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The Decision to Defend

The Decision to Defend

8/29/2011

Recently a neighbor asked my advice on purchasing a home-defense shotgun—his first gun in fact, and the first one he would shoot since the .22s of his Boy Scout days. Actually, he wanted me to accompany him to an upcoming local gun show, and if not for a sales meeting scheduled for that weekend, it would have been fascinating to hear a newcomer’s take on the gun show scene.

I described different options and then advised him to consider a short-barreled side-by-side like the Stoeger Double Defense because loading and shooting it are foolproof. No effort is required to cycle an action, and the gun can’t jam between shots. Since precise aiming isn’t necessary, even the rawest beginning shooter has a fair chance of operating the gun effectively. Though the Double Defense utilizes the economic, century-old “coach gun” platform, we thought enough of Stoeger’s clever revision to award it Shooting Illustrated magazine’s 2010 Shotgun of the Year award. It now comes with a black synthetic stock, single trigger, 20-inch ported barrels and accessory rails top and bottom for attaching an optical sight and/or a weapon light, both extremely useful when responding to alarming sounds in the night.

My neighbor listened, but ultimately came home from the gun show with a pair of Mossberg 500 pump-action shotguns, one for upstairs and the other for down. He liked the idea of having more shots, and didn’t mind paying more (though the Mossberg is value-priced too). He will need a little more training and practice to prepare for using those pump guns in a high-anxiety encounter, but seems determined to get it, and in fact, we are planning a day at the range so that I can help get him started on the right foot.

I believe my neighbor made an excellent choice in the matter and, moreover, I salute him for making the decision to take responsibility for his own home defense. For you and me that may seem like a no-brainer, but for many adult non-shooters it can be a difficult and even scary crossroads.

If someone like that comes seeking your help, please give it thoughtfully. Don’t add to the paranoia that might be driving them, but rather spell out the pros and cons of the various gun options without getting overly technical or insistent. And if you can walk them through basic gun safety and help them learn to operate their new gun, then you’ve done your part for homeland security.

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  • Bill B.

    4/19/2012 10:24:46 PM

    if only we had better organizations in the east i am not exactly in a "firearm" state. Bill B. sugarman1266@yahoo.com

  • Steven L. Kappmeyer

    8/31/2011 9:50:33 AM

    Have a pretty diversified collection but I keep my Mossberg 500 with Pachmeyer pistol grip as my primary home defense. Love the way I can hold it toward the ground at my side with plenty of clearance not to touch. Sensible home defense!

  • Richard M. McCord II

    8/30/2011 11:16:11 PM

    From military experience, I can tell you that there are few sounds in the dark of night more frightening than the sound of a shotgun being cocked. That, alone, can scare away a would-be intruder. Richard M. McCord II

  • Robert

    8/30/2011 8:35:46 PM

    everyone is on the right path.My Grandfather instolled into me "Learn one gun well"and "a secound incase it fails"But Ive gone on to the idea of three.Shotgun,revolver and semiauto pistol.Everyone in the house is Qualified at the range Well before any access is given.It soon went on to "I want my own",(happy days)Friends also have done so,and so on and so on.Comunities can't excist with out Families,Families can't excist without safty.Remember SAFTY FIRST

  • Gentlewolfspaws

    8/30/2011 5:31:40 PM

    Ever try to hold a shotgun and hold a telephone while dialing 911? A shotgun requires two hands to use. I prefer a pistol over a shotgun because a handgun is more convenient and concealable. Also, firearms are a last resort. Other layers of defense should be present to deter an intruder from entering a home before the situation escalates into a lethal and legally expensive situation. By the way, a shotgun isn't a magic wand. At close distances, shot patterns are small and tight and a shotgun needs to be carefully aimed. Lastly - large magazines filled with cartridges are better than taking a "time-out" to reload a low-capacity shotgun, especially when faced with multiple opponents.

  • J. Adams

    8/30/2011 9:49:23 AM

    I applaud your neighbor on being intelligent enough to decide on a shotgun instead of opting for a pistol. I often have persons not familiar with firearms ask me to help them find a pistol for home defense. I spend a great deal of time convincing them that if they are not going to spend adequate time training to become and maintain proficiency with a handgun, they would be better served by the simple but effective shotgun.

  • Ronbwolf

    8/30/2011 9:45:28 AM

    The coach gun is a good choice, but as others have pointed out, has it's limitations. Mossberg is good, but for a few dollars more you can have a Remington 870. There is a reason law enforcement resoundingly uses 870's, loading, and especially unloading manual of arms is much easier. In close quarters nothing beats a shotgun. Anyone who intentionally takes a handgun to a gunfight is a fool.

  • Grady Like

    8/30/2011 9:42:41 AM

    I have the Mossber, I keep it loaded with double O buck and Sabot slug staggered. I rack the action and pull the trigger beford loading to make it quicker to pump in first load.Keeps it safer ,though one round less if completly full. Beretta 92 fs 9 mil. and Colt Detective 38 special as back up...Yes I have been trained to use all of them...

  • ron

    8/30/2011 8:59:16 AM

    i am now a senior. i have owned and shot most all calibers of fire arms thru out my years. my carry weapon is a glock .40 model 23. but i am never without my colt detecive spl 38, fed with 129 gr hydroshocks. as far as home guns to protect, i prefer a short barrel shot gun, with #4 buck, or bb shot. when i hear a bump in the night, i always take my stoeger coach 12 ga. to search and destroy, along with a side arm for back up. over the years my wife and i have always made sure anyone in the home is secure, room to room, then we go looking for the bad guy. i advise you to go to your local gun shop and ask questions about calibre, hold in you hands the weapon that you may like, make sure you are comfortable with it. when you make a purchase of the weapon of your choice, by all means take it to your local gun range, buy the ammunition that you will carry in your weapon, and then practice-practice-practice.

  • P. Endrasik

    8/30/2011 8:49:03 AM

    For the 12 gauge ammo I would also recommend the Winchester PDX1 - 12 gauge. BTW, I have no affiliation or personal preferance with Winchester Arms but this ammo looks like a great choice to me (fortunately haven't had to really use them.

  • P. Endrasik

    8/30/2011 8:43:08 AM

    I like the shotgun idea too but my choice comes in the form of an American Derriger 45LC/410 loaded with Winchester's PDX1-410 rounds. Fits very nicely in the housecoat. . . pocket and means short range (won't travel too far) business!

  • Cal

    8/30/2011 8:10:01 AM

    Now, what kind of ammo do you recommend for a home defense 12 gauge?

  • Kris

    8/30/2011 7:52:08 AM

    A sling, possibly with a shell holder on it, and some experience with loading, unloading, failure to feed/fire drills, and proper schooling in choosing shells with their strengths/weaknesses and overpenetration are all great starts. The thing I've found as a flaw in most peoples home defense plan is that they feel the criminals are going to bust down the front door and dash for the master bedroom. They probably don't know the floor plan of your house and if it's a split level expect to have to clear room to room to possible find them/secure children. A saturday afternoon's worth of practice drills will pay dividends.

  • Russ

    8/30/2011 6:50:41 AM

    A shotgun is a great home defense weapon for those who live alone. However I wouldn’t plan to use one when others live in the house as well. If the intruder takes a hostage at gunpoint, a shotgun suddenly becomes useless. I suggest a high quality AR 15 variant and sufficient training.

  • Bob

    8/30/2011 5:50:19 AM

    Good article.I too have a Mossberg defender , 18" barrel, parkerized finish . Great shotgun for defense.Before purchasing the Mossberg I had aS&W 38 spl for that purpose .

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