Double-barrel vs Pump for self-defense ?

Those tacti-cool Stoegers with the picatinny rail sounded interesting until you mentioned barrel porting. For indoor use porting is not recommended▬especially on a short barrel shotgun


I have a Baikal SxS 12ga that's located in a go-to place in case of daytime shtf scenario. I keep it loaded with Aguila Mini-Slugs [.729 dia, 385gr pure lead wadcutter @ 1250 FPS]
I load shells in the chambers, pull back on both triggers, and close the action. Now there's no constant pressure on the springs, and you have cock the hammers back by opening the action. This is why exposed-hammer shotguns are good for long-term storage behind a door or in a barn or garage. There are no springs to wear out..
The method i use is a bit unwieldy without practice

Please watch this excellent Clint Smith defensive shotgun video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw
 
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Two main advantages to the double. It's going to be a lot shorter than a pump with the same barrel length, and it's going to be more reliable since it's basically two guns stuck together.
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The typical 870 runs thru shotgun courses firing hundreds of rounds slick as a whistle with great regularity. From what I hear, most Mossbergs do, also.

I'm not real familiar with the intricate mechanism found in a good double, but I'm not convinced it's simpler than the proven pump shotgun design.

I always likes the concept of having a double or two stashed away as secondary guns---such as in a jewelry store environment, or similar situation, but I'll stick with the pump as my primary.

Middle of the night. You've got a problem. Some seem to have the insight to know that the double will do just fine, but I haven't got the predisposition to know when, where, and how many.

Just my thoughts on the matter.:cool:
 
I believe the spring issue is overstated. I have a Parker Bros 20 gauge SXS. It was manufactured in 1916. I have owned it since about 1960. It is in the safe now, with tension on the springs, and has lived like that since about 1960. It has never failed, and I fully expect it to work here in a few weeks when I break it out for the dove opener.
 
While it would be foolhardy to bet your life on it, never discount the potential
deterrent effect of racking that slide on a cold dark night. I have personally
watched a prowler (intentions unknown) set a hundred yard dash record upon
hearing that sound.
 
"... a struggle for the uninitiated...."

I fervently hope no one is depending on a firearm they do not know thoroughly for defending self and family.

As for the OP, pump, though a double is far from useless.
 
I have personally
watched a prowler (intentions unknown) set a hundred yard dash record upon
hearing that sound.
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That's frequently the case. Especially if he's still outside and can hear the slide being operated.

However, I wonder how many who, under different circumstances, were willing to rack and hope that Bubba would pee his pants and flee, but were, instead, met with incoming gunfire one second after exposing their position. Either from Bubba, or one of his friends who didn't flee, and whose presence the dead home owner was never aware of.

Responses to danger, if I recall, are fight, flee, or freeze. That applies to Bubba as well as the rest of us. Not all Bubbas are scared, unarmed pansies.

Talking about racking the slide as a psychological tactic to be used in all circumstances is unwise--though it may have it's place in specific scenarios.

Just my thoughts on the matter.:cool:
 
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I am a firm believer that the sound of a cycling pump action will scare the livin' chit out of a feller... But in my situation, I would have to make a few minutes cuz their ears ringing after the first shot will drown out most sounds for quite a spell...:D
Brent
 
I'l have to agree with the pump action guys. Everyone knows that sound. At it will more often than not, end the incident in a hurry.

I speak from experience on that one
 
That sound

Not trying to start a argument, NOT everyone knows the sound of a pump action scattergun being racked. Racking a scattergun is part of the maunal of arms to get into action, if it works to passively deter your enemy FINE, if not it steels the operator to the action he is about to take.

For those of you who are fans of the "sound", here is a little story from my history that you might like.

It was 10:00 at night, the lights and sounds of “O” city pulsed in the distance and beaconed to three young salty dogs. As usual we had arrived back a Cubi point in the morning, ate a hardy meal and slept the day away in peace and calm, our first in two weeks. We were now looking for “other” delights that the city would afford.
Once we had cleared our heads and assembled there were no busses and very few taxies operating from Amphibious pier 6 cubi point, in our hast, and a 12:00 base closure, we allowed our little heads to control our actions and decided to cross Cubi point air field and get to the promised land “the main gate”. As combat vets and brown water sailors of the first water, we felt it our duty to violate the marine restricted barrier and walk across the air strip and enter “heaven”. We hopped the fence and started our operation and about 4 minutes into our assault on the air field, in pitch darkness, we heard that sound, the slide of a pump scattergun and the challenge of “halt who goes there”. Now, our unit carried both model 12 and 870 fighting scatterguns, and all three of use understood the peril of the situation. We froze in place and id’ed our selves and received a usual harassing message from the Marine guard, and “thankfully” a ride to the main gate.
I will never forget that sound delivered in the black, however, I KNEW what it was, I will also never forget the case of NSUI I caught that night.
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Good Luck & Be Safe
 
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Even though I believe in pumps, I don't believe in ever pumping the action to signal to the bad guy that I'm coming. I keep my 870 loaded with the safety on. If I have to deal with a life threatening situation, hopefully I can get the drop on the bad guy before he even knows I'm there. Speed and stealth are key if you want to save your skin or the skin of your loved ones. To hell with pumping the action to announce you're there. Puffery is best left for the school yard.
 
Fifth Wheel

As always I consider this to be a foolish practice, I have stated so in may threads. I do not believe a devise that only blocks the trigger to be a reliable safety, and there are many accounts of this type of safety failing.

The term "cruiser" ready was established as a standard in LE training to prevent the numerous accidental holes in cars and people. Enough Said.

Good Luck & Be Safe
 
Well, I've been using the 870 for over 20 years and never once had a problem. The one I keep next to my bed at night leans against my wall, and it doesn't get banged around. I treat it with care. I've been around guns long enough to know to keep my finger off the trigger when I'm not shooting. Say what you will, but if the time ever comes that I must use the 870 for self-defense, I don't plan to pump it to get off the first shot. I plan to disengage the safety. That's what the safety is there for.
 
A Corps buddy of mine just back from "the Sandbox" states that, in the built up areas and during interrogation, the racking of their 590s tends to have a positive effect on the mood of the natives. They know exactly what it is and what it portends.
 
"racking the slide" does two things:

1.) escalates the scenario

2.) gives away your position


What if there's more than one bad guy?
What if he/they're armed as well?

After racking the slide, you better be ready to put up or shut up


A double-barrel shotgun doesn't give you that option.. Bad guys are expected to quake in their boots or soil themselves upon seeing the shotgun pointed at them
 
Based on personal experience, bad guys don't always run when they hear the sound of a shotgun being pumped. They also don't always run when they see you pointing a shotgun at them.
 
Slide Racking

Yep. That's why I qualified my comments with the condition that you can't
depend on it working in all situations. Still, it can and has worked to
de-escalate what might have been much more serious situations. And that's
partly why I'd be more inclined to grab my Ithaca 37 rather than one of my
doubles in response to a threat on my home turf.
 
I'd rather have one in the chamber. I agree that some of the times, the soound of the racking action of the pump will scare off the bad guys (prob not zombies though:eek::D).

Anyways, if there is a bad dude in my house, the only way that I'm gonna be de-escalating the situation is buy putting some 00 and/or 000 BUCK down range. If they are in the house, they are past the point of no return. Breaking the threshold of my door or window puts them in my world & puts the law on my side.

I'd rather be concealed, have suprise, time to set up my ambush or defense, & have the shot. If I get in trouble from the law for taking out someone who's broken into my house...so be it...as long as my wife & child are safe then it is worth it.
 
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