Coach or Pump?

[gyrene81]

Amazing how many interjected rather than simply answer with one of the two choices given.

20 gauge pump. That would be the better choice...coach gun is dangerous on both ends.

If it were my choice I'd alternate slugs with buckshot for heavy killing power even through walls...otherwise 3 inch BB shot will get you the performance you want without too much worry.

[Patches1]

I prefer the "Coach", no matter the guage...it's quicker on the re-load...and I don't give my position away with sound from my weapon until I fire.

I subscribe to the notion that a single, well thought, well placed shot, out performs the ability to fire several times without thinking whilst hoping that the sound of the slide action of the pump will frighten intruders away!

Remember...you are utilizing Deadly Force in protecting your home, with all of the responsibilities and laws that encompass this action; it isn't Hollywood where all of the bad guys, and good guys, too, cock their weapons several times before firing!

...just some thoughts.

[Spikes]

Now that I have more time to post:

Remington 870 with a Surefire tactical light/foregrip. You simple cannot go wrong. The light is very powerful, so if he is too close to you and moving in your direction in the dark, you can temporarily blind him (he'll look away, human instinct) and you can either force him down that way, or shoot him.

The pump shotgun is probably the safest shotgun IMO. It makes you think before your next shot (if you need one). And like I said before, the sound of the action is scary in itself.

00B round or simply a non-lethal round would do fine. But I suggest the 00B.

[Stoney]

Here's a very simple firearms question. Without worrying about endless details such as brands, environments, circumstances, and global warming, for home defense would you rather have a 12-gauge coach shotgun with two shells or a 20-gauge pump shotgun with five shells?

12 gauge coach gun.  I'd rather have two ready rounds.  YMMV.

[Reschke]

Depends on your neighborhood and what you are thinking of dealing with. For high threat with low reaction times use the Coach...for high threat with long reaction time by you go with the pump.

I personally have three ready JIC.

12 Gauge Pump with 00 Buckshot and slug alternating.

20 Gauge Automatic as a backup.

.45 Springfield XD in a spot close enough to the 20 Gauge auto.

On a different note I thought for a second when I read the title of the thread that there was an issue at home that he needed a "coach" or a surgical alternative to deal with that the little blue pills just weren't capable of overcoming.

[Maverick]

If you insist on a long gun for home defense the coach is the shorter weapon and easier to handle for that reason. The down side is it is harder to put into action if you keep it around unloaded and that is the best way if there are any kids.

The pump has the option to store with the mag loaded but chamber empty and of course it holds more rounds. If there are any kids in the house you need a trigger lock at least.

Frankly, I am not in favor of a long gun for confined areas but it's your choice.

[Spikes]

Maverick...18.5" Barrel with an Adj stock/foldable stock...that's not very long no more.

[USRanger]

Couple claymores always work well for home defense.

[Toof]

12 gauge semi-auto,round already chambered. First guy dropping to the floor is the warning for the others that were dumb enough to follow.

This ^. The Remington 870 and Sig P220 .45 stay loaded (no kids).

[allaire]

Leaving any pump shotgun around loaded but not chambered is never a good idea with kids.  Most kids know how to chamber a round with a pump from tv.  Do what A buddy of mine does.  He keeps a 12 gauge coach gun loaded when he or the wife is home and at night.  If the kids are there with limited supervision all weapons are unloaded and trigger locked until there is someone around to supervise both the loaded weapon and the kids.

I prefer a coach gun because most of them are around 3 feet in total length and I wouldn't want to give away my position by racking a slide.  Besides with most of the criminals in central Arkansas that break into houses being meth addicts it might be a bad idea to give them a warning if you can't follow up quickly.  If they are riding the crystal go cart or have been without for a while they won't be thinking clearly and might just open fire at the first sound.  It's better to give a verbal warning and if necessary follow up with a fatal the first time.

[Angus]

What a badass world you live in ....
I just have a 12 gauge 2 3/4 " single barrel Baikal from the good old USSR. A backup is a .222 
20 gauge, isn't that kind of small? A semi automatic 12 gauge with 3 inch shells would have more firepower despite the autoloading.....and no delay. With an extended loading tubem you can go up to some 9 shells. EVIL 

[Ghosth]

I maintain there is nothing in the world scarier than hearing the action of a pump gun.
Coach may be quiet, but sometimes a good deterrent is better than having to kill him.

As for load, first one up is 6's, big pattern, won't blow through the outside walls. At anything inside of 30 feet it will blow a bloody rat hole through a person. After that rounds get progressively heavier ending with a slug.

But I really would prefer not to chance a slug leaving my house, entering a neighbors and killing someone.
There is no way that would end well.

A good friend of mine actually was attacked last year by a 17yr old.
So drunk he couldn't even talk, when my friend asked him to leave he cocked a fist and started trying to hit him.
After several warnings and getting hit several times my friend finally had enough. He told him he was getting the shotgun, he'd best be gone now. He grabbed his shotgun, turned, and the kid was right there. Kid grabbed the barrel, my friend pulled the trigger.

Kid screamed ran out, and down a flight of stairs, curled up in a corner and died.

Its taken almost a year to get his stuff back (And yes they took it all, guns, ammo, perscription medicine, everything)
Clear cut case of self defense so no charges filed. But my friend will have to worry about a civil suit for some time yet.

Pulling that trigger is the worst last option. And should only be done if you have no other options.

[Reschke]

A good friend of mine actually was attacked last year by a 17yr old.
So drunk he couldn't even talk, when my friend asked him to leave he cocked a fist and started trying to hit him.
After several warnings and getting hit several times my friend finally had enough. He told him he was getting the shotgun, he'd best be gone now. He grabbed his shotgun, turned, and the kid was right there. Kid grabbed the barrel, my friend pulled the trigger.

Kid screamed ran out, and down a flight of stairs, curled up in a corner and died.

Its taken almost a year to get his stuff back (And yes they took it all, guns, ammo, perscription medicine, everything)
Clear cut case of self defense so no charges filed. But my friend will have to worry about a civil suit for some time yet.

Pulling that trigger is the worst last option. And should only be done if you have no other options.

Yes it is the worst last option but there is no reason for a civil suit in that case. If anything the family should realize albeit too late that they had done a piss poor job of raising little johnny who decided he wanted to go assault and rob someone and move on.

[morfiend]

 This is exactly why I say the best home defence is a well trained dog!

  Safe with kids,nonaggressive but trained a dog will most likely deter the would be criminal to go find easier pickings by simply barking. If this fails to stop this person then thats where the training comes in,anyone who enters my house will not leave until the authories arrive to remove them from my loving pets embrace!!

   

[Maverick]

Maverick...18.5" Barrel with an Adj stock/foldable stock...that's not very long no more.

It happens to be more than 2 feet longer than a handgun. In typical house space limits where you may end up in touching distance, a long gun is not a first choice in my experience.