Shotgun for home defence

[AOPAPilot]

I was just wondering how those of you with shotguns for home defence were leaving their shotguns while not being used/tended to. I live alone, no kids so I am not worried about them getting to it. I have a Benelli M3 setup pretty much for anything you could throw at it (Surefire forend, oversized controls, sidesaddle, and stock cut and trimmed 2 inches by a smith)

Just wondering if you guys would suggest keeping one "in the hole" or simply just have a round ejected in the carraige and ready to rack should I need it. It stays under my bed and like I said, im not worried about someone gettin to it, just general safety should I have to move it.

edit-

Also, if anybody here is familiar with the Benelli M3 and the "ARMI System" (Semi-Auto). Do you know if it is ok to "press check" this shotgun? It seems to me that I can pull the action back just a hair and it falls back in without effecting anything. Just wondering since I did not find anything in my manual discussing this.


-Nic

[gigag04]

someone told me this same info when I asked about safely carrying one in the chamber.

I won't tell you directly what to do because I don't know your level of firearm competence.

I have 2 roommates who are both intelligent people that I covered gun safety with. I keep my XD in my drawer with one in the tube.

I would keep a shotgun the same way. [well not in the drawer...]

Some advice - whenever people break in when you're away, they always look under the bed/matress for valuables. FWIW...

-nick

[AOPAPilot]

I'm pretty compitent. I often check my nightstand pistol (Sig220) by press checking just to make sure it is in order. If something happened, which I doubt due to my 3 HUGE dogs, I would not want anyone to know I have a gun just to feel that I have the element of surprise on them.

[gigag04]

yeah thats good call.

tagging them in the face with the bright A surefire should do enough to stop them "dead" in thier tracks.

[stevie_d_64]

Well the nightstand or normal carry pistol is there to give me time to get to the "shotgun" which does not have a shell chambered...

But in my opinion the racking of the shotgun alone, is enough to render the average BeeGee a little looser in the bowels...

[anygunanywhere]

I don't keep one in the chamber cause I told the missus she needs to rack one in the chamber when she brings it about for action. The sound is more intimidating than the 1911 safety clicking off...unless the pistol is in their ear.

[gigag04]

I don't keep one in the chamber cause I told the missus she needs to rack one in the chamber when she brings it about for action. The sound is more intimidating than the 1911 safety clicking off...unless the pistol is in their ear.

What happens if the person locks up in the heat of the moment and is frantically pulling the limp trigger?? Not a flame, but that would be my concern. If/when I get a scatter gun for home defense, its going to be an auto, so alls she has to do is squeeze.

[AOPAPilot]

I don't keep one in the chamber cause I told the missus she needs to rack one in the chamber when she brings it about for action. The sound is more intimidating than the 1911 safety clicking off...unless the pistol is in their ear.

I've come to feel that if somebody breaks into my house they allready have somewhat of an upper hand with an element of surprise. That said, I am not going to keep a round out of the chamber anymore just to warn them that I mean business. If somebody breaks into my house the last thing I want to do is warn them that I am ready to defend myself until it is too late for them. Sorry if that sounds mean, but a mans home is a mans home.

[yerasimos]

What is/are the safety mechanism(s) with the Benelli M3? I would be reluctant to keep a round in the chamber of a firearm that does not somehow block the firing pin from contacting the chambered round's primer if the firearm was dropped (modern handguns almost always have such a safety).

And with a gun that is not locked in a safe, why make things easy for a burglar?

[TraCoun]

The sound of a shotgun being racked will probably get the attention of a BG, and hopefully it would make him/her depart for safer pastures. But in this day of drug-induced courage, it might just make 'em angry. I read somewhere that it can also make the BG think you're really not that serious, if you're making that sound. BG's don't always think/react as we might.

Interesting discussions ..... would like to hear more!

TraCoun

[stevie_d_64]

The sound of a shotgun being racked will probably get the attention of a BG, and hopefully it would make him/her depart for safer pastures. But in this day of drug-induced courage, it might just make 'em angry. I read somewhere that it can also make the BG think you're really not that serious, if you're making that sound. BG's don't always think/react as we might.

Interesting discussions ..... would like to hear more!

TraCoun

Well, if they get angry, and don't think that sound is a serious sound...That's mistake number two...

The rest of the story is academic...

[sensei]

I have my carry gun on me or beside me at all times unless I'm sleeping. Then it is on the night stand beside me.

I keep the 12 ga. in the closet with one in the hole. If I had time I would reach for it first.

My wife and 17 year old daughter have been taught to NOT give the BG a warning. IF IT IS A GOOD SHOOT - I don't want them to give the BG any extra chances or warnings.

Ray Glass

[Bubba]

... NOT give the BG a warning. IF IT IS A GOOD SHOOT - I don't want them to give the BG any extra chances or warnings.

Ray Glass

AMEN, well said, they don't need any warning !!!

[Baytown]

No warning. Clint touched on it at TR. No need to tell the guy, "Go away, I have a gun." He may have a rifle and start ripping holes in your door and wall.

As Clint said, he will figure out you have a gun when he comes through the door. If you want to scare someone, wear an ugly rubber mask. (That one still kills me.)

Glenn