12 ga., 18" bbl, 00 buckshot, pump or semi-auto.

Originally Posted by Ram Rod

Yeah...that's the ticket!

I fall in right with the majority . . . shotgun

I would hate to live next door to someone who decided to use a rifle over a shotgun for home defense haha! Just saying.. Unless you live on a farm out in Kansas somewhere with no chance of the bullet going completely through your walls and into a neighbors, I'd say a shotgun is the only reasonable choice of the two.. 12 ga.. Even those little sissy .223 rounds can go through some walls and a sheet of drywall or two..

Ok, the last part was a joke..

*runs*

Rem 870 tactical with light, loaded with 00 buck.

Hey Ram Rod isn't that the tactical Remington 1100?

I was so glad to see Remington bring the 1100 back - what a sweet shotgun and in a tactical version no less.

I keep a standard run of the mill 410 with buckshot, but the m&p 357 stays by the bed with gold speer hp.

I voted shotgun only because I keep my .223's locked up all nice and neat and keep my .40 on a nightstand and a shotgun under the bed(mainly for my wife so were both gunning for a burglar, she's good enough I know she's got my back!) Anywho, its a Remington 870 Police Magnum with extended mag tube. Staggered .00 buck and slug everyother round. I don't think I'd ever opt for a rifle inside only because I have a close neighbor and don't want a round traveling through his house as well. If I was outside that's a different story.

12ga. Remington auto loader all the way. and it doubles as a skeet shooter on the weekends.

With what I have.. I would choose my AR-15 because my O/U is not practical for HD.

...is the right term...all three have merit...here's what I do and why:

my son-16...outshoots me most days...Ruger P90 and 10/22 with two 30-round mags of LRHP...his room
my room...Ruger P90 and Mossberg 20-ga. 6-shot...first four slugs...last two buck

...front closet...Marlin 30-30, Ruger Mini-14, Winch 12 ga pump with buckshot.

...kitchen....44 Special...

I've taught my sons to shoot the shotguns like they were rifles...aim ...to drop down and shoot at an upward angle if they can...I want the slug in the house to hit the perp, not the family member they may be holding...buckshot's for outside...as are the .223 and .30-30 rifles
...gotta consider who's in the next rooms...neighbors...every piece of lead fired in the house needs to be aimed...if they're holding my boy...a shotgun with buckshot's useless...

...pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun...different tools....same purpose...

Shotgun. Period.
I have a 12ga for HD, 5 00bk. I might rearrange the shells so its 00bk/slug/00bk/slug/00bk. I never keep one in the chamber, so I only have 5 rounds.

Mossberg 500 of course..very reliable...it makes me feel....invincible. Yup! that's the word -- invincible -- hopefully I never have to use it.

If you are worried about recoil I noticed someone had already mentioned a .410. I am kind of torn on which gauge I want. I was planning on getting a tactical type shotgun but I believe I have settled for a double barrel stage coach style shotgun to start with.

Then my next purchase will either be a p90, ps90, or an FN2000.

But I agree with alot of people. I couldnt use a hunting rifle type firearm for HD. Maybe if I didnt live somewhere with alot of houses. But for here I cant.

Certainly a 12 pump or auto.
Find a place where you can shoot the shottie in the dark - preferably inside an old shed or barn.
Be sure it's safe!
After the first shell, you'll be blind and deaf for a few. Takes some getting used to. Hope you don't have to.

The Shotgun is the better of the two and might be better than a hand gun if it is very short - open bored - and keep on the floor by the bed (within easy reach).

Just mho

Personally, I don't care what I use for SD if my family or property is in serious danger. I have shotguns, rifles, and my trusty pistol. It really depends on the situation for me, so I did not vote. If it were a split second situation where I had no time, it would be my pistol, because when I am awake, its on my hip. When I sleep, its within reach. If I had enough time I would prefer the shotgun, and whatever shells I could load into it in a few seconds...whether it be bird, 00 buck, sabots, I probably wouldn't care at the time.

I guess my point is as long as I have the ability to protect my loved ones, I don't care which type is in my hands.

Remington 870.

Shotgun for HD.

RCG

Shotgun, and my pistol is always by my bedside when I sleep. The question came up however of clearing a house and this is a horse of a completely different color. If I had to choose from my available arsenal I would probably go after grandpas m1 carbine due to its maneuverability in tight spaces and the marine corps thought it had good enough stopping power to issue it to him.

I do have an AR15,but seeing as it has a 7.5 inch barrel and were talking rifles,i go with my Mossy 590.It scares the crap out of people,and has a giant light on the end of it.Besides,what sounds worse.1 hole or 12?

Remington 870

Bonjour,
you fella's in the US are lucky you can defend your home and loved ones. It a right you should fight to keep till the end of time.
I'm in France and your not allowed to have a weapon for HD....but... I have a coach gun under the bed loaded with 'novelty ammo'!!!!
I bought it at my local gun store, its a light load with 8 hard rubber balls in it. It aint a man stopper but 2 in the face with not be a fun thing.
For me its my 2 dogs, then 2 barrels for HD.