What shotgun works best for home defense?

[Alan]

I've been researching shotguns for home defense and could use some real-user insights. I'm leaning between a 12-gauge and a 20-gauge. I understand the 12-gauge has the stopping power we want, but I'm also considering the 20-gauge for less recoil, especially in tight spaces. What do you all think?

What features should I prioritize? Barrel length and stock setup seem important, but what else? Reliability is key for me, so if you have any specific models or brands that have worked well, I'd really like to hear about them.

Also, how essential is training? I've fired shotguns casually, but I'm looking to step it up. What kind of practice would prepare me for a home defense situation?

 

[Terry Nixon]

A 12 gauge shotgun can be very difficult to manage for some people due to the recoil. There has been a lot of discussion as to what type of shells one should use for a home defense shotgun. Some "experts' tell us that there is a danger of over-pentration and hitting a family member behind the target if the shotgun is loaded with buckshot. I think that obviously rules-out using a slug load. Fired at a target at close range (probably 6 feet or less) the pellets only begin to disperse into a pattern. Generally there will be only one large hole in the target at that range as the pellets will still be in the shot cup. Upon impact with a human torso I would think they would disperse inside. Some people advocate using a #6 shot shell.

There are "expert" opinions of what to use and what not to use. I am no expert and don't claim to be. When I began my law enforcement career we were issued 12 gauge #4 buck shells. If I remember correctly these had 21 pellets. Later the switch was made to 00 buckshot. It has fewer but larger-sized pellets. I think there was concern about collateral damage from the increased number of pellets in the #4 buck and responsibility for what the larger number might hit. The 20 gauge would offer less recoil, and of course fewer pellets because of the shell capacity. I have seen 20 gauge buck shells but the availability of them is not as good as 12 gauge.

I personally keep my bedside Mossberg 500 loaded with 00 buck. The Mossberg I own began life as a "Cruiser" model with only a pistol grip instead of a stock. On the range, I found shooting even a #6 standard shot load was very uncomfortable on my wrist holding the rear grip. I only fired 2 or 3 shells. I ordered and installed an extendable plastic Tapco stock on it.