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I Bought a Shotgun for Self-Defense—Here’s Why I Immediately Regretted It

When I first decided to purchase a firearm for home defense, I was met with a flurry of advice. A common suggestion stood out: “Get a shotgun. You can’t go wrong.” The advice sounded logical. After all, shotguns are often touted as versatile, reliable, and effective for protection. Without much deliberation, I bought a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. Looking back, it was a decision I wish I had thought through more carefully. Here’s why my shotgun purchase, while well-intentioned, turned out to be a regrettable choice.

A Popular Yet Misguided Recommendation

A Popular Yet Misguided Recommendation
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The idea that a shotgun is the perfect first firearm is deeply ingrained in popular culture. Movies and TV shows often portray it as the ultimate defensive weapon. It seemed straightforward: a wide spread pattern, a menacing sound when racked, and enough power to stop any threat. But what no one told me was how impractical it could be for someone without experience or proper training.

The Training Dilemma

The Training Dilemma
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Once I brought my shotgun home, I quickly realized how much I didn’t know. Defensive shooting is a skill, and mastering it with a shotgun proved far more challenging than I had anticipated. Unlike handguns or rifles, which I later discovered are easier to train with, finding a range that allowed me to practice with my shotgun was nearly impossible. My local indoor range didn’t permit defensive drills or rapid-fire exercises. Instead, I was limited to static shooting – hardly reflective of real-life scenarios.

Recoil: A Painful Reality

Recoil A Painful Reality
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Another lesson I learned quickly was that shotguns pack a punch. The recoil from a 12-gauge, especially when loaded with buckshot, was far more intense than I expected. While target loads were manageable, they didn’t simulate the power and kick of defensive ammunition. This made consistent practice difficult and, frankly, intimidating. I found myself hesitating to shoot as much as I should have because the experience was physically taxing.

The Cost of Ammunition

The Cost of Ammunition
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Speaking of ammunition, the costs added up quickly. Defensive rounds like buckshot and slugs were expensive, often more than a dollar per round. Even practicing with cheaper target loads wasn’t a sustainable option for someone on a budget. Every trip to the range felt like a financial hit, which only discouraged me from training as often as I needed to.

Reloading Under Pressure

Reloading Under Pressure
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Reloading a shotgun is another skill that requires significant practice, and it’s not as intuitive as one might think. Unlike a handgun or rifle, where you can simply insert a magazine, shotguns require you to load shells individually. Under stress, this process becomes exponentially harder. I remember fumbling with shells during practice and realizing that, in a real emergency, this could be a fatal delay.

Limited Capacity

Limited Capacity
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Capacity was another drawback I hadn’t considered. My shotgun held five shells, which seemed adequate at first. However, when I compared it to the higher capacity of modern handguns or rifles, it became clear that I was at a disadvantage. Reloading mid-situation wasn’t just difficult – it was a necessity if the threat wasn’t neutralized within the first few shots.

Mobility Challenges

Mobility Challenges
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Shotguns are large, heavy, and not particularly maneuverable. Trying to navigate tight spaces or corners with a full-length shotgun felt awkward and cumbersome. This made me question its practicality as a home defense weapon, especially compared to the compact size and ease of handling offered by a handgun.

Lack of Accessible Training

Lack of Accessible Training
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Perhaps the biggest hurdle was finding proper training opportunities. Defensive shotgun classes are few and far between, and they often come with a hefty price tag. Without professional guidance, I felt like I was piecing together my knowledge from online videos and trial-and-error practice. It wasn’t an ideal way to build confidence or competence.

Unrealistic Expectations

Unrealistic Expectations
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The more I practiced, the more I realized that my initial expectations were based on myths. The idea that a shotgun’s spread would eliminate the need for precise aiming was completely false. At close range, the spread is minimal, meaning accuracy is just as critical as with any other firearm. This was a wake-up call that shattered my misconceptions about the ease of using a shotgun in a high-stress situation.

What I Would Do Differently

What I Would Do Differently
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If I could go back in time, I’d choose a handgun as my first firearm. Handguns are more accessible for training, easier to carry, and offer higher capacity. Their smaller size and lower recoil make them more beginner-friendly, and they’re far less intimidating to practice with regularly. Additionally, handguns are more versatile for different scenarios, whether it’s home defense or personal protection outside the house.

Why Shotguns Still Have a Place

Why Shotguns Still Have a Place
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Don’t get me wrong – shotguns are incredible tools in the right hands. They excel in specific applications like hunting or certain tactical scenarios. But as a first firearm for a beginner, they come with too many challenges. They require a level of experience and training that most first-time owners don’t have, and that’s why I believe they’re not the best choice for home defense.

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned
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The biggest takeaway from my experience is that choosing a firearm requires careful consideration of your needs, abilities, and access to training. It’s easy to get swept up in popular advice or rely on hearsay, but what works for one person might not work for another. I’ve since diversified my collection and gained a better understanding of firearms, but the lessons I learned from my shotgun purchase continue to shape how I approach self-defense and training.

In the end, while I regret buying a shotgun as my first firearm, I’m grateful for the insights it gave me. Sometimes, the wrong choice can teach you the most valuable lessons.

Your Experiences?

Your Experiences
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What do you think is the most important factor to consider when choosing your first firearm for self-defense? Have you ever purchased a tool or product based on popular advice, only to realize later it wasn’t the best fit for your needs? How did you handle that situation? Do you believe firearms training should be more accessible and affordable for first-time gun owners? Why or why not?