What would be a good home defence gun

[white cloud]

I would recommend a remington 870 if you are only looking for something for home defense, it is hard to beat the stopping power of buckshot and they are a very good value.

I picked one of these up a few months back just for home defense it has worked with all the loads that I tried in it and it didn't break the bank.

Remington 870 Express 12g 18" blued, black-synthetic $332.00 SHIPS FREE

i really like revolvers but for home defense a remington 870 or mossberg 590 is really hard to beat. go to a range and try a riot gun and then a pistol. it is really nice to see nine holes in the target with one squeeze of the trigger and have it happen easily.

 

[LuddhaBuddha]

So how do you shotgun guys secure the shotgun in your home when not in use? I am thinking about an 870 or Mossberg 500 for the home. I have a 45 cal I can get to quick but is secure. I figure the 45 would be what I use to get to the shotgun safely

TD

Mine is on the gun rack hanging on the wall at the head of my bed. I keep it loaded with the 12 pellet Nobel sport 00 buck at about 1300fps, which is not for the recoil sensitive.

 

[USAF385]

While I do have a mossberg 500 at the ready, I prefer handguns for use in the house. My main reason is it's easier for me to maneuver through the halls / doorways with a handgun.

 

[scoutsdad]

My three dogs are my first line of defense. Next to me on the nightstand is a 637, unless one of the neighbors have called to report Mexican hikers. The gunsafe is always open, and whatever I grab will work. But first thing in is a Mossberg with 2 rds of 71/2 shot ( 4 snakes) and 3rds of 00.

 

[cmort666]

Model 10 Smith 4 inch. Keyboard commandos will depricate the .38 Special and some advocate a shotgun but:

A .38 will make an assailant fall down if properly applied and is very manageable for recoil and retention.

A shotgun will not spray a whole room as in the movies; it will spread to about 10 inches in 20 feet. In the confines of a house, a strong, determined attacker can overpower you and take an unwieldy shotgun away from you.

And in an apartment like mine, a shotgun is nearly useless. I couldn't get through my bedroom door with one without smacking into something, nor down the hall to find out what was going on.

A 4" M&P/Model 10 is an excellent first centerfire handgun. Nobody's going to thank you for shooting them in the chest with a 158gr. LSWC-HP +P... unless they're already on fire when you get to them.

 

[cmort666]

I keep the gun I used in my tests, a 20" Ithaca Deerslayer, as a dedicated slug gun and not for hunting, but as a weapon. For obvious reasons I keep it loaded with X12RS15.

My first modern firearm was a 7 shot Deerslayer Police Special. I still have it but it's nearly useless where I live now, unless I were to get into a prolonged gunfight and be forced back into the bedroom.

 

[flop-shank]

My first modern firearm was a 7 shot Deerslayer Police Special. I still have it but it's nearly useless where I live now, unless I were to get into a prolonged gunfight and be forced back into the bedroom.

I love those Ithacas. That seven shot Deerslayer would be a superlative weapon when fighting from a static position such as a bedroom (not that I really need to tell you that, bro). I'd call it far from useless.

 

[hittman77]

For home defense I'd recommend"

Shotgun: Mossberg 500 or Remington 870.

Revolver: Ruger Security Six or Smith 686.

Semi-Auto: Glock 30 or Ruger P95.

 

[walnutred]

To get back to the original posters question about something that can be used for both home defense AND carried in a holster, I second or third the suggestion of looking for a used M10. However assuming you are new to firearms if you can find a good used 22 revolver in your price range don't overlook that. You need to look find something you will practice with and assuming you do not reload or have access to a large quantity of ammo a 22 may be just what you need.

Unless you live in a very dangerous area chances are slim you will ever use your handgun for anything other than target practice and piece of mind. If you buy a first firearm that you are likely to enjoy practicing with the chances of you buying a second firearms are greatly increased.

If you are determined you want a semi auto I'd look for whatever police trade-ins are available. Chances are they will be in a caliber that is easy to find ammo for, have been shot little, be of a reliable design, and less expensive than anything else available.

 

[GKC]

Nobody's going to thank you for shooting them in the chest with a 158gr. LSWC-HP +P... unless they're already on fire when you get to them.

That is hilarious!


For those who say they would like a shotgun, but think it too long or unwieldy, has anyone considered a Serbu Shorty? I looked at a used one recently in my LGS, and I asked the owner if he had shot it...he said no, and that he wasn't going to, either, since he had other ways to split his forehead if he wanted it done.

 

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

What WE have around the home are 3 dogs.

Our home has a hollow tile wall all around it.

All the guns in the home are geared to the Wife. I can handle a 12 ga.

She can IF it was a real necessity. She prefers Not to. For her, I found a
cut down Browning Citori O/U in 20 ga. Barrels are 18" no choke. Great on incomeing skeet station 8 and most likely anything else.

But, she will go for any of the M-10s or 13s that I have several of in strategic locations. Those She can handle well enough to be very dangerous to the wrong person(s).

I gear a lot of stuff around the home towards the Wife. I don't worry when I'm home. It's when I'm not home and she's home alone(never with 3 velcro dogs)that I kinda worry.

I think us guys should gear our home defense set up to when the Wives or significant others are home alone.

 

[Skeeziks]

She can IF it was a real necessity. She prefers Not to. For her, I found a
cut down Browning Citori O/U in 20 ga. Barrels are 18" no choke. Great on incomeing skeet station 8 and most likely anything else.

But, she will go for any of the M-10s or 13s that I have several of in strategic locations. Those She can handle well enough to be very dangerous to the wrong person(s).

I think us guys should gear our home defense set up to when the Wives or significant others are home alone.

Then I'm glad you found her that 20-ga. Browning...'cause, the only reason she'd have for handling & shooting the 12-ga. would be if it WAS a real necessity.

- BTW...I am in total agreement with your thoughts on gearing our HD set up towards the wives.
I say "the" wives, because I'm un-married (haven't found one yet that has the love for the great outdoors to share our lives together forever & ever.) ~

 

[G.T. Smith]

I think the OP was asking for suggestions on a cheap gun for home defense. Mossberg 500's are cheaper that the Rem. 870. My mossberg has a 24" barrel with the screw in chokes. I gave $129.00 for it. S&B 2 3/4" 00 buck shot with the modified choke does not open up much at all at 20'.
As far as a cheap hand gun goes, I believe that a Model 65 with a 4" barrel is probably cheaper to buy than a lot of the other handguns mentioned above in other posts. I bought one for $389.00, a police trade in , in very good condition. I keep it loaded with 158gr. Hornady .357 XTP. I can hit with them. I am about half deaf and blind anyway.
There are two cheapys that run smooth and shoot just fine for home defense. If a person needs to shoot slugs in a shotgun like mine, the factory recommends an improved cylinder choke tube.
Hope this helps,
Peace;
gordon

 

[66TXguy]

Another vote for the shotgun for home defense.

 

[cmort666]

That is hilarious!


For those who say they would like a shotgun, but think it too long or unwieldy, has anyone considered a Serbu Shorty? I looked at a used one recently in my LGS, and I asked the owner if he had shot it...he said no, and that he wasn't going to, either, since he had other ways to split his forehead if he wanted it done.

A friend had a pistol grip Mossberg. That was bad enough to shoot, and still would be nearly useless for what I'd need it for in MY home.

 

[W.V.Martin]

If you want a good shotgun it's hard to beat a Mossberg 500 or 590. JMHO

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,

Like many have suggested try different types of guns. I prefer a handgun and a revolver. Good reasons why a revolver is a good HD weapon have been suggested.

Listed below is my suggestions and the first revolver is my HD gun.

Regards,
roaddog28

S&W Model 10 4 inch 38 special

S&W Model 66 4 inch 357 magnum

Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch 357 magnum

 

[wnr700]

I picked up a Model 64 for the house and as trainer for the wife. DAO with a bobbed hammer, that had very little use. Guessing was an ex-security guard gun or the like... for about $280 after taxes. My only gripe is that they only had one to offer!

I gravitated to other rounds, but eventually came back to .38 special as my round of choice. Simple, affordable, reliable, proven, and available in a variety of choices in both guns and ammo.

I'm always on the lookout for these type bargains, and would love a couple of more.

With patience you can build quite a varied, interesting, and practicle aresenal on the "cheap"

 

[Martial Warrior]

im looking for a cheap gun, but i want it to be good for home defence or to carry in a holster,any ideas

For home or carry it's hard to beat a good .38 Special. And there are quite a few avenues to buy a quality used gun at a fair price. And in fact, if you are willing to spend a bit of time on the net at the various buy/sell/trade sites you can often times get a fantastic deal from a motivated seller.

I picked up a brand new .357 7-shot for $300 last year. Had less than fifty rounds through it and not a scratch. Guy got the bug to get a .45 and was shy $300 for it and wanted a quick sale.

Right place...right time...right deal

 

[f8 crusader]

My 13 year old daughter lives with me and her safety is the reason why I keep a pistol grip mossberg 500, ( this thing works all the time,) within easy reach, (if she wasn't here I won't worry about it, any intruder is welcomed to dance with the old Gunny mano a mano ) but seriously, I keep my new 44 mag mountain gun next to my pillow, its presence is so comforting....

 

[Lowtide]

Remington 1100 LT in 20 gauge. Light enought for the wife and perfect inside the home.

 

[nicky4968]

I would like to offer my humble opinion. For a handgun, any good S&W or Ruger in .38/.357 is good.
For two-handed, a .30 Carbine M-1 with bayo would be my choice. I could go into the reasons why, but I will sum it up with the fact that Audy Murphy said that this was the best weapon to use to clean out a house full of Germans.

 

[sheriffoconee]

a good home defense gun is the gun you have, that you are familiar with and reliable. Some guns are more "optimal" for the role than others of course, there is a whole industry based on this premise.