Home Defense Gun Myths

[Jerry]

Interesting article this morning at Ammoland.com.

Top 6 Home Defense with a Gun Myths

Some myths get passed around with blind regularity even if they are not true? Here are some firearms and home defense myths that just won’t die.

www.ammoland.com

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[Joe13]

"You don't have to aim a shotgun"


General rule of thumb (using a smooth bore barrel) is that the shot will expand about 1 inch per 1 yard that it travels. So in 15 feet you may get a spread of around 3 inches which isn't much. Double the distance and that is still only 6 inches you might hit shooting blindly.

Aim and know what your are shooting at, plus what is behind it.

 

[thinsley]

That first one "It won't happen to me". Is an argument that one of my brothers has used against me and my other brothers that own firearms. His thinking is that he's lived this long without carrying a gun, why would he need one? And it's somehow our fault if criminals steal guns. See if we didn't HAVE them, then they couldn't steal them. See that logic?

He has started to change his tune a bit as of late as crime in Portland has sky rocketed and he now has problems at his door step. Just sad to me to think that way.

 

[Tony617]

"You don't have to aim a shotgun"


General rule of thumb (using a smooth bore barrel) is that the shot will expand about 1 inch per 1 yard that it travels. So in 15 feet you may get a spread of around 3 inches which isn't much. Double the distance and that is still only 6 inches you might hit shooting blindly.

Aim and know what your are shooting at, plus what is behind it.

Shooting LE133 or LE132 buckshot, it will still be tight groups like shooting slugs at 15'-20'.

 

[TTSX]

The one that won't die is the shotgun racking sound myth. I wonder what the plan is if the bad guy doesn't poop themselves and flee immediately? Are people actually ready to pull that trigger or were all their eggs in the click-clack basket?

 

[CamoDeafie]

The one that won't die is the shotgun racking sound myth. I wonder what the plan is if the bad guy doesn't poop themselves and flee immediately? Are people actually ready to pull that trigger or were all their eggs in the click-clack basket?

And then there are those who goes deaf through the adrenaline of being caught by an armed homeowner... Or those literally deaf from all the loud music they blasting with, or deaf from shooting guns without hearing protection because thugs (of all kinds, mind you)no need ear muffs, just hoe muffs

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I have no doubt that the sound of a shotgun being "racked" has scared off an intruder.
However....

I also have no doubt that just because it worked once...somewhere at sometime...
Is no guarantee that it will ever do so again.
In any event...it ain't something that I would bet my life on.
Andy

 

[thinsley]

I think that if I was in a life or death situation like that I'd prefer the sound of the shotgun blast versus the racking.

 

[foxmeadow]

" Until the clicks of two safeties" in someone's sig line who I respect..

 

[Duneblaster]

 

[CountryGent]

A laser will just give away your position

Well, some applications are less than subtle:

 

[Alex1298]

"You don't have to aim a shotgun"


General rule of thumb (using a smooth bore barrel) is that the shot will expand about 1 inch per 1 yard that it travels. So in 15 feet you may get a spread of around 3 inches which isn't much. Double the distance and that is still only 6 inches you might hit shooting blindly.

Aim and know what your are shooting at, plus what is behind it.

I'm new to firearms, but when I saw this, I wanted to ask. Is the spread similar or different for buckshot vs birdshot? Which would you prefer for indoor defense?

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I'm new to firearms, but when I saw this, I wanted to ask. Is the spread similar or different for buckshot vs birdshot? Which would you prefer for indoor defense?

Good questions .
Short answer.....depends.
Long answer....
Again depends...on...what distance...what choke...what size shot...how well your choke and shotshell choice play together....

As a general rule....
A more open choke like Cylinder , Improved Cylinder or one of the skeet choke choices will serve you best at indoor distances.

Also like all things shotgun...it is wise to try different choke and shot combinations to see what works best for you and your shooting situation.

As for which is better bird shot or Buck shot for home defense....
I prefer Buck shot...however...I ain't going to roll over and wait to die , 'cause all I have is #6 bird shot on hand for my shotgun.
Shot placement matters ..no matter what you are shooting.

Also as a general rule...
Bird shot has more shot than buck shot...however again as a general rule...bird shot will not penetrate as far / deep as buck shot.
So bird shot and buck shot really don't have the a "similar" spread.
With that said...
If you are close to the target...your shot , no matter if bird or Buck shot...won't spread as much as it would at a farther distance...
Again...as a general rule.

At most home defense distances...and in most cases of indoor defense...I would say that in reality it doesn't really matter what shot you choose.*
However...
There is a lot truth in the old notion that bird shot is for birds...and buck shot for big game / defense.
Andy

* Again....
I prefer buckshot...however a heavy field load of # 6 , #5 , #4 or turkey shot would do the trick as well ...again in most cases..
Even if not "ideal"....it is that most cases that you will need to think about...and do as is best for you...and your situation.

 

[64MercurysRule]

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Buckshot vs. Birdshot for Home Defense

What are the benefits of using birdshot vs buckshot for home defense? We tested the two in a head-to-head battle.

www.shootingillustrated.com

 

[OrPackrat]

Love the, if a 12ga is too much, get a 20ga because it will kick less....

Sorry to say, the 20ga may kick less if the weight was the same as the 12ga shotgun, however the 20ga is often lighter. So the 20ga will kick just as much and in some cases more than a 12ga...

Love the whole racking the shotgun will scare them off, sure it will, you can't hear someone your trying to listen too while moving items one room over...

 

[solv3nt]

I'm new to firearms, but when I saw this, I wanted to ask. Is the spread similar or different for buckshot vs birdshot? Which would you prefer for indoor defense?

I've heard that #6 birdshot will drop a 75# pig.

 

[Nosferatu]

I'm new to firearms, but when I saw this, I wanted to ask. Is the spread similar or different for buckshot vs birdshot? Which would you prefer for indoor defense?

#4 buck. Improved cylinder choke. 18"-21" barrel.

I've patterned this combination out of several shotguns and can keep all 21 pellets in a 3-6" circle from 10' to 25'.

 

[Alexx1401]

That first one "It won't happen to me". Is an argument that one of my brothers has used against me and my other brothers that own firearms. His thinking is that he's lived this long without carrying a gun, why would he need one? And it's somehow our fault if criminals steal guns. See if we didn't HAVE them, then they couldn't steal them. See that logic?

He has started to change his tune a bit as of late as crime in Portland has sky rocketed and he now has problems at his door step. Just sad to me to think that way.

One of the best things the people who don't want others to own guns have done is promote crime while hating on Cops. The less Police they get, and the more crime they ask for? They convert a lot of people who did not own to owners and those who never carried to people who do. They need to keep up the good work they are doing

 

[quneur]

My $.02,

Firstly, you want to stop the threat by any means possible.
Second, you don't any over-penetration.
Thirdly, legal consequences.

Unless, you're law enforcement who deal with trouble everyday, adrenaline will skyrocket the moment you discover someone(s) is invading your home. The first rule applies. Buckshot will have better chance of stopping the perpetrator than birdshot. You shouldn't be afraid of over-penetration if the the perpetrator is in front of you. The chance of over-penetration and hitting a family member is less than the nearly 99% chance of them getting hurt if you fail.

Like the homeowner in Pierce Co. a couple years back, three invaders all with handguns tried kicking the door down. The homeowner fired several rounds through the door without regards of over-penetration.