Sparknotes version… birdshot is for birds and clays. Unless you have a group of either of those attacking you… don’t use birdshot.
I understand the overpenetration argument… but if that’s your concern, maybe consider something different. Jeff Quinn was a good guy, and definitely sad that he passed away. Paul Harrell… good guy. However, I do agree with him, birdshot isn’t going to blow thru walls. But what happens with that when you shoot someone? I disagree with him… why? How many people have been hit with birdshot and not died? Remember that shooting with Dick Cheney? 78 year old guy hit in the upper torso and face… out of the hospital in three days. Guy is still alive, and quickly looking… is 94.
That being said, if a 78 year old lived… what’s going to happen to the 28 year old meth head, breaking in your house. When you hit him, he staggers and comes at you… are you going to put another round into him (see below)?
Hell, look at history… L/E moved away from 9mm because a round stopped short of a suspect’s heart, who in turn killed two FBI agents after that. Same wound was fatal, and if he surrendered… likely would have died on the way to the hospital. That gave way to the .40 revolution, and that literally just ended in the past few years (I have/shoot .40 only because locally, our F/I is trying to get rid of the old duty ammo, and an off duty gun is a legitimate way to do so). While I get overpenetration… I think you really should do an alternative method of alleviating that instead of a poor weapon/ammo choice. .22 Short doesn’t overpenetrate… but I don’t suggest we all use .22 Short for defense. While it seems apples/oranges, it is very similar of an argument to using birdshot.
Other ways to combat overpenetration? My old home was a ranch… had bedrooms at one end, with a hallway heading down near the entrance ways. If someone broke in, I wasn’t prancing thru the house… hunting him/them down. I’m getting in that hallway and have an 870 Police loaded with Winchester PDX1 (slug with three 00 buckshot behind it). Anyone I don’t want to shoot was with me… and if someone came towards us… boom! I had neighbors, but had a stone wood burning stove as backstop.
New house, similar method… even though weapons changed (ME is freer than NJ). Second floor, sit in the edge of the staircase, and keep people away from those upstairs. If I feel like it is tactically advantageous to go downstairs… I may, but I’m making sure those upstairs are protected. I don’t need a shotgun when I have a (soon to be) suppressed 9mm AR pistol.
For a semi-auto shotgun… you are going to be iffy if it will cycle certain loads. That low brass you linked, I’m going to go with a no. Definitely consider that before making your decision. I’d also add that box magazines and shotgun shells aren’t the best match. Stacked in a tube, they don’t deform… and I’ve confirmed that multiple times. Stacking on top of each other in a box… you’ll see them start to egg out. How quick and how long before your shotgun won’t feed them… your guess is as good as mine. Again, something to really consider.
I understand finicky! I've been testing various ammo on my S&W M&P 15-22 and it's been a journey! Fun tho
CCI… my M&P15/22 pistol runs awesomely reliable with it. Cannot wait to put a can on that, as well.
