The Tactical Shotgun for Self Defense

Is the tactical shotgun the best option for home defense? Well that’s a question that has been pondered by many men. This article is not so much about its choice as a tactical weapon for home defense but its application. In this article I will try to explore the best way to use the tactical shotgun to defend your family and give you some practical tips on how to limit liability as well.

The shotgun has been around in one version or another for hundreds of years. As a hunting arm the shotgun has brought home both small and large game for hunters in every corner of the globe. As a weapon of war and law enforcement it has served well. With its short to medium range stopping power and the ability to use different loads to meet the specific need of the situation the shotgun is the goto gun not only in the field but also on the home front.

There are some problems with the use of the shotgun however. First let’s establish that not everyone is comfortable with the recoil and the muzzle blast of a standard 12 gauge shotgun. This is especially true of many women. They are intimidated by the sheer size and power of the weapon. This can discourage them from becoming truly proficient. Comfort is the first thing that needs to be addressed. Having your tactical shotgun outfitted with a properly fitting stock and a decelerator style butt pad will reduce the felt recoil and help the shooter to have a higher level confidence.

The next thing is to have all practice sessions conducted using reduced recoil ammunition. By using low recoil loads the shooter learns to concentrate on the basics of movement, target acquisition and basic marksmanship without the added stress of recoil. During defense operation the shotgun should be loaded with full defensive rounds. During an actual defense situation the shooters higher levels of adrenalin will negate any negative effects of recoil.

Practice should take place in as relaxed an atmosphere as possible. An always hot range such as a privately owned piece of land or a club where you do not have a firing line but can shoot and move in a realistic way will make practice feel more realistic. As always remember to teach your wife or loved ones proper safety and continue to stress that during practice. Having your shotgun outfitted with a flashlight and practicing with the light in low light or no light conditions will also add to the realism.

The last thing you should do is establish a realistic plan that the family can follow. Trying to clear your house is probably the worst thing you could do. Remember this isn’t Hollywood its real life and in real life it takes more than one person to do a proper room clearing. A good plan is if someone does break in, you and your spouse stay in the bedroom and call the police let the police know where you are in the house and that you are armed. Place yourself in between the bed and the wall facing the door. Aim at the center of the door and wait until the police arrive. If the intruder is dumb enough to challenge you at the bedroom door it will be the last challenge he will ever offer. If you have children then your plan should be to move straight to their bedroom clearing your travel path and then securing them in the room with you. Your spouse and the children should be in a closet or at least out of the line of fire and you should be positioned in between the bed and the a bedroom wall facing the door.

One last tip for those of you with children or those of you who have family with children who come over often, if you can’t afford a gun safe place dead bolt lock on your master bedroom closet door that way you can keep your weapon handy but limit its access to minors.

I hope this article will help you establish a plan for the use of your tactical shotgun for home defense.