I rely on my carry pistol for first line response at home. It becomes night stand pistol when I go to bed. The M4 in the closet would come out if I had time and we are either holed up in the master bedroom or having to deal with something outside. An 870 with shell holder and M1 Garand are also ready if total crap show unfolds.
When I was younger and hunted a lot with the Mossberg I know for a fact I could reload under extreme stress (not hunting) pretty damn fast as I was so familiar with it hunting so much. That was before fancy shell holders and such but in an instant I had three shells between my left hand fingers and one in my mouth and when empty loaded those without thinking. I never practiced anything like that but in duress I knew I wanted as much ammo as close to ready to load as possible.
Nowadays I rarely shoot either the 870 or Mossberg so while comfortable with a shotgun for self defense I would rather rely on my more used pistols and carbines. But if a shotgun was all that was available I wouldn’t fret.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! ... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" - Patrick Henry in an address at St. John’s Church, Richmond, Virginia, on March 23, 1775.
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