home defense questions

[fireandforget]

Recently I moved into my recently departed grandfather's house in Oakland,CA. A little background, my grandfather had lived in the house since he was in his early 20's. Unfortuntatly the neighborhood has taken a serious turn for the worse. I know,I know why don't I move. The tax benefit of staying here in the short-term (2 years) before selling it is substantial.
I currently have a 2 bedroom apartment, live alone. Before ETSing from the Army in 2000 I purchased an colt ar-15. currently the weopon is banned for sale in CA. It is registered and in a legal configuration. The reason I purchased the weopon was for target shooting. I really love that weapon, basically I was looking for a handgun to accompany my rifle(need a different tool). I will use the ar-15 without question if the situation arises to save my life if neccessary, which hopefully it won't. It is not a farfetched scenario in my mind. Sad but true. I am going to purchase a handgun, reliablity is key. Was thinking Glock, Springfield XD, Sig Sauer, or HK in .40 S&W or .45 ACP which should have the capibilty to have a light mounted quickly. Any input on handgun preference, caliber selection, or general home defense advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

All the handguns you mentione are good ones but IMO, the Springfield XD in .45 cal would be the best band for the buck. You can but it for right around $500 and you get their "Gear System" included. Great gun and a great deal IMO. The only reason I don't have one is because I'm a revolver guy!! http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-xdpstl-45acp.shtml

Here's a little hint, don't buy the "compact" version which gives you a 13 and 10 round mag. Buy the one in the link with 2X13 round mags since all the replacement mags are 10 round since that stupid law passed.

Dam, I just might have to buy one... I shouldn't have looked at that page too long!! :banghead:

 

[crashresidue]

Cheers dude,

As stated earlier, it's Friday night and I've had few. Be warned.

First off - are you looking for a "long haul" weapon - or a short haul one?

"Long haul" - 100,000 +rounds or a 5,000(short haul) round weapon?

Charter Arms makes good revolvers, Bersa makes good slide guns. All are available for about $400 USD. Both are "short haul" weapons.

I've got an old Bersa .380 (PPK clone) and a Thunder .45 ACP. Wife carries a Charter snub .38 Special. All are functional, good "short life guns". All will do the job.

What do you want?

Gentle winds,
cr

 

[fireandforget]

Long haul, I am leaning towards a glock 22 or maybe a glock 27. I would get the . 45 ACP but my hand is 2 small for the grip, except for the single stack glock, but not enough capacity. In the Golden State the biggest magazine u can use is 10 rounds, so maybe I should go for the .45ACP. I have shot the Sig and an HK both great guns but alot of coin. Springfield XD any suggestions. I want to stay with big calibers, shot the m9, civilian version beretta 92, didn't like to much. I don't mind paying under 850 or so as long as it has a lifetime warranty.

 

[Hank Zudd]

I worked around Oaktown &

there abouts for alwhile; one thing for sure, if any little thing happens & your legitimate self defense involves a gun of any type don't expect to get it back from the cops. any part of kali is very anti-gun, oaktown being on top of the murder list don't help. Just stay out of the bad hoods after dark, espically on weekends. Talk to a local beat cop. I know there are exceptions to any rule, but go online & read the archives of the Tribune. Last few years it seems there's some folks getting shot inside their own house by stray rounds from drive-by's. What about renting the casa, and leaving some of your mail sent there to keep your "living" there status alive? Just be careful, there was one guy that defended his turf legally from gangbangers that used to mill around in front of his house & got no help from anyone when he called the cops. Had a run-in with a kid that threatened him & after defending himself still had to justify his actions in what would have been normal in other parts of the world. Criminals get more protections sometimes than honest folks, and you have to balance what your life is worth versus the gains from going thru an ordeal. Get on Calguns.net & those locals can help more since I've been away for a couple years now. God Bless watch your 6.
btw-they (cops, politicians) espically don't like ar's; I assume your was registered in Kali? don't let anyone know you have it, even if it is legal as it's just bait for someone to break in & get whilst your at work.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

fireandforget,
I think the XD has different palm inserts to enable you to change the grip size to make it fit everyone but I'm not sure. Go to the XD site and check it out. The link is in my above post. If not then I'm thinking of another newer model pistol.

 

[fireandforget]

Definitely, the ar-15 would be history even if my house was undersiege by foreign terrorists hellbent on my destruction I would be wrong,now I KNOW u lived here. I don't want to have any issues, I'm not being messed with I just know a bad neighborhood, and I'm in one. Don't get me wrong there are good people in this area, just bad ones who are violent, alot of ex-cons Basically, I want 2 be left alone, I'm not trying to start a turf war in order to gain East Oakland supremecy.Just do my 2 years and leave. My grandfather had alot of security measures installed, safety lights, good locks, some bars, high gates. I park the Silverado in the garage. What's the old addage, better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. As for the police they're up against alot. The police come and clear the corners and answer calls, very poor city, not much recources for effective community policing.

 

[fireandforget]

Im gonna look at the springfield xd .45, hopefully the grip won't be 2 thick
Maybe try one at the range, along with the HK usp .45 and sig 220. If those don't work for me gonna get a .40 S&W glock most likely. Any opinions on the HK or sigs.

Hank Zudd, thanx for the practical advice. I registered my ar-15, bought it before the 2000 cutoff, got a liberty safe, I should note I have several older firearms, remington shotguns, browning rifle, S&W model 19 .357 mag (grandpa's). If someone calls me a white boy, don't care, throws a rock at the window(care but no response). I know if I have any drama I leave.

 

[AK-74me]

All those guns you mentioned are quality guns. And they are all under $850, if you want a Sig, police trade in models in excellent condition are always available. Glock and XD's are certainly within that price range new or otherwise.

The Sig 220 in .45, or p226 or 229 in .40 all sound like good canidates for you. That being said I just added a new XD .45 to go along with the few Sigs I have, all of them were police trade ins.

If I were you I'd try to shoot any of the guns you are considering and then choose the one you are most comfrotable with, because all of the guns you listed are good, reliable, quality guns.

 

[Ala Dan]

All the weapons that you mentioned are good choices. Of those, I prefer
the Springfield XD in .45 ACP for a polymer pistol; or a SIG P220A in .45
ACP, with its aluminum frame. I own both, and they are very close too
being equal in terms of reliability and accuracy. The '06 package .45 ACP
from Springfield Armory is hard to beat. You get: the weapon*, double mag
pouch, holster, and magazine loader along with an extra magazine, allen
wrench, cable lock, and hard case for less than $500. A new SIG P220A
would run 'round $739; so take make your selection and enjoy~!

*FootNote: basic (all black) model.

 

[FieroCDSP]

IMO

It sounds to me like that neighborhood needs a civil militia patrolling the streets. Thirty or so civilians (with a lot of range time), some AR-15's, a couple cases of ammo, and one long weekend. I doubt many of those street thugs could shoot their nines well enough to hit a stop sign, let alone someone trained to use cover and fire accurately. Particularly since they often insist on firing a handgun sideways. I caught a cop video show where a guy walked into a store or something, pulled two guns and held them both on their sides. He didn't look cool. He looked like a moron.

In any case, I think in a bad area like that, with under-staffed cops and possibly corrupt (maybe just overwhelmed) legal system, there should be an option for militia intervention. Most of those thugs are lifers anyway, so even if the cops get them, they're back on the streets in two years. Some would argue they're more dangerous in prison. If they think they're so hot with guns, let them find out for sure.
Sorry if this went a bit off topic. I just believe people have the right to go out on their front porch and not worry about getting hosed by some punk with a Tec-9.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If yhe XD is too large for your hand and you decide to look at a S&W, their M&P .40 is really worth looking at. 4.25" barrel model http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15711&isFirearm=Y
And the 3.5" barrel model http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15711&isFirearm=Y

 

[sfhogman]

I understand S&W is about to announce a .45 version of their M&P. The grip inserts seem a nice thing.

 

[lonewolfalpha]

Me, I like a good side by side 12 gauge shotgun. The craze with cowboy action shooting was a blessing for good home defence shotguns.
BTW 00 buck is a great equalizer.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

BTW 00 buck is a great equalizer.

Nothing like firing NINE .33 Cal shots in the same direction with one squeeze of the trigger.

 

[Wesson Smith]

Personally, I gotta go with the shotgun as the home defense choice. Pistol grip, for defensive purposes, and definitely 00 buckshot. I live in a brick home, and none of my windows pose a threat to my neighbors, in terms of an errant shot.

 

[starshooter231]

The XD

I will reccommened the XD because it is a truely reliable firearm. I have the XD9subcompact, I have put over 1000rds through it and have had ZERO problems, well except for the fact that I don't get to shoot it everyday .

Somebody had mentioned the changeable backgrip, that is not available on the XD, that is a feature of the S&W M&Ps, also a good firearm, but pricey.

 

[.357 magnum]

Welcome fireandforget!

It is hard to beat an XD .45acp for home defense. Get the Tactical with the 5 inch barrel [better ballistics] That is 14 shots of .45acp--Keep a full spare Mag and you are good to go! Get some 230gr Winchester SXT's and you are ready for the toughest neighborhood. [For back-up I have a Taurus 24/7 .40 cal 16 shots of 165gr Remington Golden Saber's-better then a spare Mag!] Of course the wife has her Ruger .357 Magnum fully loaded. And then there is the German Shepherd. What can I say? It is not your lucky day if you break into this man's casa!

The Best to you and Yours!

Frank

 

[Slvr Surfr]

Just another thought, I trust my house to my Glock 38 .45 GAP.

The gap round had the same ballistics as factory loaded .45ACP round. The grips on the full size G37 is the same as the G22 you mentioned. The max a magazine will hold is 12 but being that you are in Kali, you only get the 10 rd mags anyway.

http://www.gunblast.com/Glock37.htm

The G38 is about the same size as a G19 9mm. I keep an M3 tac light mounted at all times. The light is easy to pop on and off. If you want any other suggestions for good lights consider the TLR 1 light from Streamlight. I have one on my AR for work and it kicks butt. Bright as hell and is an durable LED Light.

http://www.flashlights.com/TLR_SERIES/tlr1.htm

Good luck on your choice and stay safe.

 

[GunNut]

Limited to 10 round magazines, I would always choose the .45ACP. You might as well have 10 big rounds.

You could get a nice 1911 for the price you're looking at paying and get some 10 round magazines, which would be a sweet setup.

Otherwise, get yourself a good quality HD shotgun and load it up with some LE type 00 Buck.

Good luck and stay safe,

Steve

 

[sig228]

OT

I sent you a little bit of tax advice on the 2 year rule. Hope it helps.

 

[SniperStraz]

My bet is on the Sig

That is all

 

[Stan_TheGunNut]

I agree, any of the guns you mentioned would work well for you. Since you have limits on magazine capacity, I would probably go with a 45 ACP, and I lean towards a Glock. You lose less in terms of capacity due to the larger rounds. I'd also buy some extra magazines, and practice. For the pistol, I lean towards a Glock. I just havn't warmed up to the XD's. The Sigs & HK's are also very nice, but tend to be more expensive. You could almost buy a Glock or HD and a shotgun for the price of a new Sig or HK. If you can afford it, a good pump action shotgun would also be useful. A remington 870 or a Mossberg 500 can both be had at a reasonable price.

You mentioned that your house has lighting, good locks, and bars on some windows. You might also consider investing in an alarm system, including video cameras. They can be had for a reasonable cost now, and may be an incentive to prospective buyers in the future. I'd also make sure you had a way of securing your guns when you're not home. You might also consider a good dog (very vocal and maybe with some size). It's sorta a defense in depth strategy.

 

[10-Ring]

Hey bro, what part of Oakland? I grew up there & still go back from time to time....
Anyway, more to the point....I would go w/ the HK USP 45 to go w/ the AR of yours and then a 12 gauge pump shotty to round things out

 

[Market Garden]

i personally have a HK P2000 in 9mm, they also make them in .40. its a nice pistol with adjustable backstraps to fit different sized hands. ive put over 8,000 rounds through mine in less than a year and havent had a single issue.

ive shot the XD .45, and i thought it was great. the guy who let me try it out said he was really happy with it, the trigger was nice and smooth for stock and it was decently light.

one pistol you didnt mention that im considering purchasing is the Steyr M-1A, it comes in 9mm and .357sig and .40. its got sorta a weird look to it, but its supposed to feel real nice and the design is supposed to help alot with recoil, might wanna give it a quick look.