You Are the Target in a Home Invasion Scenario. Which Defensive Weapon Do You Reach For First?

[IJ1981]

This happens every day in America. So we have to have a plan to counteract it.

in this scenario it is one man or women against the invaders.

Please explain your choice.

 

[Littlef]

Whatever is the closest. I don't keep an array spread out at the ready.

 

[Atavar]

I agree with @Littlef , start with the quickest and work your way to the most effective.

 

[mcb]

I have automated my home defense.

 

[IJ1981]

I have my Remington 870HD leaning against the wall next to my nightstand.

It goes into the fray first to make a splatter.

 

[armoredman]

Whatever is closest at hand.

 

[MrShooter]

I voted handgun, though I'd rather have an AR I'd most likely have a handgun on or very near.

 

[GRIZ22]

Handgun is the closest and fastest to deploy. I keep 2 revolvers bedside. Solves the limited capacity issue and I don't have to think.of the.manual of arms.

Long guns are hard to deploy from bed.

 

[Show Me]

I have automated my home defense.

Best response to question like that.

 

[Wombatz]

This is why you might want to consider carrying while at home. A well orchestrated home invasion includes the use of surprise and speed.

If you don't carry at home then you better be sure that you have early warning alarms that work 100%.

Sure, you have a dog that will alert you. Are you sure that there is not a person who can get close with a steak to keep it busy?

Sure, you have an electronic warning buzzer. Are you sure that the home invaders are not aware of your stuff? Are you sure they can not get around it?

Given proper early warning then I guess a fully loaded AR would be a good option.

 

[Armored farmer]

Years of hunting quail, doves, ducks, deer, and clay pigeons.....
I am proficient with handguns and rifles, but....

It's a shotgun for my go-to.

 

[AlexanderA]

First you ascertain whether it really is a home invasion.

It could be a police no-knock raid at the wrong address. If they see you with a gun, they are likely to shoot you dead.

The odds of either of these things happening are extremely low in my area.

 

[unclenunzie]

I don't prepare ahead for this scenario, so my carry pistol at night table would have to do. But if I did prepare it would be my mossberg 12 gauge pump with buckshot.

That said, evaluating all risk, I think eating right and not too much, with moderate exercise wins the game.

 

[.308 Norma]

I have automated my home defense.

And a guard cat named Ripley, right?
Sigourney Weaver: Ellen Ripley's 5 Best Quotes (& Dana Barrett's 5 Best) (screenrant.com)

 

[Bob529]

I grab the closest one, and there is always one close. I do not pause to decide which one is my favorite or which one would be best for the current situation. The closest one is the best one.

 

[thunderbyrd]

SW 65 by the bed because if i woke up i don't want to have to think too much. 1911 in the living room.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I prefer a shotgun, but whatever is closest.
Response time is critical.

 

[bannockburn]

I'd go with the closest one, in this case an HK P229 along with it's SIG STL-900 light/laser module.

 

[md7]

Pistol is the quickest and easiest to grab for me, so that’s what I’m reaching for initially.

 

[GBExpat]

Please explain your choice.

Handgun. Under regular circumstances, it is what I would have readily at-hand.

 

[hso]

This happens every day in America

I'll assume that's hyperbole instead of what you actually meant since there probably aren't 365 home invasions a year.

Your first defense shouldn't start with firearms. Keeping people out of your home should be the first defense. If they do get through the reinforced door after triggering the alarm system summoning LE, it should have given you time to get to whatever you planned for such a threat.

For me and/or my wife that would be one of the ARs or shotguns that we've been trained on and practice with.

 

[KY DAN]

I will go ahead and say this.....

The gun is not the answer!

The answer is defensive architecture in your home and defensive thinking.

COMMON SENSE
-Dont advertise valuables
-lock your doors
- close garage doors
-keep landscape features trimmed back so your home is VISABLE

FEATURES YOU SHOULD INVEST IN

-solid core entry door
-Security gate style screen doors with key in key out locks
- key in key out lock systems
- window bars that are only removable from the interior of the home.
- Ring door bell
- bedroom door solid core with 2x dead bolts to form a make shift safe room.

If all these features are defeated then you need a air strike because your dealing with special forces ninja terminator pipe hitter operators.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Most recently, my early Universal M1 Carbine has been deployed next to the bed. Not quite as loud and obnoxious as an .223/5.56, but more thump than a semi-auto PCC.

 

[Tinman357]

Home invasions, multiple assailants have been on the rise in recent years. Millions of illegal immigrants are only going to make it worse in the years to come. Out of control inflation, easy access to drugs, most police departments understaffed, soft on crime judicial system, stuff just getting weird.

I've taken to being armed inside my own home. First up is my EDC. Either a 1911 and 4 mags or a Sig p365 with 4 mags. I keep a G-17 with a 33rd mag by the bed at night and within easy reach during the day. Still pretty good at rapid fire at close range, practice mag dumps often. It's going to get noisy in here. I can't compete with Jerry Mickulek, but I wouldn't want to be the first critter in line through the door.

Older, so I doubt there will be time to get to anything other than what I grab first. I'll have to repel boarders with whatever I happen to have on hand and hope for the best. Layered defenses aren't an option as I live on a boat, but I've hardened as much as I can.

Good security system with cloud connected cameras. At least the police will know who did it. Big plus, I don't look like I have anything worth stealing. Grey man lifestyle, I don't attract attention.

I have no illusions, John Wick I ain't. A determined crew of 3+ will put me down pretty quick so my only option is to get ugly fast and unleash hell in what very little time I will have.

Yes. I am working on moving as soon as home prices drop as I figure I'm more secure here than in an apartment.

Doing the best I can with what I've got. Just not much to lose anymore so I don't worry and lose any sleep over it

 

[sparkyv]

Yup, this:

Whatever is the closest.