Help me finish off my home defense line up.

[StuperDan]

I'm trying to decide which rifle to buy. Having made the decision that I am principley responsible for my own house holds defense, I'm trying to build a basic tool set.

My current lineup is a SD9 9mm, a 442 snub for carry and a old maverick 88 12 guage.

All are very functional, very well made and not expensive. Although someday I would like to have a safe full of beauties like some of you gents post, right now, as a father of 4 my main priorites are paying the bills and spending time with my kids.

I am planning to pick up a rifle. My question is this, what is the "main battle rifle" equivalent to the mossberg 12 guage or carry snubby. Where in the rifle world does economy meet function. I've looked at everything between $2k ars and the $109 ww2 Russian rifles at buds. What would you guys look for in my shoes?

 

[Badkarma 1]

Well it depends on what YOU really want. But since you asked my own HD rifle is a Ruger Mini-14. It's one of the older ones that are not supposed to be "that accurate", but one thing it is, is dead reliable! And at the short ranges encountered in home defense it's plenty accurate!
I've shot all manner of ARs, AKs, and their select fire military brothers, plus various other assault/battle rifles and sub-guns, and the Mini is just a neat little package that fills a nice niche.
Also you might look at the Smith M&P 15 Sport, it's a decent entry into the world of ARs. And the various lever action rifles are nice as well, I favor a 30/30 myself, but one in .357 or .44 is a bad choice either.
And lastly the SKS has it's merits too, ten shots of 7.62x39 will get anybody thru the night! Dale

 

[JCS&W]

For an inexpensive battle rifle, hard to beat the SKS. I know, not the sexiest beast. But very functional. The prices have dropped and like has been said, "ten shots of 7.62X39 will get anybody throu the night!". Absolutely.

 

[jlanecole]

I'd look for a good, used Marlin lever-action 30-30, and never look back.

 

[CrazyMFFM]

My vote is for a Marlin 336 levergun in 30-30 or if you can afford it a ruger mini 14. I have had a few bad experiences with the SKS platform but I will say there are good ones out there.

 

[StuperDan]

There are currently a lot of AR platforms in the $700-$800 range and AK's in the $400-$600 range.

Ammo and accessories for either of these are in big supply and reasonably priced; if one doesn't get carried away with the "Sidewalk-Commando" genre.

Right! and being a gun newb (compared with most you guys) I don't know which of the $4-600 platforms are worth having and which are cheaply made commando silliness.

I do like the idea of the marlin. I,ll look at those.

 

[sps282]

Stuper
Don't think you could go wrong with either the lever gun or the SKS, in fact you could have them both for less than the cost of most "Black Rifles"!

 

[mc5aw]

Nice quality Bushmaster ARs of all flavors run around $1k ... two grand gets you a pretty serious AR platform.

I love my Springfield SOCOM in .308. I'll take it over any AR or AK I currently own. Not cheap ... but top notch.

 

[Cdnbacon]

Carbine choices

Plenty of excellent advice given above. I agree with your priorities and think you can make a solid choice without spending a lot of money. If you want something that can double as a hunting arm the Marlin 336 is a great choice; used ones are readily available, and there is a handy youth model too. If you want to go semi auto, a base Saiga in .223, 7.62x39 or 5.45x39 is also excellent. Saigas are new Russian manufacture, function reliably right out of the box and are relatively inexpensive if left in their factory form. Should you wish to convert it to the AK look and feel, there are kits available to do the conversion. Total cost of the rifle is 300 to 400 plus about 100 for the conversion parts. There is a forum dedicated to Saiga rifles with plenty of info. And don't forget the pistol cal carbines from marlin, winchester and rossi.

 

[pete950]

Find a nice bulgarian AK 47 in 7.62x39 ammo and mags are cheap, good to go out to 300 + yards. could install a rail and red dot on it also.
These rifles can be found for $450 to 600 new.

 

[1 old 0311]

For an inexpensive battle rifle, hard to beat the SKS. I know, not the sexiest beast. But very functional. The prices have dropped and like has been said, "ten shots of 7.62X39 will get anybody throu the night!". Absolutely.

+1 all the way. Now a SKS runs $225-$275 where a WASR AK is still available for $400. Both fire 7.63X39 and both are as reliable as any machine can be made.

 

[StuperDan]

Thanks guys. Just the input I was looking for. I'll read up on the rifles suggested and start to put money back when my wife is not looking. (who ever said it is easier to ask forgiveness had been married at least as long as me)

Then I'll be ready to pounce when a deal comes my way. I'll post when I find something.

 

[Dominus_Lex]

I would take a long hard look at a lever gun. I love my AR, but Dad's old model 94 in 38-55, is lighter more compact and packs a big wallop. Takes some time to get reloads down, but that's what targets are for. Good news is you will do well with just about any of the ideas here.

 

[Snowbandit]

Find yourself a Remington pump rifle like model 760 or 7600. They're dead reliable, accurate and come in about any caliber you could want. Plus they work just like the shotgun you already have. The ones in .223 take 20 & 30 round AR mags. For aimed fire they're as fast as an auto too.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I'm trying to decide which rifle to buy. Having made the decision that I am principley responsible for my own house holds defense, I'm trying to build a basic tool set.

My current lineup is a SD9 9mm, a 442 snub for carry and a old maverick 88 12 guage.

All are very functional, very well made and not expensive. Although someday I would like to have a safe full of beauties like some of you gents post, right now, as a father of 4 my main priorites are paying the bills and spending time with my kids.

I am planning to pick up a rifle. My question is this, what is the "main battle rifle" equivalent to the mossberg 12 guage or carry snubby. Where in the rifle world does economy meet function. I've looked at everything between $2k ars and the $109 ww2 Russian rifles at buds. What would you guys look for in my shoes?

Home defense lineup?

Start with good deadbolts.

 

[NE450No2]

I would recommend a good AR15. I would want one with a 16" barrel.

In the long run it will be your best buy.

You can never go wrong with a COLT.

 

[StuperDan]

Home defense lineup?

Start with good deadbolts.

I've taken our dead bolts to the range and tried to use them but I can't seem to find any ammo that will cycle through them well.

Joking aside new deadbolts went in the day we bought the house, a year or so ago. We have an alarm system that makes a whole load of noise if you open any doors or Windows at night. the house is well lit and we have a barky dog. I'm seriously considering bolting security doors on the front and back too.

 

[Smith357]

Home defense lineup?

Start with good deadbolts.

And a large dog.

 

[joegunnllc]

Marlin Model 336BL

 

[ol' geeser]

City or Rural? How far to your closest neighbor? Who else in the family MIGHT have to fight with it if you are wounded, killed, or not at home when unpleasantness comes to visit? Is this person trainable?


I might suggest a Marlin Camp rifle in 9mm or one of the AR platforms in the same caliber...less likelyhood of shooting through your house and into your neighbor's bathroom...at urban ranges- enough power to handle most situations, easier followup, ammo available everywhere, ammo is relatively cheap, almost anybody can be trained to use it effectively....

In rural situations the weapon/caliber selection can be a little more customised...remember - you are responsible for every single bullet you launch - no matter the situation, no matter where it impacts...

 

[crofoot629]

Colt 6920 or 6940.
Buy once, cry once.

IMI M193 from Wideners for about $0.30 a round.
Pmags.
gtg

Emory

 

[amazingflapjack]

If it were me, I would stay away from anything in .223/5.56-anything. I have a Yugo AK-47 as my first in line. I have also recently purchased a Winchester 94AE in .357 Mag. No magazines-practically anyone (kid-Woman) could shoot the thing because it is light and has almost no recoil. I removed the rear sight and fashioned a piece of an old scope base that attaches to the 2 holes @ 1/2 inch center that are left when the rear sight is removed-the base going forward about 2 1/4 inches, and simply mounted a red dot on it in a scout rifle set up. It easy to do and inexpensive. Hard cast lead will shoot well at 12-1300 fps without appreciable leading. The rifle is a 16 inch barrel, and should be very effective. The SKS is a good thought as well, but like some have suggested, concentrate on educating your family, making your house send the message to perps to stay away, and do not open the door for anyone you did not know was coming, and never when you aren't there or armed. Trust the Lord. Go safely. Flapjack.

 

[mauiblue]

I doubt I would use my AR-15 carbine in my dwelling. My neighbors are only a stone's throw away and I don't want my rounds hitting any of them. I do have a Mossberg 500 Persuader 12 gauge for home duty.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[bronco45]

In a shotgun try #3 or #4 buck. Easier on the shoulder and doesn't carry as far. At close range it is devastating.

I recently went to a 357 Marlin Carbine as they are simplicity with a quick ten rounds that are powerful for home defense.

An SKS is a viable option, simple powerful and ten round capacity. I personally like Leverguns and my friends and family know how to operate them.

Education and preparedness training is as important as the weaponry.

 

[khiggins498]

Some of this could depend on your location. If you are in a rural area, a 30-30 is hard to beat for the price and versatility. If you live in a suburban/urban area, a major hunting caliber can have serious overpenetration issues. In that area, I would reccomend a .223 of some sort, as numerous tests have shown they penetrate even less than bird shot, but have good stopping power. Kel Tec makes a .223 "assault rifle" that uses AR mags. They may not look as sexy, but I have seen good reviews and they are much lower priced than your typical AR.

Good Luck.

 

[CO_Kid]

I'd look for a good, used Marlin lever-action 30-30, and never look back.

The above advice is spot on.

It's the rifle sitting in my safe. If you want an auto loader, look at a Ruger Mini. Rock solid and pretty cheap. But you'll find a good sturdy levergun to be really affordable.

 

[Hook686]

Who do you plan to defend your home against ? Why a 'Battle Rifle' ? Are you in a rural setting ? Are you in a residential neighborhood ? Are you in a condo, or apartment ? It seems to me thinking in terms of 'Battle Rifles' can be a distraction from your real quest. Do you want a rifle just to have a rifle ?

 

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

Our First Alerters are 3 dogs who each weigh over 60 pounds.

Wife and I prefer 38/357 Smiths for in house. Due to Hawaii Laws

no shooting outside due to liabilities.

 

[Doug M.]

Colt 6920 or 6940.
Buy once, cry once.

IMI M193 from Wideners for about $0.30 a round.
Pmags.
gtg

Emory

*
There ya go. The Smith M&P line has a decent rep, too, at a lower cost. My preference for a lot of reasons is a BCM/EAG package, with an added Aimpoint H-1 in a Larue mount. I did upgrade the flashlight to a G2X for more output, and the Z59 tailcap for positive on/off switching. It takes about two wraps of electrical tape to get it to fit right in the mount. For ammo, search up Gary Roberts' duty ammo testing results. ASYM/Black Hills are the first places I would look, although my agency uses a Federal 64 grain SP, as I recall. 30 round P-mags, loaded to 28, and you are good to go.
As said, "buy once, cry once". Gee, Emory, I wonder what other forums and people have influenced your thinking.

 

[mg357]

I am going to suggest
1. lever action rifle in 30-30 caliber
2. lever action rifle in .357 or .44 magnum
3. m1 garand rifle in 30-06
4.m1 carbine in .30 caliber