I just picked up a Stoeger supreme coach gun and I'm pretty happy with it so far. I also have a Benelli M1 super 90. Despite the fact that I have a modern auto loader with rifle sights, high(er) ammo capacity etc. I bought the coach gun for home defense. I've owned two Mossberg 500s and an 870 police magnum for home defense, and I actually prefer the double gun.
It seems to me that the common opinion is that pump guns are the best for home defense. There are good reasons I suppose: higher ammo capacity, reliability, and that ominous sound of a homeowner racking the gun to show he or she means business.
But, I think there's a good argument to be made for the humble coach gun. While the pump gun has it beat hands down in the ammo capacity dept., I think the coach gun can hold its own in the other areas. A coach gun is more reliable than a pump gun. Once the action is closed, both shells are ready to roll. No feeding of shells means no possible feeding problems. Moreover, if one barrel failed to fire, it is far faster to pull the other trigger than it is to rack another round.
With respect to the intimidation factor, I think too much is made out of the fear a racked shotgun will instill in an attacker. Sure, it tells him that you're armed and you mean business. But, it also tells him where you are. And, if he's armed too, it might actually start a gunfight. Underlying the belief that the sound of a racked pump gun will scare off a perp is the assumption that the perp will choose "flight" when the fight or flight instinct kicks in. But, what if he chooses "fight"? Having a good shotgun in close quarters might give you an edge, but the last thing you want are bullets and buckshot flying around your home (esp. when some are flying at you).
Besides, if you put a standard riot gun next to a coach gun, the coach gun wins hands down in the visual intimidation factor. Rather than racking a slide and hoping the perp runs or gives up, what if the first the perp knew of your armed status was when he was looking down two 12 gauge barrels? If he still wants to fight, you've certainly got the jump on him. In America, anyway, I think pop culture has instilled a certain fear of and respect for the short barreled double gun (all the cowboy and mafia movies, I suppose). We Americans instinctually understand what the gun means.
As far as ammo capacity, I watched Clint Smith do a piece on Self Defense TV about using whatever gun is around for self defense. He showed how a buttcuff and a little technique will enable you to keep up a decent rate of fire with a coach gun. I have my doubts, however, that a reload would be necessary if I fired both barrels of the coach gun at a perp.
I keep a Glock 19 next to my bed and my HD shotgun (now the coach gun) a few steps away from my bed. My HD plan has always involved grabbing the handgun first and then making my way to the shotgun if time allows. I think it's always a good idea to back up your long gun with a handgun when you are defending your life. The reason is clear: in case the long gun malfunctions, it's faster to grab your handgun than to fix the long gun. The same is true for reloading. Especially with shotguns (even pumps or autos), it's far faster to grab your pistol than it is to spend the time reloading.
Bottom line, I think the coach gun is as good as the pump gun for self/home defense. Rather than getting another pump gun, I opted for the nostalgia of a double gun. It's now up to me to make sure that I know how to use it effectively. But that can be said for every gun on the market today.
The longer I own guns (and I have owned plenty) the more I agree with the K.I.S.S. principle. There are few guns as simple as the coach gun.
It seems to me that the common opinion is that pump guns are the best for home defense. There are good reasons I suppose: higher ammo capacity, reliability, and that ominous sound of a homeowner racking the gun to show he or she means business.
But, I think there's a good argument to be made for the humble coach gun. While the pump gun has it beat hands down in the ammo capacity dept., I think the coach gun can hold its own in the other areas. A coach gun is more reliable than a pump gun. Once the action is closed, both shells are ready to roll. No feeding of shells means no possible feeding problems. Moreover, if one barrel failed to fire, it is far faster to pull the other trigger than it is to rack another round.
With respect to the intimidation factor, I think too much is made out of the fear a racked shotgun will instill in an attacker. Sure, it tells him that you're armed and you mean business. But, it also tells him where you are. And, if he's armed too, it might actually start a gunfight. Underlying the belief that the sound of a racked pump gun will scare off a perp is the assumption that the perp will choose "flight" when the fight or flight instinct kicks in. But, what if he chooses "fight"? Having a good shotgun in close quarters might give you an edge, but the last thing you want are bullets and buckshot flying around your home (esp. when some are flying at you).
Besides, if you put a standard riot gun next to a coach gun, the coach gun wins hands down in the visual intimidation factor. Rather than racking a slide and hoping the perp runs or gives up, what if the first the perp knew of your armed status was when he was looking down two 12 gauge barrels? If he still wants to fight, you've certainly got the jump on him. In America, anyway, I think pop culture has instilled a certain fear of and respect for the short barreled double gun (all the cowboy and mafia movies, I suppose). We Americans instinctually understand what the gun means.
As far as ammo capacity, I watched Clint Smith do a piece on Self Defense TV about using whatever gun is around for self defense. He showed how a buttcuff and a little technique will enable you to keep up a decent rate of fire with a coach gun. I have my doubts, however, that a reload would be necessary if I fired both barrels of the coach gun at a perp.
I keep a Glock 19 next to my bed and my HD shotgun (now the coach gun) a few steps away from my bed. My HD plan has always involved grabbing the handgun first and then making my way to the shotgun if time allows. I think it's always a good idea to back up your long gun with a handgun when you are defending your life. The reason is clear: in case the long gun malfunctions, it's faster to grab your handgun than to fix the long gun. The same is true for reloading. Especially with shotguns (even pumps or autos), it's far faster to grab your pistol than it is to spend the time reloading.
Bottom line, I think the coach gun is as good as the pump gun for self/home defense. Rather than getting another pump gun, I opted for the nostalgia of a double gun. It's now up to me to make sure that I know how to use it effectively. But that can be said for every gun on the market today.
The longer I own guns (and I have owned plenty) the more I agree with the K.I.S.S. principle. There are few guns as simple as the coach gun.
I just never got the feel for the short barrels and dont get a good follow thru with it because their so short. I got a Baikal(Remington) Bounty Hunter 12ga. coach for sale cheap. If anyone is interested, PM me.
