M1a for Self-Defense?

[ostlund]

If it will cycle, make your own load with a 110 grain bullet. I don't have any of my reloading manuals as I am 600 miles from home right now but I'd guess you could get it down to 9mm velocity with maybe Trail Boss or ?

 

[shocker]

Buy the M1A for nostalgia and range toy. For home defense - it's hard to go wrong with a 12 or 20 G pump shotgun.

 

[Univibe]

More most home owners and cliff dwellers a pump 12ga shotgun with minimum legal barrel length might be the best all around choice.
I'd put #4 buck in mine if that was what I had chosen for the home.
Like any other firearm you need to become very familiar with it and what to expect when you fire it inside a room.So shoot it at a small indoor range.
At night in a dark room and without ear protection the firing may be shocking.

I retired the venerable defender pump in favor of 9mm pistol carbine. 30>6 and much easier and faster to use.

 

[zonker5]

I prefer a 20 gauge semi over a pump gun as I can catch the butt between my elbow and torso and use it with one hand. With a 20 the recoil isn't bad and my other hand is free for a light or a cell phone.

Ammo choice is #4 steel shot; strips the meat off the bones without over penetrating the walls.

 

[Arm]

Unless you have a squad moving toward you, I'd opt for a shotgun or a good revolver. I like the M 14, I carried one in VN but, for home defense...think twice,

 

[johngalt]

I'll chime in that I wouldn't use a M1A for home defense. But definitely get one if you want one. The great thing about living here - No need to justify or otherwise provide a reason to buy a firearm. Wanting one is good enough.

That said, during the festivities of May 2020, I had my M1 Garand handy if needed.

 

[Buford57]

I

However, I'm struggling with the M1a for self-defense and wanted your thoughts.

I'm an urban dweller with houses on either side and no plans to bug out to rural areas

As to self-defense at a distance, say counter-sniping (which the LGS suggested), I'm thinking that hiding well and/or getting out of the situation would be the better strategy vs. counter-sniping, or just using a scoped AR-15. I realize that there's only so much one can do, preparing for more likely scenarios is better, and that it's impossible to prepare for every scenario; I'm thinking that counter-sniping would be highly unlikely, the 1990s Balkans civil war notwithstanding.

What are your thoughts?

I can't believe some of the nonsense you hear in gun shops. Everybody knows that for countersniping in an urban environment you need a Barrett .50 in case they take cover in a cinderblock school.

Hope you enjoy your M1A.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

M1A, you have a velociraptor problem? Seriously, a quality 2-4 inch revolver in .38 spcl loaded with defensive ammo with a quality tactical hand light is sufficient. Don't kill the neighbors kid when your 2500 fps rifle bullet goes through your sheetrock and vinyl siding or window and your neighbors window.

 

[BB57]

M1A, you have a velociraptor problem? Seriously, a quality 2-4 inch revolver in .38 spcl loaded with defensive ammo with a quality tactical hand light is sufficient. Don't kill the neighbors kid when your 2500 fps rifle bullet goes through your sheetrock and vinyl siding or window and your neighbors window.

Don't underestimate the Velociraptor threat. Remember, they've been dead for over 70 million years, so we are really talking about Zombie Velociraptors.


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Otherwise, I agree a center fire rifle isn't required. Target identification however is critical as you don't want to be shooting your 16 year old daughter in your own garage.

 

[walnutred]

Cool historical rifle to have, and heavy enough to offer an effective attitude adjustment with just a bump to the head.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

Don't forget the bayonet lug. A bayonet might me more practical in the dwelling defense roll.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Fix bayonets. Home invaders inbound.

 

[Dusty Miller]

Unless you live in a house with bullet resistant walls I would say NO.

Unless you NEIGHBORS live in houses with bullet PROOF walls I would say NO.

 

[Dusty Miller]

All ya need is a double barrelled shotgun!
-Joe Biden

Yep, and all ya need to do is to go out onto the balcony and fire off a couple rounds!

 

[Hank Dodge]

I like the M1A ..... Solid rifles that just don't fail. I have a short 16" Springfield "Thumper" that I wrapped in a GI walnut stock. That rifle is really fast handling and feels great on the shoulder. Being in kalifornia myself, the AR 15 rifles lose a lot of functionality. For a 5.56 the Mini-14 works well, but the need for Ruger magazines makes it less than desirable. I know that the .308 is overpowered for many applications, but I'd rather be on that end of things than suffer the alternative...

 

[giants1]

I like the M1A ..... Solid rifles that just don't fail. I have a short 16" Springfield "Thumper" that I wrapped in a GI walnut stock. That rifle is really fast handling and feels great on the shoulder. Being in kalifornia myself, the AR 15 rifles lose a lot of functionality. For a 5.56 the Mini-14 works well, but the need for Ruger magazines makes it less than desirable. I know that the .308 is overpowered for many applications, but I'd rather be on that end of things than suffer the alternative...

Thanks. My LGS is still out of stock on M1As, but they might get some in soon.

What's your accuracy like on your Mini-14? What year and/or first three digits of the serial number is it?

 

[rogerwnuss]

In the house, no. For a threat you see coming down the street a block away, sure. But get it because you want it. That's plenty enough reason. But a 12 gauge pump is a good idea for the house.

 

[giants1]

Thanks. I'm not in a duty to retreat state, but I can't envision a situation where I could legally shoot someone down the street a block away, as opposed to run home and barricade myself.

 

[Greyman50]

Our MVPA is raffling a M1-A off in March at our Winter event. Have " sold" about 10 ticket in a week, not really trying until I go to the range tomorrow, LOL

 

[AJ]

A M-14 clone or a M-1 Garand for home defense? These are battle rifles. If you have a 500-600 yard killing zone all the way around your house maybe or need to shoot through walls to hit your target then yes.

In my house I will always use a handgun. Much more maneuverable in tight spaces.

If I have to use a long gun then my M870 with a nine shot capacity is my first choice ( OO Buck) Then comes a M4 style 556 mm, or a M1 carbine.

 

[rogerwnuss]

Thanks. I'm not in a duty to retreat state, but I can't envision a situation where I could legally shoot someone down the street a block away, as opposed to run home and barricade myself.

You do realize that was a bit tongue in cheek, da?
To illustrate why a full size battle rifle might not fill the bill for in the house. I read an article once about a barricaded bad guy , who was shooting at cops from in a house and a cop put three rounds from a 308 HK through the house where he thought the bad guy was. No more bad guy. Good example of why big rifles might not be the best choice for a house gun.