BluedRevolver
Member
Are there any rifles that are practical for home defense? I've heard some say the AR15 is good. Are there any others?
Home Defense Rifle
- Thread starter BluedRevolver
- Start date
- Status
HoosierQ
Member
I think an AR10 is NOT a practical home defense rifle...unless you are defending your home from the Russian Army en masse.
This topic has been done to death. But, I think an M1 Carbine with some sort of hollow point or soft nose would be an outstanding home defense rifle.
No long gun will beat a shotgun for home defense. The closer the quarters you are to neighbors, the smaller the shot size. I like #4 birdshot for HD.
This topic has been done to death. But, I think an M1 Carbine with some sort of hollow point or soft nose would be an outstanding home defense rifle.
No long gun will beat a shotgun for home defense. The closer the quarters you are to neighbors, the smaller the shot size. I like #4 birdshot for HD.
AR-Platform
AK-platform
Ruger Mini
M1 Carbine
If I had to use a rifle for home defense I would go with the M1 Carbine. It's a hair under 6lbs loaded and if you're a lefty like me you can keep your strong hand on the rifle while loading and charging.
Are you in a house, an apartment, lots of space around your property? Different situations call for different tools.
AK-platform
Ruger Mini
M1 Carbine
If I had to use a rifle for home defense I would go with the M1 Carbine. It's a hair under 6lbs loaded and if you're a lefty like me you can keep your strong hand on the rifle while loading and charging.
Are you in a house, an apartment, lots of space around your property? Different situations call for different tools.
Last edited:
Lever actions (.30-30, .357 magnum and 44 magnum).
Ruger 77/357 and 77/44.
Anything in 22lr.
AR15
IMO
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/theboxotruth.htm
As always, always be aware of your backstop or lack thereof as pretty much every and any gun you use can go right through sheetrock and wood walls.
Ruger 77/357 and 77/44.
Anything in 22lr.
AR15
IMO
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/theboxotruth.htm
As always, always be aware of your backstop or lack thereof as pretty much every and any gun you use can go right through sheetrock and wood walls.
Bird shot is for the birds....
They make 110gr Tap loads in .308 that would be perfect for HD without the risk of over penetration.
http://www.hornadyle.com/products/rifle-ammunition/308-win-tap/110-gr-tap-urban
RPRNY
Member
3 twelves - great chart. I've never seen it before and appreciate it.
I really think the .223 has an advantage here with regards to the matter of over-penetration. Having said that, an 18" pump 12ga with cheapo 7/8oz Foster slugs is in my opinion, the way to go.
I really think the .223 has an advantage here with regards to the matter of over-penetration. Having said that, an 18" pump 12ga with cheapo 7/8oz Foster slugs is in my opinion, the way to go.
Sure if you have no neighbors, they will penetrate more than pistol rounds.
Slipknot_Slim
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2012
- Messages
- 58
I've got an AR that I use. I would think that you would have to be an unusually determined home invader to continue advancing on somebody armed with an AR. Hopefully, I'll never have to find out and can continue to have fun shooting paper with it.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Is there some reason that in a post in the rifle forum people can't answer the question asked without venturing off to answer questions not asked? It seems like the OP wanted to know what rifles were practical for home defense.
My answer to that would be that there are too many to list. Pistol caliber lever actions, Camp carbines, M1 Carbines, SKS, AK, AR15s... almost any short repeating rifle can be used in that role with proper ammunition selection, though the pistol caliber and intermediate caliber carbines are going to be a lot easier to use than something like a 16" .308 (even with the right ammo).
My answer to that would be that there are too many to list. Pistol caliber lever actions, Camp carbines, M1 Carbines, SKS, AK, AR15s... almost any short repeating rifle can be used in that role with proper ammunition selection, though the pistol caliber and intermediate caliber carbines are going to be a lot easier to use than something like a 16" .308 (even with the right ammo).
A RIFLE FOR HOME DEFENSE???? You guys have more room and fewer things in your home than I must.
I can see it now, I swing around to shoot and knock over my wife's 1887 lamp that she got from her great grandmother or better yet shoot it with the blast of a shot gun. Maybe hit the 42 inch TV with the butt of the rifle as I try to shoulder it, so long Sunday football. Or catch the rifle sling on the chair at the end of the stairs in the living room as I come running down them so I can line up a shot without have to shoot through the walls.
You probable can't tell, but I am not a fan of rifles for home defense, unless it is outside of the home. GET YOURSELF A SEMI-AUTO PISTOL.
Jim
I can see it now, I swing around to shoot and knock over my wife's 1887 lamp that she got from her great grandmother or better yet shoot it with the blast of a shot gun. Maybe hit the 42 inch TV with the butt of the rifle as I try to shoulder it, so long Sunday football. Or catch the rifle sling on the chair at the end of the stairs in the living room as I come running down them so I can line up a shot without have to shoot through the walls.
You probable can't tell, but I am not a fan of rifles for home defense, unless it is outside of the home. GET YOURSELF A SEMI-AUTO PISTOL.
Jim
Last edited:
Let me repost the OP with a little emphasis.
Yes, your AR with the proper bullet like the Hornady TAP is just fine for HD. As noted above the proper 5.56 bullet will not over penetrate like many people so wrongly believe.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/
Lots of good penetration testing done there.
Yes, your AR with the proper bullet like the Hornady TAP is just fine for HD. As noted above the proper 5.56 bullet will not over penetrate like many people so wrongly believe.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/
Lots of good penetration testing done there.
RPRNY
Member
Not on your chart, so I would like to see a source for that assertion. Given their propensity to fail to penetrate deer shoulder from time to time, I'm thinking they will break up faced with layers of plywood and drywall. One layer - I agree. Multiples? Not in my opinion.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Depending on the rifle, it isn't as long as unwieldly as many people might think. Look at this comparison of the length of a 16" M4gery and a 1911 in a typical shooting stance. These lengths are comparable for short rifles like a lever gun or AK as well.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/wesmerc/handgunvcarbine.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/wesmerc/handgunvcarbine.jpg
As for pistols go around the house, the C.A.R. (Center Axis Relock) system is a lot better than walking around at full extension.
Materialistic crap shouldn't be your first concern.
Inebriated
Member
Actually, it's my experience that they break-up when they strike something (hard or soft) The only ones I've used that haven't fragmented were Brennekes.
RPRNY
Member
In which case I would agree with you - not a good call for HD given the legitimate over-penetration concerns. I too only use Brennekes for hunting - and they work extremely well.
Inebriated
Member
Well that's not a "cheapo 7/8 oz Foster slug", now is it?
The regular old 2-3/4" or 3" 1oz slugs from Remington, Winchester, and Federal are rather poor penetrators.
JVaughn
Member
I often keep my SKS ready for HD use, I see no problem with a rifle for HD. Generally, in the business of neutralizing large (man sized) creatures, rifles work better than handguns.
- Status
