The inexpensive firearm for defence line of reasoning....

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Im certainly no expert, but i would say, use what you think is best. dont forget to think about your surroundings. for example if you live in a duplex,a high powered rifle such as a FN FAL may not be a good idea. if you have kids you may want a shotgun or judge with shot. if you live on a farm and have no kids why not go with a beast of a weapon such as an AK,AR, styer aug or .338 lapua (just kidding about the lapua)
 
I gotta be honest here. I have often thought: What if I use it and lose it?

However in the heat of the moment I am quite certain depending on where I am located I won't care if it's the $100 beater Taurus revolver, the $1000 1911 or the $1200 AR. All that should matter at that point is I know they all work and I can run em.
 
Really? I don't recall ever hearing that question.

Next time before typing, use the forum search function for 30 seconds...menu green bar, third from the right, labeled as "Search"...

Just the first bunch of them popping out..



http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=680377


http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=676616&highlight=ar+hd

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=646022&highlight=defense

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=633828&highlight=hd

Stop trying to lay down guidelines

I do not lay down any "guidelines", just conversation...for some people maybe it does make sense an AR for defense...
 
I do not lay down any "guidelines", just conversation...for some people maybe it does make sense an AR for defense...

That's not what you originally said, you originally said this..

who really need a military rifle to handle most defense situation?? A good shotgun or a handy lever action rifle is all us ordinary people really need....

Sounds like guidelines to me..especially considering you don't define ordinary people.

Next time before typing, use the forum search function for 30 seconds...menu green bar, third from the right, labeled as "Search"...

Just the first bunch of them popping out..

You said forums, not THR. Next time be more specific. Not trying to have an E-fight, good thread. Got a lot of people talking.
 
I actually subscribe to that, let's say "school of thought".

Before you say it....yes any firearm that I trust my life to it has to be dead reliable and accurate and you have to be comfortable in shooting it that is a given, I know.

Many people carry very expensive pieces or such pieces are placed for "defence duty" inside the house (nightstands, drawers, etc...)

Often the usual question on forums pops out: "Can the whizbang semi-auto military style rifle (take your pick) modified this way be used for home defense??" Other than just the consideration about the danger of losing a potentially precious and hard to replace semi-auto military style (thinking about the current candidates in the upcoming election) who really need a military rifle to handle most defense situation?? A good shotgun or a handy lever action rifle is all us ordinary people really need....

As you probably already figured out, the "inexpensive firearm for defence" argument is that in the unfortunate event of actually discharing your gun, there is a very good probability that you may lose your weapon or at minimum it could go though some rough handling before being returned to you.....I know in case of legal expenses, that is the least of your problems but why adding up to the ordeal the loss of that Les Baer you spent almost a month of salary to buy?? (yes I know a range master that uses a Les Baer as a concealed carry weapon)

In my case, the 3 pieces that are up for defence duty (carry or home) are among the least expensive firearms of my collection.....a Mossberg 500 shotgun, a Kel Tec P-11 and a Bersa Thunder 40 full size

Again, they are hyper reliable and accurate anI love them but I can afford to lose them without a second thought if the manure hit the proverbial fan....

What is your take on this??

Honestly I do not let this factor into my decision. I figure that if I do (fingers crossed hopefully not) have to use my weapon in a self defense situation resulting in confiscation until such case is resolved, so be it. I figure and believe that my training has been such that my shooting will be "condoned" upon by "The State" thereby resulting "eventually" in the return of MY Gun. So I do have a backup gun just to be sure.

That being said, all of the guns you listed as SD candidates are IMO rock-solid candidates I would indeed stake my life with as well.

-Cheers
 
All three of my bedside guns are out of production but losing one isn't a real worry. The Win 1300 Defender would just get replaced with a Mossberg and I might have an extra handgun around here someplace.;)

If no charges are filed do they still take your weapon?
 
All three of my bedside guns are out of production but losing one isn't a real worry. The Win 1300 Defender would just get replaced with a Mossberg and I might have an extra handgun around here someplace.;)

If no charges are filed do they still take your weapon?

I researched this in my State so I would suggest that you do likewise as perhaps my answer will not apply to you.

Here in MO. (they take your gun by policy if there is a shooting of a perp regardless of circumstances) once the case has been litigated and decided upon rendering you the victim shooter innocent, your gun is returned to you at that point. Problem is, of course, like anything that becomes part of a government "red tape" process one can in no uncertain terms be certain about the time frame of said weapon--hence the critical nature of the BUG.

-Cheers
 
I don't really pay any attention to what my firearms cost when it comes to deciding whether or not to use them for home defense (or self defense for that matter). During the day I carry my S&W 36 (vintage no dash model in factory nickel), and at night I sleep next to my AR15. I'm in the smith for more than I probably should be, and I've got right around $2000 in my rifle. If I ever need to use either for self defense, I'm MOST LIKELY going to get it back if the authorities even take it. I don't intend on shooting someone in a situation where it wouldn't be justified, and I doubt most of you do either - So why worry about the authorities seizing your weapon if you're involved in a "good shoot" ? Seems to me like a pointless thought exercise.
 
Maybe some folks want to defend themselves with style :p

Kind of like some people making sure the house is picked up b4 they go on a trip, because if their plane crashes, they don't want anybody to come into the house and say "oh what a poor housekeeper she was"
 
So why worry about the authorities seizing your weapon if you're involved in a "good shoot" ? Seems to me like a pointless thought exercise.


If you're right, well then you're probably right. But on the other hand "the authorities" may not see things the same way you do. Then if you end up in a court room (criminal or civil) an attorney may point out to the jury that you were not satisfied with an ordinary evil black rifle, but had one enhanced to make it an exceptionally extra-good killing machine - that you couldn't wait to try out. Now if the jury was made up of fine upstanding members of this forum, and the judge was like minded you'd come out fine. But if their mindset had been formed by reading or watching TV talking heads in the mainstream media you could end up in a world of hurt. Personally, I think you might be able to make a better choice, and depending on where you live it might be that the .223 cartridge offers more penetration then might be advisable. :uhoh:
 
My view:

Own what you want to own.

If you happen to use the gun in self defense, be prepared to lose that gun forever, even if it is a $2000 gun. HOWEVER realize that the cost of replacing the gun is going to be the least of your financial worries. Plan on spending $20,000 on a lawyer if you discharge your gun in self-defense. That kind of puts the price of a new Les Baer in perspective.

ADDITIONALLY you should be practicing with whatever gun you choose. Going bi-monthly to the range, in less than a year you'd probably spend as much on ammo, range time and other similar costs as the purchase price of the inexpensive guns listed. Over 10 years the cost of an 'expensive' gun when compared to regular outings to the range becomes a lot less significant as a part of overall gun ownership and preparation.
 
If you happen to use the gun in self defense, be prepared to lose that gun forever, even if it is a $2000 gun. HOWEVER realize that the cost of replacing the gun is going to be the least of your financial worries. Plan on spending $20,000 on a lawyer if you discharge your gun in self-defense. That kind of puts the price of a new Les Baer in perspective.

Not really. You are confused between "inexpensive" vs. "cheap" or "low quality." While the (expensive) example - a Les Baer custom 1911 pistol - will shoot tighter groups at longer ranges then a less expensive pistol of the same kind, it doesn't necessarily give one an advantage in a gunfight or home defense situation. Polymer frame pistols, such as the Glock or S&W M&P line have proven to be reliable during tests using amounts of ammunition few average home owners could afford.

A used but not abused Smith & Wesson model 10, 13, 15, or 19 (including stainless versions of the same models) cost a fraction of what the high-end custom 1911 pistols go for, but they're reliability is well proven over decades of use. Inexpensive they often are, but they are neither cheap nor low quality.
 
Not really. You are confused between "inexpensive" vs. "cheap" or "low quality." While the (expensive) example - a Les Baer custom 1911 pistol - will shoot tighter groups at longer ranges then a less expensive pistol of the same kind, it doesn't necessarily give one an advantage in a gunfight or home defense situation. Polymer frame pistols, such as the Glock or S&W M&P line have proven to be reliable during tests using amounts of ammunition few average home owners could afford.

A used but not abused Smith & Wesson model 10, 13, 15, or 19 (including stainless versions of the same models) cost a fraction of what the high-end custom 1911 pistols go for, but they're reliability is well proven over decades of use. Inexpensive they often are, but they are neither cheap nor low quality.

No, I am not. Re-read my post.

I am saying that if a gun is used in self defense, and the gun gets seized, the legal bills will dwarf the cost of the gun, be it at the high end or the low end of the spectrum, thereby making any price worries totally misplaced. Any poster trying to save money in case of a shooting should spend more time on getting insurance and/or finding the the least expensive competent attorney than worry about replacement costs of firearms held in evidence.

Aside from a gun whose value is extreme due to it's historic significance (If you were the one who won Clyde Barrow's 1911, don't CCW with it) the price-tag of the gun is inconsequential.

I also point out that over a 10 or 20 year period, the cost of having a gun for self defense is more than just the initial purchase point of the gun. Ammo, range fees, cleaning supplies, etc. add up over time. This means the financial difference between a $1000 handgun and a $500 handgun becomes a lot less pronounced when you look at it as part of your self defense system. The expensive gun has a 10 year system cost of $8000 and the cheaper gun has a system cost of $7500.

Also note that cheap = low quality is only one of many definitions of the word. Clearly when people talk of expensive vs cheap they are talking about two ends of the price spectrum. You can get low quality products at all price levels, including firearms.
 
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Hmmm. Never thought about the jury negative bias with carbines. Guess I'll just have to use my little ol' XDs in times of duress.

Petty thieves breaking into homes are usually dealt with the same as raging homicidal maniacs, provided you get the home court advantage, here in AR.

What you really need to watch-out for, is the knock at the door, with the "I just broke-down a few miles down the road...could I use your phone", or dozens of other meet you at the door scenarios.

Nothing like a CC (my XDs) in a sticky holster somewhere on me, just in case, when I open the door.

In fact, tonight, my wife answered the door to a lady who offered to clean the carpets for free, as she and her workers were doing some market research, and she still would get paid for her work by the company. I already had my comfort by my side, while the blowoff was delivered.

Take care out there.
 
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As long as it works, I don't care about the price.

I'd rather wear Goodwill clothing than go naked. I'd rather drive my 1995 toyota pickup that has been wrecked 4 times than have to walk to work. I'd rather carry a hi-point c9 or a kel-tec pf9 than to have to defend myself with my cane.

There is a difference between cheap and poor quality.
 
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