Pump 12 ga

[Borderboss]

I keep a KSG loaded with a dozen Federal #1 Buck loads with a chamber empty and safety off under the bed, and a Sigma 9mm with chamber loaded in the nightstand. The shotgun is my go-to if I think there's someone in another part of the house, so I have time to rack the slide and pop on the red dot, which can be done in about a second. The Sigma is there if I need the gun on target RIGHT NOW because I didn't know someone was in the house. So it's an either/or depending on the situation.

 

[Greyman50]

From experience merely racking a pump shotgun will convince some to quit whatever.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I have a 9 yo and a 15 yo sleeping in the adjacent rooms. No shotgun for me.

 

[AJ]

I have a 9 yo and a 15 yo sleeping in the adjacent rooms. No shotgun for me.

Then what are you using? Anything can and will penetrate drywall.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Then what are you using? Anything can and will penetrate drywall.

It's a secret.

 

[smoothshooter]

Up to you.
I would consider if you ever have any people in the house that you cannot trust to not touch it if they find it in the room or closet where you keep it.
I do not keep shotguns loaded in the house. If they have a magazine I will have some rounds in the tube.
I have two loaded handguns in the house. One is almost always in my right front pocket and the other is hidden in a drawer right by the bed.
I NEVER leave the bedroom gun in plain sight so that if someone breaks in and it doesn't wake me or my wife up, the burglar does not shoot us with my own gun.
I NEVER leave a gun in any vehicles overnight. Ever. Same reason as mentioned two sentences above.
I would not depend on the sound of someone racking the action on a pump or semi-auto a deterrent. If it scares them away, fine. If it doesn't, well, you have some decisions to make. Quickly.
Think those out ahead of time with different scenarios.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

All of my shotguns have had a safety. I am comfortable relying on it. But I don't keep one in the chamber of my Benelli, because the sound of racking the slide is a universal message: Run!

NOT!............

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

All of my shotguns have had a safety. I am comfortable relying on it. But I don't keep one in the chamber of my Benelli, because the sound of racking the slide is a universal message: Run!

NOT!............Gives away your position. Could cause a bullet to come your way. The only thing a burglar/home invader should see/hear is a bright flash and a boom.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Since an AD with a shotgun would be very devastating, err on the side of caution and keep the chamber clear.

From my saddle, while the deterrent concept is ridiculous (I had a friend who thought the sound of a squeegee mop was so similar that's what he kept handy - seriously! ) I agree with the concept of avoiding an AD but, just as importantly, the shotgun sits around and around and it sits around and the days draw short and then long again and then YOU NEED IT!!!

Is there a round in the chamber or not?

Is the safety on or off?

Why think about such things in an emergency? Leave it empty, safety off, rack it when you need it and maybe have extra rounds attached to a butt stock shotgun shell holder.

NOT!............Gives away your position. Could cause a bullet to come your way. The only thing a burglar/home invader should see/hear is a bright flash and a boom.

My problem is I also agree with that. OTOH, I keep handguns closer to me all over the house so to paraphrase Clint Smith, I'll use a handgun to fight my way to the shotgun - if the fight it still on then that's what will end it. But racking the slide is not going to be giving much away after a volley of handgun rounds.

 

[gwpercle]

I have a 9 yo and a 15 yo sleeping in the adjacent rooms. No shotgun for me.

Yes , thin walls are a consideration but teach them to stay in their room ( under bed ) and at least you will know where they are located in the house .
Gary

 

[old tanker]

There is a rifle sighted police surplus 870 "cruiser ready" with two rounds of reduced recoil 00 buck and three reduced recoil slugs in the magazine tube close at hand in the bedroom. It's an option, but not the only one.

 

[Greyman50]

Double barrel coach gun works too…

 

[GT_80]

I store mine "Cruiser ready"- mag tube full, hammer down so I rack the slide, and I am ready to go. I don't like my guns with one in the chamber in my safe (Except a couple revolvers on my safe door) and I don;t like storing with the hammer cocked and stored... Just personal preference.

 

[charlie sherrill]

The "racking" to dissuade a criminal is an urban myth fraught with pitfalls and danger.

You should watch what happens when you rack it in a crowd. I've done this a few times to protect myself and others. Looks kind of like flushing a covey of quail. "You gonna listen to me or do I have to speak to you in .12 gauge?!"

 

[forrestinmathews]

From my saddle, while the deterrent concept is ridiculous (I had a friend who thought the sound of a squeegee mop was so similar that's what he kept handy - seriously! ) I agree with the concept of avoiding an AD but, just as importantly, the shotgun sits around and around and it sits around and the days draw short and then long again and then YOU NEED IT!!!

Is there a round in the chamber or not?

Is the safety on or off?

Why think about such things in an emergency? Leave it empty, safety off, rack it when you need it and maybe have extra rounds attached to a butt stock shotgun shell holder.

Seems to me a lot simpler to go safety off and fire. It's the shortest and most reliable route to firing a shot. You've literally given yourself the best advantage and insurance against failure of the most parts possible. Of course there's a lot of folks trying to justify the empty chamber carry with the shotgun because it's so devastating. If it weren't we wouldn't be interested in the first place. An AD is as dangerous and undesirable with a .22 as with a 12 gauge.

My problem is I also agree with that. OTOH, I keep handguns closer to me all over the house so to paraphrase Clint Smith, I'll use a handgun to fight my way to the shotgun - if the fight it still on then that's what will end it. But racking the slide is not going to be giving much away after a volley of handgun rounds.

If I had my way and had to fight, I'd bring my biggest and most capable arm to bear at the outset. I'd hope that whatever I had on me was capable enough that I wouldn't need something else to finish the engagement. This phrase fight my way to a long gun is best left for back and forth across a gun shop counter. Bring enough gun.

 

[ColbyBruce]

A reliable source has suggested this is all anyone needs.