[Vito]

I essentially rely upon my Glock 17 as my primary home defense weapon, but purchased a Mossberg 500, 12 gauge pump, several years ago feeling that I need something beyond a handgun if the SHTF as it did in the summer of 2020 in many parts of the country. I have no place to easily practice with this gun, and have only fired it a few times since I bought it. I also think about the noise factor should I ever have to fire this gun inside my home. At the same time I have always wanted a nice lever action 30/30 because, well just because. If I trade in the shotgun toward the cost of a new lever action then that long gun would become my back up to my handguns for serious home defense, and I'm not totally sure that my plan makes any real sense. I'd welcome the thoughts of folks here.

 

[Uncle Mark]

I'd rather have the scattergun for home defense. If you're in an urban environment I wouldn't want to be blasting away with a 30-30 because of the danger factor a house or two away may get. Even in a rural setting I'd still opt for the shotgun. That's my home defense back up to my Springfield Armory XDM in .45ACP.

 

[papershoot]

It takes some effort to improve at shooting a shotgun. I would recommend starting with trap and moving on to skeet. Even better, would be to get some training with an instructor who competes. I have a non-profit range operated by the county available.
I would like to have a pre-64 Winchester 30/30. Probably better for outside the home, than in. I bought lever guns in .357 and 44 magnum after I started reloading the calibers. They hold 10 rounds.

 

[Kentucky fan]

Just get the 30-30 you don't have to justify it lol.

 

[CBennett]

Depends on if your talking HD/SD in the middle of a suburban neighborhood or out in the sticks where your neighbor isnt right on top of you... for IN house and within 30 yards for me its Shotgun with low recoil rounds...if I lived out in the "country" id probably take my AR or if I didnt have one my lever action .357 magnum (or 30-30 if i had that mine just happens to be .357 magnum)

 

[Rotn1]

Well, OO Buck is 9 pellets of 30 cal traveling at circa 1,200 FPS about half the velocity of a 30/30.

Wouldn’t want to be on the other side of the wall(s) either way.

How close are your neighbors?

 

[Bill Bond]

Keep the shotgun and buy the rifle.
You need different tools in the tool box because one gun cannot do it all.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I would use my 30/30 ONLY if I could get 125gr JHPs or handload the equivalent. Real fast opening bullets that won't leave the target.

Deer loads will shoot right through an attacker.

As for 12 gauge... Low recoil 8 pellet count 'tactical' OO buckshot. Preferable with Tru-flite wadding.

Now if you just want the 30/30.. heck get it. Might need it for long range!

 

[nitesit(+ an e)]

@Vito

Curious as to what barrel you have on the 500. It really doesn't matter much at all.

 

[Road Dog]

1) Buy some low recoil buckshot 2) Buy the 30-30 everybody needs one 3) Find somewhere to practice with the shotgun its not a precision weapon so getting used to one happens pretty quickly

 

[rangerhgm]

I favor the shotgun.....never been faced with it, but in the moment of stress in a HD situation I know I would be ****ting a brick and be in pretty much of a panic situation and not steady at all so I'd want a bigger pattern.

 

[Trucker3573]

Penetration would be the biggest factor in my opinion. Over penetration for HD in the 30-30. Wouldn’t be my choice. Finally, I read something about trap and skeet in an earlier post. Those disciplines in my opinion don’t translate at all to home defense shotgun use. HD use is a completely different approach as in my opinion you will look at the gun barrel/sight and use a more actual aiming of the gun technique. The pattern on a shotgun will remain very tight at most home SD situations so you actually have to be pretty precise with shot placement.

Also in regards to other posts. I wouldn’t use any birdshot for HD. Buckshot only.

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[fg17]

The shotguns probably not worth much in a trade, I’d just save and get the 30/30.

But if that’s not an option I’d do it if your going to use the 30/30 more. Personally if you don’t hunt or shoot for recreation I don’t see the point in either. I suppose a pump shotgun is cheap enough that most can afford to let them collect dust in the corner.

 

[Darkangel1846]

A rifles barrel with your shotgun will give you a range of 100+ yards when using slugs! But a lever action 30-30 is nice to have.

 

[n2877]

If you can afford it have both. I agree that the shotgun would be better for home defense using 00buck shot. Wouldn’t worry about the noise to much. If you have neighbors the sound me alert them to the fact that something wrong is going down and even tho you would call 911 after defending yourself they might already be on the phone with 911. I know I would call 911 if I had neighbors that sounded like a “war zone” in there house


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[Z71bill]

I essentially rely upon my Glock 17 as my primary home defense weapon, but purchased a Mossberg 500, 12 gauge pump, several years ago feeling that I need something beyond a handgun if the SHTF as it did in the summer of 2020 in many parts of the country. I have no place to easily practice with this gun, and have only fired it a few times since I bought it. I also think about the noise factor should I ever have to fire this gun inside my home. At the same time I have always wanted a nice lever action 30/30 because, well just because. If I trade in the shotgun toward the cost of a new lever action then that long gun would become my back up to my handguns for serious home defense, and I'm not totally sure that my plan makes any real sense. I'd welcome the thoughts of folks here.

The rifle will be just as loud as the shotgun - maybe even louder -

Get some electronic earmuffs like these - keep them with your gun.

Caldwell E-MAX Low Profile Electronic Ear Muffs Green Shooting Glasses

Hearing ProtectionPro Range Glasses The Caldwell Low-Profile E-Max Electronic Earmuffs combines great circuitry with a low profile ear cup that's...

www.midwayusa.com

They allow you to hear by increasing the volume - sort of like a hearing aid but switch to ear muffs at 85 decibels and above to protect your hearing.

 

[Butch_Coolidge]

I suggest that you rewatch all the John Wick films, before committing to anything. [emoji6]


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[Z71bill]

I was just looking at Henry 30 30 lever actions yesterday - sweet - but $1K seemed like a lot.

Not sure why I even want a lever action - I guess I watched too many Rifleman TV shows as a kid!

 

[benben]

I’d stick with the shotgun and just buy yourself a nice lever gun. If I were using the lever as a HD weapon, I’d want it to be a magnum handgun caliber. But if I were using a rifle for HD/SD I’d rather have an AR.

But a earlier true Marlin in 45-70 would be nice!

 

[CTfam]

Out of those two I would prefer the shotgun. But if you don't like training and shooting it then just get rid of it. Sounds like you want that lever gun so just go ahead and scratch that itch.

Really I would reach for the G17 in most SHTF situations outside of full on combat, which is unlikely. I like that you're able to conceal it with a weapon light mounted and a 33 rounder in it.