The defensive shotgun may be the single most useful tool one can use during a home invasion or in order to stand down a small group of openly hostile persons threatening violence. Shotguns were reportedly the weapons of choice used by many law enforcement officers dealing with bands of armed looters during the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. A shotgun loaded with buckshot is far more effective in stopping a lethal threat quickly than a handgun, and effective at ranges as far as 40 yards with Federal Reduced Recoil Tactical 00 buckshot.  Although used less often, slugs offer extended range, enhanced penetration, and/or more surgical accuracy when needed. A conventionally stocked tube-fed shotgun that holds no more than five rounds is likely legal in every state and will probably be one of the last firearms to be targeted by anti-gunners.

Topics Covered

This class covers critical gun-handling and marksmanship skills unique to the defensive shotgun with heavy emphasis placed on always keeping the shotgun up and running and finding the sweet spot between speed and accuracy.  Students will learn how their individual shotgun patterns buckshot at close, intermediate, and longer distances as well as point-of-aim/point-of-impact with slugs. Most civilian-sector gunfights are not single-variable static events, which means students will also participate in drills and exercises that place an emphasis on problem-solving and implementation of fundamental defensive tactics. 

Required Equipment

  • Semi-action or pump-action 20 or 12-gauge shotgun (12 gauge is preferred).
  • 100 rounds of birdshot (size #6, 7.5, or 8 shot). We recommend that students avoid Wal-Mart Winchester White Box shotshells at this time.
  • 25 rounds of reduced recoil 00 buckshot (Federal Tactical Reduced Recoil with FLITECONTROL Wad is our preference). Avoid full-power 00 buckshot if possible. Reduced recoil buckshot by other manufacturers is acceptable. Students running 20-gauge shotguns have fewer options when it comes to selecting buckshot and may find it hard to find.
  • 25 rounds of reduced recoil slugs. Slugs are far more useful for home defense than many people think for the simple reason that in the event that students are unable to secure buckshot that patterns well in their shotguns slugs may be then used to engage deadly threats at extended distances. Buckshot that patterns poorly may not be able to keep all of the pellets on target at distances as short as fifteen yards. Errant pellets have been known to kill innocent people at distances as far as 100 yards.
  • Eye and ear protection, caps/hats, sunscreen, and lawn chairs.
  • Means of keeping at least 5 extra shotshells on your person (receiver or buttstock-mounted shotshell holders, belt pouch, etc.)
We recommend that students consider replacing the buttstocks of their shotguns with buttstocks that are youth-sized or made by Magpul with removable spacers or have been shortened by 1-2 inches. The length of the buttstock on a defensive shotgun should be shorter than that of a sporting shotgun. This is not a requirement.
Course Schedule and Location
Dallas Pistol Club
1830 West Belt Line Road 
Carrollton, TX 75006

May 25, 2025
9:00 AM-5:00PM