What would be a good home defence gun

[ogilvyspecial]

Another factor to consider when choosing a Home Defense Gun is how, when in use, it will effect your ability to open doors, move your loved ones to safety (safe rooms), operate a flashlight or cell phone etc. I generally use a handgun to investigate noises as well as answer the door when a stranger is there because it would be easier to bring to bear on the threat if confronted at arms length, or closer.

If I know what's going on and it don't look good, or I'm in our "Safe room" and I know where the threat will have to present itself I fall back on either of our 870's, one in 12 ga. and the other in 20 which both have 3-point slings on them so I still have the option of having both hands free if need be and can still access my shotgun quickly. The same can be said of our AR's, which are also always handy.

If I could only have one weapon, I would start with a "Full power" handgun then get my artillery piece later. It's kind of hard answering the door armed and keeping a low profile while doing so with a long gun. Not to mention the fact, which I already did above, that if someone did attack you at very close range, such as in the confines of a hall or doorway, the handgun would give you a better chance of bringing it to bear..........

 

[tbone2]

Another factor to consider when choosing a Home Defense Gun is how, when in use, it will effect your ability to open doors, move your loved ones to safety (safe rooms), operate a flashlight or cell phone etc. I generally use a handgun to investigate noises as well as answer the door when a stranger is there because it would be easier to bring to bear on the threat if confronted at arms length, or closer.

If I know what's going on and it don't look good, or I'm in our "Safe room" and I know where the threat will have to present itself I fall back on either of our 870's, one in 12 ga. and the other in 20 which both have 3-point slings on them so I still have the option of having both hands free if need be and can still access my shotgun quickly. The same can be said of our AR's, which are also always handy.

If I could only have one weapon, I would start with a "Full power" handgun then get my artillery piece later. It's kind of hard answering the door armed and keeping a low profile while doing so with a long gun. Not to mention the fact, which I already did above, that if someone did attack you at very close range, such as in the confines of a hall or doorway, the handgun would give you a better chance of bringing it to bear..........

Excellent points sir!
A handgun is most certainly a better "investigation" tool than a long gun.

 

[miles71]

So how do you shotgun guys secure the shotgun in your home when not in use? I am thinking about an 870 or Mossberg 500 for the home. I have a 45 cal I can get to quick but is secure. I figure the 45 would be what I use to get to the shotgun safely

TD

 

[Skeeziks]

I have one 12 ga. in the master bedroom...another 12 ga. in my reading/computer room, where I spend most of my time and 3 handguns in various locations. Two of the handguns are loaded with .38 sp. and the other is a .45 Colt (250-gr. @ 750 fps.)
I only keep the .357 mags. loaded w/ .38 sp. 'cause if I ever have to shoot in the house at night just after being woke from sleep, I don't want to blind myself (and the blast, too.)
Once I get my .44 sp., that'll make 4 loaded handguns.

As for the gentleman who said he keeps his 12 ga. loaded with "half buck and half slugs," a 12 ga. slug will easily pass thru 3 or more men. That's too much penetration for inside the home.

 

[Evil One]

As for the gentleman who said he keeps his 12 ga. loaded with "half buck and half slugs," a 12 ga. slug will easily pass thru 3 or more men. That's too much penetration for inside the home.

Depends on your situation.
Out in the country with no close neighbors... slug is just fine.
Pretty much any high grain defensive projectile will go thru about any house.
I personally have 2 shotguns in the bedroom, 1 12ga coachgun and a Benelli 121M1... both loaded with Centurion buck and ball.


Jim

 

[Faulkner]

im looking for a cheap gun, but i want it to be good for home defence or to carry in a holster,any ideas

Does Taurus have an internet forum?

 

[flop-shank]

As for the gentleman who said he keeps his 12 ga. loaded with "half buck and half slugs," a 12 ga. slug will easily pass thru 3 or more men. That's too much penetration for inside the home.

Not necessarily true at all. When I fired Winchester X12RS15 into Perma-Gel it stopped at 15". That's deep, but barely excessive penetration.

As for "dutch loading" weapons, I think it would be unlikely to keep track of which type of cartridge is "on deck" so I only use one type of ammo in a given gun. I stick to the KISS principal.

 

[Skeeziks]

Depends on your situation.
Out in the country with no close neighbors... slug is just fine.
Pretty much any high grain defensive projectile will go thru about any house.
I personally have 2 shotguns in the bedroom, 1 12ga coachgun and a Benelli 121M1... both loaded with Centurion buck and ball.


Jim

I'm not worried about neighbors...I just don't want to shoot a .729" hole thru my house.
At 20-feet, #4 Buck will stop him just the same without blowing holes in my walls.

 

[Skeeziks]

Not necessarily true at all. When I fired Winchester X12RS15 into Perma-Gel it stopped at 15". That's deep, but barely excessive penetration.

As for "dutch loading" weapons, I think it would be unlikely to keep track of which type of cartridge is "on deck" so I only use one type of ammo in a given gun. I stick to the KISS principal.

I shot a whitetail in the left buttock (3" left of the anus) as it was facing almost dead away from me. The 16 ga. slug travelled the full length of the deer busting thru the right front shoulder and exiting out the front.
I think that same slug would've had no trouble passing completely thru at least two humans standing front to back.
Ballistic gelatin is the closest thing we have right now, but it's not a perfect performance test. What I'd really like to be able to do is hang a dead pig of about 250 lbs. from the neck to test going in thru the front of the chest.
Of course, a human cadaver would be the best, but I'm not even gonna go there 'cause that is waaay too creepy for me.

 

[flop-shank]

Skeez, FWIW, dead flesh is, as I am lead to understand, quite different from living flesh. The liquid settles out.

I don't doubt at all that the slug you shot the deer with penetrated like a mother. I think most slugs would. The three I tested in P-G indicated as a group, that yes, you are right, slugs yend to go very deep. I should have added to my post that while most likely would, not all necessarily will. The Brenneke K.O. went through 17" P-G and then the brick wall behind it (don't tell my wife! ).

I keep the gun I used in my tests, a 20" Ithaca Deerslayer, as a dedicated slug gun and not for hunting, but as a weapon. For obvious reasons I keep it loaded with X12RS15.

 

[white cloud]

I would recommend a remington 870 if you are only looking for something for home defense, it is hard to beat the stopping power of buckshot and they are a very good value.

I picked one of these up a few months back just for home defense it has worked with all the loads that I tried in it and it didn't break the bank.

Remington 870 Express 12g 18" blued, black-synthetic $332.00 SHIPS FREE

i really like revolvers but for home defense a remington 870 or mossberg 590 is really hard to beat. go to a range and try a riot gun and then a pistol. it is really nice to see nine holes in the target with one squeeze of the trigger and have it happen easily.

 

[LuddhaBuddha]

So how do you shotgun guys secure the shotgun in your home when not in use? I am thinking about an 870 or Mossberg 500 for the home. I have a 45 cal I can get to quick but is secure. I figure the 45 would be what I use to get to the shotgun safely

TD

Mine is on the gun rack hanging on the wall at the head of my bed. I keep it loaded with the 12 pellet Nobel sport 00 buck at about 1300fps, which is not for the recoil sensitive.

 

[USAF385]

While I do have a mossberg 500 at the ready, I prefer handguns for use in the house. My main reason is it's easier for me to maneuver through the halls / doorways with a handgun.

 

[scoutsdad]

My three dogs are my first line of defense. Next to me on the nightstand is a 637, unless one of the neighbors have called to report Mexican hikers. The gunsafe is always open, and whatever I grab will work. But first thing in is a Mossberg with 2 rds of 71/2 shot ( 4 snakes) and 3rds of 00.

 

[cmort666]

Model 10 Smith 4 inch. Keyboard commandos will depricate the .38 Special and some advocate a shotgun but:

A .38 will make an assailant fall down if properly applied and is very manageable for recoil and retention.

A shotgun will not spray a whole room as in the movies; it will spread to about 10 inches in 20 feet. In the confines of a house, a strong, determined attacker can overpower you and take an unwieldy shotgun away from you.

And in an apartment like mine, a shotgun is nearly useless. I couldn't get through my bedroom door with one without smacking into something, nor down the hall to find out what was going on.

A 4" M&P/Model 10 is an excellent first centerfire handgun. Nobody's going to thank you for shooting them in the chest with a 158gr. LSWC-HP +P... unless they're already on fire when you get to them.

 

[cmort666]

I keep the gun I used in my tests, a 20" Ithaca Deerslayer, as a dedicated slug gun and not for hunting, but as a weapon. For obvious reasons I keep it loaded with X12RS15.

My first modern firearm was a 7 shot Deerslayer Police Special. I still have it but it's nearly useless where I live now, unless I were to get into a prolonged gunfight and be forced back into the bedroom.

 

[flop-shank]

My first modern firearm was a 7 shot Deerslayer Police Special. I still have it but it's nearly useless where I live now, unless I were to get into a prolonged gunfight and be forced back into the bedroom.

I love those Ithacas. That seven shot Deerslayer would be a superlative weapon when fighting from a static position such as a bedroom (not that I really need to tell you that, bro). I'd call it far from useless.

 

[hittman77]

For home defense I'd recommend"

Shotgun: Mossberg 500 or Remington 870.

Revolver: Ruger Security Six or Smith 686.

Semi-Auto: Glock 30 or Ruger P95.

 

[walnutred]

To get back to the original posters question about something that can be used for both home defense AND carried in a holster, I second or third the suggestion of looking for a used M10. However assuming you are new to firearms if you can find a good used 22 revolver in your price range don't overlook that. You need to look find something you will practice with and assuming you do not reload or have access to a large quantity of ammo a 22 may be just what you need.

Unless you live in a very dangerous area chances are slim you will ever use your handgun for anything other than target practice and piece of mind. If you buy a first firearm that you are likely to enjoy practicing with the chances of you buying a second firearms are greatly increased.

If you are determined you want a semi auto I'd look for whatever police trade-ins are available. Chances are they will be in a caliber that is easy to find ammo for, have been shot little, be of a reliable design, and less expensive than anything else available.

 

[GKC]

Nobody's going to thank you for shooting them in the chest with a 158gr. LSWC-HP +P... unless they're already on fire when you get to them.

That is hilarious!


For those who say they would like a shotgun, but think it too long or unwieldy, has anyone considered a Serbu Shorty? I looked at a used one recently in my LGS, and I asked the owner if he had shot it...he said no, and that he wasn't going to, either, since he had other ways to split his forehead if he wanted it done.