Home Protection for a Total Newbie

[TheXRayStyle]

Hello all~

First off, I'm going to declare my utter ignorance on issues of gun operation and ownership. My own gun history is limited to lots of time with an air rifle as a kid and shooting a 22 a couple of times--but I'm willing to listen to and learn from you all...so I suppose that's a start.

I'm graduating from college and will be moving into an apartment with my soon-to-be wife in a couple of months, so I'm thinking about getting a firearm for home protection. It's a small apartment in a not particularly good or bad area, so I was thinking about a small pistol or revolver, just to be on the safe side. If it makes any difference, I'm from Minnesota.

Thoughts or advice anyone?

Thanks!

 

[Preacherman]

Welcome to THR!

I'm moving this thread to Strategies & Tactics, our "how-to" forum for this sort of question. There's a lot to home defense besides one's choice of firearm, and I think you'll get lots of useful information in S&T.

 

[TheXRayStyle]

Thanks for the welcome! (and apologies for posting in the wrong spot)

 

[oh blanky]

It depends on the time you are willing to invest.

A revolver is easier to operate and verify if the weapon is loaded.

Lurk the forums and try to get a feel for where there is a qualified trainer in your area and take at least a 2 day defensive handgun course ASAP.

This is far more important than weapon selection.

 

[Jeff White]

Welcome to THR. You've made a good decision by deciding to get some training. I recommend Greg "Sully" Sullivan. He's local to you and an excellent trainer. He posts here sometimes.

Jeff

 

[RNB65]

Inexpensive used revolver chambered for .38special or .357magnum (you can also shoot .38special ammo from a .357 revolver, but not the other way around) with a 3-4" barrel. Check local gunshops for a police surplus/trade in gun. A decent used revolver at a good price is probably the easiest gun to find now that semi-autos are all the rage.

Check the revolver forum and you'll find a thread on how to inspect a used revolver. Make sure the cylinder locks up tightly and there are no cracks or excessive signs of wear. As long as it's in reasonable condition it will outlive you.

 

[Hooligan]

First of all, congrats on the graduation and marriage. I'm graduating in December and getting married the following June.

That said, there has already been some sound advice here. Use the search function to look up key words like home security and such. Many things to think about such as upgraded locks and other passive defenses.

A revolver is a good choice for a total newb to firearms. But then again, autos aren't hard to operate. Find a gun store with a large selection and handle lots of guns. Do some researching here and talk to lots of knowledgeable people before you make your purchase. You will also want to look into self defense ammo for that gun (read hollowpoints). And I agree with getting some good training. You might want to think about a concealed carry license as well. Even if you don't want to carry right away, the class is a good one.

 

['Card]

There's kind of an ongoing (largely good-natured) debate on the subject, but I think it's safe to say that when the subject comes up, the majority (although not all) of THR posters think a shotgun is probably a better option for most home defense situations. I'm bringing it up because I'm (obviously) one of those folks.

In your situation, I think a shotgun might be a better choice for the following reasons:
1. Your past experience (although admittedly limited) would probably lend itself more readily to using a shotgun rather than a pistol.
2. You're going to want a gun your fiance' can use in an emergency. In my experience, shotguns are less intimidating than a pistol for first-time shooters.
3. You're going to be in an apartment, and shotgun pellets have less chance of penetrating a wall and going into an adjoining apartment than most pistol rounds.
4. The only advantage a pistol has over a shotgun or a rifle is the fact that it's portable. In most home defense applications, portability isn't an issue.

Now, all of that brings up the question of "which shotgun to buy", right? Well, that's an entirely different debate, naturally. I think a lot of people would say you can't go wrong with a Remington 870, which is a pump-action, about as reliable as a firearm can get, and you can get a good used one for not a lot of money. Personally? I'm big on simplicity - especially when it comes to something my wife might need to use in a crisis situation, so my choice is a good old fashioned double-barrel shotgun. In my case, I use a 12-gauge, but if you're not comfortable with that much of a boom-stick, a 20-gauge is more than adequate for most purposes.

...and that'd be my dos centavos on the subject.

 

[Hooligan]

Not to be a naysayer, 'Card, but shotguns will penetrate walls. You're not going to want to use birdshot for self defense. True, buckshot doesn't penetrate as far as a pistol or rifle round, but its still going to tear through an apartment. One source of this info is the ever popupular Box O Truth

I'm not saying a shotgun is bad for HD or worse than handguns. I keep both easily accessible in case anything goes bump in the night. I'm just saying know your target and what's beyond. Another thing to think about is a girl who has very little experience with firearms will at least be able to hang on to a handgun and make follow up shots, while an 870 with 00 Buck will probably jump out of her hands. If nothing else, her followup will be basically non-existant.

If you are going to have guns in the house, train with your wife. My fiance shoots/trains with me all the time - she loves it. Make it something you do together. It will be fun and it could save your life.

 

[Sgt Stevo]

Get training

Go to a c
gun club/range. Rent some guns, see what fits you.

Train your female as well. then move into buying. You will get lots of good advice on this forum, about types, actions, etc.


But first things first.

 

[mnrivrat]

You Betcha ! I'm from south central and YES it does make a difference that you are from MN - makes you a neighbor so to speak !

Welcome to the board !

Either way - you won't go far wrong with a short barrel (18 to 20 inches) shotgun , or a handgun , IMO.

There will always be a number of opinions on which choice is best as well as just which shotgun or handgun to look at. My 2 cents goes along the lines of a revolver in .357 magnum or .38 Spl. for a begining firearm for those less familiar with shooting. They are simple to operate and reliable.
In particular a K frame S&W or something along that line should at least be looked at & considered. J frames are smaller but harder to get used to, particularly in the magnum - although they will also shoot .38 specials.

In the shotgun line , I personaly opt for the 20 ga. versions as they are easier to swing and lighter on the recoil while still delivering a payload that is satisfactory. Many will say buy a 12 ga. , but that's just because people are not made with a cookie cutter. Handle a 12 ga. and a 20 ga. and decide for yourself.

Personal preferences ,fit , and likes always plays a role and so you should spend time looking and handling and shooting different models (when possible) so as to decide what fits you best.

 

[hso]

Good for you for asking for advice and welcome!

You're first order of business is to keep the monsters at bay instead of how to deal with them after they get in. Invest in good locks and alarms. Make sure that you've got a door jam/frame that will hold up against a determined effort to break in. Reinforce the door. Have an escape plan as well as a plan of defense. If you've already bolted though the escape route and saved your bacon the monster goes hungry. The gun is for when the Bad Guy finally gets through the door.


There are arguments in favor of handguns vs 5.56 carbines vs shotguns. Then there's the endless arguments about caliber or gauge. You can read all of that.

Regardless, there are no arguments that training is the most important thing for anyone, new or experienced shooter. Make sure that your partner is a true partner and understands the importance of protecting your as well as her life. If she won't train with you then you're only 1/4 as effective as the two of you together would be.

Determine if it's a problem for you if the shot fired goes through any of the walls. Be truthful as to the heaviest caliber/guage you can handle. A weapon that you can hit with and make a second or third shot with is more important that one you have to go hunting for after the first shot has made you drop it.

I'm a carbine advocate because I train with them, but I will say that a friend of mine that was a surgical tech that specialized in vascular surgery at a trauma center told me that the people they had the least success with saving were shotgun victims shot at close range. Too much damage.

Good luck.

 

[Thylacine]

For a first time defensive purchase I would say to go with a shotgun. A pump shotgun. The sound of a pump action in an otherwise quiet environment is quite identifiable. That sound alone has stopped 2 attempted B&E's that I am aware of. Get what you can use, handgun, carbine, shotgun, or whatever and take the time to learn its use.
Take care.

 

[only1asterisk]

How does your future wife feel? What is her experience?
Find good instructor and get some basic instruction. Listen to the solutions of others and consider how they will work for you. Think about storage/accessibility. Choose your first gun wisely and practice, practice, practice.

No dwelling is a home without a shotgun.

David

 

[Boom-stick]

You're first order of business is to keep the monsters at bey instead of how to deal with them after they get in. Invest in good locks and alarms. Make sure that you've got a door jam/frame that will hold up against a determined effort to break in. Reinforce the door. Have an escape plan as well as a plan of defense. If you've already bolted though the escape route and saved your bacon the monster goes hungry. The gun is for when the Bad Guy finally gets through the door.

This is such a valid point that is commonly over-looked by so many people until it is to late.

When you apply to hold firearms in the UK the police actually come and inspect to see if you have enough security, up-graded door and window locks, hinge bolts, sensor lights, alarm etc... if you hold alot of firearms they request a hardline direct to the police station as well

All of these points could be well served by everyone, not just firearm owners.

 

[only1asterisk]

You're first order of business is to keep the monsters at bey instead of how to deal with them after they get in. Invest in good locks and alarms. Make sure that you've got a door jam/frame that will hold up against a determined effort to break in. Reinforce the door. Have an escape plan as well as a plan of defense. If you've already bolted though the escape route and saved your bacon the monster goes hungry. The gun is for when the Bad Guy finally gets through the door.

Good advice, but most apartment leases prohibit occupants from making improvements or repairs. Do what you can.

David

 

[ball3006]

You are on the right track....

researching home defense before you proceed. As others have said, look into a firearm defense course.

I recommend a shotgun as your first home defense gun. They can be had for less than 200 bucks, new. I like #2 bird shot, heavy enough to stop a perp and has ALOT of PELLETS for the doc to dig out. At self defense range, it will do the trick. When your or your family's life is on the line, "will it penetrate a wall should be the least of your worries. Your number one concern should be your family's safety. Worry about this and that will get you killed........don't mean to scare you but that is just the way it is........chris3

 

[RNB65]

I have to politely disagree with those of you recommending an inexpensive (i.e., pump) shotgun. Pump shotguns are fairly complex mechanical beasts which require regular practice to reliably operate in a tense situation. The OP didn't indicate he was looking for something that would require regular trips to a shooting range in order to maintain the necessary skills to operate effectively. He's just looking for a simple to use home defense weapon -- the very definition of a revolver.

 

[silliman89]

Welcome.

I also recommend a revolver. I think the combination of simplicity, reliability, safety, and price make it the winner. The .357 offers a choice of commercial ammo from a light .38 special that my 75-year-old mother can still handle, to a hot .357 with greater stopping power.

Something that hasn't been mentioned yet is storage. You don't have kids yet, so maybe you're thinking of leaving your gun on the kitchen table or nightstand. What about when you go out though? If you go the route of a shotgun, it's not really practical to bring it with you. Even with a handgun, you may not want to always bring it with you.

I feel that you should have a locking storage container for your guns when you're not home. If you have a long arm, a gun safe is a big piece of furniture and costs a couple of hundred or more. If you only have one or two handguns though, a simple push-button combo lock box is only $50-100 and will fit in your nightstand drawer.

 

[starplayer]

glock21 with night sights and light on the rail.
it's a .45, and its loaded with decent JHP ammo. holds 13 rounds so I dont really feel undergunned when i'm running around with it, as i would with a revolver (holding on 5-7 rnds)
(thats what i use for HD)

don't get me wrong, i love revovlers, but i believe pistols hold more rounds and are easier to learn to shoot faster and quicker than a revovler.

besides, that .357 is a potent round for a guy living in appts

 

[riverdog]

Everybody's got an opinion, my primary HD weapon is a Remington 870. You really need to be realistic and make your own decision based on the apartment/condo you'll be leasing, how much you can afford and logistics of what to do with the gun when not in use. If you want to shoot clay targets then going with a shotgun for HD is an easy choice. A .38 Spl/.357 Mag revolver such as a S&W 686 is also a good choice, but you need to practice and get lots of trigger time.

I have to politely disagree with those of you recommending an inexpensive (i.e., pump) shotgun. Pump shotguns are fairly complex mechanical beasts which require regular practice to reliably operate in a tense situation. The OP didn't indicate he was looking for something that would require regular trips to a shooting range in order to maintain the necessary skills to operate effectively. He's just looking for a simple to use home defense weapon -- the very definition of a revolver.

Really, I don't think a modern pump like a Rem 870 is more complicated to use than a revolver. Nice thing about a pump shotgun is that you don't need to render it useless to reload. If necessary, you can keep reloading the magazine while the gun is pointed downrange, with a round chambered ready to go.

 

[Preacherman]

As you can see, there are many opinions as to what's the best gun to get. My advice: shoot as many different types of guns as possible before you make your decision. Find out what you can shoot well, fast, accurately, etc. Getting training is a great start, and I second Jeff's recommendation of Sully as an outstanding local choice. He can let you try different guns, and you can also find ranges that rent out firearms and try a few there. Don't make an uninformed or inexperienced decision - try as many as possible, find out what feels good in your hands AND YOUR WIFE'S, and then make your choice.

 

[pcf]

As far as apartment security, there are somethings you can do and look out for, to help prevent unpleasant encounters....

1. Don't get a ground floor or basement apartment. Stairs are an impediment to drunks trying to find "home." It's also easier for thieves to hit ground floor apartments.

2. Meet your neighbors, people are more polite and make less noise around others they know. It's also extra eyes looking out for your stuff. If you're a stranger to the people around you, don't expect them to recognize a stranger in your home.

3. Talk to the apartment management and find out who has keys for the apartments and who has access to them. The "repair" guys should not have access to the keys. The manager should have a logbook tracking the keys whenever they are out of his immediate control. If he doesn't, rent somewhere else.

4. Make sure your apartment faces a road or parking lot. The apartments with the scenic view around the back may be nice, but they are easier to break into, and there's a greater chance no one will notice.

5. Get a list, in your lease, of what "emergency" conditions the Management can enter your apartment without notifying and/or without your presence. If they won't provide you with a list, rent somewhere else.

6. Talk to your local police department, they can tell you where the "troubled" apartment complexes are, avoid them.

7. Avoid apartments that advertise for "Section 8" or government subsidized housing.

 

[riverdog]

I always rented condo's so there was no apartment manager. When I moved in I removed the old locks and replaced them with my own. When I moved out I put the old locks back on and took mine with me.

 

[silliman89]

I always rented condo's so there was no apartment manager. When I moved in I removed the old locks and replaced them with my own. When I moved out I put the old locks back on and took mine with me.

If you'd rented my condo I would have objected to you changing my lock. If you didn't care, I wouldn't renew your lease. The owner is responsible and needs to be able to get in when the guy downstairs has water coming through the ceiling.

That said, I might not have noticed. It's not like I come by and check my key for no reason.