Shotgun Myths

There is something awesome about wielding a shotgun. It is powerful and loud, but there are many misconceptions about this firearm I would like to address.

1. You dont really have to aim- Depending on the distance and type of load you are firing (Birdshot, Buckshot, Slug, pictured here) you can expect anywhere from a 1" hole to a 2 foot spread of pellets. Birdshot will NOT kill an intruder at more that 20 feet away, ask Dick Cheney. More than likely you are going to piss off whoever you shoot with birdshot unless you are less than 10 feet away. It will spread and you will hit if you casually aim towards "whatever you want to go away" but stopping power is VERY limited. Buckshot is better, but since the pellets do not fragment, you only injure whatever tract the pellet hits, making a clean wound. Injury is guaranteed within 30 feet if you AIM and hit your target, but stopping gets less likely as your distance from 10 feet increases. Slug on the other hand will cause the most damage, but you have to hit your mark!! You have to know how to aim your firearm, a shotgun is NOT a lazy mans Personal Defense Weapon.
2. Racking the action will deter a thief- This one is a dangerous assumption. Not saying that the "CHIK-CLAK" of racking a shotgun doesnt sound cool, but it is NOT a deterrent. It can easily turn a simple home invasion into a gun fight by triggering the thief's 'fight or flight' response. Not only that, but it gives away your location with such a loud sound. Spend a couple minutes practicing how to quietly load your firearm. If you feel that an audible warning is necessary, try "I will fucking shoot you!" while your shotgun is loaded and aimed. Keep in mind that the first thing you should grab in a home invasion is the phone. Call 911 first before you run up on someone with intent to eliminate a threat.
3. Shotguns are more deadly than pistols/rifles- If you choose .00 Buckshot, the result is A LOT like shooting 9 small handguns. If you have aimed, and you hit your target, your result will be multiple low velocity wounds. Any tissue surrounding the pellet tract is NOT damaged. Deadliness has many variables (distance, shot placement, type of load used) so it really comes down to the person firing the shot, not the firearm itself.
4. Anyone can use a shotgun without much training- This is another dangerous assumption. Knowledge of the firearm is vital, no matter what type. Shotguns like the common and popular Mossberg 500 have manual controls that the user must have knowledge and proficiency to use effectively. Higher weight, lower ammo capacity, and lots of moving parts all must be expected and accounted for. If your first shot misses, are you able to quickly re-engage your target and follow up? Can you tell, in the dark, if your safety is on or off? How many shells are loaded? You must display some level of proficiency in all the aspects of how your firearm works in order for you to be able to protect yourself with it. 

There is a lot of Hollywood and video game hype involved with shotguns that can be a serious detriment to your safety if not addressed. I am not saying the shotgun isnt a good Home Defense weapon, I am saying (in my opinion) that there are some things you need to be clear on.

For MY Home Defense weapon, I have a Mossberg 500 with a 18.5 inch barrel, Hogue Tamer Pistol Grip for Mossberg 500, and a mounted flashlight for target identification. I load it with Winchester Ranger Law Enforcement Low Recoil 1 oz. Slugs. Remember, the first thing you should pick up in a home invasion, if at all possible, is the PHONE.