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

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I've got a couple pistols on the night stand. FN 5.7 and CZ 40P.
A Bushmaster AR by the nightstand and a Remington 870 near by.
All equipped with Streamlight TLR-2 laser lights.

Given a choice I'd grab the Bushmaster first.
 
I use my 18" 870 with #4 shot, my S&W 360 with Speer 38+ 145 gr HP snub ammo & a 9mm. The 870 has a Knoxx Spec Op stock that collapses down to get thru the hallway, the snub for backup, the 9mm should I need to shoot thru the floor to hit/scare the $h1t out of the BGs if they choose to stick it out. You can always plaster over holes in the ceiling & patch holes in the carpet or replace a section of flooring, but the family is worth alot more than a few holes.
 
Handgun. Any non-NFA long gun is near worthless in my apartment.
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Ditto for my house.

A shotgun is great, in theory. If there's ever civil unrest, massive looting in a natural disaster situation, etc., it will probably be the primary weapon I'll have in my hands, unless the AR makes more sense. Of course, I don't think that looters would get very far in Idaho, but I'd do my part in deterring them. I doubt any shots would need to be fired by anyone.

But in my hallways, I'll take a .45 with serious ammo in it (not ball).
 
Used to be .38 SP revolver.

I recently obtained a Mossberg 500, equiped it with a Tacstar sidesaddle and it is now my primary.
Still can go handgun if I need/want.
 
I would prefer a shotgun, just seeing one sends shrills down some peoples' spines.
 
Wow, as many people that are listing these hugely caliber firearms.. Uhm. I pity your neighbors. You know, not all walls are as upgraded as your tacti-cool AR. Sorry, not trying to be a butt, I'm just saying. Think about the little'ns in the next room.
 
Carrying a rifle or shotgun around the house would be a bit cumbersome...for me. So I typically have a handgun on my belt or nearby. I keep a shotgun in the bedroom which I could use at night if I need to defend the end of the hallway at the entrance to the 3 occupied bedrooms. Overall I am more comfortable with a handgun, and flashlight if necessary, as that is what I practice with more often.
 
Pistol(s). A commander sized 1911 loaded with either 200gr GDHPs, 230gr LRN, or 230gr XTPs. All of those are handloaded. On the other nightstand is a G21 with one of the above mentioned choices. I really dont sweat the ammo. A 230 LRN as 850+ fps will do the job just as well as the newer uber expanding mondo fast HP, as long as the person holding the gun does his part.
 
The only gun I have that would be really considered worthy of self defense is my XD 9 service. Keep it on the dresser with 16 rnds 124g fiocchi JHP in the mag. My .410 is nearby with 00 buckshot loaded in as well. I really need to get a 12 gauge.
 
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I don't think there's any reasonable argument against the notion that a 12ga with buckshot and/or slugs is the deadliest weapon at self-defense ranges.

Having said that, My HD weapons are S&W k-frame revolvers loaded with .38+P FBI loads. In my situation, I can't keep a loaded shotgun in a secure, easily accessible location, ready for immediate use. My two HD revolvers are well hidden but easily and quickly reached at opposite ends of the house. I feel confident that they'd serve well if the situation ever demanded it.
 
Wow, as many people that are listing these hugely caliber firearms.. Uhm. I pity your neighbors. You know, not all walls are as upgraded as your tacti-cool AR. Sorry, not trying to be a butt, I'm just saying. Think about the little'ns in the next room.
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I am certainly no expert, but I have done quite a bit of thinking and reading on this myself (no shooting tests). Suprisingly, many who actually DO shooting tests for over-penetration have found that a .223 is an excellent choice if you worry about shooting through walls. Apparently the rounds break up and stop very easily when they encounter building materials - compared to most handgun rounds.

Do a search on ARs and overpenetration or wait for others to weigh in, but don't dismiss an AR for home defense just because it's a rifle. It seems to have a lot of good trade-offs for home defense. I am curious if those using ARs for home defense use an M4-style or a regular rifle.

Me? Old school .45, 12ga, 30-06 in that order and distance from sleeping.
 
Glock 9mm with two fifteen round magazines loaded with 147gr HST and Mossberg 1300 speedpump with seven rounds of 00 buck and five shot side saddle.

Situation will dictate the response.
 
12ga Remington 870 18" bbl. Ready to pump'n'go with safety off, chamber empty, trigger pulled, and 6 rounds of Federal low-recoil 00 buck in the mag and 6 more in the side saddle.
 
Usually my ruger lcp .380. Out of the pocket and onto the bed stand next to my tac-light as I crawl into bed.

Some times I will get out the g19 the .357 the mossberg 500 or the ak-47 but opening the safe is loud and my girlfriend goes to bed hours before me.
 
I have several but this is the only one that never gets moved around, unloaded, messed with, etc.
Mossberg 590 with pressure switch 150 lumen light
Mossberg590001.jpg
 
personally,i keep a 9mm by the bed & a 380 in the kitchen, small arms better for close quarters. 12 ga. in the basement. all others locked up(for kid's sake). big dog help's too! would rather take a bullet than put wife or kids in harms way(although that comment about the wife as a shield was funny!). taurus makes a .410 revolver in 3", best of both worlds? may be worth checking into. it's to my understanding that home defense is to shoot an intruder within your house.if intruder is shot outside then its murder & you're guilty. be ready to drag his dead ass inside!
 
Full auto M16 with sound suppressor loaded with my handloads of 64gr Win PP.
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I really hope that your state has airtight castle doctrine, because if you have to go to court after shooting an intruder with that set-up, you are going to be in deep crap. Using a machine gun won't look good, nor a suppressor, and handloads are also often avoided for self defense. I'm not trying to be a dick about it, I just don't think that it is the best idea.
 
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