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  #101  
Old 04-15-2017, 09:53 AM
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The best gun is what you are trained and proficient with. I have an M&P fullsize 45 with HST's and a TRL-1 mounted on it. I shoot this gun regularly so its the best for me. I live in a neighborhood of houses on an acre each so we're fairly close to each other, misses could be a bad thing. Otherwise my next most proficient weapon and first choice would be my ak-47. I have no doubts with that rifle taking care of business.
I guess my point is train with what you have and be proficient with your weapon. Most important is make your house as secure as you can, don't be an easy target.
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  #102  
Old 04-15-2017, 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by YogiBear View Post
Aloha,

While in Hawaii, 2 locked and loaded Australian Cattle Dogs in the bedroom.

When we move to Texas, we will be living in the country,
More Cattle dogs and what ever guns we get deals on at the gun shows.

Cattle dogs are also known as Velcro dogs, they follow their owners where ever they go. Even into the bathroom. You just can't pet one, you have to pet them ALL.

Wife wants guns secreted in every room. More than likely semi autos with 30 round magazines.

Right now, all our shotguns are Brownings or Berettas.

I will have to get (I prefer) 20 ga Remington 870s with short cut down barrels.

Living in the country, calling 911 means the police will get there just to fill in the after action report.

"Fort Apache" will hold until the Cavalry gets there after it is all over.
Hopefully it never happens (the need for a firearm). With the dogs you may get enough warning to get to a gun. If the area is prone to home invasions then I may carry all the time.
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  #103  
Old 04-15-2017, 05:23 PM
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Aloha,

One thing that I have done is look at the crime stats for Mason, Llano and Lampasas.

All the crime listed are in the city limits, none outside in the country.

If there is no crime outside City limits(which I find hard to believe, there must be theft of ranch/farm implements?), maybe it is because they have guns and a backhoe?

Wife has Said, OC will be the norm. Guests are OK to OC on our property.

When we have BBQs and you're invited, be sure to wear your BBQ gun(s).

I plan to have a camera equipped GPS drone over the property.

Being FROM Hawaii, in a Free State, I hope to have a rifle that has night vision and suppressor.
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  #104  
Old 04-16-2017, 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by NJM15 View Post
My by the bed choice is the Marine defender
not into shotguns, but this one has never been fired
with the way home invasions are increasing you have
to be prepared.
Please correct me if I misunderstood your post? Did you just write that you are willing to bet your life on a system that has NEVER been fired? Can you operate it in the dark, know where the controls are, make it work and reload up side down? Please go shoot that thing, if just to see if it will go bang. It doesn't lend a lot of credence to your opinion that you are betting your life on a gun you have never fired. Man, I hope I in some way got your post wrong.
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  #105  
Old 04-16-2017, 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Lee's Landing Billy View Post
Please correct me if I misunderstood your post? Did you just write that you are willing to bet your life on a system that has NEVER been fired? Can you operate it in the dark, know where the controls are, make it work and reload up side down? Please go shoot that thing, if just to see if it will go bang. It doesn't lend a lot of credence to your opinion that you are betting your life on a gun you have never fired. Man, I hope I in some way got your post wrong.
Concur with Billy. Clean it, Familiarize yourself with it and at the very least function test it.
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  #106  
Old 04-16-2017, 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Lee's Landing Billy View Post
Did you just write that you are willing to bet your life on a system that has NEVER been fired?
Sadly, this is far too common. I see people all the time that only fire their carry gun at the renewal class the state mandates they take every two years. At least 20% of those malfunction on the first shot or two.
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  #107  
Old 04-17-2017, 06:18 AM
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Same. I'd say a third of our CCW-hopefuls show up with a dry gun. One or two will always start failing. A couple drops and they run fine again.
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  #108  
Old 04-17-2017, 08:30 AM
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Mossberg 500, cerakoted battleship grey,Raptor birdshead grip,laser
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  #109  
Old 04-17-2017, 08:37 AM
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an old friend gave me this shotgun cuz it misfired on him....sure it did the firing pin was broken. A quick call to Ithaca fixed that. It's a cut down Featherweight 12 ga. 13" LOP and i installed a Marbles tritium bead.....here she is
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  #110  
Old 04-17-2017, 12:35 PM
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Whew!!! That's a real man's gun!! That light 12 will knock the soda outta a biscuit.
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  #111  
Old 04-20-2017, 04:18 AM
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IMO, the best all around home defense firearm is a .38 Special / .357 Mag double action revolver with a 4 inch barrel. Become very proficient with it and plan to practice with it at least 4 times a year - the more the better. Use the most powerful round that you can handle well. (A .38 +P SJHP would be a good all around round for HD.) After shooting several hundred rounds through it, consider getting a trigger / action job on it performed by an experienced gunsmith. A laser sight would be a nice touch as well.

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  #112  
Old 04-22-2017, 09:40 PM
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Here are my house guns on a visit to the range. From left to right: first is a Colt Series 70 in 45 ACP that's wearing a slide with BoMar sights on it. When on duty there's another slide with night sights. It lives in the nightstand next to my bed. Next is a Rock Island Armory compact 45 which is by my right hand as I type this. It's for answering any knocks on the door late at night while I'm playing on the forumn. It has since had Novak night sights installed. Next is a Colt Combat Commander, also in 45 and also with Novak night sights that is on a shelf next to my chair in the gun room off the garage. Like the RIA it's for inventigating any 'noises off' if I'm in there at night. Last is a S&W 625 Mountain Gun in 45 Colt that resides in a drawer in the end table next to my easy chair in the living room. I used to have an automatic pistol there, but the drawer also has a pair of scissors, a magnifying glass, pens and various other things that make it not a comfortable environment for an automatic. All get fired occasionally. They've had a few rounds of their service ammo: Speer 230 gr HPs for the 45 ACPs, to insure there are no functioning problems, and they get shot a lot more with cast bullet handloads. I don't intend to pocket the Series 70 or the Combat Commander, so they get 10 round magazines. I figure I'm well prepared to repel boarding parties.
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  #113  
Old 05-14-2017, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by cmort666 View Post
If you forcibly enter somebody else's home without permission, you've already made a CHOICE, not a "mistake" as the relatives of deceased home invaders are fond of saying these days. You own ALL of the consequences proceeding therefrom, including getting shot. As alluded to above, your intended victims' response should be delivered without hesitation, restraint or regret until such time as you are no longer an immediate and credible threat to their life and limb, or to those of anyone to whom they have a legitimate duty of care.

I've never been shot. I consider not being a home invader or strongarm robber a major contributing factor to my not being shot.

If you don't want to be shot, don't put people in situations where it's a good idea to shoot you. In 9/10ths of such situations, they will gladly risk YOUR life rather than theirs. That's an eminently sensible decision on their part.
Re the "mistakes" pointed our by the decedents family....We have a saying in LE: 'If you're involved in a OIS, you won't see their last booking photo, it's gonna be their best yearbook photo'. Soooooo, true! Just look at the Travon Martin incident; those pics were slightly 'dated'.
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  #114  
Old 05-14-2017, 10:35 AM
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Re the "mistakes" pointed our by the decedents family....We have a saying in LE: 'If you're involved in a OIS, you won't see their last booking photo, it's gonna be their best yearbook photo'. Soooooo, true! Just look at the Travon Martin incident; those pics were slightly 'dated'.


So very true! Along with their "sainthood credentials"!


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  #115  
Old 05-14-2017, 11:14 AM
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Re the "mistakes" pointed our by the decedents family....We have a saying in LE: 'If you're involved in a OIS, you won't see their last booking photo, it's gonna be their best yearbook photo'. Soooooo, true! Just look at the Travon Martin incident; those pics were slightly 'dated'.
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So very true! Along with their "sainthood credentials"!


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Speaking of which, I came across this video discussion of the facts of the TM case on another firearms site yesterday. Interesting info, some of which I was unaware of...

The Real Truth about Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman - YouTube
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  #116  
Old 05-14-2017, 11:31 AM
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Lay out of a home, and other factors will mean that home defense must be tailored to those needs. Bedrooms may not be next to each other, different levels. Paper thin walls, solid walls, dry wall, or old fashioned plaster over lattice. It all makes a difference on how, or what tools are used to protect the home.

What is universal is home awareness, situational awareness for the home. Prevent a home invasion before it ever happens. Proper lighting, fencing, landscaping, and of course dogs.

Criminals usually pick the easiest target, make sure you are not the easiest.

About ten years back a house down the road was raided by DEA, a shooting occurred killing one drug dealer. The gunfire that missed the deceased exited the home, and peppered every surrounding home. Fortunately no innocent people were shot.

If using a handgun, carbine, rifle, make damn sure you do not miss your threat. You are responsible for every round you discharge, both morally, and legally.

I usually don't watch tactikewl tv, good common sense goes a long way. No offense but some of the tactikewl youtube/tv trainers are off a few bricks.
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  #117  
Old 05-17-2017, 08:54 PM
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I believe in the shotgun for social work. My hd gun is an old dependable 97 Win. riot gun loaded with 27 #4 copper plated buckshot. No need to rack the slide just cock the hammer.
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  #118  
Old 05-17-2017, 09:15 PM
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Some of you will know what this leads to...
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  #119  
Old 05-18-2017, 07:07 AM
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Yeap !! The most frightening, and possibly last, thing an intruder may ever hear is the "clack-clack" of a pump shot gun
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Old 05-18-2017, 08:20 AM
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Nothing beats the sound of racking a pump shotgun in the quiet hours of dark til dawn..not much better than a 19 inch pump to get the message across that you came to the wrong address......
"Racking a Pump Shotgun" - now you have given your position away and type of weapon you have to the BG
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Old 05-18-2017, 08:39 AM
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"Racking a Pump Shotgun" - now you have given your position away and type of weapon you have to the BG
And of course that's assuming he heard it and recognized the sound from across the house, different floors, several walls and doors!

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  #122  
Old 05-21-2017, 12:55 PM
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Some of you will know what this leads to...
*
Is that for a Claymore?
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  #123  
Old 05-21-2017, 02:55 PM
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Yeap !! The most frightening, and possibly last, thing an intruder may ever hear is the "clack-clack" of a pump shot gun
On TV that works EVERY time!
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  #124  
Old 05-21-2017, 03:09 PM
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Use Enough Gun
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  #125  
Old 05-21-2017, 04:25 PM
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*
Is that for a Claymore?
Yes, and it is very effective.
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  #126  
Old 05-21-2017, 04:31 PM
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Have the right friends!
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  #127  
Old 05-21-2017, 05:09 PM
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It is possible to make an argument for almost any type of firearm for home defense.

While no one argues that a 12 gauge is effective, you have three common counter-arguments: (1) possible overpenetration; (2) excessive recoil for women or younger members of the household; and (3) it is easier to take it away from the homeowner.

Yet, ammo fixes (1), changing to 20 gauge fixes (2), and making sure not to let the barrel go through the door or around the corner too much ahead of you fixes (3).

As to carbines, the 5.56 with proper loads will actually penetrate through less drywall than the 9mm as shown in tests conducted at Gunsite and elsewhere years ago. And, its recoil is easier managed than either a 12 or 20 gauge.

Then, there is the cell phone, flashlight, and spare ammo issue. As Clint Smith says, you will likely fight with the ammo in your gun or on your gun. Thus, get a butt cuff or other ammo carrier for your shotgun. A sling is also a necessity. Mount a flashlight. This is easier to do these days with shotguns designed for such.

Repeaters are better, but you can make do with either a short barrel over under or even a short barrel single shot. By short barrel, I am referring to 18.5 inch, not one requiring a tax stamp, although the new Shockwave is an interesting idea, especially with the clip-on adapter, and mini-shells, to increase capacity.

As to pistols, it seems like a good idea to use a high capacity 9mm with an extended magazine and light mounted on the pistol.

Massad Ayoob came up with a Beretta 92FS years ago, and it had a light, and extended magazine, and an extended Jarvis barrel, if I recall.

The Glock 17 or 34 seems like a good idea these days, with a light and a 33 round magazine.

If you are going to venture out to conduct a search of your own house, a shoulder bag with a cell phone is a good idea.

All of that said, home defense is best conducted with a proper state of mind. The tools your grandfather used for the same purpose will still serve well if you have the right state of mind.

So, in those jurisdictions where you can only have a single barrel or double barrel shotgun, practice quick loading, and mount a light if you can, and don't forget to yell, "welcome to Scotland" when you blast the intruder!

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Old 05-21-2017, 05:27 PM
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Do not rack shotgun and give away your position. Keep it chambered safety on!!
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Old 05-22-2017, 05:49 PM
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I had something happen last night that was very pertinent to this discussion.

My Mother is coming to live with us and we're getting the house ready. And we just brought in some boxes for bunk beds. Well last night I was in my living room. Every once in a while I'll take a shower and then just put sweats or jammy pants on and not have a gun on me later at night. That was last night. So, I hear what I figure is a box fall, and I go to check it out. I wanted to make sure one of the bigger boxes didn't fall down and crush my one of my kids.... Which I didn't really think would happen, but playing it safe. I grabbed my surefire light and went and checked.

I didn't really locate which box fell because I wasn't sure how they were arranged exactly to begin with. My son put them in his room. But whatever. But the whole thing taught me that I should've done things better.

First, I shouldn't have assumed it wasn't something dangerous. What if somebody was actually trying to get in. I think the noises would've persisted and I would've known the difference, but I shouldn't have assumed that. And then, the other thing is recently I had taken my XD45 Tactical and put a light on it for my HD weapon. For a long time I had relied on a pistol, with a handheld, because I didn't want to point my gun even towards someone when searching. So now I'm kind of unsure about how I should do this. Somebody was telling me I need to use a handheld AND a WML on my pistol. Now it makes sense. Because my express purpose was shining my light on the kids and making sure they were alright. I know you can splash the floor, but I'm not sure it would've worked the same.

Anyways.... to the OP, I hear what you're saying about not clearing a house. But do you just call the cops every time you hear something wonky happen? How do you know if the something wonky isn't an intruder, or just nothing to worry about? I think there are times where it might behoove you to have a look first. But there's no garrauntee's it's not a criminal.

One time we had left the Garage door open and raccoons were in the Garage and one of them was clawing at the side door into the house. The first couple seconds sounded like someone was busting into the house. I had my pistol drawn in a second and I thought for sure I was going to have to shoot someone. But after a little bit I figured out it wasn't a person but an animal. That one got my adrenaline going.

But what was I supposed to do, immediately call the cops before doing anything? If it was a person, they could've been in there licketly split and calling 911 would've been meaningless. I was dumb for not making sure the Garage door was closed. And we learned our lesson that night. But nobody is perfect.

So anyways.... I may go back to a pistol with just a handheld, but I'm not sure. But the XD with a light AND a handheld would probably work. I put the lanyard back on the light so I can let it drop if I have it around my wrist. And having a gun with a light is good in case you don't have time to grab both.

But I'm thinking a handheld with a pistol without a light isn't that bad of a thing either. As long as you practice with it that way. I like to keep things simple and operating two different lights sort of muddies the water for my pea brain......

I would like to know if many of you all actually grab a wheelgun for HD. It's another thing I wrestle with mentally because my main carry gun is a revolver. If I go along with the keeping things simple mantra, I wonder if having the same system for HD is a good idea or not. I just know most Autos have more capacity and feel like a better choice for HD. But some of the things I like about a DA revolver for a serious gun translate over into Home Defense. But shooting them 1 handed is more of a challenge than say a single action HiPower or 1911 with one hand.

Last edited by ABPOS; 05-22-2017 at 05:52 PM.
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Old 05-22-2017, 07:24 PM
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WAAYYYYY too much overthinking going on here. Just pick a gun that you feel competent with, work out your tactics, figure out your gear (lights, etc.), do some drills, and stick with it.

Confusion and indecision is your worst enemy.
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  #131  
Old 05-22-2017, 09:14 PM
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If you're referring to me, I hear you. I can be guilty of overthinking things. LOL. I did have it set a certain way for a long time and was fine with it. But I bought an WML recently.
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