Looking for thoughts... "home" defense (i.e. RV)

SchemaEnigma

SchemaEnigma

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(To skip my intro and get to the question, jump to the :unsure:)

My wife and I do a lot of travel and "camping" ;) with our travel trailer. Through free states, commie states, and states that allow a local mess of ordinaces.

When our itinerary is only through the free states, I have my S&W EZ9 as a CC while driving, and my S&W 2.0 9 "full size" (4.25") in the RV.

When the itinerary includes the gun-grabbers, I tend to leave the pistols at home and travel without a firearm. I know that is overreacting, but with states like CO where every local government can enact their own lunacy, or cities like Portland where it is essentially illegal as a non-resident to have any firearm within city limits, doing a complete locale-by-locale study of gun laws and ordinances is exhausting. (And I do buy the excellent Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States every year - highly recommended).

So, I've been mulling over and over - for far too long...

:unsure: Is there a firearm for "home" (RV) defense that:
  1. Is legal everywhere
  2. Is safe(ish?) to use in a crowded RV park / campground
    • RVs have paper-thin walls, crowded interiors, and neighbors within 20-30 feet
    • Neighbors sometimes in tents
  3. Is effective as a home defense weapon?
I'd appreciate any thoughts.
 
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HD shotgun. Smaller shot equals less penetration. Short range weapon but at ranges involved who cares. Heavy loads good in the toolies where bears and assorted nasties may be found. Also, stay the hell out of commie states. There are a bunch of beautiful places you can go while avoiding the workers’ paradises. Also, traveling to Alaska the ‘ol shotgun (with correct paperwork) gets you through Canada as a tool for “wildlife defense”. (Can’t have anything for defense against two legged animals ‘cause they’re protected species🙄
 
Shibadog said:
HD shotgun. Smaller shot equals less penetration. Short range weapon but at ranges involved who cares. Heavy loads good in the toolies where bears and assorted nasties may be found. Also, stay the hell out of commie states. There are a bunch of beautiful places you can go while avoiding the workers’ paradises. Also, traveling to Alaska the ‘ol shotgun (with correct paperwork) gets you through Canada as a tool for “wildlife defense”. (Can’t have anything for defense against two legged animals ‘cause they’re protected species🙄
Click to expand...
Thanks...

I was thinking a shotgun, perhaps one of the bullpup designs, maybe even 410 bore, like the KSG410 with SD loads / 000 Buck, for maneuverability, decent round capacity, and perhaps safer to the neighbors vs a 12 gauge. (Probably not much use against bears, etc., though).

RE: commie states, some things there are still on my want to see list, and besides, my daughter lives in one - OR.
 
A problem that may not have a good solution, but...

I suspect your RV has storage outside the interior compartment where you could store lock boxes - one with pistols mags removed for storage in the second lock box containing loaded mags and extra ammo that may keep the local wing-nuts from confiscating your nighttime protection. I'd opt for biometric gun safes for pistols and ammo, and maybe a lockable Pelican carrying case to secure the biometrics when on the road again.

Frangible ammo might be worth considering. It is designed to disintegrate upon impact with hard surfaces, minimizing the risk of ricochet and often used for training in close quarters.
 
Shotgun or lever action rifle in pistol caliber.

We generally travel with what the media would call an "arsenal", but we try to shoot regularly, even when on the road in the RV. We don't get to the East much, and give CA a wide berth... I've never really worried about CO much, but we don't go to the big blue cities.
 
SchemaEnigma said:
Thanks...

I was thinking a shotgun, perhaps one of the bullpup designs, maybe even 410 bore, like the KSG410 with SD loads / 000 Buck, for maneuverability, decent round capacity, and perhaps safer to the neighbors vs a 12 gauge. (Probably not much use against bears, etc., though).

RE: commie states, some things there are still on my want to see list, and besides, my daughter lives in one - OR.
Click to expand...
I’d suggest one that looks more “traditional”-esp if ya head up north. I’ve got an el cheapo Mossberg Maverick with the short factory barrel and a youth stock. Pumps seem more “acceptable than auto’s, and traditional style with wood stocks isn’t as scary to the sheeple.
 
Overpenetration is what has always concerned me when travelling in our RV. A double barrel, either a stack barrel or side by side, with mini shells is about the best solution I could come up with. Plus you can always put in slugs or buckshot when your are out in the woods.

A revolver with shot shells might not be bad, though far less effective than a standard round.
 
Short answer to your first question is, no. There is no firearm that is certain to be legal anywhere you might go. None. There may be some non-lethal options that might be legal everywhere, but then you're back to having to research every locale you might visit, because it is absolutely the case that some jurisdictions even restrict non-lethal defensive options.

As for storing it in an outside enclosure, that's great for traveling through restrictive areas. Then you are protected by federal law. But once you stop to camp in any particular place, you are no longer passing through. Now you are subject to their laws, and your guns may be illegal.

It kind of stinks, but that's how it works.
 
SchemaEnigma said:
Thanks...

I was thinking a shotgun, perhaps one of the bullpup designs, maybe even 410 bore, like the KSG410 with SD loads / 000 Buck, for maneuverability, decent round capacity, and perhaps safer to the neighbors vs a 12 gauge. (Probably not much use against bears, etc., though).

RE: commie states, some things there are still on my want to see list, and besides, my daughter lives in one - OR.
Click to expand...
Be careful with bull pups and others (ie shockwave). They have what some states call “features” which make them illegal. To address your concerns I’d stick with an 18” mossberg 500 or Remington 870
 
Bald1 said:
Be careful with bull pups and others (ie shockwave). They have what some states call “features” which make them illegal. To address your concerns I’d stick with an 18” mossberg 500 or Remington 870
Click to expand...
Shockwave style are illegal (to a non-lawyer investigating) in New York state as the law requires shotguns to be shoulder fired.

Non-semiauto bullpup style may or may not be legal in NY; their law on pistol grips on shotguns perhaps only applies to semi-autos and non-shoulder fired shotguns. It is confusing (probably on purpose :rolleyes: ).

In Cali, pistol grips on shotguns are legal in general (my reading), but the KSGs may run afoul of fixed magazine capacity limits, depending on if the law considers the KSG410 capacity to be 10 (for 3" shells) or 14 (for 2.5" shells).

Either way, having a firearm that is legal in 46 of the lower 48 something anyway.
 
SchemaEnigma said:
Shockwave style are illegal (to a non-lawyer investigating) in New York state as the law requires shotguns to be shoulder fired.

Non-semiauto bullpup style may or may not be legal in NY; their law on pistol grips on shotguns perhaps only applies to semi-autos and non-shoulder fired shotguns. It is confusing (probably on purpose :rolleyes: ).

In Cali, pistol grips on shotguns are legal in general (my reading), but the KSGs may run afoul of fixed magazine capacity limits, depending on if the law considers the KSG410 capacity to be 10 (for 3" shells) or 14 (for 2.5" shells).

Either way, having a firearm that is legal in 46 of the lower 48 something anyway.
Click to expand...
Shockwaves are illegal in NY because they are classified as other. NY made all other listed gun illegal.
 
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The shotgun idea is good, but for the crowded interior of an RV, I would prefer a handgun. A 5-8 shot revolver is about as legally acceptable a gun as you can have. 4" model 10s can be found all over and for little money. Effective and you're not out a lot of money if the police wind up seizing it for what ever reason.
 
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Denverd0n said:
Short answer to your first question is, no. There is no firearm that is certain to be legal anywhere you might go. None. There may be some non-lethal options that might be legal everywhere, but then you're back to having to research every locale you might visit, because it is absolutely the case that some jurisdictions even restrict non-lethal defensive options.

As for storing it in an outside enclosure, that's great for traveling through restrictive areas. Then you are protected by federal law. But once you stop to camp in any particular place, you are no longer passing through. Now you are subject to their laws, and your guns may be illegal.

It kind of stinks, but that's how it works.
Click to expand...
Also remember that something like 90+% of campers use the SAME key for exterior store compartments. You probably need to change those out. We did on ours.
 
I don't know about safe and/or legal everywhere ...
But my Home Defense is a short barreled shotgun with a regular lengh butt stock ... like one you hunt with .
Double barrel can be loaded with shorty shells . bird shot or buck shot .
Pump is versatile , some can even use shorty shells .
Mine is a 12 ga. , because of ammo choices, a 20 ga. will do .
I have an elastic ammo carrier on the pump's butt stock full of ammo and do not keep a round in the chamber or magazine ... for extra safety ... I know it's slower but I just like keeping it in that condition ... with children around !
Shotguns are probably your least regulated firearms and should be legal in most states .
Good Luck ,
Gary
 
SchemaEnigma said:
(To skip my intro and get to the question, jump to the :unsure:)

My wife and I do a lot of travel and "camping" ;) with our travel trailer. Through free states, commie states, and states that allow a local mess of ordinaces.

When our itinerary is only through the free states, I have my S&W EZ9 as a CC while driving, and my S&W 2.0 9 "full size" (4.25") in the RV.

When the itinerary includes the gun-grabbers, I tend to leave the pistols at home and travel without a firearm. I know that is overreacting, but with states like CO where every local government can enact their own lunacy, or cities like Portland where it is essentially illegal as a non-resident to have any firearm within city limits, doing a complete locale-by-locale study of gun laws and ordinances is exhausting. (And I do buy the excellent Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States every year - highly recommended).

So, I've been mulling over and over - for far too long...

:unsure: Is there a firearm for "home" (RV) defense that:
  1. Is legal everywhere
  2. Is safe(ish?) to use in a crowded RV park / campground
    • RVs have paper-thin walls, crowded interiors, and neighbors within 20-30 feet
    • Neighbors sometimes in tents
  3. Is effective as a home defense weapon?
I'd appreciate any thoughts.
Click to expand...
Not that I’m aware of
 
Any shotgun similar to an Ithaca Model 37 or a Winchester 1897.

1784266913590.webp

Over penetration is a problem with any gun you choose, but with a shotgun loaded with birdshot (I like 7s), you minimize the problem considerably.

That old Ithaca is around 3'/4" long, and that size should easily fit into a hidden nook somewhere on an RV.
 
I haven't traveled or camped for a while but the last time I did I had put a British #5 Jungle Carbine and a 19" Winchester Model 12 in 12 gauge in the van - a usuall, I also carried two 1911s on my person.

The only state I had to avoid on my way to Idaho was Illinois.

Riposte
 
I'm another fan of a 12 ga. shotgun. BILLS, specific recommendation of a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 is spot on. While I like the 870 due to years of police training with a combat shotgun, the Mossberg 500's tang safety would be more intuitive for most people. Magazine extensions are available for both, but localized laws can make that problematic. Rifle sights are handy too. A big BOOM, can be more defensive than a little pop.
 
SchemaEnigma said:
  1. Is legal everywhere
  2. Is safe(ish?) to use in a crowded RV park / campground
    • RVs have paper-thin walls, crowded interiors, and neighbors within 20-30 feet
    • Neighbors sometimes in tents
  3. Is effective as a home defense weapon?
Click to expand...
Many comments refer to overpenetration, but that infers that all your shots hit the target. At night (probably), under stress. Unless you are part of the 0.1% of the gun owning population who can be 90% certain that all your shots hit the target, your concern is an errant shot in a crowded campground, not overpenetration. In a crowded campground (where a life threatening attack is less likely), I'd put the firearm away and rely on a home defense pepper spray. Of course, that might not be legal everywhere.
 
i would suggest you look at a governor..45 colt 45acp or 410 .45acp on moon clip for fast reload.410 federal buckshot or some of other self defense loads.Should be very handy in a RV
 
nll401 wrote: Many comments refer to overpenetration, but that infers that all your shots hit the target.
Click to expand...

Actually, that's only partly true. It also refers to missing and your rounds zipping out through windows, aluminum siding, etc.
 
Mossberg shockwave for me. but you will never catch me in a park or organized campground. I dry camp remote.
 
Basic 5-shot pump shotgun, and a used Model 10 revolver, and the bases are realistically covered, and these should fly well under the radar anywhere but obvious no-go zones like NY/NJ, Chicago, etc.
Shotgun....revolver.....no need to over think it.
 
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