Home defense long gun recommendation needed
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justin 561
Member
A Mossberg 500 tactical cruiser is not too bad of a HD weapon. Pistol grip, 16.5'' barrel, buckshot, and a crook in a casket..
dogngun
Member
Since you live in california, try a lever action carbine in .44 mag or .45 Colt, even a .357 mag. You can load and shoot specials in the magnum rifles, and cowboy loads in the .45. THey are very effective weapons, reliable, don't look like evil assault rifles. You can also butt stroke the SOB when he's on the floor bleeding.
FWIW, I live in the East, and I use a Chinese SKS with jhp ammo, with a .45 auto as a backup and a 110 pound dog as an alarm.
mark
FWIW, I live in the East, and I use a Chinese SKS with jhp ammo, with a .45 auto as a backup and a 110 pound dog as an alarm.
mark
Z-Michigan
Member
Ruger Mini-14 (assuming it's CA legal, I don't know) or Remington 7615 (takes AR-15 magazines, yes I realize you'll be limited to 10 rounders). .223/5.56 is an effective round with limited penetration in drywall and other urban type settings. In fact, probably a better choice than any effective pistol caliber if overpenetration is a concern - which it should be.
2nd choice would be any legal 18" shotgun with #4 buckshot as a compromise between adequate penetration and limiting overpenetration.
The .44 and .357 lever-action carbines are generally a good idea and would be effective, but overpenetration is a serious concern with those. They *will* be deadly after going through several layers of drywall. Not really compatible with a townhome.
2nd choice would be any legal 18" shotgun with #4 buckshot as a compromise between adequate penetration and limiting overpenetration.
The .44 and .357 lever-action carbines are generally a good idea and would be effective, but overpenetration is a serious concern with those. They *will* be deadly after going through several layers of drywall. Not really compatible with a townhome.
Squidward
Member
It looks like you know the correct answer..
"I could get a 18" barrel for my Wingmaster; I have to take the barrel off every time I come home to clean it, it'd be easy enough to just clean the receiver and slap the 18" barrel on it, then get back to cleaning the dirty 30" barrel"
"I could get a 18" barrel for my Wingmaster; I have to take the barrel off every time I come home to clean it, it'd be easy enough to just clean the receiver and slap the 18" barrel on it, then get back to cleaning the dirty 30" barrel"
bl4ckd0g
Member
I would not trust a 5.56 centerfire round in a townhouse even if exterior walls were solid concrete.
Get the cheapest pawn shop pump shotgun that you are comfortable operating in a safe manner. Since you live in CA, I doubt that there's any chance of retrieving your weapon after the fact. A pistol carbine also makes sense if you're not too handy with an actual pistol.
Also, a liberal soccer mom jury would crucify you if you used a black rifle like an AR or PS90.
Get the cheapest pawn shop pump shotgun that you are comfortable operating in a safe manner. Since you live in CA, I doubt that there's any chance of retrieving your weapon after the fact. A pistol carbine also makes sense if you're not too handy with an actual pistol.
Also, a liberal soccer mom jury would crucify you if you used a black rifle like an AR or PS90.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
A person who's familiar with the use of a particular shotgun only needs a short and handy barrel. Since changing the barrel on a Wingmaster is easy, the least-cost and most-effective thing to do IMO is buy a barrel.
Center-punch a Bad Guy with a load of #9 Skeet at five yards and I'd say it's an adequate load for social occasions.
Oven Cleaner does a pretty good job of removing stains from artificial-fiber carpets...
Center-punch a Bad Guy with a load of #9 Skeet at five yards and I'd say it's an adequate load for social occasions.
Oven Cleaner does a pretty good job of removing stains from artificial-fiber carpets...
BigGunsMoreFun
Member
Personally I'd Stay Away from a Rifle
I'd be afraid to use a rifle of any decent caliber due to over-penetration concerns. You don't want to shoot through the perp, the walls and into your neighbor's house.
I have an old Remington-Spartan 12 gauge SxS coach gun with internal hammers, 20" barrels and double triggers for home protection. I keep it right next to the bed at night. It stays barrels down in an open shotgun bag with a #4 shot shell in one barrel and 00 buckshot shell in the other barrel. I have a 6 shell holder attached to the buttstock with 3 rounds of each type of ammo in it.
I have a flashlight taped to the bottom of the barrels close to the forearm in the center of the barrels. If I hear a noise that ain't right in the middle of the night everyone knows to gather in my bedroom or if they can't get there to lay down on the floor don't move and don't make a sound. We also have a safety word so if by chance I walk into a room with the gun and there are more people in the room than are supposed to be there, I know by that word who is supposed to be there and who is not.
The ideal situation of course is that everyone makes it to my room, I close the door, close the gun, take the safety off and call 911 and the cops get there in time to handle the situation. I'm not counting on that though. The only time I turn the flashlight on and shoot is if someone tries to enter that room without the safety word or without identifying themselves as an LEO. I make sure all household members are accounted for before I even think about shooting. I give a loud verbal command to anyone attempting to enter that I am armed and will shoot if you don't leave or identify yourself.
I also tell the 911 operator to warn the responding LEOs that I am the homeowner, I am armed and I will disarm when I see the LEOs and they have identified theirselves.
I keep a key to the house well hidden outside in a locked box that I can unlock remotely even in a power outage. I tell the 911 operator where the key will be and how the LEO can get it so they can come through the front or back door depending on their situation.
My wife and I and all the people that live in or stay in my house more than occassionally have been through an actual drill of this scenario at least a couple of times a month since we have lived in the house.
I see I went a little off topic here but I think a good gun is worthless without a good plan so I offer both. I believe the above plan will work well in case of a ne'er do well attempting unauthorized entry into my house. I think the above shotgun is just the ticket if needed. Two rounds from it center mass should stop most anyone. If not I have 6 more rounds and a nice pistol full of .45ACP 230 grain JHP XTP close by if needed.
Be safe. Don't shoot unless you absolutely have to. If so, shoot to kill but only long enough to stop the threat. Make damn sure you obey every single word that responding LEO says until the situation is in LEO's control. He or she is trying to help you no matter how it may appear at the time.
One last thing I would mention that many will disagree with, I keep all guns in a safe except for the home defense gun. The last thing I need is family members or friends trying to help by having multiple guns in action. Make a plan and stick to it. The only other loaded gun in my house is the .45 pistol and it is in a safe in the same room with me and the shotgun. Also, in the above situation I am the only one handling any guns and my wife is actually the one talking to the 911 operator.
Make a plan, practice it and make sure everyone sticks to it. You'll be scared but safe most of the time. If you have to shoot, by all means shoot but do it as a last resort. Good luck and God Speed.
A little more than my 2 cents. Hope it helps.
Molon Labe,
Joe
I'd be afraid to use a rifle of any decent caliber due to over-penetration concerns. You don't want to shoot through the perp, the walls and into your neighbor's house.
I have an old Remington-Spartan 12 gauge SxS coach gun with internal hammers, 20" barrels and double triggers for home protection. I keep it right next to the bed at night. It stays barrels down in an open shotgun bag with a #4 shot shell in one barrel and 00 buckshot shell in the other barrel. I have a 6 shell holder attached to the buttstock with 3 rounds of each type of ammo in it.
I have a flashlight taped to the bottom of the barrels close to the forearm in the center of the barrels. If I hear a noise that ain't right in the middle of the night everyone knows to gather in my bedroom or if they can't get there to lay down on the floor don't move and don't make a sound. We also have a safety word so if by chance I walk into a room with the gun and there are more people in the room than are supposed to be there, I know by that word who is supposed to be there and who is not.
The ideal situation of course is that everyone makes it to my room, I close the door, close the gun, take the safety off and call 911 and the cops get there in time to handle the situation. I'm not counting on that though. The only time I turn the flashlight on and shoot is if someone tries to enter that room without the safety word or without identifying themselves as an LEO. I make sure all household members are accounted for before I even think about shooting. I give a loud verbal command to anyone attempting to enter that I am armed and will shoot if you don't leave or identify yourself.
I also tell the 911 operator to warn the responding LEOs that I am the homeowner, I am armed and I will disarm when I see the LEOs and they have identified theirselves.
I keep a key to the house well hidden outside in a locked box that I can unlock remotely even in a power outage. I tell the 911 operator where the key will be and how the LEO can get it so they can come through the front or back door depending on their situation.
My wife and I and all the people that live in or stay in my house more than occassionally have been through an actual drill of this scenario at least a couple of times a month since we have lived in the house.
I see I went a little off topic here but I think a good gun is worthless without a good plan so I offer both. I believe the above plan will work well in case of a ne'er do well attempting unauthorized entry into my house. I think the above shotgun is just the ticket if needed. Two rounds from it center mass should stop most anyone. If not I have 6 more rounds and a nice pistol full of .45ACP 230 grain JHP XTP close by if needed.
Be safe. Don't shoot unless you absolutely have to. If so, shoot to kill but only long enough to stop the threat. Make damn sure you obey every single word that responding LEO says until the situation is in LEO's control. He or she is trying to help you no matter how it may appear at the time.
One last thing I would mention that many will disagree with, I keep all guns in a safe except for the home defense gun. The last thing I need is family members or friends trying to help by having multiple guns in action. Make a plan and stick to it. The only other loaded gun in my house is the .45 pistol and it is in a safe in the same room with me and the shotgun. Also, in the above situation I am the only one handling any guns and my wife is actually the one talking to the 911 operator.
Make a plan, practice it and make sure everyone sticks to it. You'll be scared but safe most of the time. If you have to shoot, by all means shoot but do it as a last resort. Good luck and God Speed.
A little more than my 2 cents. Hope it helps.
Molon Labe,
Joe
Last edited:
Best thing for repelling boarders...12ga
And no matter what many will say, even bird shot is useful at point blank range. A short barrel for your trap gun is the best solution (easiest/cheapest), but a double barrel "coach gun" is an attractive alternative. Get one with double triggers. I have one of the chinese made ones with double trigger and outside hammers just for this. It was cheap when I bought it ($200), probably not that much more now, and it does work.
Being where you are, resign yourself that if you do need to shoot someone, the cops will take your gun (evidence), and you may not get it back, even if they find the shooting justified. You should get it back eventually, but some places will not turn gun back over to their owners, no mattrer what. If you fight it, they will just cut you a check. Your locality might not do this, but isn't it worth finding out? I would rather loose a cheap chinese coach gun to the system than a good quality trap gun.
In the situation you described, probably the best thing to do is trust to your insurance for everthing downstairs, and defend the stairwell against intruders. At the foot of the stairs, even a birdshot round in the chest or the face ought to deter just about anyone. And buckshot will do even better. Plus, the angle of shooting down the stairwell will reduce risk to neighbors as well.
And no matter what many will say, even bird shot is useful at point blank range. A short barrel for your trap gun is the best solution (easiest/cheapest), but a double barrel "coach gun" is an attractive alternative. Get one with double triggers. I have one of the chinese made ones with double trigger and outside hammers just for this. It was cheap when I bought it ($200), probably not that much more now, and it does work.
Being where you are, resign yourself that if you do need to shoot someone, the cops will take your gun (evidence), and you may not get it back, even if they find the shooting justified. You should get it back eventually, but some places will not turn gun back over to their owners, no mattrer what. If you fight it, they will just cut you a check. Your locality might not do this, but isn't it worth finding out? I would rather loose a cheap chinese coach gun to the system than a good quality trap gun.
In the situation you described, probably the best thing to do is trust to your insurance for everthing downstairs, and defend the stairwell against intruders. At the foot of the stairs, even a birdshot round in the chest or the face ought to deter just about anyone. And buckshot will do even better. Plus, the angle of shooting down the stairwell will reduce risk to neighbors as well.
rdoggsilva
Member
My house gun is a Mossy 500 12ga, 18 1/2" barrel. I use #4 buck, it will not go through 4 walls but still has the stopping power I need.
tinygnat219
Member
Rifle for home defense? Wouldn't recommend it outside of a pistol carbine. Get a shotgun instead, 18.5 inch barrel.
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