Home defense

[Stopsign32v]

Short barrel 870 8 rounds of #4 buck.
Pistol grip only shotguns are alright until someone tries to take it out of your hands (if they get close enough), then your screwed.

I am pretty sure if I am faced with a home invasion the last thing I am going to be worried about is my hearing. I highly doubt I'll even hear it.

No need to use something that will hurt your hearing even more than something else that's just as or more effective. You might not hear it but the damage is done.

 

[Wise_A]

I sort of object to the poll on the principle of "one size does not fit all". An ideal weapon for an apartment dweller isn't the same as one for a suburban resident, or one for somebody that lives out in the sticks and hollers. Even the size of your house's rooms can make a difference between whether you select birdshot or buck.

I also disagree with the pump-action. It's easy to jam one up with a short-stroke--even skilled 3-gun competitors do so with great frequency, as often as once per match. Whereas todays semiautomatics are quite reliable.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Right now I only have one gun, my 642-1, so I voted for short-barrel revolver.

I like Mister X's idea of using a combo of snub revolver for carry at home with a higher capacity semi-auto kept in reserve. I also wouldn't have a problem with keeping a 4" Model 64 as a HD/bedside gun, especially since it operates the same as my 642 (I like to keep things simple).

I do like the idea of a short-barrel long gun (now there's an oxymoron for you... ) as a hunker-down, safe-room option. I think I would prefer a semi-auto rifle to a shotgun. I've shot a 870 before with 00 buck and it wasn't fun, but wasn't particularly bad, either. I like the idea of being able to operate any self-defense gun one-handed and that's easier with a semi-auto than a pump or lever gun. I think I'd be more likely to practice with a lower-recoiling rifle. Plus, there are more options near me for shooting rifles than shotguns. I've often thought a pistol-caliber AR-15 would be a good option for me. The thought of firing a 5.56mm round inside my home is disconcerting, albeit not as disconcerting as the thought of defending against home invaders.

But overall I think handguns are more useful for my situation. When I think I've got that covered I'll likely revisit some long gun options.

I would also agree that "one-size fits all" doesn't work here.

 

[bigwheelzip]

... for the extreme emergency.

Very first thing your going to pick up.

My idea of extreme emergency is an attempt at forced entry.
1st = Grab 9mm handgun that's kept at arms length.
2nd = Move the few steps to the shotgun that's kept ready.

 

[Snallygaster]

Benelli Supernova Tactical with mag extension. S&W TRR8 is on deck.

 

[steelslaver]

I voted for my 870 shotgun but I'd be fighting my way back to it with my Glock 19 (and a spare 33 round magazine) as I don't keep it alongside my bed (though it is close by).

The carbine is also close by but it is primarily intended for longer range or a greater number of targets.

But, the first thing you would grab is the Glock, so it is first up.

I too have a shotgun and a setup mini 14 both ready to go, but when I detect something wrong I will grab thee handy hand gun, then if it is serious and I have time I will adjust.

PS by short barreled shot gun I didn't mean less than 18" but, if you have one shorter fine.

I doubt there is a perfect poll for every homes situation. If I was more rural there would be a rifle right by the door, but, if I heard something happening I would have a handgun when I went to the door by the rifle.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I keep various guns handy but I voted for the one that I keep by my bed at night. A 2.5" M686+. It's easy to use in the dark, I can reach it instantly, I can shoot from my bed if I have to. If I get up then I can use it to fight my way to my 18" Ithaca M36 or my 18" Remington 870.

There are other revolvers handy in other places but I limited my reply to the bedside gun.

Also a good home defense gun would be something with a silencer on it.

Well, (1) that is NOT going to work with a revolver, and (2) I'll worry about my hearing later. I want a gun that is easy to manipulate at that very panicky moment. A suppressed 9mm, for example, will, I think, actually be somewhat unwieldy from the perspective of reaching for it from a sleep position, but YMMV. I don't use automatic pistols for my home defense so it's a no brainer in my house. YMMV

 

[Narragansett]

I have a handy model 97 riot gun, and a model 29 classic DX 5"bbl real close. There is also a Glock 36 and Browning Hi Power ready to go too

 

[29aholic]

The effect of adrenaline closes part of your hearing. A good point was made for different types of defense guns for different homesteads.

Myself I choose the 870 with 4buck due to the amount of pellets and it will have less of a tendency to penetrate a wall I don't want it to. With any type of firearm you risk shooting into another occupied room and injuring an innocent bystander. Glaser Safety Slugs were specifically designed to prevent this. For those of you using any caliber handgun I would avise you to look into them.

 

[smokey04]

Colt Officers Mod./Defender/ Commander, .45ACP backed up by a Mod. 97 Winchester riot gun. The wife would be in the bedroom with the shotgun awaiting my return after the "ball" ended.
I'm lucky that the kids are all gone, there are no pets in the house, and my tri-level floor plan lends itself to my pre-planned house defense.
I have steel doors with solid wood cores, double dead bolts on all exterior doors and double pane "hurricane" glass on all windows[you can't break this glass with a baseball bat].
Years of military and police experience taught me to prepare well.So, we'll do our best to "repel boarders" and if they can get in,I believe I've got a tactical plan to make them wish they hadn't tried. Nick

 

[ContinentalOp]

Just a quick side note on hearing.

It's true that often times people under high stress situations won't hear loud gun shots, or they'll perceive them as much softer than they actually are. However, that has more to do with the signal chain, if you will, from your ears to your brain. The physical effects of loud gun shots on your ears will still happen, i.e. possible damage to the ear drum, anvil, inner ear, etc.

How much priority you assign to hearing protection is up to you.

 

[rwsmith]

I make low end .357s....

Also a good home defense gun would be something with a silencer on it. That is if you care anything about your hearing. I would not want to or use my 357 magnum inside my home.

I make low end .357 rounds with JHP bullets that are better than any .38 +P for the same reason. And out of a longer barrel you can get the intended velocity that much easier.

PS We are musicians.

 

[Stopsign32v]

Well, (1) that is NOT going to work with a revolver

No?

 

[Stopsign32v]

I make low end .357 rounds with JHP bullets that are better than any .38 +P for the same reason. And out of a longer barrel you can get the intended velocity that much easier.

PS We are musicians.

Ahhhh, I'm liking that idea a lot! Care to share your recipe?

 

[Stopsign32v]

Myself I choose the 870 with 4buck due to the amount of pellets and it will have less of a tendency to penetrate a wall I don't want it to.

I honestly think that is a solid choice. Even if you don't kill the threat, the threat will cease to exist IMO.

 

[cmort666]

You have to use what's appropriate to YOUR environment.

In MY home, the best self-defense firearm is a semi-auto handgun, although a revolver would probably be perfectly adequate.

No non-NFA long gun is of any more use in my roach motel sized apartment than a 14' bamboo cavalry lance. I couldn't even get anything bigger than an Ithaca Auto-Burglar through my bedroom doorway without banging into something.

If you live in a house or one of those Zeppelin hangers that they call "apartments" on "Law & Order", more power to you. Use a 14.5mm PTRS if you like.

 

[BCDWYO]

not sure why we are limited to choosing a SHORT barreled revolver. I don't see any advantage of short over longer (4+") barrel and some possible disadvantages (shorter site radius and more muzzle blast). Anyway, my set-up is a Sig so I voted semi-auto just to vote, but I don't necessarily think it is best for everyone...good for me!

 

[Stopsign32v]

You have to use what's appropriate to YOUR environment.

In MY home, the best self-defense firearm is a semi-auto handgun, although a revolver would probably be perfectly adequate.

No non-NFA long gun is of any more use in my roach motel sized apartment than a 14' bamboo cavalry lance. I couldn't even get anything bigger than an Ithaca Auto-Burglar through my bedroom doorway without banging into something.

If you live in a house or one of those Zeppelin hangers that they call "apartments" on "Law & Order", more power to you. Use a 14.5mm PTRS if you like.

I'm in no way disagreeing with you but I am curious as to why in YOUR home a semi auto pistol is the best choice.

I cannot think of a single reason in any home defense situation to where a shotgun wouldn't be a better choice over anything else. SUCH flexibility with them.

 

[DD357]

AR15; carbines do not penetrate any more than a handgun with proper ammo and with the proper sling weapon retention is fine. Follow up shots are much quicker than with a shotgun.

 

[BaldEagle1313]

My idea of extreme emergency is an attempt at forced entry.
1st = Grab 9mm handgun that's kept at arms length.
2nd = Move the few steps to the shotgun that's kept ready.

I'm all aboard on this. Model 910 with two 15 round mags in the nightstand, along with flashlight. Mossberg 18.5" 20 gauge with full length magazine tube filled with #3 buck and slugs.