A home defense trio for $1,000.00?

[ColbyBruce]

I was eating breakfast with two friends and one’s son-in-law. A retired nurse anesthesist, a deputy, S-I-L is an estate attorney. S-I-L asked if he could spend $1,000.00 and have adequate home protection.

The N A (F-I-L) said “that wouldn’t buy one decent gun.”

The deputy said “no, five times that would barely cover it.”

I replied “maybe not in Gaza, but for sure right here.”

“New” isn’t truly necessary. There can be lots of life left in a used item providing it has been properly cared for. I was carrying the S&W SD9VE I purchased last Wednesday for $130.00 plus tax. When we left I showed it to him and offered to let him fire it later. I pointed out new AR’s were <$400.00 as were some models of shotguns.


The N A kind of got flustered and the deputy stood there telling the prospective gun buyer I was “old and out of touch with current values”.

I politely pointed out to the N A that his son hunted with a Steven’s 200 7mm/08 that I sold him, used, for $175.00 many years ago and the deputy carried a Taurus 85 CH .38 special on his ankle that I sold to him for $150.00 five years ago.

There is no need to overspend.

 

[diyj98]

I don't know what kind of fantasy world they live in, but $1,000 will buy plenty of adequate home protection with room for a lot of ammo to go with it.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I don't know what kind of fantasy world they live in, but $1,000 will be plenty of adequate home protection with room for a lot of ammo to go with it.

The deputy’s idea of entry level firearms are:
shotgun-Benelli M4, AR-Daniel Defense, handgun-Wilson Combat

A beginner gun owner is likely to balk at a $1,000.00 budget for three things they know little to nothing about.

 

[Bald1]

For a grand I would buy a 18” Mossberg Maverick 12ga and a 4” model 10. If you fancied a semi auto there are a ton of $500 9mm. And I’d have plenty of money left for ammo. My house would be pretty well protected

 

[wbraswell]

I got an Atwood's flyer from Sunday and it has Ruger Security 9s for less than $300. It's a toad, but it probably works. S&W SDs, some Taurus and Kel-Tecs are just a few of affordable pistol options out there.

 

[murphydog]

Your son-in-law could spend about $600-700 on a pump action 12 gauge and a budget/used 9 mm pistol, then buy enough ammo to practice and make your SD friend feel foolish.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Actually, you don't need a trio. If you're in an urban environment a rifle is not recommended so all you need is a shotgun and a handgun. Top quality of each will still be under a grand, and you'll have money left over for ammunition. Buy quality used guns and you'll do well indeed. We've all done that.

 

[Patrick L]

The term "chainsaw guy" comes to mind...

 

[Sixgun100]

You can spend as much or as little as you want on firearms. Mossberg Maverick 88 Security for $250ish and any number of 9mm pistols about the same. LEO turn it pistols are plentiful around here for $250.

 

[Doug M.]

The first investment is in various perimeter security/passive measures: fencing, motion detector cameras, and I like big dogs. The more you discourage unwanted presence, the less you have to fight. The firearms chosen tend to be less important. Any who is not invited to your home should be very uncomfortable; my house has fencing and is posted no trespassing, which provides a complete legal basis for immediate arrest (your state law may differ; you need to know it). Even before the fencing, I did not deal with people who came to the door very pleasantly. They have no right to be there nor any right to not be offended. If you answer the door, NEVER open it, and never be unarmed.

As for picking firearms, some of that depends on context, like the politics of your jurisdiction. My shotgun days are pretty much over after a broken shoulder and related surgery, and you need to consider what any armed person in your home can shoot well. A quality AR is a far better platform with good duty ammo; lighter, less recoil by a lot, and far less likely to over penetrate than most people think. Over penetration is less of problem than missing. I bought mine as hard use duty weapons, so Bravo Company.

Handguns: .38/9mm and up with ammo that is on Doc Roberts' list and tested for reliability, then get good training.

 

[Spurdann]

1000 rounds of 124gr 9mm for $250, that leaves money for just about any of the plastic fantastic 9s plus money for training and range time.

 

[pharmer]

$219:

$438:

For $343 there are tons of used 12 ga pumps: 870's, 500's, etc. Joe

 

[eb07]

$400.00 Used Remington 870 police trade in. Attention Required! | Cloudflare


$450 = Used Smith Model 10. Smith & Wesson 10 Revolver, 38 Special, 4″ Barrel, French Issue, VG, Used, S&W. – J&G Sales


$44 = 50 rounds 00 buck. FEDERAL F130 12GA 23/4 MAG 00BK 50RD MEGA BOX- F13000 - Caliber Supply, LLC


$31 - Box of 38 Ammo Cheap 38 Special Ammo For Sale - 158 gr +P LSWCHP Federal Law Enforcement Ammunition In Stock - 5f0 rounds


75 Left over for FFL transfer and or shipping


Also I am sure shopping around may find better deals on the firearms.


Well prepared. Not sure why you need a trio for home defense. 1 classic bedside gun and a tube for the hard work.

The Ar platform is highly overrated IMHO

 

[Marshal Tom]

I think BS covers it nicely!

 

[44wheelman]

400 gets you a le trade in Glock 17.

 

[fatcat3]

Home Protection.
Mossberg 88 security $240 new.. Winchester Super-X Buckshot 2 3/4 OO buckshot 25 rounds $19. Plus tax shipping transfer fees. Considerably less than $1000.
Up the game with Smith and Wesson SD9 $300, 2 extra mas $36, Federal Champion 9mm 115-Grain 500-Rounds FMJ (even FMJ pokes holes)$128.
With $ to spare.
Too many people seem to think they need to be equipped and train like Seal Team Six is going to call any minute and ask for a helping hand. GET A GRIP! We are talking about defending hearth and home not invading the Asian land mass.

 

[WR Moore]

“New” isn’t truly necessary. There can be lots of life left in a used item providing it has been properly cared for. I was carrying the S&W SD9VE I purchased last Wednesday for $130.00 plus tax. When we left I showed it to him and offered to let him fire it later. I pointed out new AR’s were <$400.00 as were some models of shotguns.

One of my current favorite handguns was picked up used for a hair over $300. While fundamentally sound, Bubba had been at work and a few wear parts and "improved" parts needed changed out. There are indeed a great many used guns with little wear that an astute shopper could pick up and use with few worries. Used 870's can be a bargain and rehabbed reasonably if necessary.

I spent decades using and watching ARs in use. As a result, I've got a really short list of manufacturers I'd spend my own money to acquire. I'm not a snob, just a realist. (Somewhere between Yugo and Rolls Royce quality works fine.) New, dependable, bet your life on it AR for <$400? Ain't no way-at least in my experience.

 

[jimmyj]

$1000.00 :
Purchase a $50.00 Sword and spend the other $950.00 on wine, song, and ? (I forgot what the third item is, but I think it was some kind of "Fun")

 

[Doug M.]

While no one wants to get shot with anything unless they are borderline insane, 9mm FMJ is not a good choice, just as .38 round nose lead is a disaster.The only real purpose such ammo serves is for training and making empties for reloading.
I was not a fan of ARs for a long time until I got real training from the late Pat Rogers. It is a far better and more user friendly platform than a shotgun. I have had a 12 gauge set up for fighting for a long time, but it is no longer a wise option as I get older and more broken.
That all said, a firearm borders on the least important component of a home defense system. Making your home a less attractive target is the first and most important. The more you do to achieve that, the better off you are.

 

[URIT]

I'll stick with my EDC model 3953 and my Governor 45/410.

I'm not a fan of long guns for house searches, and I'm leaving that task to the LEOs that get paid to do such things. I retired nearly 25 years ago and don't do that any longer.

Home security means more than firepower, so I'd add some door security bars (2:$30) for interior doors to slow the intruder(s) down and give me time to call the police. I should have enough money left over for some ammo and a blindingly bright mag light.