I think it is and own two both specifically for defense against any goblins who think of besieging my castle. I like the lighter recoil but I honestly just got my first 20ga to be different. John Snow asked the same question at The Gun Shots and looks like the conclusion is the same among his commenters. I guess we’re all going to get lectured now by a bunch of people who claim anything under 3 1/2 inch Magnum loads of 000 buckshot just makes home invaders angry.
At self defense ranges indoors almost anything shotgun will be enough gun to stop an intruder, and when you’re talking about 12 and 20 gauges most birdshot rounds will be fatal on an unarmored intruder hit in the chest or face. Remember most people will be shooting across a room – maybe 6-10 feet away, sometimes closer. The blast itself might injure the person on the other end in that situation.
The only shotgun that’s iffy is the .410 though as I said before the popularity of the Judge has made a variety of self-defense loads that will work in a pinch. I have a .410/.45 Survivor I’m partial to because even if I’m sick, wounded or crippled with arthritis I can get it on target quickly. But I keep it next to some Winchester 225gr Silvertips and some a box of Federal Champion 225gr Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Points. As much as I love the .410 (and I love the .410) if some goblin is in the house I prefer more punch.
That’s why I reach for my Stoeger 20ga Coach Gun. It’s more than enough gun to meet a goblin with.
Shoot the largest caliber you are comfortable with. Train with it extensively. Know it’s strengths and weaknesses. Remember there is no magic bullet, it may take multiple rounds. Train outside the comfort zone, even if you think you will only shoot 8ft shoot it at 1ft and then at 50ft for groups and penetration just to see what happens with the loads you have.
As a very young boy I came home with some game that my relatives looked at in dismay and stated you are not supposed to be able to take that with a 20gauge and #8s. I remember looking at them laughing and stated someone forgot to tell it because he died quick!
Too many people read about what guns and ammo do and don’t test this info out for themselves. It’s the Box ‘O’ Truth effect, talk about any gun long enough and someone will show up with a link to Bo “o Truth – and no experience with the caliber in question.
Rob Taylor,
I think that I saw that picture before in UFO documentary. It was drawn based on the claims mad by a man who said that aliens tried to abduct him, and his family. That creature in the window is supposed to be what he said the aliens looked like. Now if real extraterrestrials were to actually invade Earth, I don’t know if a 20 gauge would be enough to bring one down, but it would certianly take down your common street thug.
Damien-
Good eye. It’s the Hopkinsville “goblin” that was said to attack a family in the midwest. I wanted a fantasy goblin but could find one with a shotgun being pointed at it.
Rob Taylor,
Thanks for letting me know that. I was right, than as it turns out.