Shotguns are the best choice for an "Only" Gun.

[skeet]

You are right Jack. It isn't a lot of fun doing it but the shotgun sabot thing is like 22 cal rimfire. You have to shoot the darn things to find what shoots best. Luckily I only had to try 3 before I found one that shot great in my 11-87.. The blasted things are painful to shoot from the bench but nowdays they have lead sleds. makes it easier. BTW if you find what shoots good buy quite a few. I bought a case sold a few to recoup some of my initial cost The sabots are not inexpensive... and in fact some are terribly expensive now

[270man]

As one who has pondered a "best" choice firearm for home defense (and maybe camp and truck as well), I've enjoyed the many comments about the scattergun. Recently I was reading an old article by gun writer Sam Fadala titled "Home Defense Firearms". Here are his recommendations with some comments: (1) short-barrel double (side-by-side OR O/U), (2) 20-gauge, (3) #4 buckshot, (4) external hammers.

Sam believes that the 20-ga with #4 buckshot has all the power and pellets needed to stop an agressor and yet not penetrate interior walls. He likes external hammers since the springs remain at rest for long periods and are strong enough that they are hard for children to pull them back into full-cock position. O/U shotguns of this type aren't readily available but the Armsport company used to make such a side-by-side shotgun in 12-gauge. I'm not sure if it is still in business.

270man

[Rapier]

270,
There is an error in that article and the author's idea that #4 buck fired inside a house, will not penetrate an interior wall, it will sail right through it if its sheet rock. As a matter of fact # 7 1/2 will put a good many shot through both sides. The safest gun in a house is a shotgun with say #9 or smaller shot, it makes a big nasty hole, full of shot, and is least likely to penetrate into other rooms through walls. We did tests on this at the range, and it still penetrates sometimes, depending on distance from the wall.

Oh, yes in a house the distances are real short for a shotgun and with a shot cup, shot does not spread much, if at all, shot is like a slug at a distance of about 15 feet. So it is still a know what is beyond your target deal.
Ed

[Skinny Shooter]

Adam I agree with your thoughts.
I only use 00 Buck in my 12ga.
This website has done some interesting tests:
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm

The following is why I won't use something smaller.
Birdshot might work if you pop someone in the head at extreme close range but who can do that in the dark at 3am after waking up from a deep sleep?
Besides, Dick Cheney is still walking as a free man...

http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=176

Some hollow point pistol bullets may fill up with clothing fibers and fail to expand. Someone shot with birdshot while wearing heavy clothing and/or is high on whatever, might just shrug it off and then kill you.

Allen

[8X56MS]

I do not think I would recommend a shotgun as an 'only' gun for a rural resident. Oh, I would certainly say they should have a shotgun, but 'only' is the part I have a problem with,
A good .22 rifle, and another with a bit more umph is what I would suggest. No gun satisfies every need. Even a former city dweller can be trained.

[Adam Helmer]

8X56MS,

Perhaps I was unclear in my original post. I will restate for clarification: I had well-to-do urban neighbors buy and reside on a nearby farm. They had 90 acres and farm buildings. They had wildlife issues with their livestock and called 911 and were told to call the game warden, county sheriff or whatever. They received minimal service and asked me for advice. I told them to buy a pump 12 or 20 gauge shotgun and protect their chicken coop from raccoons.

I did not say a shotgun "was an only gun." I said my neighbors did not want ANY guns, but if they had ONLY ONE gun, I RECOMMENDED a shotgun because they had no firearms aiming skills and a shotgun covers much aiming inability. I agree with you, all farms need a .22 rifle, a shotgun and a deer rifle. When the farmers desire to own NO guns, where would you start?

Most old folks here are gun oriented, but many new rural residents do not share our regard for firearms. Start from there and try to assist as I did.

Adam

[wrenchman]

i no friends that live in rural areas and that all they have is shot guns.
rifes are not allowed for deer hunting were they live and they have realy never thougt about a hand gun becouse there kids hunt with them same guns.

[Adam Helmer]

As an update to this thread: Last week a friend and live-alone widow on rural 65 acres nearby asked for gun advice. She has a few bears that continue to come up onto her rear porch/deck and press on the sliding glass doors. She has no guns and deems a gun would be prudent if the bears get into her house. She has no gun experience and calling 911 is not an option.

We met at a local gun shop and there was a single barrel 20 gauge hammer shotgun on the used rack for $75.00. My friend bought the gun and a pair of ear muffs. At her farm we test fired light field loads, #3 Buckshot and slugs out of the 20 gauge gun. After a good range session, I left her with a gun to deal with critters on her land.

Again, I will say, "For those who only want one gun, the shotgun IS the gun."

Adam