Best gun "catagory" for home defense?

[twoblink]

I usually have them once or twice a year, this one came early I guess this year..

I had a dream that someone broke into my house.. Yes, I took a baseball bat to his knees.. etc.. (in the dream)

I was wondering, without getting into a gun war and flames galore;

I wanted to ask, what do you all think is the best type of weapon for home defense?

Please, no brands, but your basic catagory like:

Semi-Auto Pistol
Revolver
Rifle
Shotgun

And your reasoning for it. There is obviously no "correct" answer, but I enjoy hearing the reasoning (always some good ones, some bad ones).

 

[wingnutx]

IMHO, a short rifle with a high capacity magazine.

That said, I'll go for my pistol first, since it is quickest. That's just in case I'm interrupted breaking out the AK, which takes a few seconds more.

 

[Majic]

Shotgun. Quick into action without aiming, just point and shoot.

 

[ARperson]

All things considered, I'd prefer to have an autoloading pistol. It's smaller size makes it easier to wield inside the home than a shotgun. They have higher round capacity than revolvers which eliminates the need for excessive reloading time. And the rounds are a lot less likely to fly through walls and into the neighbor's house if (God forbid) I miss than a rifle round would.

On a slightly more paranoia note regarding the legal aspect, I'd rather face a jury with a handgun than an evil looking rifle. Jury bias is everything.

 

[Brad Johnson]

There is no "best weapon for home defense".

The real question is what is the best weapon for ME to use for home defense.

Ask yourself these questions

- Which type of firearm am I most comfortable with?
- Which type of firearm am I most proficient with?
- Which type of firearm am I most accurate with?

Majority answer wins.

For ME, that answer is a Springfield XD 9 stoked with Remington +p+ fed from an XD 40 mag (which holds 15 rounds of 9mm). My backup is a Mossberg shorty pump behind the bedroom door, a Ruger SP101 in a kitchen drawer at the open end of the breakfast bar, and a Springfield Loaded Long Slide 1911 in a side pocket of my easy chair in the living room.

Brad

 

[AJ Dual]

What would the cirtera be?

I would say this:

1. Stopping power, more the better.

2. Practical accuracy under stress.

3. Recoil.

4. Overpenetration.

To the experienced and well trained gunnie, only #1 has any real meaning as the other three can be overcome by said training. Considering that a home defense piece might need to be used by any responsible member of the household the other three become more important.

I would say an 18" bbl 20 ga. gas-operated autoloader of reliable make is the best bet.

1. Shotgun stopping power is very high.

2. Practical accuracy of any stocked longarm is vastly superior to a pistol, especially in the hands of the untrained.

3. 20ga, gas-operated semi, and the mass of the longarm make recoil managable.

4. Shot size can be chosen to minimize overpernetration.

The downsides of the longarm would be navigation in tight quarters, it could be grabbed by the long barrel by an assailant, storage options for longarms are a bit more limited. I think the previous four factors for the unexperienced weigh the drawbacks out.

Since my other "unexperienced" member of the household (the wife) doesn't participate in firearms or thinking about home defense, I use what's more tailored for me: a three tiered plan of a .40 semi-auto, kept cocked and locked, a loaded pump action 12ga with #4 buck, and an unloaded AR style carbine with a nearby mag filled with lightweight .223 40gr hollowpoints to minimize overpenetration.

 

[Baba Louie]

Dogs first...
What kind of home? Apartment living, Suburban house or on the Farm?
Two legged and sometimes four legged critters (squirrels in the attic or feral dogs, rabid skunks, etc)...
Hmmmm...
20 ga birdshot should work for most encounters in any of the above unless really cramped for "working" space in an apt. I'd worry about "wall" penetration after the defensive manuvers were over.

Having said that, I'll stick to my little Glock 26 as its always "handy" and within reach all the time. I think that's the key. Having your HD arm always on you or within reach.

Thats why I started with dogs first, as ya can't count on the attack cats to be right beside you or to give that ever important warning "woof".

As for any squirrels in the attic...

 

[tc300mag1]

Shotgun point and shoot. If you bedroom is like mine its at the end of the hall and 00buck is gonna hit someone in the hall no matter what.

Also that first Rack of the slide might be enough to make um decide to split

 

[Blain]

Quick, easy, painless.

Easy to point and shoot in the dark, powerful enough to stop most any intruder with one shot, easy to use, no malfunctions, one look at such a large bore is enough to cause them to leave running. Just point it at them, and they run away.

 

[Carbonator]

Revolver.

I'd give up an semi-auto's slight edge in reloading speed for knowing those first 6 or 7 shots of a revolver WILL fire when needed.

Reliability - it is always ready to shoot. No jams. No safety or chambering.

Quick - grab and shoot.

Better weapon retention - when the BG is on you - better one handed shooting than with a shotgun/rifle.

People in my home will be trained to use my SD firearms, but realistically may not be trained to high levels needed to deal with the added complexities of long guns and jamming autos. Even then one doesn't know how they will deal with a SHTF situation until it actually happens. Revolvers are the easiest to use for non-pros, and under stress.

 

[Smoke]

Shotgun.

Smoke

 

[Ktulu]

Rifle Caliber Carbine in .223

 

[Mulliga]

Handgun - most maneuverable and handy CQB weapon. Revolver or semi - in practical home defense, it rarely matters (why not have two?). That said, the more guns, the better. Arm your significant other/kids (depends on how mature he/she is) /etc. if you can - it's rare, but sometimes there are a BUNCH of BGs.

 

[Correia]

No one correct answer.

It depends on your home. You abilities. Your skill with the particular weapons types. The layout of your house. Do you have kids? Is their room next to yours or will you need to move across the house to get to them? What is your home defense plan? Do you have a safe area you can hunker down in? What kind of ranges are available? Do you live in the country? What are the applicable laws? Might you have to defend property other than your home, i.e. outside? What is the backstop behind my target?

And guys, I'm a shotgunner myself. Be sure to pattern those buck shot loads on paper at the ranges you expect to use them in. You might be really surprised at how much, or how little spread you get. Most home defense confrontations are going to take place at ranges where the shot has not really left the wad yet. Shotguns can be pointed, as opposed to aimed, however don't expect a cone of death to come out and fill an entire hallway. You still need to acquire a target.

Choose your weapon based upon your criteria. Study out the possible scenarios and have a plan. Then come up with some back up plans. Having a will to win is way more important than what tool you decide to use.

 

[Kinsman]

Short range: 18" 12ga. Thinking about looking for a 10ga.
Longer range: .308 rifle.

 

[cratz2]

If I could only have one, it'd be a pump shotgun with a 16"-18" barrel.

Having said that, a 1911, 357 Mag revolver, 13 shot 40S&W, 16" AR with softpoints... they all make me feel pretty safe.

 

[Aikibiker]

Class 3 would be the ideal.

I am thinking a suppressed submachinegun would be just the ticket for blasting the badguys without doing serious damage to your hearing.

Until I can afford that however I make do with an autopistol. It is what I am good with.

 

[OrvilleYertleson]

Well, for the average person, I think a shotgun is generally the way to go.

My situation is a little different though because I live in student apartments, where there is a lot of 'erratic' activity, and plenty of potential for a missed shot to kill a neighbor.

My 'main' defense weapon is a baseball bat. Simply because I can swing that at anyone who presents a threat whatsoever. I am afraid that before using lethal force I would have to hesitate long enough to positively identify the bad guy and the threat they present, and that delay would give them too much of an opportunity to act against me.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

I currently have a 7 shot .357 magnum at hand with several moonclips that can be tossed in about as fast as the average shooter can reload an auto. I can put all 7 shots in a BG's forehead at any range in our house.

However, my preference is a good HD pump shotgun and I am looking forward to being able to purchase one. There are no spots in the house too tight to tip up the barrel and swing around, aiming doesn't require as much attention to grip, etc., and the sound of the pump action and visuals are very effective deterrent.

The flash from a .357 magnum in dim light is impressive, too, but leaves everyone blind. Oh yeah, that reminds me--plan to have adequate lighting as part of your HD scheme.

 

[Ktulu]

In my world a baseball bat is lethal force. Threaten me with one and I will be "in fear for my life."

 

[Eskimo Jim]

Revolver with a Surefire Z2 flashlight for the following reasons:

1) the flashlight can be used to light up areas without having to point the firearm and flashlight at something that I don't want to shoot. Can't do that with a flashlight mounted on a handgun or shotgun

2) revolver allows me a great variety of loads

3) I'm very familiar and confident with my revolver I won't accidentally hit the magazine release etc.

4) revolver -I can use one handed

5) handgun (revolver in my case) allows me to engage from a distance rather than letting a Goblin get within arms reach.

6) if a goblin does get a hand on my revolver, the goblin can't push my revolver out of battery which can be done with an automatic handgun. If he does get the web of his thumb in, I can still drop the hammer and the hammer falling on his skin might be enough of a surprise for me to make alternate plans like hit hard, grab a back up, get someone else involved to also engage the goblin etc.

7) I can use the flashlight to light up a room rather than using the switch. The flashlight is bright enough to temporarily blind them so hopefully its enough time to 'get the drop' on the goblin.

8) I can hit a torso sized target at any range in the house. If I need to hit a target at a further range, it isn't in the house so I'd possibly grab a shotgun until the police arrive.

9) hopefully while I'm armed, someone in the house can call 911. At least get the police on the way.

That's just my opinion though. I'm sure automatic handgun could work just as well. I"m sure that there are weaknesses in my plan. If there are, someone please comment. I'm willing to learn and alter my plans.

-Jim

 

[CleverNickname]

For me, the best is the Glock I have on my hip, because it's right there, available right now. All my other guns are locked up in my safe. I'm not about to walk around the house with a long gun slung over my shoulder. If I do have enough time to get a long gun, I'd go for one of my ARs over my 870, merely because I shoot the ARs more.

 

[Omega_7]

12 GA shotgun

Backed up by my Blackhawk fanny pack with a 1911 .45

The important thing is NOT getting return fire, and the ease of putting a lot of lead into a BG instantly. The 12 GA is THE weapon to drop a BG quickly. Use a handgun and you may be shot in return. You also will NOT do as well with a handgun when dopey and responding to a BG as you do at the range after 2 cups of Joe.

I do recommend waking yourself up a bit first if possible as you need to be alert. Plan scenarios within your home and use cover and concealment well. Do NOT warn the BG but silently nail him unless your locale forbids this. Making your presense known is suicide. Make it known with a "bang" unless you have no "castle doctrine" law in your locale.

 

[T.Stahl]

For me the most suitable or the task would be:
1) semi-auto or pump-action shotgun
2) magnum pistol caliber lever-action rifle
3) high-capacity semi-auto pistol, at least 9x19, preferably with shoulder stock

Though I otherwise don't have much use for a shotgun, I can't deny that it's very hard to beat the physical and psychological threat-stopping power of a shotgun.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

12ga shotgun is my first choice........However, when I am at home I am never more than five feet from my LW Commander so most likely that is the gun that would be used first. Hopefully to fight my way to the shotgun.

There is an outside chance the BG might get introduced to the bayonet on my M44, if nothing else was immediately at hand.

ZM