Home Defense Shotgun: Is 5+1 Enough?

[JayFramer]

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?

 

[Skeptic 9c]

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.

 

[Breakaway500]

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.

 

[turbo38gn]

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.

 

[Jeppo]

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.

 

[American1776]

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

 

[Protected One]

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.

 

[Jeppo]

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.

 

[murphydog]

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?

 

[LoboGunLeather]

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.

 

[Jeppo]

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.

 

[Watchdog]

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).

 

[BAM-BAM]

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.

 

[bigwheelzip]

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?

 

[LoboGunLeather]

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.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

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 .

 

[LoboGunLeather]

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

 

[gwpercle]

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

 

[nachogrande]

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.

 

[petepeterson]

I'm hoping so. I'm counting on 2 to do the trick.