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Lookin for some input

9999 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  HockaLouis
Alright guys, this may seem like a stupid question with no point, but here it goes. What do you personally use for home defense and what do you believe is the best choice for home defense?
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Dial 911.























But seriously, did you search this subject? I don't normally ask that but to be honest there have been a million threads on this subject.

Consensus pretty much boils down to: A Gun. Whatever you have will do fine. Practice with it frequently and keep it loaded. Don't let kids get anywhere near it and if you have kids in the house drill them relentlessly on firearms safety like their lives depend on it (which, actually, might be the case).

If you are inquiring because you are considering getting a firearms for Home Defense (HD) most people seem to recommend an inexpensive shotgun such as the Mossberg 500 slide action with buckshot. Get an expanded magazine.

Others will recommend a revolver, I do- actually a DAO revolver is what I am recommending for a friend of mine. Maybe in .357 Magnum so you can practice with it at the range using .38 Specials (cheaper). 9mm seems to be popular too.

Also consider having layers of security before it even comes to confronting a Bad Guy at gunpoint. Have motion sensor lights outside. A good deadbolt and secure entryways. Maybe an alarm system. My dogs do a good job of warning when there is someone outside (and one of them would do a number on anyone who gets in the door!).
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Dial 911.

But seriously, did you search this subject? I don't normally ask that but to be honest there have been a million threads on this subject.

Consensus pretty much boils down to: A Gun. Whatever you have will do fine. Practice with it frequently and keep it loaded. Don't let kids get anywhere near it and if you have kids in the house drill them relentlessly on firearms safety like their lives depend on it (which, actually, might be the case).

If you are inquiring because you are considering getting a firearms for Home Defense (HD) most people seem to recommend an inexpensive shotgun such as the Mossberg 500 slide action with buckshot. Get an expanded magazine.

Others will recommend a revolver, I do- actually a DAO revolver is what I am recommending for a friend of mine. Maybe in .357 Magnum so you can practice with it at the range using .38 Specials (cheaper). 9mm seems to be popular too.

Also consider having layers of security before it even comes to confronting a Bad Guy at gunpoint. Have motion sensor lights outside. A good deadbolt and secure entryways. Maybe an alarm system. My dogs do a good job of warning when there is someone outside (and one of them would do a number on anyone who gets in the door!).
Oh no sir, I'm not asking for advice as to what is a good option for me. My 870 suits my needs just fine. A friend of mine made the comment that a majority of people (or nearly a majority) use AR platform rifles for home defense. That didn't seem quite right to me so I turned to you all for input. Sorry for bringing up this incredibly over addressed subject, but I wanted a single source to use as proof from real gunowners and enthusiasts. Not some study done by the media.
. 45 long colt, .45 ACP, .410 bore. My wife gave me my Christmas present a few days early. A Smith & Wesson Govenor. Pics and range report to come after the holidays. The ranges are closed, and the one at my club is an indoor. They won't let me fire .410 in it. When the local outdoor ones open on the other hand.....:D
Oh no sir, I'm not asking for advice as to what is a good option for me. My 870 suits my needs just fine. A friend of mine made the comment that a majority of people (or nearly a majority) use AR platform rifles for home defense. That didn't seem quite right to me so I turned to you all for input. Sorry for bringing up this incredibly over addressed subject, but I wanted a single source to use as proof from real gunowners and enthusiasts. Not some study done by the media.
OK. For HD it is my opinion that a rifle is the worst choice one could make if they have only 1 gun. Some will disagree undoubtedly though.

I mentioned a pistol (.357 magnum) or a shotty because they don't over-penetrate like rifle rounds tend to do (some will disagree on this as well).

If the question really is "What possible reason could one have that legitimately justifies owning an AR15/AK47/"assault rifle"/AR47/AK15 (or any number of "evil" labels that the gun banners are making up) or high capacity magazines?

I suspect that is the question, is it not?

Personally I own a couple of handguns and one shotgun loaded and ready specifically for HD, I do not keep my rifles nor any of my longer-barreled shotguns loaded nor do I expect that they would come out in a HD situation. I live in CA so we are restricted to 10 or fewer rounds for all detachable magazines.
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Yeah, I don't see an AR being the best for HD. Sure it can work but so would (insert anything you want here). Over penetration is a major factor in what would work best. I like a shorter shotgun or 45 pistol for this. And even with the pistol it's more about portability.
OK. For HD it is my opinion that a rifle is the worst choice one could make if they have only 1 gun. Some will disagree undoubtedly though.

I mentioned a pistol (.357 magnum) or a shotty because they don't over-penetrate like rifle rounds tend to do (some will disagree on this as well).

If the question really is "What possible reason could one have that legitimately justifies owning an AR15/AK47/"assault rifle"/AR47/AK15 (or any number of "evil" labels that the gun banners are making up) or high capacity magazines?

I suspect that is the question, is it not?

Personally I own a couple of handguns and one shotgun loaded and ready specifically for HD, I do not keep my rifles nor any of my longer-barreled shotguns loaded nor do I expect that they would come out in a HD situation. I live in CA so we are restricted to 10 or fewer rounds for all detachable magazines.
That is, in fact, the question at hand. Not just a debate about the necessity to have this kind of rifle but the sensible application of it. He claims this near majority uses an AR rifle for HD and I believe that if given the option to use another type of firearm (shotgun, revolver, etc), that the average person would not choose the rifle.
That is, in fact, the question at hand. Not just a debate about the necessity to have this kind of rifle but the sensible application of it. He claims this near majority uses an AR rifle for HD and I believe that if given the option to use another type of firearm (shotgun, revolver, etc), that the average person would not choose the rifle.
OK. Then approach the answer the same way he posed the question. This can be easy with some people. Does he have an iPhone 5? Why? Is it necessary for his work? If so does he use it when he is not working? Then point out that some professions require carrying a gun, but those people don't always carry off-duty even though they can.

If he has a fast car, ask him how he justifies that if he can't drive over the speed limit.

As to his "most of the people" statement just ask him where he got that statistic because I guarantee he just pulled it out of his ***.

As to my answer to the question "Why do you feel the need to own an AR15 or similar "assault rifle"?" I would simply answer:

"Because it is one of the finest examples of that type of firearm. It is quite accurate, well made and a pleasure to shoot. Besides that, if the tree of Liberty ever needs some of its "natural manure" it can help provide that too."
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IMHO a 12 gauge shotgun sure is hard to beat for home defense,kind of like Horseshoes....

Close counts :)
IMHO a 12 gauge shotgun sure is hard to beat for home defense,kind of like Horseshoes....

Close counts :)
You do realize the "spread" of a shotgun at room length engagements is less that 3", right? 3" is pretty close. I disagree with the horseshoe analogy.

Me? AR, 12 ga pump, .40 pistol (wife), 10mm pistol (me). Oh and Crossbow if the home invader is PZA (Post Zombie Apocalypse) and I feel the need for stealth.
12 gauge with 2 & 3/4 in. max load # 4`s.................
shotguns...

probably a 12 gauge Remington
Actually the 55 grain 5.56x45 will penetrate fewer walls than a 9x19. They upset and shed velocity fast. A carbine is much easier to control and get on target than a pistol. In addition, there are frangible rounds along with expanding rounds like the Double Taps. There have been a lot of tests done. Google is your friend.
SIG P226 9MM and Benelli M-2 12 gauge

Ar -15 loaded with Hornady 55 grain TAP is nearby..
I'll focus on rifles with respect to this forum. I think I can say without contradiction that the AR's are the best-selling rifles for home defense in the past decade. Probably the best-selling of all firearms for home defense in that time. Have they replaced all that were out there before? They couldn't make them fast enough for that given America's history -- we have hundreds of millions of firerams. And of course there are shotguns and pistols which are probably at least, if not more, popular in total than rifles for protection.

No doubt about it -- the AR has earned an important, these days the most important, place in the pantheon of America's civillian arms.
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