Is racking a shotgun a good strategy for home defense?

The sound of the shotgun going off will scare them a lot more than hearing the shotgun being racked. If you have identified them as armed intruders there's no reason to have to rack the shotgun.

Depends on the threat. If it is a determined individual that won't stop until killed (less than 5% of home invaders most likely if even that high), it probably won't stop someone until after they have done harm to her unless she gets lucky and hits CNS. If she ends up with a .410, Buckshot is a must, birdshot will not do. If a 20 gauge pump is tearing her up, a .410 in single shot or lighter is not going to be much better. She might be better off with a 22 revolver or maybe a 38 special with a 4 or 5 inch barrel and some light loads with a laser grips. A 22 semi-auto might work too, but it doens't sound like a semi-auto would be a good match. I am not sure that clearing weapons malfunctions in the middle of a home invasion sounds like this lady's talent. Whatever she has, it is more the threat of death or injury that is being used here. Not that she won't be able to inflict a fatal wound, but I am not confident it would be fatal prior to damage being done. Most crooks will flee when being shot at or wounded though, so anything she can effectively fire will put her ahead of the game.

Rack A Shotgun

This can be a divisive issue, that I can see both sides of. Yes the noise is distinctive and will let an intruder know that the home is occupied by an armed resident. My understanding here is if the intruder is just there to rob you they will most likely go find an easier target, but if the intruder is a bloodthirsty maniac they know which way to start firing. While the first scenario is the more likely one, it's hard to beat being ready! Not only does being loaded in the chamber mean you can grab and have it ready, you won't panic and accidentally short stroke it potentially leading to disastrous results having a nothing in the chamber still.

Overall I would say loaded and ready is preferable, although some people will see the value of potentially avoiding having more of a situation from the "warning noise". I won't argue too hard over someone who's familiar with their shotgun that subscribes by this theory, but loaded and ready seems to make more sense to me

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RE:

Is racking a shotgun a good strategy for home defense?

Here's the scenario... You've got an intruder in your home at 2am. They kicked in the door, you hear people speaking in a hushed tone, and you don't recognize the voices. You have two shotguns next to your bed. You must pick one...

One is a 5+1, and it has one in the chamber and the...

Racking that slide does two things in the negative column

It tells them what you have and where you are

It does two things in the positive column

It tells them what you have and that you are there

Personally I would opt for the stealthy approach

If I want to give them fair warning I'll hit them with the tac light

At least that will temporarily disorient them long enough for me to know whether to shoot or not

Bu then I live in Fla, that decision was made long ago

In my opinion racking the slide is only a good idea for home defense after you have fired the first shot.

The best advertisement that you are armed and know you have company is when the intruder sees your muzzle pointed at his chest. Unless you were to do something stupid, you've just guaranteed yourself the upper hand.

In my opinion, if there are two people already in the house there is no reason to give them a warning. The first noise you make should be the report of the round that evens the odds,

If someone kicks your door in at 2am, knowing your home, chances are they are there to do you harm.

Call the cops. If they come up the stairs pop the lead one in the chest. Continue if necessary.

if there in the house i would take the 5+1 and just shoot them no warning or nothing nobody breaks in my house and leaves alive if there are kicking in the front door i would take the 6+1 that way it would probably scare them off and they would not realy know where your at