Double Barreled Shotguns for Defense

Double barreled shotguns are not considered ideal defensive weapons amongst "experts" of all levels because of their limited fire power. The double barrel provides only two rounds of ammunition before reloading is necessary while pumps and semi-automatics generally have a capacity of six rounds (one in the chamber and five in an unplugged magazine). However, old yet serviceable double barreled shotguns are found in many homes, often having been handed down through the family, and their usefulness as a defensive tool should not be discounted.

Whether considered ideal for defense or not, any serviceable firearm at hand is better than being unarmed in the face of an emergency. In the case of double barreled shotguns, two rounds of buckshot will provide a very substantial response to an attack, provided they hit the target. One 2 and 3/4 inch round of 00 buckshot for a 12 gauge shotgun provides nine .33 caliber pellets and one 2 and 3/4 inch round of number 3 buckshot for a 20 gauge shotgun provides twenty .25 caliber pellets that are delivered all at once.

Double barreled shotguns provide five advantages that mitigate their perceived deficiencies: 1. They are very simple to operate which is an advantage to someone who is not a firearms enthusiast and regular shooter. 2. Effectively two guns in one, their robust actions are unlikely to suffer broken parts and, if they do, both barrels are not likely to fail. 3. Double barreled shotguns will never jam. 4. Short barreled coach guns with 20 inch barrels or less are handier in confined spaces than are pumps and semi-automatics because the length of their actions provide a shorter overall length. 5. Psychologically, the twin muzzles, which scream "shotgun", are quite intimidating, underscoring street knowledge of the devastating damage that a "gauge" can affect on flesh and blood. These advantages allow them to defend the homestead just as well now as they did one hundred years ago.