Father is interested in learning how to shoot...

[Rugerboy50]

Plus you just point in the general direction and pull the trigger. The spread will cover more ground

With all due respect, you couldn't be more wrong on that. A shotgun is not the "scattergun" that everyone seems to think. That is a Hollywood myth.

When you get a chance, try firing buckshot at paper targets 10 to 20 feet away. You sould find a spread of only 6 - 12", depending on the ammo, barrel length, and a couple of other variables. 10 to 20 feet would be about normal in-home distance.

I agree with what you are saying.

I also still feel that it's a better spread than a single 9mm or .45 shot and it looks alot more imposing than a handgun.

[WildBill]

A shotgun is a good defensive weapon at close range. IMO, the sound it makes while cycling the action or how imposing it looks is not relevent when choosing a gun for self defense.

[Pawpaw]

Plus you just point in the general direction and pull the trigger. The spread will cover more ground

With all due respect, you couldn't be more wrong on that. A shotgun is not the "scattergun" that everyone seems to think. That is a Hollywood myth.

When you get a chance, try firing buckshot at paper targets 10 to 20 feet away. You sould find a spread of only 6 - 12", depending on the ammo, barrel length, and a couple of other variables. 10 to 20 feet would be about normal in-home distance.

I agree with what you are saying.

I also still feel that it's a better spread than a single 9mm or .45 shot and it looks alot more imposing than a handgun.

Of course, but that is not the same as this totally incorrect statement:

Plus you just point in the general direction and pull the trigger. The spread will cover more ground

[Greybeard]

Quote:

"Plus you just point in the general direction and pull the trigger. The spread will cover more ground.

A HPD officer and serveral others have told me "Racking a pump gun is a pretty intimidating sound, if the perp isn't smart enough to take the hint god bless him".

It looks like others have already pointed out the incorrectness of the first statement. Unfortunately, that and the second statement as well seem to get perpetually circulated (often in the midst of some other bravado) by people who should know better. A good general rule of thumb, is, from a modified choke, shotgun pellets spread approximately 1 inch for every yard of travel. A "cylinder" choke or barrel loosens that up slightly, but not much at typical inside-the-home distances.

While, yes, racking a pump shotgun is under some circumstances an intimidating sound, under other circumstances, it may very well turn into a tactical disaster. Think about it: If a hopped-up "perp" hears that sound coming from the end of your dark hallway and he has a gun, you have just given away your position - and you might very well get lit up first.

[stroguy]

Could install a wireless mic and have the racking sound play in 7.1 Dolby digital in the whole house. Position is everywhere bad guy!

[SRH78]

Racking the slide on a pump means you didn't already have a round in the chamber and you now have one less in the magazine. It also means the burglar now knows where you are and that you are armed.

As for suggestions, there are several good choices but I would go with an 870. On the issue of 12 or 20 guage, either will work but a good recoil pad will make much more difference than 12 or 20. I would personally, go with a 12. Standard 2 3/4" 12 guage loads aren't bad. Also, recoil is really only going to be an issue during practice. If he ever needs the shotgun, he won't feel the recoil.

One more thing that has been brought up. A shotgun is not simply a point and shoot weapon as some people believe. The pattern at home defense range will be similar to a softball. I, for one, am glad that is the case. If it truly spread out the way some believe, very few, if any, pellets would hit the vitals and lots of pellets would miss entirley and be a liability.

[cubbyjg]

I wasnt trying to imply that 63 was old or anything so if i offended anyone, my apologies. I consider my dad as not old but seasoned. My dad does have a history of heart related things but that doesnt really effect his physical capabilities. However, he did have open heart surgery over 10 years ago so im not sure if his upper body can handle the kick of a shotgun. I didnt really think about that until after i created this thread. I will ask him to talk to his doctor though to get advice on that.

I think taking some basic training classes, like the ones Skiprr suggested, would really help him make a solid decision. Based on some more discussions, my dad is more focused on getting training first and then selecting a firearm second. I know i would feel alot better if he had some training under his belt before buying his first firearm.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I wasnt trying to imply that 63 was old or anything so if i offended anyone, my apologies. I consider my dad as not old but seasoned. My dad does have a history of heart related things but that doesnt really effect his physical capabilities. However, he did have open heart surgery over 10 years ago so im not sure if his upper body can handle the kick of a shotgun. I didnt really think about that until after i created this thread. I will ask him to talk to his doctor though to get advice on that.

I think taking some basic training classes, like the ones Skiprr suggested, would really help him make a solid decision. Based on some more discussions, my dad is more focused on getting training first and then selecting a firearm second. I know i would feel alot better if he had some training under his belt before buying his first firearm.

I was just kidding, so I hope you didn't take my comment seriously.

Chas.

[cubbyjg]

No worries Mr. Cotton, i knew you were kidding.

[MasterOfNone]

No worries Mr. Cotton, i knew you were kidding.

You know those old guys like to tease the young kids.