Consumer Information
Home Defense Checklist: What’s Important (and What Isn’t)
As an NRA- and state-certified instructor, I realize that personal defense is a deadly business. As a professional, I check…Read More >
Tag: buckshot
Most Recent Posts
Firearms
Review: Mossberg 500 Persuader
If you are serious about defending the home, the first choice is a shotgun, mainly because a 12-gauge shotgun will repel boarders like no other firearm. A number of years ago, Mossberg offered a short-barrel pump-action shotgun known as the Persuader. Today, the piece is back as a highly finished retrograde shotgun worthy of consideration.
Safety and Training
Shotgun Drills: Semi-Automatics
The automatic shotgun demands different drills for speed loading than a pump-action shotgun. Proper practice with automatic shotgun and you may just find that the shotgun is more efficient than you thought. If there is any real problem beginning students have, it is a lack of familiarity with the firearm. These drills will build familiarity with the shotgun and may be a lifesaver.
Firearms
The Shotgun for Home Defense
Not long ago, the conversation turned to shotguns at the gun shop. While even the folks that are not the ones we call “gunny” know the merits of a shotgun for home defense, there are many opinions on the proper load and the best shotgun. However, the shotgun is only the launcher, it is the load that does the damage.
Gun Gear
Review: XS DXT Shotgun Sights
By adapting modern tritium technology to the classic Express sight, XS sights has been able to offer a truly unique system for making fast hits on a dangerous threat. XS DTX sight is not a set up for target shooting or long range. This is a set of sights that will give you every advantage, night or day, in a dangerous situation where your shotgun is the solution.
Ammunition
Four Hornady Shotgun Loads, No Bad Choices
You may choose a rifle, shotgun, or handgun, but the shotgun offers the greatest wound potential and the greatest versatility, but the gun alone is not enough. For maximum effectiveness, you’ll want to match the right ammunition for the situation, but here are four choices from Hornady that you cannot go wrong with.
Ammunition
Throwback Thursday: Buckshot or Birdshot for Home Defense? Let’s Ask Science.
The conclusion of the testing I observed was simple. Birdshot will do the job at shorter ranges, but it has major drawbacks for home defense. Read the entire story to understand the the limitations of birdshot and advantages of buckshot including a comparison of 00-buck versus .380 ACP, 9mm, .45 ACP and .223/5.56.
Firearms
The Riot Gun
What is a riot gun? The riot gun is compact enough for any foreseeable need, handles quickly, and swings from one target to the other rapidly in trained hands. But, is it the best shotgun for tactical work? Read the entire—especially the plot twist at the end.
Firearms
The ’97 Wild Bunch Shotgun
The Winchester 1897 shotgun was manufactured from 1897 to 1957. At one time the ’97 set the standard for combat shotguns. With a five-round tubular magazine fed by a helical coil spring and featuring a reliable slide action the ’97 is a rugged serviceable shotgun. While the author has tested quite a few shotguns for a new book, the pump-action clone of the Winchester 1897 is a hands-down favorite for fun shooting.
General
Review: Magpul SGA Stock/Mossberg 500
Firing 20 full-power buckshot loads from a 12 gauge Mossberg ended with my wrist resulted in Epsom salts the next morning. The pistol grip shotgun is acceptable for entry team use, or crowded areas, and ideal for keeping handy in fishing trawlers to take out flipping, gnashing sharks brought in with the more mundane catches. However, for extended shooting sessions, upgrade to Magpul’s SGA stock.