Parents...need some input.

[happy_gunner]

didn't read through everything but if money is not a problem, S&W 325 Thunder ranch, revolver with 6 rds of .45acp(plenty of stopping power) and factory light rail.

Not mine but here you go

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=194185085

[evolixsurf]

You've got it down except for this.



and no way in the world you want a revolver! The robber will likely have a high cap 9mm!!! Might as well be able to load a couple mags during a fire fight!

[Chris J]

I have two (11 and 6 year old) kids and have given this a lot of thought. But I guess most of the stuff I'd recommend is up there already, except:

1. If you are going to gather in a hideout spot, make sure it has an exit that will work in the event of fire. Also, along with your "bump in the night" planning, be sure to have a fire exit strategy for everyone, no matter where they are in the house.

2. Know your home really well in the dark. If you haven't lived there long, go ahead and try navigating it in very low light and see how you do. Your knowledge of your home gives you a big advantage over an intruder. Exercise your wife and older children on this, too. If you can light up the whole house using a remote system, fine, but otherwise I'd let it stay dark. Turning on one light at a time will just tell the guy where you are. I'm also not that big a fan of leaving lights on at night for the same reason (although my kids insist on having some night lights).

3. If you must move through the house in the presence of an intruder I suggest keeping low -- hands and knees if you can. You are more likely to see the intruder first if you are down near the floor. Tell your kids to do the same. Hiding under the bed is not a bad idea. But make sure you know what their hiding place is so YOU can find them.

I guess everyone has their chosen home-defense strategy. Mine puts calling 911 at priority one, and everyone in the house except me (armed) staying put; possibly hiding if that's what feels right at the time but I don't want anyone going far. The idea of a safe room is appealing but I think the risk of someone getting attacked or grabbed or just hurting themselves on the way there makes the idea less attractive.

Being a renter makes preparation that much more difficult of course. However, landlords have a responsibility to provide reasonable basic security. If your home does not have sturdy doors and a good deadbolt on every door, get them to fix that. Windows should have locks that work. Outside light fixtures should all work. There are some other basic requirements -- I don't know the current rules -- but basically, if you see an obvious security hole you should talk to your landlord first. Then if you want to add stuff beyond the basics, make sure you have his approval if it requires permanent changes to the dwelling.

[glock7]

security lights, dogs, reinforced doors, window locks, alarm, strategically placed night lights and HD weapon

[CALATRAVA]

With young kids, you can't really count on them being out of the way of a shotgun. Probably a pistol is best. Layered defense is best like stated above. You can get one of those safes that hang on the bed rail where you push it with your fingers in a certain combination and it pops open, then grab pistol.

Yup, this is something i've considered, too since my kids are getting taller by the minute.

And yeah, that vault is exactly what i@ve had in the past when we owned handguns and what i plan on getting again.

Just to update y'all, i went with a rock island armory 1911 as my choice for HD. No light for right now, as i plan on installing the "X10" i think it was called, to control my living room and kitchen lights.

Also picked up a combination dial winchester gun safe for storing our collection other than the handgun in its "quick" vault.

Thanks for all the support and insight so far.

[glock7]

good job calatrava, let me share with you a story that happened two weeks ago to my elderly parents (dad 80, mom 76) my mom's purse was stolen from her and the purse had money, her ID and her house keys. The next night at approximately 1230, my mom heard a grinding, prying type noise in the backyard, she woke my father up and he went to investigate, he turned on the lights to the backyard and looked out of the window no one was there. The next morning, my mom went went outside to have her morning coffee, when she went outside she found crowbar/prybar marks on the door. Moral of the story lights, reinforced doors and good locks will deter a BG in most cases. Oh BTW my 80 yr old dad went to investigate with his .38 revolver.....addendum, we installed motion sensor lights and added an alarm sensor and extra window locks. They live in an excellent area, just goes to show you no one is safe....good luck!

[powerstrokemike]

1.) Motion sensor lights & maybe a sign that says the home has an alarm.
2.) Locks AND a deadbolt from inside.
3.) Alarm (plenty of options there.)
4.) Dog. Presuming it sleeps inside at night, and train it not to freak out at sound of alarm.
5.) Weapon.

[fullrearview]

Here is the issue with the revolver. You have 6 shots to hit a MINIMUM of one target. Most Home Invasions include more than one person, and hitting someone who is moving is hard enough, now throw in the fact you just woke up and your adrenaline is stillwaiting to kick in.......See the issues? Even guys who are pros could have trouble manipulating a revolver in that situation.

Revolver is fine if your already in the "Alamo."

While your defending your home, you must do it with an offensive mind set as you need to travel and clear it to get to your kids. You have to leave the safe room as does your wife. YOU NEED LIGHT TO IDENTIFY YOUR TARGETS. I cant stress that enough. without it, you or your wife may shoot one another. Get something with a light rail on it, throw on a quality light with a good strobe.

Next, going back to the capacity issue....Not trying to turn this into a knock down power debate, but you something that has a good capacity as there may be mulitple threats. Get good Ammo, somthing that delivers all of its energy quickly, and wont over penatrate.

Last....I have said this in other HD threads....I dont know if you have a cell phone or a home phone, either way, the top number on the list should be your local departments BACK LINE to emergency services. 911 on a cell phone, each of the 3 times I have called it, has taken 50 seconds or longer, just to get through.....Not good. ANd as Zombie tactics posted in a recent thread, I think its in the LEO section, dispatch must process the call, and that can take up to 4 minutes.....now we are at 5 minutes, and the cops don't even know whats going on!

Have your wife speed dial the back line, set the phone down and then go get the kids.

[fullrearview]

good job calatrava, let me share with you a story that happened two weeks ago to my elderly parents (dad 80, mom 76) my mom's purse was stolen from her and the purse had money, her ID and her house keys. The next night at approximately 1230, my mom heard a grinding, prying type noise in the backyard, she woke my father up and he went to investigate, he turned on the lights to the backyard and looked out of the window no one was there. The next morning, my mom went went outside to have her morning coffee, when she went outside she found crowbar/prybar marks on the door. Moral of the story lights, reinforced doors and good locks will deter a BG in most cases. Oh BTW my 80 yr old dad went to investigate with his .38 revolver.....addendum, we installed motion sensor lights and added an alarm sensor and extra window locks. They live in an excellent area, just goes to show you no one is safe....good luck!

Yep! In LE, we have been noticing this more and more....We get a lot of vehicle burgs, and at times, I have to ORDER people to go home and cancel everything and change their locks.....Some people, even after getting their stuff stolen, just "cant imagine" it happing again!

[Shenaniguns]

IMO this is why having both a tac light and handheld w/ landyard is a good option, I use my handheld in my 'weak hand' to help keep me from sweeping my family while I have my firing hand aimed down and ready to transition as needed.

[fullrearview]

IMO this is why having both a tac light and handheld w/ landyard is a good option, I use my handheld in my 'weak hand' to help keep me from sweeping my family while I have my firing hand aimed down and ready to transition as needed.

Thats true and that works for some.....I find, keeping my weapon in close and at the low ready, I can flick the light on and off, and there is plenty of light to light up th whole room and see everything. For, its one less thing to handle/worry about.

[ontmark]

Two words: "Layered Defense"

1.) Motion sensor lights & maybe a sign that says the home has an alarm.
2.) Locks AND a deadbolt from inside.
3.) Alarm (plenty of options there.)
4.) Dog. Presuming it sleeps inside at night, and train it not to freak out at sound of alarm.
5.) Weapon. My preference is no light, no laser, no night sights.

Why make your location obvious and ruin your night vision in a place where you could probably walk through it blind and not trip on something?

Side note: Since you have kids please don't assume a "bump" is an intruder, the other layers should help determine if it is an "outside" threat trying to get in...but with kids in the equation (especially teenagers) please be cautious.

Just my cent and a half.

[CALATRAVA]

This is what i decided is best for me, as a matter of fact.

Gonna pick up a cheap but bright gerber or surefire flashlight with a neck lanyard that i can slip on my neck, or wrap around my weak hand wrist, as i slide out of bed

[luckystrike]

eh I would NOT want to protect myself and family with a $325 pistol. frugal cheap @ss or talked to someone that "never had any problems and it is a great gun", whatever reason. no way no how.

since your a lefty Id recommend a Beretta 92. if your cool with not having a manual safety Id say sig.

[halon101]

Honestly, in that situation, I would want a revolver, no light

thats what i have. before i had kids i used my 870. but its too big to keep locked by my bed. i have a mini safe with a 357 7shot in it. i dont really need a light since i know my own house and we leave a few lights on around the house for night lights.

oh yeah and i have a weimaraner and a walker coon hound. weim will eat him and the hound is better than an air horn. lots of noise.