun!!!!

 

[Davek1977]

Different guns are suited for different tasks. I wouldn't want my choices to be limited to one firearm of any variety, be it shotgun, handgun, or rifle. I CAN shoot everything from mice to elephants with a .22 LR too, but that doesn't make the .22 an intelligent choice for hunting elephants. Will it work/ yes, under perfect conditions, it probably will....but just becasue a weapon can possibly do something doesn't make it especially suitable. I own shotguns, but aside from upland bird hunting, they get very little use in comparison to the rifles in my collection . My shotguns are the best firearm i have for upland hunting, so thats what I use. Sure, I could use them to hunt deer, but in the wide open country that is SD, a 7mm makes a lot more sense as a choice of firearm than a 12 gauge slug gun does. I believe in using the best tool available for a given task, and in my world, the shotgun fills a relatively small niche in my firearm needs

 

[IMARMED45ACP]

My Mossberg 500 with it's 18½" barrel; is home defense at its best! Of course its loaded with 2 slugs, 5 2¾ 12 pellet 00 bucks, and 2 2¾ 1⅛oz #7 shot (light load). My wife confidently wields it with the light stuff in it; but won't hesitate to rack a 00 buck. We live in a rural area outside of city limits, and feels safe with it around. I make sure she's using proper function of the firearm. I like to get her out shooting at least once a month. My bedside pistol vault houses my Springfield Armory XD 5" Tactical model in 45acp; three magazines of 230GR Hornady XTP hollow points. Plus my Ruger MKIII 22LR 6" standard barrel; two magazines with a heavy 60GR bullet from Aguila. My concept is a slow moving heavy bullet; its just good science. Sorry for jumping off track. Simply put swap out my barrel, for a rifled longer one; yes it'll take any game on North America. 100 yard shots of course.

 

[50caliber123]

shotguns are the classic gun. even slug shooting, 20rds (4 - 5rd boxes) are about $13-$15 with tax. WW and UMC are more for 20 rifle rounds these days. even fmj, check the ww 7.62x39, bet its closer to $15 a box. I went from rifles to shotguns. Part of it is living in the shotgun zone in MI. Another part is for less than $500 you can build quite the collection if you watch for deals. The used market is ver friendly for shotguns. Especially for subgauges (16, 20, 28)

 

[IMARMED45ACP]

Different guns are suited for different tasks. I wouldn't want my choices to be limited to one firearm of any variety, be it shotgun, handgun, or rifle. I CAN shoot everything from mice to elephants with a .22 LR too, but that doesn't make the .22 an intelligent choice for hunting elephants. Will it work/ yes, under perfect conditions, it probably will....but just becasue a weapon can possibly do something doesn't make it especially suitable. I own shotguns, but aside from upland bird hunting, they get very little use in comparison to the rifles in my collection . My shotguns are the best firearm i have for upland hunting, so thats what I use. Sure, I could use them to hunt deer, but in the wide open country that is SD, a 7mm makes a lot more sense as a choice of firearm than a 12 gauge slug gun does. I believe in using the best tool available for a given task, and in my world, the shotgun fills a relatively small niche in my firearm needs

I think if it came down to one gun, one caliber. The 12GA has extensive capabilities. Just saying, it seems logical. There are probably over 50-100 types of 12GA loads.
It would be my choice.

 

[Good&Fruity]

shotguns are the classic gun. even slug shooting, 20rds (4 - 5rd boxes) are about $13-$15 with tax. WW and UMC are more for 20 rifle rounds these days. even fmj, check the ww 7.62x39, bet its closer to $15 a box.

Ummm...Not even close. I can get 7.62x39mm or .223 for 1/3 that price at WM.

 

[memphisjim]

The shot gun is great for sure but man does carrying extra shells get heavy quick

 

[50caliber123]

must just be a MI thing then. All 7.62x39 in 20rd boxes, Win white box at walmart, 7.62x39 fmj is $14.97 a box. I've never seen it less than that anywhere at regular retail price.

 

[oneounceload]

Each type of gun - shotgun, handgun, rifle - has its merits and downsides. Kinda hard to hit that deer at 400 yards with a shotgun, or to pocket carry concealed that pump.

For target shooting games, I love my shotguns against clays - that's MY hobby, but I carry a handgun and hunt with a rifle

 

[Water-Man]

I have shotguns, rifles and handguns for a reason.

 

[zhyla]

There's a lot of downsides to shotguns too. Reloading is a bitch, the ammo is huge and heavy, the guns themselves are really heavy, and the recoil turns off a lot of smaller people.

 

[Good&Fruity]

must just be a MI thing then. All 7.62x39 in 20rd boxes, Win white box at walmart, 7.62x39 fmj is $14.97 a box. I've never seen it less than that anywhere at regular retail price.

If anyone believes this, please PM me. I have some ocean front property in North Dakota I would like to sell you.

 

[monkyboy1975]

Each type of gun - shotgun, handgun, rifle - has its merits and downsides. Kinda hard to hit that deer at 400 yards with a shotgun, or to pocket carry concealed that pump.

For target shooting games, I love my shotguns against clays - that's MY hobby, but I carry a handgun and hunt with a rifle

Don't have to worry about hitting a deer at 400 yards...........I live in a shotgun only state.:banghead:

 

[50caliber123]

guess next trip to the white lake, MI walmart, I'll just have to buy a box, keep the retail sticker on, take a picture and post it for all the naysayers out there. Afterall, I am down to my last $29.97 40rd box I got from there two months back. The days of $5 a box 7.62x39 in anything but Wolf are LONG gone.