Are you prepared? I understand that pistolgrip shotguns are selling at a steady clip!

-- Racegun (g.g.williams@mindspring.com), March 22, 1999

Answers

Better have a very strong wrist!

-- Watchful (seethesea@msn.com), March 22, 1999.

do they have those in howitzer model? and where do I buy 105mm shells for them?

-- jerry (jj@Jj.jj), March 22, 1999.

I'm not a big fan of pistol grip shotguns - decreased accuracy and increased recoil being my two primary arguments. If you know how to use a handgun, get a handgun, otherwise get a long gun...compromises tend to be just that: the lesser parts of both ends of the compromise.

Arlin [who happens to own a kimber, though not souped up to 'racegun' status.]

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), March 22, 1999.

Watchful said "Better have a very strong wrist! "

Pardon me but you really should have some knowledge about a subject before you speak. (That sentence was a polite substiture for my simple comment: *bull**it*)

I have fired dozens of rounds in a 12 gauge Mossberg model 590 using only the pistol grip. Mostly to show people that the stupid legend is just that - stupid and a legend.

Furthermore my 10 yr old (at that time) daughter did the same thing.

Furthermore my 12 yr old (at that time) son did the same. He was more shy about it than the daughter. (She's never been scared of anything)

Now I'll readily grant you that trying to hold the dam thing out in front of you with one hand is very hard and the average person cannot hold it out there long. But firing it is NOT a problem. NOT injurious. NOT terrible.

--Greybear, who just hates to hear that kind of clap trap promoted.t

-Got Reloads?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 22, 1999.

Be very mindful....what you have is not as important as your ability to intelligently access the situation

-- Racegun (g.g.williams@mindspring.com), March 22, 1999.

Are you learned? Do you know how you will react if the situation gets rally bad? When the fires and looting started in LA who was prepared? Get out of your bad area and try to reach a safe place. When you are there, prepare to defend what is yours but be intelligent about it.

-- Racegun (g.g.williams@mindspring.com), March 22, 1999.

Race - truer words were seldom spoken.

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), March 22, 1999.

Greybear,

I have an old left hand bolt action 12 ga mosberg mag that I cut off to over-all length of 16",, I'm right handed and the lefty bolt was very fast to operate. I'm fair big ( 6'1''@ 220 ) and it was no problem to fire 1 handed with 3 " mag 000 buck,,,one hell of a room broom as it don't have a tight pattern. It makes a pretty good conversation peice hanging on the wall with a barrel full of lead.

Got hones and drill bits?

-- CT (ct@no.yr), March 22, 1999.

Be aware, do not be stupid, be informed, be careful.........have enough ammo for all tools and know how to use them proficiently. Be cunning and be brave. Do not do anything stupid. You will pay for your inability to prepare. Your home will be under suspicion for predators. You will be on your own. Learn the art of the shotgun and pray you never have to use it!

-- Racegun (g.g.williams@mindspring.com), March 22, 1999.

Gotta disagree with you one this one, Greybear. I've got a Winchester 1300 which had a pistol grip on it until the first time I tried it out. While it was certainly possible to fire it, 3" mag loads of 00 or 000 buck were difficult to aim accurately. Shotguns are certainly more tolerant of misplaced fire than other weapons but the small advantage of a shorter overall length didn't seem to justify the decreased accuracy. I like to be able to sight down that barrel and put the golden bead right where I want it and let my shoulder and not my wrist take the recoil. If you're skilled at shooting from the hip I guess a pistol grip works okay but I'm not so I prefer the "Highway Patrol" approach. ( as seen on TV!) ;-)

-- YourFullName (anon@mous.com), March 23, 1999.

YourFullName,

Sorry but you don't have anyone to disagree with. I was not then and do not now advocate shooting a sooth bore one handed from any position (unless, of course, the moment allows nothing else).

I advocate ALWAYS using the sights (if only the front one, you Gunsite folks know what I mean).

Before one gets too carried away with the "scatter" of their scatter gun you really should go out a hang up some large pieces of paper at various distances and check the "spread" on larious loads and different distances. Historically most defensive shooting happens at less than 10 FEET. Just about any combination of load and shotgun will only expand to a mazimum of 2-3 INCHES at that range.

--Greybear, who has burned LOTS of rounds "patterning" different loads

- Got Practice Targets?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 23, 1999.

Don not be stupid with anything. You need to think. Collect coupons from newspapers and stock up.......how about aluminum foil and sterno. Get lots of ammo but know how to use your arm of choice. Think.

-- Racegun (g.g.williams@mindspring.com), March 23, 1999.

Be aware of the laws in your specific state. You may end up losing your right to own firearms altogether without even realizing it.

For example, in Iowa, any shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches or an overall length of less than 26 inches is classified as an "offensive weapon" by the state. Possession of same is a class "D" felony. Once convicted of a felony, you may no longer own any firearms. Check and mate.

Such a problem is easily avoided by simply knowing the laws in your specific state.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), March 23, 1999.

Arnie,

There is a bigger problem that your state law.

A shotgun as you describe is a FEDERAL offense. You state class D felony is chicken feed compared to what can happen to you for Class III weapons violations.

If you doubt me, ask a guy named Randy Weaver.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 23, 1999.

If the barrel is full of lead,,it's show piece. If I ever drill it out,,laws wont mean a thing.

Got holdouts?

-- CT (ct@no.yr), March 23, 1999.

I sorta like my my little 410. Its got a comfortable feel about it. If I need to shoot further, I got the guns for that too. Both hubby and I have a 410, his is on his side of the bed and mine is in the kitchen.

Gotta gun safe ??

-- Taz (tassie@aol.com), March 23, 1999.

Hi Gene,

I see you are still as bloodthirsty as ever. Go get 'em tiger.

-- Someone (keeping@track.com), March 23, 1999.