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Effectively staging a home defense shotgun is all about determining the best location to safely secure your firearm where it is still readily accessible in an emergency. Here are some things you may want to consider.
A staged shotgun must be ready to deploy at a moment's notice. Therefore, the requirements for staging a shotgun are different than if the firearm were simply being stored unloaded until your next range trip. Start by deciding whether you will stage your shotgun fully loaded or in cruiser-ready condition.
Crusier-ready condition refers to storing a shotgun in the same fashion a law enforment officer would store a shotgun in their patrol vehicle - with the magazine tube fully loaded, safety off, and no round in the chamber. This allows the shooter to rack in a load and fire near-instantaneously.
Although it is arguably safer, the cruiser-ready method is also much slower than staging a shotgun fully loaded with a round chambered. Most individuals can train to actuate the safety while establishing a secure grip on the firearm, allowing for rapid deployment in a defensive shooting encounter.
The method you choose will affect how you can stage your shotgun in your home. Whereas a cruiser-ready firearm may safely be stowed in a closet or under a bed, a quick access safe or wall mount (such as the Hornady Rapid Safe Shotgun Wall Lock) is a necessity when staging a fully loaded shotgun. This mechanism:
Most importantly though, you must use good judgement when staging your shotgun. It's up to each individual to strike the right balance between accessibility and responsible firearms ownership. To learn more about shotguns for home defense, watch our video or continue reading below.
While we're on the subject of shotguns for home defense, the Classic Firearms team has chosen to highlight a few models we recommend for you in 2024. There's something here for everyone, whether you prefer a classic pump action or the latest and greatest semi-auto bullpup design.
With a top-folding stock and pistol grip, the Maverick 88 12GA is the perfect shotgun for working in close quarters. The magazine tube holds 5 rounds, so you'll have plenty of firepower at hand.
This Ithaca 37 clone from Panzer sports a classic walnut stock and forend, plus a heat-shielded barrel. With it's iconic look and rugged reliability, the Panzer PA37 is a terrific shotgun that deserves a place in every collection.
For fans of bullpups, the Tokarev TBP-12M represents the optimal blend of design and features. The buttsock includes an integral buttpad and pistol grip for enhanced recoil control and handling, and the TBP12M also accepts most aftermarket AR-12 magazines.
The Panzer SCR XII Tactical is the latest in semi-auto shotgun technology. Based on the venerable SCAR platform, this 12GA shotgun ships with a reversible forward charging handle, flip up sights, choke tubes, and two 5-round magazines.
With a smooth action and tons of features, the Winchester SXP Extreme Defender is truly a do-everything tactical shotgun. Watch our video to discover why you should consider one for home defense.
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