20 GA for home defense, is it enough?
- Thread starter StatesRightist
- Start date
Moonman
Member
At across the living room distances, bird shot to the head should end the confrontation.
Chuck1217
Member
I keep a 20 Mossberg with 18.5" barrel by my bed with a weaponlight on it. there is SD ammo available in 20, like this.
Federal Premium Personal Defense Ammo 20 Ga 2-3/4 #4 Shot 24 Pellets
Federal Premium Personal Defense Ammo 20 Ga 2-3/4 #4 Shot 24 Pellets
This is exactly what is leaning up against my bed headboard. I have it loaded with copper-plated #2 buckshot, which only comes in the 3" magnum shells. This is a stout load from a 20, with a good bit of recoil. The advantage of the 20 youth model for me is the relative ease of maneuvering compared to a full size 12 gauge frame.I have an 870 youth model 20ga. I love it.
I don't have long arms so it fits great. Doesn't catch me in the arm pit when I bring it up.
More and people seem to be going with a 20ga because more people can use it.
The 20 ga is more than enough.
I do not think the "pistol grip" set-up is the answer for most folks in home defense, especially if family members other than the old man may have need to use it. It is NOT easier to use nor more accurate, and the awkward stout recoil can actually jeopardize follow-up shots for many folks. It would best be reserved for use in .410 for most non-professionals.
Speaking of .410...with the availability of 4-pellet 000 buckshot (in 2 3/4" shells) and 5-pellet 000 (in 3" shells), the .410 long gun can no longer be laughed at as a formidable home defense weapon. A loaded five-round pump gun can put twenty-five .36 caliber balls on target without undo recoil.
A 20 gauge Youth Model Winchester, Remington or Mossberg should do just fine. I don't think you want to try the pistol grip, the control is not good.
I have a 20 ga. Sears pump that I picked up cheap at a gunshow next to the bed. Loaded with #4 steel shot. I feel safe.
Unless you fear your home is going to be invaded by a rogue gang of drake mallards, I'd trade that steel shot in for some good ol' lead. With #4 shot, you're going to need all the penetration it's capable of. Don't handicap it.
McBear
Member
Shooting Padre
US Veteran
I think it all depends on the caliber of bad guys around your area. (sorry) I think what you have is more than sufficient, if you use it well. I personally would not want to challenge a 20 gauge shotgun. Or a 410 for that matter.
OP
StatesRightist
Member
I may have misread your question..if so forgive me. The 20Ga delivers roughly 62.5% of the lead and weighs about a 1lb less than the 12GA.
McBear
Member
It was me, I was asking about recoil [Keep in mind that a lightweight 20 gauge might have more recoil than a standard 12 gauge. ] but apparently only asked that question in my head [and I am the one that doesn't know the answer]. I understood about the mass and the spec weight of the two shotguns.
Although a few gun manufacturers actually place a 20ga action and barrel on a full-size 12ga frame, most 20ga shotguns seem to be proportionally somewhat smaller and lighter than their larger bore counterpart. The practicality of the 20 is most apparent when carrying for long periods in the field or when the quickness of the lighter and more lithe scattergun is preferred (think woodcock). The 20 is usually less cumbersome and more readily handled by those smaller in stature, and had/has long been known (right or wrong) as a good choice for women.
That said, you can't cheat basic physics, and a lighter gun will almost always have more felt recoil than a heavier one. Even though a 20ga puts out a charge not quite 2/3 of the larger 12ga, the felt recoil of the 20 can easily equal or exceed the 12.
I like the size of a smaller 20ga for use in my home, particularly if smaller family members may be called on to use it. Other than that size differential, the 12ga would be the preferred weapon. Much better choice of loads, more payload per shot fired, relatively less felt recoil due to its heavier weight.
McBear
Member
Thanks. That is what I was looking for.
Chuck1217
Member
"I do not think the "pistol grip" set-up is the answer for most folks in home defense, especially if family members other than the old man may have need to use it. It is NOT easier to use nor more accurate, and the awkward stout recoil can actually jeopardize .."
I've read a couple articles, and seen a couple TV shows recently saying exactly that.
I've read a couple articles, and seen a couple TV shows recently saying exactly that.
I was in a pawn shop last month and one of the counter guys was pushing a 12ga pistol grip shotgun to a a rather frail elderly woman and I literally had to bite my tongue.
venomballistics
Member
I was in a pawn shop last month and one of the counter guys was pushing a 12ga pistol grip shotgun to a a rather frail elderly woman and I literally had to bite my tongue.
makes you wonder if some of these sales people ever actually fired a gun in their lives.
mtheo
Member
On another forum in a thread discussing 20 vs 12 a poster stated that for his defensive 20 gauge shotgun he exclusively used slugs and nothing else.
I pm'ed him for an expansion on his statement but received no reply.
Can anyone provide a line of reasoning for using only slugs?
I pm'ed him for an expansion on his statement but received no reply.
Can anyone provide a line of reasoning for using only slugs?
Laddy Smith
Member
A 20 gauge shotgun is going to have more energy on target than any caliber handgun period. The key isn't the gauge your shooting, its going out and being proficient with shooting. It's knowing how to keep your shottie from being taken from you when your looking for a bad guy, better yet it's finding a hardened place where you can get your back in a safe place and having a cell phone handy to call 911 is preferable. Don't think that racking a shotgun will be a deterrent, sure, a rational person who cares will run like hell, but a bad guy on crack or meth probably isn't going to care anyway. Keep one in the pipe and safety on if you don't have kids who can access it.
Chuck1217
Member
New Shooting Illus. has a good article, good data, on 12- and 20- compared to 45s etc.
Similar threads
