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Shotty or Ar platform for CQC?

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Shotty vs Ar?

2K views 22 replies 15 participants last post by  Bindernut 
#1 ·
So been thinking about it. Should I get a shotty? I mean seriously how practical is that? With all the improvements and variations of rifles what's my advantage?

They are heavier, less multifunctional, and less adaptable.

The only plus side is I would say there is more and different types of ammo available for a 12 gauge than any other weapon.

Thoughts???
 
#2 ·
Given the question (CQC) a shotgun is a natural. It's a short ranged weapon, that's very hard to miss with, has good stopping power, and is pretty easy to prevent from over penetrating.
Although, whichever you feel more comfortable with is likely the right answer.
 
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#3 ·
What are you using it for? If home defense, do you live in town or in the country? Do you have children in the house? There are so many variables. I own both. Different guns for different applications. I dont think we can answer your question in the manner it was posed.
 
#4 ·
Good point. No kids. Urban environment. The primary intention would be for home defense. Building/house clearing.

I suppose my primary hang up is I have a handgun and a long range weapon. Where's my medium length coverage?

Anything less than 50 yds and I can be truly confident. But passed that things start to get if'y.
 
#5 ·
Considering the wide power range of a shotgun, from light loads suitable for small game to some serious thumpers like slugs and a shotgun starts becoming a serious contender. With multiple barrels one platform can pretty much do it all. Best of all there's multiple choices of semi-auto platforms featuring internal/external recoil compensation adaptable to iron and optical sights. As for range, most good slug barrels will group into an 8" pie plate to 150 yds.

Add to this an almost infinite variety barrels, magazines, loaders, stocks, rails and sight systems and you have just about all the weapons found in a short platoon. The only drawback ? The ammo is heavy and bulky.

Also consider a shotgun can serve as the basis for a lot of "roll you own " rounds fabbed from available materials for specific purposes. I'd even recommend thinking hard on finding a smoothbore front loader as well. >MW
 
#6 ·
Sounds to me like you answered your own question. The shotgun is most likely the right choice. Are you married? I would consider the possibility of her having to shoot it too. Make sure its something she can handle.
 
#7 ·
Shotguns are LIGHTER than AR's, more effective at ranges that can be reasonably claimed for self defense, cheaper, much more useful, don't have to look like ninja zombie killers to juries etc. I just bought a Mossberg 500 at Wally World for $209 plus tax. Actually there is no way that I can think of where an AR comes close to being as good for home defense as a cheap pump shotgun.
 
#8 ·
I agree with DD that you answered your own ?.

Except i think you answered rifle.

It can fill the CQC and the mid range youre referring to. Not sure about the weight. Especially when you include 30rds of ammo for ea.

While I agree some shotgun platforms COULD hit a pie plate at 150yds, it'll prob take enough $ for said platform to buy a rifle AND a mossberg 500/ Remington 870/ etc...
 
#11 ·
I just don't want to be a "4 gunner". And I figure enough people own AR's that if the SHTF I'm sure I can find someone to be my support.

Thanks for the input. I'm glad others opinions and experiences have helped guide me.

Now onto which shotty to get? Lol different question for a different thread.

Love the Benelli M4, not sure I'm ready to drop 1400 on it though. Mossberg 930 it is.
 
#12 ·
I also agree....for close-in home defense a good shotgun is the way to go.

You've got a handgun for last-ditch close quarters shots if a rifle or shotgun don't keep the bad guys off you. Doubtful that many will get beyond a good base of fire from a shotgun though.

What is your long-range weapon and what do you consider long-range? If it's the average high-power hunting rifle, or even a 1000yd tacti-cool centerfire (.308, .30-06, .300WM, bigger etc) then it'll be perfectly happy "close-in" at 100yds or even down to 50yds or right off the muzzle if needed.


Hands down, a 20 or 12ga shotgun is the most versatile firearm that you can have on hand.
I always look at it like my ancestors did it when they came over to this country and homesteaded in the late 19th & early 20th century. They usually had one or two firearms on the farm. Didn't have a lot of money to own a whole collection of specific purpose guns like many of use do nowadays so what they had was practical. One was a .22 rifle (usually a single shot back then), and the other was a shotgun (also usually a single-shot). For the little critters you grabbed the .22 but for anything bigger you grabbed the "Long Tom" from over the mantle. What you were after determined what you shoved in the chamber...anything from birdshot to buckshot to lead ball(slug). What load you had determined the range you could cover, but that shotgun would be useable out to 100yds or even a bit further if needed. If it was farther out than that, you needed to put the stalk on it and get close enough for that slug to work.

Generally, my farm gun has a short modified choke barrel and is loaded with #4 buckshot. It'll take coyotes or other critters out to 50yds with no problems. Anything further and I'm grabbing a rifle.
In the house (both at the farm and in town) I've got a short open-choke 12ga with the same #4 buckshot load. It only patterns decent out to about 15yds but in the house or immediately outside it gets done what I need it to. It will do it's purpose on two legged varmints too if needed.
 
#15 ·
My choice for a home defense gun is the 12 gauge shot gun, a 20 would work well too. My reasoning is that I have a better chance to make a one shot stop with the shot gun over the .223. I'm rural, so over penetration of walls is not a problem here. I do have rifles that would work well as a HD gun, but I like the 00 Buck, and slugs loaded in my shot gun over the single bullet from a rifle. And don't for get that you can usually find a really decent shot gun at the pawn shop for whole lot less money than an AR.
 
#16 ·
I use an AR for my home protection. It has a double mag plugged into it giving me 60 rounds. As for a shotgun, I have a couple. I have a pistol grip mossberg 12ga and I just bought a couple ATI pump 12ga for 99.00 each from Palmetto state armory. Great gun for home defense and for 99.00 it couldnt be beat...
 
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#17 ·
Stick a mag extender on that shot gun. Mine holds 7, but I've seen some that hole a couple a dozen!
 
#19 ·
I agree on the shot gun. My wife has a short barreled pump .410 with #4 shot, next to the bed on her side. she also has a .380 in the headboard.
I have a pump Mossberg 12 gauge with BB'S and buck shot, and a .45 on my side.
Lord I hope no one ever breaks in.... not going to be their day
Our biggest hassle is putting them up and getting them out daily.............but we can live with that!!!!
 
#21 ·
A 12ga Shotgun can't be beat for home defense especially with a 18" smoothbore barrel. My home defense rig is a Mossberg Maverick 88 Security 6 Shot loaded to the brim with 0000 buckshot. I picked mine up at Academy 7-8 years ago for $165.00 and with close to 5,000 shells through it over the years I trust my life with it.
 
#22 · (Edited)
I just have to ask! You all own semi-auto pistols, and rifles, why not semi-auto shotguns? My HD shotgun.
 

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#23 ·
I just have to ask! You all own semi-auto pistols, and rifles, why not semi-shotguns? My HD shotgun.
You know...that's not a bad question. I dunno why I have 870s as my choice of SD shotguns.
Probably because I grew up with the 870 as THE pump to have for any use. I've got friends with Mossberg 500s that look down their noses at my 870s...and I probably do the same at the Mossy. :)
But the 500 would be my second choice to the 870. Or maybe an Ithaca 37, or a Browning BPS, or a Winchester 1300...as long as it's a pump I feel comfortable with it. I just have a distrust for the gas-operated semis.

I might trust a Browning A-5 or one of it's clones for an SD gun, but for some reason the gas-operated semis give me a bad feeling about reliability. I know they run just fine if the o-rings are kept clean and lubed...but I'm kinda bad about neglecting my shotguns compared to my rifles and handguns. Shotguns get broke down and cleaned once a year at my place. Yea...I know...I should treat em better than that.
 
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