YoungMilsurpGuy
Sharpshooter
Well I cant sleep and I was wondering why it seems the 12 gauge shotgun for SHTF preps and HD is on the decline?
I understand alot of ex military and competitive guys have huge amounts of time on the AR and it makes sense,but for my relatively college age and less experiance (and generally close to broke) buddies, I have been steering them towards good old12 gauge pumps like a maverick 88 or the Chinese 870 clone.
I understand also that if your running as part of a team, especially with LE or mil/ex mil guys and have a bunch of spare parts and ammo and expertise with the platform the AR again might be a better choice, but I submit for the average joe just looking for a gun, the cheap defensive/general purpose shotgun might be a better choice.
I see it, for a home defense scenario, you have several benefits, namely
-Greater terminal effect (3 inch buckshot is pretty gnarly)
-Damned near close to 100% reliability(a big plus especially if your spending under $300 or building a budget AR)
-Range is not as much a factor
-Exceptionally cheap
-Birdshot for practice and to shoot clays with can be had for the same price or less as brass cased .223/5.56 or .40
And for a survival scenario
-ammo can be loaded very easily with almost no tools and improvised propellants. I have loaded shotgun shells with a nail, block of wood, dowel, BBs and ground up sparklers
-can be used for small game and bird hunting
-most realistic SHTF engagements will be up close and personal, house to house and face to face, not shooting suppressive fire at UN troops or ISIS on a ridgeline 400 yards away.
-The only real spare parts you need to keep it running is a bore snake, maybe a spare extractor, and some motor oil to use as lube.
I understand alot of ex military and competitive guys have huge amounts of time on the AR and it makes sense,but for my relatively college age and less experiance (and generally close to broke) buddies, I have been steering them towards good old12 gauge pumps like a maverick 88 or the Chinese 870 clone.
I understand also that if your running as part of a team, especially with LE or mil/ex mil guys and have a bunch of spare parts and ammo and expertise with the platform the AR again might be a better choice, but I submit for the average joe just looking for a gun, the cheap defensive/general purpose shotgun might be a better choice.
I see it, for a home defense scenario, you have several benefits, namely
-Greater terminal effect (3 inch buckshot is pretty gnarly)
-Damned near close to 100% reliability(a big plus especially if your spending under $300 or building a budget AR)
-Range is not as much a factor
-Exceptionally cheap
-Birdshot for practice and to shoot clays with can be had for the same price or less as brass cased .223/5.56 or .40
And for a survival scenario
-ammo can be loaded very easily with almost no tools and improvised propellants. I have loaded shotgun shells with a nail, block of wood, dowel, BBs and ground up sparklers
-can be used for small game and bird hunting
-most realistic SHTF engagements will be up close and personal, house to house and face to face, not shooting suppressive fire at UN troops or ISIS on a ridgeline 400 yards away.
-The only real spare parts you need to keep it running is a bore snake, maybe a spare extractor, and some motor oil to use as lube.