Many people (even crazy Joe Biden) think that having a shotgun on hand is the ideal self-defense weapon. And, certainly, there are some reasons to consider having a shotgun. The spread of the shot makes precise aiming less critical to do damage (especially useful in a high stress self-defense situation). The use of shot helps to minimize accidental injury of people that you aren’t intending to hit because the shot is less likely to penetrate walls and injure someone else.
So, with these benefits in mind, the next question is to decide which one to get. Fortunately, Evan Brune gives us eight choices of shotguns whose average prices fall below $200 USD. They are:
- Mossberg Maverick 88
- Interstate Arms Hawk Model 982
- Iver Johnson PAS12 Pump
- Savage-Stevens 320 Security Pump
- ATI S-Beam MB3-R Pump
- LSI Escort AimGuard
- Harrington & Richardson Pardner Pump Protector
- Dickinson XX3B-2 Commando Pump
Now, to be up front (and this will matter to some of you), not all of these shotguns are manufactured in the U.S. That’s just one of the unfortunate side effects of other countries who are willing to pay their labor much lower wages than U.S. manufacturers. So, if this is an issue for you, be prepared to pay more.
However, for those of you who are not concerned about in which country your shotgun is manufactured, all of these firearms are worth considering. All of these shotguns are chambered in 12-gauge, so ammunition will be relatively easy to find wherever you happen to be.
Then, there is the benefit of the pump action itself which, for many people, is the consistency and reliability. Simply put, they aren’t likely to jam.
And there is the fact that the sound of racking the shotgun is unmistakable to everyone. If someone attacks you, they don’t have to see you to know that you are armed. The sound of racking that shotgun will make it crystal clear to them that you are dangerous, and this will discourage many encounters.
All-in-all, a shotgun can be a great choice for self-defense especially for home defense, so, in that light, one of these eight models may be worth your consideration.
About the Harvard study, The anti-gunners will NEVER believe the facts. MORE GUNS in the hands of law-abiding citizens means LESS CRIME.
Much agreed
Amen Rich
I just wanted to comment on the part about racking your shotgun letting an intruder know you’re armed. By racking your shotgun you just gave away your location and the fact that you are armed. You have now lost the element of surprise. You have a tactical advantage because you know the layout of your home. And anyone in your home not invited should be considered armed and hostile.
This article is absolutely WRONG on two points:
1) At self-defense distances, the shot spread is only axial — the actual shot group can be covered with a teacup. It only spreads at longer distances– unless you have a special diffuser choke which you are not going to find on these low cost shotguns.
2) For self-defense, you should always have a shell in the action. The sound of racking the shotgun will expose your position if you have to do it to load the chamber. Doing it with the chamber loaded loses you one shot. Having an intruder know you are armed is just as likely to get him to shot you if he is armed. Jacking the gun (just like Joe Biden) is a really, really stupid. You should only do this for your SECOND shot.
Then why does this country have the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world? As I understand the numbers, there are enough firearms in this country to arm every woman, man, and child, or close to it and that doesn’t count the military, including the National Guard. Why do we have so many mass shootings? I mean the U.S. may be the richest country in the world but do we really have to be Number 1 in these metrics?
we are not number 1 in mass shootings or mass murder… and as a defensive weapon the shotgun is not used individual shooters to attack groups of people… oh and we do not need so many automobiles and light trucks… France and Great Britain are having a rash of mass murders by vehicle…
i so agree but who really c this people who care?????
YHOS WHOLE THING WAS USELESS YOU HAVE NOTHING ON HERE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN BUY ONE AND HOW MUCH THAT IS WHY IT IS A WORTHLESS PIECE OF INFO OR SHOULD I SAY LACK OF INFO
Hits from a shotgun are also more apt to be fatal or debilitating than from a rifle or a handgun. A 12 gauge with 00 Buck is probably the king of one shot stops!
Yes 00 buck is good if you live in your own home, but in a multi-family dwelling with thin walls it is a sure fire way to injure or kill innocents. a 12 ga. A 00 buck shell contains 9 38 cal. slugs that have the capacity to penetrate these thin walls and do serious damage to anyone on the other side. I am a former U.S. Army Ranger so I know what I am talking about.
While my 982 Hawk shotgun was made in China I spent another $100 or so on North American (the S&J follower is Canadian) parts and labor upgrading the gun. I already had two tactical shotguns when I bought the Hawk so the $100 is money I would not otherwise have spent.
no guns means there would be no USA. More murders by criminals. Get real people
WHAT’S WRONG IS THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH FATHER’S TO TRAIN THEIR CHILDREN HOW AND WHEN TO USE A FIREARM. IT’S NOT THE FIRST THING YOU GO FOR, IT’S THE LAST RESORT!!!
Comments are closed.