Sincere Question: What is a shotgun good for? (besides birds)

[Jack-O]

Multiple wound channels created by multiple projectiles (ie shot pellets) can effect more than one system and create more opportunities for bleeding and pure tissue destruction.

Essentially it can create a larger wound channel.

[jklaughrey]

Every red blooded American that believes in the 2nd Amendment needs a shotgun. Plus if some of your non gun savvy friends give you shit I hear rock salt is quite painful.

[anatolian B]

ASH556:
Of your purposes listed I can understand that a SG may have no immediate purpose. I belive that the SG is excecllent in the house, excellent in the field, and just plaine fun. The one you listed is well equiped and will serve you well. Throw it in the truck and know that if needed it does have a purpose, with practice it is an effictive tool out to 50 yards and packs a wallop.

[Oscar 319]

From an LEO perspective:

I find myself deploying my shotgun much more than my AR. I keep my shotgun (14” 590) in my rack by choice. I keep the tube loaded with 00 buck. The AR is in the trunk.

I consider the shotgun an “oh shit!” weapon. The 14” shotgun in much quicker and easier to rapidly deploy from my vehicle than my AR. I keep the tube loaded with 00 buck. I can fire it through the windshield while seated if needed. (Yes, I can also fire my 6921 this way with the stock collapsed.)

I prefer the shotgun when going into homes under most circumstances. Obviously, I weigh each situation as it arises based on the information received, and then ultimately determine which platform to deploy.

Yesterday, I deployed a long gun twice. The first incident was the AR. Wanted, armed suspects fled in a vehicle, then on foot. They ran through a residential area, then into a graveyard. I established containment on the far end of the graveyard. Naturally, the AR was the obvious choice for this task.

Later in the evening, some POS’s were seen burglarizing a home and thought to still be inside. The shotty was put to use to clear and secure the home.

If I could only have one, I would take the AR in a heartbeat.

From a Home Defense perspective:

I just throw on my duty belt or grab a handgun. If I chose a long gun, for my home and living situation, it is a shotgun. Unless the Russians are invading, there really is nothing the shotgun with 00 buck can’t handle.

If I lived in a rural area and/or a bigger home, the AR would be the tool of choice.

This is not, and should not turn into a shotgun vs. AR debate. This is the way I see it. And, yes, I am in the minority with my thinking. I say…what ever makes you sleep better at night. I still have a lot of faith in the shotgun and 00 buck. I do not care for slugs. As a rule, if you anticipate needing slugs (for range), take an AR (unless it is a BEAR attack! ). I do keep 4 slugs in the saddle for exigent circumstances.

What best suits me, may not be what best suits you or the next guy.

Your millage will vary.

[kal]

let's see....

1. I don't like the idea of a manually operated fighting weapon.

2. I don't like the idea of a fighting weapon being tube fed.

3. shotgun shells are expensive to train with.

[Iraqgunz]

I think it adds a level of versatility to the arsenal. You can shoot birdshot (if needed) load it with 00 buck or slugs for defense and you can use it as a breacher in some cases.

Obviously these scenarios are all situationally dependent. I think having a good shotgun around is a good idea. At close range it is still devastatingly effective. But, they aren't for everyone.

[rat31465]

I think it adds a level of versatility to the arsenal. You can shoot birdshot (if needed) load it with 00 buck or slugs for defense and you can use it as a breacher in some cases.

Obviously these scenarios are all situationally dependent. I think having a good shotgun around is a good idea. At close range it is still devastatingly effective. But, they aren't for everyone.

Plus there are many Less than lethal options available..as in Rubber Buckshot and Slugs. One can also obtain signaling rounds i.e...Flares, Bird Bombs, Frangible breaching rounds etc...

And while many will quickly discount the "Pucker Factor" arguement....if a bad guy finds himself staring down the wrong end of the old shotgun......I would venture to say that he or she would swear they could crawl into the end of that twelve gauge hole pointed at them.

[MOA]

A 12gg is great for HD. You have the ability to change ammo easy, mix ammo, and load less lethal rounds in front of lethal, and lets not forget the damage a 12gg does up close. Why would you chase a invader out of your home And I would think if your not a LEO and shoot someone outside shotgun range your going to get into some legal trouble.

[GPalmer]

That's really the problem. I feel like the shotgun is a gun looking for a purpose. I have it because "everyone" says you need one...

Terrible reason to own any firearm. I'd sell it. If it isn't around because you like it, you won't spend the time with it required to get good with it and that'll make it a self fulfilling prophecy. Personally I love mine and because of that, I've spent the time to get good with them. They are a wonderful weapon when used within their envelope.

[GPalmer]

From an LEO perspective:

I find myself deploying my shotgun much more than my AR. I keep my shotgun (14” 590) in my rack by choice. I keep the tube loaded with 00 buck. The AR is in the trunk.

I consider the shotgun an “oh shit!” weapon. The 14” shotgun in much quicker and easier to rapidly deploy from my vehicle than my AR. I keep the tube loaded with 00 buck. I can fire it through the windshield while seated if needed. (Yes, I can also fire my 6921 this way with the stock collapsed.)

I prefer the shotgun when going into homes under most circumstances. Obviously, I weigh each situation as it arises based on the information received, and then ultimately determine which platform to deploy.

Yesterday, I deployed a long gun twice. The first incident was the AR. Wanted, armed suspects fled in a vehicle, then on foot. They ran through a residential area, then into a graveyard. I established containment on the far end of the graveyard. Naturally, the AR was the obvious choice for this task.

Later in the evening, some POS’s were seen burglarizing a home and thought to still be inside. The shotty was put to use to clear and secure the home.

If I could only have one, I would take the AR in a heartbeat.

From a Home Defense perspective:

I just throw on my duty belt or grab a handgun. If I chose a long gun, for my home and living situation, it is a shotgun. Unless the Russians are invading, there really is nothing the shotgun with 00 buck can’t handle.

If I lived in a rural area and/or a bigger home, the AR would be the tool of choice.

This is not, and should not turn into a shotgun vs. AR debate. This is the way I see it. And, yes, I am in the minority with my thinking. I say…what ever makes you sleep better at night. I still have a lot of faith in the shotgun and 00 buck. I do not care for slugs. As a rule, if you anticipate needing slugs (for range), take an AR (unless it is a BEAR attack! ). I do keep 4 slugs in the saddle for exigent circumstances.

What best suits me, may not be what best suits you or the next guy.

Your millage will vary.

Nice post, I agree completely! The shotgun has its niche and it's tremendous within that niche. The AR can handle more situations which might arise so if I were to only have one, it'd be the AR.