Is 5.56mm AR ideal weapons for home defense?

[Geckgo]

defense must match the threat level... Dogs, alarms, floodlights are great for just a general informative measure that something is going on which shouldn't be. I don't spend a lot of time home, so for me I'm thinking about investing in a security system of some sort to keep the thieves in my neighborhood away from my toolshed.

In any case, a firearm for me will be solely for personal protection if I need to confront them. As soon as they notice that I'm home they will probably take off running (the neighbors and I are starting to learn their habbits).

In a violent encounter, like a break-in into my house??? well, that's why we sleep next to Mr. 45.

If it comes down to me defending myself against someone that intends to do me serious bodily harm, I am going to use whatever is immediately availible to attempt to avert the threat. If that happens to be a 5.56 AR, the perp might be in for a really bad day.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Do you think my analysis is correct?

No, your analysis lacks in its understanding of penetration of firearms inside a house and in its understanding of how firearms stop an attacker.

If 5.56mm AR are not an ideal weapons, what other weapons would be ideal for home defense?

Ideal in what sense? Any machine you use is typically a set of compromises. A handgun is inferior in stopping power to a long gun; but it has the advantage of being compact and easy to carry and can be readily available when a long gun can't - whether it is "ideal" for a home defense situation depends upon whther immediate access is more important than power and accuracy, which in turn depends upon the specific situation. What is ideal in one situation may not be in the next.

A 5.56mm AR is an extremely versatile weapon that would be at the top of my list for home defense weapons; but there are several other weapons that can serve that role well too. Because skill and familiarity with weapons plays an important part in its effectiveness, an AR might be ideal for one person; but less than ideal for another.

To give an example, both a 12 gauge shotgun and an AR15 can be excellent home defense long guns. If you do a lot of bird hunting and have no military training, a shotgun is probably much more familiar to you than an AR. On the flipside, I've shot more rounds through an AR in a day than I have through a shotgun in my entire life, so a shotgun is going to be less than ideal for me.

Are firearms in general ideal for home defense?

Again, you aren't being very precise in your terms. As I've already stated, there is no universal ideal. Because training and past experience are relevant, a firearm that is ideal for one person may be a detriment to another person. Second, "home defense" can encompass a lot of different scenarios, not all of which are going to be solved well with a firearm.

I would suggest that a firearm is an important part of an overall home defense plan; but that anyone whose home defense plan is based entirely on ownership of a firearm (or an "ideal firearm") has failed in their planning.

 

[doorman]

Realistically speaking, for me personally, a twelve gauge shotgun with some defensive loads really fits the bill. I like to shoot my AR-15 and I go every chance I get. But, I have not trained with it in a stressful environment so I don't have confidence in it. A shotgun is pretty universal and my wife knows enough about it to be effective with it. I mean think of a situation of complete darkness and someone coming through a door or window, adrinalin hits your bloodstream and your heart is pounding and you need to react.

Shotgun for me.

 

[Kleanbore]

I believe this one has been run to the ground.