Shotguns, Ammo, and Home Defense

Hey everyone, welcome back! After releasing our recent shotgun videos, we’ve gotten a ton of questions, so I figured it’s time to address a few of the most common ones. Whether you’re curious about pump-action versus semi-auto or trying to nail down ammo selection, this post has you covered.

Pump-Action vs. Semi-Auto: It’s All About Training

One of the top questions I keep hearing is the classic pump versus semi-auto debate. With a pump-action shotgun, having a well-developed pump reflex is key. If you train yourself to pump immediately after a shot, you’ll always have the next round ready. But if you’re newer to the game or don’t train often, a semi-auto might help minimize the risk of “short stroking” your shotgun.

Now, keep in mind, both pump and semi-auto shotguns can jam. For a semi-auto, a lot of that comes down to quality ammunition and good training—it’s manageable. Ultimately, in the hands of a well-trained shooter, both types perform similarly. It really comes down to personal preference and the training you put in.

12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge: Finding Your Fit

Another hot topic is the gauge debate. I want to start by saying that for typical home defense distances, a 20 gauge will serve you just fine—especially when loaded with buckshot. I personally prefer using double-aught buck for home defense. My own shotgun is a 12 gauge, but a 20 gauge offers the advantage of lower recoil. For smaller statured individuals, beginners, or anyone sensitive to recoil, a 20 gauge can be a huge benefit. In fact, I even challenged skeptics to a "$20 challenge" with a 20 gauge, and nobody took me up on it—that says a lot about its performance!

Ammo Selection: More Options Than You Think

When it comes to ammo, the shotgun is like the balisong knife of guns—versatile and customizable. You can pump, you can magazine-load, and there’s a whole variety of ammunition available. For defensive scenarios, you generally have two choices: buckshot for shorter distances or slugs if you need to shoot farther out. Personally, I lean towards double-aught buck for most situations. I’m not a fan of low-recoil loads—they tend to sacrifice penetration, which is something you really don’t want in a defensive situation.

There’s been some chatter about birdshot for self-defense, but in my experience, birdshot just doesn’t interact with a human target the same way buckshot does. Birdshot might be fine for taking down birds or even going through drywall at close range, but for personal defense, I prefer buckshot or slugs.

Shotgun vs. Handgun for Home Defense

So, why not just use a handgun? That’s a fair question. For my personal home defense, I keep a Glock 17 with a flashlight attached. It’s ideal for moving around the house, especially since I live with my wife, son, and mother-in-law. Having a free hand is crucial in a home defense scenario.

However, shotguns have their own perks. Some models, like the Benelli M series, come with a stock that has a pistol grip. This design offers excellent control and lets you use your other hand for additional tasks. A semi-auto shotgun, in particular, gives you that extra versatility—if you need to handle something and fire one-handed, it’s a solid option. Of course, like anything else, it requires training to really take advantage of that capability.

Converting Your Shotgun

One final note: if you ever find yourself needing to extend your shotgun’s reach, remember that using slugs can effectively turn it into a makeshift rifle for longer distances. This flexibility is one of the reasons the shotgun remains such a popular choice for home defense.

I hope this clears up some of your questions and gives you a better idea of what to consider when choosing your shotgun and ammo. Drop your thoughts and questions in the comments—I'm always happy to chat more about it. Until next time, stay sharp, stay ready, and take care!

For a more detailed discussion on the subject click HERE.

Stay prepared. Stay sharp. Survival is a mindset.

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