Alternatives to AR-15 for Home Defense

I think anything that reliably goes bang is a pretty good home defense weapon in the hands of someone who can reliably hit what is being shot at.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of high velocity rifles as home defense weapons where the walls are mostly drywall. Chances are there will be at least one miss in who knows how many layers of drywall around might go through before it stops in some neighbors body.

12 gauge pump. Mossberg or Rem 870.

The Mini 14 may not look like an AR or an AK but to me it looks more like a military rifle (M-14) than a hunting rifle. However ilbob is right. Anything that you can use effectively will be adequate but high velocity rounds can cause a lot of collateral damage and at close range all that energy isn't necessary.
I like 45 ACP especially for HD so If I were buying a budget priced HD rifle I would seriously consider a HiPoint semiauto carbine in 45 ACP.

If you are going to use a high velocity round, are you going to stop and put on ear pro before you engage? Discharging a 223 in a bedroom or hallway seems like it may be a bad idea. Don't know if you have stood near the muzzle of one when fired, I have and that's why I will not use one indoors for home defense.

A Ruger PCC in 9mm or 40 would be a good choice as well. When using Glock mags you have available 30 round mags.

I don't dislike the Mini-14. But unless I lived in one of the handful of places where a Mini-14 was legal and an AR wasn't there is no way I'd choose one over an AR. The AR does everything better and costs about 1/2 what the Ruger currently sells for. Years ago, when the Ruger was 1/2 to 1/3 what an AR cost, I felt it was a viable alternative.

The 1994 AWB didn't affect the Mini-14. If there is another AWB the Mini-14 as well as all semi-automatic pistol caliber carbines will be gone just like the AR so I don't see either as a possible replacement.

Inside my home I still think a handgun is the best option. The longest possible shot inside my home would be no more than 5 yards. At that range any long gun would be too cumbersome. I'd rather have one hand free for other things.

If there is any confrontation outdoors a shotgun with buckshot will be effective from my house to the property line in any direction.

I do have AR's. They are at their best if longer shots are ever needed. But I'd currently choose one for indoors work over a shotgun. Compared to a shotgun my AR's are lighter, more compact, and generate about 1/6 the recoil of a shotgun while holding 6X the number of rounds. At 5 yards a shotgun pattern is so tight, it offers no advantage over a rifle round. I'm sure a Mini could fill the same role quite effectively.

If I were to replace the AR with anything else, I'd choose a bolt rifle set up in a "Scout" type configuration with 5 or 10 round magazines. It picks up at longer ranges about where a shotgun starts to be ineffective. Not a fan of lever guns. I own a bunch, but they are expensive, heavy, slow to reload, less accurate, and with limited range, and not significantly faster for repeat shots than a bolt rifle.

To me, a dedicated HD weapon regardless of type should have a white light mounted to aid in target ID in the dark, along with the training on how to properly use said weapon-mounted light. As far as a long gun to be used in MOST HD, I think a PCC like the AR in 9mm or the Ruger 9mm carbines would be preferable for most people (since most people live in houses in neighborhoods or apartments).The nature of these types of engagements would be at fairly short ranges, even if you found yourself having to engage someone on your property outside of your house from INSIDE of your house (think engagements outside of most pistol shooter's 25 meter "comfort zone of effectiveness", and likely with a low percentage of the target being visible). The longest distance I would be able to engage a target INSIDE of my house (due to the construction layout) would be about 15 meters, down a hallway- well within the capabilities of myself and a handgun. I don't care for shotguns unless I am shooting something with feathers. The effective range of buckshot and the patterns from the shotguns normally used to fire it for HD leave a lot to be desired, and send out lots of projectiles and thus potentially "fliers" that are going to end up somewhere besides in the target. Good lights for shotguns are pricey too. IMO, guns like the AR for HD are at their best for those of us who live "in the country" or in homes on larger lots- the larger the property, the more effective range may be required in lawful defense, with less chances of a projectile finding its way onto/into someone else's property. That said, no one can go wrong having a gun like an AR in their inventory for unforeseeable emergencies that may even take you outside of your "historic home range".

Jonny2guns said:

If you are going to use a high velocity round, are you going to stop and put on ear pro before you engage? Discharging a 223 in a bedroom or hallway seems like it may be a bad idea. Don't know if you have stood near the muzzle of one when fired, I have and that's why I will not use one indoors for home defense.

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Exactly. Ive fired 223 out of a mini 14, with a building just 15 feet from my right side. No hearing protection. Its really freaking loud. Not only loud but a very sharp crack. And thats coming from someone who never used hearing protection for anything but the loudest of hand guns. I didnt even wear em at the NHRA drags. 223 is about the worst thing ive heard.

Something subsonic is a much better option. I use a 20 gauge pump.

I actually just got a mini-14 tactical. It has a very nice feel. Maybe the stock adds a bit, but it feels quite a bit heavier than my older mini ranch rifle.

Personally in the close confines of most houses, I prefer a handgun. If I were going to a long gun it would either be a 18" barrel shotgun or a pcc.

I’ve had lots of different guns available for home defense, never (that I can remember) has it been an AR. Nothing against it for that, I just tend to keep a pistol handy, and generally a long gun of some kind. Sometimes that long gun is a shotgun, sometimes it’s a 1895 Marlin it varies wildly, it depends on what I’ve been doing and hunting lately. I’ve always wanted a 45acp in some PCC dedicated for that purpose but their aren’t options I really like.

As has been said if it’s reliable and you are comfortable with it. It will likely be fine, that said I stay away from rimfires in large part because I don’t trust the reliability of any rimfire ammo, I’ve just had to many duds to feel comfortable relying on one as a defensive weapon, unless I had no better option.

My under-the-bed gun is an old 20ga Stevens double barrel. I have a handgun a little closer than that. I'd prefer to not shoot any of them indoors, but given the choice I'd prefer having time to grab the shotgun.

I have yet to find anything that I like better than my 12ga 870 with one in the chamber, four in the tube, and five in the ammo sleeve.
I did a lot of hunting and a lot of trapshooting with 870s, so they're pretty familiar.

Jonny2guns said:

If you are going to use a high velocity round, are you going to stop and put on ear pro before you engage?

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Yes, I have electronic ear pro staged next to my home defense AR pistols even though they are usually suppressed .300 BLK. A side benefit of the electronic ear pro is that is magnifies all sounds so I am more likely to be able to hear what is going on better.

I live alone except for 5 indoor cats and the suppressor is for their hearing protection as much as mine.

Seems to me that there are too many different living situations for there to be any good single answer. The Montana rancher and the urban apartment dweller have much different needs...

Urban townhome dweller here.

I prefer a handgun with a light for HD. It frees up a hand for manipulating lights and doors, moving family family members, and calling 911.

I would also consider a PCC of some flavor for HD.

Again everyone's situation is different and will come to a unique solution.

Protect your home with what you're proficient with. Not with what has cool Youtube videos.

The key phrase here is home defense. Unless you plan on defending your home by shooting at people who are outside it - from the porch, open windows, or the roof - you just don't need a rifle. Indoor distances aren't great enough to justify it.

A pistol and shotgun combo is most pragmatic. Weapon lights on both.

WrongHanded said:

A pistol and shotgun combo is most pragmatic. Weapon lights on both.

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My (now ex) wife is disabled and not proficient handling either a pistol or shotgun, but she is very proficient with a suppressed 7 1/2" AR pistol in .300 BLK. So, as with most things, it depends.

This is where the full size handgun shines. 9mm thru 45acp or so. Perhaps a pump w #4 buck.

ilbob said:

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of high velocity rifles as home defense weapons where the walls are mostly drywall. Chances are there will be at least one miss in who knows how many layers of drywall around might go through before it stops in some neighbors body.

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Charlie Martinez said:

Anything that you can use effectively will be adequate but high velocity rounds can cause a lot of collateral damage and at close range all that energy isn't necessary.

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Tests I have seen indicate that 223/556, especially a JSP type round, has even less intermediate barrier penetration than service handgun rounds. But, everything still penetrates like crazy! The trick is not to miss, and that is easier done with a rifle.

Armored farmer said:

I have yet to find anything that I like better than my 12ga 870 with one in the chamber, four in the tube, and five in the ammo sleeve.
I did a lot of hunting and a lot of trapshooting with 870s, so they're pretty familiar.

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Lol yup, the 20ga 870 behind my door has one in the chamber, a other 3" turkey load and 5 more 2.75 shells in the tube, 5 in the side saddle and two in the pistol grip compartment. Its well equipped lol. Replacement 18.5" barrel and collapsing stock. Used it to kill my first turkey, quail, bluerock, etc. I know its controls in the dark with one eye closed.

As someone who once had a negligent discharge in my basement with a .45ACP, without hearing protection, I can tell you that the sound is not just deafening, but disorienting. Don't expect to have all your wits afterwards. These kinds of threads don't mention that enough.

I'd vote for a 9mm (pistol or carbine) with subsonic 147gr pills and a suppressor. The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 is a nice choice between the two.

I have a Mossberg 500 with an 18" barrel loaded with #4 buck shot in the event my 9mm isn't handy. Either one should get the job done.

kerreckt said:

I have a Mossberg 500 with an 18" barrel loaded with #4 buck shot in the event my 9mm isn't handy.

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That's a good option. I have a Shockwave loaded with mini buckshot shells because my, at the time, wife could handle that firearm and those mini shells a lot better than a full stocked shotgun. Plus it holds more mini shells and they are still pretty powerful. She eventually transitioned to a silenced AR15 pistol in .300 blk, but that can be a pricey setup.
I always have one or two sets of ear pro by each home defense setup in the house.

Like someone else mentioned, discharging a pistol or rifle indoors without hearing protection can be absolutely disorienting even for the shooter. I speak from experience both working for Uncle Sam and as a private citizen.