20 Gauge: Defense?

[JayFramer]

Well hey there gun buddies!

Ever since shooting my first ever shotgun at around 13, Dad's beautiful Browning BSS, I've had a "thing" for the 20 gauge. Those yellow shells, not-unpleasant recoil, just really always have been drawn to them.

Well today I bought on a whim a Mossberg's 500 Tactical shotgun in 20 gauge for a great price:

Have been wanting a defensive shotgun for my new apartment and it seems there are some buckshot loads available:

It holds 7+1 and I plan on attaching a forward mounted flashlight and extra shell holder. It has ghost rings, and a short LOP stock which should fit my stubby T-rex Arms well. I should explain that I just enjoy the 20 gauge, how the guns handle, how recoil is manageable, etc. and in no way shape or form am saying there's anything wrong with a 12 gauge. I own several, but a repeating 20 gauge was sorely lacking. I've also read 20 gauge can be a good choice for reduced recoil for faster follow up shots.

What do you all think? Am I criminally insane for wanting to keep a 20 gauge shotgun around as a house gun? Am I woefully undergunned? Will it do okay do you think, or should I keep it purely for a range toy? I know it's not as powerful as a 12 gauge, but will it still be effective against attackers?

Thanks all,

-Jay

 

[Kanewpadle]

Nothing wrong with a 20ga. Every bit as devastating at typical home distances.

I have a Remington 870 youth model in 20 ga.

 

[snuffy51]

Go for it. I'll bet no bad guy will know the difference between a 12 or a 20.

 

[6518John]

One of my favorite articles.

Consider the 20-gauge shotgun - Backwoods Home Magazine

 

[sigp220.45]

Nothing wrong with a properly wielded 20 gauge.

I sawed off this Spanish jobby and attached a flashlight with a tactical inner tube.

Works great with some number 4 buck.

 

[krsmith58]

20 ga. loads

i too think the 20 ga. is more than effective for defeanse . i would like to add though , i keep high brass #6s in my home shotgun for the first 2 rounds , less likely to hurt someone in the next room or the next apartment . at indoors range the 6s will do the job and then some . just my 2 cents .

 

[krsmith58]

tacticle

i really like the tacticle inner tube . ha many times . good one

 

[gonerydin]

I have a 20 gauge Mossberg Shockwave with green laser and flashlight combo in my sock drawer. [emoji16]


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[Tubbsy]

Yep, I've got a single shot 20 i keep by the bed in case i feel the 9mm isn't enough. Feel just as safe with that by the bed as i do the 12 and 16 in the cabinet.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My wife uses a 20 gauge 391 Beretta for Sporting Clays. She knows how to use it so when she wants a shotgun that is what she wants! It only holds 3 shells (Silly Italian laws!) but she knows how to load a shell after she fires #1 or #2 shots. (I taught her to reload after 2 shots, so she's never empty!)

I agree with your premise. The problem is resupply of defensive ammo! So buy a bunch of it when you see it, they discontinued my favorite 20 gauge defensive load- Federal Premium No. 4 Buck (copper Plated) 27 pellets in 2 3/4 shell. I only have about 50 rounds left!

Once you decide what round you like. A buddy at a LGS should be able to get a case of ammo (250 rounds) at a good price. Plan on paying up front!

I also like #4 birdshot as a defensive load. Express, not Upland Game, for the extra velocity. I like #2 Steel shot for Waterfowl (geese), but it is an great defensive loading also with distance and penetration in mind (use Steel choke IM or Full or Lead choke Mod, they are about the same.), but a cylinder bore barrel defeats that purpose.

My 20's all preferred the Brenneke rifled slugs, but any 7/8 oz. slug (390 grains +/-) at 1200 to1450 fps has lots of energy to deal with problems or deer!

All of these rounds are a little high in recoil, so use target or Dove loads for practice (Dove loads can be as cheap as $3/25 in the spring sales.) Unless you plan on doing lots of competition, reloading is a losing proposition with 20 & 12 gauge. (The components cast as mush as loaded ammo, + the cost of the reloader!)

Enjoy, and may you never need to defend yourself!

Ivan

 

[robertrwalsh]

For reasonable home defense I believe in many cases the 20 is actually a superior weapon. Significantly less overpenetration potential and with the proper load at reasonable ranges it is very effective against bipeds.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I would not want to be hit with a 20 particularly at close range.

 

[Goldstar225]

Based upon my personal experience of shooting deer at +/- 20 yards with 20 gauge #3 buck, I would use it with confidence.

 

[kmyers]

I know I wouldn't want to be shot with one, or any other gun.

 

[fiasconva]

Just curious but how many 3" shells of that #3 buck would it hold?

 

[Buford57]

I'm just amazed that anyone would risk their life on an underpowered item like the 20 gauge. The 12 gauge 2.75 is little better. The 3 inch is marginal and the 3.5 inch is barely adequate. 10 gauge all the way for me. Ithaca semi-auto with extended mag. Why handicap yourself? Would you trust your life to a 9mm? Never start a gunfight with a gauge that doesn't start with "1". What would Elmer Keith say? He considered the best use of a 20 gauge wing shooting mosquitoes! [Sarcasm mode off]

All in good fun, of course. I never saw any difference in relative deadness between those shot with either gauge.

 

[Echo40]

Shotguns (especially when loaded with buckshot) are absolutely devastating self-defense weapons, regardless of the gauge/bore diameter.

Regardless of whether you're packing a .410 Bore Revolver or a 12 Gauge Nitro/Ultimag, so long as you do your part, (yes, aiming is required) it will get the job done.

Keyboard Commandos may argue that ARs/AKs are better suited for urban warfare, and they may be right, but for the average, blue collar, law-abiding citizen, a Shotgun is most likely all that you'll ever need.

 

[oneounceload]

What do you all think? Am I criminally insane for wanting to keep a 20 gauge shotgun around as a house gun? Am I woefully undergunned? Will it do okay do you think, or should I keep it purely for a range toy? I know it's not as powerful as a 12 gauge, but will it still be effective against attackers?

Why is it not as powerful? Same payload and same velocity is the same power - simple physics; and if you handle it better than a 12, then use it.

 

[cgt4570]

I keep an 870 Special Field 20ga (21" barrel and English stock) by the bed stoked with 3" Mag #4 turkey loads. The wife is comfortable with it and I don't feel under gunned with it.

 

[Echo40]

I have a 20 gauge Mossberg Shockwave with green laser and flashlight combo in my sock drawer. [emoji16]


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I have a Shockwave 12 Gauge FDE propped up against my wall beside my bed inside a scabbard.

I thought about getting it in 20 Gauge, but unfortunately the 20 Gauge Shockwave only came in the standard blued finish and I wanted something more durable/weather resistant.
Besides, I figured that if the recoil proved to be unmanageable, then I could always load it up with some of those Mini Shells. Fortunately, that wasn't the case.