How to Store a Home Defense Shotgun

My only criticism of this video is mentioning the idea of racking a round into the shotgun in the hopes of scaring off a home intruder. As the gentlemen on the video said, it might not scare off an intruder. What he didn’t mention is that by racking a round, you gave up the element of surprise by announcing to the intruder that someone is home, you have a weapon and just gave your location away. As a retired cop, I am familiar with a case of a home invasion where the owner was in his basement, heard the break in, and waited quietly with his shotgun knowing the intruder would have to come down the stairs to gain access to the basement. Story ended well because he sat quietly not announcing his presence and having the tactical advantage to shoot first and ended the threat. The homeowner also positioned himself so the intruder could not readily return accurate fire. Use your head, then use the gun.

I’ve been around and been shooting firearms for 40+ years. THIS was probable the most clear, concise, and well explained video on this matter I’ve ever seen! Kudos, sir!!! Amazing job! 👍

My father taught me to NEVER point a gun at someone even if I knew it wasn't loaded. That's good advice 👍

My grandfather was born in the 1920s and lived during the Great Depression. He had to hunt rabbit and deer to feed his family. He also grew a garden, and they had a cow for milk and chickens for eggs. All the men in the family ( his brothers ) would get together in the fall and kill a hog and dress it out for meat for their families during the coming winter. My mom said my grandmother would not let her go down to the killing and watch even though she wanted to and felt she had a right because she was the oldest. My grandmother said she did not want my mother (when she was young) to see such things. During WW2, they had ration coupons for coffee, sugar, flour, etc. They lived on about 2 acres of land, but granddaddy always got permission to hunt nearby on a creek and in a field where rabbits ran. My mother, one of his daughters, loved biscuits and “rabbit gravy” till the day she died in 2019. She said no one could make it like my grandmother did. My Mom said her daddy kept his hunting dogs in a pen on his property, and they were not treated as pets but were well taken care of. He kept his guns on the wall on a gun rack, and when not in use, they were never loaded. Mom said they would get the worst whipping of their lives if he ever caught them touching one of the guns. He was a good man who worked very hard all his life and so loved his family. My mom still has fond memories of him, especially at Christmas, when he would use his last dime earned to buy all 7 kids a toy, some fruit and candy for Christmas. They don’t make men like him anymore. And yes, all 7 kids obeyed him and did not try to touch his guns.

Fantastic review. Should be included on a little DVD everytime a shotgun is sold to a new shotgun owner.

Never thought about the ends of the shells deforming in the tube, Going to check mine now. Thanks for this video, your advice, and your commitment to safety and security.

"Don't leave a pump fully loaded," is excellent advice I'd not previously encountered--thank you.

I just purchased a shotgun after years of not owning one since my last. I was looking for a little refresher. Glad I stopped here. Sir, your presentation was informative and you obviously know what you're talking about. No dramatic hypothetical situations, just the useful facts. Thanks very much! Liked and subscribed.

This guy does a great job. Could watch for hours.

Sounds crazy now, but I grew up in a house where the shotguns were right in the back of our hallway closet that had our winter clothes, baseball bats and large toys. I know I know, but those were different times and families who were low on cash could not afford proper storage. Plus we knew that we would all get a serious ass whipping if we ever played around with those guns.

That's the best 14 minutes 46 seconds of shotgun information I've personally ever seen!

What a clear, articulated and well detailed video. I am a “newbie” to firearms, and this will hopefully keep me on the right track.

Gun Safety is something every person needs to learn, I believe. Thank you for a refresher for one possible scenario. Good advice.

Clear explanation, great demonstration, no fluff. Couldn't ask for more.

Reminds me of a boss I had when working as an Electrical generator engine installer... he usually had a couple and sometimes three ways to accomplish the same thing... there were usually no questions when he shouted to jack that front right by a 1/4 inch... one of the smartest men I ever knew... I can see this guy is right up there on his weapons knowledge.... now leave me alone ...I'm going to watch this again

Once again (as in the Springfield XD2 review) Allen 's review & advice are cogent, on-point, brief & informative. All that said, I'll add a personal note. Take what you like leave the rest. I have used a 12ga Ithaca D.S. model 37 W/18inch bbl. as a home defense weapon for 25+ years, since my retirement. My employer allowed me to buy it. I added a pistol grip, a "sidesaddle" for an extra 5 rounds & finally an under-barrel mounted flashlight You will be asked, "did you identify your target before you fired?" I keep as Allen describes, the tube loaded, chamber unloaded and hammer down. I want anyone who is/was a threat to hear a 12-guage rack (everyone speaks that language). I also find the pistol grip weapon easier to store & to mauver around corners & for room entries. My ammo was/is Federal #4 tactical buck - its vicious. But as I age & acquire more property & income, that I would like NOT loose in a lawsuit, and if you hit anyone you WILL be sued. I decided to make my first two rounds 12-guage less than lethal. The next 3 are still the tactical #4 buck. The sidesaddle is all tactical buck, with the last two 12-guage sabot. just in case. My storage is a box picture frame. I built it, hangs on the wall next to my bed. No one has spotted it as anything other than a frame yet. I also have another secure police cruiser shotgun rack, concealed, for when kids are around. I know there are some who think the two less lethal are somehow cowardly, or something akin to that. That's their opinion, I've been in an armed confrontation where shots were fired, and a death resulted - enough said. I want to avoid that again, if I possibly can. If two less-lethal center mass don't do it, so be it, I have 8 more. Be Safe, avoid trouble.

Thanks very much for making this video. We don't have any kids and I've got guns staged all around the house, one of which is a Shockwave. I was keeping it with 5 in the tube and one in the chamber with the safety on. I was not aware that there is no drop protection. Your logic was compelling, so now I've got 4 in the tube with the action free and the safety off. You're a terrific instructor.

Very nicely done! I've been shooting for many years, did steel and was a range officer for 5 years or so back in the 80's. The older I get the more I feel as an experienced shooter I need to remind myself that safety training, the way I practice and teach others is a lifetime commitment. Thanks

Well explained. I have always kept my Mossberg 500 with 5 shells in the tube, nothing in the chamber, safety on and the action locked. I have drilled with my wife the mantra of 'Safety, trigger, pump, shoot.' I didn't think about that panic moment of needing it to potentially save my family's life, or worse, my wife having to try to figure it out in the moment. Time to go visit the old girl, check the shells and put it in Condition 3.

I love the fact that you're preaching about safety. I, for one, appreciate and respect that.