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View Poll Results: Is 5+1 rounds of 12 gauge buckshot enough for home defense?
Yes 206 94.06%
No 13 5.94%
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  #1  
Old 03-26-2018, 02:36 AM
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Question Home Defense Shotgun: Is 5+1 Enough?

Guys my Remington 870 Police has a +1 Wilson Combat magazine tube extension for a total of 5+1. I keep the gun "cruiser ready" so 5 in the tube, empty chamber. My sidesaddle holds 6 additional rounds should they be needed.

Do you think that's enough? Should I get a +2 magazine extension for 6+1 total? I love the way the setup balances as is, and the mag tube extension is so short a bracket isn't needed for support and it's a handy and rugged setup with my Surefire forend. Some feel as if the magazine tube MUST extend to the barrel but I don't know.

What do you all think? Is 5+1 rounds of 12 gauge buckshot enough for home defense?
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Old 03-26-2018, 05:38 AM
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Home invasions by groups are becoming more popular. I think the current record is eight intruders.
Geoff
Who notes some statistics are not available, all the witnesses having been killed.
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Old 03-26-2018, 06:10 AM
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If you are a competent shot, 6 rounds of 12 gauge OO buckshot should be more than adequate for self defense unless you are being invaded by a squad. Personally I keep a KSG close by when at work or home. If 6 is good...15 is better.
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Old 03-26-2018, 06:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Breakaway500 View Post
If you are a competent shot, 6 rounds of 12 gauge OO buckshot should be more than adequate for self defense unless you are being invaded by a squad. Personally I keep a KSG close by when at work or home. If 6 is good...15 is better.
I'm with you, love the compact build of the KSG. I have mine loaded with 22 rds of Aguilla slugs and 00 buck.
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Old 03-26-2018, 06:54 AM
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Thumbs up Remington 887 Nitro Mag Tactical

I've got 7+1 with 5 more on the stock. Six feet away is an M&P full size 9 with 3 x 17 +1.

Viridian green laser/light on both.

I guess I never got over being a Boy Scout.

Last edited by Jeppo; 03-26-2018 at 07:14 AM.
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Old 03-26-2018, 07:17 AM
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I think 4 or 5 shells of 00 buck with a side saddle of 5 more is plenty for engaging multiple targets.

There are stories of GI’s in ww1 and ww2 using the standard 5 shot Winchester 1897 to take out entire rows of a trench, or to take on multiple enemy soldiers to great effect.

Train on topping off the tube and a standard pump shotgun is one of the most effective and devastating handheld weapons one can procure

Just my opinion

Last edited by American1776; 03-26-2018 at 07:18 AM.
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Old 03-26-2018, 07:39 AM
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In a hypothetical scenario you can never have enough, but in a "real world" home invasion you are unlikely to even need the shells in your saddle.
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Old 03-26-2018, 07:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Protected One View Post
In a hypothetical scenario you can never have enough, but in a "real world" home invasion you are unlikely to even need the shells in your saddle.
Just the sound of racking the slide could be a serious deterrent.
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Old 03-26-2018, 07:48 AM
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What is your threat level (dangerous neighborhood, angry neighbors, do you publicly deal with large amounts of money or expensive items)? Have you needed to defend your home (can't predict that for the future, of course)? Do you train with your 870, especially rapid reloading under stress? Does your J frame hold more than 6?
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Old 03-26-2018, 08:00 AM
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My 40-year old Remington 870 is an unusual piece, having a 21" barrel with choke tubes. It has the standard magazine tube, accepts 4 rounds (2 when I put in the plug for duck hunting). At home it stays loaded with 2-3/4" loads of BB shot with the improved cylinder choke tube. I doubt anyone will notice the difference between 1.25 oz. BB shot and buckshot from one end of the house to the other end. I also doubt that the BB shot will penetrate more than one wall, which I find important in a residential area.

If the 4 rounds of 12-gauge aren't enough I will have to use the back-up piece, a .45 caliber pistol (8 round mag).

No, I don't feel under-gunned.
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Old 03-26-2018, 08:01 AM
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Quote:
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What is your threat level (dangerous neighborhood, angry neighbors, do you publicly deal with large amounts of money or expensive items)?
He lives in Las Vegas.
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Old 03-26-2018, 08:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeppo View Post
Just the sound of racking the slide could be a serious deterrent.
A common myth perpetrated by Hollywood and gun forums. Also somewhat wishful thinking on the part of the person who's racking the slide. "Once the bad guys hear me racking the slide on my Model 12-Ithaca 37-Generic Mossberg, they'll hightail it out the door and I can go back to bed!"

What it actually accomplishes in a dark house at 0300 is to give away your position to any intruder(s).
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Old 03-26-2018, 08:19 AM
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Grab your gun ....hunker down......Rack one and add one for your 6+1....... dial 911

If the first one or two take a load of "buck" coming through your bedroom door....... I doubt the "rest" will press the attack...... if they do it's probably TEOTWAWKI........ and you are SOL.

LOL my home defense shotgun gun is a Mossberg 20 gage 510 Youth model which only holds 3 in the tube (6 on the butt)... but anyone in the family can handle it.....backup is a M&P w/ 17+1 and a weapons light.

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Old 03-26-2018, 08:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JayFramer View Post
I keep the gun "cruiser ready" so 5 in the tube, empty chamber.
Why the empty chamber? Are you hoping for the pumping sound to have an effect?
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Old 03-26-2018, 08:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by American1776 View Post
I think 4 or 5 shells of 00 buck with a side saddle of 5 more is plenty for engaging multiple targets.

There are stories of GI’s in ww1 and ww2 using the standard 5 shot Winchester 1897 to take out entire rows of a trench, or to take on multiple enemy soldiers to great effect.

Train on topping off the tube and a standard pump shotgun is one of the most effective and devastating handheld weapons one can procure

Just my opinion
I have read that the shotguns were so feared that German soldiers made a practice of executing any allied soldiers caught with a shotgun.

In Vietnam (1969-71) we were still using the Winchester 97's and Model 12's. Some were made as "trench guns" with heat shield and bayonet lug, some were plain "riot gun" type. Standard ammo was 2-3/4" copper-plated 00-buckshot. Also issued in smaller quantities were fleshette rounds, loaded with dozens of steel darts (like small nails with fins). Both were very effective out to 50 yards or so from cylinder-bore barrels.

In more recent years our military has developed specialized shotguns called "breaching" guns. Short-barreled 12-gauge shotguns with ammo designed for breaking through doors and gates by destroying hinges or locks. I suspect that there have been at least a few incidents of close combat with those being used against hostiles.

A good pump 12-gauge is probably the single most effective weapon for short range personal defense.
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Old 03-26-2018, 08:31 AM
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I like a shotgun for home defense as you can load as you go but it takes a little practice to load without looking and to do it slick but duck hunters do have a slight advantage here I have seen duck hunters load shotguns in the the rain in sleet with ice hanging in their beards and be looking at the sky smiling the whole time lol wouldn't want to break in that house .
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Old 03-26-2018, 08:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigwheelzip View Post
Why the empty chamber? Are you hoping for the pumping sound to have an effect?
The post says "cruiser ready" (magazine loaded, chamber empty). Carrying a shotgun with loaded chamber in a vehicle is not considered a safe action. Also, in many states it is unlawful to have a long gun (rifle or shotgun) with a chambered round in a motor vehicle; probably an anti-poaching law, but very much a common sense safety precaution.

At home my 870 has a full magazine, empty chamber, action cocked, safety engaged. In order to use the shotgun it is necessary to hit the slide release, chamber a round, then disengage the safety. With practice and experience this takes only a second or two. In my opinion the added level of safety in storage and handling make this worthwhile. YMMV

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Old 03-26-2018, 08:41 AM
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I doubt the bad guy's are going to charge over the bodies of their 6 fallen partners in crime to see if I'm outta ammo.....usually around body #2 they retreat. Criminals are not very brave .
Gary
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Old 03-26-2018, 08:49 AM
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Default RUN IT DRY INSIDE YOUR HOUSE?

You MAY HAVE bigger things to worry about, like death, or finding a new house. MB 590 here 8+1. 5 In the mag, chamber empty, safety off. Grab, rack, point, shoot, get the mop & bucket & survey the damage. If you feel you need more, load more.

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Old 03-26-2018, 08:55 AM
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I'm hoping so. I'm counting on 2 to do the trick.
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Old 03-26-2018, 08:55 AM
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I’m a bit of an outlier on this.

IMHO You don’t need more than one or two rounds in a shotgun for defense inside the house unless you aren’t very skilled and seriously contemplate a wave of zombies pouring into the house.

Most folks folks contemplating hd with a shotgun would be better off spending some time shooting trap (or even better, skeet) low gun than spending money on magazine extensions or other tacticool gizmos.

Since I don’t entertain zombie fantasies, I think of high capacity shotguns as pretty useless.
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Old 03-26-2018, 09:07 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoboGunLeather View Post
The post says "cruiser ready" (magazine loaded, chamber empty). Carrying a shotgun with loaded chamber in a vehicle is not considered a safe action. Also, in many states it is unlawful to have a long gun (rifle or shotgun) with a chambered round in a motor vehicle; probably an anti-poaching law, but very much a common sense safety precaution. YMMV
The most common hunting accident involves a loaded shotgun in a vehicle. Usually, the dingbat grabs the loaded shotgun by the muzzle and pulls the shotgun toward the himself or shoots someone in the front seat while trying to get out of the back seat with the loaded shotgun.

Prohibiting loaded shotguns in vehicles is a safety measure as well as an attempt to prevent road hunting.
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Old 03-26-2018, 09:13 AM
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Well, not enough if the average home invasion party in your neighborhood numbers 7 participants...

Recently saw an ad for a shotgun that holds 25 rounds. Again, not enough if 26 come to call...
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Old 03-26-2018, 09:13 AM
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I think 5 + 1 is plenty. Especially if you have something else handy as a couple others mentioned. Personally, I like the idea of having a revolver and a shotgun handy and in close proximity. Then I don’t worry as much about being undergunned, overwhelmed by #’s, or short on ammo capacity. Barring being the object of a true tactical assault.
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Old 03-26-2018, 09:24 AM
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Default REMEMBER THIS GEM?

TURKEY KILLS TURKEY HUNTER with his own gun. So Elmer Fudd shoots a turkey, assumes it is dead & throws it and the loaded shotgun/safety still off, into his trunk & drives away. Upon opening the trunk, the turkey wakes up, thrashes around, hitting the trigger, the shotgun fires, killing Elmer.

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Old 03-26-2018, 09:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoboGunLeather View Post
I have read that the shotguns were so feared that German soldiers made a practice of executing any allied soldiers caught with a shotgun.

In Vietnam (1969-71) we were still using the Winchester 97's and Model 12's. Some were made as "trench guns" with heat shield and bayonet lug, some were plain "riot gun" type. Standard ammo was 2-3/4" copper-plated 00-buckshot. Also issued in smaller quantities were fleshette rounds, loaded with dozens of steel darts (like small nails with fins). Both were very effective out to 50 yards or so from cylinder-bore barrels.

In more recent years our military has developed specialized shotguns called "breaching" guns. Short-barreled 12-gauge shotguns with ammo designed for breaking through doors and gates by destroying hinges or locks. I suspect that there have been at least a few incidents of close combat with those being used against hostiles.

A good pump 12-gauge is probably the single most effective weapon for short range personal defense.
We used to use the 79 thumper with fleshette/green shells for our trench/point person-- Quite effective, but probably not suitable for home defense
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Old 03-26-2018, 09:55 AM
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I don't use a shotgun for home defense because it would be wholly inappropriate in my current environment.

That having been said, the only self-defense shotgun I've ever owned was an Ithaca Model 37 Deer Slayer Police Special with a seven+1 magazine. I'd never own anything for that purpose with a smaller capacity.
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Old 03-26-2018, 09:56 AM
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Quote:
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We used to use the 79 thumper with fleshette/green shells for our trench/point person-- Quite effective, but probably not suitable for home defense
Yeah, the M79 was a fine weapon when loaded with fleshettes. Probably have a little difficulty acquiring a grenade launcher in the US civilian market; might have to go to Mexico or some other country with strict gun control laws to actually find one you could buy.
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Old 03-26-2018, 10:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoboGunLeather View Post
The post says "cruiser ready" (magazine loaded, chamber empty). Carrying a shotgun with loaded chamber in a vehicle is not considered a safe action. Also, in many states it is unlawful to have a long gun (rifle or shotgun) with a chambered round in a motor vehicle; probably an anti-poaching law, but very much a common sense safety precaution.

At home my 870 has a full magazine, empty chamber, action cocked, safety engaged. In order to use the shotgun it is necessary to hit the slide release, chamber a round, then disengage the safety. With practice and experience this takes only a second or two. In my opinion the added level of safety in storage and handling make this worthwhile. YMMV
So, saying "cruiser ready" means it is setup for vehicle transport. Thanks, I hadn't heard that term before.

Is there something detrimental happening to a pump shotgun action by keeping it chambered, with the safety on? I've kept my home-defense Mossberg 500 in that condition since I bought it several years ago.
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Old 03-26-2018, 10:03 AM
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Quote:
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Yeah, the M79 was a fine weapon when loaded with fleshettes. Probably have a little difficulty acquiring a grenade launcher in the US civilian market; might have to go to Mexico or some other country with strict gun control laws to actually find one you could buy.
Yea, civilian is 37mm, ole thumper was 40mm, and obsolete, like us
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Old 03-26-2018, 10:05 AM
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A common myth perpetrated by Hollywood and gun forums. Also somewhat wishful thinking on the part of the person who's racking the slide. "Once the bad guys hear me racking the slide on my Model 12-Ithaca 37-Generic Mossberg, they'll hightail it out the door and I can go back to bed!"

What it actually accomplishes in a dark house at 0300 is to give away your position to any intruder(s).
I think it also shows that the person may be reluctant to shoot which will give the intruder an edge. Larry
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Old 03-26-2018, 10:08 AM
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Old 03-26-2018, 10:29 AM
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I think it also shows that the person may be reluctant to shoot which will give the intruder an edge. Larry
I agree completely.

It shows the serious criminal that you aren't serious.

And if you aren't serious, you shouldn't bother.

Most of the self-defense fails I've seen or heard about over the years involved people not being serious. They mostly involved "warning shots", negotiations, "banter", etc., none of which is a serious means of self-defense.

If not shooting an assailant in a deadly force situation is a higher priority for you than defending yourself and those to whom you feel a duty of care, you ought not to have a firearm AT ALL.

A face full of #4 buck "intimidates" better than a mechanical action sound EVERY time.
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Old 03-26-2018, 10:30 AM
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MY old duty S&W riot gun next to the night stand is loaded and ready.
A Winchester 30-30 is next to it if I need to "reach out" further.
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Old 03-26-2018, 10:34 AM
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Default THE SOUND OF A PUMP ACTION.

YES, the sound of the action being racked MIGHT frighten bad guys. IMO the big bang following that sound, a nano second later will be more frightening. Is a chambered pump harmful to the gun? Probly not. To a curious kid, or fumble fingered 1/2 awake adult? NOT SO MUCH. (IMO) After a NOT COOL sleep walking situation involving a fully loaded & chambered 9mm, I'm a bit more careful.
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Old 03-26-2018, 10:35 AM
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So, saying "cruiser ready" means it is setup for vehicle transport. Thanks, I hadn't heard that term before.

Is there something detrimental happening to a pump shotgun action by keeping it chambered, with the safety on? I've kept my home-defense Mossberg 500 in that condition since I bought it several years ago.
Most shotguns have a floating firing pin. That means that if a round is chambered and the safety is on, the shotgun can still go 'boom' if it is dropped on it's muzzle and the floating firing pin's inertia is enough to strike the primer.

All long guns ought to be kept condition 3, IMO. Modern handguns, condition 1.
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Old 03-26-2018, 10:40 AM
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I have a 20" Mossberg 500. It holds 8+1 of the 2 3/4" shells.

I'd rather have 8 than 5.

Not sure how much of a disadvantage a 20" is over an 18.5 but I don't think it's much.
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Old 03-26-2018, 10:55 AM
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Mine is a 20g loaded with #4 steel shot, one in the chamber.

I like suprises, the first time I want the bad guy to know I'm up and armed is when it goes "bang".
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Old 03-26-2018, 10:59 AM
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Talking IF ALL THE CRYP'S, BLOODS, & ZOMBIES ALL ATTACK AT ONCE.

Will 5 VS 8-9 really matter? Protecting the shopping mall? See the previous pic @ post 32.

Last edited by nachogrande; 03-26-2018 at 11:02 AM.
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Old 03-26-2018, 12:41 PM
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Will 5 VS 8-9 really matter? Protecting the shopping mall? See the previous pic @ post 32.
I've known quite a few people who were in gunfights or combat.

Not a SINGLE one ever said to me, "I wish I'd brought LESS ammunition."
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Old 03-26-2018, 12:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Watchdog View Post
A common myth perpetrated by Hollywood and gun forums. Also somewhat wishful thinking on the part of the person who's racking the slide. "Once the bad guys hear me racking the slide on my Model 12-Ithaca 37-Generic Mossberg, they'll hightail it out the door and I can go back to bed!"

What it actually accomplishes in a dark house at 0300 is to give away your position to any intruder(s).
Quote:
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...
I like suprises, the first time I want the bad guy to know I'm up and armed is when it goes "bang".
Police officers have been using the racking of the shotgun action as an intimidation technique, largely successfully, for a century. That has nothing to do with Hollywood.

If you assume that every possible home defense scenario will be so clear-cut that you can open fire without warning, you are seriously limiting your tactical options.

And some heavily armed professional killer sneaking through the dark house waiting for you to “give away your position” with a noise is still the least likely scenario.

Last year we even had some clown in a thread here arguing against the use of flashlights or weapons lights because it might give away your position. He declared his intent of shooting at targets in the dark without positive identification because lighting them up would identify his position. People like that shouldn’t have guns.
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Old 03-26-2018, 12:56 PM
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I've known quite a few people who were in gunfights or combat.

Not a SINGLE one ever said to me, "I wish I'd brought LESS ammunition."
Did any of them say they ran out of ammunition during the home invasion?
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Old 03-26-2018, 12:56 PM
nachogrande nachogrande is offline
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Default HOME DEFENSE = COMBAT???

Quote:
Originally Posted by cmort666 View Post
I've known quite a few people who were in gunfights or combat.

Not a SINGLE one ever said to me, "I wish I'd brought LESS ammunition."
A home invasion/burglary aint exactly trench warfare. AS SAID if YOU feel under gunned with only 5, load more. Maybe something belt fed & claymores???
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Old 03-26-2018, 01:18 PM
Dave Lively Dave Lively is offline
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I have a Remington 870 Express that came from the factory with an 18 inch barrel and one piece 6 round magazine. I keep it loaded with 6 rounds in the magazine and feel that is enough for home defense.

When I carry a handgun it has a round in the chamber. But my shotgun is not drop safe so it has an empty chamber. I hope anyone that keeps their 870 fully loaded has it laying flat under their bed and not propped up vertically somewhere it can fall onto a hard surface. It probably will not go off if that happens but why take a chance.

After being stored with the magazine fully loaded for a few years the spring gets weak. After 3 years mine just barely got the last round into the gun when I shot it a few weeks ago. Empty you can hear spring rattling around a bit. Springs are cheap, buy a few and plan on replacing them periodically. I always heard it is use that wears out a spring but I do not shoot my 870 nearly as much as I should. The spring got weak just from being fully compressed.
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Old 03-26-2018, 02:09 PM
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Quote:
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Guys my Remington 870 Police has a +1 Wilson Combat magazine tube extension for a total of 5+1. I keep the gun "cruiser ready" so 5 in the tube, empty chamber. My sidesaddle holds 6 additional rounds should they be needed.

Do you think that's enough? Should I get a +2 magazine extension for 6+1 total? I love the way the setup balances as is, and the mag tube extension is so short a bracket isn't needed for support and it's a handy and rugged setup with my Surefire forend. Some feel as if the magazine tube MUST extend to the barrel but I don't know.

What do you all think? Is 5+1 rounds of 12 gauge buckshot enough for home defense?
You should be good, as for me I have a Mossie that holds nine, 5 OO buck and 4 slugs.(and a belt with 20 more I can sling over my shoulder) I live quite rural and even if could get a message out help could be a 1/2 hour out!

Do not pay any attention to that shucking the pump to make noise nonsense will scare someone away. Doing that reduces you down I shot. It also gives away you location.
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Old 03-26-2018, 03:47 PM
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A 5 shot mag with a 2 shot extension would be 5+2=7, another in the chamber ='s 8. That's if my pencil is still sharp. Too much capacity & I'd need to take my shoes off to do the math. Pray nobody ever makes a 21 shot.
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Old 03-26-2018, 03:48 PM
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The thugs that do home invasions are cowards. They have to be in a group to give each other courage. If you shoot one, their collective courage will evaporate. They'll be running as they fill their pants, leaving their dead, dying, or injured friend behind.
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Old 03-26-2018, 04:08 PM
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Just go with an AR or .....in my case a Beretta CX4 with 30 round factory mags as backup!!!!!!

Go all Rambo...........


See my post # Lucky "13"
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Old 03-26-2018, 04:38 PM
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My primary 12GA shotgun in my safe is a standard 870 Express (which has been carefully examined by a Remington shotgun armorer, as my armorer class wasn't as current).

It's demonstrated itself to run just fine in my range sessions. I replaced the original vent-rib/choked barrel with an 18" cylinder-bore barrel, and I replaced that bulky commercial woooden forend with a short LE-type plastic one. I'd reach for it before I'd reach for my Winchester 1200, even though the 1200 has a 6-shot factory extended mag tube. Why? Because I've got a lot of training & range time using 870's.

In my last several years before retirement my plainclothes car carried one of our older standard 870's, with the 4-shot mag tube. I didn't try to replace it with one of our 18"/6-shot LE 870's, even though as a firearms instructor I could've pulled some strings. Why? Because I'd inspected and puffed that older one out during an 870 armorer class, and it performed flawlessly in range sessions. I had it refitted with some nicely refinished older wood, too, including the short forend. I didn't see myself being at any particular disadvantage with its older era standard 4-shot tube. I could easily chamber a round and top off the mag tube to give me 5 rounds of buck or slugs.

Personally, I also tend to dislike the extended mag tubes for making it more difficult (or at least less easy) to remove the barrel.

I remember owning a Mossberg 500 Cruiser many years ago, as a younger man, with its 8-shot mag tube. That slightly longer barrel (to accommodate the 8-shot tube) seemed just a bit too long, at times.

Modern ammo development has given us a nice selection of 12GA loads, including those which might be better suited to various environments (including considering down-range).

I've sometimes thought about getting one of those nicely outfitted, fancier LE 870's the cop shops sometimes sell, but they don't really offer me anything that my existing 870 (or Winchester) couldn't do, and I only shoot the shotgun to confirm skills maintenance. No more burning through cases and cases of 00 buck and 1oz slugs at the agency's expense. My shoulder doesn't seem to care for it as much as it did when I was a younger man.

At one point in time a couple of the other instructors and I used to vie to see who could consistently run 4 shots of buck in 1 second (from low ready, chambered), while getting accurate hits on the threat targets at 5-10yds (so the muzzle blast didn't shred the paper targets).

For a while another instructor and I were often able to run 6 rounds of buck in 1.5-1.6 secs, but the "timing" of using the recoil to start running the forend was demanding. Instead, for my normal drills I kept it to being able to run 2 shots in half a second, from the low ready, or 3 shots in no more than a second. Less manipulation of the forend during which to loose the "timing".

Besides, I didn't suspect there were too many potential 2-legged threats walking around who would be able to withstand more than 2-3 centered hits with 00 buck or slugs, delivered that rapidly. Optimistic, perhaps, but at some point prudent preparation might become more like paranoia, right?
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Old 03-26-2018, 05:17 PM
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It so happens I keep several shotguns loaded and within relatively easy reach but mostly because I don't have room for them in the gun safes and because I can. An old Ithaca Model 37, a couple of Remington 870s, and an old H&R Topper single shot. I load #7.5 or #8 birdshot - and I doubt that if there was a home invasion I'd ever get to any of them. Which explains why I keep loaded revolvers handy. Those are at my fingertips. If I can't resolve a home invasion with a few rounds from one of my handguns I'd be very surprised.

Having said that, if I see a group of miscreants in front of my house and I THINK trouble is coming then I would have time to get the shotguns into play. Birdshot will stop them; buckshot will reach my neighbors' homes; I don't care for that concept.
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