Feeling Like I Need More

[MikeNice]

I got a call tonight that there are three convicts loose in my area. It was said that they are thought to be headed in one of two directions. One is torwards my home and the other is the opposite direction. Even if they start out in the other direction, they could come this way. I live near the highway and if they feel like they need a place to hide, or pick up fresh wheels, my house could be a logical target.

Now I wouldn't be worried usually. However, right now I only have one gun in the house that holds more than five rounds. That gun is a 10/22. I have two thirty-round mags loaded and ready. One is staggered plated hollow point then soft lead round nose. The other is loaded with two soft lead hollow points followed by a soft lead round nose, all the way down. I just don't feel like that is enough.

When the taxes come in, I am definitely looking in to a semi-auto handgun with at least 10+ rounds. I never understood the saying "bring enough gun." Now that I'm sitting here, with my wife and kid asleep beside me, listening for every bump and knock, I understand.

Knowing that a bullet can do the job seems great. Knowing that I have enough for one person always seemed good enough. I thought, "do two shot failure drills." Sitting here now, I am kicking myself in the rear end. Planning in the abstract for what is statistically likely seemed like a great idea. Now I pray that I don't have to see if it was.

I feel like I need more gun and more ammo. I can't change it now. All I can do is offer a little advice. Bring enough gun, it may be more than you need to save your rear, but it will be just enough to save your sanity.

 

[joeq]

My number one firearm for home defense would be my 12 gauge. It stays loaded with 00 buck. You could get a good defensive shotgun cheaper than a good semi auto. I've always got my AR if it got real bad.

 

[JellyJar]

This post should some how be linked to all the other posts about large capacity magazines! Here is the perfect example of how they can be useful for lawful purposes!!!

 

[brandon_mcg]

20 gauge with 3 buck loaded. 1 in the chamber, 8 in the tube and 4 on the side saddle. if i am at home, thats what i am going with. if i have to resort to my pistol in a HD situation, things are not going the way that they should.

 

[MikeNice]

Joeq, I would have to buy a new safe to go along with a new shotgun. That just isn't in the budget. I can get a semi-auto cheaper than I can get a shotgun and cabinet. Plus I want something that I can carry. I don't think I'll be able to carry a 5 shot or even a 8 shot pistol as confidently now.

It really drives things home when you get that kind of call while playing with your kid. It made me think, "if it could happen at home it could happen at Wal ~ Mart." In fact Wal ~ Mart is in the other direction they believe the criminals might be headed. It really drove home the point that you never know what could happen where.

 

[suzukisam]

you need to do what you think is best. but the shotgun really is a great idea. also if you gotta put one eye on each of two or three BGs its not too bad to be abble to "blast" their direction and know your gonna hit part of them, rather than a pistol with a scared shaking hand. I don't say scared in a condescending manner. it's just true. a friend of mine was a "tough guy" till two guys were in his house. he almost missed them with a benelli. he was shaking in his boots, he didn't know if there were two, three, four.. it was a scary situation.

 

[Frozen North]

If the shells are locked up, the gun does not need to be....

I may get flamed for that statement, but it is much easier to access 5 rounds of buckshot in a pistol box than it is to unlock a cabinet, find the shells, and load the gun.

Buy the 12 gauge first.... every home needs one. It has a better chance of stopping a goon than just about anything else on the planet. No need to be fancy, an 870 Express Remington or a Stoeger Coach Gun can be had pretty cheap. Just pick your flavor, double or pump,

 

[JayBird]

If the shells are locked up, the gun does not need to be....

I may get flamed for that statement, but it is much easier to access 5 rounds of buckshot in a pistol box than it is to unlock a cabinet, find the shells, and load the gun.

Buy the 12 gauge first.... every home needs one. It has a better chance of stopping a goon than just about anything else on the planet. No need to be fancy, an 870 Express Remington or a Stoeger Coach Gun can be had pretty cheap. Just pick your flavor, double or pump,

Agree. And you can also get a fairly inexpensive over the trigger guard lock if you are concerned about needing another safe.

...there are options.

 

[doc2rn]

I would go with some good ole #3 shot out of a double barrel drop and go to NY reload! I dont care if its got 1, 2, or 5, you can put up one heck of a defense that way.

 

[Remo223]

First you need a good dog. then you need yard lights with motion sensors. Then decent locks on solid doors and sturdy window locks. Your kids need discipline. They must do what you say the FIRST TIME immediately when you say it. After that, then buy a better gun. You won't always be there if and when something happens. If you can't trust your kids around a gun, you're already sunk.

 

[Shadow 7D]

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg/chex/cz-82-83-e.html

http://www.royaltigerimports.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.browse&category_id=12
http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.../3050?osCsid=8ba84b85d3a83bf06b2fd58857a21ee1

as an example, there are lots of nice glock and smith police trade ins that are available at a good price, most with lots of holster wear, and litter internal wear...

 

[russ69]

I'm not sure how big your property is or how much area you need to control so it's hard to recommend. A good centerfire semi-auto pistol will work for defending the house but if you have a large property and maybe some out buildings you'll need a rifle. Urban and country defense is going to have different requirements. Can you give us more info.

Thanx, Russ

 

[fallout mike]

I have to disagree with u remo, just a little. He is talking about escaped cons. They could be murderers and rapists. Motion lights won't stop them before a gun will. If they want to come in your house they will not care if a light is on. Or if a dog is barking. Maybe it would in a normal B&E. I think this may be a little different scenario though.

 

[Bubba613]

They could be murderers and rapists.

They could be dope dealers or accountants too.

The OP doesn't mention what other guns he has. I would guess one is a revolver, maybe in .38. It would be plenty.
Good locks, good lights and situational awareness will go a lot further than hi-cap pistols.

 

[Carl Levitian]

[quote Bubba613;They could be murderers and rapists.
They could be dope dealers or accountants too.

The OP doesn't mention what other guns he has. I would guess one is a revolver, maybe in .38. It would be plenty.
Good locks, good lights and situational awareness will go a lot further than hi-cap pistols.]

I have to agree with that.

Mike, it sounds like you're set up okay for three cons on the run. It's not Chinese paratroopers or a drug cartel coming to even up a score. I gather you have 5 shot firearms from your statement, so if push comes to shove, just do a New York reload. The very very last thing these guys want is to gather attention and go back to jail. With your property well lit, they'll run like scalded cats at the first shot. A Ruger 10/22 backed up with a handgun you already have will be good enough. If you have to spend money, spend it on motion sensor lights, nice deep deadbolts, and ammo for more practice.

Carl.

 

[MikeNice]

First you need a good dog. then you need yard lights with motion sensors. Then decent locks on solid doors and sturdy window locks. Your kids need discipline. They must do what you say the FIRST TIME immediately when you say it. After that, then buy a better gun. You won't always be there if and when something happens. If you can't trust your kids around a gun, you're already sunk.

I don't have a dog because my wife is allergic. I do have two sets of motion detecting lights and two security lights from the electric company. I also have it set up so that only one door to the house can be used as an entrance. I do need to upgrade the locks and screws though.

My kid isn't old enough to get to my guns in the top of the closet. The kid still can't climb stairs, much less a ladder.

The issue is my wife. She finally told me that she thinks guns are unsafe and she doesn't care what the facts are. (It seems that emotion makes for an equally valid opinion in her world.) I can have all the guns I want. I just have to get a safe to hold them all, except the one I plan on using.

In her defense, she does now recognize that a better gun is a necessary expense. She has okayed putting it on the list of important things to buy. So, it isn't like I'm completely :banghead:

She still won't listen to me on tactics for defense. Her plan is to run through the house to the kid's room, grab the kid, fall on the floor and cover up. I tried to explain how that might get her shot. She won't listen. I actually think that keeping my wife protected is going to be infinitely harder than protecting my kid.

 

[Remo223]

I have to disagree with u remo, just a little. He is talking about escaped cons. They could be murderers and rapists. Motion lights won't stop them before a gun will. If they want to come in your house they will not care if a light is on. Or if a dog is barking. Maybe it would in a normal B&E. I think this may be a little different scenario though.

uh...motion lights are for you, not the prowler. So is the dog. It's a whole lot easier to know when and where the prowler is if you got a dog and lights. Your gun is useless if you're clueless.

 

[Panzercat]

On the matter of a 12g-- Remember, you're not the only one that may have to shoot the thing. I'm sure you can take buckshot and slugs all day long out of the heavier frame and so can I, but a 12g is too much gun for my wife even though I've made sure she knows what to expect.

I ultimately sold mine off for that and a few other reasons, but when I pick up another shotty, it probably won't be another 12g for that reason alone.

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by suzukisam: its not too bad to be abble to "blast" their direction and know your gonna hit part of them, rather than a pistol with a scared shaking hand.

It is a common misconception that one does not have to aim a shotgun at short range. One really needs to pattern his or her gun at SD ranges before relying on it. Take a look at this (page down to see the short range patterns).

That explains this:

...a friend of mine was a "tough guy" till two guys were in his house. he almost missed them with a benelli.

Posted by russ69: I'm not sure how big your property is or how much area you need to control so it's hard to recommend. A good centerfire semi-auto pistol will work for defending the house but if you have a large property and maybe some out buildings you'll need a rifle. Urban and country defense is going to have different requirements.

The civilian worrying about escaped miscreants is neither a sworn officer nor a soldier in combat. He or she cannot lawfully employ deadly force to "control" an area.

Yard lights and motion sensors are excellent for deterrence and for situational awareness, but when it comes to weapons, the defensive perimeter is the occupied domicile.

 

[MikeNice]

Carl,

I live in a semi-rural area. My next door neighbor died recently and her house is now empty. My nearest neighbor is now about 400 yards away on the other side of a hill and completely out of sight. Also it isn't uncommon to hear people out late at night firing guns. I wouldn't count on gun fire bringing any helpfull attention. Maybe if there was automatic weapons fire, or it continued for an extended amount of time, somebody would call the cops.

In the long run it is up to me and my wife to protect the house. Which really means that it is up to me. I don't want to bank on anybody running.

Russ, I'm primarily concerned with protecting the interior of my home. In my state going out to confront a criminal could land me in serious trouble.

As everybody can tell by now, we made it through the night. There was no need to defend the home. However, I was informed that the cons are still on the loose. The cops are still searching, but that is all I know.

I still feel like I need something with more than six shots. Thanks for all of the recomendations.

 

[JayBird]

On the matter of a 12g-- Remember, you're not the only one that may have to shoot the thing. I'm sure you can take buckshot and slugs all day long out of the heavier frame and so can I, but a 12g is too much gun for my wife even though I've made sure she knows what to expect.

I ultimately sold mine off for that and a few other reasons, but when I pick up another shotty, it probably won't be another 12g for that reason alone.

Yes, but his wife is probably not going to be out shooting skeet all day long either.

But you have a valid point, a 20 gauge is a very nice alternative. My 64 yr old 5'1" mother can handle a mossberg 500 bantam quite well. The shorter stock helps her shoulder the weapon and come to target quite well. And she likes shooting it. I just took her to the range again last week. And I can handle the short bantam stock quite well myself. I highly recommend it for a home where a woman may need to handle and use the firearm.

 

[mcdonl]

I still feel like I need something with more than six shots. Thanks for all of the recomendations.

Well, your off to a good start. It was 5 rounds in your first post.

I cannot find in this thread where you mention what you have for a gun now. I am sorry if I missed it, sometimes I gloss over reading these threads.

FYI... I circulate a 5 round 357 and an 9 round .45ACP and I have never felt under gunned. Because I shoot them both a lot in practical SD ways.

 

[thralldad]

Before my last deployment my wife insisted that I get her a gun for HD. Enter Mossberg Maverick 88 with 18.5 inch barrel. Under $200, 5+1 capacity, 00 Buck. If they don't reconsider after hearing the weapon being charged, well enough said.

 

[MikeNice]

Mcdonl, right now I have a Taurus 85 in the closet. In theory it should be enough to get the job done. We all know the stats. Most gun fights are at less than 30 feet and only four or five shots are fired. Most encounters are over in just a few seconds. Most of the time just the presence of a gun stops the threat.

Most is like many, it is a word that only leaves you guessing. Will you be one of the most or many? Maybe, but what if you aren't? 5 rounds or 9 rounds sounds great. In the abstract that covers all of the bases most of the time. However, three escaped convicts fleeing from the law is some where outside of the many and most that we talk about. It can happen though and now I want to be prepared for it. It may not be a concern for others, but it is a possible scenario here, so it is a concern for me.

 

[BRE346]

Thralldad and Mcdonl have it right. The sound of a shotgun being charged in the middle of the night will scare the bejeezuz out of the bad guys and that is usually plenty enough to get them gone. The sound of a pistol being racked works to a lesser degree but is more likely to just tell them where you are. If they are closer then I hope my pistol is pointed in the right direction. If they are about to touch me then my little pocket gun had better have enough bullets.

This is serious stuff. I practice and pray a lot.