Originally Posted by
kiendienn
Originally Posted by
AR Guy
Originally Posted by
ElderWatsonDiggs
About the whole Shotgun versus AR-15 debate...well I have been mulling on it for more than a few days. Have had "writers/posters" block on the whole subject because I can't honestly say either way which is better because of a few factors. Ultimately with the PROPER ammo (frangible rounds for the AR, #1 Buckshot for the Shotgun) and the PROPER setup, and PROPER training on either platform they are both great home defense options. It's all a matter of ability and preference.
For me I prefer a reliable semi-auto shotgun with extended tubular mag...like the 930 SPX, or the Benelli M4...I can load 8 standard sized (2-3/4") 12 gauge shells and I can ghost load a 9th round. That's very nice capacity for a shotgun. I was trained at the killhouse at Range 37 in NC http://www.range37.com/ . It is run by the former NCOIC of SOFAERTEC (Green Berets high speed shooting school). I was the only guy using my shottie in the CQB room clearing exercises. True you do still have to aim with a shotgun...BUT a well placed center mass shot with #1 Buckshot is DEVASTATING. You don't even want to be with that with body armor on. For the record with #1 Buck you don't have to worry about overpenetration as much...#00 buck is a little more volatile going though sheetwall.
As far as CQB some units do use a shotgunner as the Point man in the stack. Why, because nothing lays down decisive and powerful firepower like a shotgun does. But then again the shotgun of choice for CQB (The Benelli M4 Entry) is very expensive and too specialized for the average units to employ. You'll usually only see them used by the well funded units with the autonomy to choose the weapon of their liking.
Since I have been trained on it, and know the capabilities and limitations I prefer a shotgun for home defense. I like my rifle outdoor short to medium range applications. I like my pistols for convenience and portability. Pistols are still very important for home defense. You can have pistols strategically located around your house for home defense. Sure you could barricade yourself in your room and fight it out with your long guns...but who says you will be invaded while in your room? You could be on your computer browsing NT while dropping the kids off at the pool in the porcelain palace when they decide to invade your premises. Sure you could have your rifle or shotgun in there with you, but it's nothing to simply take your pistol with you from room to room. I know some die-harders who keep their pistols in their holsters even when around the house.
Point of all this is, be effective with a pistol, a rifle, or a shotgun. All can be effective in a home defense role depending on the situation. To say which one is the best is more about preference and skill level more than anything else.
I agree with a lot of what you said Elder, in fact most of it. You don't fall in to the preconceived notion that all you have to do is just rack the slide of the shotgun or you don't have to aim it because you know it's a shotgun or the most idiotic thing ever which is recommending using birdshot.
*DISCLAIMER: USE WHAT EVER YOU ARE MOST FAMILIAR WITH FOR HD WHETHER IT BE A SHOTGUN OR A RIFLE.*
Now my personal opinion on the matter is I favor a rifle in the AR pattern. Like I said in an earlier post, if I could pick one HD weapon it would be a 11.5" AR with a suppressor, Eotech EXPS2-0 and light loaded with 75gr 5.56 Hornady TAP. I saw that you recommended frangible rounds for an AR, I would highly advise against it. I would not recommend any round that doesn't pass the FBI's minimum of 12" of penetration through ballistic gelatin. A shotgun can defiantly lay down some hurt but the cons of it is it's going to be limited magazine capacity, longer and heavier than a 16" AR. With an AR you will have less recoil, which means quicker follow up shots. Most units that do use shotguns, it is almost strictly for breaching doors. Even now you see police and SWAT units moving more towards ARs. Plus rifle rounds will zip through any soft armor no problem and will penetrate through drywall less than pistols and shotguns.
With pistols, the only time to really rely on one is when you don't have a long gun or carrying one is impractical. The ability to conceal and the how easy it is to just pick up and move around with a pistol is invaluable. If I ever had to use my pistol at my house it would only be to retreat to my rifle. But at night when I'm laying in my bed sleeping I have my AR right next to the bed. If I here something go bump in the night I'm slinging my AR and going to investigate.
When you talk about home defense, we're talking about inside the house right?
The effective area of a shotgun shell is a lot larger in comparison to an AR shell, I would imagine, and just off this one basis, I would assume the shotgun would trump the AR if the user were comfortable with both weapons.
Yes, I'm talking inside a home. With a shotgun, you will see a spread of about .2-.3" per foot so at about 12' you will get a spread of somewhere between 2.5-3.5" So you still have to aim and that really makes the argument null and void. Center mass is still center mass. And if the bad guy is wearing soft armor the buckshot will not defeat it, 5.56 on the other hand will go through it with no problem.
The 930SPX is semi-automatic, you can mount an eotech if you well please, extended tubular loading and ghost loading (as stated above) for increased ammo capacity, all of which somewhat balances the pros of the AR towards the shotgun, as well [in terms of home defense].
So you can get around 12 shots I would guess (I don't know much about shotguns), it still isn't better than 30. Ask anyone who's been in a gun fight and ask them have they ever wanted less ammo. I see you brought up my point about the Eotech, well can you attach a light in a position that is comfortably reachable because putting a light on your HD weapon is an absolute must. Plus my 16" AR is 32" long compared to the 930SPX which 39.5". That 7" is going to make a huge difference.
I think it comes down to, would you want to throw a small pebble, or a big +@% rock at someone.
It's more like a bunch round of pebbles going around 1300 fps or one sharp fragmenting pebble going 2600 fps. With a shotgun you bleed out. A rifle on the other hand causes massive trauma.
Maybe my perspective is all wrong.
Also, recoil can be greatly accounted for by a few mods on the shotgun