Vang Comp 20-Gauge Shotgun for Home Defense
Rob PincusDescription
WHY 20-GAUGE?
Why does Rob recommend 20-gauge instead of 12-gauge for home-defense shotguns? If you choose a shotgun as one of your home-defense weapons, you’re putting yourself into a low-capacity, heavy-recoil situation when it comes time to defend yourself and your family. But if you choose 20-gauge, it’s a lighter shotgun than a 12-gauge, it’s easier to practice and train with, and there is less recoil impulse when you’re firing it (whether a semi-automatic or a pump shotgun).
You may have family members who might use your shotgun to defend the family, so you want them to be comfortable with the gun, both in shotgun training and practice and in a worst-case scenario.
If you are worried that the 20-gauge shotgun is not powerful enough for home defense, remember it is far more powerful than the handguns we carry every day.
VANG COMP CUSTOMIZATIONS
Rob discusses the features of his customized Remington 870. Vang Comp added a Hogue grip, a short grip that is good for use in close quarters and for use by smaller/weaker family members. It has a rubber forend and Rob added a Holosun red-dot sight, though it came from Vang Comp with a nice set of ghost-ring sights.
It has a ported barrel, which is like a compensator for a shotgun. When you port the barrel, it helps control muzzle rise as well. It has an extended magazine tube for a 6+1 capacity, and a beautiful Cerakore finish.
The oversized safety is very important from a safety standpoint, plus is easier to manipulate.
SHOOTING TIME
Rob takes a few shots and shows that as far as home-defense shotguns go, this one is very controllable, very easy to shoot fast, and a lot of power comes out of it when using Rob’s preferred round, the segmented slug from Winchester.
I, personally, am VERY fond of my 20 ga, Shockwae for this. It lives next to my bed full of Accu-tip slugs.
The Mrs. can't stand the kick of the 12ga so this sounds like a great option. Thanks!
I think you may have turned me... onto 20ga that is. Never even considered i.r before but the Mrs can't stand the kick of the 12ga and this sounds like a great option. Thanks!
Excellent video and commentary, I am a huge fan of the 20ga for all the reasons you discussed. At 30 feet (that's my "home defense" outside limit) there is really no effective difference between a 20ga and a 12ga in terms of stopping a threat. Question... what do you think of the 1 1/2 inch 12ga shells for home defense? I've seen them used in a KelTec KSG and they appear to be very effective. The KSG is a bullpup with two feed tubes and with the 1 1/2 shells it carries about 25 rounds fully loaded with the 1/ 1/2 inch. You can also load one tube with the small rounds and the other with full size. Any thoughts?