"A shotgun is a nice weapon because of it's stopping power, brute force, and disregard of precise aiming. Aim near the head and you are almost assured an instant kill, aim at the legs in a hurry and you certainly gain a huge advantage over a crawling skinjob, and also can easily behead them with a nearby shovel or smash their head in without wasting any more ammo.
"

"Ditto you still have to aim a shotgun to hit your target. Also unlike the wonderful xbox you have to learn how to lead some of your targets as well. Not everything you shoot at is going to run /fly straight at you, or run/fly away from you. "

"My favorite shotgun story was as I was hanging around at the range BSing with the owner a van full of guys pulls up the radio so loud the windows were shaking, everyone in BDUs but no firearms, and NY plates (vacationers‼‼). Range staff goes “Oh-No-Rambos.” They come in pay the range fee sit through the 15 min do this don’t do that speech and say they want to rent the “Terminator Gun” a Mossberg with pistol grip the range instructor stands there watches as he tucks it into his shoulder and fires about four rounds. They BS a little the instructor walks away and sure as hell the guy raises the pistol griped shotgun to his face and learns that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. What a bloody (not the Queen’s English-I mean blood and teeth) mess. I laughed my ass off, only because they were acting like dick heads. When the ambulance left, we found little pieces of teeth on the ground and a mess of blood and skin on the back of the shotgun-hehehe.
Second favorite is the guy with the NJ plates who again got the do this don’t do that speech and took the pistol grip shotgun with one hand and fired it. He shot the bench rest sending BBs ricocheting into everyone on the firing line. Oh shit the shotgun was heavy. I guess those Hollywood tricks don’t work in real life. He got to have a visit by the PA State Police and wounded two including one who had a ball penetrate his leg.
"

"necro's story is another practical example of why I recommend that new shooters ALWAYS start with a 22LR rifle ... even their goal is to own/learn/shoot a shotgun or even a handgun. So many "it's a powerful, dangerous and deadly tool" lessons can be learned with less possibility of early ignorance leading to injury.

In the specific case of the shotgun, a new shooter can experiment to learn where his "pocket" with a 22LR rifle, without risking the beginners usual bruising and (rare but, it happens) dislocation of the shoulder. It's also easier and safer to practice various carry, ready and firing positions.

Also, shotgun skills should always be learned - IMHO - first with birdshot and then with buck and slugs, for similar reasons. You learn that you do indeed need to "point" (shotgunner's term ... same as "aim") the weapon, observe patterning behavior and get first-hand experience as to the pros/cons of this weapon system."

"that is one of the funniest shotgun stories ive heard. but personaly im not a shotgun person, because all the ones ive shot dont have sights they just have the bead on the end, that and the stocks on them were too short so every shot i would like punch myself in the face, just like with an SKS.

but these were realy old shotguns so i guess newer ones would be better "

"that is one of the funniest shotgun stories ive heard. but personaly im not a shotgun person, because all the ones ive shot dont have sights they just have the bead on the end, that and the stocks on them were too short so every shot i would like punch myself in the face, just like with an SKS.

but these were realy old shotguns so i guess newer ones would be better "