A long time ago a very wise old shooter and veteran told me something I will never forget. “Spike, all you need for home defense is 12:45. Just remember 12:45. A 12 gauge shotgun and a 45 caliber pistol.” Old Mike was his name and the man probably forgot more about shooting than I would ever hope to learn.
Now, despite what Old Mike used to say there are a million different schools of thought on how a person should defend their home and many people will tell you that their way is better and everyone else is wrong. Truth is there are some good ways, and there are definitely some bad ones. Only you know your home. The exits, the entrances, where your best shooting positions will be and where an intruder can hide, gain access or dig in.
I am going to try and give you some good ideas on what works for me and you can go from there. I am a Paramedic by trade also a Combat Corpsman Veteran, and as such I approach many things in life like this; I bit and piece my style. I take what I have learned and observed from many other people and derive my own style. I take what I like that works and use it or modify it to benefit me. I dispose of what does not. This school of thought can also be applied to shooting, personal defense and home defense. For this article we will focus on the later.
Old Mike said that all a person needs is 12:45. I don’t disagree with this but I do have some addendum’s. The 12 gauge shotgun is a beast, and there is no denying the fact that the sound of a 12 gauge pump loading a shell into the chamber is universally known. Sometimes just the sound of that shotgun loading is enough to send most scumbags fleeing while they crap their pants. You shouldn’t count on this though. If a shotgun is you preferred choice for home defense, you better be able and willing to use it. Now that being said, do you have family that might be the ones using the weapon? Wife, children, 90 year old grandma in a wheelchair? Well known shooter and firearms advocate Massad Ayoob suggest getting a pump action 20 gauge rather than a 12 gauge. According to the master of firearms, you can still get the desired effect on an assailant/perpetrator with a 20 gauge in close quarters combat as you would with a 12 gauge. The added advantage is that even a smaller child can maintain, control and fire the 20 gauge without being knocked on their ass.
I feel that this is some sage like advice that merits some thought. Now let’s talk ammunition for the 12 gauge or 20 gauge. There are a wide array of varieties available for shotguns ranging from buckshot, slug, game loads, target loads, bird shot etc… Slug and Buckshot will get the job done hands down, but is it “too much”?
SCENARIO:
Middle of the night. You are asleep along with your family and there is the sound of glass breaking. You hear heavy footsteps coming down the hall or up the stairs. You know it’s not one of your children. The boot steps are too heavy. You retrieve your 12 gauge shotgun and aim down the hallway/stairwell. You give a verbal warning while racking the shotgun. “Get out of my house! I am armed and we are calling the police!” Joe Dirtbag keeps on coming and you discharge your weapon sending a slug down range into the dirtbag. It continues through his torso creating a huge exit cavity fulfilling it’s job, but continues out the side door and into your neighbors house.
All around a messed up situation and one I pray none of you ever have to go through, but now in this hypothetical situation you have a deceased criminal and your round just went into the house next door. What if you live in an apartment complex? Paper thin walls, neighbors in all directions; slugs and double OO buck are a poor choice here in my opinion. A game load, target load or even bird shot at close quarters can accomplish what you need to be done. Know your environment. When shooting you should always be aware of your target, what’s around it and what’s beyond it. My old Gunnery Sergeant used to say, “Doc, always use the right tool for the right job…”
Pistols! Let’s talk about pistols. So Old Mike said to have a .45 cal pistol as well. I love .45’s it is truly an awesome round. Why .45? because they don’t make a .46; all joking aside, everyone has their own preference as to what sidearm they prefer. Be proficient with your preferred weapon. Know how to use it. Personally I use an FNH FNP9 9mm. I chose this weapon for several reasons.
1- Ammunition is cheaper
2- Higher capacity magazines if the need should arise
3- Every member of my household is able to operate this firearm
It all comes down to common sense. Yea, a S&W 500 is a bad ass and very intimidating weapon, but is it practical?
Always keep in mind your ammunition choices and the environment in which you are shooting.
I am now going to talk to you about something that a lot of you aren’t going to like. Something I like to call the 3 ass rule.
1- Protect your ass; if you go down you’re not going to be able to help any member of your household. I am a father, and my first instinct is always to run to my child. You have to try and keep a cool head.
2- Protect your families ass; Retrieve the firearm you are using. Make sure it’s loaded, finger at register along the side of the weapon. Clear your residence. This is a scary and heart pumping event. I am speaking from personal experience. Check your highs and lows at the corners. “Slice the pie”; In an up and down motion use your firearm to scan up and down gradually increasing the area scanned as you move. Up and down allows for more positive control of your firearm while preventing wild movement of side to side . No matter what you think, you are not Chuck Norris. You may have training, but in real life charging into a room waiving a weapon around like Scarface is reckless. Clear the residence room by room. Never expose your back to an area you haven’t cleared. This can be done quickly and thoroughly while getting to your family.
3- Eliminate the threats ass. Know the law of the land, Every State and Country has different laws and stipulations when it comes to home defense. “Stand your ground laws” or here in Pennsylvania it is called “The Castle Doctrine”; these laws vary from place to place. Know the letter of the law. These laws are also subject to change, especially in light of the Treyvon Martin case. It is my solemn belief that a person has the unequivocal right to defend themselves, their family and that no person has the right to say otherwise.
Remember, never point a weapon at something that you don’t intend to shoot. Always call 911, inform them that you are armed and that there is an intruder in your house. If you have to shoot, never tell the dispatcher that you “killed” the intruder. This doesn’t look good when you go to court because the dirtbags family is suing you for bereavement and loss. Just inform the dispatcher that you shot the intruder.
There are many schools and firearm training facilities that specialize in CQB (Close Quarter Battle) Training is always key. You can also find great instructional videos on YouTube from experts such as Massad Ayoob and many many more, but ‘Real Life’ Instruction is always the preferred method. A certified instructor and actual field time are worth the cost of the course. Knowledge is power.
Stay safe, and as always Keep It Down Range.
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