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Shotgun for self-defense.
When looking for a shotgun for self-defense, there are several options to consider that concern both the type of weapon and the ammunition used.
The choice of shotgun depends on personal preferences, specific needs and local laws, always remember to check local laws and regulations to determine which shotguns are legal and allowed in your jurisdiction.
In addition, proper training and compliance with safety procedures are essential for the responsible use of any firearm.
It is advisable to consult a qualified expert or an industry professional for further advice on choosing a shotgun for self-defense.
The caliber of the shotgun refers to the diameter of the bullet or pellets it can fire.
The most common calibers for self-defense shotguns:
1. 12 gauge: 12 caliber is the most common for shotguns. It uses cartridges with an inner case diameter of approximately 18.5 mm (0.729 inches). The 12-gauge offers a wide selection of ammunition, including pellet ammunition (buckshot), single projectile ammunition (slug) and other specialized variants. This is the caliber I recommend!
2. Caliber 20 (20 gauge): Caliber 20 uses cartridges with an inner case diameter of approximately 15.6 mm (0.615 inches). The caliber 20 is considered a lighter alternative to the caliber 12, with a lower recoil. Ammunition for the .20 caliber is available in several options, such as pellets and single bullets.
3. .410 caliber (.410 bore): The .410 caliber uses cartridges with an inner case diameter of approximately 10.4 mm (0.410 inches). Despite being called “.410 bore”, it is classified as caliber and not as a hole size. The .410 caliber is the smallest of the three and is often used for compact shotguns or for hunting small prey. Ammunition for the .410 caliber includes pellets, single bullets and other variants.
The choice of caliber depends on personal preferences, specific needs and local laws.
It is important to remember that the caliber will affect the performance of the weapon, recoil, magazine capacity and ammunition availability.
Before purchasing a shotgun, be sure to check local laws and regulations to determine which caliber is allowed in your jurisdiction.
For self-defense with a 12-gauge shotgun, you can consider several cartridge options.
It is important to remember that the caliber will affect:
- the performance of the weapon,
- recoil,
- the capacity of the charger and
- the availability of ammunition.
Here are some popular shotguns for self-defense:
1. Remington 870: The Remington 870 is one of the most popular and reliable shotguns available on the market. It is known for its robustness, ease of use and versatility. It is available in different configurations and calibers.
2. Mossberg 500/590: Mossberg 500 and 590 are other common choices for self-defense. They are highly reliable shotguns available in various configurations, with features such as rifled barrels, extended tanks and ergonomic grips.
3. Benelli M4: The Benelli M4 is a semi-automatic shotgun known for its reliability and accuracy. It is often used by law enforcement and the armed forces and is valued for its ability to handle a variety of ammunition charges.
4. Winchester SXP: The Winchester SXP is another popular option with fast and reliable loading action. It is appreciated for its precision, maneuverability and affordable price.
5. FN P-12: The FN P-12 is a compact and lightweight shotgun, ideal for self-defense . It has a capacity of 5 rounds, and is known for its reliability and build quality.
6. Kel-Tec KSG: The Kel-Tec KSG is a compact and compact shotgun with a bullpup design. It has a dual magazine capacity, which allows you to use different ammunition without having to reload. It is known for its handling and versatility.
7. Winchester Defender: The Winchester Defender is designed specifically for self-defense. It is available in different configurations and offers excellent ergonomics, good load capacity and a reputation for reliability.
8. IWI Tavor TS12: The IWI Tavor TS12 is a bullpup shotgun with a magazine capacity of 15 rounds. It is known for its ability to handle a variety of ammunition and for its innovative design.
9. Stoeger P3000: The Stoeger P3000 is a cheaper but still reliable option for self-defense. It has excellent load capacity, smooth action and robust construction.
10. Beretta 1301 Tactical: The Beretta 1301 Tactical is a semi-automatic shotgun designed for fast and reliable action. It is known for its precision and excellent build quality.
11. Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol: The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol is a semi-automatic shotgun designed for fast and reliable action. It is known for its precision and excellent build quality. New this year 2023 from Beretta are two new additions to the A300 Ultima family of semi-automatic rifles. These are the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol and A300 Ultima Turkey that feature the traditional mechanisms of the reliable Beretta A300 platform and are available in a few different color models. The A300 Ultima Patrol has been designed to be easy to handle while maintaining maximum reliability. This new rifle dedicated to self-defense or tactical features an improved loading port, enlarged controls, a thinner dipstick design with more mounting points of the M-Lok and QD harness and a 7 + 1 capability thanks to the use of an extended magazine tube with an M- Lock capacity.
Remember that the choice of shotgun for self-defense depends on your personal preferences, specific needs and local laws.
Before buying a firearm, make sure you get proper firearm safety training and comply with all local rules and regulations.
Always consult a qualified expert or industry professional for more advice on choosing a self-defense shotgun.
Type of ammunition for shotgun self-defense
When considering ammunition for a shotgun for self-defense, it is important to choose those that offer a good combination of stopping power, penetration and recoil control.
Here are some types of ammunition commonly used for self-defense shotguns:
1. Lead ball ammunition: These are standard ammunition with lead balls, commonly used for target shooting and hunting. However, they may not be the ideal choice for self-defense, as they may have limited penetration and may not offer the best stopping power.
2. Steel Insert Lead Ball Ammunition: These ammunition combine a lead core with a steel insert to improve penetration. They may be a better choice than standard lead ball ammunition, but they may still have limitations in terms of stopping power.
3. Buckshot: Pellet ammunition contains multiple projectiles of varying sizes. The most common calibers for self-defense are 12 and 20. Pellet ammunition can provide greater stopping power and good spread, making them effective in close defense situations. The most common size of the dots for self-defense are 00 (double zero) and 000 (triple zero). These ammunition provide effective short-distance spread and good stopping power against a target.
4. Single projectile ammunition (Slug): Single projectile ammunition consists of a single lead projectile. They are designed to offer greater penetration and accuracy over longer distances. They could be an appropriate choice in situations where accuracy and penetration are important, such as outdoor self-defense settings. They are useful in situations where accuracy and penetration are paramount.
5. Flitecontrol or Flitecontrol wad: These ammunition are designed with a wad (cardboard retainer) that helps control the dispersion of the pellets, offering greater accuracy and penetration. They are especially effective in close self-defense situations. 12-gauge disperser ammunition is designed to limit pellet dispersion and offer greater accuracy over longer distances. They are a suitable choice for situations where shooting accuracy is required.
6. Low Recoil Ammunition: Low Recoil ammunition is designed to reduce the recoil effect of the 12-gauge shotgun, allowing greater accuracy and better control of the weapon. They are a choice to consider if you want to reduce the impact of recoil on the next shot and overall accuracy. Low recoil ammunition is designed to reduce the effect of shotgun recoil. This can make it easier to handle the weapon and allow faster aiming times for subsequent shots. They are a choice to consider if you want to reduce the impact of recoil and maintain good shooting accuracy.
7. Specific ammunition for self-defense: There are several specialized ammunition for self-defense that can offer specific features to suit your needs. For example, there are copper-plated ammunition, non-lethal pellets that can reduce the risk of penetration and minimize collateral damage, or ammunition with special projectiles designed to minimize the risk of crossing walls (frangible ammunition). These options may be suitable for specific self-defense needs.
8. Combo: Some 12-gauge self-defense cartridges offer a combination of single pellets and bullets in the same cartridge. This option offers the possibility of having both the diffusion of pellets at short distances and the penetration of single projectiles at longer distances.
9. Steel Shot Ammunition: Steel pellet ammunition is often used for aquatic hunting and hunting migratory species. These ammunition are designed to be less harmful to the environment, as steel pellets do not contaminate aquatic ecosystems like lead pellets. Although they are less common for self-defense, they can be a choice to consider in certain situations.
10. Non-lethal ammunition: The 12 caliber is generally associated with the use of lethal ammunition, such as lead bullets used for hunting or self-defense.
However, there are some variants of non-lethal ammunition available for the 12-gauge as well.
These ammunition are designed to minimize the risk of serious injury or death, but it is important to remember that they can still cause damage and injury.
Some examples of non-lethal ammunition for 12 caliber include:
- Rubber bullet cartridges: These cartridges contain hard rubber bullets that can be fired from a 12-gauge firearm. Rubber bullets are designed to cause significant pain and bruises without penetrating the skin or causing lethal damage.
- Rubber pellet cartridges: These cartridges contain a series of rubber pellets instead of lead bullets. When fired, rubber pellets can cause pain and bruises, but they are less likely to penetrate the skin than lead pellets.
- Bean bag cartridges: These cartridges contain a soft, flat bullet called a “bean bag” that is filled with inert material such as sand. When fired, the bean bag can cause a strong impact and bruises, but reduces the risk of serious injury.
It is important to remember that the choice of cartridges depends on personal preferences, specific needs and also important on local laws and safety considerations.
Before using any type of cartridge for self-defense, it is crucial to acquire proper training on the safety of firearms and test these ammunition.
It is advisable to test and familiarize yourself with the specific ammunition you intend to use, so that you are prepared and able to handle your shotgun safely and effectively in case of need for self-defense.
Consult a qualified expert or industry professional for more advice on choosing 12-gauge cartridges for self-defense.
It is important to refer to local laws and regulations to determine what types of ammunition are allowed in your jurisdiction.
Conclusions
Shotguns and self-defense ammunition can be an effective option for those looking for a means of self-defense.
The power and versatility of shotguns make them formidable tools to protect themselves and loved ones in situations of imminent danger.
Ammunition specially designed for such weapons provides a balance between stopping power and recoil control, ensuring maximum effectiveness against potential attackers.
However, it is important to note that the use of firearms for defensive purposes requires proper responsibility and training.
Laws and regulations regarding weapons vary from country to country and even within jurisdictions.
Therefore, it is crucial to comply with legal regulations and undergo formal training to safely and correctly use shotguns.
In addition, it is important to carefully consider the use of firearms as a solution to personal safety.
There are non-lethal alternatives, such as pepper spray or alarm devices, that may be more suited to certain situations or personal preferences.
Finally, self-defense should never be the only approach to security.
Taking preventive precautions, such as adequate lighting, taking safety measures at home and avoiding risky situations, are all key elements in reducing the risk of being a victim of crime.
Ultimately, the use of shotguns and ammunition for self-defense can be a legitimate choice for those seeking an effective means of protecting themselves and loved ones.
However, it is critical to act in accordance with the law, obtain appropriate training, and consider all available options for personal safety.
Stay Tuned!
Street Fight Mentality
