Family and Personal Protection:  Selecting the Best Gun for Self-Defense at Home

By Sig Swanstrom

Copyright 2012 by Sig Swanstrom

A 36READY Preparedness Guide

Oxbridge Press

www.OxbridgePress.com

Table of Contents

Table of Contents. 2

Introduction. 4

Why a shotgun for protection?  And, why most shotguns aren’t equal to the task. 5

The Handgun Advantage / Disadvantage. 8

The Rifle Advantage / Disadvantage. 10

The Shotgun Advantage / Disadvantage. 11

Basic Terminology Explained. 13

Coach Guns (Double-Barrel Shotguns) 15

Tactical Shotguns - Overview.. 16

Pump-Action Tactical Shotguns. 17

Semiautomatic Tactical Shotguns. 19

Assault-Style Tactical Shotguns. 21

Gun Configurations: Standard Stock, Pistol-Grip Stock, Telescoping Stock, or Pistol-Grip Only. 22

Gun Recommendations: Top-10 Best Shotguns for Home Defense. 26

Ammunition: The Best Shotgun Shells for Self-Defense. 28

Ammunition: Comparison of 12-gauge Self-Defense Loads. 34

Mental Preparation: Owning a Gun isn’t Enough. 38

Practical Training for Shotgun Self-Defense. 41

Shotgun Options and Accessories. 42

Recoil-Reduction Options. 43

Shotgun Sights:  No sights?  Iron sights?  Ghost-Ring?  Specialty sights?  What’s best for you?. 44

Shotgun Flashlights. 46

Add-on Aftermarket Accessories for Your Tactical Shotgun. 48

Where to Buy a Tactical Shotgun. 49

Should You Buy a Used Shotgun?. 50

Storage and Quick Access. 52

The Law: What is legal in regard to shotguns?. 54

Author’s Post Script 56

About the Author 56

TXRFA Firearms Safety Rules. 58

Introduction

As a former police officer who served in the Los Angeles area, and now the owner of a firearms self-defense school in San Antonio, I’m often asked, “What is the best gun for self-defense?”  Regrettably, that is an impossible question to answer since circumstances vary greatly.  Personally, I use different guns for different purposes.  (For more about the author, see his bio at the end of this e-book).

However, when I’m asked, “What is the best gun for self-defense at-home,” the answer is easy.  It’s a 12-gauge tactical shotgun, commonly referred to as a “home defense shotgun.” 

If you are concerned with family or personal protection, or self defense at home, this short e-book was written for you.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of bloviating when it comes to firearm self defense, and a lot of misinformation preached by well-meaning people.  So I wrote this guide to cut through all the chaff and chatter, to help you clearly understand your options.  This e-book is longer than an article, but much shorter than an ordinary hardbound book; that’s because it covers what you need to know, and once that’s been accomplished, it ends.  My goal isn’t to tell stories or cite inane facts, but simply to help you select the right gun and ammunition for you and your situation.

Some readers will jump right to the chapter, “Gun Recommendations: Top-10 Best Shotguns for Home Defense,” but there is a lot more useful information here than just my specific recommendations on what gun to buy.  But if you want to save reading time, use the Table of Contents hyperlinks.  These make it possible for you to click on any of the chapter titles, and instantly jump to any of the short chapters.  If you are only looking for information on certain specific topics, be sure to use these hyperlink shortcuts.  If you are using an e-book reader, I encourage you to take this book with you to the store to help you with product selection.

Whether you are considering the purchase of your first gun, or you have hunted game with a shotgun since you were a kid, I suspect that you will glean something useful from my practical real-world experience with firearms.

“The prudent person sees danger and takes precautions; the foolish person goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”

Proverbs 22:3

Why a shotgun for protection?  And, why most shotguns aren’t equal to the task.

Let me explain.

Since the early frontier days of America’s Wild West, shotguns have been used to kill birds and small game for food, and for protecting the home.  Nicknamed “scatter guns,” these weapons have the advantage of spraying lead pellets.  As a result, a shotgun shooter doesn’t need to be as accurate.  The one-bullet-at a-time limitation of the handgun or rifle (left target, below)) is replaced with a fusillade of lead pellets launched with each pull of the shotgun’s trigger.

Even with this advantage, it’s still difficult for an inexperienced person to shoot a flying bird with a shotgun; but imagine trying to do it with a handgun or rifle.  One is a difficult task, the other is practically impossible; except in the movies, of course. 

Similarly, using a shotgun for self-defense at home also requires some practice.  Using a shotgun does not guarantee that you will hit your target.  But with a little effort, this becomes a very manageable task.  Importantly, though training and practice with a shotgun is necessary, this is a far less laborious undertaking than becoming proficient with a handgun or rifle.

Yet, most shotguns are not adequate for the at-home self-defense task.  Sporting shotguns are made to be used outdoors, and are designed for tasks such as duck hunting or for shooting bird-size targets that are launched into the air.  To accomplish this, they are equipped with a long barrel.  And it’s this long barrel that is a problem if you intend to use the shotgun for self-defense.

The long-barrel of the sporting shotgun makes it unwieldy to use within the confined space of a house.  When inside your home, you need to be able to move quickly, and to rapidly swing the gun around doorways and in hallways.  This is essential, so having a shotgun with a short barrel is important. 

Since the long barrel of a sporting shotgun is designed to constrict the spread of pellets so that they can be propelled a greater distance, this is opposite to our need in a self-defense shooting situation.  This is important.  If you are trying to shoot a bird that is 20-yards away, you need a long barrel.  But if you are trying to stop an assailant who is 20-feet away and entering your bedroom, you need a shotgun with a short barrel. 

With a short-barrel home defense shotgun, the spread of pellets widens quickly.  This is vital if you are operating inside the confided space of your home.

With a sporting shotgun, at in-home shooting distances, the spread of pellets is usually only 1-2 inches (+/-).  Conversely, a short-barrel home-defense shotgun can produce a pattern which is 8-10” in diameter. 

Accuracy is still important, even when using a home-defense shotgun, but it is far less of an issue.  Add fear and adrenalin to the mix of a crisis situation, and many people will fail to hit their target if they are armed with anything other than a home-defense shotgun.

Also, sporting shotguns only hold a few shells (shots).  You may need more than that, especially if the invasion of your home is perpetrated by more than one criminal.  So there is a clear benefit to having a shotgun that can hold more shotgun shells.  This extra capacity may be a life saver.  (To the uninitiated, many home defense shotguns appear to have two barrels, one on top of the other.  However, this is generally not the case.  Most home-defense shotguns have a tube under the barrel which holds 5-9 shotgun shells.  An internal spring pushes the shells into the chamber of the gun, to make reloading a quick process.  So what may look to be a second barrel is actually a magazine which holds ammunition.)

But being armed with a good home-defense shotgun isn’t enough.  You also need to utilize the right ammunition (shells).  Unfortunately, home defense shotguns are often loaded with the wrong ammunition.  This can be a deadly mistake. 

Your gun needs to be loaded with shotgun ammunition that is designed specifically for self-defense.  Standard shotgun ammunition is birdshot, and as the name implies, it is designed to kill a bird and not destroy the meat.  Except for engaging a target that is literally only a few feet from the end of your barrel, birdshot and target ammunition will generally not stop a rabid dog, vicious animal, or a human attacker.  Important information regarding the selection of shotgun self-defense ammunition is included later in this e-book.  (See the two chapters on ammunition).

Note on Nomenclature:  Ammunition for shotguns is referred to as “shells,” whereas handguns and rifles are loaded with “cartridges.”  When a standard shotgun shell is fired, a barrage of lead “pellets” are launched from the barrel.  When a handgun or rifle fires a cartridge, a “bullet” is launched from the barrel.  Both pellets and bullets come in many sizes, but a shotgun can shoot many different size pellets, whereas a handgun or rifle can only shoot one “caliber” (diameter) bullet.  This makes the shotgun a far more versatile weapon.

FBI research indicates that in most shootings, the assailant was less than 21-feet away from the victim.  With this in mind, and considering the size of rooms in a home, and the length of hallways and the angles of stairways, you can expect to be shooting at a relatively short distance.  Therefore, you must be ready to react quickly and decisively.  There is little room for error.  You will need all the advantages you can get.  This suggests a shotgun equipped with a short barrel (18-inches is the shortest barrel that is legal without a special license).  Additionally, a home-defense shotgun, also referred to as a tactical shotgun, will ideally hold 6 or more shells (therefore capable of 6 or more shots), plus self-defense shotgun shells (ammunition) designed for the task of stopping an attacker.

Remember, when you add fear and the rush of adrenalin to the mix, the shotgun-advantage can be lost if you aren’t armed with the right shotgun and the right type of ammunition.  We will talk more about shotgun selection and ammunition later in this e-book, but first we need to review the advantages and disadvantages of handguns and rifles for self defense at home.  You need to understand all of your options before you can answer the question, “What is the best gun for self-defense at home?”

 The Handgun Advantage / Disadvantage

Handguns are often purchased for the purpose of family and personal protection at home.  This can be a fine choice, but additional training is required.  Those who depend on a handgun for self-defense should practice monthly to maintain proficiency.  However, since most people are not willing to train this frequently, a shotgun becomes a better choice for self-defense at home.

However, handguns do have some important advantages in self-defense situations when away from home.  First and foremost, they are very transportable, and many are concealable, so they can be carried less obtrusively than even a short-barreled tactical shotgun.  This can be a tremendous benefit in urban, outside-the-home self-defense situations.  But if you are not going to carry a gun when away from home, these benefits may not be significant to you.

One noteworthy exception is the yard around your home.  If you live in a city and have neighbors nearby, or others who can look into your yard, you probably shouldn’t be carrying a shotgun as you investigate the source of suspicious noises outside.  A police officer, or an armed neighbor who is also investigating suspicious activity, might come to the wrong conclusion if you are observed carrying a gun.  Even if local laws allow you to have the gun on your property, this can still create a dangerous situation.

Though a self-defense shotgun can be very effective at distances up to and even beyond 50-yards, being seen with a gun, even on your own property, can still develop into a perilous encounter with the police.  A concealed handgun can be a much safer option in this type of situation.  Less effective for self-defense, certainly; nevertheless, it may be safer than being observed carrying a shotgun.  So if you plan to go outside with a firearm, you need to keep this in mind.

However when away from home, a concealed handgun, which means that a bad guy does not know that you are armed, provides a distinct advantage.  It gives you the important asset of surprise.  This advantage, along with the versatility of a handgun, is significant.  Yet, these advantages still don’t make a handgun the best choice for inside-the-home self defense.

Without a doubt, a handgun is the best all-around personal protection weapon for urban America.  But if you’re concerned exclusively with protection at home, a short-barrel home defense shotgun has a number of clear advantages. 

If you are willing to purchase more than one gun, and you live in an urban or suburban neighborhood, then by all means purchase both a tactical shotgun and a concealable handgun (in 9mm/.38 special or larger caliber).  But if you live in a rural or wilderness area, and you don’t have neighbors in sight, then your choice might be a shotgun and a high-power rifle with a scope.

Keep in mind that in real-world situations, a handgun bullet, even when the gun is in the hands of a highly trained police officer, often misses a moving target.  This is not surprising when you consider that a handgun bullet is less than half an inch wide.  This means that minor hand movements at the time of firing the gun can easily result in missing the target by several feet.

The Rifle Advantage / Disadvantage

If your home is situated on a ranch or farm, or you live in the wilderness with neighbors more than a mile away, your home defense preparations should absolutely include a centerfire rife.  But unless you expect to be shooting at a vicious pack of dogs at a distance, or an assailant who is armed with a rifle, this is not the tool of choice for routine urban self-defense at home.

A rifle certainly has its place in every self-defense arsenal, but it is not as versatile of a weapon as a tactical shotgun.  Further, if a centerfire rifle is used in an urban environment, the penetration of the rifle bullet can easily become a major problem.  For example, if used inside your house to shoot an assailant who has entered your home, there is a major risk of secondary penetration.  You may stop the assailant, but that same bullet can pass through the criminal and still kill an innocent person in another room of your home, or even across the street inside your neighbor’s house.

So if you live in a rural area you may want to also purchase a self-defense rife.  However, if your concern is self-defense in your home, and defending yourself outside in the immediate proximity of your rural home, then a shotgun is probably still your first-choice weapon.  But not just any shotgun; you need a self-defense shotgun.

The Shotgun Advantage / Disadvantage

There are several types of self-defense shotguns, and scores of different models.  Each has its advantages and disadvantages.  Let me help you decide which is best for you.

Whichever shotgun you choose, be sure to purchase a 12-gauge model.  Though you can sometimes find self-defense shotguns chambered in the smaller 16 and 20-gauge sizes, the 12-gauge is by far the most effective for family and personal defense.

The 12-gauge shotgun is also the most popular, so you can find an abundance of shell types, specialty loads, and inexpensive practice ammunition in 12-gauge.  In the United States, 50% of all shotguns are 12-gauge, and 99% of all self-defense shotguns are 12-gauge.  There is a reason for this.  The 12-gauge provides the best compromise between stopping power and recoil.  If you are concerned that a 12-gauge shotgun will “kick” too hard, then purchase a gun with a recoil-reducing stock, but stick with a 12-gauge gun.  My petite daughter has been shooting a 12-gauge since she was in junior high school, so any able-bodied adult can learn to handle a 12-gauge.

The term “caliber” is used to describe the size of a bullet used in a handgun or rifle.  But the term “gauge” is used to express the size of the bore (barrel) of a shotgun.  (In use, the word “gauge” is often abbreviated “ga.” or “ga”).  The term gauge comes from cannon measurement, where the size of the cannon’s barrel is measured by the maximum size of cannonball that can be used.  A 1/12-pound lead ball will fit into the barrel of a 12-gauge shotgun.  Since the term “gauge” is used to measure the size of cannonballs, this is a clue that the shotgun has historically been recognized as a formidable weapon.

Home Defense Shotguns, also known as “self-defense” or “police” shotguns, come in various gauges (calibers), shapes and styles.  They can be single-shot or double (referred to as double barrel), or they can utilize either a manual or semiautomatic mechanical action to reload the gun, drawing shells (shotgun cartridges) from a magazine which is attached to the gun.   The most popular form of home-defense shotgun is referred to as a “tactical” shotgun, which is essentially the same as the historic “police riot gun” or “street sweeper.”

Basic Terminology Explained

Purists may bristle at this over simplification, but you don’t need to be a gun expert to understand the basic components of a shotgun and how it works.  The above photo is of a Remington 870 Tactical Express shotgun which has 96 parts, but there are only six pieces of the gun that you need to know about to get started.  (And you don’t need to ever learn about more than a few of those additional 90 parts). 

Stock: The portion of the gun designed for holding the gun against the shoulder, or in the hand, is the stock.  Historically made from wood, stocks are sometimes referred to as “furniture.” Most modern tactical shotguns utilize a stock made of durable synthetic materials.  See the chapter “Gun Configurations” for an explanation of the various types of stocks used on home-defense shotguns.

Receiver / Action:  The “receiver” is the portion of the gun which receives and loads a shell into the chamber of the gun, makes it ready to fire, and ejects the empty shell casing after the gun has been shot.  The receiver houses the primary operating parts of the gun, including the mechanism for reloading, and this is what tends to jam on poorly made guns.  (Or, poorly cleaned and inadequately lubricated guns).  The chamber is inside the receiver, just behind the barrel, and it holds the shell when it is fired.  Activated by the trigger, the firing pin hits the shell and fires the gun.  These are the key components which are housed inside the receiver.

The “action” is the moving parts inside the receiver which facilitate this loading, firing, and ejection process.  This mechanical action can be of a type which is manually operated by the user, or it can be a semiautomatic action which is reactivated simply by another pull of the trigger. 

Most tactical shotguns use either a pump-action or semiautomatic action to operate the gun.  A pump-action shotgun uses a manual process, activated by pulling the forearm of the gun rearward to draw a shell from the magazine, and then forearm of the gun is pumped forward again to load that shell into the chamber and cock the gun for firing.  The other popular type of action is semiautomatic.  A semiautomatic shotgun is manually operated with a lever the first time, and then the gun auto-loads thereafter with each pull of the trigger.

Forend or Pump:  On a semiautomatic shotgun the forend is simply for holding the gun, but on a pump-action shotgun the forend is also a handle which is pumped to operate the action.

Barrel:  Home Defense shotguns either utilize two side-by-side barrels (see the chapter on “Coach Guns”) or a single barrel.  Double-barrel shotguns are generally a very simple design, and hold one shell behind each barrel.  Therefore a double-barrel shotgun must be manually reloaded after the second shot.  Though a single-barrel shotgun can be of a single-shot style, when it comes to Home Defense shotguns, the single barrel is attached to a mechanical device which reloads the chamber after the gun has been fired. This mechanical device is called the action (see above).

Magazine:  Although there are a few tactical shotguns which utilize a detachable magazine (incorrectly referred to as a ‘clip’), most use a tubular magazine.  When ammunition is loaded into the tube it compresses a spring, and this spring is what pushes shells into the receiver to facilitate the reloading process.  Some people mistake the magazine for a second barrel, because it is similar in size and appearance, and it is attached to the underside of the barrel.  (See the above photo).

Metal Finish:  Since firearms are made predominantly of metal parts which can corrode, rust prevention is a very real concern.  Historically, guns were subjected to a process called “bluing,” an electrochemical process which helps control rust.  But though this process is better than leaving the metal of the gun exposed, it still requires frequent oiling to inhibit the development of damaging rust.  Guns made of stainless steel are more durable than those made from steel alloys, but guns made from stainless steel still require lubrication and the periodic application of a metal preservative made for firearms.

During World War II, the U.S. military refined a metal preservation process called Parkerizing to protect the guns used by soldiers.  Since that time there have been hundreds of processes and high-tech materials developed to protect the metal parts of guns. 

Today, virtually all of the metal coating materials used by major firearms manufacturers are a dramatic improvement over bluing.  However, these modern metal finishes don’t eliminate the need to apply metal preservatives; they just require it less frequently.  A few of the modern finishes also reduce friction, so the metal finish has a dual purpose.

In regard to maintenance, there are many rust inhibiting lubricants which can be applied to a clean gun.  My personal favorites are Militec-1 and Royal Purple, but these are hard to find unless you are shopping online.  Break-Free and Shooters Choice FP-10 have their devotees, and products such as OTIS oil, Rem Oil and Hoppes gun oil have been in widespread use for many years. Just don’t use WD-40 or another substance which attracts moisture-holding dust and lint.

Coach Guns (Double-Barrel Shotguns)

Coach guns are double-barreled self-defense shotguns.  Like some sporting shotguns they have two barrels, usually side-by-side, but this is where the similarity ends.  A coach gun is made exclusively for personal protection and it has no sporting use.  The barrels are short, usually 18-20 inches (originally designed for use by stagecoach guards) and the stock is often shorter, too, so they can be easily wielded in a self-defense situation.  These guns are sometimes referred to as “sawed-off” shotguns.  (Not technically correct, as in legal terms a sawed-off shotgun is one which has literally has the stock and barrel sawn off, generally to a length much shorter than the shortest legal barrel length which is 18-inches).

Coach guns are popular, but if you are armed with a coach gun you’d better be a good shot.  These self-defense shotguns only hold two shells, and it takes time to reload—too much time if your assailant is charging at you, or shooting at you, or you are being attacked by multiple assailants.  Yet, coach guns are very simple to use.  This is their strength.  They have two barrels, either side-by-side or one on top of the other, and they hold one shotgun shell in the chamber behind each barrel.  This means that the operating action is very simple and rarely malfunctions.  On most models, you simply cock the two hammers, and the gun is ready to fire.  For those who detest any complexity, or have physical limitations, this is a viable option.

John Wayne did use a coach gun to great advantage in his Western movies, but today we have far better options.  Nevertheless, coach guns remain popular, especially by those who are history buffs.

Tactical Shotguns - Overview

A tactical shotgun, either pump-action (manual) or semiautomatic action, with pistol grip or without, is a staggering advancement in modern firepower.  A tactical shotgun can hold as many as 9-shotgun shells, and when loaded with ammunition such as used by most police departments, each shell can contain fifteen .33 caliber lead pellets (3-inch, 00-Buck).  This translates into a barrage of 120 bullet-like projectiles that can be launched at your target in a few seconds. 

For family and personal defense at home, a “tactical” shotgun like those used by law enforcement officers is clearly the best choice.  Tactical shotguns are designed for self-defense.  Therefore, they are not ideal for hunting or sport, but in a pinch they can be used to hunt both large and small game.  Because of this potential for dual use and the reduced size of tactical shotguns, these are often included in survival kits on private airplanes and boats.  Particularly gun models such as the Mossberg 500 JIC (Just in Case) which has a special finish to protect it against rust, and a high-visibility orange watertight floatation-tube for storage.

If you hunt or participate in shotgun sports, consider buying a tactical shotgun which is similar to your sporting gun.  This will provide a clear training advantage.  Most people use their sporting gun far more frequently than their tactical shotgun, so the use of the sporting gun will develop operating and shooting skills that transfer to your tactical shotgun.

Pump-Action Tactical Shotguns

A pump-action shotgun requires that before firing, the user must “pump” the sliding grip-handle which is located under the barrel (see chapter on “Basic Terminology Explained).  As the handle is slid rearward, the action releases a shotgun shell from the tubular magazine which is under the barrel, and drops it onto an internal rack.  When the handle is moved forward again, the rack moves upward and inserts the shell into the chamber of the shotgun.  This manual process is often called “racking,” and many consider it an added safety feature.

If you are interested in purchasing a tactical shotgun, the standard police workhorse is the Remington 870 Tactical, which is a pump-action shotgun.  For more than 30-years this has been the tactical shotgun used by most police departments.  It is still standard equipment in probably 85% of today’s police cruisers.

Even within the pump-action category, tactical shotguns come in many configurations.  However, the most common “police” model is one with this configuration: Remington model 870 Tactical, with an 18-1/2 or 20-inch barrel, and a magazine extension tube.  (The extension tube is a “magazine” which expands the gun’s capacity to 6-9 shotgun shells).  Specifications often list the capacity in the format of 5+1, 6+1, etc.  The larger number indicates the capacity of the magazine, and the “+1” refers to the one shell that can be held in the chamber of the gun, so that it is ready to fire.

Another feature of most police shotguns (sometimes referred to as riot guns), is that they have a synthetic stock and a non-glare protective coating on the metal parts.  This makes the shotgun more durable than a gun with a wood stock, and the metal parts more rust-resistant.  When selecting a gun for personal protection, these are features worth considering.

Another advantage of popular guns such as the Remington 870 Tactical and the Mossberg 500 series, is that there are many after-market products available for them.  This includes pistol grips, collapsible stocks, flashlight mounts, lasers, rails, sidesaddle shell holders, swivels and slings, etc.

Tactical shotguns made by Remington, Winchester, Benelli, and Mossberg, are routinely available in a number of different tactical configurations.  These are also the manufacturers of the tactical shotguns commonly used by police departments.

For those who will store or use their shotgun in adverse weather conditions, or in damp environments such as on a boat, Remington and Mossberg made a tactical shotgun with a marine-grade finish.  These models were designed for boaters who want protection from pirates, as well as a shotgun that can be used against sharks, and to launch various types of illumination and distress flares.  Today, these models have also gained popularity with those who live in locations of high humidity, for those on horseback or who regularly ride in an ATV, or for storage in a cabin without HVAC.  Some also favor these nickel-colored guns because they look less military.

If you live close to saltwater, or plan to routinely take your tactical shotgun out into the rain or with you on a boat, or you live in an area which has high humidity, whether you purchase one of these “boater” models or not, it is important to select a gun that has an anti-corrosion coating.  Today there are many anti-corrosive coatings available for firearms, but some still use “bluing,” so it’s a question worth asking before you make your purchase.  Some of these coatings are better than others, but all of them are far superior to a traditional “bluing” finish which must be treated with oil to protect the metal.  You can expect to pay a little more for a shotgun which has a factory-applied protective coating, but it is well worth the expense if you want the benefit of reduced maintenance.

A newer entry into the police tactical-shotgun market is the Benelli Nova Tactical.  As with the Remington 870 Tactical, it comes with an anti-corrosion finish, plus it’s lighter in weight than the Remington 870.  It’s also a great choice, as are the police-grade and military-grade Mossberg models.

The reduced-weight lower cost models, such as the Benelli Nova and the Mossberg 500, is an indicator that they will not be as durable as an all-steel Remington 870 or Mossberg 590, but they are nevertheless fine weapons and reasonably priced.  As with the Remington Tactical shotguns, you can order the Benelli Nova (and SuperNova) and Mossberg tactical shotguns with the magazine extension-tube already installed -- which is what I strongly recommend.  It’s less expensive to order the gun with the magazine extension already included.  However, it is also an option that can be purchased later.  The installation of this as an aftermarket accessory is quick and easy.

Semiautomatic Tactical Shotguns

Unlike the pump-action shotguns which require the user to manually operate the action before each shot, semiautomatic models load and cock the action automatically.   A small lever is operated to initially load a shell into the chamber of the gun, but after that the gun reloads and cocks itself after each shot.  This makes a semiautomatic shotgun much faster to shoot.

The downside of using a semiautomatic shotgun is that you need to remember to engage the “safety” once you are done shooting.  This is because if the trigger is pulled again, or snagged by clothing or a tree branch, it will automatically fire again.

Another disadvantage is that a quality semiautomatic shotgun will be much more expensive to purchase than a pump-action gun.  I don’t recommend using a less-expensive semiautomatic as they have a tendency to jam at the most inopportune times.  You can’t risk this problem when using a tactical shotgun for self-defense, so if you want an autoloader, you need to step-up and buy a good one.

In addition to faster operating speed, another immensely positive aspect of a high quality semiautomatic shotgun is reduced recoil.  This reduced recoil is modest in some semi-auto models and substantial in others.  For example, when compared to a standard pump gun such as the Mossberg 500, the Benelli M2 Tactical with ComforTech stock literally cuts perceived recoil in half.  This is a huge difference. 

Reduced recoil it is a benefit which may be important for those who are physically small or have reduced mobility, for those who are intimidated by recoil, and for those who want to be able to fire their gun more rapidly.  Reduced-recoil combined with a semiautomatic action, makes it possible for the user to keep the gun on target between shots.

The Benelli M4 is currently the gold-standard for SWAT teams and military units because it is easy to use, accurate, reliable, and amazingly fast.  And I do mean FAST.  It’s like using a submachine gun – but better.  The Benelli recoil-reduction system means you can keep the M2 or M4 on target even during rapid fire.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/52451337@N00/3596407349/

The Benelli Super-90 is an older model and excellent, but now hard to find.  I’ve enjoyed demonstrations using the Benelli Super-90, holding it in one hand, like a pistol, and hammering the target rapid-fire.  This is only possible because the gun itself absorbs most of the recoil.  The Super-90 has now been superseded by the M2 model, but both are exceptional guns.  A Benelli M2 equipped with a ComforTech stock has far less recoil than the Benelli M4. 

For most people, before opting for expensive add-ons such as a collapsible stock, that money would be better spent on acquiring a top-notch semiautomatic rather than a pump-action model.  Spec Ops military units generally use the Benelli M4 Tactical, and premier SWAT teams may also use the Benelli M2 model, but the Beretta TX4 Storm is now giving the Benelli some competition.  The cost of these semiautomatics is much more than a good pump shotgun, but these are certainly impressive weapons which have far less recoil:  http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_m4.php.  The advantage of the Beretta TX4 Storm is that it seems to feed low-recoil ammunition, whereas it’s best to use either standard or magnum loads in the Benelli models. 

Assault-Style Tactical Shotguns

Most tactical shotguns are adaptations from sporting guns.  The advantage of this heritage is a reduction in the cost of design and manufacture, and proven reliability in the field.  There are a few drawbacks, however.  Primarily in regard to ammunition capacity and the time it takes to reload. 

In an effort to solve these problems, a number of manufacturers have developed radically different shotgun models based on assault-rifle and military designs.  Unfortunately, most of these have not been successful, primarily due to their propensity to malfunction.  There is a clear advantage to being able to make design refinements based on the feedback and experience of hundreds of thousands of sportsmen, before undertaking design modifications necessary to build a tactical shotgun.

Though large police departments do have many of these assault-style tactical shotguns in their arsenals as the manufactures claim, I don’t know of any SWAT operators or military spec-ops units which actually use these shotguns in field operations.  Generally, they simply aren’t reliable enough.  Hopefully this will change in the near future, but at this point, none of these new designs have sufficient field testing to earn my recommendation. 

New models of assault-style tactical shotguns, such as the Kel-Tec KSG (MSRP $880) pictured above, will eventually be sufficiently refined to be trustworthy as a self-defense firearm.  The KSG, a pump-action which holds 13-shells (12+1) and is only 26.1-inches in length, is a promising but insufficiently tried-in-the-field new tactical model.  Though Kel-Tec firearms have a reputation for being rough in manufacturing quality, the company is making noteworthy improvements.  Since the KSG is a pump-action gun rather than a semiautomatic, it is more likely to pass the test of field-use reliability. 

If the Kel-Tec KSG can be obtained at a significant discount, it might become a viable contender.  But with a street price that is not far from the street price of a reliable high-quality semiautomatic tactical shotgun, it’s a nonstarter.  A gun like the Benelli M2 or M4 shoots faster and has reduced recoil, and Benelli has a proven track record of reliability in combat, so it’s difficult to justify the KSG. 

Over the last decade the Benelli M4 and Mossberg 590 have proven to be reliable in combat in Iran and Afghanistan, and the Benelli M2 has proven itself in many real-world encounters by SWAT operators, so these are trusted firearms.  Yes, the KSG’s impressive 13-shell capacity and compact size make it attractive, but these benefits are of little value if the gun proves to be unreliable.  For now, it’s probably safer to select a tried-and-true pump-action or semiautomatic home defense shotgun than one of these newly designed assault-style tactical shotguns.

Gun Configurations: Standard Stock, Pistol-Grip Stock, Telescoping Stock, or Pistol-Grip Only

Choosing the configuration of your tactical shotgun is an important consideration which should be guided by anticipated use, not aesthetics.  The four most popular configurations are illustrated by these four photos, and their advantages and disadvantages are summarized below.

Each variation has its benefits and drawbacks, and there is no right answer except as it relates to you and your situation.  To help you with this decision, consider the following factors which relate to anticipated use.

Standard Stock:  (Top photo).  Within this category you will find stocks made of wood, synthetic material, and synthetic materials which encase recoil-reduction mechanisms. Since synthetic gunstocks are more durable, they are commonplace on most shotguns that were designed for defense use. 

At the very least, a standard stock should have a rubber recoil pad, or better yet a gel recoil pad, to reduce the concussive effect of recoil when the gun is fired from a shoulder position.  Beyond this, the technological advancement of energy-absorbing stocks provide a truly dramatic improvement over a solid stock, and this makes the gun easier to control in addition to making shooting much more pleasant. 

The pinnacle of this modern advancement in stock design is the Benelli M2 equipped with the patented Benelli “ComforTech” stock.  Between the effect of the improved semiautomatic action of the M2 and this ComforTech stock, perceived recoil is reduced by 44% when the gun is fired from the shoulder position.  (Firing from the shoulder position provides the greatest accuracy).  The ComforTech stock is not available with a pistol grip or in telescoping configurations, but there are a few aftermarket stocks with a pistol grip which provide a modicum of reduced recoil.  (See chapter on Recoil-Reduction Options).

Standard Stock with Pistol Grip:  (Second from top in photo).  Advocates of the stock with pistol-grip configuration claim that when the gun is fired from the hip, the shooter instinctively shoots more accurately. 

When a shotgun is fired from the hip, most shooters will naturally shoot high.  For some people, a pistol-grip stock helps reduce this problem.  When a gun with this configuration is fired from the hip, the stock helps stabilize the gun when it is held alongside the body (elbow height), while the pistol-grip can help draw the barrel downward, making it easier to fire accurately from the hip.  This seems to be a particular advantage for shooters who are accustomed to firing a pistol. 

Though this accuracy advantage isn’t universal for all users, what is universal is that the pistol-grip provides more flexibility in different shooting positions.  A pistol-grip equipped tactical shotgun can be fired more easily with one hand, and fired over walls and around corners, so many law enforcement officers, particularly SWAT team operators, prefer this style. 

A downside which may not be a major issue for you, but is often forgotten, is that with a pistol-grip stock shotgun, the use of a scabbard, or carrying the gun inside a backpack or in a GO-Bag (Bug-Out Bag), can be a problem. 

Telescoping (Collapsible) Stock.  (Second from bottom in photo).  Attempting to accommodate the best of both worlds, telescoping and folding stocks can be extended to aid accuracy when the gun is fired from the shoulder position.  Or, the stock can be collapsed to make the gun more maneuverable in tight spaces, and to better accommodate less-obvious carry or transport. 

Unfortunately, since these designs are a compromise, most do not include much of a recoil-absorbing buffer between the gun and the shooter’s shoulder.  This shortcoming is significant when the gun is fired from the shoulder position.  Conversely, if the gun will only rarely be shot from the shoulder, this drawback may not present much of a problem.  But keep in mind that accuracy is best attained by shooting with the shotgun in the shoulder-position, so this is a consideration—particularly in regard to training.  Without some device to reduce the effect of recoil, a shotgun can be a battering ram against the shoulder, and this discourages practice.  (For more on recoil-reduction options, see the chapter, Recoil-Reduction Options).

Tactical shotguns used by SWAT teams and military USSOCOM special operations units often utilize a telescoping stock.  These can be adjusted for the thickness of body armor at the shoulder, and collapsed when the operator is searching a building which has narrow halls and smaller rooms.  Yet, when needed, the stock can be quickly extended to engage a target that is further away. 

Being able to extend the stock is an especially important feature for longer-distance shooting.  Rifled slugs and sabot rounds (see chapter on ammunition) can be fired accurately at distances of 150-yards, and there are a number of special-purpose ammunition types which also demand more accurate shooting.  Whenever feasible, a tactical shotgun should be fired from the shoulder position, even at ranges as short as 20-feet.  The shot pattern at short range is tight, so placement is important when shooting a shotgun at a close target as well as one which is far away.  As discussed in the chapter on ammunition, just because you are using a shotgun which sprays pellets, it still requires effort to hit the target.

Folding Stocks (not pictured), are rarely available from the firearm manufacturer but they are popular and easily found in the inventories of aftermarket suppliers.  Most do not have a decent recoil pad, so firing the gun from the shoulder-position can be brutal.

The models which fold onto the top of the shotgun often interfere with the sights of the gun, and side folding models can interfere with extraction of a spent shell or the operation of the shotgun.  So choose wisely; returns are usually not possible after the folding-stock has been installed on a gun.

Both top-folding and side-folding models usually take two hands to operate, so they can be impractical to change the configuration when you are in the midst of a dangerous situation.  Additionally, some of the after-market stocks are crudely manufactured, or weak in design and do not stand up to real-world use.  And, some of them can be a project to install, despite the fact that it is advertised as being made for a specific make and model of gun. 

When installed on a semiautomatic shotgun, an aftermarket folding stock can adversely affect the cycling of the semiautomatic action.  So if you install an aftermarket folding stock, be sure to practice with it, and verify that it functions as desired.  If it doesn’t work flawlessly, remove it.  Don’t bet your life on an inferior piece of equipment.  A quality shotgun can become junk if it has an inferior stock. 

Pistol-Grip-Only Tactical Shotguns:  (Bottom image of the four photos, above).  Designed exclusively for use in confined spaces such as a home with smaller rooms and tight hallways, the pistol-grip-only tactical shotgun should be considered a special-use weapon.  Though it can be held at eye-level for more accurate shooting, the weight and lack of stock makes this difficult.  But it can be accomplished.  However, if it becomes necessary to utilize this type of shotgun against a more distant target, it’s usually best to use a door frame or fence to stabilize the gun.  This must be practiced.

When used indoors, and equipped with a barrel no longer than 20-inches, a pistol-grip-only shotgun is a formidable and quick operating weapon.  Note: The shortest legal barrel length without first obtaining a special license from ATF is 18-inches.  (See the chapter, “The Law”).  A barrel length that exceeds 20-inches negates the advantage of a pistol-grip-only shotgun.

Unencumbered by the weight and length of a shoulder stock, this type of tactical shotgun can be easily maneuvered room-to-room, around doorways and in narrow halls and stairways; it can be quickly brought to bear on a target, and swung around when searching for an intruder.  And, since it is kept close to the body, it may be more difficult for an intruder to grab. 

Available in either pump-action or semiautomatic action, these stubby guns provide the advantage of great mobility, but they do lack the versatility of a shotgun equipped with a stock.  But for those who are only interested in using their shotgun inside the confided space of an average-size house or apartment, or for those who are confined to a wheelchair or want to use the gun when seated, these shorter pistol-grip-only guns are a configuration worth considering.

Another benefit of the pistol-grip-only tactical shotgun is that it is more easily concealed, and more easily stored and transported.  For example, the Mossberg JIC II (model # 55340 – see photo) comes in an unobtrusive black nylon bag.  This rectangular bag contains a modular shotgun, and measures 22.4 x 8.4 x 4 inches, and weighs only 5.5 lbs. 

The Mossberg JIC Cruiser (#51340) comes in a military OD-green tube that is less than 30-inches in length, and it can withstand being buried (if properly prepared and sealed).  The more durable Mossberg 500 JIC Mariner model (#52340) comes in a similar water-tight plastic floatation tube which is orange in color, and designed to be stored on a boat or as part of a survival kit.  These are examples of pistol-grip-only guns that do a great job of meeting their special-use need, but they fall short when it comes to universal use.

Gun Recommendations: Top-10 Best Shotguns for Home Defense

Prices indicated below are the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), but most of these home-defense shotguns can be found at a significant savings if purchased through a large sporting goods store, gun show, or an online gun dealer.  Guns purchased online must be shipped to a store, gun club or individual who has a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) and is willing to process the required paperwork.  FFL holders typically charge $15-35 for this service.  Whether obtained from a store, gun club, or gun show, purchasers of new firearms must pass a federal background-check.

#1 Best Shotgun for Home Defense (Urban)

Benelli, model: M2 Tactical; semiautomatic, 5+1 shell capacity, 18-1/2 inch barrel, overall length: 39.75-inches, weight: 7.3 lbs, ComforTech (Recoil Reduction) stock; sight: ghost ring; Model # 11029, MSRP: $1,469.

#1 Best Shotgun for Home Defense (Rural)

Benelli, model M2 3-Gun Edition (above photo); semiautomatic, 8+1 shell capacity, 21-inch barrel, overall length 42.5-inches, ComforTech (Recoil Reduction) stock; sight: HIVIZ Comp; Model # 11024, MSRP: $2,699.  This gun is capable of taking out 9 different human targets in three seconds.  Video

#1 Best Low-Recoil Shotgun for Home Defense (Pump-Action)

SuperNova (Benelli), model: Tactical; pump-action, 4+1 shell capacity, 18-inch barrel; overall length: 40-inches, weight: 7.2 lbs, ComforTech (Recoil Reduction) stock, sight: ghost ring; Model #50155, MSRP: $559

#1 Best Low-Recoil Shotgun for Home Defense (Semiautomatic)

Beretta, model: TX4 Storm; semiautomatic, 4+1 shell capacity, 18-inch barrel, overall length: 39.2-inches, weight: 6.4 lbs, standard synthetic stock, sight: ghost ring; Model # JXT1800, MSRP: $1,450.  (Assumes underarm point-and-shoot use and loaded with low-recoil self-defense shotshells.  (See the chapter on ammunition). 

For shoulder fire using standard self-defense shells, 2-3/4” or 3” magnum, this award goes to the Benelli M2 with ComforTech stock).

#1 Best Low-Cost Shotgun for Home Defense: (Pump-Action)

Remington, model: Express Tactical; pump-action, 5+1 shell capacity, 18.5-inch barrel, overall length: 38.5-inches, weight: 7.5 lbs, standard synthetic stock, sight: white dot; Model # 25007, MSRP: $428.

#1 Best Mid-Price Shotgun for Home Defense (Pump-Action w/ Integral Light)

Mossberg, model: 590A1 Tactical-Light Forend; pump-action, 5+1 shell capacity, 18.5 inch heavy-walled barrel, overall length: 39.5-inches, weight: 7.5 lbs, standard synthetic stock, sight: bead; finish: military parkerized, tactical-light built into forend, heat shield on barrel; Model # 51415, MSRP: $698.

#1 Best Weather-Resistant Shotgun for Home Defense (and Marine Use)

Semiautomatic:  Benelli, model: M4-H20; 7+1 shell capacity, 18.5-inch barrel, overall length: 40-inches, weight: 7.8 lbs, telescoping stock, sight: ghost-ring; stainless steel barrel, all other metal parts treated with NP3, an electrolysis nickel-based finish that is extremely corrosion resistant and also provides high lubricity with a low friction co-efficient, making this the most rust-resistant shotgun for home defense, maritime use, and extreme weather environments; Model # 11711, limited availability, MSRP: $2,399.

Pump-Action:  Nova (Benelli), model: H2O Pump; pump-action, 4+1 shell capacity, 18.5-inch barrel, overall length: 40-inches, weight: 7.2 lbs, standard synthetic stock, sight: open rifle; this “H2O” model has a barrel made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and the magazine tube, cap, and trigger group are nickel plated; Model # 20090, MSRP: $639.

#1 Best Compact, Lightweight and Maneuverable Shotgun for Home Defense (Pump-Action)

Mossberg, model: 500 JIC II; pump-action, 5+1 shell capacity, 18.5-inch barrel, overall length: 28.75-inches, weight: 5.5 lbs, pistol-grip only (no stock), sight: bead; Model # 55340, MSRP: $422.

#1 Best Military-Grade Shotgun for Home Defense (Semiautomatic)

Benelli, model: M4 Tactical; semiautomatic, 5+1 shell capacity, 18.5-inch barrel, overall length: 40-inches, weight: 7.8 lbs; synthetic stock with or without pistol grip, side sling mount on stock; receiver tapped for scope mount, picatinny rail on top of receiver, sight: ghost-ring; solid-black version is model # 11707, MSRP $1,899, Model # 11717 desert camo, MSRP: $1,999.

#1 Best Military-Grade Shotgun for Home Defense (Pump-Action)

Mossberg, model: 590A1 Blackwater; pump-action, 8+1 shell capacity, 20-inch heavy-walled barrel, overall length: 41-inches, weight: 7.25 lbs; black synthetic stock, with “Speed-Feed” extra shell storage; finish: military parkerized; tri-rail forend, picatinny rail on top of receiver, sight: XS ghost ring; Model # 51772, MSRP: $711.

Ammunition: The Best Shotgun Shells for Self-Defense

According to some people, the best way to reduce recoil (“kick”) is to use less powerful ammunition.  These “low-recoil” or “managed-recoil” 12-gauge self-defense loads are routinely available in 2-3/4-inch, 00-Buck and #4 Buck and have become increasingly popular.  Their recommendation sounds good in theory, but in the real-world, I don’t think this is a good idea. 

In my experience, the performance of these reduced-recoil shells is very disappointing.  You will be better served by using a shotgun which is chambered for smaller, less-powerful shotgun shells (16 or 20-gauge), than to use reduced-recoil 12-gauge shells.  Or, better yet, step-up to a recoil-reducing semiautomatic such as a 12-gauge Benelli M2 equipped with a ComforTech stock.  This gun produces less recoil than a standard 20-gauge (a much smaller shell size than a 12-gauge).  Based on my experience, unless the gun is for use by a child, a self-defense shotgun should be 12-gauge. 

After a little practice, my petite 14-year old daughter had no problem with a 12-gauge.  If you start by practicing with target ammunition like she did, any able bodied adult can get used to using a 12-gauge.

For routine practice, it’s fine to use low-base (lower power) shotgun shells of the variety used for bird hunting or skeet shooting.  These deliver far less recoil, especially in the 12-gauge 2-3/4” size, while still providing a useful training experience.  However, as often as possible, you should shoot at least a few of the tactical shells which you carry in your gun for self-defense.  Unfortunately, many shooting ranges and clubs will not allow you to use self-defense shotgun ammunition on their range, so you may need to find another safe location for this additional training.  (This is because these loads are so destructive – which is a good thing when it comes to self-defense, but a problem when it comes to maintaining a gun range).

For self-defense use, I recommend that you load your tactical shotgun with 3-inch 00-Buck (pronounced “double-ought buck”).  A good tactical shotgun paired with this ammunition, will provide you with a formidable weapon for family and personal protection.  When loaded with this ammunition, when you pull the trigger your gun will exhale 15 - .33-caliber lead pellets.  Even the standard-load (2-3/4-inch 00-Buck) has 9 - .33 caliber pellets within each plastic shell.  (Note: Standard loads in each size of 12-ga shell generally contain 3-pellets less than a magnum shell of the same size.  Low-recoil loads generally have 1 or 2 fewer pellets than a standard 00-Buck shell.  Check the specifications on the box of shells to determine the pellet count.)

Before settling on the ammunition you will keep in your home defense shotgun, test several brands, both 00-Buck and #4 Buck, in both standard and magnum loads.  Recoil varies between manufacturer (brands) and loads, as does the size of the pattern when fired at the same distance.  Different guns can produce different results. 

With this in mind, it’s important to do your own testing of shot shells.  This is necessary if you are going to select the right load for you, your gun, and your situation.  As with any weapon used for personal protection, only use major-brand ammunition.  For reliable and safe ammunition for all your firearms, look for these trusted brands:  Federal, Winchester, Remington, Speer, Hornandy, Black Hills, Cor-Bon, Fiocchi, Sellier and Bellot, and Ultra Max.  

The 3-1/2”and 3” Magnums, and the standard 2-3/4” shotshells all have their advocates, but the 2-3/4” is most common because it has the advantage of less recoil while delivering decent knock-down power. 

Remember, less recoil is significant because not only is the shotgun easier to control, it also means that you can get back on-target more quickly in case you need to shoot again.  (Note: The 3-1/2” 00-Buck shell is rarely used in tactical shotguns.  This is because of the additional recoil.  And, because the magazine of most tactical shotguns will hold one-less shell if loaded with the 3-1/2 inch.  (For example, a 7-round magazine will only hold 6 of the 3-1/2” shells). 

Further, many shotgun models are not designed for the more powerful 3-1/2 inch shotgun shell.  Just because it might fit into your gun, doesn’t mean that you gun is made to handle these larger shells.  If you want to use the 3-1/2 inch shell, be sure to check the manufacturer’s specification before making your gun purchase.

For the professional SWAT team operator or Spec Ops soldier, they often load their tactical shotguns with lead slugs.  This is due to the unrivaled knock-down power of 1-oz of lead traveling at more than 1,500 feet per second.  In Close Quarter Battle, this produces astounding results.  Experienced SWAT operators and Spec Ops soldiers often carry 3-inch shells rifled slugs and 00-Buck.  Though some may use the 2-3/4 inch because that is what they are issued, I don’t know of any which use the larger 3-1/2 inch shells.

Comparison:

Since this is an area where there is a lot of confusion, and where inaccurate information abounds, let’s compare a tactical shotgun’s abilities to that of a handgun and also a submachine gun:

A standard 12-gauge shotgun rifled slug (bullet) contains 473.5-grains (1-oz) of lead.  In essence, the shotgun slug is a whopping .73” diameter (caliber) bullet that travels 25% faster, is more than twice the diameter, and weighs 3-times more than a 9mm bullet.  This represents a staggering amount of stopping power.

Even when comparing a tactical shotgun to the performance of a 9mm submachine gun, the tactical shotgun stands toe-to-toe and excels—except in regard to the time it takes to reload.

A 9mm submachine gun bullet is approximately .36-inches in diameter, is 124-grains in weight, and exits the barrel at around 1,205 feet per second.  Most submachine guns have the capacity to shoot 30-shots (+/-) before they must be reloaded. 

Now, compare this to a standard Benelli M2 tactical shotgun, loaded with six 3-inch 00-Buck shells.  This fully-loaded shotgun can shoot 90 pellets vs. 30+ in the submachine gun, and the shotgun pellet is traveling at the same speed as the 9mm bullet—and it is nearly the same diameter as the 9mm bullet. 

Most people don’t realize that a shotgun can spit out 3-times the amount of on-target projectiles in less time than a submachine gun.  To improve accuracy, a submachine gun is usually fired in a series of 3-shot bursts; whereas a M2 Tactical shotgun can, with each pull of the trigger, send 15 similar-size projectiles downrange.  

Now, if you compare a tactical shotgun to a 9mm handgun, well, there’s no comparison.  The tactical shotgun is in an entirely different league than a handgun when it comes to stopping power.  No other legal-to-own-without-special-license weapon comes anywhere close to the performance of a tactical shotgun.  Consider the shotgun vs. handgun attributes in the below chart. (You may need to rotate your reader to “landscape” orientation to properly view this chart):

Comparison: Shotgun vs. 9mm Bullet | Diameter | Weight | Muzzle Velocity
12-ga Rifled Slug, 3-inch 12-ga 00-Buck, 3-inch | .73-inch .33-inch (x 15 pellets) | 438 grains 54 ea pellet / 810 grains | 1,760 fps 1,225 fps
9mm +P Hollow-Point | .36-inch | 124 grains | 1,220 fps

There is actually a lot more to calculating stopping power than these numbers, but I’m giving you these details to make a point.  You don’t need a complex computer program, or a NASA scientist to explain it to you.  The above chart simply confirms the obvious; there is a huge difference in stopping power between a shotgun and a handgun.

As interesting as this is for the professional law enforcement officer, this is also the #1 reason why a tactical shotgun is also the best gun for self-defense at home.  A shotgun loaded with buckshot “sprays” a cone of pellets (bullets) rather than a single projectile.  A handgun bullet which is less than a half inch in width, vs. a shotgun-pellet pattern that can be 10-inches in width even at close range (25’).  On-target hits using the shotgun are therefore far more likely, and more on-target hits delivered simultaneously provide greater stopping power.

Some gun enthusiasts express frustration that they can’t have a submachine gun for self-defense.  But for self-defense at home, the tactical shotgun is actually a far better choice.

In addition to the superior firepower of the tactical shotgun, there is another important benefit.  It is easier to hold a tactical shotgun on target while shooting, too.  And, since a semiautomatic shotgun can deliver more projectiles on-target in 6-seconds than a submachine gun, it is clearly the best gun for self-defense at home. 

Since reloading a shotgun is so slow, the submachine gun does provide an advantage to soldiers and police officers engaged in a firefight.  But for home defense, the tactical shotgun excels.  Plus, a shotgun doesn’t have the legal challenges inherent to owning a fully automatic weapon.

A fully-loaded submachine gun typically holds 30⁺ rounds of ammunition in one magazine, whereas a fully loaded 9-shot tactical shotgun like the Benelli 3-Gun or Mossberg 590A1 have the capacity to deliver 135 bullet-size pellets in a few seconds.  (3” 00-Buck shells contain 15-pellets in each plastic shotgun shell.  A tactical shotgun with extended magazine can hold as many as 8-shells in the magazine, plus 1-shell in the chamber, for a total of 9-shells.  9x15=135 pellets).  Talk about firepower!

Another important point of comparison is in regard to penetration.  In my experience, bullets such as the 9mm, whether shot from a submachine gun or an ordinary handgun, are more likely to penetrate the interior walls of a house than the soft-lead of a 00-Buck shotgun pellet.  This is true even if the 9mm bullet is a hollow-point and designed to expand on impact.  Therefore, in real-world shooting situations, the handgun bullet can oftentimes be more dangerous than a shotgun when used inside a house, particularly if there are innocent occupants in adjacent rooms.

This issue of penetration can be a serious problem for those who want a gun for family protection.  This over-penetration issue is a particular concern with FMJ 9mm and certain 9mm hollow-point bullets.  But it is important to remember that penetration through walls can still pose a serious threat to family members and others who are nearby, no matter what gun is used. 

Other popular self-defense handgun calibers such as: .357 Sig, .40 and .45 ACP, even when using hollow-point ammunition, can still penetrate the interior walls of most houses.  At in-home self-defense shooting distances, both Buckshot from a shotgun and bullets from a self-defense handgun will likely penetrate an interior wall.  However in my experience, and in my testing, the pellets from a shotgun will generally stop sooner, and with less penetration, than one of these handgun bullets shot at the same distance and angle.

Whether you are using a handgun or shotgun, it is important to remember that each shot which misses or passes through your assailant, still goes somewhere.  Since all of these projectiles are capable of penetrating multiple interior walls, they can easily strike innocent people inside or outside your home.  Shotgun pellets made of soft lead often deform on impact, and generally don’t penetrate like a pointed FMJ or metal-clad hollow-point handgun bullet, but they can still penetrate walls.  (Be sure to read the firearm safety rules at the end of this e-book).

Therefore, whatever gun you are using, you need to know what is behind your target.  With this potential problem in mind, in advance of the emergency situation, you need to identify where you can and can’t shoot within your home.

And remember, the bad guy can miss when he is shooting at you, too.  So in advance, you need to select viable fields of fire.  This field of fire needs to include wild shooting by the criminal, as well.  Choose your location of engagement.

If you are arming yourself because you want to protect your family, you probably need to shoot first, as soon as you identify life-threatening danger.  The crook generally doesn’t care who he kills, whether it’s you or your child asleep in a bedroom behind you.  If you give him the opportunity to shoot first, even if he misses you, that bullet may penetrate a wall and kill one of your family members.

There is no serious debate that a shotgun chambered for 12-ga shells is the best gun for self-defense at home.  But there are other shotgun shell choices in addition to 00-Buck for personal protection.  Another popular self-defense shotgun shell is #4-Buckshot.  (Not the same as #4 Shot).  Though #4 Buck boasts an impressive number of pellets (27-pellets in a 2-3/4-inch shell, and 41-pellets in a 3-inch shell), the much smaller diameter pellets (.24-inch) have much less knock-down power. 

These #4 Buck pellets are not much larger than the bullet of a .22 pistol, which can still be deadly, but it certainly doesn’t deliver much of a knock-down punch unless most of the pellets hit your assailant.  Yet, some experts swear that #4 is the best choice for self-defense as each shot fills the air with more pellets.  That acknowledged, nearly every police department I’ve assisted with training, uses 00-Buck in their tactical shotguns.

A good defensive firearms overview course, taken from a first-rate school such as Texas Republic Firearms Academy (www.TexasRepublicFirearmsAcademy.com), will give you the opportunity to fire various pistols, revolvers and tactical shotguns.  Plus, you will be able to actually observe ammunition tests which compare different types of ammunition.  Even if you’re not new to firearms, an overview course which focuses on the use of firearms for personal protection is well worth the money.

When training with a shotgun, the cost-per-round (per shot) is generally not much different than a hollow-point handgun cartridge, so training is affordable.  Professional training is a big plus, but regular practice is essential.

Because shotguns are so popular, there many different ammunition manufacturers, and dozens of shell types in addition to 00-Buck and #4 Buck.  These shell types range from standard variations such as 1-oz rifled slugs, or sabot loads (bullet or rocket-shaped slugs designed for long-range shooting, which provide greater in-flight stability or barricade-penetrating ability). 

With a little searching, you can find an assortment of 12-gauge specialty and odd-ball shells, too.  This includes such shell types such as tear gas projectiles, less-lethal rubber bullets and bean-bag shells, Cherry Poppers designed to scare bears, Super Rhodesian which combine 00-Buck with birdshot, Buck and Ball shells which hold nine 00-Buck pellets plus one 58-caliber musket ball, Ball and Chain shells that have two balls connected by a steel cable, Flechette shells which contain dozens of 1-inch steel darts, .50BMG bullets in a sabot configuration, Dragon’s Breath to turn your shotgun into a flame thrower, Armor Piercing, and Incendiary shells.  Though interesting and with aficionados to be sure, none of these are in common use.  There is a reason for this:  They simply aren’t as effective for routine self-defense use as the tried-and-true 00-Buck and #4 Buck self-defense loads.

A noteworthy exception is the relatively new PDX1-12 Defender specialty shell made by Winchester.  (See cut-away illustration of shell, and shell with projectiles after launch).  It is an exceptional hybrid shot shell which contains a 1-oz rifled slug (huge) and 3 metal-plated 00-Buck pellets.  Though impressive and innovative, and despite the fact that this delivers unsurpassed stopping power, in my opinion the Winchester PDX1-12 produces too much power and penetration for routine use.  At least too much power for in-home self defense use as it can easily penetrate multiple interior walls.  For more information:  http://www.winchester.com/Products/New-Products/Pages/pdx1-12.aspx

For outdoor use, and for the police or military that use the tactical shotgun for Close Quarter Battle and guard duty, the PDX1-12 is earning its place in their ammunition inventory.  Nevertheless, for most people it is a poor choice for family and personal protection in the home. 

Ammunition: Comparison of 12-gauge Self-Defense Loads

Even among experts there is a difference of opinion as to which ammunition is the best choice for shotgun self defense.  To help you evaluate these options, I personally conducted the below tests, primarily to illustrate the difference in the size of pellet-spread created by 00-Buck compared to #4 Buck, the two most popular self-defense ammunitions for shotguns.  (As a point of reference, 99% of all police departments use either 00-Buck or #4 Buck in their tactical shotguns).  Since there is a lot of buzz about the new Winchester PDX1-12 self-defense shell, I included that in this test as well.

This side-by-side comparison test was conducted using both Remington and Winchester shotgun shells since they are the most common.  To avoid an unnecessary volume of data, only the Remington results are included in the below chart since the two brands produced nearly identical results.

Since most self-defense shootings occur at a distance of between 12-21 feet, I used the distances of 12-feet and 21-feet for this test.  For most people, the results of this test are surprising because they expect the spray of pellets to be wider.  But a tactical shotgun, even one equipped with a short barrel (18-20 inch barrel), does not produce a wide spread of pellets at in-home shooting distances.  Yet, even a modest size spray of pellets, coupled with the knock-down power of a shotgun, is what make a tactical shotgun so desirable for self defense at home.  This is why these test results are so important.  Please consider these results before you select the ammunition you will carry in your shotgun.    

You will find my specific recommendations on ammunition selection below the chart, but to summarize, the 3” 00-Buck shotgun shell provides the best combination of stopping power and size of pellet spread, but it does produce slightly greater recoil. 

For those who don’t trust their ability to shoot accurately, the 3” #4 Buck might be a better choice.  It produces a slightly wider spray of pellets, which means it’s easier to hit your target.  In any case, as you evaluate the chart data, consider the pellet count and the size of each pellet.  This is important information.  But for most people the far right column, “Spread (inches),” is the most significant point of comparison.  Keep in mind that for most people, the wider the spread of pellets, the greater the likelihood of hitting the target.  (If the below chart does not display properly, rotate your reader to “Landscape” orientation and reduce the text size).

Brand / Model | Size | Type | Pellet Count | Pellet Size | Velocity | Range | Spread (inches)*
Remington Express, Managed-Recoil | 2-3/4” | 00-Buck Managed Recoil (MR) | 8 | .33 Caliber (60-grains each) | 1200 | 12-ft | 1.9”
Rem. Express | “ | 00-Buck | 9 | “ | 1325 | “ | 2.9
Rem. Express Magnum | 3” | “ | 15 | “ | 1225 | “ | 4.0
Rem. Express Managed-Recoil | 2-3/4” | 00- Buck Managed Recoil (MR) | 8 | “ | 1200 | 21-ft | 3.5”
Rem. Express | 2-3/4” | 00-Buck | 9 | “ | 1325 | “ | 3.9
Rem. Express Magnum | 3” | “ | 15 | “ | 1225 | “ | 7.3
Rem. Express | 2-3/4” | #4 Buck | 27 | .24 Caliber (16-grains each) | 1325 | 12-ft | 3.8”
Rem. Express Magnum | 3” | “ | 41 | “ | 1225 | “ | 4.7
Rem. Express | 2-3/4” | #4 Buck | 27 | “ | 1325 | 21-ft | 7.3
Rem. Express Magnum | 3” | “ | 41 | “ | 1225 | “ | 9.3
Winchester PDX1-12 | 2-3/4” | 1-Slug (1-oz lead) with 3 00-Buck Pellets | 1-Slug + 3 Pellets | .69 Caliber Slug (437.5 grains / 1-ounce) + 3 -.33 Caliber Pellets | 1150 | 12-ft | 2.8”
Winchester PDX1-12 | 2-3/4” | 1-slug with 3 00-Buck Pellets | 1-Slug + 3 Pellets | “ | 1150 | 21-ft | 5.6

* These tests were conducted using a Remington 870 Tactical shotgun equipped with a 20-inch barrel.  When repeated with a Mossberg shotgun equipped with an 18-1/2 inch barrel, the slightly-shorter barrel provided only modest improvement in pellet-spread.  When shooting the shorter-barrel Mossberg at 12-feet, the shot pattern increased by ¼ inch when using 2-3/4 inch 00-Buck.  As would be expected, the maximum improved spread using the shorter-barrel gun was achieved using 3” #4 Buck at 21-feet.  At this range the Mossberg produced a spread which was 7/10-inch wider.  

Conclusions: 

If the operator of a shotgun can handle the added recoil, there is a clear advantage to using 3-inch shells rather than 2-3/4-inch.  The 3-inch shotgun shell contains more pellets, plus the spread of pellets is wider, and these are critically important attributes.  It’s also worth noting that the capacity of most tactical shotguns is the same whether the gun is loaded with 2-3/4 or 3-inch shells.  However, 3-1/2 inch shells generally reduce the capacity of the gun by one shell.  And, these longer shells also produce dramatically more recoil than the other two lengths, making the 3-1/2-inch shell less than optimal for most users.  Further, many tactical shotguns are only chambered for 2-3/4 and 3” shotgun shells.  If you want to use the 3-1/2 inch magnum shells, be sure to check the ammo options which are stamped into either the receiver or barrel of your gun.  It’s critically important for you to verify that you can use the larger and more powerful magnum loads in your gun.

The “managed-recoil” or “reduced-recoil” shells are a particular disappointment, primarily since they produce a much smaller pellet spread.  If reducing recoil is important to you, your goal is better achieved by using 2-3/4 inch shells in a gun which is outfitted with a recoil-reducing stock.  The Benelli tactical shotguns equipped with the optional ComforTech stock is the top performer for recoil reduction.  (See the chapter, “Gun Recommendations: Top-10 Best Shotguns for Home Defense” for additional details regarding guns with recoil-reduction features). 

Recommendations:

If the operator is unskilled and using the shotgun indoors in a house or confines of an apartment, the wider spread of the 3” #4 Buck (not the same as #4 Shot) makes this a good choice.  For typical in-house situations encountered by users with a higher degree of competence, 3” 00-Buck is probably the best choice as it provides greater stopping power.  For the highly experienced operator who is not worried about secondary penetration of walls, etc., the PDX1-12 may be the optimal choice. 

Conversely, when operating outdoors and at greater distances without backdrop concerns, or if greater penetration is needed to puncture vehicles or obstructions, the PDX1-12, rifled slugs or sabot rounds are the best choice.  This is particularly true if the tactical shotgun is equipped with ghost-ring or rifle-type sights as these make it possible to achieve greater long-range accuracy.  If your tactical shotgun only has bead-sights, 3-inch 00-Buck may still be a better choice.

Mental Preparation: Owning a Gun isn’t Enough

It was about 4 AM when one of my fellow police officers parked his squad car in the parking lot of a strip mall.  It was one of those rare, quiet nights in a big city.  In an effort to stay awake, he decided to walk around the stores to check doors and windows, and to enjoy the warm fresh Pacific Ocean breeze that was sweeping away the Los Angeles smog.

As my uniformed friend walked around to the back of one of the stores, he came face-to-face with a burglar.  The crook had a handgun pointed at my friends head.  It was an ambush.

My friend drew his gun, and both he and his attacker fired at the same time.  They were only 15-feet apart.  Both emptied their guns.  But neither the police officer, nor the bad guy, hit their target.  Two guns emptied, and yet every shot missed.

After both guns clicked on empty, my friend rushed forward and tackled his assailant.  He had him subdued and handcuffed before he could safely use his radio to call for backup.  The time lapse from the first shot to the click of the handcuffs, was about 10-seconds. 

From start to finish, from wake-up panic to the end of the incident, this violent encounter was over in about the same time that it takes to remove a cell phone from a pocket or purse, and dial 9-1-1.

For you as a citizen, you need to telephone the police if you can, but you need to arm yourself first.  You may not have time for the phone call.  As the saying goes, “when seconds count, the police are only minutes away.”

As you might imagine, this shooting incident involving my friend was an embarrassing event for a police officer, but it’s not totally unusual.  Even highly trained law enforcement officers often miss, at least with some of their shots.

My friend took a lot of razzing for his poor shooting, but embarrassment is nothing when compared to the other potential outcome –his death.  When this incident occurred, my police officer friend was a good shot—at least when it came to shooting holes in a paper target on the gun range.  But real-world is different.  Very different.

Fortunately for my friend, the bad guy also suffered from the same adrenaline-rush brought on by fear.  Though the crook had time to prepare an ambush, he was still reacting to the fight-or-flight fear reaction that is part of any life threatening situation. 

It’s important to add emphasis to some background to this incident.  My friend maintained excellent shooting scores in his monthly firearm qualification at the range.  He was also very familiar with the handgun that he carried.  He had the ability to shoot straight and accurately.  These things weren’t the problem.  It was his reaction to the unexpected encounter that ruined his aim.  He wasn’t mentally prepared.

If this police offer had been carrying a short barreled shotgun he‘d still have been surprised by the attack, but the results might have been different.  Sure, he would have suffered the same negative effects of surprise and adrenalin, but there is a good chance that he would have hit his target.

So an even better scenario is to be mentally prepared and armed with a shotgun.  A shotgun is the great equalizer.  It doesn’t matter if your assailant is big and strong, because at this point you have the advantage.  You simply need the right weapon and ammunition, the skills needed to operate your gun effectively, and the mental preparation required for the task.  This is how you can win against the biggest, meanest, and most formidable bad guy.

Consider yourself at home, faced with a situation which is similar to the one faced by my friend.  You hear a noise, and you decide to investigate.  You encounter a burglar armed with a gun or knife and he’s waiting to attack you.  You are surprised and scared, but you have the presence of mind to point and fire your tactical shotgun.  When you pull the trigger, a wide swath of 15 bullet-size pellets is discharged with each pull of the trigger.  You keep firing until you are sure that you have stopped the threat.

If you are armed and ready as described in this e-book, it’s reasonable to assume that you can safely survive such an encounter.  You will be able to neutralize the threat.  You will have what it takes to save your family.

Importantly, if an intruder sees you with a shotgun, or hears you rack the action to load it, he may run away or surrender without you firing a shot.  A shotgun is extremely intimidating.

My story about my friend is almost comical, but it’s only amusing because my friend wasn’t killed.  If he had encountered an attacker who was better prepared mentally, the story would have a tragic ending.

As you consider this anecdote, keep in mind that this same set of circumstances can apply to you in your home.  Surprise.  Fear.  The adrenaline-rush which comes from an emergency situation.  In a similar circumstance, your aim will likely be a bit off, too.  A shotgun can help you compensate.

Think about it.  You hear a noise inside your house; and you grab your gun.  Whether you go to investigate or wait, when you are suddenly confronted by your attacker you will still experience a sense of surprise.  Adrenalin will spike, and your heart will race even faster.  Your aim will be affected.  The advantage of the shotgun is clear.

Mental preparation, and relevant real-world training, are critically important.  Both are needed.

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

Bible, NLT

Practical Training for Shotgun Self-Defense

Though a shotgun is by far the best home defense weapon, it is often difficult to find training opportunities.  Other than training at a firearm self-defense school, probably your best training opportunity is at a range designed for shotgun sports.  These sports are fun, they help you become proficient and safe in operating your gun, plus they are worthwhile from a defensive-training perspective, too.  A great combination.

Of all the shotgun sports, Sporting Clays is perhaps the most useful for developing skills that translate into firearms self-defense proficiency.  Sporting Clays ranges are harder to find than trap or skeet ranges, but the different targets used, and the variety of shooting distances and angles employed, provide a more diverse training experience.  The National Sporting Clays Association can help you find a club near you:  http://www.nssa-nsca.org/index.php/nsca-sporting-clays-shooting/

In competition, you probably will not be allowed to use a tactical shotgun, but rarely does a shotgun club mind if you use a self-defense shotgun on their skeet, trap, 5-stand, or sporting clays range.  (As long as you are following the rules, and using the shotgun ammunition required for that sport).  A few traditionalists may look at you sideways, but you’re not there to be clubby, so don’t let that bother you.

If you want to try using your tactical shotgun on a sporting range, and you don’t know anything about shotgun sports, you might begin with a visit to a “trap” range.  In this, the most basic shotgun sport, a clay disk is launched from next to you or in front of you, and you shoot it out of the sky.  If you don’t know what you are doing, be sure to first get instructions from the range master or knowledgeable friend, before you begin.

If you are using your tactical shotgun for trap, skeet, or another shotgun sport, the key to success is to shoot the clay target when it is closest to you.  This is generally right after the launch when it’s trajectory has it close to where you are standing.  With a tactical shotgun, this is necessary as you need to compensate for the wider spray of pellets that is inherent to a shorter-barrel gun. 

Shotgun Options and Accessories

Some tactical models come with a pistol grip, others without.  Others are offered with a pistol-grip only (no shoulder stock), but most of the tactical shotguns used by the police have a shoulder stock.  (The stock helps the officer shoot more accurately, especially when shooting a target at a distance of more than 50-feet).  Experts debate if it is better to use a model which incorporates a pistol grip with the stock, or a plain shoulder stock.  Both are a fine choice.  Some police departments use a grip model, while others do not.

In the course of providing training for both law enforcement as well as the general public, I have noticed a slight advantage to a pistol-grip equipped tactical shotgun, particularly for those who are new to shotgun shooting.  The pistol grip seems help with natural aiming, especially when shooting from the hip.  Further, inexperienced shooters tend to shoot high with a shotgun, and the pistol grip seems to help them naturally hold the shotgun down and on target.  The pistol grip is also useful for those who want to use advanced combat techniques.

Recoil-Reduction Options

Several of the newer semiautomatic models have remarkable recoil absorbers built into the gun.  This isn’t just padding, it is a number of astonishing technological advancements built into both the gun’s action and stock.  If you are intimidated by the prospect of a shotgun’s recoil (“kick”), one of these new reduced-recoil models will minimize this effect.  The tactical shotgun with the most effective recoil reduction features is the Benelli M2 equipped with Benelli’s patented ComforTech stock (top photo).

If you want to add an aftermarket recoil-reduction system to your gun, consider one of these aftermarket products:  The Mesa Tactical Recoil Reduction System, which uses an Enidine hydraulic piston to reduce recoil, is a top choice (middle photo).  Less expensive options include the GRACO BreaKO stock insert which uses mercury as a buffer.  Or, the Knoxx CompStock which uses friction rollers and springs built into a composite replacement stock, or the Blackhawk SpecOps Gen II (bottom photo) which incorporates a recoil-reduction spring system into a folding stock.

Though I don’t personally recommend it, you can also use reduced-recoil self-defense ammunition in a pump-action gun.  (These low-power shells will not function properly in most semiautomatic shotguns).  These shells aren’t as potent, but they also don’t produce the recoil of a standard self-defense shell.  (See the chapters on ammunition for more on this topic).

Even if you aren’t bothered by the recoil of a shotgun, recoil-reduction is still a topic to consider. Less recoil is not just easier on your shoulder; it also means that you can get the shotgun pointed back at the target much faster.  This is significant.

Shotgun Sights:  No sights?  Iron sights?  Ghost-Ring?  Specialty sights?  What’s best for you?

First, sights are wholly unnecessary on a tactical shotgun that will only be used for self-defense at home.  They are included on some models because a police SWAT officer, as well as a sheriff’s deputy working in a rural area, will use a shotgun for other purposes.  Some of these purposes require sights.  (Above Photo: Ghost-ring sights with glow-in-the-dark Tritium inserts).

For them, these “tactical” shotguns can also be loaded with specialty shells containing powered lead to breach doors and disintegrate locks, shells with crushed glass to shoot out lights, shells for launching teargas grenades, lead slugs to penetrate doors and barriers, and high-velocity long-range sabot rounds to penetrate the engine block of a car.  Sportsmen also use sights if they use their shotgun to hunt game.  So, since sights are useful for these purposes, you often find sights on tactical shotguns.  However, they’re not needed for more routine home self-defense purposes.

Further, some tactical experts think that sights on a shotgun slow target-acquisition (reaction time needed to bring the weapon on-target).  They claim that the user tends to aim-and-shoot rather than instinct shoot.  In my experience, though there may be some truth to this claim, sights do make a tactical shotgun more versatile.

For example, tactical shotguns with sights are routinely carried by bush pilots in Alaska.  They serve well as a multipurpose survival weapon that a downed aviator can use to launch signal flares, shoot game for food, or to provide protection against a grizzly bear.  So as you consider the specifications of the gun you will purchase, it is important for you to also consider what other uses you might have for the gun, in addition to in-home self defense.

In any case, any disadvantage to having sights on a tactical shotgun is nothing that training can’t solve.  You need to make your choice of weapon based on the likelihood and importance of secondary uses you might have for the gun.  Remember, the more you use it, the better you will respond in an emergency situation involving family or self-defense at home.

Of course the best of both worlds, for well-funded SWAT teams and individuals, is to add either an Aimpoint or EOTech sight made for a tactical shotgun.  Expensive, but the results are truly impressive.  I’ve routinely seen inexperienced shooters become proficient in one afternoon using one of these sights:

Aimpoint:  http://www.aimpoint.com/law_enforcement 

EOTech (illustrated in photo):  http://www.eotech-inc.com/product.php?id=9&cat=2

However, this VERY expensive sight is not necessary.  I’ve included this information just round-out this description of options and specifications to consider.  If you are an operator, bush pilot, or you have a thick wallet, consider adding either an Aimpoint or EOTech sight to your self-defense shotgun.  Or, if there is a high likelihood that you will use your tactical shotgun outdoors, too, this type of sight will give you an added edge.

For most people, before opting for an expensive sight, money will be better spent on acquiring a top-notch automatic rather than a pump-action model like those used by SWAT teams and military units.  Until recently the Benelli Tactical shotgun has been top-dog amongst operators, but a new Beretta is now giving the Benelli some competition.  The cost of these semi-automatics is 3-5 times more than a good pump shotgun, but these are certainly impressive weapons:  http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_m4.php

Shotgun Flashlights

Whether confronting an assailant inside or outside your home, there is a good chance that this encounter will occur during hours of darkness.  So, since we can’t count on having adequate illumination when it is needed, it has become popular to mount a flashlight alongside the barrel or magazine of tactical shotguns. 

A few manufactures, such as Mossberg (model: 590A1 Light), offer tactical shotgun models with a flashlight already built in, and this is ideal.  But if you want a light mounted on most home defense shotguns, this will require an after-market addition, such as the replacement forend pictured above (made by Surefire), or a ring-mount which is easily attached to the magazine tube.

Since most people find it necessary to use both hands to carry and fire a shotgun, it is impractical to hold a flashlight, too.  If you are using a pump-model, two hands are required to operate it, so what do you do about light?  There is a good chance that you will need to use your shotgun in a darkened house, alone; this is a serious problem that needs a solution.  FBI statistics make it clear that you are far more likely to need your gun at night.

To solve this dilemma, a number of companies have developed flashlight mounts (Photo: ElZetta ZSM), mountable flashlights (commonly referred to as weapons lights), or special forearm-grips (pictured at top of page) designed to make the flashlight integral to the gun.  While adding a light to your gun is obviously a great idea, unfortunately this is a category of accessories where inferior products abound.  So as with the purchase of the gun itself, it is best to stick with trusted name brands and retailers.

When a shotgun is fired, a conventional flashlight mounted on the gun will often break as a result of the sharp recoil.  Whether it stops functioning because the flashlight bulb couldn’t handle the shock, or because the batteries broke the cap off of the flashlight body, at that point it doesn’t matter what happened.  What does matter is that just when you need a flashlight most, it’s suddenly dark.  This type of failure can bring disastrous consequences. 

Whether you purchase an expensive flashlight and mount which is built-in to the fore-end of your shotgun, a weapons-light which attaches to a rail on the gun, or a less-expensive flashlight which you install on the barrel or tubular magazine of your shotgun using a ring mount, be sure to test it on the gun range.  You need to know that it is reliable.

Another option is to purchase a shotgun which comes with a flashlight already built-in to the forend, such as the new Mossberg 590A1 Light model (see photo).

You don’t need to find a range that is open at night to test your shotgun light.  Just turn it on while at the gun range during daylight hours, and do some shooting.  See if it’s still working when you’re done practicing.

Be sure to test the light by firing at least a dozen of the self-defense shells which you intend to carry in your gun.  If the flashlight remains securely in place and the light still works after your test, you might have found a winner.  But as with anything purchased for an emergency situation, remember the military adage, “one is none, and two is one.”  The point of the adage is this; Murphy’s Law often raises its ugly head at inopportune times.  So be sure to also carry a small high-intensity flashlight in your pocket as a backup, just in case.  Don’t get caught in the dark with a bad guy.

Add-on Aftermarket Accessories for Your Tactical Shotgun

The list seems endless as to the accessories available for a tactical shotgun; energy absorbing stocks, pistol-grip only stocks, slings, sidesaddle ammo holders, ammo pouches, scabbards, lasers, specialty shotgun shells such as rescue flares, cherry-popper shells designed to scare animals, and many other specialty products are available for popular gun models.  Some of these are more useful than others.  For example, a shotgun sling made with a bandolier for extra ammunition will adversely affect your aim if you are moving quickly.  Whatever you purchase, be sure to test it on the shooting range.

Other than a flashlight, the most popular other accessory is a sling with sling-mounts which were made for your model of shotgun.  A word of caution: Adding a sling to a pump-action shotgun can create a problem.  A poorly mounted, or improperly placed sling-mount, can make it difficult to operate the pump action of the gun, so practice with the sling, is essential.  But more to the point, a sling isn’t needed unless you plan to stand guard duty, or carry your shotgun outdoors.  If you gun is exclusively for self defense in your home, this accessory may not be helpful.

Another popular and more useful accessory is the shot-shell sidesaddle.  Most tactical shotguns will hold 6-8 shells, and hopefully this will be more ammunition than you will ever need.  However, many police departments and self-defense experts mount a “sidesaddle” shell holder to the receiver of their gun.  These shell-holders can be used to hold an additional 4-6 shell of your self-defense ammunition, or it can be used to hold specialty shells such as rifled slugs.

For either purpose, with a sidesaddle bolted to your gun’s receiver, these additional shells are close at hand, just in case they are needed.  If you do mount a sidesaddle to your gun, be sure to test fire it after the installation.  If the sidesaddle is mounted too tightly, it can adversely affect the mechanical action of the gun.  Use a drop of Loctite on the threads to make sure it doesn’t come lose over time.

Sidesaddles or stock-sleeves made of elastic are generally not a good idea.  If you store shells in the sleeve, the elastic tends to fatigue over time, so the shells can easily fall out of the elastic bands.  And under recoil, the elastic sleeve which attaches it to the shotgun can shift, and this can cause additional problems.

Where to Buy a Tactical Shotgun

Since tactical shotguns have become so popular, large sporting goods stores or gun shops usually have several available, but don’t limit you purchase options to what a store happens to have in inventory.  Most stores, including Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shop, will order the specific shotgun you want.

Another option is to contact a local gun range or gun club that has a Federal Firearms License (FFL).  Even if you aren’t a member, many will order the gun you want, and only charge you $15-25 to process the federal paperwork.  Using this method, you might be able to get the exact gun your want at just over wholesale price.  But if you do order a gun, be sure to ask about availability and anticipated delivery date, before you make payment. 

Gun shows are another popular option.  The primary benefit of a large gun show is that you will often be able to see and handle dozens of different tactical shotguns as you peruse the different vendor’s booths.  If you purchase from a private party at a gun show or elsewhere, in most States you are not required to complete any paperwork.  Notwithstanding, since most gun show booths are operated by stores or individuals who have a Federal Firearms License, with virtually all of these you will be required to complete the same federal paperwork.  It’s just like a store purchase, but without the storefront.

The downside of purchasing a firearm at a gun show is that you don’t have a store to take the gun to if you have a problem.  Thankfully, there is rarely a problem with a new major-brand firearm, but this is still a consideration.  In any case, the prices at gun show are often not much different from those which you will find at Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shop, but the advantage of seeing before you buy is a strong benefit.  If you don’t know about gun shows in your area, use an Internet search engine and enter:  “gun show, “and your city name and state, plus the “year” to discover what is available in your area.  Expand the location to a different county, or a larger city that is nearby, if you don’t find a .suitable date.

Guns can also be purchased online, but they can only be shipped to a registered Federal Firearm Licensed (FFL) dealer.  Even if you have already paid for a gun online, you won’t be able to pick it up until you complete the federal paperwork and have received government approval.  For details on what it takes to get approved, visit a local gun or sporting goods store for specifics, but basically any mentally stable and upstanding U.S. citizen without a criminal record, can own a tactical shotgun.

Should You Buy a Used Shotgun?

Buying a used gun from a private party or at a gun show is a money-saving option to consider, but personally, I don’t buy a used gun if I think it will ever be used in a self-defense situation.  I want to have total confidence that when I need it, it’ll be in proper working order.  For hunting and target use, no problem, but for self defense, I buy new.

Notwithstanding, if you are intent on buying a used shotgun, bring along a knowledgeable friend to help you inspect the gun.  If possible, take the gun to a range before making your purchase, and test it using different shot-shell loads.  Try it with the powerful 3-inch self-defense loads (00-Buck or #4 Buck) and also with low-power birdshot or target loads.  If the gun fails to work flawlessly, don’t buy it.

If you aren’t able to try the gun before making your purchase, check it over closely for damage and repairs. 

First, open the action and verify that the gun is unloaded, and check the magazine to make sure that there are no shells in the magazine.  (A shotgun may not have a shell in the chamber, but operating the action will draw a shell from the magazine if there are any in the gun, so you need to make sure that the chamber AND the magazine are both empty). 

After you have verified that the gun and magazine are empty, with the action open and exposed to light, look down the barrel to check for pitting or rust.  The bore (inside of the barrel) should be clean and smooth.  Next, hold the shotgun away from you, or have a friend hold it, and inspect the barrel from the top, and then from the side, to make sure that the barrel isn’t bent.  (It may still be bent, but all you can do is check the obvious).

If the surface of the gun or stock shows scratches or wear, this does not mean that the gun should not be considered.  More important than reasonable wear is the condition of the barrel and internal workings, and if the shotgun looks like it has been well cared for by the owner.  If it isn’t clean and well-oiled when you’re looking at it, there is a good chance that it has not received basic care and maintenance.

If you don’t know how to break-down the shotgun as you would for cleaning, have the owner show you how to accomplish this basic-level of disassembly.  Again, look for rust and signs of wear or damage.  Are there any nicks in the interior metal parts or friction points?  Look at the screw heads to see if they are stripped or show telltale signs of disassembly, which may indicate that there has been a problem with the gun.  Operate the action slowly to make sure it functions smoothly and uniformly from start to finish, and then operate the action quickly to make sure it doesn’t hang up or hesitate.

These steps are about all the inexperienced buyer can do to check-out a potential purchase, but be cautious about buying a seemingly fine gun from a flaky seller.  And if you buy a used gun, be sure to take it to the range as soon as possible, to verify that your shotgun is working properly.  If you have a problem and can’t return the gun, take it to a gunsmith right away, to have it repaired.  Don’t trust your life to a gun that may not function properly.

Before you agree to purchase a used gun, get the seller’s assurance that of the gun is 100% sound and in impeccable working order.  Ask them, “Would you trust your life to this gun?”  Get a commitment from the buyer that you can return it if it fails to operate flawlessly.  You may not be able to enforce this warranty, but if the seller seems forthright and honest, this may be the best you can do.  Get a bill of sale, too.  This won’t provide you with full protection if the gun turns out to be stolen, but it will at least show that you tried to be responsible.

If you purchase a gun from a private party, you do not need to register the gun.  However, even though you are not required to complete the gun-transfer paperwork, you still must comply with the law.  If you cannot legally own a firearm, don’t buy one.

A responsible private seller will check the buyer’s drivers license, just to verify that the buyer is a resident of the State, and will ask the buyer if they are a U.S. citizen, and if they can legally possess a firearm.  (There are certain exceptions allowed, but most sellers will only sell to a U.S. citizen who has a valid driver’s license from that State).

But even if the seller doesn’t ask you any questions, it is still your responsibility as the buyer to be certain that you have a legal right to possess a firearm.  Generally, if you are an adult, a U.S. citizen, and without a criminal history, nor a history of mental illness, you can probably own a shotgun – but you need to be aware of the particulars.  If you have any doubt, go to a gun store or sporting goods store that sells firearms, and ask to read the form which gun buyers must complete.  Ignorance of the law and the legal requirements of ownership is not an excuse which will protect you from arrest and prosecution.  If in doubt, verify your status before entering into a transaction.

If you purchase a used gun from a store, or from a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer, you will still need to complete the federal paperwork and undergo the background check, just like you would need to do for the purchase of a new gun.  Thankfully, this whole process can usually be accomplished in 15-20 minutes.

Storage and Quick Access

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about storage and safety.  If you have children in your home, or if children ever visit, it is essential that all weapons be securely locked.  Even those without children living at home can have a surprise visitor by friends with children.  So even if you are 100% confident that you will never have children in your home, just from the standpoint of a burglar stealing your gun when you are not home, it is necessary to keep your guns secure. 

Hiding you gun isn’t enough.  Most guns used by criminals in violent crimes were stolen from someone’s home.  The use of a push-button combination-lock gun safe is a good idea.  These safes come in all forms, including under-bed models such as illustrated in the above photo.

This acknowledged, for a tactical shotgun to be of any benefit in an emergency situation, it must be close and readily accessible.  For this reason many people keep their shotgun behind a bedroom door, or in their closet.  Personally, I appreciate the logic of storing a gun close to where I sleep, but I still believe in the use of gun locks or safes that can be unlocked quickly in the dark.  If children are ever in your home, their safety is worth this 2-second delay.  If you feel nervous at night, or during the day due to some other circumstance, unlock your gun and keep it with you.  But don’t forget to put it away.  Make sure you develop gun safety as a habit.

It’s important to note that most gun locks do not provide a high level of safety, and they certainly don’t keep a burglar from stealing your gun.  Yet, they are far better than no lock when it comes to protecting children. 

Ammunition also needs to be safely stored.  The risk may not be huge in regard to children gaining access, but it is an important courtesy which we need to extend to our firefighters.  If your house ever catches fire, a firefighter shouldn’t have to deal with exploding ammunition.  A standard all-steel military surplus ammo can is a handy and reasonably safe container for the storage of ammunition.  (Locks for these metal boxes are also available).  A used .30 caliber or .50 caliber (photo) ammo box can be purchased at a gun show, online, or at a military surplus store.  These are great for grab-and-go situations, and they also provide a basic level of protection for a firefighter who is trying to save your burning home.

Be safe, but be prepared.

And, don’t be dissuaded.  Please don’t let a naysayer talk you out of getting a home defense shotgun.  Since sporting shotguns and birdshot are inferior for the task of personal protection, many self-proclaimed “experts” don’t understand that a tactical shotgun is the best gun for self defense.  Please understand, I don’t know of any true firearm self-defense expert who doesn’t agree that this type of weapon is the first-choice for at-home self defense.

Beyond its effectiveness in stopping an attacker, in my experience there is yet another benefit to the use of a tactical shotgun, particularly a pump-action shotgun.  Just the sound of racking a shell into the chamber is often enough to scare-off a home invader.  Interviews done with burglars in prison indicate that the #1 most recognizable sound to a criminal who has entered your home, is the distinctive sound made by a pump-action shotgun.

As a police officer armed with my Remington 870 Tactical shotgun, I’ve experienced several occasions when a fellow police officer was pointing his handgun at a criminal who refused to drop his gun—even though my fellow officer was pointing a handgun directly at him from short range.  Usually when I approached with my 870, as soon as I racked a shell into the chamber, they immediately dropped their gun—a far better outcome than having to shoot the cretin.

On one occasion, having responded to a silent burglar alarm at a sporting goods store, I encountered a burglar loading a shotgun.  My partner, who was standing 20-feet away from me and to the side of the burglar, pointed his handgun at the burglar and yelled at him, demanding that he drop the gun.  The burglar looked at him and kept loading his shotgun.  Then I racked the action of my tactical shotgun and pointed it at him, he hesitated as if he was considering his chances against me, and then dropped his shotgun.  Later, when I interviewed him after booking him into jail, he admitted that he would have shot me if I had been holding a handgun rather than the tactical shotgun.

On a number of other occasions when my badge wasn’t enough, the business end of that big 12-gauge was very persuasive.  Sure, someday you may need to shoot.  And if you do, it’s nice to know that you can decisively neutralize the threat.  Yet, for me, one of the greatest benefits of the tactical shotgun is that it looks and sounds intimidating, which means there is a good chance that you won’t need to pull the trigger.

The Law: What is legal in regard to shotguns?

Importantly, I’ve never seen a reputable gun store or sporting goods store offer an illegal weapon for sale.  So buying a gun from a store which has a Federal Firearms License (FFL) is a pretty safe bet.  However, buying a gun from a private party can be a problem, particularly if the owner “built” the tactical or short-barrel shotgun from a sporting gun.  If you are buying a used gun, it is your responsibility to make sure that it is a legal firearm. 

For those who own a hunting shotgun that they don’t use, some are tempted to use a pipe cutter or hacksaw to shorten the barrel, or to cut-down the stock.  Don’t.  This is a quick way to get into serious legal trouble. 

Though there is more to legality than the size of the gun, unless you have a special permit (NFA) from ATF, a shotgun must have a barrel that is at least 18-inches in length and an overall length of 26 ½ inches.  Most firearm manufacturers exceed these minimums by 1/10 – 1/2 inch as a safeguard.  This information is not to be construed as legal advice, and it may also be out of date when you read this, so be sure to check with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) before modifying a shotgun (www.atf.gov).   

Federal law is strict and unforgiving when it comes to modifying weapons.  If you want to adapt a gun that you already own, it is best to purchase a replacement barrel or stock made by a reputable company.  Brownells and Midway USA are two of the many companies that sell legal parts.  However, by the time you add up the cost of a new barrel, stock, and magazine extension tube, your purchases might rival the price of a new gun.  Don’t assume that converting a hunting shotgun will be cost effective.

If you are determined to make your own modifications, be sure that you understand the law.  The website for ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), the primary federal law enforcement agency which deals with firearms, is a good place to start:  www.ATF.gov.  Keep in mind that this agency is aggressive, and ignorance of the law is not an excuse, so be sure that you know what you are doing before you start modifying any firearm.

Though it would seem to be an obvious duty of ATF to provide easy-to-understand details of what the law requires, they apparently do not agree.  It took me more than 6-months to obtain a PDF copy of the ATF handbook on the National Firearm Act which is distributed to law enforcement officers.  This ATF document is now posted on the Resources page of the Texas Republic Firearms Academy (www.TXRFA.com) website.  If you have an Internet connection while reading this book and would like to have this 209-page document, Click Here to download it.

If you are interested in purchasing a tactical shotgun or coach gun with a barrel shorter than 18-inches, you must first pay the NFA tax and obtain a special permit from ATF.  For many people, this may be best accomplished through a legal trust.  One of the most economical ways to undertake this process is to use the legal services of a company such as U.S. Law Shield (www.USLawShield.com).  Expect to pay around $300 to establish an NFA trust, plus another $200 to the government.  The process takes about 6-months to complete.  If you use the legal services of U.S. Law Shield, be sure to enter the Promo Code TXRFA to obtain expeditious help.

Even if you are not interested in NFA, I encourage you to become a member of U.S. Law Shield.  They are expanding nationwide but may not yet be in your state, but if they are, I encourage you to become a member today. 

Membership in U.S. Gun Shield is different than registering for their NFA program.  It is a legal assistance membership, designed to help you if you are ever involved in a shooting.  Speaking as a former police officer, I can tell you that this assistance will likely be a godsend.  Even if you were justified to use your firearm to protect yourself, it is still a big plus to have an attorney in your corner, helping you deal with the legal system.  U.S. Law Shield has attorneys who specialize in this area of law, and their counsel can be invaluable.  Membership in U.S. Law Shield gets you free legal counsel and representation.  The promise of this legal assistance is worth every penny of the membership fee.  For more on this service, visit U.S. Law Shield (www.USLawShield.com).  If you use the Optional Promo Code TXRFA you will receive two free months of membership.

Copyright (c) 2012 Sig Swanstrom / www.TXRFA.com

Author’s Post Script

Things are not getting better.  Unfortunately, just the opposite seems to be the case.  If one day you wake up and find that you need a gun for family or personal protection, and you don’t have one, it will be too late.  I urge you to act now.  If you have read this e-book you should now have enough information to make an informed purchase decision.  Get going and order your gun, and buy a quantity of ammunition, get training, then practice regularly, and live as an alert person. 

You do not need to live in fear.  Don’t let yourself become paranoid.  Rather, be prepared, watchful and ready.  For more on family and personal preparedness, visit:  www.36ReadyBlog.com.  If you would like to contact the author, use the “Contact Us” portion of that website.

About the Author

Sig Swanstrom

As a police officer and SWAT team operator in the Los Angeles area, SIG routinely experienced deadly-force encounters with armed criminals.  In these situations, as a uniformed patrol officer he was generally armed with a handgun or tactical shotgun, and as a SWAT team operator he was typically armed with a tactical rifle or submachine gun.  Since he has personally used all four types of firearms in deadly-force encounters, this helps make his advice real-world practical.

As a police detective and crime scene investigator (CSI), SIG investigated many criminal cases in which handguns, shotguns, and rifles were used against innocent people.  And, he also investigated incidents where law abiding citizens used these guns against their assailants.

After retiring from law enforcement, SIG lived in Guatemala for a number of years during that country’s bloody civil war.  Again he had the opportunity to be involved with all four types of firearms, and to experience the benefits and shortcomings of each type of weapon in real-world WTSHTF encounters.

Raised in California and Washington State, SIG graduated with a university degree in Criminology.  After college, he became a police officer in a border town near Seattle, and two years later he transferred to the Los Angeles area to continue his law enforcement career.

After several years as a uniformed patrol officer, SIG became a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), and was subsequently promoted to Detective.  After joining the SWAT team, SIG was certified as a firearms and explosives expert, nuclear disaster monitor, and was trained by the US Secret Service in Executive Protection.  One of his SWAT duties was to provide protection for high-profile or high-risk principals.  One ongoing assignment was to serve as the personal bodyguard for Ronald Reagan.  (This was during the period after Reagan was governor of California, but before he officially announced his candidacy for president of the United States).

During SIG’s law enforcement career he was named “Police Officer of the Year,” and he was the recipient of Commendation for Valor and numerous other awards and citations.  Today he is owner of Texas Republic Firearms Academy (www.TXRFA.com), a school which provides firearm self-defense training in handgun, rifle, and tactical shotgun to the general public, as well as training for law enforcement agencies (both nationally and internationally).

Copyright (c) 2012 Sig Swanstrom / www.TXRFA.com

TXRFA Firearms Safety Rules

(Adapted from the NRA Gun Safety Rules)

1.  Treat all guns as if they are always loaded and ready to fire.

Using good common sense is the first rule of firearms safety.  If you observe unsafe behavior immediately take appropriate action, and bring the violation to the attention of the Range Master or your instructor.

2.  Always keep a gun pointed in a safe direction.

Always point the muzzle in a safe direction; never point a firearm at anyone or anything you are not willing to destroy. 

A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off accidently, it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the barrel is pointed at all times.  Keeping a gun pointed downrange or in a safe direction when not on the gun range, and at a downward angle (approximately a 45-degree downward angle), is generally the safest.  However, common sense dictates the safest direction, and this can change as circumstances change. 

Even when putting a gun into a holster or storage container, make sure that the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction until the gun is safely secured.

3.  Never touch the trigger unless you are ready to shoot.

Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target and you have made the decision to shoot.

When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger-guard (not the trigger) or along the side of the gun. Do not touch the trigger until you are actually ready to fire.  When putting a gun in a holster, storage container or anywhere else, watch to make sure that nothing snags the trigger.

4.  Be sure of your target—and what is behind it.

Confirm your target before pointing your gun at it.  Be aware of what is behind your target.

Even if the area between you and your target is clear, the area behind your target may make it unsafe for you to shoot.  Bullets penetrating the target, or missing the target, go somewhere.  Also, a ricochet can still be deadly, so consider this possibility before shooting. 

Since a bullet can travel more than a mile, it is essential that you are sure of your backstop.  It is essential to use due care and caution to avoid unintended consequences of death, injury or property damage.  Never shoot unless you are sure that the area is safe, and that you have a legal right to shoot.

5.  Always keep the gun securely locked or unloaded until ready to use.

The act of legally carrying a concealed weapon is “use” of the gun, so carrying a loaded gun in a safe concealed-carry holster is reasonable as long as proper safety precautions are observed.  However, other guns should be kept securely locked or unloaded until they are ready to be used. 

Guns should be transported to and from the gun range unloaded. When possible, semi-automatic firearms should be transported to the range with the action open and magazine removed.  No unlocked firearms should be handled in the parking lot of the gun range.

For TXRFA range instruction and gun range activities, guns should be transported to the range in either a locked container, or with a highly-visible gun lock installed.  Guns must be inspected by a TXRFA instructor or the Range Master prior to being unlocked.  Guns cannot be handled until the TXRFA instructor or Range Master directs the student(s) to ready their firearm for inspection or use.  Even locked and unloaded guns must always be pointed in a safe direction.

6.  The first activity of handling a firearm is to render it safe and verify that it is unloaded.

While keeping the muzzle of the gun pointed in a safe direction, remove the magazine (clip) if it has one, open the action of the firearm, and verify that it is unloaded.  Be sure to look, and also to manually check the chamber with your finger, to verify that a cartridge is not inserted.

Whenever a firearm is handed to another person, repeat this exercise, and show the open action and unloaded condition to that person, before handing it to them.

When receiving a firearm from another person, repeat this same process even if you have already observed that the gun is unloaded.

7.  Never rely on a gun’s safety mechanism, or a mechanical device, to render it safe.

Any mechanical safety device can fail.  Always treat a gun as if it is loaded and ready to fire.

8.  When at the gun range, do not handle a firearm except as directed by your instructor or Range Master.

Wait for instructions before handling a firearm at the gun range.  Firearms should only be handled when on the firing line, and only after verifying that no one is downrange or forward of your location. 

When it is your turn to approach the firing line, when directed by the Range Master or your instructor, remove your gun from its place of storage and only when no one is forward of the firing line.

Know the rules for the gun range you are using, and the commands which will be used on the range, and what they mean.

Do not handle a firearm at the range, or in the parking lot of the range, except as directed by the Range Master or your instructor.  Do not handle a firearm except on the firing line. 

Do not handle a gun when anyone has moved forward of the firing line, when the firing area has become unsafe, or when targets are being replaced or adjusted.

When at the range, never shoot at anything other than your assigned target.  Make sure that the target area is free from rocks, metal and other objects which might cause a bullet to ricochet. 

9.  Be sure that the gun you are about to use is safe to operate; and that you know how to operate it safely, before loading it.

It is the responsibility of the user of a gun to make sure that it is safe and in good working condition; and that the user knows how to render the gun safe, how to load and unload it, how the mechanism operates, how to clean and maintain it, and (if a semiautomatic) how to disassemble and reassemble it after cleaning and lubrication.

Even if you are familiar with the weapon, it should be inspected before you load it, to make sure that it is safe and that the action and barrel is clear and free of obstructions.  Ammunition should be similarly inspected to make sure that it is undamaged and clean.  Do not use damaged, corroded or dirty ammunition.

If you are not familiar with the gun you are about to use, learn how to use it before you load it.  And, know what to do in the event of a misfire.  If the gun is old or may be damaged, have it inspected by a licensed gunsmith before attempting to use it.

10.  Use only ammunition that is appropriate for the gun you are about to use.

Use only clean, non-corroded, undamaged ammunition in your gun.  And, only use ammunition of the type and caliber recommended by the manufacturer.  If the gun is new to you, confirm a match between the gun and ammunition.  Note: the caliber and ammunition type is stamped into the barrel or action of the gun.  Compare this to the ammunition box and the base of the handgun cartridge.  If in doubt, do not proceed until you have verified that the ammunition is appropriate for the gun. 

Further, even ammunition which is suitable for use in a particular firearm may not be suitable for in every situation.  Or, it may not be approved or appropriate for the gun range or place where you plan to shoot.  Some calibers, loads and bullet types are not allowed on a particular range due to their power, environmental considerations, tendency to ricochet, or because they are of a type that is likely to damage the range.  Similar factors must be considered when you plan to use the ammunition anywhere else.  Tracers, armor piercing and various other specialty-ammunition types are also illegal to use.

Ammunition used for any Texas Republic Firearms Academy class or activity must be SAAMI approved.  SAAMI ammunition includes most major brands such as:  Black Hills, Cor-Bon, Federal, Fiocchi, Hornandy, Remington, Sellier and Bellot, Speer, Ultra Max, and Winchester.  Brands specifically prohibited are: Magtech, Monarch, Wolf, and any ammunition manufactured in Russia, China or one of the former Easter Bloc countries.  Further, no re-loads or hand-loads are permitted at any Texas Republic firearms Academy sponsored activity.

For self-defense use, use only quality ammunition of a type designed for self-defense, and made by one of the SAAMI approved manufacturers.

11.  When in the proximity of someone who is shooting, utilize appropriate safety equipment.

Whether on the grounds of a gun range or shooting anywhere else, wear suitable safety equipment. 

When on the range for TXRFA activity, even when not on the firing line, appropriate safety equipment must be worn.  This includes:

a) Eye-protection in the form of safety glasses, shooting glasses, or prescription glasses made from polycarbonate and of a design and material that is suitable for protecting the wearer’s eyes.  Note: It is the responsibility of the individual to make sure that eye protection is adequate.

 b) Hearing protection which is muff-style, that has a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 27 or higher, but still allows the wearer to hear range commands.  (Ear plugs may be worn in addition to ear-muffs for added hearing protection).  However, ear-muff style protection is required so that the instructor and Range Master can see that everyone has ear protection in place.  Also, recent studies indicate that the area behind the ear (protected by muff-style hearing protection) is also vulnerable and may be susceptible to hearing damage if not protected.

12.  No guns are allowed in a classroom being used by Texas Republic Firearms Academy.

Except for those guns carried or used by TXRFA instructors or certified law enforcement officers, weapons are not allowed in the classroom.  This also applies to those who have a State issued license authorizing them to carry a concealed handgun.

13.  Alcohol and/or drugs do not mix with firearms use.

Do not carry or use a firearm if you have been drinking any alcoholic beverage or using any drug that might impair your judgment, or your ability to safely operate a gun.  It is not sufficient that you are not intoxicated.  Even the smallest impairment due to alcohol consumption or drug use is unacceptable.  This includes the use of legal drugs which are prescribed by a doctor.  If the medication has a cautionary label warning about possible adverse effect to your driving ability or the use of equipment, do not carry or use a firearm until the effects of that drug are completely out of your bloodstream.

14.  No horseplay or “joking around” when handling a firearm; or when on the firing-line.

Gun use is serious business.  Firearm safety and range safety must always be in the forefront of thought and actions when dealing with firearms.  Joking and horseplay can be a distraction to you or other shooters, so save it for later when guns are not involved.   

15.  Keep your firearms secure and safe.

Even a firearm that is being legally carried should be transported in a secure holster or container, and never allowed to be out of your immediate control. 

An unattended firearm is a danger to children, and to adults who do not know how to safely handle a firearm.  Stored firearms should be unloaded, locked, and securely stored so that a burglar or thief cannot easily use or steal the gun.  Criminals rarely purchase guns from a store; they either steal their guns or purchase a stolen gun.  Don’t inadvertently arm a criminal as a result of your negligent storage.

It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely to be and can obtain access to a firearm.  (46.13a-g). Even if you are confident that your child is mature enough to handle a firearm, their friends may not be.  Except when used under your supervision and a few other specific exceptions, it is a crime to let a person under 18-years of age to gain access to a firearm.

For extended storage and in situations where a gun safe is not available, consider storing the slide, bolt, and other components of the gun separately.  Still utilize a gun lock to keep the gun inoperable even if the pieces are found and reassembled.

Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules.

16.  Clean and lubricate your firearm after each use.

Regular cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time that it is used.  For extended storage, use gun oil or a metal preservative made specifically for gun storage.  Most lubricants do not adequately protect gunmetal from rust.  Additionally, handguns used for concealed carry should be wiped-down with a gunmetal preservative or silicon-impregnated cloth daily, especially if carried in a warm or humid climate.

A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.  Heavily oiled barrels can cause a bullet to be unstable in flight and inaccurate.

Before cleaning your gun, check and double-check to make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. 

Use your eyes to visually inspect the firearm, and then insert your little finger into the chamber to make a tactile (by feel) check to confirm that the weapon is unloaded.  The gun's action should be open during the cleaning process.  Confirm that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.  Do not clean your gun when you are tired, or if you have consumed alcohol, drugs, or any medicines that might cloud or impair your judgment.  Remember that even during the activities of cleaning a firearm; it must always be pointed in a safe direction.

17.  Do not dry fire or quick-draw your gun in an unsafe place or manner.

A gun should not be dry fired (the trigger pulled on an empty gun) and quick-draw should not be practiced, except when an accidental discharge would not bring the risk of death, injury or unintended property damage.  Treat all guns as if they were loaded and ready to fire.

Quick-draw practice, or quickly removing a gun from a holster or storage device, can be extremely dangerous.  If you elect to engage in such practice, you need to begin with slow-draw, and over time gradually build to a more rapid presentation of the handgun.  The trigger-finger should never touch the trigger until the gun is on target.  Quick-draw practice also brings a much greater risk of self-injury.  Whether engaged in quick-draw or slow draw of a firearm, holsters and clothing can snag or impede the draw (presentation) of a handgun or accidently pull the trigger, so extreme care must be used to avoid an accidental discharge.

Remember, it is rarely the speed of your draw that will save the day; it is the accuracy of your shots.  The benefit of a quick-draw is overrated.  We do not allow quick-draw on the range.

To download a PDF of these safety rules formatted for printing, visit:

www.TXRFA.com