12GA VS. 45 ACP

SwedeSteve · 02-24-2008, 09:45 AM

I have a shotgun and a 10mm loaded at night. The 12ga is for use if I have to go downstairs. The pistol is ready if they're coming to me. The link at Box of Truth had some interesting info, but he missed the mark in ref to birdshot. Is it your intention to kill the intruder outright? Or to repel him and defend you and yours? Better check your state and local laws! I guarantee you if you get shot from a short distance with a 3" load of #4's, you're gonna want to leave and seek 1st Aid!

Dennis · 02-24-2008, 10:31 AM

Well,when ya think about it. #4 shot 2/34 inch shell hitting a human body is like 52 people with .22lr all firing at the same time hitting in the same place......
Shooting people is not much fun but when the moment comes there is not ANYTHING else in the whole world that is more important. All these questions raised about .45 or 12 ga and what to do when the moment of truth comes are good things to think about. It is important to face these questions and have the issue "settled" in your mind NOW before the event. If (or when) the event comes this will help. Decide what you will do then take confidence in your decision. The entire rest of your life after the "event" depends on how you and your gun preforms. Do your best with what you have it allways ends up that way. In the end you will be playing it over and over in your mind for the rest of your life and you will Allways be thinking of ways you could have changed it.
My advice to you is to decide what will work for you and stand on that decision
the doubt about what to use is A weakness. When the "Event" comes you will need to be as strong as you have ever been as a person and a "martial artist" with a firearm.
Knowing what to do will help you.

SilverRun · 02-24-2008, 07:19 PM

A better analogy would be 52 people with BB guns all hitting generally at the same place. But, I am not pushing this issue any further. We all have an opinion. You know what mine is - and I respect yours. Hopefully, none of us will ever have to use any of these options.

TXplt · 02-24-2008, 08:20 PM

For me, taurus Judge loaded bird buck and .45 colt. Tough to argue with that

EagleScout777 · 02-24-2008, 11:42 PM

Both. Keep the 45 in a strap on holster and use it to back the shotgun if you run out of shells or have a malfunction.

big boomer · 02-24-2008, 11:49 PM

The one thats loaded or I have shells handy for. Otherwise I would take the 45 because I shoot a pistol pretty well and the bad guy might grab the barrel when your trying to find him from around the corner, thats had to do with a pistol. If I had to use a shotgun I would want #4 buck in it. Thats what the experts say is the best load .

Taurus Fan · 03-09-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiedeverell

Hi all I would like to know what your thoughts are of this,
if someone broke into your house, lets say 3 am, and you had a 12GA pump pistol grip shotgun, and a 45 acp, which would you grab and why? Thanks all! I have always wondered that scenirio........

I don't see that there's anything to argue about. A 12 gauge shotgun is what you want in your hands if there's trouble coming your way. Pistols are never a better choice than a rifle or shotgun. But I don't like pistol grip shotguns, put the regular stock back on.

meatloaf · 03-10-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthernHunter

I'd grab my 12 g. I figure when you don't want too possibly risk missing (even if your a good shot your adrenaline can get the best of you + you don't know how they might move and a shotgun will pretty much get anything in the general direction you point it at.)

Also with a 45. you can run the risk it penetrating walls (depending on the individual house) and that could end up possibly hitting a family member, friend, or even a neighbor if you live in an apartment.

For a home defense shotgun I'd recommend getting a tactical light attached on it so you don't have too fumble around with a light while handling the shotgun. Plus having a light pointed in their face will allow you too 100% identify them (making sure its not someone you know) and decrease their ability too see. The only disadvantage I can see with a shotgun is that its long and if your moving around corners a lot it could get in the way.

If you think 00 buck wont penetrate walls and kill your neighbor you are insane and I hope I am not your neigbor.

Kolar Dan · 03-11-2008, 09:03 AM

I keep A Beretta 96 INOX 40 S&W in the drawer beside the bed and a Rem. 870 Marine Magnum loaded with OO Buckshot in the closet. Having said this, there is no comparison in the degree of lethal force of the two. The 12 GA. wins hands down. If my intruder gets past me, My wife has a Ruger Sp101 357 Mag. waiting for him as he approaches our bedroom.

02-24-2008, 09:45 AM	#41
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,659 Images: 1	I have a shotgun and a 10mm loaded at night. The 12ga is for use if I have to go downstairs. The pistol is ready if they're coming to me. The link at Box of Truth had some interesting info, but he missed the mark in ref to birdshot. Is it your intention to kill the intruder outright? Or to repel him and defend you and yours? Better check your state and local laws! I guarantee you if you get shot from a short distance with a 3" load of #4's, you're gonna want to leave and seek 1st Aid! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

02-24-2008, 10:31 AM	#42
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,883	Well,when ya think about it. #4 shot 2/34 inch shell hitting a human body is like 52 people with .22lr all firing at the same time hitting in the same place...... Shooting people is not much fun but when the moment comes there is not ANYTHING else in the whole world that is more important. All these questions raised about .45 or 12 ga and what to do when the moment of truth comes are good things to think about. It is important to face these questions and have the issue "settled" in your mind NOW before the event. If (or when) the event comes this will help. Decide what you will do then take confidence in your decision. The entire rest of your life after the "event" depends on how you and your gun preforms. Do your best with what you have it allways ends up that way. In the end you will be playing it over and over in your mind for the rest of your life and you will Allways be thinking of ways you could have changed it. My advice to you is to decide what will work for you and stand on that decision the doubt about what to use is A weakness. When the "Event" comes you will need to be as strong as you have ever been as a person and a "martial artist" with a firearm. Knowing what to do will help you. __________________ Submitted with respect to all

02-24-2008, 07:19 PM	#43
SilverRun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AL Posts: 1,666	A better analogy would be 52 people with BB guns all hitting generally at the same place. But, I am not pushing this issue any further. We all have an opinion. You know what mine is - and I respect yours. Hopefully, none of us will ever have to use any of these options. __________________ "Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." - Alexander Hamilton

02-24-2008, 08:20 PM	#44
TXplt Conservative in Exile Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 3,198 Images: 4 Blog Entries: 2	For me, taurus Judge loaded bird buck and .45 colt. Tough to argue with that __________________ Old fighter pilots never die.....They just wind up in Texas

02-24-2008, 11:42 PM	#45
EagleScout777 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 39	Both. Keep the 45 in a strap on holster and use it to back the shotgun if you run out of shells or have a malfunction.

02-24-2008, 11:49 PM	#46
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 1,254	The one thats loaded or I have shells handy for. Otherwise I would take the 45 because I shoot a pistol pretty well and the bad guy might grab the barrel when your trying to find him from around the corner, thats had to do with a pistol. If I had to use a shotgun I would want #4 buck in it. Thats what the experts say is the best load .

03-11-2008, 09:03 AM	#49
Kolar Dan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 12	I keep A Beretta 96 INOX 40 S&W in the drawer beside the bed and a Rem. 870 Marine Magnum loaded with OO Buckshot in the closet. Having said this, there is no comparison in the degree of lethal force of the two. The 12 GA. wins hands down. If my intruder gets past me, My wife has a Ruger Sp101 357 Mag. waiting for him as he approaches our bedroom.