Anyone else use a inexpensive gun for HD due to confiscation concerns?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Redlg155

Redlg155

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2002
Messages
2,725
Location
NW Florida
Fellow shooters,

Although I own several relatively pricey firarms, the one that stays loaded and ready for emergency (other than my standard carry gun) is my Romananian SAR1 AK. It's hard to argue with the firepower. 30rds of .30 Caliber JHP would be serious business. Not to mention that it works 100 percent of the time.

Not to start an arguement or discussion on the merits of any particular weapon, but one of the biggest reasons is that If I actually had to use it for home defense I wouldn't be out 1K or more in trying to replace it while it was held for evidence.

Sure, I could use a pre ban AR with an Aimpoint Comp ML2, ARMS SIR and all other assorted toys, but being out close to $1800 would make me just cry!

So does anyone else here do pretty much the same thing? Use something like a remington 870 instead of your Benelli M1 Tactial?

Good Shooting
Red
 
I have considered the same type of thing for SD while traveling. I would hate to have my favorite pistol illegaly confiscated in, say New York. It would be expensive and inconvienent to go back and fight to get it returned.
 
Seriously though, I will always use my best gun for defense, no matter the cost. I think if my prized gun is being held for evidence I have bigger things to worry about. It's not a concern for me. Of course I don't have anything that costs over $700. :D
 
You use an assault rifle for home protection?
Click to expand...

I didn't know it was an "Assault Rifle".?:what:

Perhaps I should reconsider and use something a bit more "politically correct"?:barf:

Actually my carry gun is first since is stays next to me. Wifey gets the AK. If I haven't solved the problem with the .45 you can bet we are going to need it.

Good Shooting
Red
 
I think I might have stepped into an old debate. This Romanian gun is an AK-47 type, right? I've always called those assault rifles and hold no ill against the gun. I love them and hope to have one some day, so I wasn't tossing out the term "assault rifle" to show some sort of bias against them. I was mainly questioning the use of any rifle for home defense. You must trust your wife with a gun a lot more than I trust mine. :)
 
I guess I'm just confused. If it's for home defense what difference does it make how fast you can unload it?

The reason I questioned the use of a rifle, however you want to call it, is that it's not something designed for close quarter combat. If it is then please educate me. It would seem that it is best used in a situation that will allow you to bring it to your shoulder, which might not happen in your home.
 
I would not encourage any one to worry about the cost of a home defense gun because it might potentially be confiscated or held as evidence.

What happens to the gun after you were forced to use it to defend your own life and the lives of your family is what is known as "Problem Number Two."

Problem Number One would be surviving the deadly encounter that required you to use violent deadly force against another human being.

What happens to the gun afterwards should be the last thing to worry about.

Actually living through the experience so that you are capable of worrying what happens to your gun is the first priority.

As long as you and yours live through the experience, who really cares what happens to the gun afterwards?

Use the most effective, reliable, appropriate weapon available to defend your home.

In my case, that's a Rem 870 pump shotgun loaded with 00 buck. My house is so remote that I could use a rifle if I wanted to. But I go with shotugn.

hillbilly
 
I guess I'm just confused. If it's for home defense what difference does it make how fast you can unload it?
Click to expand...
Don't want to just leave it sitting around loaded during the day.

The reason I questioned the use of a rifle, however you want to call it, is that it's not something designed for close quarter combat. If it is then please educate me. It would seem that it is best used in a situation that will allow you to bring it to your shoulder, which might not happen in your home.
Click to expand...
Why then is a shotgun considered by many to be the ultimate HD weapon? Are folks planning on firing it from the hip:confused:

If I have to defend myself and my family, I want as much firepower as is reasonable. During the day or out walking about, that usually means a handgun. But if I wake up to hear someone breaking in downstairs, or if something is out in the yard bothering the stock, I want more firepower and something more easily aimed.

But then I don't have any close neighbors in line of sight. Only one in sight is about 3/4 mile away. Otherwise, there is plenty of dirt and rocks between me and my neighbors.

YMMV
 
I think there's a few things to consider in choosing home defense rifle, in today's America....

(1) Is it effective (caliber, model, etc)?
(2) Would it be prone to overpenetration (i.e., through walls)?
(3) How will it be viewed by a jury?
(4) What do I still have for the family & fellow gang members who might wish to visit revenge upon me?

You have (at least) a .45 pistol, an AR in .223, and an AK in 7.62x39.
(1) All of these are effective,
(2) .223 has the least probability of overpenetration and causing harm to neighbors -- do you have neighbors?
(3) .45 pistol would be the least offensive to most juries,
(4) Either the AR or the AK would be sufficient for revenge seeking friends & family.

With these things in mind, I'd give some preference to giving the Mrs. the AR with it's .223's. If the .45 and the .223 were confiscated, and you didn't let on that you owned an AK, you'd have plenty of capability regarding revenge seekers. You also limit damage in neighboring houses, and to your own home. But I'd really think about getting a sporting rifle for an unprecipitated home invasion, like a Ruger Mini-14, or a lever action in a pistol caliber....

Richardson
 
No, I give exactly zero consideration to it being confiscated. It's only job is to save our lives.
 
I was mainly questioning the use of any rifle for home defense. You must trust your wife with a gun a lot more than I trust mine.
Click to expand...

Actually she is a pretty good shot. :D

Thanks for clearing up your AW statement. I thought I was dealing with one of those " I use a Colt .45 single action...I can't see why anyone needs an Assault Weapon kinda guys. " :D , so forgive me if I was a bit terse in my reply.


Hillbilly..

As long as you and yours live through the experience, who really cares what happens to the gun afterwards?
Click to expand...

I do. That's part of not being a victim twice.


The question I was pretty much asking is this...

You have two weapons. Both are exactly the same in effectiveness. Both are equally reliably. Let's say one is a Les Bauer model or other high dollar 19111 at 1k or more in cost. The other is a Springfield Armory Loaded model, $550 with night sights and all the works.

Given the chance...well no chance, you definitely know it will be confiscated for a long time, what do you use?

Good Shooting
Red
 
The cost of the gun should never be a consideration. Use the best tool for the job, whatever you're comfortable with. In some places the cops may confiscate all your guns anyway in the aftermath of a self defense shooting(at least, all the guns they know about, wink wink). You can always save money and buy more guns later. You can never buy a person's life back.

As to the rifle for home defense: carbines can be surprisingly handy, even at close quarters(evil collapsible stock not necessary).
 
I completely agree with Hillbilly....

When I am thinking about a firearm for use in legal self defense situations, I want a firearm that will go 'bang' each and every time I pull the trigger. I want something that I can truly count on as reliable and accurate. If I can get all that in a cheappackage.. okay fine... maybe... but THE main consideration is that whatever I have to use to save the lives of myself or my family from a felon bent on killing us is RELIABILITY.

Many times cheapo guns do not have that quality.

As someone else said, what happens to the gun after I use it in said legal manner is problem number two.. and I'd argure problem number 202 as there will be a myriad of things that are less than positive coming your way if you are forced into even the most legally and morally approved justified shooting situation.

My opinion only,
Charles
 
In a home defense shooting, the cops are likely to confiscate ALL the guns on the premises anyway. That's why you should keep one gun off-site that you can retrieve later.

Personally, I'm not concerned about the cost of my carry gun so much as am whether or not it will do the job.
 
In a home defense shooting, the cops are likely to confiscate ALL the guns on the premises anyway. That's why you should keep one gun off-site that you can retrieve later.
Click to expand...

Or have them hidden. There are ways to hide stuff in an house without anyone finding them.
Of course if you have hidden guns it's best to have brought them off another gun owner instead from a shop.

Since there are gangs you never know if the person who you had to shoot is a gang member or not.

Bill Meadows
 
In a home defense shooting, the cops are likely to confiscate ALL the guns on the premises anyway.
Click to expand...

Is this a universal thing or does it vary jurisdiction to jurisdiction?
 
I've never heard of all of the guns in a home confiscated after a normal home defense shooting in this state. Perhaps in others.

Redleg, to answer your question, if I had a Les Baer and a Springfield, which would I use for home defense? Easy, I would stash the Baer in one place and the Springfield in another. :)

I have a "home defense" gun nearby where ever I am in my house. Some of you guys only have one? :)
 
I used similar logic for a glove-box gun. I use a CZ52, because its durable and inexpensive if damaged or stolen *knock on wood*.
 
I keep an Astra 9 mm loaded for the house. You should get your firearm back after you have been cleared, but what if it gets lost or stolen? Have you ever known the police for being held accountable? "Gosh and golly, I just saw it in the property room the other day, I wonder what happened to it?" If you want to sue, the lawyer fees will be more than the firearm. I have a .40 semi, .44 revolver, and a .45 semi, but I can defend myself with any kind of a handgun. Why take a chance of losing something that you cannot replace (Smith model 24 or 25-5, Colt series 70, etc.)?
 
Is this a universal thing or does it vary jurisdiction to jurisdiction?
Click to expand...

I think it does vary.

There was one case here in MD (Westminster?) where some kid did something bad with a rifle and they took all the guns in the house. The fact a minor was involved may have something to do with it.

Another case in SC where a inner city home owner shotgunned some gang bangers on his property, they took all his guns, prompting an outcry in a gun friendly state (I think he got em back).

Now, as a matter of course, if you are involved in a HD shooting and they take all your guns (standard policy, they say), but you're not charged/haven't been chardged yet, can't you go but a new one while they sort it all out? (State laws may vary, of course.)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top