short barrel or pistol grip

popcanhunter

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zombies are comming. they will be invading your home.

pistol grip 18.5
or shoulder stock 8.5/12.5?
or standard security setup?
 
I won't get into the zombie bit... but I personally don't see the attraction to pistol grip only shotguns. I have never been able to use one in an effective (accurate) way.
Full stock with a pistol grip maybe, but pistol grip alone doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
 
I won't get into the zombie bit... but I personally don't see the attraction to pistol grip only shotguns. I have never been able to use one in an effective (accurate) way.
Full stock with a pistol grip maybe, but pistol grip alone doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

well if i said bad guys, the conversation would become about legal issues, and i wouldnt get any shotgun responses.

but thanks for the input.

so you have used a PG SG, and found it difficult to use effectively?
 
Pistol grip with a shoulder stock can be useful in certain situations, still very few in my opinion (for what that's worth).
Pistol grip on its own has so few applicable uses that I just don't see the point.
Best of both worlds if you're determined to be able to go pistol grip only would be a top folder style stock.

One additional point, there is a reason most LEO shotguns run an 18.5" barrel, it's short enough not to get in the way, long enough to still "point" relatively well.
 
Pistol grip with a shoulder stock can be useful in certain situations, still very few in my opinion (for what that's worth).
Pistol grip on its own has so few applicable uses that I just don't see the point.
Best of both worlds if you're determined to be able to go pistol grip only would be a top folder style stock.

One additional point, there is a reason most LEO shotguns run an 18.5" barrel, it's short enough not to get in the way, long enough to still "point" relatively well.

but they have pistols for CQC
 
I have always been under the impression that pistol grip only shotguns are for breaching purposes mainly. The line duty guns will be combo with either side/top folders or full stock with a pistol grip.

At this point I should probably make the disclaimer that I have ZERO ZERO ZERO combat/duty/LE experience and am basing the above on observation and conversations with people who do end up in harms way.

My personal experience outdoors and around the property is where I have developed my own personal opinion on pistol grip only shot guns.

So, two different lines of experience, take it how you want.
 
In my mind, 8.5" shotguns are meant for backpacking or wilderness carry.
If your house is so cramped that an 18"-14" barrel shotgun is too long, you need a handgun, or better yet, a new house.
 
I have experience with everything under the sun for shotguns. I own an 8.5, 12.5, 14 , 18 " barrel shotguns with standard stocks to pistol grip only stocks.

8.5 your limited to 2+1 or maybe 3+1 if your lucky.
12.5 short and easy to move and 4+1
14" with a +1 extension 5+1 rounds (my personal favorite for CQC)
I have an 18" top folder which is my main hiking shotgun. I like being able to have it in my shotgun scabbard on the side of the pack which allows quick access and my hands are free when hiking. Falling on my face is more likely to happen than meeting a deadly encounter, be it a zombie , bear, cougar, wolf, or other human who has bad intentions.

Top folder allows for easy carry, when folded I can move through trails and brush without getting the stock hung up.
If I need it and time permits I can open the stock in a matter of seconds and then I have a full stock shotgun. Really if I get jumped by a zombie wearing a bear suit I'm likely not going to have a great deal of time to open the stock or even shoulder it for an aimed shot. In all likelihood I'm going to be firing from the hip or low ready position anyway.

With practice, and that's the key. ... I can hit a 4l milk jug with slugs at 10 yards with a pistol grip shotgun. Does the recoil suck, yup but that's the cost of doing business.

Any and all configurations have their purpose and usefulness. It's finding what your needs are and then training to ensure you can meet those needs. Just because I jump behind the wheel of a Ferrari doesn't mean it's going to drive itself. Your the operator and need to learn it and train it. It's just that simple.

My hiking set up



At this time I had a knoxx pistol grip on it.
 
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Good post above Outcast.

Pistol grip with a shoulder stock can be useful in certain situations, still very few in my opinion (for what that's worth).
Pistol grip on its own has so few applicable uses that I just don't see the point.
Best of both worlds if you're determined to be able to go pistol grip only would be a top folder style stock.

One additional point, there is a reason most LEO shotguns run an 18.5" barrel, it's short enough not to get in the way, long enough to still "point" relatively well.

Pistol griped butt stocks are a lot easier( less wrist stress) to control with one hand.
For hunting this is not very important but if it's for fighting it's an advantage while reloading or using your weak hand for some other chore.

I agree with Outcast that a 14 inch barrel with a plus 1 extension is a good compromise of barrel length and mag capacity.
 
PGO's are surprisingly shootable with good technique and practice, however they are really only make sense to me on a shotgun with a really short barrel, like 10" or less, as I find them unwieldy otherwise.

Stock equipped shotguns in the 12-14" range are a dream to handle and shoot though and I believe this would be the standard barrel length of tactical shotguns if not for the example set by the U.S. NFA laws.
 
I prefer a short barreled 14" SG with a full stock. Follow through shots are more effective as you have stock engagement in your shoulder. Pistol grips alone are only good for concealment and 5 or 6 magnum shots.
 
You want a longer barrel for a longer mag tube.
More Rounds Means Zombies Down!!

I'll take a handy "entry" length shotgun over one that's the length of a battle rifle and only holds a few more rounds in the tube anyway.

No matter how many rounds a practical tube mag shotgun holds it's still not a lot and you'll have to be prepared to speed or port load it quickly regardless.
 
A shotgun with no stock is the most useless thing on the planet. You have no control. A barrel that less than 18ish inches is a toy and nothing more.
 
A shotgun with no stock is the most useless thing on the planet. You have no control. A barrel that less than 18ish inches is a toy and nothing more.

I disagree, while a PGO is rather a specialized setup and not suitable outside a narrow niche inside the already narrow niche of a shotgun, you can get things done with them, ask James "Patches" Watson or the ex members of the old NYPD ESU Stakeout Squad.

As well, sub 18" barrel length fighting/woods defense shotguns are just a much handier size to use and transport, just as the M4 and other compact carbines are typically that much handier than full length rifles, you give up little ballistically in exchange for a package size that's more appropriate to a close range device.
 
I'd go with an 18.5 barrel and pistol grip over the shorter barrel option.
I may not be able to hit chit outside of 10ft but, I get a lot more tries with the full mag-tube.

I think an adjustable M4 style stock would be the best of both worlds. Reasonably short when closed and less whacks to the jaw than a top-folder when firing.
 
To the OP: standard security setup is the way to go.
PGO's look cool but that's about it,
A 14 with 5+1 and a full stock sounds about perfect to me, however mine is 18.5".
 
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