[quote]demonthrall wrote:
Here’s my perspective (nothing below is stated as a fact):
I have been considering my first HD gun purchase since I bought my first house this summer. From what several people, gun shops, forums, and this thread havemade me think, I am going to go for a pistol grip shotgun with a laser pointer or flashlight. Havnt decided that part. Since I think I would “barracade” us in the bedroom in the event of a robbery, and dial 911, I think this would be a good weapon for pointing towards the door.
As some mentioned here (I can say this, as I have little gun experience) the thing most concerning me is the adrenaline dump and the degradation of fine motor skills. In the event of a huge adrenaline dump, most people immediately feel like they are wearing “oven mitts”, as they find their fingers no longer work as planned. I got pulled over for speeding for example, and I barely had the dexterity to pull out my drivers license from my wallet. Everyone is different I am sure, (especially you guys with LE/Military experience) but for me, I think I could hold, point and shoot a shotgun in that high stress situation. I dont know if I could do that with the XD’s, glocks, or 1911’s that I’ve held.
What also makes me want to choose shotgun so far, is the close proximity of other houses in my developement. I hear there is more than just a chance that some of those bullets could leave my house and enter someone elses. I hear the odds are much less with a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun.
Also, I like the spread of a shotgun as well, as little as it would be in a close quarters nightmare situation. I know with a pistol my hand would be shaking.
I am not sure howI feel about the “racking” of the shotgun, as I could make arguments for both sides. I wonder if a semiauto shotgun might be a smart choice?
Anyhow, comments welcome, as I am looking for info as always.
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A few thoughts.
Degradation of fine motor skills is also a result of not enough training. Using the comparison of getting pulled over, if that was a regular occurance for you, the whole process wouldn’t have been as stressful, lol. You train with the weapon until the motions are second nature. This is not limited to going to range and blasting rounds, but also going through drills “dry” (no live ammo) at home.
At distances for home defense, buckshot won’t have any kind of spread so you still have to aim. I say buckshot because that’s what you use. Birdshot is for birds.
If you choose a shotgun, get one with a shoulder stock. Shooting heavy buckshot will have quite a bit of kick and that’s not going to feel too good on your wrists. Plus, having a shoulder stock can make reloads easier since you can tuck the stock into your arm to support the weight of the shotgun. Pistol grip only shotguns are for breeching doors and looking cool in movies.
