[Shane]

Just 5 miles or so from where I live, there was an apparent home invasion robbery in which the homeowner was killed on Sunday. :(

This gets me thinking that if several people were to break in at once, I might be better off with the 12 gauge as the primary (it holds 4 shots), and one of my SEMI-AUTOMATIC pistol as backup. Assuming I had time to get to the 12 gauge, of course.

But, my point is if there were several people to deal with, would only 5 or six shots be enough, especially while firing under stress of being attacked? I don't know. I'll always be a revolver man first, and for MOST situations I have more faith in the wheel gun, but perhaps the extreme case of multiple people entering the premisis univited a semi-auto would have its advantages? Or would a "Kentucky" reload simply due a tricK (i.e. use two revolvers).

[Stephen Ewing]

I'm a firm believer that by the time you've emptied a revolver, we've established that one of three conditions applies:

1) You've run out of bad guys.
2) You've run out of time.
3) You're too darn dangerous to be spraying bullets around the neighborhood anyway.

If a riot somehow finds its way into your living room and you have to solve it with a handgun, it's really not your day, but may I suggest that shooting the loudest and nearest BGs first is the time-honored solution?

Steve

[megatronrules]

Well if I had warning I would grab my shotgun. Probably throw my Beretta in my waistband just in case. A long gun is always preferable to a handgun. Most of these home invasion robberies are commited by cowards who count on surprise. Once the led starts to fly I would think they would get out of there. You never know though. You have tactical advantage as you know you're house better than they do. In my house they would fall and break a leg over something I should have picked up but was to lazy too:D :D

This being said, if you have time get to a long gun. ;)

[EJ]

It all comes down to what you can shoot better with --Period--

[ahadams]

the best gun for self-defense is the one with which you are most proficient.

Although I keep the 686 loaded it's primarily for my wife who is comfortable with it. I use a .45. well actually more than one .45, but the main reason I use it is because Uncle Sam paid for all the ammo I needed to learn to shoot properly with it!:D

The only other thing I shoot nearly as well with is the Browning .22 and I really am not good enough to get lethal hits with it in the middle of the night without my glasses, you know?

The point is: you will fight as you have been trained to fight, so practice and get good at one thing, rather than be mediocre with several different ones.

just my 2 cents' worth

[Shane]

If I ever were to be in a home invasion position (which I hope NEVER happens), assuming of course I had time, my strategy would be ambush. I woudn't go to them, I'd let them COME TO ME. By staying in one room and waiting for them, I think you take them by surprise and have an advantage. I think its foolish to try to hunt them out.

[Mark IV Series 80]

This gets me thinking that if several people were to break in at once, I might be better off with the 12 gauge as the primary (it holds 4 shots), and one of my SEMI-AUTOMATIC pistol as backup. Assuming I had time to get to the 12 gauge, of course.I would prefer my 8-shot, 12 gauge as primary.

I think that if you shot the first one coming in, the rest would leave in a hurry.

[Shane]

I would prefer my 8-shot, 12 gauge as primary.

I think that if you shot the first one coming in, the rest would leave in a hurry.

You could be right. Shotguns are loud and messy. Perhaps the noise and seeing their partner's blood splattered against the wall might make them decide to leave.

[Neal Bloom]

I think Shane is right. Let them come you. Rather hard for several people to come in a bedroom door or down a narrow hall all at once. Especially hard if a 12 gauge is clearing a path through the crowd.

[sonoranjack]

I like pistols better than revolvers period.

[10-Ring]

Pistols have a higher comfort factor (IMHO). More rounds, faster reloads. But, I've seen a few guys that were scary fast w/ revolvers. It really comes down to skill and situation.
A home invasion w/ multiple (armed?) intruders would be tough to defend against revolver or semi auto.

[Blackhawk]

I prefer semis anyway, but to your point:

BGs are not dedicated soldiers, and they're far more likely to take off when the shooting starts. If they keep coming, they're probably a SWAT team or a group paid to get you even if that takes getting shot themselves. IOW, if you need more than 5 from a revolver and/or 4 from a shotgun, you're not dealing with run-of-the-mill BGs....

[V-fib]

I would head to my locked safe room with the 12gauge aimed on the door. I also would have my .357 rev and a phone. :cool:

[sm]

Preferable ...
Gun and platform fits shooter best.

I know those whom with a revo and a speedloader can shoot quicker AND more accurate than some with a semi...

Personally, I'm not ...I shoot and carry a semi, this is what fits ME

[firestar]

Why handicap yourself to six rounds? Why not have 15 rounds at your disposal?

You never know, it is possible you just might miss with all the chaos and being grogy from just getting a rude awakening and the darkness and your adrenaline pumping like mad etc. I know no one here could ever miss a shot under those conditions so a revolver is way more than enough.:rolleyes:

If there are 6 bad guys then there will be 6 dead bad guys with holes right between there eyes right? Yeah right!:D

Spray and pray is the most underated tatic IMHO.:D I'm only half kidding about this, it is nice to have plenty of ammo ready to go.

[Onslaught]

You guys can talk about spray and pray... you can tell me that "most armed encounters end without firing a shot" or that "most shootouts expend an average of 2.65 shots"... or that "bad guys usually run when (they see a gun)(the shooting starts) "...

But when it's MY house, and MY wife, and MY daughter... I'm not going to be able to get one of you on the phone to tell the bad guys that they're not playing by the rules :D

It's my HOUSE... it's not my CAR. I don't have to flee. I'm not GOING to flee. Flee where? We've all seen that movie, and we all say the same thing! "No! what are you thinking! don't go outside!"

For the few of you that may not yet have read this article (http://www.sacfla.org/susang.htm) about Susan and Mike Gonzalez... it's a MUST.

The first time I told my wife about it, she almost cried! It's how I convinced her that she needed a pistol and quick-access safe on her side of the bed too.

I realize the handicaps here... .22 pistol, inexperienced shooter, etc... but it's still a serious lesson in reality... Bad guys DON'T always come alone... they DON'T always run when you shoot, they DON'T know to follow the statistics, and sometimes, they get TICKED OFF if you shoot them and come after you!

Be safe... use enough gun. Or to put it my favorite way...

Plan for the worst, Pray for the best.

[Deuce]

Oddly enough, I've never considered the possibility of a gang break-in. I've always imagined one intruder with, possibly, a wheel man outside.

After giving it a little thought, I very much like the idea of a short 12ga. Perhaps I'll pick up a Marine Magnum (only 6rds ... where do you get the 8 Mark IV?) one of these days. It's not like I think there's a high probability of a mass break-in, but, if anything, it's a reason to buy another gun. And, it sure would come in handy if the need ever arose.

I'm not overly experienced with shotguns. I've shot trap, ducks (tried to anyhow), and grouse so I know about the appropriate shot sizes for them. But, what's considered "appropriate" for self-defense? I'm thinking somewhere between BB and T. How big is buckshot compared to those? After I bought my SBE, I took it out in the woods and put 50 #5 3.5" turkey loads through it. I was just trying to break it in so I just aimed at a fallen tree (about 12" diameter). I sure wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one of those.

As for semi vs. revo, I have absolute faith in my Glocks. Bottom line is, I'm simply far more accurate with 'em than a revo and the firepower is icing. Besides, why not a Kentucky reload with two semi's?:D

[blades67]

I have eight rounds in my 1300 Defender and eight in my P220 and readily accessible. In case of apartment invasion I will apply both as needed.

[Shane]

Deuce ,

I use (#2 Birdshot) Federal Personal Defense 12 gauge load, in my Remington 870 HD. I doubt a bad guy will tell the difference between buckshot and birdshot at room distances (7 yards). At close range, birdshot can mess you up good. IMO, the main advantage of buckshot OTOH is that it is more efficient at longer ranges (25 yards). Birdshot spreads too thin (what I try to say is that it looses its pattern and isn't concentrated enough) and looses energy past somewhere along 15 yards, but buckshot will retain its energy well past that. For home defense its moot point though IMO, very few people will need to fire more than 7-10 yards in a house, IMO. Birdshot for me has less felt recoil and I am more proficient with it, so thats what I use.

[Mark IV Series 80]

......Marine Magnum (only 6rds ... where do you get the 8 Mark IV?)Hello Deuce,

I've got a 20" Mossberg with 8 in the magazine tube:
http://www.mossberg.com/pcatalog/images/0250668.gif
It's got a Speed-Feed stock on it that holds 4 extra shells.

http://www.mossberg.com/pcatalog/featurespurpose.htm

[goon]

I would say that I would prefer an automatic over a revolver any time. But, I can't shoot a revolver worth a crap either...
GIven the choice, I would grab my CZ-75. I have two mags loaded for it, and I can shoot it almost as fast as an SMG, and still hit pretty well. But the SIG would do as well too.
Immediately after grabbing a handgun, I would make my way to our old double barrel. It is almost as dangerous on the friendly end as it is on the other end. Actually, it doesn't have a friendly end. But it would be a fearsome weapon loaded with the heavy hunting loads that are kept near it at close range.

[krept]

First off is making sure you layer your defenses. A good alarm system will act as a deterrent at worst and at best LEO will be notified and a crazy loud alarm will be blaring.

Anyone who wants to get you after that is very serious and can meet the firepower at the end of the maze.

This is a gross oversimplification. Just don't forget the things that you can do before hand to make you and your family hard targets.

cheers

[Carbon_15]

Deuce, most folks agree that anything between #4 and OOO buck are best for home defence.
OOO=.36 or 9.14mm, 68gr
OO=.33 or 8.38mm, 53.8gr
#1=.30 or 7.62mm, 40gr
#4=.24 or ?mm 20.6gr

[Deuce]

Thanks for the info gentlemen.

Mark IV, I'll have to check out that Mossberg ... thanks for the link.

[buzz_knox]

#2 isn't birdshot, is it? I thought it was properly termed #2 buck, as it's heavier than birdshot. I've always heard #4 referred to as #4 buck.

[RCL]

Might I also suggest a large/loud dog? They make a great early warning system. I have stood outside my house before and rattled the door (sometimes you don't evn need to do that), and the noise on the other side from my 90 pound Choc. Lab backed up by the 60 pound Dalmation would make me think twice about going through the door unanounced. However if that didn't bother a scumbag maybe the buckshot and hollow points would. :D

[Blackhawk]

Thanks for the article link, Onslaught. That should be a "must read" for everybody! :what:

[goon]

"#2 isn't birdshot, is it? I thought it was properly termed #2 buck, as it's heavier than birdshot. I've always heard #4 referred to as #4 buck."

The pellets in #2 are about the same size as a .177 cal BB or pellet. I think that they used to be called BB.
And I am inclinded to think that any 12GA round up close would be devastating. Not to mention that the sight of a 12GA muzzle looking back at you might just be enough to make the offending party change his mind about offending.

[Blackhawk]

#2 birdshot is 0.15" in diameter, and #2 buckshot is 0.27" in diameter.

[DonGlock26]

Criminals are running in packs more and more. They do drugs together,run out of money together, and plan crimes together. Home invasions are not as rare as they use to be. I figure 3 rounds of 9mm/.40 per customer, so I chose a G-26/G-23 for H.D. I second getting a dog or two. Every house should have a 12ga for perimeter defense. I use a mossey 590.

[Shane]

And I am inclinded to think that any 12GA round up close would be devastating.

Exactly. Shoot something up close, and practically any 12GA round is devastating. I don't feel one really needs to go the buckshot route for short distances, but of course if using buckshot makes one happy, thats great too. I'm content with the load I have though.

[Shane]

Might I also suggest a large/loud dog? They make a great early warning system. I have stood outside my house before and rattled the door (sometimes you don't evn need to do that), and the noise on the other side from my 90 pound Choc. Lab backed up by the 60 pound Dalmation would make me think twice about going through the door unanounced. However if that didn't bother a scumbag maybe the buckshot and hollow points would.

I have a dog (50 lb lab X), but he is more content to lick people than bite. He even is friendly with cats and birds. He'll bark though and warn me, which is all I ask.