I was inspired to write this article after watching a video from TFB TV. In it, James Reeves talks about why someone might choose a shotgun over a semi-auto rifle (in this case the AR-15) for a defensive long-gun.

Legal and Available
The one reason that struck me the most is the defensive shotgun remains a viable option for those living in “ban states.” Well, Massachusetts (where I live) is one of those, and has been for some time. And with further restrictions placed on us just last year by our political overlords, options for gun owners (especially new gun owners) are few when it comes to choosing an effective long-gun for defense or SHTF.

Not to get bogged down in the specifics of the law (An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws [H.4885]), but long story short, detachable magazine-fed, centerfire semi-auto rifles (and their “high-capacity” magazines) are now pretty much unobtanium on the new gun market (there are a few exceptions but let’s keep moving). Used models of standbys like AR-15s, AKMs, and the like are now only available through in-state, private transfer and are priced out of reach for a lot of folks. Owners know what they’ve got is gold and are charging money that would be unheard of in free states.

While these new restrictions are being fought in the courts (a long and costly process that I ultimately hope is successful), law-abiding gun owners (of note new gun owners) are left with dwindling options for affordable, readily available defensive long-guns.

So other than lever action, bolt action, or pump action rifles, which I won’t dismiss as they certainly have their place (when precision and/or distance is concerned), the venerable, and versatile, shotgun (especially chambered in 12 gauge) rises to the top of the list, particularly for home defense.

Devastating Power
Few can dispute the raw power of the 12-gauge shotgun, especially when loaded with 00 buck or a 1-ounce slug–the effects on a human can be devastating. I was in a shotgun class at the SIG Academy years ago and a fellow student, who was a trauma surgeon, said that someone could be shot with 12-gauge 00 buck in the chest in his operating room and he probably couldn’t save them.

As Reeves points out in his video, the one-shot-stop rate with a shotgun for ending a deadly-threat defensive scenario hovers around 80 percent. Load, distance, shooter ability, and other factors can play into this, but compared to handgun bullets, which have been shown to stop the threat only 30-50 percent of the time on average with one shot, the 12-gauge shotgun is a fight stopper.

Versatile
And for SHTF and survival scenarios, the versatility of the shotgun means with the right load, you can put food on the table. Pretty much any game species in New England can be taken with it.

And as Reeves also points out, less than lethal munitions are an option with the shotgun. Rubber buckshot, single rubber projectiles, bean bag rounds, and more can be found with a little bit of searching.

Cost Effective
As mentioned in the video, a new Mossberg-made Maverick 88 can be had for a couple hundred dollars when on sale. And the Mossberg 500, a bit of a step up from the 88, runs a little more (around $400 on sale for base models). Home defense Remington 870s are priced around $500 new, and the used market always has shotguns priced to move. Law enforcement trade-ins (Remington 870 Police Magnums, for instance) can still be found from time to time for hundreds less than new models.

By comparison, a used, grandfathered (legal to buy), private-sale AR-15 in Mass. is going for at least $1,500—and that’s typically for a bottom-shelf gun or a home-build of questionable quality. A mid or top-tier rifle in a factory-made configuration will fetch much more, and a true pre-ban Colt for instance (made before the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban), the sky is the limit. I won’t go into an explanation of pre-1994 and pre-2016 rifles in Mass. as it will make your head spin. Research that on your own as with all gun laws (don’t take mine or anyone else’s word for it)—I’m not a lawyer and don’t give legal advice and I avoid interpreting laws for others.

Semi-Autos
Let’s not forget about semi-auto shotguns, which in recent years have breathed new life into the defensive shotgun market. Models like Beretta’s 1301 and A300 Ultima Patrol are hot items in gun stores (nation-wide) and are usually priced below that of a used AR-15 (in Mass. anyway), with the A300 Ultima Patrol sometimes being found for around a grand. Mossberg’s 940 Pro Tactical SPX usually hovers around that price point as well. The gold standard of semi-auto defensive shotguns, the Benelli M4, will run around $2,000, which is pricey to say the least. But its track record with military and law enforcement worldwide is impeccable.

Resurgence
In the last two decades, we’ve seen law enforcement steadily move away from the shotgun toward the patrol rifle—usually some AR variant in 5.56/.223. Those shotguns that remain in service are usually relegated to firing less than lethal munitions. And because law enforcement is not affected by “assault weapons” bans, they can make that choice. The law-abiding gun owners who don’t already have grandfathered semi-auto rifles, are (as we mentioned) left with few viable/affordable options in ban states. That’s a big reason why shotguns, pump or semi-auto, are making a comeback as a defensive long-gun for the every-day person. They’re legal, relatively affordable, readily available, and don’t carry the “black rifle” stigma associated with other choices.

Yes, there are downsides: recoil always being at the top of the list, as well as limited capacity and range. But, as a defensive shotgun enthusiast and firearms instructor, I can tell you with just a little bit of training, recoil can be effectively managed. And limited capacity and range? Well, those can certainly be argued. Statistically, for home defense, you probably won’t need more than what the gun holds (5-7 rounds)–but there are outlier incidents involving more. A rifle like the AR-15 will almost always be a better choice for mid- to long-range engagements, but for typical home defense distances (within say 15 yards) the shotgun is more than capable. And if by some wild chance a longer shot needs to be taken, slugs can reach out effectively to 80 yards, sometimes more depending on the load, gun, sights, and shooter ability.

Training
So, you’re a new gun owner or longtime shooter who wants a home defense or SHTF long-gun? I think we’ve shown that shotguns are probably the most affordable, versatile, and effective option to be had in states like Massachusetts that have oppressive, restrictive gun laws. But it won’t do you any good sitting in the gun safe all the time—you’ve got to get training and practice. Time and again we see students who were once apprehensive about the shotgun walk away with a new appreciation for the platform after just one class. They learn how to manage recoil, keep it fed, and deliver brutally effective results.

Yes, AR-15s, AKMs, SCARs, Tavors, and the like are very effective and desirable–and they’re among the most popular firearms in the U.S. But, for many gun owners in ban states like Massachusetts, that train has pretty much left the station, and if you haven’t already gotten on it few viable options remain for defensive long-guns, making the shotgun hard to beat.

– Brian Bertoldo, Instructor, Paladin Group Training, LLC