Home Defense weapon, help me make a decision

[IV Troop]

Quick question,

Is this gun going to be used for anything else? You might as well have a gun you can actually use. Perhaps a gun you can hunt with too. Or compete with in some organized shooting discipline such as IPSC three gun or NRA high power or sporting clays.

A gun solely for home defense is nice and all but you might as well get something that can serve more than one role thus being a better return on your investment.

Just a thought.

 

[enfield]

I used to keep a short 12 gauge pump loaded with #1 buck handy. Now I have an AR carbine with 55 gr soft points.

That said, a 12 gauge pump can cost considerably less than an AR. If I didn't have the AR, I wouldn't feel undergunned with a pump. The pump is a step up in power and a step down in precision.

 

[NYenthusiast]

I am still monitoring the thread but it seemed to spew off topic for a bit. I want an AR for any possible shtf all hell breaks loose scenario but for home defense im leading towards everyones shotgun reccomendation and a pistol when I come of age.

 

[Taurus 66]

I noticed how everyone's talkin' 'bout this and the that ... you want this grain, no pistol rounds, no rifle rounds, pump action, carbine, wood stock, composite stock, 12 gauge over 20, 00, #1 shot, #6 shot, 20 gauge over 410, hollow points, soft points, this point, that point, da da, da da ... but what really matters is you get something that fits your budget and where the gun is:

#1. of a good quality and reliable (because are junk guns out there)

#2. easy to operate

#3. easy to strip down and clean

If you think a rifle with pistol ammo is better than rifle ammo, you know what? ... you'd be correct. If you think rifle ammo is better than pistol ammo, you'd be right again, because only you know what fits your needs. And any gun of any caliber is better than not having a gun and needing one.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

A 12ga pump is an excellent choice for home defense.

For general shooting, rifle or pistol-caliber carbine may be more fun - unless you get into skeet or sporting clays.

 

[mole]

NYenthusiast,

As you can see almost everyone recommends a 12 gauge. If there are two guns that a person should have; they are a 12 gauge and a .22 rifle. You might as well get the shotgun now because you'll likely wind up getting one later anyway once you realize how useful one is.

The two most common new pump 12 gauges are the Mossberg 500/590 and Remington 870. Both can sometimes be found at walmart for a good price. I personally perfer the Mossberg 500. Mine holds 7 rounds in the magazine. The first four are #4 shot, the last three are 00. I have a nylon pouch on the stock that holds five rifled slugs.

Another good, and possibly cheapest, route is to get an sks. I believe someone has already mentioned the Yugo version. The recoil is fairly light and it's short enough to use indoors. It will penetrate walls, so it's not a good choice if you have close neighbors.

I keep a Taurus pt 92 9mm pistol and the Mossberg 500 12 gauge beside my bed while the sks is hidden in a corner. My other guns are locked in the safe. If something happed I'd grap the 12 guage first. That's where my confidence lies.

mole

 

[Stiletto Null]

Just to parrot...

Shotgun, Mossberg 500/590 or Remington 870

Rifle, SKS

Pistol carbine, Hi-Point 9mm or .40

All inexpensive, all NY safe.

 

[Mainsail]

I wonder how the Yugo SKS with the bayonet extended would appear to a home invader. You can also defend from the rooftop in a SHTF situation with one of those.

Seriously though, I agree with the 12 guage.

 

[Stiletto Null]

You can use a shotgun to good effect out to 100yd or so if you use slugs, so shotguns can be used as rooftop guns too.

 

[BothellBob]

Everybody ought to have a good home defense gun, and there are many opinions on what that might be; but a 22 LR rifle is the first gun one should consider. While finances, and a perceived need for more potent protection, may constrain your acquiring a 22 rifle as a first gun; you will not regret placing one as high on your priority list as possible. A new one can cost less than $200, and a decent used one can be found for under $100.
-BothellBob