I know there are a number of LEOs, military, and other people very knowledgeable about guns on this forum, so I thought I would ask for your opinion.

My garage was broken into last week and now I am wanting some protection, in case they were to break into my house. No material possesion is worth killing over, but God help them if they try to hurt my family.

I currently live in a small-medium city (50k people or so) in a mostly rural county, but will be moving out into a more rural area of the county in a couple years (we just bought 4 acres). I currently don't have any children, just the wife, the dog, and me.

I have searched and read a number of posts on the subject and have seen opinions on revolvers, semi auto pistols, and shotguns as being the best choice.

I am looking to spend under $300. I am pretty much open to whatever. I have looked at ads and have seen a S&W .40 Sigma VE for about $250.

Sorry for the long post and thanks for your help guys. Have a safe and Happy New Year!

 

There are any number of opinions as to what the best home defense weapon is, but if I had access to only 1 weapon it would be a 12 ga pump shotgun.

You can load it with low base bird loads that are absolutely devastating to a burglar at short range but tend not to over penetrate walls in your home. If you do have to fire a weapon in your home, you don't want the bullet to travel through a wall and hit one of your children in bed.

They do make frangible bullets for handguns that break up and help alleviate this problem, but the 12 ga has the capability to be as capable as you need it to be.

From non-lethal rubber rounds, bean bags that knock the wind out of somebody, to full power slugs that will bring down a bear, the choice is yours.

I have in the past kept bird shot in the first two rounds and then devastating buckshot or slugs stacked in the magazine behind them. Two quick pumps and I have the the hot stuff if needed.

Keep the shotgun in mind as you look at weapons, in the proper configuration it can be a very handy defensive weapon indeed

 

Thinking the same. My go to home defense weapon is a 12 gauge riot shotgun with 2 3/4" 00 buckshot, with a .45 ACP as a backup.

MikeyB

 

I have to agree with top on this one, if you are not gonna carry then a shotty is the way to go, nothing more intimidating then racking one off to an intruder.


Tim

 

and if that unwanted guest hears a 12 ga pump(un like a single click from a handgun) he will be heading out very quickly

but lary is right about bird loads

 

Look at Rem 870 express. 12 ga. # 4 shot has more pellets per round. Know cops that use #4 in the roit shotguns. Take the plug out for more capacity. They sell a tube ext for even more capacity. Talk with local sherrif deputies for some ideas. Good luck.

 

12 Gauge is good, the main drawback with it is weapon retention. As a civilian protecting your family in your home you should have a plan and a "safe room". DOn't walk through your house trying to clear it like the cops on TV. The bad guy may get the jump on you and get the gun away. Keep ypur family protected call 911 and let the dirtball come to you to get his...

Hondo

 

I am with Top on this one to a certain extent. I keep a Mossberg 590 with 2 3/4" #4 shot followed by 3" 00 buck figure if I don't have under control with the 1st 3 #4's than the 00 will finish the job. That said I also keep my Glock 22 (.40 S&W) in the night stand along with a good knife and a LED tactical light. And a land line phone and cell phone all in the master. The problem I have with shotguns is they are rather large and still need to be aimed despite the ole scatter-gun, an shoot in the general area idea. If it came to room clearing I would prefer a hand gun and light. Small, close to the body not able to be grabbed by the muzzle as I go through a doorway.

That being said, I can't stress the fact that you need defense training enough. check out personal defense TV on the outdoor channel or go to Paladin press and check out some of their books and films for starters. Professional courses are the best.

http://www.paladin-press.com/default.aspx


If you go shotgun get a pump, look into a stock with a pistol grip + full or pistol/ folder. I am not a fan of dedicated pistol grips, you still need to aim these especially if you use slugs or rubber bullets in your shell mix.

The jury is split on hand guns Revolvers are super reliable and easy to use for all shooters, Autos have ammo capacity but can be fraught with problems when it hits the fan (nothing insurmountable but you have to train on them like anything else)

Another option is a tactical carbine, being rural a carbine can be your all-in-one platform. With modern frangible loads the over penetration is minimal. Something to consider.

Ammo is very important as well. Frangible loads for defense are the way to go. Hornady TAP FPD is the Cadillac the make loads for .12g, .223, .40, 9mm, .45 acp etc...

Get a good light! something with a momentary-on function.


If I was on your budget I would go for the Shot-Gun Mossberg makes a good security model that fits in your budget, I am sure a ton of guys on here will start touting the rem 870. My Moss has never failed and I have fired thousands of rounds through it. Personal choice.

Hope I was helpful and good luck in your choice and your protection of those most dear to you!


D-C out!

 

Man you guys jump on these gun ones fast!

 

I 2nd that.

Thanks for the quick replys guys.

So for shotguns, it seems that it would be wise to look at Mossberg 590 or Remington 870 (I read in another post about an 18" model of the 870 that was good for home protection)?

As far as handguns, there are ranges to practice with, but what about the shotguns?

 

Something you can pick up for cheap is a youth shotgun. Ive got mine that I got when I was 12. Its a Mossberg 500/20ga. with a 22" barrel. Between that, a .30-30, 7mag, and a 9"blade, Im protected. Oh and the set of 5" stacks sitting next to my bed right now, which Im sure would inflict some damage .

 

12 ga. - pump. Short barrel.

 

Don't pass up a Mossy 500 while looking for a 590.

The 590 might be more "tactical", but my Mossy 500 is just as capable for less $$$.


590


500

 

If I had a shotgun for home defense it would be in the same condition as my pistol. One in the pipe ready to go, I dont believe in handicapping myself by having to rack a round in the heat of the battle.


I wont waste time racking a round in my pistol and I wont in a shotgun. You know what scares an intruder more then racking a round, getting shot.


No matter what you get make sure you practice, practice, practice. You could spend a fortune on a firearm and all it will be is a paperweight if you dont practice religiously with it.

 

Mossburg great gun youth models a good idea smaller. You mentiond kids dont know how old they are but the sooner you teach them about it the less likely they will go be curiouse on there own take em out show them how to use it and be safe doing so, NRA posted a story one time i think the boy was 8 or so and shot at a robber and scerd him off. never to young to shoot if you can hold it you can shoot it. Teach the wife my GF was scerd of guns took her once now she bugs me to go she wont touch my S&W 550 REVOLVER haha have a good new year man