What Self Defense Rifle?

[hirundo82]

So you don't think 7.62x39 is a good manstopper?

The Soviets apparently didn't think it was superior to the 5.56x45, since they switched to a similar round after observing their allies' experience against it in several conflicts.

And yes, I'm aware the considerations that go into choosing an issue weapon are very different from those for a HD weapon.

 

[Prosser]

Politics determine how your law is applied in your area. Since the HR suggests we don't discuss law, I'm not going to make a recommendation for your HD gun, since I can't discuss your states law.
What I would suggest is you contact your LEO and DA, and an attorney that would represent you, and find out how your state's written law is applied in your area.

 

[DeMilled]

I have been looking around though, I like those 18" barreled STG58 DSA FAL's in .308.

I wonder if, with a short suppressor (which I know would take some NFA paperwork), this could be a viable, practical self/home defense rifle. I do live out in the country, and I would also probably use light loads or load my own to acceptable specs.

A word of caution about DSA; they don't seem to put much effort into customer service on retail sales. Google DSA and customer service, DSA FAL bolts and read up on them before you spend your money.

Call up Mark Graham at Arizona Response Systems and talk to him about what sort of FAL will suite you needs. His rifles are second to none and he'll take care of you.


I don't remember the details but FALs don't seem to like suppressors. Might want to google that one for a few minutes before you get your heart set on it.

Reloading for the FAL is well worth it! I have great hunting ammo, plinking ammo worked up from military pulled bullets, and I get to shoot a lot more with the savings. The only commercial ammo I own is one magazines worth of the RRLP for home defense.
http://www.ssarmory.com/7.62x51_ammunition_150gr_barnes_rrlp_fb_frangible.aspx

No need to use "light loads" for anything you want to do, just use the proper bullet for the job and you'll see great results.

 

[mljdeckard]

By the way, yet another place I went fishing as a kid just got busted for a pot grow, over 4000 plants. Three persons arrested, weapons seized, belived to be run by Mexican organized crime. Just sayin'.

 

[FMF Doc]

If you have a revolver in .357 or .44, I would get a lever action carbine in the same caliber. You only need to carry one kind of ammo, but if you handload, you can taylor the loads to the purpose. You really get the best of both worlds. If you are an auto loader buy, then I would go with what you can afford. If you budget is lower, then you will probably want to look at the various AK varients. If money is less of an issue, you can get into the quality AR platforms. If you really have some cash, the 6.8SPC ARs are about as good as you can do.

 

[One_Jackal]

@Prosser just because someone is on your property you can't shoot them without doing time.. The LA castle doctrine says you have to be in fear of your life. Not go ahead and shoot trespassers. If you are out there exchanging rifle shots with your neighbor you both are going to jail. I know everyone fears the river rats but 90% of them can do no more than paint a pentagram in your driveway and leave a dead chicken in it. That doesn't constitute the use of deadly force, only a good ass whipping.

 

[Prosser]

Deleted due to
"6. We cannot provide a comprehensive list of "Things Not To Say". Posts that are contrary to the above policies, or to the mission of The High Road, may be edited or deleted at our sole discretion. Membership may be temporarily or permanently revoked if such a step is deemed necessary by us. We're a private venture enabled by an all-volunteer staff. Please treat this venue as a polite discussion in a friend's home and respect the wishes of the hosts.


We have learned from bitter experience that discussions of politics, abortion, religion, and sexual orientation often degenerate into less-than-polite arguments or claims that "my God is better than your God". For this reason, we do not discuss such subjects on THR, and any threads dealing primarily with these subjects will be closed or deleted immediately. Threads which deal with other subjects, but which mention abortion, religion or sexual orientation as a side issue, may be allowed to continue, but will be closely scrutinized, and closed or deleted if they "cross the line".
Warning by JShirley.
__________________

 

[Prosser]

Deleted due to
"6. We cannot provide a comprehensive list of "Things Not To Say". Posts that are contrary to the above policies, or to the mission of The High Road, may be edited or deleted at our sole discretion. Membership may be temporarily or permanently revoked if such a step is deemed necessary by us. We're a private venture enabled by an all-volunteer staff. Please treat this venue as a polite discussion in a friend's home and respect the wishes of the hosts.


We have learned from bitter experience that discussions of politics, abortion, religion, and sexual orientation often degenerate into less-than-polite arguments or claims that "my God is better than your God". For this reason, we do not discuss such subjects on THR, and any threads dealing primarily with these subjects will be closed or deleted immediately. Threads which deal with other subjects, but which mention abortion, religion or sexual orientation as a side issue, may be allowed to continue, but will be closely scrutinized, and closed or deleted if they "cross the line".
Warning by JShirley.
__________________

 

[FMJMIKE]

I bought a cheap Saiga .223 caliber rifle and converted it to pistol grip configuration. The .223 round will be effective without having too much over penetration. The rifle will fire with the stock folded too for maneuvering around the house or exiting a vehicle. It has low recoil also. Ammo for it is easy to get. A scope can be easily mounted if you want to hunt with it. Red dots can also be mounted for low light situations. Its an AK so it will be very reliable. Only downside is magazine prices.

 

[Ignition Override]

In typical civilian settings excluding an urban riot, it surprises me that an attacker would reveal ('telegraph') his intentions from more than about ten yards away, if that far. Why would they not want to sneak up on people?

Even the M-1 Carbine with Soft Tip bullets is often considered as an adequate self-defense rifle from a civilian self-defense distance.

 

[Prosser]

Gentleman lives in the country, in Louisiana. People often have dogs, or views that provide early warning of incoming bad guys.

 

[Inebriated]

Arsenal or Saiga AK in 7.62x39.

With Hornady defensive loads, you get very good expansion and limited penetration, but in the woods, a good SP load would do beautifully for anything in the Louisiana area.

 

[One_Jackal]

@Prosser I own 80 acres just north of Alexandria. Your telling me it's OK to shoot a trespasser when he presents no threat to me or my family. I trained horses at the Fairgrounds, Evangeline Downs, LA Downs and Delta Downs for over 20 years. The entire time I have had one or more off-track training facility. It is not OK to shoot someone for messing with a valuable horse. But shooting some poacher or trespasser is OK. I am very familiar with LA laws and how they are enforced. You keep believing that. I hope you have someone to look after you while you are in prison.

 

[Warp]

@Prosser I own 80 acres just north of Alexandria. Your telling me it's OK to shoot a trespasser when he presents no threat to me or my family. I trained horses at the Fairgrounds, Evangeline Downs, LA Downs and Delta Downs for over 20 years. The entire time I have had one or more off-track training facility. I am very familiar with LA laws and how they are enforced. You keep believing that. I hope you have someone to look after you while you are in prison.

Note that Prosser added the "and displays firearms" qualification.

What I don't understand, though, Prosser...how does the intruder "refuse to leave" when s/he is 200 or more yards away? Refusing to leave, if you ask me, implies that you have requested/demanded they leave. How do (actively...not just the presence of a sign) you do that when they are hundreds of yards away?

 

[snake284]

I know most say use a shotgun for home defense, but I don't care for them.

I want a rifle/carbine that I can use as my "go to" self defense rifle. It'll be for home defense and truck gun, may use it to take deer or such if the occasion calls for it. It should also be suitable for any catastrophes that some call "SHTF." But mainly it's a home defense, truck defense, hiking defense rifle. Preferably semi auto, though I'd consider lever action if it's plainly the best choice.

What would be something good for this? I want it to be in a caliber that's really known and proven to stop a determined aggressor who may be on some substance. (We have a lot of that here.)

It's not always about what you care for. A shotgun in my opinion is a much more practical choice for home defense, a hand gun more practicle for traveling or carry, and a rifle for hunting and target shooting. The problem with a rifle is that it will penetrate a house and can penetrate a neighbor's house. Also, you've got to be more accurate than with a shotgun. You point a shotgun and you aim a rifle.

For my own use, I prefer rifles over any firearms. But when you're carrying or you need to defend your house, a shotgun is more effective.

 

[Warp]

It's not always about what you care for. A shotgun in my opinion is a much more practical choice for home defense, a hand gun more practicle for traveling or carry, and a rifle for hunting and target shooting. The problem with a rifle is that it will penetrate a house and can penetrate a neighbor's house. Also, you've got to be more accurate than with a shotgun. You point a shotgun and you aim a rifle.

For my own use, I prefer rifles over any firearms. But when you're carrying or you need to defend your house, a shotgun is more effective.

.223/5.56 penetrates fewer walls (less house) than handgun rounds or buckshot out of a shotgun.

So, if you consider .223/5.56 for the rifle the handgun/shotgun are more of a penetration problem...quite the opposite from what you are saying.

 

[Prosser]

Deleted due to
"6. We cannot provide a comprehensive list of "Things Not To Say". Posts that are contrary to the above policies, or to the mission of The High Road, may be edited or deleted at our sole discretion. Membership may be temporarily or permanently revoked if such a step is deemed necessary by us. We're a private venture enabled by an all-volunteer staff. Please treat this venue as a polite discussion in a friend's home and respect the wishes of the hosts.


We have learned from bitter experience that discussions of politics, abortion, religion, and sexual orientation often degenerate into less-than-polite arguments or claims that "my God is better than your God". For this reason, we do not discuss such subjects on THR, and any threads dealing primarily with these subjects will be closed or deleted immediately. Threads which deal with other subjects, but which mention abortion, religion or sexual orientation as a side issue, may be allowed to continue, but will be closely scrutinized, and closed or deleted if they "cross the line".
Warning by JShirley.

 

[Para-Medic]

I don't plan on shooting someone more than 20 yards away, really. I'm not gonna shoot someone just because they're trespassing. Even if they were vandalizing or something, I don't think shooting them would be the proper action. I put an immense value on human life, and unless mine or that of my family is in imminent danger, I don't think shooting is the best option.

 

[Robert]

This has become too personal with too much bickering and inability to follow the simple rules and mission of THR. OP you have 5 pages of opinion to pick through. Good luck.