Good home invasion article from lucky gunner...

At least it seemed good to me.

http://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/responding-home-invasion/


A side note / question. You guys ever consider the weight of your firearm to be a detriment? I notice if I do some target transitioning, my lighter guns are faster. But then I wonder if under lots of adrenaline if a the lighter gun would be a detriment.

My 2 defense handguns are a good example. My main carry gun is a 442 and weighs like 16 ounces loaded. My bedside gun is an XD tactical .45 and is 39 loaded I think it was. The 442 is noticeably faster to swing from one point of aim to another. I had never really considered this and going super light also has it's drawbacks. As in follow up shot time is slower........ And of course capacity.

I'm not always convinced that high capacity is really a necessity for a civilian. Not saying we SHOULDN'T have the option. But I find myself more concerned with other things besides capacity. Although that is not a popular stance to have.

Just thought I'd throw these two things out there and see what happens.

Many home invasions consist of more than one bad guy. So an XD 45 tactical sits on my nightstand loaded with a 13 round magazine and two more for back up. A Glock 19 isn't far away either with multiple magazines nearby.

My home is my home. I have nowhere else to retreat to and others to protect.

Whatever you choose, practice with it.

Some interesting questions.

Regarding weight...

For the most part, I don't consider a gun's weight as big a factor as one's ability to use it. One could argue that a lighter gun could shave a couple of tenths of a second over a heavier gun when drawing, transitioning targets, etc., but to me that really only matters in competitions where such time differences could mean winning or losing. In real world shootings, I haven't seen evidence where such time savings really matter.

Of course, one could go too light or too heavy, but that depends on the context, too. I probably wouldn't go with an ultralight, 10oz revolver because even with standard pressure .38 Special ammo I suspect it'd be too difficult to control during rapid fire, at least for me. Similarly, I'm probably not going to choose a 72oz Desert Eagle because it's just too big and heavy for me to wield properly.

For those who carry at home (which I think is a good idea, regardless of how many security layers one has), then weight can be a factor as it would when carrying while out-and-about. Are you more likely to carry a smaller, lighter gun, presuming reliability and proficiency aren't in question?

Regarding capacity...

Capacity is certainly a consideration, but, again, I think one's ability to shoot the gun in question is more important. Most violent encounters I've seen or read about that involve multiple attackers usually result in said attackers running and climbing over each other to get away from their intended victim when that victim starts shooting back, whether it's out-and-about somewhere or in the victim's home. Are there times when that isn't the case? Sure. But it's probably best to expend one's efforts preparing for situations that are more likely to occur, given the rarity of such attacks.

However, I can certainly see the logic in having a higher capacity gun for home defense as a "hunker-down-in-the-safe-room" type of situation, where one can't retreat any further, particularly for people who may live in areas with a higher probability for violent crime or people who live in low-crime, rural areas where police may take 45 minutes or more to respond. I carry my 642 at home and have it by my bed on the nightstand when I sleep because it's my quick-reaction gun. But I also have a Beretta 92FS close by. Would I feel less well-armed if I had a S&W Model 10/64 instead of the Beretta? No, because I'm familiar with revolvers and I can shoot them well, at least as well as the Beretta.

All handguns are compromises in one way or another, when it comes to defensive purposes. Size vs. capacity vs. weight vs. caliber vs. any other factor. People just have to figure out what compromise(s) fit their situation.

Just my opinion.

Short version: It depends.

I'll qualify this with the same thing I always seem to ... I've never been in a home invasion or a self defense shooting. When I hear about them I do try to understand them so I can be better prepared, but this definitely isn't expert advise. Just another opinion.

Seems like there's two kinds of home invasion around here. Amateur and professional.

With an amateur home invasion, they may come in three's or four's, but when a homeowner starts defending themselves and shooting back, they run. Drug addicts and wanna be gang bangers. Low capacity or high capacity doesn't matter. Those seem to be most of the home invasions.

With a professional home invasion, they want someone or something very specific in your house. Around here it seems like that's usually, but not always, illegal drugs or drug money. They're ready to fight their way in and out to get it (best defense is don't be involved in illegal stuff). If you're not into illegal stuff and it still happens, with a homeowner vs two pro's, I think you have a chance, even with just 5 rounds. Homeowner vs three or more determined, professional home invaders? I don't think that's going to well for you, whether you've got a j-frame or semi with a 33 round magazine.

Since you don't know if they're amatures or pros coming in, you treat them both the same.

The approach I've decided on is to use the most reliable pistol I shoot well regardless of capacity. My edc is an LCP in my pocket. In the house, my quick grab is a G26. I shoot it a lot. Range and as well as a competition here and there. I shoot it well. At home my backup for the pistols is a Remington 870. In the winter, a 642 is my coat pocket gun.

Just my 2 cents.

The attached article was a pretty good assessment and summary of some home invasion scenarios. I personally liked the #2 EDC solution and usually have my BUG with me when doing anything at home. I don't know how many home invaders expect armed resistance from residents, but it might be a useful question for the next researcher interviewing prisoners about their strategies and tactics. High ammunition capacity, weapons lights, lasers, and all the gadgets and add-ons that are available may or may not be important, but having a firearm readily available as well as a hand held light and close access to a phone are the three things, equipment-wise that I'd want to have available. I will say that if you're using a long gun for home defense, a weapons mounted light should be mandatory because trying to employ a shotgun or rifle and manipulate a hand held light is just plain awkward, to say the least (you'll still want a hand held light to identify the potential threat in the event it's you kid or the cat - and bad things have happened in similar situations). Scenario #1 exemplified the mentality of more than one individual I've run into or posts I've read. A 12 ga. shotgun is a formidable weapon when, like any weapon, is employed effectively. The same type of mishap could also occur with a handgun. Overall, Lucky Gunner made some good points to be taken into consideration and employed.


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My beside-the-bed choice is an M&P 9 with Viridian green/light and two extra 17 round mags. Two steps away is a 12 ga with the same Viridian and 7 shells that might blow out the windows from the noise. I keep a dedicated cell phone in the walk-in closet.

I enjoy Lucky Gunner's articles and videos.

As humans, we really like to overthink things.
The way I see it, there are roughly three scenarios:

1) Breaking in (sneaking into) an inhabited house
BG's try to break into your house while you are there (most likely sleeping).

2) Breaking in when you are not in the house
You get home and oh, surprise, there are people inside.

3) Ambush
As soon as you get home, one or several people ambush you and force you to open the door and let them in.


Scenario 1:
If someone's breaking into my house with me inside, it'd be extremely hard for them to come inside without a pre-alert (dog sleeps inside, approach the door and she'll bark + bars on windows + locks + flood lights outside).

That's probably enough to get to the shotgun, barricade in your room, tell them to get the hell out and call the cops.

Scenario 2:
If this is the case, your HD gun will be the one you have on you. Your first line of defense here is your own situational awareness. Does something look odd? Check the surroundings, think twice before you enter.

Scenario 3:
Same as above.

Me personally... Shotgun in the closet + revolver at arms reach.

Just my $0.02.

The wife works from home on Fridays and a couple of weeks ago she left for 1/2 hour to get a haircut only to come home to someone that had broken onto our back porch trying to get into the house! She called 911 and living in Peachtree City, Ga., the cops were there in minutes and apprehended the thug and he is still in jail being charged with breaking and entering and burglary. My house is full of guns, but my wife doesn't know how to use any of them, didn't. She picked out a nice little S&W 38+p lightweight for protection. You just never know.

Weight may affect your willingness to have a gun on you at all times, but otherwise it's likely a non-issue with perhaps a few exceptions.

I do think size though could very well could be a factor. I've came across quite a few home defense cases where the intruder and homeowner end up in a struggle over control of the weapon. In such scenarios, a shorter weapon generally offers better inherent weapon retention over longer ones and the ability to effectively retain the weapon seems to come up more often than needing high capacity.

My EDC and all-the-time gun is an enclosed hammer snub. Currently an S&W 642. At home, when answering the door, taking the trash out, letting the dog out etc., it's in my pocket. I likely wouldn't carry a heavier gun all the time. If investigating an unknown noise that could possibly be an intruder hiding somewhere the home, I would still go with the snub for it's close-quarter advantages. In any other case where I have more warning and lead time, I would most likely opt for one of my high capacity autos, usually a Glock 17.

Very good read!

I think in theory an AR is the best way to go. Easier to shoot, lots of capacity. If you have time to grab it. But I'm also a small guy and not as strong as I used to be. I feel like I might be more susceptible to someone taking it from me. My house is kind of tight.

I was on this kick a while back getting my AR set up for home defense. But then I decided to go back to a pistol as the main go to gun. LOL. I have several pistols I could use, but right now I have a bunch of .45 ammo to burn and practice and I actually like .45. Even though I'm sure I'm slower with it than a 9mm.

And yes, most of the time I have my 442 on me, even at home. I like that idea of always having something on me, regardless of how much capacity it has.

On-body carry is always accessible, while “stash guns” are not. I’ve responded to multiple crime scenes where guns were hidden under tables, on bookcases, and under mattresses, yet the victim could not access one in time to make a difference. I’ve also, unfortunately, responded to many instances of children who’ve shot themselves with a “stash gun” that the parent thought was hidden.

Click to expand...

This is for the "Carrying at home is paranoid, I stage guns all over my house" crowd.


http://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/prevent-home-invasion/

Link to the article preceding

ABPOS said:

I think in theory an AR is the best way to go. Easier to shoot, lots of capacity. If you have time to grab it. But I'm also a small guy and not as strong as I used to be. I feel like I might be more susceptible to someone taking it from me. My house is kind of tight.

Click to expand...

I think an AR would make for a good home defense gun (especially if one can get a suppressed model, though legal/perception issues may arise), depending on the context. To me the long gun is at its best when used as a hunker-down-in-the-saferoom role. Within that context, I think it would serve well. For investigating noises, or rounding up your kids to bring them back to the safe room, not so much.

FWIW, off the top of my head I can think of two home invasion incidents that were resolved in the home owners' favor using an AR. IIRC, both involved the home owner defending a static position.

Good article. I like the Lucky Gunner stories. I used to subscribe to the "stash" guns around the house philosophy until a 4 year old granddaughter came to live with us. So now I just keep my EDC, a 640, by my bedside along with a Remington 870 Tactical shotgun. The 640 is loaded with Speer SB 135 grain .357's and I alternate double ought buck and birdshot in the shotgun.

ContinentalOp said:

I think an AR would make for a good home defense gun (especially if one can get a suppressed model, though legal/perception issues may arise), depending on the context. To me the long gun is at its best when used as a hunker-down-in-the-saferoom role. Within that context, I think it would serve well. For investigating noises, or rounding up your kids to bring them back to the safe room, not so much.

FWIW, off the top of my head I can think of two home invasion incidents that were resolved in the home owners' favor using an AR. IIRC, both involved the home owner defending a static position.

Click to expand...

Excellent point.

The last home invasion we had captured on video here locally involved 3 armed men invading a home-based business at night and the owner fighting them off with a handgun. Took her 8-10 shots to get all of them on the run. Just sayin'

Yikers. Sounds like she wasn't hurt? Hopefully.

There have been several home invasions within 20 miles of me the past three years .. sadly one elderly man died from a fall during one .. All involved at least 2 and up to 4 perps .. not sure if a high capacity magazine is needed but a smaller compact with 6-7 shots might not be sufficient .. perps travel in multiples .. always watch your back !!

Yes I carry at home all waking hours and first line of defense as many in the country have is a dog .. my GSD all 85 pounds doesn't like strangers unless I ok them and tell her its ok .. she would know someone was approaching long before I would !! and she is a rare exception because she doesn't usually bark unless she recognizes the person .. its just a low muffled growl ..

response time for my area is 15 to 40 minutes .. I live in the NE corner of the county just 2 miles from the county lines both north/south and east/west .. so the far corner of the county .. and all according to the time of day and whether the sheriff is on the other side of the county or all ready on a call .. and the number working .. night hours much less coverage .. living in the country nearest neighbor is 1/4 mile down the road ..