I Need Two Suggestions

Sage of Seattle · May 15, 2008

Hi all,

I've been an apartment dweller all my adult life; my wife and children and I are just about to move into a house and I would like some suggestions on what to do.

One.

I've been given two old bank interior video surveillance cameras, but only one has a power supply at this point, and some cable to a black and white monitor. So I've got a working camera and a little bit of technical knowledge to kludge something together. Eventually, I'll get either a wireless or cat5 camera setup for my computer, for recording and/or remote monitoring via web browser. In the mean time, any suggestions on where I should put the camera? There's a little window above the kitchen sink which overlooks the front door/driveway of the house. I thought it might be good there, or maybe that corner of the garage, though I'd probably have to make a weather box for it. The actual entryway into the house is really narrow, not enough space to stand to one side and open the door if necessary, so I'm thinking a camera would help see who's out there before approaching the door.

Two.

We need a good self-defense gun for our house. My wife and I are both on Soc. Sec. Disability (for now) so money is more than tight, but a shotgun is something we both agree is necessary. I know next to nothing about shotguns and rifles (I've owned a shotgun and several rifles when I was young, but sold them before ever even using them. I had inheirited them from my grandfather. Yeah, I know, I was dumb!) so I'm turning to the good folk of THR to give me some good suggestions on that as well.

More specifically, my wife has MS and needs an effective, but less powerful gauge than the usual recommendations of a 10- or 12-ga. She needs something which she can effectively hold and control during fire. A folding stock would be fine for storage, but not required (though now that I think of it, it might help if we take it on road trips with us). Also, please give me some ideas of what kind of round would be an acceptable defensive round, as this shotgun wouldn't be used for hunting. Like 20-ga slug, for example, or #3 shot or whatever.

I think she can rack a slide, but maybe an autoloader would be better. Both types would be gratefully considered, however.

This is our first home together and we want to make it as warm, friendly and inviting as we can -- for the right people! And, I'm thinking of putting "this property under 24hour video surveillance" signs up, discreetly, or something similar.

Thanks all for your help!

Jeff White · May 15, 2008

Sage,
What kind of locks are on the doors and windows? If money is tight, I'd invest in physical security before I bought a firearm. Not trying to discourage you from a firearm, just saying that there should be what we used to call priority of work when we moved into a new defensive position in the Army. You'll get more security for the buck with locks and other physical security measures.

If you are renting and can't change locks, you can get things like a Fox Police Lock which will make it almost impossible to break your door down and cut pieces of broom handle to block your windows shut.

After you've done that, look into firearms. Caliber isn't as important as both of you being comfortable with it and able to manipulate it. Pump shotguns are easy to short stroke when you are under stress. Autos can have confusing controls. All of these disadvantages can be overcome with training and practice.

I wouldn't recommend a folding stock. They are uncomfortable to shoot and the ones Remington puts on their police models that fold over the top should be banned by OSHA.

It would be easier if you took your wife to the range and let her try out some different actions. It's hard to really make a recommendation without seeing what her disabilities are. In her case a handgun might be preferable to a long gun.

HTH

Jeff

BigO01 · May 15, 2008

I agree with White securing the home is the best first step and as part of that I suggest buying a well bred Germen Sheppard Puppy maybe two . A pair of Sheps in the 70+ lb range would keep all but the most foolish home invader away from your house .

Love and care for that breed of dog and you have a family member willing to give it's life to protect it's family , it takes no special expensive training .

As far as the gun goes even a 22 rimfire revolver or semiauto rifle like a Ruger 10/22 is better than nothing . Most burglars will run at the sight of any gun but a 357 using 38 special loads would be best and the simplest .

Sage of Seattle · May 16, 2008

Yes, the locks are adequate -- we're renting, but we can change them out, I think, especially since the people who are currently in there aren't the most trustworthy.

The dog is not a question of 'if' but rather 'when' as I've looked forward to owning a german shepherd or even alaskan husky for years. The cost for a big dog like that is still kind of beyond us as far as monthly food and emergency vet bills that might arise.

My wife is thinking in the area of .22 rifle or pistol as the most she can handle, but we both don't know yet as we still need to go to a range -- a great idea, I'm not sure why I didn't think of it yet myself.

mekender · May 16, 2008

change them out for sure... even if you arent "allowed" all you gotta do is change em back when you move out...

as for a .22, i would look into getting something that you can both use easily and with confidence... if that is a .22 then so be it... it would be a bad idea to get a 10mm and then your wife isnt able to use it if she needs it...

BigO01 · May 16, 2008

Two other suggestions for you , plant a few rose bushes under any windows that might look attractive to a burglar . They wont want to get stuck on a bunch of thorns to break into your home and they improve the look of the home .

Consider putting some of that security film on the windows , it will prevent an easy entry by making the window resistant to breakage .

Here is a sight that sells do it yourself film and has a instructional video for installation . Watch the Video on the first page , this stuff is impressive and I have seen it on the television show "it takes a Theif" .

http://www.diywindowsecurity.com/smash-and-grab.php?osCsid=ab0798b2392d257f45c86ab14fcdfe78

O and one more Use the locks on the doors , I know it sounds stupid but I know many people who don't lock the doors even at night when the entire family is in to stay , they wait till bedtime to lock up . This is an invitation for a home invasion .

Good Luck

Stirling XD · May 16, 2008

I too recommend you avoid a folding stock on a shotgun. Shooting from the hip takes practice to be accurate. Despite what Hollywood would have you believe, you still need to aim with a shotgun. And Jeff White was right about the Remington and OSHA. As far as gauge goes, a 20 gauge should do the job just fine. A 12 is better, but a 20 gauge is still far better than just about any pistol IMHO. There are a lot of quality and inexpensive pump shotguns available on the used market.

But if your wife feels a shotgun is too much for her, then a .22 revolver will work fine too. A .22 is far better than any non-firearm weapon. You can add a shotgun later when you can afford it.

In addition to changing the locks, you should add some strength to your doors. Most of the time, the screws in your door hinges and striker plates are no more than an inch long. Replace those with some 3-inch screws that go all the way into the wall framing. That doesn't make your door impenetrable, but it does make it harder to kick in. Good luck in your new home.

Sage of Seattle · May 16, 2008

Thanks again everyone!

I'll have the locks changed out ASAP, at owner's expense. Again, shouldn't be too hard considering the former tenants. I'll look into the door hinges and screws, see if I can bolster them or replace them as well. I ALWAYS keep the doors locked even when I'm home during the day and I have dowels in the window frames so they'll only slide open a few inches.

slow944 · May 16, 2008

Check out your local pawn shops for a shotgun. I've seen several here in the DFW area for under $100, They weren't pretty, but I bet they would do the job.

Fred Fuller · May 17, 2008

Paying attention to your perimeter security is a primary consideration. If your doors and windows aren't secure then you can't be secure inside the house. Your exterior lighting is another area that needs attention as well, if you have street lights or area lights around the house that's all well and good, but if not you need to look into other options like motion detector lights.

IMHO the first defensive firearm you should consider is a handgun. The advantage of a handgun is that it can be concealed on your person and comfortably carried with you when you do things like go to answer the door. Long guns, though more useful for barricaded defensive situations, are a problem to have with you all the time. Not so with a concealable handgun.

For a long gun I'd suggest you consider a pistol caliber carbine. Several candidates offer themselves for consideration. The least expensive of these is the often-maligned Hi-Point carbine (manufacturer website at http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com/carbine.asp , review at http://www.gunweek.com/2005/feature0201.html ). I have a 995 that is left over from the selection process to find my elderly mother a replacement 'house gun' for her 20-gauge SxS shotgun, and it has been completely functional and reliable when used with factory magazines. I strongly suggest you stay away from all aftermarket magazines for the Hi-Point. I also suggest checking whatever ammo you plan to use to make sure it runs reliably in the gun by firing a sufficient quantity of it- a couple hundred rounds or so. That's a good way to test magazines also.

The KelTec Sub2000 is another possibility, though it's a bit more expensive (about half again) than the Hi-Point. What my mom wound up with is the Beretta Storm carbine in 9mm, about twice as expensive as the KelTec, but much easier for her to manipulate.

hth,

lpl/nc

dogmush · May 17, 2008

Lee Lapin makes great points. I have a couple of friends that use Hi-Points as their first firearms, and while ugly, they do seem to work.

Everyone telling you to invest in locks and perimiter security is also spot on. Let me +1 that.

Lastly, the dog is the best idea yet. They will wake up for things you might sleep through, are loyal, and the compainionship is worth as much as the security. I have two GSD's at home right now and I know they're watching over things while I'm gone. If money is tight might I suggest a rescue. They are almost always cheaper then a breeder and some have sliding scale adoption fees. There is nothing in the world more loyal and loving then an formerly neglected dog now in a good home.

http://washingtongsd.org/adopt.html

http://www.spdrgsdrescue.org/availablesheps.html

Sage of Seattle · May 17, 2008

dogmush,

Welcome to THR!

I just had to laugh a bit for I often forget that I don't have my location listed -- in other words, I don't live in Washington anymore.

I just have my screen name left over from back in the day.

However, now that I know what to look for, I can locate a similar service in Boise where I now live.

AND, now that you are making me think of it, I am doing some on-call IT work for a local animal hospital/vet clinic! I mean -- duh! I wonder if they would know of any resources?! Heh.

So: floodlights/motion sensors, rosebushes and/or other prickly flora for natural barriers, pistol-caliber carbines and/or smaller caliber pistols so the wife can accurately handle them.

Got it!

rrruuunnn · May 18, 2008

i place cameras to identify people entering and exiting the building. consider backlight compensation and light bulbs, wouldn't want to see indistinquishable shadowy figures. when you monitor the image during the day and night it will be obvious. consider location of recorder, do you want a hidden backup recorder? does your electricity have interruptions? consider backup battery. i got mine from office depot. most of my cameras are inside the building. but i'd like to record outside too. some surge protectors shut the power down after a surge, would be disappointing to see the recorder off. another reason to go with backup battery. some recorders automatically resume recording after power resumes when it's working properly. i've even witnessed backup battery fail during power loss. occassionally check your recorder is on and cameras are working.

I Need Two Suggestions

Sage of Seattle

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Jeff White

Moderator

BigO01

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Sage of Seattle

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mekender

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BigO01

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Stirling XD

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Sage of Seattle

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slow944

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Fred Fuller

Moderator Emeritus

dogmush

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Sage of Seattle

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rrruuunnn

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