What are you using for home defence? Rifle, Pistol or shotgun?

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I would like to ask what type of firearm you would rather use for home defence and why. Are you comfortable and confident with it's capabilities?
Is your primary defensive firearm a shotgun? Do you lean towards the use of a pistol or a rifle why?
I strongly prefer a 12 gauge Remington 870 18" barrel with #4 buckshot.
While I was in the service I used the venerable 45ACP but choose not to use a pistol for home defence. I ran an experiment on my own with a sandbag (nonscientific of course). I filled half of that sandbag with sand and hung it from 18" of wire. I emptied 7 rounds of ball ammunition and the sandbag moved 2 inches maximum. I emptied the sand out and 4 rounds remained from that 45ACP pistol. I shot from 15 feet away.

That little experiment convinced me a pistol is still a pistol.



I only ask that this thread be educational to THR readers. Please no caliber wars and no flaming.

My back up will always be old slabsides the 45ACP.

 

[kidrice]

I prefer my shotgun w/7 shots of 00. But I have my 45 and 357 in the night stand next to me also.

 

[CoRoMo]

A mix of all three.

I don't quite see what your sandbag experiment reveals. Do tell.

 

[john1911]

Any and all of the above.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Short AR with a mounted light.

 

[cleardiddion]

All three

 

[project88]

short barreled SxS shotgun

 

[NMGunslinger]

Well I keep my Saiga 12 by my bed and my Chuck Warner custom 1911 under the pillow... The Saiga 12 is loaded up with #4 buckshot and the 1911 with 230gr hydra-shoks..

 

[dravenpain]

I am useing my 870 and a cheap 9mm at the bed side but I go for the 12 ga first

 

[Deanimator]

Handgun. Any non-NFA long gun is near worthless in my apartment.

 

[svaz]

A dog, a big-ass knife, and the little woman as a shield - hey, if she insists that I keep the SIG locked up at night, she's got to do her part too.

 

[Lou McGopher]

I've got both a Mossberg 500A, 12ga, loaded with 00, and a S.A. XD. 45.
The length of the shotgun may pose a problem with maneuverability, due to the layout of my small apartment. I'll have to make a quick assessment on where the threat probably is before I grab one or the other. Either way, I doubt I'll have a lack of firepower.

 

[Blackbeard]

G17, but keep loaded mags for AR/AK in the safe for a SHTF scenario.

 

[kda]

12 Gauge 00 Buckshot and Glocks, depending on what room I happen to be in. I cannot see a rifle working very well in the house.

 

[MinnMooney]

I strongly prefer a 12 gauge Remington 870 18" barrel with #4 buckshot.

Ditto.

But it really depends on where in the house, barn, wood shed or outhouse that I'm at when something is needed. They're everywhere!

 

[btg3]

I CC at home. Stuff can happen rather fast and not just when asleep.

 

[tju1973]

all of my guns-- but at the "ready" are my XD45 and HP 995-- I also have a PT111 and a WASR10 ready in the closet-- the rest of my guns are unloaded and locked up. I do have an 870, but it still sports the 28 field barrel, so right now it too stays locked up...oh yeah, and an EAA Windicator .357 is in the night stand...loaded of course...

 

[jeff-10]

S&W 686P. Loaded with 7 rounds of Black Hills 158grain JHPs.

 

[WoofersInc]

I've got both a Mossberg 500A, 12ga, loaded with 00, and a S.A. XD. 45.

We think the same. Only I have the Mossberg 590 instead.

 

[noskilz]

. . . and the little woman as a shield - hey, if she insists that I keep the SIG locked up at night, she's got to do her part too.

LOL. I might try that one, too.

 

[tsaphah]

Shotgun for the random B&E; pistol available. I do some SHTF planning, but in reality all I'm worried about is someone trying to rob the place. I'm not expecting a team of 6 guys with the training, equipment, and reason to continue attacking after one or more gets hit with a shotgun, or even hears a shotgun blast.

I'm not in gang territory; not rich; not famous; I don't have a list of enemies.

 

[warnerwh]

I'm convinced a .357 with 125gr hollowpoints of the best thing going. According to actual shooting stats of shootings the 125gr load had 96% one shot stops. Those guys had quit a large pool to derive stats from. Besides I'm a revolver guy.

According to the actual shootings stats I believe the .45 ball ammo was at 60% one shot stops. Use good ammo and you're hitting 90%.The book Stopping Power may not be the end all be all but they had a good enough quantity of actual shootings to give us a good idea of what works and what doesn't. The shotgun is best but imo it's way to slow to get to in the middle of my sleep.

 

[kingmt]

Shotgun for the random B&E; pistol available. I do some SHTF planning, but in reality all I'm worried about is someone trying to rob the place. I'm not expecting a team of 6 guys with the training, equipment, and reason to continue attacking after one or more gets hit with a shotgun, or even hears a shotgun blast.

I'm not in gang territory; not rich; not famous; I don't have a list of enemies.

Nether did the people in Louisiana. When your government decides to remove your rights & use those that have joined the military to enforce it.

I have all three ready but the pistol would be my first grab for first response/reaction then move to the appropriate weapon for the situation.

 

[w_houle]

What are you using for home defense? Abject poverty!
Steyr M40A1

 

[freakshow10mm]

Full auto M16 with sound suppressor loaded with my handloads of 64gr Win PP.