Which of these two rifles for home defense carbine, with a twist?

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

OK, got the home defense handgun and the shotgun locked, loaded, and stashed - check.

For a home-defense carbine for just-in-case high round counts are needed, and a little distance shooting past handgun & shotgun range, which of these two - bearing in mind that, this is a no-brainer *if* you're not considering their expense if stolen - in that case, the M1 Carbine wins out as the superior fighting weapon. But you have to also factor in, since the chosen rifle will be left outside the safe, if someone breaks into the house and steals everything not in the safe, I'm out quite a bit more with the genuine USGI M1 carbine with bayo gone:

1. M1 Carbine by Winchester, excellent condition, with bayo (all USGI), .30 carbine, semi-auto, 30+1 rounds, quick change, Market Value: $700 or more the way things are going with these. Hard to replace.

2. LSI/Rossi Puma 92, 16" bbl, .45 Colt (a little more oomph per round), lever action, 8+1 rounds, slow to reload. Not cheap, about $500 for this gun new, but easier to replace & less sentimental value.

In light of the fact that I'd probably never need a home defense gun, and even then, if I do, the handgun and shotgun will take care of 99.99% of needs - I'd probably never need this rifle as long as I live, I'm leaning toward leaving the Puma 92 out of the safe, just in case, and the M1 carbine in the safe - concur? I live in the city with a moderate-low to moderate crime rate (yet there is a home invasion reported on the news *somewhere* in the city regularly - about once every two weeks to once per month).

On the other hand, having the pig-sticker with M1 might be welcome in the event of a jam.

P.S. No way in heck I'm leaving the tricked AR or the XCR (when acquired) out of the safe!

 

[2TransAms]

Just get a WASR. More power than an M1 carbine and not too heartbreaking if you lose it. Accurate enough to 1090 yards,and under 500 bucks to boot.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

OK, but "until then" ?

 

[Cosmoline]

Why don't you just put it in a secondary secure location? I realize a safe is a PINA to get in and out of, but I've had really good results with a Knaack strongbox. It's enough to discourage theft and very quick and easy to get into with a single master lock key. You can store all kinds of other stuff in there as well.

Between the two, for HD I'd go with the M1 but either would be fine. Just remember to use HP or very soft lead on the small side for the .45 Colt. Not the heavy hardcast hunting rounds.

 

[stubbicatt]

I have a friend who, as a sheriff, was often called to "put down" rabid animals. They issued him a "war baby" M1 carbine. According to him, even with good solid hits, it took several shots to down medium sized dogs with that rifle.

Granted they are rabid, and who knows how that affects the central nervous system.

Based on his experience, I would choose something else.

 

[gvnwst]

#2. it is easier to replace, you said, and while it is slower to reload, how much must you reload with a carbine, pistol, AND shotgun? Then get a WASR.

 

[ugaarguy]

But you have to also factor in, since the chosen rifle will be left outside the safe, if someone breaks into the house and steals everything not in the safe, I'm out quite a bit more with the genuine USGI M1 carbine with bayo gone:

Leave it in the safe unless you or another responsible family member are home. If you must leave one out, leave the cheaper and still in production lever gun out.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Get an AR15 for home defense.

 

[retgarr]

I'd say keep both rifles in the safe. Your handgun and shotgun should be fine for home defense. If you are engaging rifle range targets you probably have the time to pull one out of the safe..

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

RMT, check out the very last sentence ("PS") in my original post.

Guys, the deal is, frankly I'm too lazy to move the gun into the safe when I go to work, and then back out again in the evening when I get home - who's got time for that? I've got posts to be making on THR! So we're talking about a rifle left out all the time, which would be far more vulnerable to theft & fire. But I think I'll run with the .45 colt lever and thanks, Cos, yes with light & fast, soft lead loads.

I'd say keep both rifles in the safe. Your handgun and shotgun should be fine for home defense. If you are engaging rifle range targets you probably have the time to pull one out of the safe..

And then, this is an excellent point, too.

 

[paintballdude902]

id say buya cheap non usgi carbine or a ruger pc40 carbine or the marlin camp carbine

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

PBD902: Good advice, but as I said above:

OK, but "until then" ?

PALIN-NUGENT 2012 (with R. Paul as Attorney General or Chief of Staff)

 

[janobles14]

so are we counting on this thing being stolen? (and by "stolen" i mean that if it is then you wont fall over from heartbreak) if its not will it be used for fun?

if gonna be stolen:

1. used mini 14
2. hi point .40 carbine (actually quite reliable!)

if not gonna be stolen or used for other stuff:

1. ar 15
2. M1 carbine (GI or other)

 

[Squeaky Duck]

Wouldn't a 12ga shotgun with 00 buckshot be better and a lot more affordable for home defense?

 

[Cosmoline]

I reiterate, if you think it's going to be stolen DO NOT LEAVE IT OUT. Get a strongbox!

 

[2TransAms]

Just get a WASR. More power than an M1 carbine and not too heartbreaking if you lose it. Accurate enough to 1090 yards,and under 500 bucks to boot.

Ok, but "until then"?

Sorry, I didn't realize you already owned both. In which case, lock them both up if you're worried about thievery. I don't think you're gonna bolt out of bed and need immediate rifle firepower.

And make that 100 yards,not 1090.

 

[spyder1911]

Put your rifles in the safe and just use the shotgun. Why would you ever need to take a shot over 50 yards for SD?

Even if you want the ability to reach out and touch someone at 100 yards, a shotgun with slugs would be fine.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

janobles and squeakyduck, frankly, you guys are just not following the program here....

Prior to your posts, I already TWICE corrected people for offering a suggestion other than what the choice is limited here to: exactly two rifles, no more or less. Or neither. But not something altogether different.

Prior to your posts, I already TWICE explained why an AR is not possible. Plus see above. So at least four times above your posts (4 times in just 12 total posts, mind you, janobles), I gave reasons why an AR is not an acceptable choice for my very specific question. Please, folks, READ the thread before posting, and if you cannot comprehend it, please refrain. Thank you.

I reiterate, if you think it's going to be stolen DO NOT LEAVE IT OUT. Get a strongbox!

Cosmoline, you misunderstand. I don't "think" it's going to be stolen. If I did, I certainly wouldn't leave it out. No one ever KNOWS something will be stolen. If they did, they'd take measures against it. I'm asking you to help me weigh out the risk/benefit analysis, in light of all the facts. I don't need a strongbox - I have a safe, which is better than a strongbox. I *could* put the rifle into and out of the safe each day, but as I explained above, I don't have the time/energy to do so (laziness, essentially). A strongbox takes just as much time to put something into and out of each day, but is inferior (less secure) anyway. Anyhoo.....

 

[Girodin]

I don't have the time/energy to do so

Your safe must be MUCH more difficult and time consuming to open that mine. Mine requires about 30 seconds and a walk down stairs.

Is it really that hard to open and close a safe twice a day?

Further what long range HD shots are you really going to need to take?

I would be more worried about leaving my guns not locked up than about a shotgun and rifle being inadequate for home defense.

I know that is not the answer to your question that you want but I think it is worth saying.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Further what long range HD shots are you really going to need to take?

This is a good point, as I noted, and a viable option (keep them both in the safe - you won't need them).

Is it really that hard to open and close a safe twice a day?

Yes. Yes, it definitely is - most days in my life. I've got two safes - one is pretty quick and one is much slower (key) - the slow one is in my bedroom, so that'd be the one that it goes in and out of - a bit time-consuming.

 

[Mike U.]

delete.

 

[Mike U.]

Delete again.

 

[Mike U.]

I was going to suggest the one you picked. I think lever guns are just plain fun to shoot and with the .45 Colt option your making you have a LARGE power range of rounds to work with.
You can have softer recoil range rounds and you can also have full bore +P rounds capable of taking down practically anything that walks on this continent.



Edited to add:

Don't ask me happened with all these extra posts. I just hit the reply button on this, my original message, and was thrown off into white screen La-la land. I came back and tried to write the post again and suddenly my post showed up and it freakin' multiplied. Geez!

 

[Mike U.]

Delete yet again! ARRRGGHHHH! Stoopid frickin' frazin' 'dumbass operated computer!

 

[barry960]

I like the idea of something along the lines of a Marlin camp 9 or 45, or one of the Ruger pistol caliber carbines. In answer to this posting though, I'd go with the lever .45, since that's already the case with me. I have a Winchester model 94 .45 that is readily available, and my more expensive, easier to reload carbines like my HK 94 and AR 15 and secured and would take longer to get to.

You didn't make it clear whether you already own the two carbines you are considering, or planning on purchasing the one that you think is the better choice. I guess your reply:"OK, but "until then" ?" in regards to the suggestion of getting a WASR answered that, by my deductive reasoning, but there's no reason to get too frustrated with people's suggestions. Why not just let people go where they like with the topic, and ignore the replies that are too off tangent for you?