... should a defensive / combat shotgun have?
i mean tube capacity, not on the butt or hanging off the receiver.
my remington hold 5 +1 and this is more than enough for 2-3 BGs for sure, jsut looking fro some other opinions.
IMO 5+1 is about four more than you'll ever need (which means it's just enough). If you've ever seen what 00B or even 4B does to an animal the size of a person at close range... I can't see it taking more than two shots to stop an attacker, and I don't see his friends sticking around after the first round downrange. They'd have to be really well-disciplined and committed to hurting you, in which case you're not going to win anyway.
Remember: first one center of mass, second one (if needed) right between the hips. Take the pelvis out and they're not going to press their attack... because that's real hard to do with a broken pelvis and massive bleeding.
Load buckshot and keep practiced. Also, know your tactics. Do you know what a fatal funnel is? Know where they are in your house and use them to your advantage. Military theory teaches that an entrenched defender will require a 5:1 numerical advantage to displace. Be that entrenched defender. Ambush is your friend, counter attack is an act of desperation.
good points.
i am using an 870 with 18.5 inch barrel, and since i live in an apartment, i am using handloaded, extra hot #9 shot.
any thoughts on this load guys?
seems more than adequate and less likely to over penetrate into my neighbors face, or worse, is big assed 40 in flat screen
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In my opinion, for what it’s worth, birdshot has no place in a self defense weapon. If you’re worried about penetration through walls, go with any buckshot smaller than #0 buck. But leave the birdshot on the shelf, after all, birdshot is for the birds. Penetration is an issue when you live in an apartment, but you have to realize, practically anything (including birdshot) that comes out of a firearm is going to go right through your wall and into your neighbors home. Sheetrock is no match for fast moving lead, so keep that in mind. Obviously, you can limit penetration by staying with smaller projectiles, but you will never eliminate it. So in my mind, you should be looking for something in between the most lethality and the least penetration, which is where #0 buck would come in.
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In my opinion, for what it’s worth, birdshot has no place in a self defense weapon. If you’re worried about penetration through walls, go with any buckshot smaller than #0 buck. But leave the birdshot on the shelf, after all, birdshot is for the birds. Penetration is an issue when you live in an apartment, but you have to realize, practically anything (including birdshot) that comes out of a firearm is going to go right through your wall and into your neighbors home. Sheetrock is no match for fast moving lead, so keep that in mind. Obviously, you can limit penetration by staying with smaller projectiles, but you will never eliminate it. So in my mind, you should be looking for something in between the most lethality and the least penetration, which is where #0 buck would come in.
My Mossberg 590 holds 8+1, 5 on the ATI fold over stock and 5 on the reciever plate. That should take care of anything that comes my way...
It helps to have extra ammo to practice with before the kill. Thats if you make it to the kill.