SHTF: Shotgun or AR?

[techres]

For me SHTF = Multiple Aggressors.

Multiple Agressors = AR.

AR = Fast on followup and 200 rounds is easy to carry (as opposed to 30-40 on Shotty).

I also like the fast loading on the AR. From an empty state, I can be ready much faster than a shotty...

 

[obijohn]

ar for me. have all 3 in the house, but the ar is by the bed. rarely leave home without an ar (or 2, hehe.)

 

[USMC_0311]

I get the feeling I'm going to become a 3-gun shooter... I see the needs for all three types of guns.

That would be the prudent thing to do. Maybe add a .22 rifle for small game and cheap ammo.

 

[haldir]

That would be the prudent thing to do. Maybe add a .22 rifle for small game and cheap ammo.

Dangit, now I am thinking you have to have 4... darn youse guys... shotgun, AR, pistol and a .22....

 

[Richard]

Personally I'll be grabbing for one of my shotguns, there are just too many scenarios/situations where I would be too hesitant to take a shot with a rifle (even post-SHTF) for fear of putting innocent lives at risk.

 

[SWAT-DOC]

For home defense the SG is best...shorten it up to just over legal and extend the magazine. Put a light on it and load it with #4 buck...this shot is small enough not to drop your next door neighbor at his breakfast table but still big enough to do the job on the zombies. Remember "stand off" double the distance the other guy can shoot. Shotgun trumps hand gun....rifle trumps shotgun. Force continuum

 

[HICKMAN]

For home defense the SG is best...shorten it up to just over legal and extend the magazine. Put a light on it and load it with #4 buck...this shot is small enough not to drop your next door neighbor at his breakfast table but still big enough to do the job on the zombies. Remember "stand off" double the distance the other guy can shoot. Shotgun trumps hand gun....rifle trumps shotgun. Force continuum

Yeah, I'm with you there. Looks like I start on a shotgun next.

 

[Zoub]

I get the feeling I'm going to become a 3-gun shooter... I see the needs for all three types of guns.

There you go bud, each tool has a purpose BUT not everyone needs every tool either. You know I am a shotgun guy but if I am on foot it is 5.5lb AR for me. Just one long gun, again an AR. On foot doing E&E, 2 handguns, fixed position/camp anything works.

but for christ sake, I don't live in a vaccum, I own them all and know when and how I will use each. Everyone in my clan can shoot them all too.

I honestly belive true shotgunners make the best overall gunners. The Army learned that in WWII as well. Shotgunners were made gunners in bombers. They stood in the back of moving trucks and shot at clays with shotguns. You hit'em, you are hired!! 90%+ of fighter pilot kills were made by like 8% of the pilots. What did they have in common? Rural upbringing and were hunters AKA understood lead AND follow through on moving targets.

There are a lot of reasons to own at least one shotgun, training is one of them. In SHTF no matter what gun you have or find, you will be a better shooter. That is how you prep for SHTF, be a generalist, not a specialist.

Chuck Yeager also said those numbers made you wonder what the hell the other 92% of fighter pilots were doing all day up there?

 

[singlesix]

If had to choose only one gun it would be a shotgun with a smoothbore. Can group slug out to 50 yds the size of a CD. Great for shooting game for food. Great for home defense.

 

[clt46910]

If I am staying put, I have a lot of guns for different uses. If I have to leave on foot to survive, an AR and a target .22 pistol on my belt. The .22 would get my food. I can hit a squirrel, rabbit, duck, quail or any other small game with a .22 pistol. Way easier to carry then a shotgun and I can carry a lot more .22 ammo then I can shotgun shells.

 

[Zoub]

I can see where a shotgun has so many uses as well. Great for defense or house to house. Slugs for reaching out and touching someone or a deer for meat.

Or maybe I just want a cool shotty

Forget that ****, there won't be any game left to shoot at early on in SHTF but if it is SHTF, game laws do not apply. A .22lr takes ducks sitting on the ground or water easier then a shotgun on the wing. Small birds won't feed you but you can shoot them on the ground too at your bird feeders and with .22lr cost per shot is much lower then shotgun to store, pracitce with and use. A scoped .22lr rifle kills to 100 yards.

In SHTF shotgun is really for defense but ammo selection is it's biggest strength. I call it a poor mans 50 cal. Even so, I picked up a Saiga .308 back when they were $300. Poke that out the kitchen window and tear things up!! Lighter than a shotgun and more rounds.

 

[miguel]

Put a light on it and load it with #4 buck...this shot is small enough not to drop your next door neighbor at his breakfast table but still big enough to do the job on the zombies.

That is the best argument I've seen for a shotgun load ever!

 

[ar15_dude]

If had to choose only one gun it would be a shotgun with a smoothbore. Can group slug out to 50 yds the size of a CD. Great for shooting game for food. Great for home defense.

As much as I love what an AR can do, I have to agree: if limited to a single gun, its a Rem 870 with a couple of barrels and lots of shells with various shot size.

The shotty gives up range, round capacity, quick reloads. But it is lots cheaper, more flexible and very effective within range. Nothing beats a 3" magnum slug for thumping a BG.

 

[Zoub]

As much as I love what an AR can do, I have to agree: if limited to a single gun, its a Rem 870 with a couple of barrels and lots of shells with various shot size.

The shotty gives up range, round capacity, quick reloads. But it is lots cheaper, more flexible and very effective within range. Nothing beats a 3" magnum slug for thumping a BG.

Actually, a lot of the time 2 3/4" slugs are better. Tighter groups, less recoil and faster follow up. Dead is dead with a shotgun.

Same in Sabots too, often 2 3/4" shoots tighter groups.

As for magnum buckshot, often they are worse due to less ft/lbs per projectile. Hard to belive but true. It's twruuu, it's twruuu.....

 

[agentl074]

Actually, a lot of the time 2 3/4" slugs are better. Tighter groups, less recoil and faster follow up. Dead is dead with a shotgun.

Same in Sabots too, often 2 3/4" shoots tighter groups.

As for magnum buckshot, often they are worse due to less ft/lbs per projectile. Hard to believe but true. It's twruuu, it's twruuu.....

That 3" Mag 00 buck is no joke at all I lit off two in succession one day and I had enough ... somewhere around 50 or 60ft/lb of recoil.

 

[No Time to Shoot]

Here's a link that has some surprising information about penetration and the different rounds. Lots of other good stuff on this site as well!

The Box o truth

 

[Octomonkey]

It has pretty much been summed up on here, but I've also felt a four gun system is ideal, as each will serve its own purpose.

1.) High caliber for stand off situations.
2.) Shotgun for home defense.
3.) Handgun for close range/tight quarters.
4.) Low caliber for hunting purposes.

 

[haldir]

Here's a link that has some surprising information about penetration and the different rounds. Lots of other good stuff on this site as well!

The Box o truth

Rep for the link. Very interesting... anyone know someone with a limo with bullet proof glass....

 

[HICKMAN]

Rep for the link. Very interesting... anyone know someone with a limo with bullet proof glass....

Need to do some "testing"

 

[Keith_Indy]

Personally, I'm hoping to pick up a couple more shotguns. I can give a shotgun to a family member with a reduced recoil shot, point them out a window, and they're good to go. No training, no muss, no fuss. Don't shoot them till they get to such and such line.

Of course, I hope and pray we never have to resort to such things.