The other day I was watching a great action movie when something happened that just ruined it for me…
The hero whipped out his Mighty Boom Stick – a 12-gauge shotgun – and sent a guy flying through the air with a single blast!
Now, I don’t have to tell you that a shotgun just can’t do that, right?
Sure, they’re pretty powerful… but unless you woke up today in a world where gravity isn’t real, people don’t go tumbling through the air when you blast ’em – even with the giant wallop of a 12-gauge!
But this isn’t the ONLY “tactical shotgun myth” that’s floating around out there…
If You Own, Or Are Planning On Buying A Shotgun For Home Defense, You “May” Need A Quick Reality-Check On Truth Vs. Fantasy, So…
Here Are 3 Of The WORST Home-Defense Shotgun Myths I’ve Even Seen The “Experts” Fall For…
Now, look, I’m not trying to call anybody out here or start an “Internet sh*t fight”…
…but people who repeat these myths really need to stop (especially when it comes to #3).
But I don’t want to get ahead of myself, so I’ll go in order:
Myth #1: Racking Your Shotgun Will Scare Away Home Invaders
This is definitely one of those myths that started out in the movies.
The hero (a Chuck Norris type with a steely gaze and “tough guy” attitude) steps into the room and racks his pump-action shotgun:
Ka-CHUNK!
The bad guy wets himself, drops to his knees, and pleads for mercy… and you’re supposed to expect a home invader to do the same.
That’s why a lot of “gun guys” recommend the 12-gauge pump for home defense – because of that “pucker factor” from the sound of the pump action.
Unfortunately, there are two ginormous problems with this factor…
You see, in the real world – especially when the bad guy and you are both experiencing that adrenaline “fight or flight” rush – he might not even hear the noise your shotgun makes.
(After all, sometimes people get shot or stabbed in a fight and don’t even realize it until after the fact – so you can ka-chunk ka-chunk all day long and he may never even notice!)
But more importantly, that crash through your front door may happen before you get close enough to where you “think” they can hear your trouser-soiling warning sounds.
Just as I recommend with your defensive handgun, you should already have a round chambered and ready-for-action at the first “yellow flag” of danger – if you don’t already keep one ready-to-go in storage.
Myth #2: Birdshot Is An Effective, Safer Home Defense Load
I gotta admit, this one grinds my gears every time I hear it.
You’ll see people recommending birdshot as an effective man-stopper that also prevents “over-penetration” through your home’s walls.
In the words of the great warrior, Luke Skywalker… “Every word of what you just said was wrong.”
On the topic of “stopping power”… I mean, remember when Vice President Dick Cheney shot one of his hunting buddies in the FACE while they were out hunting birds?
The poor old guy had a heart attack… and STILL survived!
And as far as the dangers of “over-penetration”, I hate to tell you but, not only is it still going to go through your walls… but those tiny pellets are far more likely to bounce all over the next room in a much wider, erratic pattern as they disperse through your sheetrock and ricochet off of support beams.
This puts whoever is in that room in even more danger of getting injured, or possibly killed!
Myth #3: You (Sort Of) Don’t Need To Aim
Now, of course I don’t know of any shotgun shooters who think they don’t have to aim at all.
But a lot of “gun people” still think that one of the shotgun’s advantages is that they have a wide enough shot-pattern that you have a higher chance of hitting your attacker – and therefore you only have to point the weapon in the general direction of the target.
That’s not true, and if you believe that myth, you’re likely going to miss.
Even at “living room home-defense range,” the spread of buckshot and birdshot is literally only a few inches apart – NOT the wide spray pattern you see in the movies.
And remember, you’re responsible for every single one of those pellets, and the more that miss their target, the more chance you have of hitting an “innocent” – including a loved one in another room.
Yes, You STILL Have To Get Your Gun On-Target If You’re Going To Hit The Bad Guy, But…
The Common Home-Defense Shotgun Is Typically Working AGAINST You – Unless You Make These Two Quick & Easy Modifications…
It’s almost like the people who make shotguns believe the “no-aiming” myth too because a lot of home-defense shotguns still only come with a “bead” sight – just a little dot of metal at the tip of the barrel – and not much else.
Now personally, I own a 20 gauge semi-auto shotgun for home-defense, and on that gun I’ve got a tritium front sight that kinda serves as my “backup sight.”
For my primary sight though, I need something that will let me get my shotgun on target FAST and ACCURATELY.
That’s why I always add two alternative aiming options for faster accuracy “in-the-fight”, and especially for low-light conditions.
The first one is a Scorpion red dot sight.
The red dot sight lets me get the gun confidently on the bad guy when I have the extra second to get a quick “flash sight” picture with both eyes open.
A good red dot sight will give you options for the type of visible reticle that works best for you.
(Personally, I like the “Bullseye” reticle because it focuses my eyes to the center of the sight and doesn’t take up too much space in the rest of the sight window.)
The red dot works very well if you’re hunkered down in a safe room or have the distance of a living room or hall, with relatively good visibility.
But under extreme low-light conditions (or when I don’t have time to “aim”), I have a Predator laser sight installed.
This allows me to place that red impact point where I want it to go and pull the trigger even if I’m making a lightning-fast “hip shot” or firing from some odd angle or I’m on-the-move.
Whatever gear you choose, I highly recommend this set-up for your own home-defense shotgun, and then train with it!
The gear is only as good as the shooter using it, right?
Anyone who thinks that you don’t have to aim (any type of gun) must be a complete idiot. Practice makes perfect.
My biggest concern with using a shotgun for in home defense is maneuvering the long gun in tight spaces. The shorter slug barrel or tactical models can help. LOTS OF TRAINING. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent point Wes – I’d recommend Mossberg SA-20 tactical autoloader with mounted light and laser. Adding from my reply to Sam W, I’d use 20ga Brenneke SL202THD Tactical Home Defense 20 Gauge 2.75″ 3/4 Oz Slug Shot rounds. Your emphasis on training should not be overlooked, but I’d add that the “Lots” should refer to the tactical quality (simply dumping lots of rounds downrange can build bad habits and actually be counter-productive).
If he falls outside, drag him in before calling 911. So much wrong with that
I grew up just down the street from a cop in my home town…dated his daughter in high school. He told me this about that myth. “Forget about dragging the perp inside. Don’t even think about planting a weapon on him. WE WILL FIND OUT!” I believe it. So, my advice is whatever the situation, don’t lie to the cops. You will most likely regret it.
Have to push back on #2 a bit. Have an acquaintance that is a former Navy seal. He stated on more than one occasion that he and his team did extensive testing on determining which size shot was the most effective for getting the bad guy, but had a low probability of penetrating walls. He always claimed it was ‘gooseshot’, which I always took to be #3 or #4 [someone correct me if I’m wrong].
Biggest myth for handguns: One shot stop with a handgun. Maybe if you use your Anaconda as a bedside gun.
For shotgun: How easy movies make handling a pump 12 ga with only a pistol grip handle. Try shooting any shotgun with one hand. Go ahead and use 3 1/2 in magnums while you’re at it to get the full fun effect!
9 pellet 00 buckshot is best? What about 20 gauge? #1 buckshot is enough for 20 gauge at in home distances. There are lighter recoiling 12 gauge loads that have ⅞ ounce of #1 buckshot. Sounds like a 20 gauge recoil from a 12 gauge for smaller shooters. More rapid follow-up shots for all. There were at one time low recoil slugs of ⅞ ounce for 12 gauge.
Mini shell capabilities use ⅞ ounce slug or light charge of pellets.
20ga is an excellent choice. Brenneke SL202THD Tactical Home Defense 20 Gauge 2.75″ 3/4 Oz Slug Shot are excellent rounds, and I’d recommend them for self defense use. Adding my response to comment from Wes, I’d recommend Mossberg SA-20 tactical autoloader with mounted light and laser.
Even at living room range/Especially at living room range. A slug barrel may not have much choke but still within 25 feet the pattern will be pretty tight.