Never ever ever ever ever ever ever rely on the sound of a gun cycling to deter an intruder.

If you are faced with the decision of if you should pull the trigger on an intruder or not you had damn well already have the gun loaded and ready to fire before you make any contact with the intruder what so ever.

If you have other family members in other rooms in the house and he has no way out the intruder may very well snatch up one out of their sleep as his personal shield if he hears you pump that shotgun. I know I would if I needed to.



Another misnomer is about shotguns. While I too agree that a shotgun with small buck shot is the absolute best home defense gun available if you have a shotgun with a 18 inch barrel with no/ open choke the pattern will not open up more than about 3 or 4 inches at the distances someone would shoot at an intruder in their house which is only about 10 yards at the most unless you have a very large house. You had still better be awake to be able to distinguish who you are shooting at and be able to properly aim what ever gun you choose to use as a home defense gun.