FMJMIKE
Member
Get a Mini-14................
trying to decide which rifle...
- Thread starter nessala76
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Just to add some context to this discussion. My husband and I already have several firearms in the home. We have a ruger 10/22 which I can shoot well. I have a walther p-22 which I also shoot well. We have a 9mm and a 45 as well as a couple cz-52s. I have shot the 9mm and done "ok" but I have trouble racking the slide due to surgery a couple years ago. We also have a 12 gauge and a 20 gauge. I tried the 20 gauge several years ago and after 2 shots I was done. We also have a moisen nagat that I have no intention of ever trying to shoot. I want something besides the .22s to rely on in a SHTF situation. I think I am leaning towards the sks unless I can find a mini 14 for a decent price.
And yes, I want semi auto with detachable mag availabiliy. Folding stock is good for evac situation.
I am going out shooting several times a month to make sure that I am proficient with the firearms that I own.
And yes, I want semi auto with detachable mag availabiliy. Folding stock is good for evac situation.
I am going out shooting several times a month to make sure that I am proficient with the firearms that I own.
Semi autos like the AR or the Mini 14 are great for what you want but would you have the strength to clear the action if they jammed? If not, then the earlier suggestion of a lever action in 357 or 44 would be better. the lever action is very sure and dependable, the cartridges are short and quick to cycle and for a situation like you mentioned they have more than enough range.
If you must have a rifle I would go for something in a pistol caliber if recoil is that big of a deal. If you can't deal with 20 gauge I wouldn't really push something 7.62x39 size. I think an AR is a bit much for home defense. It makes a great all around rifle but it isn't really what I would use as a first line in my home. If you can't rack the 9mm don't use it. The M1 Carbine would be a great option as well as the hi point carbines in 9mm or 40.
What I wouldn't do is look past the 10-22. I know it is a bit underpowered compared to the rest but if recoil is that big of a deal I would rather have 10 aimed shots than rely on the first to be the end of things. The rule I have always heard was to use the biggest round you could control. If that means you live with a 10-22 then thats what you stick with. The pistol round carbines are a great choice as well but a 22lr does a lot more damage than people give it credit for, especially if rapidly followed by 9 more. I honestly think if I were to buy a home defense firearm it would be a carbine in 9mm or 40s&w. With the hollow points out there today they seem like the perfect balance of rifle size, energy, accuracy both up close and out to 100 yards, and the added benefit of being a bigger diameter bullet than the .223.
What I wouldn't do is look past the 10-22. I know it is a bit underpowered compared to the rest but if recoil is that big of a deal I would rather have 10 aimed shots than rely on the first to be the end of things. The rule I have always heard was to use the biggest round you could control. If that means you live with a 10-22 then thats what you stick with. The pistol round carbines are a great choice as well but a 22lr does a lot more damage than people give it credit for, especially if rapidly followed by 9 more. I honestly think if I were to buy a home defense firearm it would be a carbine in 9mm or 40s&w. With the hollow points out there today they seem like the perfect balance of rifle size, energy, accuracy both up close and out to 100 yards, and the added benefit of being a bigger diameter bullet than the .223.
skinnysarge79
Member.
Just save up those pennies and get a decent brand of AR-15. It has low recoil. It is a pretty accurate platform, and we all know that "only accurate guns are interesting." You'll have more fun and therefore practice more. Mags and ammo are abundant, even if they're not as cheap as they used to be. Me, I'm just not a fan of pistol caliber carbines or shotguns for home defense. With an AR or AK, one magazine's enough to triple tap 10 intruders. That should get the job done. An AR-15 with a 6 position stock and a red dot is what my (short-armed) wife can rely on when I'm not home.
I think that if I continue to practice, I should be able to get to the point where I can rack the slide quickly on the 9mm.
I still haven't gottten my hands on a sks, ar, mini 14 etc. to see how well I can clear the action on them, that is a good point that I hadn't thought about.
I still haven't gottten my hands on a sks, ar, mini 14 etc. to see how well I can clear the action on them, that is a good point that I hadn't thought about.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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Threre is no way any of us can help until we know the actual exact budget, and whether you're willing to buy used, or new only?
As it stands now, it sounds like a used Saiga in .223 rem / 5.56x45 is your best option. Very, VERY low recoil.
sturmgewehr667
member
umm, ok, costs more than an ak, isn't as accurate or reliable.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
A Mini will hold minute-of-torso for as long as you care to shoot. Probably do minute-of-cranium, if you're halfway not in a hurry. Reliability? I dunno. I guess I ran some three or four thousand rounds through mine, and never had any problems whatsover.
I know they were ruinacious on a fair number of coyotes and a whole bunch of jackrabbits.
, Art
I know they were ruinacious on a fair number of coyotes and a whole bunch of jackrabbits.
, ArtDr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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$500 used can get you a lot of gun if you wait & look around. You can probably get a used Saiga .223 or Kel Tec SU 16 for that plus have a couple hundred left over. That's your best bet - something in .223 Rem.
federalfarmer
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UZI -- 9mm ammo -- No recoil with +P ammo. Folding stock and extended mag's.
And down the road you can get a Glock using the same ammo.
Find one you can try out, I believe you will like it.
And down the road you can get a Glock using the same ammo.
Find one you can try out, I believe you will like it.
Ignition Override
Member
Many people on various websites suggest a M-1 carbine with soft-point bullets, because they will really damage a soft target compared to fmjs.
At 100 yards, typical rounds are often reported to have the same energy as a .357 bullet at the muzzle. How many civilian 'self-defense' shootings take place at over 50 yards? If less than 50, can't imagine the need for a {pricey} AR.
Are our houses soon to be like the "Road Warrior" movie's fuel depot scenario? Don't know about you, but we don't store fuel, and any unchecked paranoia only helps the gun and ammo scalper$....ye$, there are many out there, and maybe on some of these websites.
Depending upon your price limitations, the Mini-14 or SKS are handy.
The shorter so-called SKS "Paratrooper" is even handier than the standard SKS, but costs more. For price/value: an SKS.
There are reliable aftermarket mags for the Mini 14 or for the 30, if you do some research.
Lately, Ruger has sold some factory 20-rd. mags to the public for about $40, recent $10 price jump.
At 100 yards, typical rounds are often reported to have the same energy as a .357 bullet at the muzzle. How many civilian 'self-defense' shootings take place at over 50 yards? If less than 50, can't imagine the need for a {pricey} AR.
Are our houses soon to be like the "Road Warrior" movie's fuel depot scenario? Don't know about you, but we don't store fuel, and any unchecked paranoia only helps the gun and ammo scalper$....ye$, there are many out there, and maybe on some of these websites.
Depending upon your price limitations, the Mini-14 or SKS are handy.
The shorter so-called SKS "Paratrooper" is even handier than the standard SKS, but costs more. For price/value: an SKS.
There are reliable aftermarket mags for the Mini 14 or for the 30, if you do some research.
Lately, Ruger has sold some factory 20-rd. mags to the public for about $40, recent $10 price jump.
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I would have to go with a Highpoint 9MM carbine for what your looking for...you can get 1 round mags which isnt really high cap but it isnt bad and if you buy one new and take care of it you wont have problems with it....a lot of people talk bad about them but i love mine! its got a advanced tech stock and a tru glo reddot and the compensator with visible laser...(useless to me) and i use it all the time!
Marcus5aurelius
Member
I'de go with the AK, it shouldn't be beyond 500 and hopefully you wont have to shoot it if someone sees you with it. They probably just will flat out avoid you which is definitely the best situation possible.
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