HD Battery?

[kamagong]

I'm currently building up my home defense battery. My only two guns at this moment are the Ruger 22/45 and a Kimber Custom II. I bought those two guns first because I examined my situation and determined that I would have the most opportunity to train and practice with pistols. For me at least, pistols are going to be my primary weapon.

Still, I know that it is advisable to have something with more stopping power. I am having trouble deciding on my next firearm. I don't know if I should get a carbine first, or a shotgun. I intend to practice with both, but I have the sneaking suspicion that it'll be easier to practice with a carbine. Plus, I want to make sure that the future Mrs. kamagong will be able to handle my long arm. We've done trap before, and she did not enjoy the experience much because of the recoil. If she had trouble with underpowered target loads, I doubt that she'd put much practice in with full powered HD loads. What do you guys think? Carbine or shottie?

 

[politicalgeek]

What gauge shottie were you using? I'm new to shotguns myself and trying to learn a lot about them. There are many loadings for 12 gauge with reduced/managed recoil that might be worth looking at. Penetration of the surrounding area may or may not be a concern to you. Any firearm will penetrate walls, it just depends to what degree and what the effect on the final end will be. Shotguns are great at minimizing this. Recoil wise as well, a semi-auto shotgun may help soak up some of the recoil.

 

[kamagong]

My girl was using a 20 gauge.

 

[Just Jim]

I think a shotgun is best for in home defense because of the low penetration when useing shot. You don't want to accidently kill your neighbors. A carbine is if you have to take the battle outdoors. Just a point of view though. If I did choose a carbine I would go 223 with fragil bullets.

jj

 

[CWL]

If she had trouble with underpowered target loads, I doubt that she'd put much practice in with full powered HD loads.

My home defense shotgun uses reduced-recoil loads, not full-powered ones. Federal makes reduced recoil "Tactical/Law Enforcement" 12ga. ammo in 00, 000, #4 and slug. You're asking the right questions, and you'll find that there are already many solutions for you!

 

[DMK]

What do you guys think? Carbine or shottie?

I prefer the carbine.

It's all about shot placement. Being able to place not only initial, but follow up shots precisely is important.

If I knew there'd be trouble, I'd first try to avoid it, if that wasn't possible, I'd want one of my carbines. Most of the time though, trouble doesn't appear to be what it is initially. In that case, one can conceal a pistol.

Here's my HD battery:

 

[azredhawk44]

Given the recoil sensitivity you described, I would suggest some sort of .223 caliber or .30 carbine caliber rifle, or a pistol caliber carbine.

A 16-20" AR-15 variant, Ruger mini-14, Saiga AK-clone in .223 or Keltec's AR knockoff for .223 rifles.

A USGI or modern reproduction of an M1 Carbine (not the M1 Garand) in .30 carbine.

Or a Keltec SU-2000, Beretta CX-4 carbine, Ruger PC-9 or other pistol-caliber carbine. Heck, even a High Point carbine.

 

[DMK]

Any firearm will penetrate walls, it just depends to what degree and what the effect on the final end will be. Shotguns are great at minimizing this.

Federal makes reduced recoil "Tactical/Law Enforcement" 12ga. ammo in 00,

I use those in my Mossberg. Believe me, they still have stout recoil and will go through multiple sheets of sheetrock easily. I've tested it.

I'd much rather keep track of one .223 projectile at a time, rather than nine .30 projectiles at once.