Why a Home Defense Shotgun?

[KD5NRH]

Nothing quite as chilling as the sound of a pump action slide being racked.

Or comforting when you're on the good end of it.

[74novaman]

Nothing quite as chilling as the sound of a pump action slide being racked. Bad guys beware!

except, perhaps, for the flurry of shots sent your way by the intruder now that you've given away your position.

[Pun1sher]

well thank you for reviving this thread, I forgot about this site, lol

[Scott in Houston]

Nothing quite as chilling as the sound of a pump action slide being racked.

Or comforting when you're on the good end of it.

Many consider that to be a good warning or fear tactic... IMO, if someone's in my house and threatening my family, the only warning should be the wadding.

[drjoker]

The answer is, "because you can," and "everything is bigger in Texas." It's a free Texas and you may do so if you wish. But, is it really necessary? Nah.

I remember reading in an issue of American Rifleman somewhere (I forget which issue) that 90% of crime prevented with a gun did not involve the perp getting shot. Just brandishing and/or a missed shot was enough to send the perp running away to find easier pickings elsewhere. If that's true, then any gun would work 90% of the time. You only really need to count on stopping power 10% of the time. So, even if you have a crappy .380 Hi Point that you can expect to stop a perp 60% of the time you pull the trigger and shoot someone, you can still expect to stop the threat 96% of the time.

That said, most people would opt to own something better than a Hi Point .380. Why? Because America is the land of excess. Why drive a Ford Escort when you can drive a Hummer? Why own a Hi Point when you can own a really tricked out gun with all the bells and whistles? If you can afford it, then go for it. If you can't, then just buy what cops in rural underfunded police agencies use. Why? Because that's what's adequate for use against perps.

So, in answering your question, if you have a shotgun for hunting, that'll do for home defense, too. You may want to paint some glow in the dark paint on the gun sights and barrel mount a flashlight to it for better utility at night. You may always remove the flashlight during hunting season. If your nightstand gun is a handgun that is in any of the common military and/or police calibers (9mm/38/357/45/40), than you may use that as your home defense gun, too. Just make sure you have easily visible sights and a flashlight. My local hardware store (Harbor Freight) sells a nice LED flashlight with a momentary on button for only $4. It is almost as bright as my $100 SureFire. So, $8 later, you've got an adequate setup for most home defense situations ($4 flashlight + $4 glow in the dark paint).

why I would need a short barelled HD shotgun with ghost ring or halo sights, pistol grip stock, mounted laser and flashlight, heat shroud, sling, saddle with 6 extra rounds, with mag extension bringing my in gun round count to eight when I have an effective nightstand gun?

[74novaman]

The answer is, "because you can," and "everything is bigger in Texas." It's a free Texas and you may do so if you wish. But, is it really necessary? Nah.

so what do you use for home defense? shotgun? pistol? flashlight?

[sugar land dave]

Any comments?

Yes. You just raised a 2-year old thread from the dead. Do you do exorcisms too?

Seriously though, welcome back to the forum!

This thread is like Forrest Gump's Lt. Dan. It has some new legs!

[NcongruNt]

The answer is, "because you can," and "everything is bigger in Texas." It's a free Texas and you may do so if you wish. But, is it really necessary? Nah.

so what do you use for home defense? shotgun? pistol? flashlight?

I believe the answer to that question is "Yes". At least it is for me.

[PuntoQuatroCinco]

Nothing quite as chilling as the sound of a pump action slide being racked. Bad guys beware!

I read somewhere...long ago...that the SECOND most instantly recognizable, carnal-fear-inducing, psychologically paralyzing sound known to man is a shotgun slide being racked. No matter who you are, where you're from, what you're background is, etc...you recognize a slide being racked when you hear it, and it elicits an emotional response (fear or comfort depending on your relation to the slide...).

You know what the number one most instantly recognizable sound is?

Take a guess...



...



...



It's more "instinctive" than a shotgun...



...




...




Rattlesnake.

I wish I remember where I read that- in part so I can re-evaluate its truthfulness, though it makes sense logically...

PQC.

[MasterOfNone]

I read somewhere...long ago...that the SECOND most instantly recognizable, carnal-fear-inducing, psychologically paralyzing sound known to man is a shotgun slide being racked. No matter who you are, where you're from, what you're background is, etc...you recognize a slide being racked when you hear it, and it elicits an emotional response (fear or comfort depending on your relation to the slide...).

You know what the number one most instantly recognizable sound is?

Mother-in-law's car in the driveway?