12 ga vs 20 ga for home defense?

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AnthonyP

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Before I bought a shotgun for home defense, I figured I would pick the brains of people more knowledgeable than I. I'm looking for a shotgun for home defense. I have my great grandfather's 20 ga, but the barrel is cracked. As new as I am, I still know that using that is not an option. I've heard a lot about Mossbergs and Remingtons and how good they are. But... my searches online show differences of opinion in what gauge to get. If you use a shotgun for HD, which gauge do use and why?
 
Let me make some popcorn ... be right back.

some time later

In my opinion, ... for defense inside the home, there isn't a dime's worth of difference in performance. Inside 10 yds, a 20ga will do the work and is better tolerated by the recoil-sensitive. There's much more that could be said, but that's my short direct answer to your question.
 
When it comes to home defense have something. Either will do the job. Go and try both and see what you are more comfortable with shooting. But what ever you get shotgun or handgun take the time to practice with it.
 
AnthonyP said:
Thank all of you. I like the short, direct answers. I do agree with something is better than nothing. Range time will definitely be needed for any long gun or handgun I get.
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Come here. Shoot all calibers, gauges and platforms. FREE
you will need to supply ammo all else is free.
 
As others have already mentioned, either is fine. If you’re more recoil sensitive go 20 if not I see no reason to not go 12.
 
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12 or 20, I would not want to be confronted with either.
Where is the crack? My pops old Ithica was split due to obstruction and deemed junk. Ended up cutting off 8" and drilling and tapping for a bead and still had 20" barrel (2" over the min legal 18" length). Just a thought depending on where and why it cracked.
 
Perhaps give some thought to loads? For HD with a 12-gauge would you be (primarily) considering 00 or #4 buckshot? With a 20-gauge, #3 buck? Is overpenetration of walls a concern?
 
GreatGazoo said:
Perhaps give some thought to loads? For HD with a 12-gauge would you be (primarily) considering 00 or #4 buckshot? With a 20-gauge, #3 buck? Is overpenetration of walls a concern?
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At the moment, overpenetration is not a concern. Should I move into an apartment that will change. If I go 12ga, probably 00. That seems to be what I see talked about online. #3 buck, I would assume for 20ga, not sure about that one though.
 
Either gauge for inside use. And different purpose shells loaded in magazine tube. There are many people that use slugs.
 
AnthonyP said:
At the moment, overpenetration is not a concern. Should I move into an apartment that will change. If I go 12ga, probably 00. That seems to be what I see talked about online. #3 buck, I would assume for 20ga, not sure about that one though.
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So, I can speak on this one as its the setup I use.

I have a Mossberg SA20 with a cylinder bore and with Federal Express #3 Buck I get 95% shot on target at 20 yards.
That is more than enough at the significantly reduced ranges needed inside a house.
For MY needs, its lighter and more maneuverable than a 12 gauge with somewhat less recoil so my wife can also handle it in my absence.
As far as availability of shells, pre Covid both 20 and 12 were readily available everywhere. From what Ive seen, post Covid, both seem to have spotty availability. Sometimes good, sometimes not.
Its really going to come down to a personal choice on the platform. What do you want it to do and whether youll be the only actual end user. In my case, multiple potential users pushed it from the 12 to 20.
 
Have both 12 and 20 (multiples of each) and would feel just fine with either for home defense.

As others have said, at the ranges encountered within a typical dwelling the recipient won't know the difference between 12 and 20.

To paraphrase Clint Smith, handguns put holes in people, rifles put holes through people, shotguns put "stuff" on the wall.

Some notes....

With a shotgun, fit is important. A smaller statured person will experience recoil more harshly with a stock that is too long. While a taller statured person can choke up on a shorter stock and adapt. So if you are shorter or plan for a wife or teenager to use it think about youth options. One of the primary HD options here is an 870 youth 20 because anyone in this house can pick it up and run it efficiently. Well....not the 5 year old, but the others.

Sometimes a properly fitted 12 with reduced recoil ammo can be more comfortable than a 20. It's a function of the weight of the gun and the energy of the load. This is a minor point though.

Pattern, pattern, pattern.... Whatever gun you choose. Get big sheets of cardboard or butcher or painters paper and get to the range. Know what your load does at the ranges you will use it, from your gun. Hollywood would have everyone believe you can't miss with a shotgun. You can, rather easily. Most loads and guns will produce fist size patterns at across the room distances.
 
I have the Mossberg 12 GA (shockwave) and keep it loaded with #5 low recoil. The longest distance i will be shooting in the house would be 20-25 feet. The #5 will not have time to open up that much and I would say that the pattern would be no greater than 5-6". That is enough to put anybody down. I think that I would prefer the Mossberg 20 GA over the 12 just because of recoil if my wife has to use it. I do have a light and laser mounted on the gun. I forgot to mention, that is not the first line of defense if someone does come into my home unwelcomed. The Mossberg is my retreat to the closet gun and that makes the shots less than 10 feet.
 
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Either. Buckshot and nobody gets up. Slug puts hole only plugged by coffee cup. If only being used for self defense get something with a shorter barrel. In a stressful situation I think semi auto is best.
 
AnthonyP said:
At the moment, overpenetration is not a concern. Should I move into an apartment that will change. If I go 12ga, probably 00. That seems to be what I see talked about online. #3 buck, I would assume for 20ga, not sure about that one though.
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In a nutshell, one issue is simply packing efficiency: the size of the shot spheres relative to the shell casing volume (and diameter). There are some decent videos out there on this. So #3 buck "fits" the 20-g well whilst having sufficient size/mass to be effective for the purpose.

And what @RR said about patterning. That, and, of course, one's 'target' will likely be moving even at close range so weight and ease of motion will be considerations that one might need to balance against recoil.

And like many others e.g. @BatteryOaksBilly have said in effect: shoot a lot, buy once. Well, buy a lot actually! This is a firearms forum after all. ;)
 
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For a new shooter 12 takes some getting used to, 20 is much easier to handle. 12 needs more practice but ammo is always more accessible. 20 usually costs more maybe cause of supply and demand.
 
Now that we have that settled I want to hear more about Grandpappy's 20ga with the cracked barrel. Let's see the old girl, and how did it get cracked?
 
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If any of Y'all have a chance to shoot a Remington V3 Tac13...do it.
There is one here with a "brace". It can be staggered with low brass field loads, buck shot and slugs. It does not recognize a difference. An old man like me and a 10 year old girl can shoot it with No pain.
I think it is the most destructive hand held device a civillian can own.
It will turn around in the front seat of my truck, this is a must.
If you haven't held one of these with a brace you are missing out. It is doable with The Raptor stock that comes on it but the brace turns it into an amazing weapon.
 
AnthonyP said:
Before I bought a shotgun for home defense, I figured I would pick the brains of people more knowledgeable than I. I'm looking for a shotgun for home defense. I have my great grandfather's 20 ga, but the barrel is cracked. As new as I am, I still know that using that is not an option. I've heard a lot about Mossbergs and Remingtons and how good they are. But... my searches online show differences of opinion in what gauge to get. If you use a shotgun for HD, which gauge do use and why?
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Sir In your situation I would go with a 20 ga Being "new" It has less recoil, ammo is cheaper,etc. IMHO a single shot or double barrel would suffice for you. Semper Fi!
 
I find my 20ga youth 870 w/ 12.5” barrel to be about as handy/maneuverable as you could ask for inside a house. But it does require an NFA stamp.
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
If any of Y'all have a chance to shoot a Remington V3 Tac13...do it.
There is one here with a "brace". It can be staggered with low brass field loads, buck shot and slugs. It does not recognize a difference. An old man like me and a 10 year old girl can shoot it with No pain.
I think it is the most destructive hand held device a civillian can own.
It will turn around in the front seat of my truck, this is a must.
If you haven't held one of these with a brace you are missing out. It is doable with The Raptor stock that comes on it but the brace turns it into an amazing weapon.
Click to expand...
I just got my brace kit delivered yesterday and will be putting it on a 20ga Shockwave for the truck.
Great minds and all that lol
 
Inside a home. A load of shot traveling at the same speed out of a 20 or 12 makes no difference. At those distances their is no pattern. So make sure you aim.
I am not concerned about shot size either.
 
Yes, right ammo (however even birdshot will dissuade 99% of problems) ... right placement ... right results for either.
 
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@BigWaylon will you help me and put up those targets you did for me before?? The 12 inch 870 with Buckshot at 3,5,7,10 and 15 yards???
 
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Remington 870 youth 20ga, with an 18.5" Remchoke barrel (mod choke)

Ain't it cute?

Gets the job done though. My oldest son killed two deer with it when he was 9. With ONE shot shell. Rio Royal 9 pellet 00 buck (yes 00 in a 20). Two does nose to nose and he hit both in the head at about 25 yds.
 
As an aside:

We bought my daughter a Mossberg 500 20 ga pump to duck hunt with. I was hoping it was “enough gun”, because I was accustomed to using a 12 gauge for years. That sucker is a duck slaying beast.

To pile on, the only reason I would recommend 12 over 20 is ammunition availability. 12 is more abundant in my opinion, but 20 isn’t bad.

I’d recommend shooting/holding both and seeing what you personally prefer and go by that. “Power” wise, both are perfectly capable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hi @Catfish. I had a friend give the shotgun a good cleaning. I know the stock is chipped and he told me the barrel was cracked. Here are pics of the shotgun.
 

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