Shotguns are the best choice for an "Only" Gun.

[270man]

As one who has pondered a "best" choice firearm for home defense (and maybe camp and truck as well), I've enjoyed the many comments about the scattergun. Recently I was reading an old article by gun writer Sam Fadala titled "Home Defense Firearms". Here are his recommendations with some comments: (1) short-barrel double (side-by-side OR O/U), (2) 20-gauge, (3) #4 buckshot, (4) external hammers.

Sam believes that the 20-ga with #4 buckshot has all the power and pellets needed to stop an agressor and yet not penetrate interior walls. He likes external hammers since the springs remain at rest for long periods and are strong enough that they are hard for children to pull them back into full-cock position. O/U shotguns of this type aren't readily available but the Armsport company used to make such a side-by-side shotgun in 12-gauge. I'm not sure if it is still in business.

270man

[Rapier]

270,
There is an error in that article and the author's idea that #4 buck fired inside a house, will not penetrate an interior wall, it will sail right through it if its sheet rock. As a matter of fact # 7 1/2 will put a good many shot through both sides. The safest gun in a house is a shotgun with say #9 or smaller shot, it makes a big nasty hole, full of shot, and is least likely to penetrate into other rooms through walls. We did tests on this at the range, and it still penetrates sometimes, depending on distance from the wall.

Oh, yes in a house the distances are real short for a shotgun and with a shot cup, shot does not spread much, if at all, shot is like a slug at a distance of about 15 feet. So it is still a know what is beyond your target deal.
Ed