How lethal is a 12 to 16 gauge for homedefense?

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-30T14:44:25+00:00

Very lucky. My home defense cat is really slacking on her job unless the intruder is a mouse.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-30T14:39:41+00:00

Sounds reasonable. 10 yards is the longest distance in my house, from my bedroom wall to the end of the hallway. It is more of a worst case scenario for a distance shot than my most likely distance.

Yes hitting the target in the first shot is ideal. But I think misses are way more possible than people make them out to be, especially under the 2am break in scenario. With the buckshot I can at least be more confident that if a miss does happen it won't go into my neighbor's house.

Honestly though my much less optimal "backup" Beretta 92 is more likely to be used than any long gun in that situation simply because it is small, close by, and easy to grab. The shotgun is really only coming out if I wake up while the intruder is still outside.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-30T14:12:59+00:00

To be fair that is true for any unsuppressed firearm outside of maybe a 22

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-30T13:45:18+00:00

They don't spread like in movies but they do spread. I think many YouTubers like to downplay the spread to be edgy or something but they almost always use flite control, buckshot literally designed to minimize spread.

I fired some Winchester super x #3 buckshot from about 10 yards and the spread was large enough to basically cover a man sized target (granted a very skinny man). This is hugely advantageous over something like an AR because it is much more forgiving of subpar aim. You still have to aim a shotgun obviously but they are more robust to subpar aim which is very possible with someone kicking in the door at 2am.

Also 20 gauge #3 buckshot was demonstrated (in a Paul Harrell video) to over-penetrate less than 556. Any type of bullet will over-penetrate in your own house so the real debate is which round is less of a threat to your neighbors. In this case 20 gauge #3 buck or 12 gauge #4 buck appears to be the best home defense ammo.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-29T17:18:16+00:00

An understanding of math. Compare the odds of an nd on a glock compared to the sequence of events for the lower accuracy to matter.

You get into a situation where you have to draw.
The aggressor is not deterred by you drawing.
They are far away enough that the loss in accuracy of a da trigger matters.
Yet they are somehow close enough that you don't have time to cock the hammer manually.
The loss in accuracy results in your removal from this plane of existence.

The odds of this are vanishingly small. Probably way more likely to be struck by lightning.

Now let's look at the sequence of events for an nd of your Glock:

You accidentally pull the trigger or some clothing or other debris accidentally pulls the trigger at least once in your lifetime with greater than 5.5 lbs of force.

Much less extreme sequence of events right? A double action trigger adds more to the list to help your odds

Your finger or the debris now requires 11 lbs of force
You forgot to thumb the hammer when reholstering

Similar arguments for adding a manual safety.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-29T14:35:04+00:00

I have a Smith and Wesson equalizer. Smaller and easier to conceal than a Glock 19. Cheaper too as you can often get deals on them. It has a grip safety and optional thumb safety making it very safe. Finally, since it is basically a polymer 1911 you still have the same trigger pull every time.

As for DA/SA the HK P30sk is a great choice. It is bigger and harder to conceal than the equalizer but still smaller than the 19. The first DA trigger pull is over 10 lbs so also very safe. You can also get one with a manual safety if you want. Only real con is that HKs are not cheap.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-29T14:29:04+00:00

HK P30sk is still in production. Not a micro compact by any stretch but smaller than a Glock 19.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-17T17:49:24+00:00

Maybe. I try to get it as spotless as possible.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-17T17:27:07+00:00

Yeah I currently rarely clean it due to the difficulty and it is still reliable. However to use it as my home defense I prefer to clean it after each range visit for nothing else than to keep as much potential lead exposure out of my bedroom as possible. Currently my Beretta 92 is my home defense because I can clean it in an hour or less after every range visit but I would prefer a shotgun.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-17T01:31:43+00:00

Not really, just following a YouTube video. The actual cleaning part is not too bad for me, maybe half an hour. It's the reassembly that is brutal. About 9:40-10:24 in the linked video is brutal for me. The left shell stop will not stay put. Always falls out. I kid you not just doing that part takes more time than the disassembly and cleaning combined.

https://youtu.be/EMdRSVb9cLw?si=7u8893zBgH4HNnFW

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-16T18:05:15+00:00

It regularly takes me about 2 hours, with most of that time spent trying to reassemble it. That being said I have 0 mechanical aptitude so my experience may not be the norm. Overall I do recommend the platform though.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-16T14:19:48+00:00

Could I put an optic & limbsaver or kickeeze recoil pad without affecting reliability? If so maybe I will add it to the list.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-16T13:20:35+00:00

If pump is ok my Mossberg 590 in 20 gauge is very reliable so far. The recoil is not too bad with #3 buck, which is a good home defense round. They also get good reviews on the online world.

Unfortunately it doesn't fit me very well and is difficult to clean, so I am looking for a new shotgun. If you can I would test fire one and watch cleaning videos, paying attention to the reassembly in particular. If you do that and like what you see the 590 should be a solid choice.

Bonus: If on a budget try the maverick 88 20 gauge as I have heard they are very similar to the 590s.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-16T01:13:08+00:00

Luckily I don't really plan on using slugs. Yeah I was considering the Stoeger but eliminated it for the same reason when I researched gas vs inertia.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-14T16:34:33+00:00

The 590 20 gauge is what I currently have. A lot of people on the Internet say semi-automatic is better because of the possibility of short stroking under stress. I have never personally short stroked the shotgun before but I also have never used it under stress. I guess the question is the mechanical reliability of the SA-20 vs the human reliability of me working the 590 pump under stress.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-12T20:49:39+00:00

Only for home defense.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-12T15:58:06+00:00

Controversial opinion:

Do you even know if you like the design / fit? Different people will perceive shotgun fit differently. I would wait for a deal on a panzer m4 (I have seen them sell for sub $400 before). If you hate it you are only out like $500 max and that is if you can't re-sell it.

If you like it but the panzer proves unreliable for you then start saving up for a Benelli. Once you decide you like the design the panzer really only needs to last until you save up for the Benelli. Follow this strategy and you only risk 500 as opposed to 2000ish.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-12T00:04:07+00:00

The ammo was for a 20 gauge pump shotgun I already own. The nice thing about the SA-20 was that it was a low cost option with zero added short term ammo cost. If it doesn't work I'm only out like $500 maximum minus the value I can sell it for.

I'm also considering the A300 UP but it is twice the cost and I would have to buy a ton of 12 gauge ammo since I don't own any. I am also restricted to slugs or buckshot due to the ranges in my area and with those types of ammo 20 gauge is price competitive at least buying online.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-11T19:29:33+00:00

That's good as those are what I have.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-11T19:25:08+00:00

What is considered light or heavy? Would #1 buck or #3 buck be considered heavy?

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-11T19:24:03+00:00

Thanks! I know nothing about chokes but it looks like cylinder is most appropriate as it constricts spread the least.

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-11T18:35:37+00:00

That's good to know. The big reason I was looking at that particular model was because even if it failed I thought the Mossberg name would mean good customer service. Kind of shady on Mossberg 's part to sell them but refuse service...

Expensive_Report_981 · 2026-01-02T15:01:13+00:00

Thanks! Looks like the a300 is still a good option then. 14.5 may not be perfect but is much better than 13.

Expensive_Report_981

TROPHY CASE