10/22 or SKS for Apt. Defense?

[GrizzlyGraves]

Those are my choices right now due to finances. (Read: poor college student)
I know neither is ideal for the job but either one is better than nothing.
I am leaning towards the Ruger for the fact that it is a lightweight compact rifle. I'm not loading it with any "stingers" or other higher power rounds so it is *fairly* quiet and it won't have the penetration of the 7.62X39, obviously.
The SKS is a bit cumbersome with the grenade launcher and bayonet and it's harder to wield in a confined space.

How's my reasoning thus far?
-Griz

BTW I do keep them both next to my bed with a loaded 22 mag and a full stripper of 7.62 in case they're needed. Still trying to get the GF used to them.

 

[GreenFurniture]

Inexpensive .12 ga pump shotgun.

You can get a NIB Maverick 88 for the price of a 10/22.

 

[goldshlagerxx]

The SKS will penetrate the walls and could harm one of your neighbors. It's not a good choice for an apartment. The 22 will also penetrate apartment walls. Maybe get some .22 birdshot? Seriously, you do not want to kill one of your neighbors.

 

[Biker]

Between the two, I'd go with the SKS. Overpenetration is a concern, but not the world-ending Gremlin that many make it out to be.
JMO...

Biker

 

[goldshlagerxx]

"Overpenetration is a concern, but not the world-ending Gremlin that many make it out to be"

Alright, would you be willing to stand behind a wall while someone else fires an sks through the other side?

 

[Bezoar]

You need to consider your options here. If your going to use the 10/22 you will need some good ammo. Id suggest testing some Aguilla Sniper Sub Sonic, the 60 grain ones. Best tissue damage from that much lead passing through. And dont forget to swap out your loaded magazines alot. I put a slight set in a brand new ruger replacement magazine just by having 6 rounds in it for 2 days.

But get that bayonet off the sks if your going to have it as a defense gun, no jury will like you if you use a bayoneted gun on him. And the sks will be the most powerful in your arsenal, ive seen some nice hunting ammo for it online at sportsmansguide.com

 

[Daemon688]

Would you want to stop a bad guy with a .22?

If only limited to these two weapons, SKS. Really though it's a good excuse to buy another gun since both choices are terrible.

 

[GrizzlyGraves]

Yeah I've got the Wolf 154 grain soft points from Cabelas right now and a cheap box of CCI Blazers for the .22.

Good idea about the bayonet. I don't like it anyway, it just adds unnecessary weight to the end of the barrel. I'm not planning on actually using it for its intended purpose after all.

Really though it's a good excuse to buy another gun since both choices are terrible.

Good point. I've hated not having a shotgun for the year I've lived here. Time to expand the collection. Just need the funds...

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

I hope you don't live on campus...just last week someone at my school got arrested for have a HD firearm in a campus apartment.


EDIT: I would probably go with a 20 ga shotgun with a low-medium power load.

 

[SFT]

When you refer to Stingers as "high power" I think you'll need to realize that with a .22 you're going to need the most velocity you can get, and I'd get the fastest round you can get. On the other hand if you do end up defending yourself and property, I can see a prosecutor bringing up the name of the ammo as proof you set out to do harm, as this line of badgering has been used in the past ie; "you shot him with a Colt Python loaded with Black Talon bullets?, or "an SKS, isn't that the same type assault weapon as the AK-47 that gang members prefer?"

You get the point, plus the AK copies that have been mass produced for foreign markets (markets, not governments, there's a difference) are questionable as far as reliability and overall quality, which the 10-22 doesn't not suffer from. Also, if allowed in your state and local, extended capacity magazines are readily available, and buying two or three of them will keep you shooting for a while at the range. Of course it's up to you to load those 30/50/100 round magazines, too bad they don't come already loaded.

Folks don't give the .22 enough credit I think, as in the hands of a skilled hunter and good shot, it can and has brought down medium sized game from hogs to deer. And for the velocity range it's got I don't think the extra cost of hollow points is worth it.
My .02; your mileage may vary-

 

[bogie]

You know, if things get ugly enough that you have to defend an apartment...

1) Buy a good set of locks, and if the doors are crap, check how much a replacement would cost. You can swap the locks back when you move out.

2) Know where the back door is.

3) Aim.

 

[rustymaggot]

Maybe get some .22 birdshot? Seriously, you do not want to kill one of your neighbors.

im sick of people who spout this kind of bad advice. please stop. good luck stopping a charging poodle with 22lr birdshot.

if the cartridge is a viable option for self defense, its going thru walls. period. you cant have it both ways.

the sks is a far better round for defense but it will go thru walls bigtime. the 10/22 will make it thru a few walls as well so why go with smaller? know what i mean?


if your going for cheap, what about a single shot break action 12 gauge? i see em for 50 bucks used. loaded with buckshot or slug your set. and at 50 bucks you have plenty of ba/uu/r funds left.

 

[AndyC]

Overpenetration is a concern, but not the world-ending Gremlin that many make it out to be

Alright, would you be willing to stand behind a wall while someone else fires an sks through the other side?

This from a man who recommends .22 birdshot? Biker said overpenetration was a concern

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I'd go with the SKS but get rid of the "grenade launcher and bayonet" to make it easier to handle since you hopefully won't be launching grenades or bayonetting anyone.
The .22 has good stopping power on ground squirrels. That's about it without excellent shot placement. I wouldn't sacrifice power for over penetration concerns. I'm not going to use a screwdriver handle to pound in a nail because if I miss with a hammer i might hurt something (sorry that's the first analogy that came to mind). You'd be surprised how many sheets of drywall a .22 will zip through.

 

[rustymaggot]

I put a slight set in a brand new ruger replacement magazine just by having 6 rounds in it for 2 days.

no you didnt. its a myth. most likely what hapened was wax from the nose of the 22 cartriges is binding up the mechanism. i have this issue with all my 22lr magazines. use a drop of oil at the nose area in the mags and you will regain the spring tention. its just wax binding it up. friction.

 

[Biker]

Well Goldy, I learned early on in Basic Training in Jan. of 1973 not to volunteer for anything.
And your point is?

Biker

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

You should listen to Biker, I take a lot of his advice to heart.

 

[ozarkhillbilly]

Use hollow points in the SKS and penetration will not be as bad, while there is nothing wrong with a 10/22 they were not made to use high velocity rounds, shoot the cheap stuff in them.

I agree with Biker, on over penetration, and SFT, on the usefulness of the .22LR. IMO .22s have probably taken more deer then any other round except for maybe the 30-30.

So use which ever one you like the best and do not give it a second thought.

 

[goldshlagerxx]

"im sick of people who spout this kind of bad advice. please stop. good luck stopping a charging poodle with 22lr birdshot. "

It's called sarcasm guys...

Get real. Both choices this gentlemen mentioned are terrible. Either one used in self defense is a liability to the shooter. There is a difference between living in the swamp and in an apartment building. Remember, your actions have consequences.

Here's one... I've got a 50bmg and a pellet gun, which one should I use for self defense in my apartment?

There are choices that can minimize the damage to your neighbors. 12 guage 4 shot. That will stop someone in their tracks at close range. 223 frangible... doesn't penetrate that much at all... certainly less than 7.62x39 or 22lr.

 

[goldshlagerxx]

"Well Goldy, I learned early on in Basic Training in Jan. of 1973 not to volunteer for anything.
And your point is?"

I didn't intend any disrespect... It's just that either option is pretty poor.

 

[Lupinus]

I would go with the SKS for the extra power. Roughly the same power as a 30-30, it will put someone down just fine.

Don't be discouraged by the .22 however as it can make an ok round for such. Not great, but ok. If you are worried about the SKS load the 10/22 up with some good quality .22 ammo such as velocitors. Pump ten of those into an attackers check and he will go down just fine.

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

How about a 9mm carbine?

 

[Biker]

I kinda agree, Goldy. However, those are the options he presented us with. I don't see the point in telling him to get another gun when that isn't what he asked.
Ain't no thaing...

Biker

 

[Lupinus]

he said poor college student, IE he can not afford another gun. A 50 dollar single shot shotgun is one thing, but a 9mm carbine? We are talking a couple hundred bucks.

 

[GrizzlyGraves]

1) Buy a good set of locks, and if the doors are crap, check how much a replacement would cost. You can swap the locks back when you move out.

2) Know where the back door is.

The locks *may* be doable, but the landlords are a bit nosey "checking on the pipes".
No back door. 2nd story with no balcony.

So, from what I've read tonight, my current choices are not good. I'm going to try to look into a shotgun for this purpose. Thanks for the great feedback. You're a wealth of knowledge.