Well, good for you teaching your kids gun safety... Just keep in mind everyone else's kid doesn't know anything about guns besides what they see in movies and cartoons.... they never run out of bullets, no one dies, no one bleeds and the good guy always wins.

 

I'm bored so I'll play.

Personally, I like handguns for home defense. Actually, I like handguns, shotguns AND tactical carbines (AR, AK, etc.) for home defense, but if something goes bump in MY house during the night it's the Glock 17 that gets the call.

Why?

1) It fits in a quick access safe that is bolted to my nightstand. I have young kids so I can't just leave a loaded shotgun leaning in the corner (which isn't a smart thing to do even if you don't have kids).

2) I have more rounds through it than any other gun I own and I'm VERY accurate with it.

3) It's small and much more difficult for someone else to grab than a shotgun is.

4) It's the gun that I've done the most training with and am most familiar and comfortable with in both stressful and non-stressful situations.

With that being said, if $300 were my budget limit and I wanted a home defense gun I'd go get a Remington or Mossberg shorty 12 gauge. Both can be had for less than $300 and both will get the job done.

 

I agree with many who have posted. I'd say (given the budget) get a Remington 870 and run bird shot. It don't penetrate through multiple walls or your neighbor's house, but as close range is as devasting as a slug. But reliability is of utmost importance in any gun that you entrust your life to. Whatever gun you choose, learn about it's system and weaknesses entirely. Even 870s can have issues and they are considered widely to be the most reliable and affordable shotgun. Go to a gun range with the new gun and put at least 200 rounds through it to break things in and test for any issues like failure to feed or extract, or jam. Get comfortable with the gun. Tear it down, keep it clean and inspect it. Pins can come loose and components can wear out. Guns that you entrust your life and the lives of your family members with must be held to a higher standard for reliability. The only person who can ensure that reliability is you.

I'm with Hoss. I prefer a good handgun as well. His point #4 is very important as well. Being familiar and comfortable with the gun is essential when in a stressful situation.

-Chuck

 

Heh, I don't understand why people recommend bird shot... Sure at 10 feet it'll knock a hole in a metal barrel but won't do much more. No penetration.


Like I said, at 15 feet it took 5 shells of #7 bird shot to take a little coyote out.

 

Agreed.
00 Buck for me.....

 

I prefer #1 buck. the cross section per pellet is less, but because of the increased number of pellets over 00 buck, you get a greater overall cross section and maintain a heavy enough shot to penetrate. Kinda (not quite) like shooting the bg 11 times with a .32 Auto...

 

My pick would be in between. Heavy pheasnt loads, 1 3/8 oz 4s hit harder than 8s, and still not likely to over penetrate. 00 could still hurt/kill freindlies on other side of the wall.

 

Wow, you guys have a ton of info on this. I am going to try to go this weekend to look at some different stores. My friend is a farmer and has some different guns, so I am going to ask him to show me a couple of his favorites.

 

Here is one that you can load to shoot throught the walls or not .410 ga. or 45 long colt It is good hand gun for in the house.

http://www.taurususa.com/whatsnew/revolvers.cfm

 

Man I wish I lived outside of California, THE JUDGE! is illegal here! awesome gun though!

 

Any idea how much (approx) "The Judge" is? It is very intriguing.

 

Check gunbroker.com for about how much people are selling firearms.

 

Well, here's mine for home defense. It's a Winchester Defender Speed Pump. It's alternately loaded with 3" 00 buck and 1oz. slugs, eight altogether. If someone is dumb enough to come in my house they will be in a world of hurt and in no shape to sue me afterwards. Everyone in MT should know that we all have guns. That's backed by a Glock 22 .40 and by everything else in the safe or in hiding. Winchesters are hard to come by these days so the Mossberg or the Remington would be close enough I guess. Mossberg makes a cool Street Sweeper. I almost bought one of those to to keep in the hauler for Grizzlies but opted out.

 

or galleryofguns.com

 

Thanks for the web sites.

I went to a local retailer and this is what I found:
Mossberg 500 18" barrel pistol grip - $319
Remington 870 18" - $299
Taurus "Judge" stainless - $469 or non-stainless/blue - $429

I have to say I was most impressed with the Judge and the Mossberg. The Remington was nice too, but it had the standard stock.

Do these seem like decent prices? I checked the web sites provided, and their prices are a little lower, but with shipping they are close.