Shotguns vs rifles

[blues]

All of these are one person's opinion, based on my training and experience. What's by my bed for HD? A light-equipped handgun and a handheld flashlight. Why? Because I can use the pistol MUCH more effectively one handed than either the M2 or AR, and I expect the chances of having both hands free in a worst nightmare scenario are unlikely. Plus - see #1 above - much easier to move with speed and violence of action FOR ME with a handgun than any long gun I own.

+1

[JodyH]

Can I pick both? Because I have both.

^This^

Carbine
Shotgun
Pistol

All three are just seconds away from me when I'm home.
When I exit the house one, two or all three (sometimes I even throw in a "real" rifle) go with me depending on my plans for the day.

[RevolverRob]

Rob,

For my intended usage and range, I check zero with the Aimpoint H2 and confirm with the BUIS.

I don't have that issue with my 870 as it only has a Surefire light / forend, and Magpul stock along with the original bead sight. It is also good enough and accurate enough for its limited purposes and the ranges I am concerned about with my group of firearms.

YMMV. As long as you're comfortable with your choices, everybody's happy.

I’m the same.

For me a shotgun is inside the house/inside the yard tool. A carbine or rifle is for all things beyond that domain.

Growing up in a rural area, we had a fenced back yard for dogs and livestock that was maybe 25 yards by 20 yards in size and a front yard that was similar in size. The “pasture” (just over 5 acres) was laid out in an odd shape. Such that you’d have to try hard to take a rifle shot in excess of 300 yards. It was 209 yards, exactly, from the end of the driveway to the back fence. The rifle in the gun cabinet was a Remington 700 BDL, with 3-9x duplex reticle Weaver on top in .243 Winchester. That was what you took “if you’re going out past the end of the driveway”

[HCM]

I would recommend which ever you are the most familiar with - meaning the one you shoot and handle the most or have done so in the past.

For me, that is an AR. For me shotgun vs AR in the house is really a wash - what tips the scales is I shoot and handle the AR more.

I was not and LEO and shot 3-4 rounds of clays every week or two like my neighbor, shotgun would get the nod.

[Bucky]

I would recommend which ever you are the most familiar with - meaning the one you shoot and handle the most or have done so in the past.

^^ THIS ^^

I shoot a handgun match virtually every weekend (sometimes two), with range sessions. I may have been 9+ months since I even held a long arm. Anything in a home scenario, I’m sticking with the pistol...


... I really need to get more time on the long guns.

[BehindBlueI's]

FWIW, every single person in my case files who lost a home defense with a shotgun got physically engaged with an attacker. One guy just wouldn't pull the trigger, bad guy eventually caught on and disarmed him. Another charged down the hallway port arms smack into a bad guy and ended up losing his gun in a tug of war after it was discharged harmlessly into dry wall and the second bad guy came around the corner with a handgun. Another was furiously working on removing a trigger lock when discovered by the intruders.

The same is true of ARs, although honestly AR users have tended to be more dedicated and/or trained defenders. While my bucket of AR defenses is much smaller than shotgun defenses, nobody has been disarmed.

[blues]

FWIW, every single person in my case files who lost a home defense with a shotgun got physically engaged with an attacker. One guy just wouldn't pull the trigger, bad guy eventually caught on and disarmed him. Another charged down the hallway port arms smack into a bad guy and ended up losing his gun in a tug of war after it was discharged harmlessly into dry wall and the second bad guy came around the corner with a handgun. Another was furiously working on removing a trigger lock when discovered by the intruders.

The same is true of ARs, although honestly AR users have tended to be more dedicated and/or trained defenders. While my bucket of AR defenses is much smaller than shotgun defenses, nobody has been disarmed.

@BehindBlueI's


Good stuff, BBI. Out of curiosity, what are the relevant statistics in regard to handguns in the same scenario?

[BehindBlueI's]

Good stuff, BBI. Out of curiosity, what are the relevant statistics in regard to handguns in the same scenario?

I don't have the spreadsheet on this computer so forgive the lack of exact numbers, but pretty similar outcomes. Failing to discharge it lead to losses, but usually failure to defeat a thumb safety over having it taken from them. I don't recall any losses where a handgun was discharged from a distance (as opposed to an entangled fight over it), but I'll double check.

Anecdotally, those with handguns tended to stay put and wait vs charging in. Note that's been a recipe for success regardless of weapon, and even non-firearm defenses have a very high success percentage when sprung from ambush. One memorable example was applying rapid dental work to an intruder by smashing his face in with a golf driver as he topped the stairs. There were teeth scattered along the stairs. It looked like it probably stung.

[Guerrero]

@BehindBlueI's if I'm understanding you correctly, it seem people encounter the same failures regardless of the type of weapon?

[blues]

@BehindBlueI's if I'm understanding you correctly, it seem people encounter the same failures regardless of the type of weapon?

It's not apples to apples but it seems, (as has been mentioned), that the length and weight of a shotgun can be a hindrance in some hands...which may contribute to issues, especially if the bearer goes hunting rather than fighting from concealment.

There's a reason why clearing the home, (absent exigency and necessity), is not the most recommended action during an "event".