Is Ten Rounds Enough?

[PistoletCatfish]

Normally for my home defense weapon I keep a Mossberg 500 nearby. I ended up last week giving it to my son, who had just gotten his own place, as a "house warming" gift

Now I have my old Russian SKS (stock config) for a home defense weapon. I keep it stoked with Hornady V-Max 7.62x39. I live out of town a ways and the only other person in my house is the wife, so I'm not too worried about over-penetration. What I am concerned about is magazine capacity. As you know, the SKS, in stock configuration, holds ten rounds. I don't really like those Tapco high cap ones, I just don't want one.

Is ten rounds enough? You know the old saying "better to have too much than not enough?" Do you think I could grow to regret only having ten rounds if something happened?

 

[NG VI]

Sure.

If you had a rifle with a detachable magazine I'd say there is no reason on Earth not to keep a twenty or thirty rounder in it, twenties especially are a nice size-endurance ratio.

 

[PistoletCatfish]

If you had a rifle with a detachable magazine I'd say there is no reason on Earth not to keep a twenty or thirty rounder in it, twenties especially are a nice size-endurance ratio.

My SKS has the standard, fixed, ten rounder. I don't really want to switch to the Tapco high caps just cause I like my rifle being in stock condition. But still...

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Wouldn't 10 rounds be more than you had with your Mossberg?

Why not keep a handful of loaded stripper clips next to the rifle?

 

[Rey B]

Sounds like a good reason to buy something new.

 

[Texan Scott]

Is 10 enough? I hope ONE is more than I'll ever truly need. I'm fairly confident that 5 or 6 will do the trick at 3 am in my laundry room. Am I willing to let some bureaucratic flunky or wishful-thinking politician 2,000 miles away from my home and community tell me what I can or can't have based on what THEY (in their infinite wisdom and utter lack of experience) think I 'need'?

NO.

(I actually no longer own a single firearm fed from a detachable magazine. That's NOT the point, and I think we all know it.)

 

[Ar180shooter]

10 rounds should be good, but keep an extra stripper clip on hand.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Make your practice sessions count, and you may never need more than that ONE bullet. But, you have nine more in case...keep strippers handy.

 

[Sam1911]

Good heavens, if you're defending your lives in your home, and you're still firing after TEN rounds of rifle ammo, you either have taken care of the threat, scared the threat off, or at the very least should have managed to fight your way to a position of cover from the invading HORDE so that you can grab that extra stripper clip.

Based on reliability alone, as well as maneuverability and durability, I'd be quite happy to stick with the factory original magazine. If soldiers could fight wars with it, you probably can keep a burglar at bay with it.

 

[Reloadron]

I sleep just fine with a Colt Government beside the bed having an eight round Wilson Combat magazine in it. I have also slept just fine with my S&W Model 29 having six rounds in it. I doubt I would sleep any better with the AR beside the bed and a 20 round magazine.

Just My Take
Ron

 

[fireman 9731]

Buy some of the surplus Yugo ammo that is already on good stripper clips and practice using it some. 10 is plenty, especially if you are proficient with stripper clips.

 

[mf-dif]

Keep the extra clip with you in case the intruder brings friends with him. Although the sight of the rifle/first bang will probably send them scattering.

Another thing to think about is your plan if you would awake to an intruder. The length of the SKS could hinder your movement through your home if you had to engage the "bump in the night".

If you plan to hold up in a room until police arrive, then it wouldn't be as much of an issue.

 

[jim243]

In the middle of the night, struggling with stripper clips will not work, specially if you need more than 10 rounds. Stevens and Mossies are not that expensive, replace your 500 with another shotgun.

MSRP $260.00

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/stevens320pump

5 rounds of buckshot = 40 38 cal bullets.

 

[303tom]

Is for me..................

 

[jim243]

Pick one??

Jim

 

[briansmithwins]

In the middle of the night, struggling with stripper clips will not work, specially if you need more than 10 rounds. Stevens and Mossies are not that expensive, replace your 500 with another shotgun.

Or, one could say:

In the middle of the night, struggling with individual shotshells will not work, specially if you need more than 6 rounds. SKS's are not that expensive, get another one and keep it loaded too.

BSW

 

[jmorris]

As your post count is only 10 and most have been 7.62x39,10 should do it. I have to ask, why limit yourself to 10 rounds? The true answer is, if you ever run dry, you didn't have enough.

 

[Ed4032]

Sounds like a good reason to buy something new.

Mmmm..... new gun excuses. I like that. I like that alot.

 

[Welding Rod]

Absolutely not.

You should go out and buy a good AR and 10 or so 30 round magazines immediately!

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Or deploy the bayonet! Seriously, I think reliability is one of the keys for a home defense weapon and I don't think I would trust an aftermarket magazine in an SKS. I have never yet (knock on wood) had either of my Yugo's or my chinese SKS misfeed on me with the stock configuration. If you need more than 10 rounds I would call it a firefight, not home defense....

 

[14427H]

My understanding is the FBI statistics for the "average" gunfight;

Average number of shots fired : Three shots

Average distance between participants : Three feet

Average time elapsed, first to last shot fired : Three seconds.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

My understanding is the FBI statistics for the "average" gunfight;

Average number of shots fired : Three shots

Average distance between participants : Three feet

Average time elapsed, first to last shot fired : Three seconds.

source please

 

[Milamber]

Or another way to look at is, My primary is the Beretta .40 with 15 rounds, secondary is the Mossberg 590 with 8 shells and finally if we really get into it the AR with 30 rounds. Mmmm.... should be plenty, if it isnt there wont be much of my house left to bother defending it

 

[Art Eatman]

I figure that if a fella needs more than ten rounds in a social session, he has more problems than a lack of ammo. Not enough folks on his side of the argument, maybe. Or a severe lack of ability with the weapon.

 

[wlewisiii]

In the ignorant "Zombie" world, who knows?

In the real world? More than enough presuming you know how to shoot.

FWIW, my home defense rifle is a Winchester 94. Seven rounds of .30-30 170gr JSP.