Author Topic: Single Shot 20 gauge break open shotgun for self defense? (Read 2084 times)

Mrserenity · « **on:** July 26, 2004, 06:08:08 PM »

Hi, for years I relied on a single shot 20 gauge break open shotgun for home defense. What are your opinions on this? Also, I have a .410 snake charmer pistol grip shotgun. I haven't shot it yet though. What are you opinions on this firearm?

crawfish · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2004, 08:35:41 PM »

Neither would be my first choice but either is better than a stick in the eye. A load of #6 at room range will end a fight real quick and makes a mess too.

Savage · « **Reply #2 on:** July 27, 2004, 02:46:15 PM »

A blast from your single barrel 20 will likely end a fight just as fast as a Wilson 870, and for about $1200 less. Still I think I'd sell it and the "Snake Charmer" and buy a good used pump, just to be on the safe side. By the way, what do you do with a snake charmer? Never could figure out what one was good for.
Savage

Mrserenity · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2004, 08:45:50 AM »

Hi, I don't do anything with it right now, just nice to look at and collect. Lol! I am intrigued by it's small size. With my 20 gauge I try to go "Skeet and Trap" shooting every now and then. I have a .32 acp and I'm thinking about moving up to a .380 next year. If so I might sell the "snake charmer" or I may just keep it to look at, who knows. Lol! :eek:

Savage · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2004, 09:21:05 AM »

Well, if you like the looks of the "Snake Charmer" that's reason enough to own it. I must admit to being a bit fascinated by short barreled shotguns myself. I have three 12ga shotguns with 18" barrels.(An 870-1100--and a double.
Savage

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2004, 01:24:52 PM »

And this thread is in the handgun forum why? :? :? :roll:

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2004, 03:24:34 PM »

For my money I don't want a single shot ANYTHING for self-defense. There're just too many things that can go wrong in a fast breaking criminal assault to justify using a single shot weapon. I like the suggestion for the pump shotgun. If I were really concerned about it I'd sell a lot of my possessions to acquire one.

cblambert · « **Reply #7 on:** September 02, 2004, 05:47:49 PM »

Lets assume there are 2 or more bad guys - shootin back. Think they'll wait for a reload? No. Or what if you miss in the excitment? If a hallway cleare is what you want how 'bout a synthetic Remington 870 express with a 20" cylinder choke tube in the end with some #2 Buck shot? Sounds like a show stopper to me eh?

Smokem · « **Reply #8 on:** September 03, 2004, 01:47:07 AM »

Stoeger 12 gauge coach gun with #8 shot. Perps don't like being shot at. For that matter I don't either.

Mrserenity · « **Reply #9 on:** September 07, 2004, 10:15:08 AM »

Thanks for your advice! I'm looking into the Stoeger "Uplander" side by side. They have a 20 gauge youth model. 22 inch barrel - weighing 6.5lbs. The weight is comparable to my single shot Topper Jr. It's not a pump, but it gives me one extra shot. :grin: And it will be much better when I go do "Skeet and Clay" than my single shot. Also, I remember having a .410 Mossberg pump shotgun some years ago when I was much more less experienced. I shot two holes in my wall by mistake. :shock: I'm pretty sure it had a hair trigger. I knew at that moment I had to get something less mechanical and simpler. Of course we all know there is nothing simpler than a break open shotgun. [/i]I am definitely an amateur when it comes to firearms and appreciate the knowledge and the experience of the individuals on this forum.

I'm still undecided about what caliber of revolver i'm going to get. I've had .22acp and .32 acp semi-auto's but I don't like the jamming. I'm thinking about either a 22lr, 22 magnum or 32 magnum. But I may must get the 22lr to have some fun at the range.

The lady i'm involved with is not fond of firearms. So, we made an agreement that I would only own two at a time. Eventhough in the future we might have to negotiate.

Very nice lady but very unrealistic. Not in touch with reality. She lives in a supposedly nice neighborhood. She has no car alarm or house alarm. But what is so ironic. Over the labor Day weekend one of her neighbors had a get together. The event got out of hand. This guy was an adult but for some reason he had a bunch of teenagers over his house. So sometime around midnight there was a crowd of about 30 teenagers brawling in the street. There were injuries and the police came. She said that was the first time anything like that had ever happened in her neighborhood. So, I told her it's not about having an arsenal, it's just about being able to protect your family from the bad guys. And a lot of individuals are easy prey for the bad guys because they know that these individuals believe that bad things don't happened in their neighborhoods, so these people are unprepared. [/b]Sorry for the long story, I forgot where I was at for a second.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #10 on:** September 07, 2004, 10:48:08 AM »

You're picking some funny rounds for self defense. 22s 32s go for a 38 special at least!

Savage · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2004, 11:27:04 AM »

I'd second the suggestion of at least a 38spl for the defensive handgun. I would further suggest you get a DAO revolver after reading your last post. Stay Safe,
Savage

Flash · « **Reply #12 on:** September 11, 2004, 01:23:41 PM »

oooops, most of the pellets went into the couch.....don't shoot back until I reload.

Mrserenity · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2004, 09:17:32 AM »

Lol!

at Flash. I hear yah and I know exactly where your coming from. I'm at the moment looking into Stoeger's uplander side-by-side 20 gauge youth model or Mossberg's Bantam youth pump shotgun. Thanks for all of your help.