Why the decline in SHTF/HD shotguns?

[cosermann]

One nice thing about the shotty is that it's more politically correct in most locations (if that's a factor for a particular person/situation).

 

[rhino]

AR or AK are significantly easier to use effectively than a shotgun.

AR or AK are significantly easier on the user when training or practicing.

For defense use against 2-legged critters (not hunting), I maintain that AR/AK is more versatile than a shotgun.

Anyone can be trained to use an AR/AK very quickly. Some people will never be able to tolerate 12ga recoil (or even 20ga in some cases).

AR/AK are more precise, especially at distances greater than 10 m.

 

[cosermann]

AR or AK are significantly easier to use effectively than a shotgun...

I think this is an often overlooked factor by those who haven't studied the shotgun much.

* Can you take that head shot with your shotgun and your shells at 30 feet?
* Can you take that shot with your shotgun and your shells at 35 yards and keep all the pellets on the target?
* At what distance do you have to select for a slug?
* How far can you hit with that slug holding on the same point of aim?

All of the above can be done with the shotty, but to do so consistently and effectively requires an intimate knowledge of your gun and your loads.

Change the barrel or load and you need to start over. Fairly complicated to do well and keep track of it all.

Much easier with an AR or AK and with neither does an ammo change have such a potentially significant impact as with the shotgun.

 

[YoungMilsurpGuy]

AR or AK are significantly easier to use effectively than a shotgun.

AR or AK are significantly easier on the user when training or practicing.

For defense use against 2-legged critters (not hunting), I maintain that AR/AK is more versatile than a shotgun.

Anyone can be trained to use an AR/AK very quickly. Some people will never be able to tolerate 12ga recoil (or even 20ga in some cases).

AR/AK are more precise, especially at distances greater than 10 m.

Yeah I will give you the point that the shotgun is best used by a larger male operator, and someone who trains as well as uses their gun regularly. Im a 6'4 300 pound Polish guy who hunts, shoots clays, and has been in weight rooms since I was 12 on at least a semi-regular basis, but for someone without all the weight, strength, muscle and fat to asborb that recoil it must be rough. I personally think its fun to shoot 3 inch shells and load them for HD, but my buddies who are >200 pounds are done after about a shot or two

 

[bobzilla]

Anyways, if anyone wanting a quality combat shotgun...surplus 870s & 1187s are hitting gunshops all over. Most are very solid guns.

Never liked the ergos of the 870. preferred (and still prefer) the Mossy.

 

[rhino]

Yeah I will give you the point that the shotgun is best used by a larger male operator, and someone who trains as well as uses their gun regularly. Im a 6'4 300 pound Polish guy who hunts, shoots clays, and has been in weight rooms since I was 12 on at least a semi-regular basis, but for someone without all the weight, strength, muscle and fat to asborb that recoil it must be rough. I personally think its fun to shoot 3 inch shells and load them for HD, but my buddies who are >200 pounds are done after about a shot or two

And there you have it!

 

[bobzilla]

I think this is an often overlooked factor by those who haven't studied the shotgun much.

* Can you take that head shot with your shotgun and your shells at 30 feet?
* Can you take that shot with your shotgun and your shells at 35 yards and keep all the pellets on the target?
* At what distance do you have to select for a slug?
* How far can you hit with that slug holding on the same point of aim?

All of the above can be done with the shotty, but to do so consistently and effectively requires an intimate knowledge of your gun and your loads.

Change the barrel or load and you need to start over. Fairly complicated to do well and keep track of it all.

Much easier with an AR or AK and with neither does an ammo change have such a potentially significant impact as with the shotgun.

if you're engaging a HD scenario at 35yds, you're ****ed anyway you look at it. With my 500, that former 28" full choke bbl that is now 19" long holds a nice pattern out about 15 yards. At 30 ft, that pattern is about the size of my palm. For HD, that is as far as anywhere in my house can be from the tip of my barrel to the wall. Outside? AR for 'yotes and critters. It doesn't hurt that I've had that 500 for close to 20 years and have shot the crap out of it!

Simplest solution: have both and use as needed.

 

[bwframe]

...My AR's are there to keep the King of England out of my face.

Everyone needs a couple of AR's and working knowledge of their use...


[video=youtube;ZZhNwfL5_O8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZhNwfL5_O8[/video]

That said, scatterguns are strategically placed at grabbing distance around the ranch here.

I think everyone should learn how to run both.
Jessica shoots and reloads her shotgun well:

[video=youtube;O9EJKxlQgOw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9EJKxlQgOw[/video]

 

[Leadeye]

Model 97 Winchester, still one of the best shotguns made even over 100 years later.

 

[KG1]

No one needs an AR.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Well I cant sleep and I was wondering why it seems the 12 gauge shotgun for SHTF preps and HD is on the decline?

The gun rag cycle.

You are young so you are unaware of how the gun rags influence purchasing habits.

While movies are the primary driver of gun purchases, gun rag articles are a close second. The cycle is 8 to 10 years.

Shotguns will be hot again soon.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I see it, for a home defense scenario, you have several benefits, namely

Meh, every platform has pros and cons. It matters not.

Software is what controls.

 

[YoungMilsurpGuy]

The gun rag cycle.

You are young so you are unaware of how the gun rags influence purchasing habits.

While movies are the primary driver of gun purchases, gun rag articles are a close second. The cycle is 8 to 10 years.

Shotguns will be hot again soon.

Yeah, well Im more of an internet and history person. So /k/ and Inrange TV and reading about cold war history influence what I buy more then anything else. Gun rags and any guy with a beard and a theatric "training" vid advertisement is pretty much concidered a gear shill in my book.

 

[Fordtough25]

I thought the Beretta 1301 Tactical was going to get the spotlight back on shoguns for sure, Lucky Gunner Ammo.com, the Yeti, Ballistic Radio, etc have all been loving them for awhile now. My good old ex police 11-87 works wonders IMO, to each his own I guess. I love AR's too, but a 12 gauge is my most fired weapon.

 

[Woobie]

The gun rag cycle.

You are young so you are unaware of how the gun rags influence purchasing habits.

While movies are the primary driver of gun purchases, gun rag articles are a close second. The cycle is 8 to 10 years.

Shotguns will be hot again soon.

It's almost as though the people who make and sell guns hold some kind of influence with the gun media. I wonder if there is money involved?

 

[6mm Shoot]

The first weapon I fired was a 12 gage. I hunted with it, busted clays with it and used it for home defence. At that time I lived in the city and in a true brick home. You couldn't have blasted your way out of one of the walls with a 3006. The walls were better than 12" thick. So I had no concern about a slug or anything for that matter going through a wall to the outside.

I now live in the country and live in a stick built home. With the way it's made I think a person good with a knife could throw one through a outside wall. So I know anything I use could go through a wall. I have hand guns laying around the house and a shotgun with a light ready to go in the bedroom. I also have a AR with a light in the front of the safe for just in case. Chances are I would use one of the 45s because they are close to where I am at. If something went wrong at night and I had to get out of bed the shotgun would get the duty. If I was at my desk before bed the Glock 21 with a light would get the nod. Now if I hear something going on at the barn I will get the AR out of the safe. The barn is 50 yards from the house and I want something that can reach out. The red dot on it is very good for that. It is the only AR I have with a red dot and light on. All my other ARs have scopes on them.

I really don't think that the shotgun is out dated or not used as HD any more. I think it is used less because we have so many choices. Before my son got me into ARs I would have depended on the shotgun with slugs in it for the barn.

 

[firefighterjohn]

No one needs an AR.

OK, time to turn off the Mainstream Media Evening News, and get back to reality....LOL

 

[firefighterjohn]

The first weapon I fired was a 12 gage. I hunted with it, busted clays with it and used it for home defence. At that time I lived in the city and in a true brick home. You couldn't have blasted your way out of one of the walls with a 3006. The walls were better than 12" thick. So I had no concern about a slug or anything for that matter going through a wall to the outside.

I now live in the country and live in a stick built home. With the way it's made I think a person good with a knife could throw one through a outside wall. So I know anything I use could go through a wall. I have hand guns laying around the house and a shotgun with a light ready to go in the bedroom. I also have a AR with a light in the front of the safe for just in case. Chances are I would use one of the 45s because they are close to where I am at. If something went wrong at night and I had to get out of bed the shotgun would get the duty. If I was at my desk before bed the Glock 21 with a light would get the nod. Now if I hear something going on at the barn I will get the AR out of the safe. The barn is 50 yards from the house and I want something that can reach out. The red dot on it is very good for that. It is the only AR I have with a red dot and light on. All my other ARs have scopes on them.

I really don't think that the shotgun is out dated or not used as HD any more. I think it is used less because we have so many choices. Before my son got me into ARs I would have depended on the shotgun with slugs in it for the barn.

Perfect common sense practices...using differt TOOLS for different tasks.

 

[Expat]

I think most of us that grew up shooting shotguns as part of our hunting culture are always going to feel good about using a shotgun. I have ARs and would feel comfortable using it. But I figure if I can shoot grouse, I can shot a meth head with my shotgun.

 

[lovemachine]

I think shotguns are where it's at. AR's are too expensive. And everyone is buying up ammo and mags. If everyone keeps panick buying, everything AR related will be hard to find again.

Shotguns are cheaper. And ammo is cheaper. You can run different loads as well. I like the idea of stocking up on shotguns and 12G ammo while everyone is buying all the AR's, ammo and mags.