20 GA for home defense, is it enough?

[StatesRightist]

Several of us are debating this at the moment. We all agree an on target hit of #3 Buck will do the job. But what do you lose on periphery hits, extremities? Barrier penetration etc.

Thoughts?

Also, does the better control and follow-up outweigh the additional payload of the 12GA?

I look forward to the input.

 

[45times6]

I think it'll do...

I'm not trying to be cute or flippant by saying this, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to be hit by a 20ga! Even compared to a 12 gauge, it still packs a pretty considerable payload and, as you mentioned, will be more manageable, especially for more recoil-sensitive shooters.

I only own a 12 gauge shotgun, so I can't speak with any certainty on this, but one disadvantage might be availability of good defensive ammo. There are tons of great options for 12ga, but maybe not as many for 20ga...? Having said that, I guess you could say that lead pellets are lead pellets are lead pellets, so the absence of tacti-cool 20ga ammo might not be a big deal.

 

[Dmaxboy08]

When talking about home defense I really dont think it matters on home defense. Typically if you ever have to use it for defense you will be at close range. If you are really concerned about it put a choke on it.
Now if you were talking about duck hunting, turkey hunting, etc then maybe we would have a different story. If someone comes in your house and they hear the sound of a shotgun cocking, they will think twice about what they are doing.

 

[mc5aw]

In Mas Ayoob's book "Stressfire II" he advocates the use of a 20 gauge. His endorsement is good enough for me.

 

[bluegrassarms]

20Ga is more than enough for defense IMO. I've seen what a .410 with the new self defense loads will do. Anything from 16ga up to me is like picking which grenade to use. Compared to any pistol round a 16Ga+ is a different discussion.

For spread and such most of the self defense shotgun loads focus now on a balance between a few large masses with small spread and secondary shot that does damage with a little more spread. I haven't personally seen any that focus on a broad spread.

In a home defense situation you're firing at 20 feet or less in most any situation in a confined space like down a hallway. I can't imagine that a 20Ga is insufficient in that scenario. Would a 12 be more powerful? Yeah I guess so, but a 10Ga would be even more powerful yet. At some point what you lose in control is more than you get in sheer power.

20Ga in pistol pump would be my preference. You can put plenty of debris downrange quickly and with control. I've never been in that situation, don't pretend to be an expert, but I'm betting control is even more important in such a disorienting situation. An instructor pointed out to me once that in a home defense situation after that first shot you'll be blind and deaf from the flash and concussive noise, and so will the other guy, so control sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[venomballistics]

short answer .. yeah 20 is plenty.
slightly longer answer .. it has no lack of power for the job, the only issues are its sharp recoil and somewhat slim choices for loads compared to the larger and far more universal 12.
if looking to the 20 for a speed advantage ... your looking in the wrong place. while its recoil is less than that of the 12 its quite hard and sharp where the 12 is more of a smooth thrust.
I like to think of the 20 as a field gun more than a hard and fast action gun. it really improves the capacity of a pocket as long as you can give the shoulder time to shake off the shock.

 

[ASA335]

At typical home self-defense distances (usually less than 20 feet), the spread is so minimal from any shotgun, regardless of choke, the difference between a 20 and a 12 is unimportant.

 

[Out West]

20 gauge shot leave the barrel with as much velocity as a 12. That means the shot hits just as hard. Only difference is fewer pellets in the cartridge.

I keep a 20 gauge Coach gun handy for night crawlers.

Out
West

 

[badge 851]

Because of age (62 & 63), infirmities, and titanium joint replacement(s); the 12ga is no longer an option for the wife & I. We have three shotguns that we use for home defense..........
• 16ga Ithaca SxS loaded with Federal #1 Buckshot (me)
• Mossberg® 500 20ga pump loaded w/Federal 3" Mag #2 Buckshot (me)
• Remington SPR 20ga SxS loaded w/Remington® #3 Buckshot (wife)

We are very well defended with these three options.

 

[Hapworth]

Several of us are debating this at the moment. We all agree an on target hit of #3 Buck will do the job. But what do you lose on periphery hits, extremities? Barrier penetration etc.

Periphery hits, extremities and barriers are still getting multiple buckshot hits at velocities identical to a 12 gauge. You lose a couple pellets, not much more.

Whereas #1 buck is arguably the ideal payload, and I'd rather move to 00 or 000 buck from there, #4 is generally considered sufficient in energy and penetration to do a comparable job, so #3 will, too.

Bottom line: #3 from a 20 gauge is a deadly serious defense set-up that will do the job.

Also, does the better control and follow-up outweigh the additional payload of the 12GA?

Using a 20 gauge doesn't automatically equate to better control and follow-up; depending on load, there may actually be equal to or more recoil in the lighter 20 than the 12, which being heavier can absorb more recoil.

It really comes down to weight of the weapon, how many ounces the shot, and what kind of charge it has behind it.

You can put together a 12 gauge set-up with low-recoil 00 buck that shoots lighter and gets you back on target faster than a 20 with standard 00 buck. Because of this, I actually think the 12 is the better choice, but again, you can't go wrong with 20.

(But then, I'll champion .410 bore from a full-sized shotgun for defensive purposes, too. )

 

[Kelly Green]

You get hit by a full load of #3 buck from a 20ga. at close range and you ain’t going nowhere. A periphery hit will debilitate. I once shot a 20ga. loaded with #1 buck at a hardwood door from 10 feet… I wouldn’t have wanted to be standing behind it.

 

[bluegrassarms]

(But then, I'll champion .410 bore from a full-sized shotgun for defensive purposes, too. )

I think a .410 pump pistol grip defense shotgun would sell. Esp. with the new loads developed for the Judge/Governor guns.

Of course the Judge/Governor do the job but some prefer the two handed control of a shotgun for home defense.

 

[oldafsp]

I forget where I read it, but #1 Buck from a 20ga has TWICE the muzzle energy of the .44 Magnum.

There was a reason the US Military has issued the Mossberg 590 Special Purpose in 20ga to combat troops.

Better 2nd shot accuracy, easier recoil. Proven in house to house firefights in Iraq and Afganistan tells the story.

Of course bigger is always better...right? Sorry but I am not into trying to prove how much recoil I can handle anymore.

The "house" shotgun is a Mossberg AT 500 20ga pump, 20 in barrel w/brass bead sight...close enough.

If you want to hurt yourself, try firing this one a few times on for size..

Browning BPS 10Ga pump, 20 in barrel, rifle sights and 3 1/2 in chamber..

 

[Hapworth]

I think a .410 pump pistol grip defense shotgun would sell. Esp. with the new loads developed for the Judge/Governor guns.

Mossberg agrees -- they make a pistol-gripped Cruiser variant in .410.; and yes, the new .410 defense buck loads developed for the revolvers are excellent coming out of shotties -- which I prefer.

 

[Deltaboy]

Massad Ayoob says yes.

Consider the 20-gauge shotgun by Massad Ayoob Issue #120

 

[Kanewpadle]

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 more people seem to be going with a 20ga because more people can use it.

The 20 ga is more than enough.

 

[NE450No2]

I consider the 20ga adequate with slugs or buckshot.

Case in point, last deer season I killed a deer, facing me at 35 to 37 yards with a 3" 20ga Federal No 2 Buck.
I was hunting with a 308/308/20ga Double Rifle Drilling.

The deer ran about 40 yards or so. I have had them run farther when hit with a 308 in the heart.

I was impressed at how well the buck shot penetrated.

However, I find that the 12ga low recoil buck shot kicks about the same.

And in the long run I would prefer a 12ga for the Bad Days.

But even the 2 3/4" No 3 buck would be plenty good for home defense, IMHO.

 

[bluegrassarms]

Mossberg agrees -- they make a pistol-gripped Cruiser variant in .410.; and yes, the new .410 defense buck loads developed for the revolvers are excellent coming out of shotties -- which I prefer.

Did not know that. I think I need one of those.

 

[crsides]

I shot a 12 ga pump that my buddy sawed off both ends. He rounded the pistol grip. HIgh brass #5's and it jumped right out of my hand. Held onto the pistol grip or it would have hit the floor.

So when it came time, I bought an extra bbl for my 20ga rem 1100, cut it to 18" and cut the stock off a couple inches. #3 buck and slugs make up its diet. I am well armed and comfortable shooting it. The bad guy will not know the difference in a 12ga and 20 at house distances.

Charlie

 

[Hapworth]

For what it's worth, Brass Fetcher tested #4 from a 20 gauge in ballistic gel; heckuva hit and it penetrates 12". I continue to think that this extrapolates nicely for #3.

20 Gauge Shotgun No Man's Land #4 Buckshot slow motion ballistic gelatin - YouTube

http://www.brassfetcher.com/20 Gauge/20 Gauge Shotgun Summary Table.pdf