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Is the defense shortgun still relevant?

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  • ethanjordan

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    I happened upon this article and found it mirroring my own shotgun usage as of late. I haven't gotten rid of my shotguns but I found I just don't use them for home defense since I finally accepted the fact that loads like the 55 grain M193 FMJ or soft point 223/5.56 in an AR won't
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    satx78247

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    Shortgun? What's a Shortgun?

    Fishkiller,

    In my grandfather's time, a "shortgun" was what many people called a handgun.
    (My grandfather was born in Franklin County, TX on 18JAN1874.)

    IF one looks, they will see that term in a lot of old newspaper articles.

    yours, satx
     
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    Axxe55

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    I'm not for sure where the OP is getting his information from, or the validity of that information.

    IMO, the shotgun is still the best home defensive weapon for most people. The distances they would used at within the home, ammo selections that are available, and that they don't require the same precision in aiming that rifles or pistols require.
     

    TreyG-20

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    I'm not for sure where the OP is getting his information from, or the validity of that information.

    IMO, the shotgun is still the best home defensive weapon for most people. The distances they would used at within the home, ammo selections that are available, and that they don't require the same precision in aiming that rifles or pistols require.
    In my experience scatter guns don't really scatter much in the typical home defense ranges. My 18.5" mossberg with any type of buckshot will hold a 3" pattern to about 20 feet. Still have to aim it. It's not really point and shoot.
     

    seeker_two

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    I've thought about this for awhile. Unless you expect engagements past 50 yards or precision shots are needed, a shotgun is hard to beat. I'm thinking of getting a 20ga Shockwave as truck gun (well secured, of course).

    I believe that, if the Kenosha Kid had run a shotgun as well as he did his AR, there would likely be three fatalities.....one of which would be completely missing an arm.

    Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
     

    Axxe55

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    In my experience scatter guns don't really scatter much in the typical home defense ranges. My 18.5" mossberg with any type of buckshot will hold a 3" pattern to about 20 feet. Still have to aim it. It's not really point and shoot.

    Most all of mine will have about a 4" to 6" pattern at 20 feet. Yes, they do need to be aimed, just that they don't need the same precision in aiming that rifles or pistols require.

    If I aim center mass on a bad guy, and I am off center and hit him in the shoulder or arm with a round of buckshot, it's still going to do massive amounts of damage.
     

    Shady

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    I happened upon this article and found it mirroring my own shotgun usage as of late. I haven't gotten rid of my shotguns but I found I just don't use them for home defense since I finally accepted the fact that loads like the 55 grain M193 FMJ or soft point 223/5.56 in an AR won't


    Wow I am glad I do not live in your area if you have used shotguns and ar's to defend it enough times to decide which is best for you :)


    Depending on where you live. I would much rather use a shotgun just in case it goes outside I don't have to worry as much about whats down the road a mile when I shoot at the dude.

    Inside the house I think an AR might be a bit better as cleaning up the mess from a shotgun blast Hit or Miss is going to be a lot worse than with an ar
     

    ZX9RCAM

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    Most all of mine will have about a 4" to 6" pattern at 20 feet. Yes, they do need to be aimed, just that they don't need the same precision in aiming that rifles or pistols require.

    If I aim center mass on a bad guy, and I am off center and hit him in the shoulder or arm with a round of buckshot, it's still going to do massive amounts of damage.

    To be fair, it would be the same with a rifle, no?
    Think of Kyles only surviving threat.

    ETA: Can't compare pistol damage to shotgun damage.
     

    Axxe55

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    To be fair, it would be the same with a rifle, no?
    Think of Kyles only surviving threat.

    ETA: Can't compare pistol damage to shotgun damage.

    As long as you get a hit. That's a good example. But if you are awakened by an intruder in the middle of the night, still groggy from sleep, adrenaline pumping and your fine motor skills are not functioning yet, this is why I would prefer the shotgun.

    The 223 is less than a 1/4" in diameter, vs. the shotgun with a pattern of 3" to 6" at 20 feet. IMO, much less precision aiming needed.
     
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