I don’t plan on just firing one round during a defense scenario. I like shotguns and I agree that a close range hit with a defense shotgun load is likely catastrophic. To me the problem is the shotgun takes much more training to run, and very few people can run a Bill drill with a shotgun as fast as a carbine.

I’m not against a shotgun for personal defense, but I would suspect most of us have far more rounds thru ARs than shotguns, and if I have to get in a close range gunfight at night I want my most familiar weapon in my hand. That said, I think if you make good hits with a 5.56, .300 AAC, or any buckshot load you’ll likely turn any threat room temperature.