hogblue
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12 ga double barrel coach gun
Home defense for a newbie?
- Thread starter jeffrefrig
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bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Correct. I guess I didn't make that clear.
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ContinentalOp
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I think you're on the right track, letting your brother-in-law try different guns and decide for himself what he prefers.
However, gun selection is actually a pretty small part of home defense/security. Does he know how to make his home a "hardened target" that makes thieves/home invaders decide to go elsewhere? Does he know how to layer security to make it difficult for someone to get in, giving him time to go to a designated safe room? Does he have a safe room? Does he have a means to call 911 from the safe room?
He doesn't have to break the bank to set this up. His safe room could be set up by installing a solid-core door in his bedroom with a deadbolt lock and a charged cell phone. He could make sure exterior doors are solid-core with good deadbolt locks. Motion-detector lights outside his home can be effective. Clearing away bushes and shrubbery from doorways and windows can remove hiding places for would-be thieves/invaders. If you have the means, a security system and/or cameras can be a good idea. Just some examples.
And to echo federali's suggestion, he should also learn about the law and legal implications. Not only what he can and can't do, but also what he should and shouldn't do.
As well as tactics, such as developing a response plan and practicing it occasionally, working out potential lines of fire, etc.
And situational awareness. It's not unheard of for home invaders to follow their victims home.
Some first aid/trauma training would be worth having, too.
He doesn't necessarily have to do this all at once, or even do all of them. Just some suggestions.
However, gun selection is actually a pretty small part of home defense/security. Does he know how to make his home a "hardened target" that makes thieves/home invaders decide to go elsewhere? Does he know how to layer security to make it difficult for someone to get in, giving him time to go to a designated safe room? Does he have a safe room? Does he have a means to call 911 from the safe room?
He doesn't have to break the bank to set this up. His safe room could be set up by installing a solid-core door in his bedroom with a deadbolt lock and a charged cell phone. He could make sure exterior doors are solid-core with good deadbolt locks. Motion-detector lights outside his home can be effective. Clearing away bushes and shrubbery from doorways and windows can remove hiding places for would-be thieves/invaders. If you have the means, a security system and/or cameras can be a good idea. Just some examples.
And to echo federali's suggestion, he should also learn about the law and legal implications. Not only what he can and can't do, but also what he should and shouldn't do.
As well as tactics, such as developing a response plan and practicing it occasionally, working out potential lines of fire, etc.
And situational awareness. It's not unheard of for home invaders to follow their victims home.
Some first aid/trauma training would be worth having, too.
He doesn't necessarily have to do this all at once, or even do all of them. Just some suggestions.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I would join those who recommend adhering to the KISS principle and start him out with a mid-size double-action revolver in .38. I’ve steered a few friends and acquaintances toward a police surplus Model 10.
Economically priced, controllable to shoot and simple to handle.
I consider any long gun as the only gun inside a home to be problematic unless the person does home defense as a hobby, like most here on the forum do in one way or another. Maneuvering a shotgun or AR-sized rifle inside normal hallways and rooms requires tactical considerations that are simply beyond a regular guy who wants to keep a gun just in case.
And being able to hold the gun out if sight while approaching or interacting with a “suspicious” person who turns out to be not suspicious at all is desirable, as that scenario is much more common than the worst case. Most of the time, when you answer the door and there is a stranger, the guy wants to sell you insurance or tell you about Jesus, not attack you
Economically priced, controllable to shoot and simple to handle.
I consider any long gun as the only gun inside a home to be problematic unless the person does home defense as a hobby, like most here on the forum do in one way or another. Maneuvering a shotgun or AR-sized rifle inside normal hallways and rooms requires tactical considerations that are simply beyond a regular guy who wants to keep a gun just in case.
And being able to hold the gun out if sight while approaching or interacting with a “suspicious” person who turns out to be not suspicious at all is desirable, as that scenario is much more common than the worst case. Most of the time, when you answer the door and there is a stranger, the guy wants to sell you insurance or tell you about Jesus, not attack you
OP, I believe you have a workable strategy. I'd start out with the .22 revolver before moving to the Model 10; then, on to the semi-automatics to minimize the dreaded "flinch".
The revolvers first strategy, helps the new shooter learn to manage a greater variety of triggers and opens up more options for the future.
A qualified firearms instructor who can detect bad habits developing will be beneficial to his long term success as a gun owner and shooter.
I would not encourage him to opt for a shotgun over a handgun if he has never had experience shooting them.
Home defense is as much about hardening the homestead as it is about becoming a proficient shooter and responsible gun owner.
The revolvers first strategy, helps the new shooter learn to manage a greater variety of triggers and opens up more options for the future.
A qualified firearms instructor who can detect bad habits developing will be beneficial to his long term success as a gun owner and shooter.
I would not encourage him to opt for a shotgun over a handgun if he has never had experience shooting them.
Home defense is as much about hardening the homestead as it is about becoming a proficient shooter and responsible gun owner.
If you're not opening the door why do you need to specifically grab a gun before going to the door?
Let me try to try to communicate my point in a different way.
Have you heard people say "I only carry a gun when go somewhere where I might need it." and someone else says "If where you're going is so bad you think you might need a gun, why are you going there?" This is the same concept.
First let me state clearly that I carry a gun at home so REGARDLESS of who knocks on my door I open the door with a gun on me just like BWZ. I'm just not making a special point of taking a gun to the door.
Second the rule in my house is we don't open the door until the identity of the person on the other side is known. If there's any question that it isn't safe to open the door we don't period.
I can't think of a single time that we weren't able to identify the person knocking before we opened the door.
I always recommend a revolver for beginners but many guys just don't want one, they'll say they want a semi-auto pistol which isn't a bad choice either just not quite a simple. For those folks I would probably recommend an M&P 9mm compact with 4" barrel and thumb safety. It has Glock 19 size and capacity but has the thumb safety which I prefer and I think a beginner REALLY needs, plus it has a consistent trigger and no decocker or cocked and lock carry, which I think is for more for advanced shooters. 9m/m is about the cheapest centerfire cartridge and that would be an incentive to get in a lot of practice.
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ContinentalOp
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Because if their intent is to invade your home they may try to force their way in if you don't open the door.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
I always identify who a visitor purports to be before opening the door, but someone could be wearing a legitimate ID and uniform and be present for a legitimate reason, and still turn out to be a threat.
Really the same process every time the exterior door is opened, like for getting the mail or taking out the garbage. Just automatically drop the nearby carry in your pocket. Never leave home without it.
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ContinentalOp
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This makes no sense. You recommend a gun with a thumb safety for new shooters because guns with thumb safeties are for advanced shooters?
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Again thanks. I thought that part was obvious also, but guess not. To hopefully be clear, any perceived threat, the door stays locked and the PD gets called.
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Difficult to safely secure a ready to go shotgun, whereas a pistol can be secured in the bedside pistol vault during the day, with the lid open at nightime. KISS for newbies, pull and fire.
Low threat environment, K frame size revolver loaded with +P .38.
Higher threat environment, Glock 19.
And show him how to use a flashlight with the weapon of choice.
Low threat environment, K frame size revolver loaded with +P .38.
Higher threat environment, Glock 19.
And show him how to use a flashlight with the weapon of choice.
Fiddler1537
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Reading all these posts, I must live in the garden of eden, or I'm just not scared enough...
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Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
That’s what I meant earlier, by mentioning that most of us have adopted home defense as a hobby
wetdog1911
Member
Exactly my thought also, but in 20ga. 12ga recoil might be just a bit much for a newb with those short bbls.
Still undecided over hammerless, or exposed hammers AFA a complete newb goes. I have and use both types and am more than comfortable with both. What do you think?
Rob
Ruger LCR times two or three
One with night sights, one LCRx DASA
Maybe one with 3” barrel for range play
Couple sets Zeta6 loaders
Night stand, hallway stash, truck gun, concealed
But a bunch of 130grn range ammo
Buy a hundred or so 135 Gold Dot +P
Simple, easy, consistent user interface - teach your sister too
No mags to load, slides to rack, etc.
Later, consider a lever gun in .38/.357
One with night sights, one LCRx DASA
Maybe one with 3” barrel for range play
Couple sets Zeta6 loaders
Night stand, hallway stash, truck gun, concealed
But a bunch of 130grn range ammo
Buy a hundred or so 135 Gold Dot +P
Simple, easy, consistent user interface - teach your sister too
No mags to load, slides to rack, etc.
Later, consider a lever gun in .38/.357
ContinentalOp
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Not everybody has front doors like that.
Several years ago a little street rat attempted to invade my home. He was stopped by the simple fact that we never opened the door. afterwards we decided to upgrade our doors.
If somebody is going to attempt to force a closed and locked door why would you make their job easier by opening it?
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