Home defense question ????

[drunktank]

^^
If I had a firearm stored near my front door, I could have used it to protect myself and my family vs. running away as fast as I can last month when we were robbed...]

A similar thing happened to my cousin about 2 years ago. He did, however, have a lockbox mounted near his entryway. Realized there were BG's towards the rear of the house and was able to quickly arm himself.


I know it's not a likely thing to happen to you guys, but it just happened to me.

[Colt]

One advantage to a shotgun is that when you rack it, the bad guys just may decide to leave. Avoiding a situation is key. Good idea to have solid doors, dog(s) if you can.

Also, think about a really bright flashlight. I have surefires and have the valkoff (sp?) lenses and they throw a lot of lumens. Enough to cause temporary vision loss.

I also like handguns for mauverability, etc., but the best thing would be to not need to use a firearm at all.

[BillCA]

Food for thought:

Long Gun Choices:
If one prefers a long gun for home protection, any of these are suitable;
- 12 gauge pump or auto
- 20 gauge pump or auto
- .223/5.56mm carbine - AR/Mini-14 etc.
- .30 M1 Carbine
- Lever rifle in handgun calibers (.357/.41/.44/.45)

The advantage of the 5.56mm and .30 Carbine rounds is that they are used in relatively compact carbines with light recoil and good hitting power. And generally these have good magazine capacities. Downside is overpenetration through sheetrock walls.

Shotgun Ammo:
Buckshot is the preferred ammo for defensive use. At indoor ranges you can still miss because the shot doesn't disperse all that much under 7 yards. If standard buckshot recoils too much, try some reduced-recoil loads. While #00 buckshot (.33 caliber) is the standard, you might want to consider using either #1 buckshot (.30 caliber) or #4 (.24 caliber) as alternatives. The smaller shot are more likely to be stopped by 2x4's and furniture after penetrating a wall than #00.

Birdshot is for birdies, buckshot is for game hunting and defense. That's the conclusion of testing at Box o' Truth.com. But if you insist on using birdshot for convenience (or other reasons) use heavy bird shot. At least use BB (lead) or BBB, T or F size shots (steel) which are .18-.22 caliber. With any birdshot, your risk creating shallow, non-disabling wounds.

Weapons Lights:
Best for long guns when mounted so your hands are free to control the long gun and work any actions necessary.

For handguns, I prefer a separate flashlight so I don't have to point my gun at something to illuminate it (like my daughter, wife, dog, cat). Also, for those without extensive low-light training a momentary confusion under stress (and lack of sleep) may result in them pressing the trigger instead of the "illuminate" button. I can also use the light around corners without exposing the weapon and a serious chunk of my body too [remember: most household corners and walls are merely concealment from bullets, not cover that will stop bullets].

Necessity of Shooting:
Some have mentioned that if they draw or point a weapon justifiably, they will use it with no warning. Circumstances dictate that necessity and I'd be leery of making it a blanket policy. My townhome is the size of a large apartment really and that attitude may be justified. It may not be as justified in a 3500 sqft house where you're looking down from a stair railing from 19 ft away. Of course the circumstances may be such that you don't have the luxury of time either.

The last thing I ever want to do is have to kill someone in my own home. I'd rather have him flee into the night with his shorts full. Happier ending and a more amusing tale. If I hear voices or noises inside I'll give them a chance to leave. But if they elect to escalate the situation by aggression, I want to be the one standing when police arrive.

[HumanBeingExpert]

I love the Super Shorty Shotgun. I don't have one but that looks like a great HD weapon. It's got a far shorter barrel which is better for close quarters combat and a pistol grip.

Not sure if there are any restrictions to it but it looks bad *** and seems to fit the bill.

Made by Serbu, the Super Shorty:

http://www.serbu.com/top/superShorty.php

course I could be totally wrong though.

^ Is that Kali legal??? If so, I want one!

[Porscheguy]

^ Is that Kali legal??? If so, I want one!

no idea. don't know the barrel restrictions for cali on shotguns. probably isn't legal knowing cali.

Downside is that it only holds 3 rounds I think but that's plenty for HD and a shotgun. I'd imagine one shot will do it and if you missed they'd be high tailing out of there.

[Legasat]

I have both within an arms reach....just to be sure

[DaveFJ80]

^ Is that Kali legal??? If so, I want one!

There's been a discussion going on for over a week now, just in this forum. Not to mention the very long orig post about AOW firearms in CA.

Me personally, I'd rather get the short barrel Saiga 12 AOW.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=347026

[Cyc Wid It]

Yes, the Serbu shorty is legal in CA as an AOW if you have the correct stamp. It has been discussed at length and there are several threads describing how to get one if you are so inclined. Personally I don't see a practical purpose for owning one of these over a standard shotgun.

I'd say you pick whatever you are most proficient with (handgun or shotgun).

I bet shotgun sales go up with Magpul's new DVD coming out

[The Original Godfather]

- Winchester 1300 Defender 18" leaning against my nightstand with 00 Buck in the tube and 4 1oz slugs on the side saddle. (no optics, red dots, ghost rings, etc.)

- Loaded SIG P226 357 SIG +1 in the chamber with TLR-1 sitting on nightstand

- Plate Carrier (MOLLE type) with standalone Lv IV plates front and back.

- another SIG 229 .40SW +1 in the chamber, holstered on the chest of the plate carrier

- 2 extra SIG mags and another LED flashlight mounted on the side of the plate carrier



P226 is for quick access (loud noise spooks me and my immediate reaction is to reach for it, then asses the situation.)

If it's obvious that there are multiple intruders (and coming in with guns), I'll stay locked in my room, put on my plate carrier with above mentioned items and hold down the fort with my 1300.


More times than not, if I hear strange noises and I can wake up before an intruder is in my room, then I will have enough time (less than 5 seconds, I've drilled) to get out of bed, put on my plate carrier, and have the shotgun pointing at my bedroom door. Then I grab the phone and dial 911.

I holstered my SIG to my chest on the plate carrier for two main reasons. First, if I'm in my pajamas/boxers, I won't have time to put my pants and belt on to fit the holster on; if it's right on the plate carrier I can just put it on and kill two birds with one stone. Second, if I need to switch (for whatever reason) firearms, or if I have a stoppage/malfunction and don't have the time necessary to check and clear it, I can easily drop my shotgun (which is on a 1 point sling) and reach for my SIG. To go from a shotgun ready position to dropping the shotgun and reaching across my heart like I'm pledging allegiance to the flag, is very quick. It's a very efficient motion that the only part of body that is moving in that instance is my arm which is hinging from the elbow. Plus, I get the added protection of the plates...


This is a very nice defense SYSTEM that works for me. I think I'm covered.

[crackerman]

Well after all the answers I think I found my choice !!! I'm like 5'6 and a buck seventy so a shotgun is kinda big for me. It's going to be just me and my wife no kids yet were still youngins, so I think I'm going to get a hk usp full-size in 45acp because all my other guns are 9mm. So what do you guys think ???

My two pennies, Shotgun FTMFW! If you are truly worried about size get a youth 20g. Still plenty of power and capacity.

If you are still set on pistol why would you buy a .45 for just defense. You could take that $1000 bucks and buy a class or two, a buttload of training ammo and still have money left over. 9mm with proper defensive ammo is effective, and I have yet to find anyone that will let me shoot them with it even though it is such a "whimpy" round. Train with what you got before getting a new toy.

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I use a mossberg 500 for 1 reason the sound of a shotgun racking is loud and will scare the crap out of anyone breaking into a house and if I can scare the bad guys away without ever having to fire a shot that is fine with me

[rubdub]

If you decide to go the firearms route, it'd be wise to check this link out. It has a TON of information on the [over]penetration of various types of rounds/ammo.

Helped me decide on my HD weapons (12 Gauge #7 *bird*shot (not buck shot, that goes right through drywall, and even some doors), 9mm JHP, and .223 SoftPoint or frangible).

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm

[762.DEFENSE]

This bad boy should stop everything but a charging polar bear.

[Fishslayer]

Bad guys aren't real fond of barking dogs...

You can't fart on my road without me knowin' about it. Sometimes a PITA but my dogs assure me I'll never be taken by surprise.

[Velocity]

A lot of differing opinions, and here's one more.

I believe you need to think about this from a different perspective.

1. Your wife needs to be able to handle any guns easily, especially in a high-adrenaline situation. While I do believe you need to have a handgun on or in the nighttable next to the bed, it has to be something she can easily handle - grip, recoil, is it single-action or double-action, trigger pull, etc. My wife and I keep TWO handguns - a S&W 442 revolver for her (very light, easy to use, never jams), and an H&K P30 for me.

2. We keep a Mossberg shotgun under the bed, in a soft case with the butt end of the case open. It is loaded but NOT racked, as nothing says "Uh-Oh" to a bad guy like the sound of a shotgun being racked, and it only takes a half second to do so.

3. We keep both our cell phones on the nighttable. Glass breaking, for example, at 3 am, I pull shotgun, she calls 911 IMMEDIATELY and pulls out revolver, leaving nighttable drawer open so I can get to the P30 quickly. Or, depending on my 'feel' of the situation, I tuck P30 into waistband while holding shotgun.

4. We STAY IN BEDROOM - waiting for LEO and being prepared to fire in case someone enters bedroom or walks up stairs towards bedroom.

5. Lights stay on enough to see what's going on. We see bad guy in house, loud noises follow without hesitation until threat is ended. Then guns go down on bed, and we AGAIN call 911, report what happened, and await LEO.

6. Shotgun is loaded with '00' buckshot, low recoil. Handguns are: revolver .380, and P30 9mm hollow point Gold Dots 124 gr +P.

7. We are installing motion sensor flood lights in front and back of house which should set off bright lights (enough to alert us) in case someone is walking around house at the wrong hours.

8. We check all doors and windows before going to bed to make sure all is locked (you'd be surprised how easy it is to go to bed with a window open or a door unlocked!).

9. We PRACTICE actively since good training is the key to being prepared and reacting a little less panicky in an emergency.

10. Door knocks, or door bells at weird hours get ignored, but guns are at the ready. If they persist, we call 911 and stay put. We do NOT walk around trying to clear the house like CSI.

Hope that helps a bit, but YMMV so think it through carefully, read what others have to say and make decisions that best suit your house, your level of preparedness and training, and your comfort level.

Agree with previous poster about protective barking dog. We have a little guy, but his bark is loud, and he hears things way before we do. Every additional second of warning is a BIG plus. We also have no kids in the house; if you do, that would require changing your plans as well.

Stay safe, do not take things for granted.

Martin