Best inexpensive home defense weapon (again, i know).

[Stover954rr]

Hey Guys,
I know this is close to the trillionth post, however my brother is in the market for a home defense weapon!

We used to shoot a lot when we were younger but he hasn't owned a gun in probably 13 years. Just after a long discussion with him, and where are country/economy is heading he is very interested in getting something to protect him, his wife, and his new born little girl.

He doesn't have much money, so I was wondering if you guys could give me some affordable ($200 or so) reliable weapons that you are familiar with.

I thought about a hi-point 9mm carbine, but I think we are heavily looking at a 12ga of some sort w/ extended 8 round tube.

If you guys could throw some brands/models to look at I would greatly appreciate it. This is going to be an early x-mas present from me

Thanks a ton!
Stover

 

[OOOXOOO]

Checkout a Mossberg 500. I have bought them for around $200 before. Reliable, cheap, and found all over.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

The Maverick is even cheaper.

 

[elChupacabra!]

I was going to say Mossberg Maverick 88, too. You see them everywhere, with a built in extended tube (not sure what capacity - 7? 8?) for around $200-$250. They may not be the best shotguns in the world, but it's definitely better than nothing... and probably better than a HiPoint 9mm carbine, too, at least in my opinion.

 

[ByAnyMeans]

I would suggest a mossberg 500 as well and I found mine for about 150.00 a few months ago. He can use the extra fifty bucks for a stash of ammo and tell him to practice. I get alot of looks but I love shooting skeet with my 20in barrel home defense shotgun.

 

[kcshooter]

A hipoint is a great gun, reliable as can be and very accurate, but it's limited capacity of 10 rounds and the high likelyhood of overpenetration in a suburban or urban setting makes mine nothing more than a fun range toy.
I would also recommend a Mossberg Maverick. They are functionally outstanding, very few have ever had issues, and I think you'd be hard pressed to find one that's broken on someone. Mine has thousands of rounds thru it. They are available with 18.5" barrels with a 5+1 capacity or a 20" barrel witha 7+1 capacity.
Loaded with #4 buck to limit penetration or 00buck if this isn't a concern where you live would be the best and most logical choice for home defense while staying on a budget.

 

[Dgreno]

Again, a recommendation for the Mossberg 500. There is not an easy way to add a mag extension to the standard 500 so the persuader with an 8 (?) round tube would probably be what you want to look for. I got mine for ~$180 at a gun show...

 

[Beatnik]

This is just the opinion of a guy who is in the same situation as your brother.

I have a little girl who is turning 2 soon, and #2 is on the way. Children are very inquisitive, get into everything, learn much faster than we do, and are able to solve problems (like how to get on a counter) much faster than we generally believe. Last night, I took a bag of cookies out of her hand three damned times!

The shotgun is not an option for me. I live in a starter house. Our master suite is 9'6" x 10'. We sleep in a full sized bed. There is no room for a cabinet to store the shotgun. Leaving it out is not an option.

Plus, my wife has never shot a shotgun. We'll get to it at some point, but as hobbies go it is much more expensive than pistol. I don't know if we'll ever get to it because she has a medical condition which makes her wrists consistently very sore.

What I can lock up easily, and what she can handle is a revolver. I got a used 4" GP100 for exactly this reason. She can't handle more than one of the magnums but the +p's are just fine. And I'm ok with that.

I paid $300 for mine, which is more than you're looking for, but I realize that this was a fantastic price for it.

I've heard elsewhere that the 4" 357 is pretty close to the perfect gun. I tend to agree. It doesn't spit bullets as fast as a Glock, it doesn't shoot ashtrays like a 1911, it doesn't carry concealed, and it doesn't get you out of a 10-on-1 firefight. But for ease of use, effective firepower, reliability, and storage ability, it can't be beat.

Taurus makes some bigger 357's like the Tracker, and Charter makes some as well but they tend to be smaller. Unfortunately, $200 for a revolver is going to take much, much shopping around.

You should look at end costs as well - $200 for a decent 12g plus the money for a cabinet is going to even out with a decent used 6-shooter plus a $25 lockbox.

 

[Titan6]

The only drawback on the Mossberg is the price of good HD ammo might bankrupt your buddy. The advantage of the highpoint is that you can still find 9mm for under $.20/rd. Even the cheapest slugs are about $.50/rd and buck shot is normally more. This adds up fast, especially if he is going to spend the minimum 200 rounds practicing ($40 vs. $100+)


But for HD the Mossberg has an edge, just not as much of an edge as over say a 9mm pistol.

 

[Macpherson]

He should look into an NEF Pardner Pump shotgun; they are basically identical copies of the Remington 870. The quality is very good and they are very affordable. I picked mine up at Fleet Farm with walnut stock for $169 new, but they have synthetic and home defense versions as well.

 

[Loosedhorse]

The ratio of effectiveness/bucks is at its highest with a pump shotgun, no question. Couldn't tell you what's smoother/more dependable feeding/more resistant to breakage among Mossberg and other makes, but that's the only remaining question.

Anyone for 20 gauge?

 

[RP88]

A 12ga. by Mossberg (including Maverick) is a good choice. They can be had anywhere from 120-180 used, with 500s going only about 280-300 new. A 590 is good as well, but will cost you a little more.

You can also find used Springfield XDs, Rugers, and some SIGs for as low as 350 bucks if you look around hard enough (or at least I can - saw a 9mm XD for 325 bucks...man, if only I was 21...)

then for rifles, a WASR-10 AK or SKS arent bad choices either. WASRs will go a bit over 400 bucks, and SKS for a bit over 200. A little less HD-practical, but are handled better than your shotguns due to less recoil.

 

[jackdanson]

Mossberg 500. You can practice all day with cheap target loads, .20 a pop. The recoil difference, while noticable, isn't enough to justify training with expensive ammo. Just shoot a couple buckshot each time he goes shooting so he gets a little used to it.

 

[foghornl]

My HomeLand Security*** shotgun is a Maverick 88 with the 18-1/2" Cylinder bore barrel.
The Maverick (made by Mossberg) Combo packages with the short barrel and a 28" "Woods-N-Water" hunting barrel can frequently be found "on sale" new for around $250.
6-shot Maverick "Security" model, 18-1/2" cylinder barrel MSRP $199 #31023
8-Shot Maverick "Security" model, 20" cylinder barrel MSRP $206 #31046


***Secures my Home & Land from those of felonious intent.

 

[Blofeld]

I didn't see it specified, is this strictly home defense, or would he also consider carrying? If carry is an option, you could split the difference and go with the Hi-Point pistol.

 

[jahwarrior]

i would definite ly look into a mossberg 500 or maverick 88. you could even get a remington 870 for that price if you look hard enough.

 

[lee n. field]

Checkout a Mossberg 500.

Ditto, or the Mossberg Maverick.

 

[Stover954rr]

Hey guys!,

Thanks for posting up. I am going to look into that maverick, sounds like a good deal. I am going to have him practice with less expensive rounds and keep the 00-buck for sd only (maybe a few practice rounds).

He can't own a pistol, so that is out of the questions (he is... sad to say, a citizen of the country of california ).

I am changing them one californian at a time. It feels really good to have my very liberal brother leveling out a bit! And yes I stressed to him PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!! And he already knows the 4 rules, and is very gun aware (a big plus).

I have a favorite gun shop down where I am originally from (6hrs south of where I live now). But I don't know the next time I will be down there.

Atleast with getting some models from you folks I can call to get some prices.

Much love to all of you, Thanks for all your input (feel free to keep it coming).

 

[Blofeld]

I believe you can own a pistol in Cali, albeit one with specific safeties and limited magazine capacity.

That said, +1 for the Pardner Pump.

 

[Catherine]

I would get a good quality, perhaps USED but good, lever action rifle in 22LR.

He could practice with it and 22LR would go a long way.

Put x amount of rounds in a good lever action rifle and I feel that it would still stop someone. LR and/or WMR ammuntion.

There is a used Marlin lever action that is pretty good from what my husband told me here @ our local gun store. No, it is not my Marlin for sale.

If you need more information - PM me or maybe someone else will put the link up here for it.

The Marlin Papoose is a nice semi automatic rifle in 22LR but the break down version does not hold as many rounds. Not too bad of a price - new or used. Between the two of them and I own a Marlin and various lever action rifles... I would pick the lever action one.

Best wishes.

Catherine

 

[Tacbandit]

Mossberg 500.......all day.....all night....great guns...can't beat a 12...

 

[kcshooter]

lever action rifle in 22LR.

While a lever action rifle isn't a bad idea, I'd never suggest, recommend, or consider 22lr as a home defense round, (unless you were most likely to be invaded by gnomes or squirrels.) Just not quite enough gun when you have more options available, IMO.

Put x amount of rounds in a good lever action rifle and I feel that it would still stop someone

It would, sooner or later. I usually go for sooner.

 

[Blofeld]

She does have a point, though. The wife and someday the daughter could more easily utilize the .22.

 

[Catherine]

We can agree to disagree on some of the self defense issues in 22LR.

I own various calibers and styles of guns but if I was on a budget, wanted to practice often, could use 22LR and 22WMR, with a rifle not just a handgun... I would choose a lever action rifle in a Marlin, Winchester, Browning and even a Henry which I do not own a Henry but I have shot a few of my friends. Placement of shot and all of the other factors... I think that it would stop someone but I do not want to get into an argument.

Take care.

Catherine

 

[Logan5]

For a while I had a 20ga Mossberg setup that was relatively inexpensive, it came with a 26' vent rib barrel and an 18' rifle sighted one, for under $250. So basically it brings a little more to the table if there are hard times down the road and maybe you want to use your birdshot on some birds... Also, clays are still fun with a short barrel, but they're more fun the more often you hit them, and the more fun you have practicing, the more you'll practice. I'd have a look around for a kit setup with a couple of barrels.