Exonautic
.308 Win
I'll withhold mine for now, what do you think about the 'ol " just rack the damn thing and he'll go off running!".
Opinions on racking a shotgun to scare off a home intruder.
- Thread starter Exonautic
- Start date
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
Like the libs say, "Its a good first step." But be prepared to follow through if he doesn't take the hint..
BDinPutnam
.475 A&M Magnum
Me no likey.
It's foolish for multiple reasons. Tactical and practical.
It's foolish for multiple reasons. Tactical and practical.
GOYABEAN
.950 JDJ
That's one of those political Hollywiered myths
fnfalguy
.308 Win
Nope. Starting at the simple reason that am i certain that if i create a sound (racking the action) a distance from a threat, that sound will be heard and recognized in the way i want it to be. Or am i waiting for the threat to actually see me do this, in which case we are way too close to each other for me to be standing there with any empty gun.
My double barrel doesn't rack it breaks. Most people wouldn't know what the clack sound meant, until I went outside and fired two blasts in the air (uncle creepy Joe Biden).
masterswimmer
.450/400 Nitro Ex
My understanding is that in order to load a shell into the breach it requires the shotty to be racked. 
Unless you leave your shotgun in condition 0 or 1 then when would you propose racking it?
Unless you leave your shotgun in condition 0 or 1 then when would you propose racking it?
GUNSICK
6.5 Creedmoor
Works great in the movies
It is possible to rack the slide quietly.My understanding is that in order to load a shell into the breach it requires the shotty to be racked.
Celt
.338 Win Mag
I'd prefer not to have to rack it. I'll announce to an intruder that I'm armed and will use dpf while 911 is on speaker phone in the background(wife knows to dial right away in case of something like this).
Ill clarify... this is my legally correct answer assuming everyone in my home is in the room with me. I was taught this at one of my training classes i attended and is a safe way to avoid legal trouble. Different scenarios may require different responses.
Ill clarify... this is my legally correct answer assuming everyone in my home is in the room with me. I was taught this at one of my training classes i attended and is a safe way to avoid legal trouble. Different scenarios may require different responses.
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BDinPutnam
.475 A&M Magnum
See also: every movie where the cop is carrying a sidearm with an empty chamber, hammer down.
Exonautic
.308 Win
I'm talking for the purpose of scaring him off, not just to get a shell in the chamber, which as was mentioned can be done quietly.My understanding is that in order to load a shell into the breach it requires the shotty to be racked.
Nope, don't like the idea. Why give up my position in a place that I know intimately. I don't keep a shotgun by my bed, I have a Judge loaded with some nasty .410 rounds, alternately with .45lc. The Judge will cover the hallway that anyone would have to come down to get to the master bedroom. I also keep my G19 in my nightstand.
Toecutter
.308 Win
If I feel my life is in danger I'm not giving up the element of surprise.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
When you rack a shotgun, it gives the intuder information. (Your location and what type of weapon you have.)
The intruder can now act accordingly after that with that information. He can run or stay and fight. If he chooses to stay and fight, now you have to find him behind cover which makes it more dangerous for yourself. Now he unholstered the gun that he previously had in his waistline because his hands may have been full. Now he knows where you are but you don't necessarily know where he is. The minute you come down those stairs, he's ready for you.
It's stupid to rack a shotgun in my opinion. It's much better to sneak up on him because if the intruder was there he either thought you weren't home or he thought you were sleeping. It's much better to keep him thinking what he previously thought until it's too late and he has no time to react.
It's much safer for you that way.
The intruder can now act accordingly after that with that information. He can run or stay and fight. If he chooses to stay and fight, now you have to find him behind cover which makes it more dangerous for yourself. Now he unholstered the gun that he previously had in his waistline because his hands may have been full. Now he knows where you are but you don't necessarily know where he is. The minute you come down those stairs, he's ready for you.
It's stupid to rack a shotgun in my opinion. It's much better to sneak up on him because if the intruder was there he either thought you weren't home or he thought you were sleeping. It's much better to keep him thinking what he previously thought until it's too late and he has no time to react.
It's much safer for you that way.
Target
6.5 Creedmoor
It seems most grab and run type crooks dont want confrontation so I see the benefit of racking the slide and announcing that I'm armed and that I know you're there.
I understand the tactical argument , but it is not very likely that a squad of trained operators is going to target me as I have no dirt on Hillary or any other Democrat ( think Suicide Assist Team).
I leave my chamber empty as the 12 is not in the safe or gun cabinet and I think most people are tv/movie trained to fear the mighty , cant miss shotgun.
I understand the tactical argument , but it is not very likely that a squad of trained operators is going to target me as I have no dirt on Hillary or any other Democrat ( think Suicide Assist Team).
I leave my chamber empty as the 12 is not in the safe or gun cabinet and I think most people are tv/movie trained to fear the mighty , cant miss shotgun.
Steal2B
.700 Nitro Express
If an intruder hears me racking my shotgun, it is because I have to eject the shell as the next shot feeds. Enough said.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
So that means that you are only preparing for grab and run criminals. You aren't preparing for the one that has intentions on killing you. Although small chances, you are eliminating that chance of success if he isn't one of those criminals. What if he escaped law enforcement custody and needs your house to hide?
And if you let the grab and go criminal go, he gets away and can do it again to you or someone else. Now you have to wonder if he's coming back. It's much better to know that he isn't coming back.
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Target
6.5 Creedmoor
The local area a is being plagued by thugs looking for unlocked cars and sheds.
Surveillance video shows one trying to remove audio equipment from a car.
His buddy was across the street. Motion lights did not phase them but when the one hit the horn trying to remove the radio, the both stopped and quickly got into the waiting getaway car.
I've had footprints in the snow going to my shed, the neighbors shed, his gate, his car door then away.
So no, I am not concerned with a intentional assault., just crimes of opportunity.
Surveillance video shows one trying to remove audio equipment from a car.
His buddy was across the street. Motion lights did not phase them but when the one hit the horn trying to remove the radio, the both stopped and quickly got into the waiting getaway car.
I've had footprints in the snow going to my shed, the neighbors shed, his gate, his car door then away.
So no, I am not concerned with a intentional assault., just crimes of opportunity.
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
The click of the button being taken of safe is much more intimidating, besides the racking had already been done.
Robin
Robin
Uzi
.308 Win
Racking a shotgun during a home invasion is about as positively effective as announcing to an armed mugger or robber that you have a concealed firearm in your waistband while he or she is pointing one of their own behind your back already.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
By not letting him escape, that's one less plaguing your neighborhood.
By letting that type of criminal escape, you aren't making your neighborhood any better. You'll never know who he is. When you run into him out in town, you'll never know it was him but he may know who you are and now he knows where to get a gun when things get a little more desperate for him.
By letting that type of criminal escape, you aren't making your neighborhood any better. You'll never know who he is. When you run into him out in town, you'll never know it was him but he may know who you are and now he knows where to get a gun when things get a little more desperate for him.
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E the massive
.308 Win
I will assume an intruder is NOT going to give me the opportunity to flee to safety. That's all.
Blimey
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Don't forget Exhibit B: police clearing a building and then when they get closer to the threat they finally rack their weapon. I believe some movies even have a weapon being cocked multiple times without having been fired.See also: every movie where the cop is carrying a sidearm with an empty chamber, hammer down.
Once they’ve crossed the threshold of my home with malicious intent, my decisions will not be geared towards scaring them off.
I remember what my Dad always told me, he would say:
"I'm not a wealthy man. I don't have furs, and diamonds. I figure if someone is in my home, they are there to injure someone. I have EVERY intention of protecting what is most important to me,... my Family"!!
Those words have always resonated with me whenever this type of discussion comes up, and I too "have EVERY intention of protecting what is most important to me,... my Family"! There will never be a warning of any kind given to an intruder of my home. My castle, my rules! Thank God I live in a free state where we are allowed to protect our castle!!
"I'm not a wealthy man. I don't have furs, and diamonds. I figure if someone is in my home, they are there to injure someone. I have EVERY intention of protecting what is most important to me,... my Family"!!
Those words have always resonated with me whenever this type of discussion comes up, and I too "have EVERY intention of protecting what is most important to me,... my Family"! There will never be a warning of any kind given to an intruder of my home. My castle, my rules! Thank God I live in a free state where we are allowed to protect our castle!!
Like the incessant cocking and slide racking of weapons that should always be cocked and locked; that is, unless you are moronic enough to think the time necessary to do so doesn't lower your life expectancy.
Depick
.308 Win
Any person brazen enough to invade your home more than likely won’t be scared off by a few clicks. You gotta be prepared to defend yourself to any extent.
Bananabandit
.338 Win Mag
why isnt it loaded already?
This isnt hollyweird
This isnt hollyweird