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[cwj86]

I had previously posted this in another part of the forum but had only gotten one response and I wanted to see if I could get any others just so I had as many options to look into as I could. So Im currently living in a trailer park in a very bad part of El Cajon. It was very cheap and pretty much the only place I could afford even being on SSI and working a part time job. Recently I was made aware by my neighbors that the park that I live in has been hit by several burglaries. So being disabled and probably being a prime target for such things I felt it was necessary for me to be able to protect myself in my home. I have shot guns before but only under supervision from my cousin who is a much more experienced shooter and I definitely need to get better. I'm currently looking into checking out the Mossberg 500 Cruiser to see if it would be good for me because that's the gun that my cousin said he thinks would be good for me as far as mobility goes and also much better for home defense than the 9mm I currently own. Once I get that I feel I'm going to need to get training and I need some advice on where to go for that or at least where to start looking. I definitely would like to get the most that I possibly can out of it but cost effectiveness is also a very important factor for me as I dont make a lot of money. If at all possible I also think it would be very important to find someone that has training/experience teaching people who have disabilities to shoot since there could obviously be challenges that I face as a disabled shooter. Any and all advice that anyone could give me would be welcome and greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[sealocan]

I'm sorry to hear about that it's already hard enough being disabled and then to have to live in an area where you know there are burglaries happening on top of that what an extra hassle you don't need.

my thoughts are although there is nothing wrong with mossberg 500 ,any model, I've had a few & never had any problems myself.

But my advice to you is, if you have a 9mm pistol already( and it's reliable.!) spend the money on training & 9mm ammo that you're going to need while you are training.

a shotgun is obviously a better defensive tool but if I were you, I would be getting very very proficient with my 9 mm first.

[keenkeen]

Pony wall of text...

Did not read.

Paragraphs people...use them!

[BigFatGuy]

The cruiser is pistol grip only, yes? Depending on your disability that might be extraordinarily bad to fire.

I'd suggest seeking out a defensive trainer FIRST. Discuss your needs with them before changing things up based on someone else's opinion.

[cwj86]

Yes it is. And I have spina bifida but am very high functioning. I have good upper body strength. Mostly my walking ability was just impaired. That's about it.

[ceh383]

Mostly my walking ability was just impaired. That's about it.

A larger gun, like a shotgun, may make it harder to maneuver through your home. Given your situation, I would stick with the 9mm.

[cwj86]

That was my first thought. I was advised against it though. I was told those 9mm rounds might go through my if I ended up in a bad situation like that. That wouldn't be good cuz I have neighbors.

[cwj86]

*my walls

[olhunter]

That was my first thought. I was advised against it though. I was told those 9mm rounds might go through my if I ended up in a bad situation like that. That wouldn't be good cuz I have neighbors.

That's certainly something to consider, but if you're in a situation where you need to shoot somebody in your home, something has gone very bad and you have to ask yourself whether you're willing to die on the off-chance that a bullet MIGHT strike a neighbor. If you had kids in another room.....then you might reconsider. But I'm not going to let some thug kill me to save a neighbor. A neighbor that realistically has very little chance of being shot.

A holstered 9mm while at home is a good choice. It will always be with you and is easy to maneuver around with.

[ceh383]

There are up sides and down sides to any firearm used for defense. In the end, you have to make a choice that you are comfortable with. No matter what you choose, you must practice with it a lot and become proficient with it.
No matter what you choose, if you can't get it into action when need, it's useless...

[Mwfillmore]

Sounds to me like the 9mm is the training tool you should use. Unless it is unreliable. I agree with the above, save your money o. The shotgun, spend money on training and ammo. Good Luck

[Dr Rockso]

Anything that's capable of doing enough damage to reliably stop an attacker is going to go through some drywall and be dangerous to whatever is on the other side. At least with a 9 mm you only have to worry about one such projectile per trigger pull. I imagine that whoever told you to get a shotgun is implying that you should load it with birdshot (since buckshot will penetrare just as much as pistol ammo). The problem with birdshot is that its designed to shoot little birds, and is about the least effective ammo for actually stopping an attacker. Some people make that tradeoff, but every instructor I'm aware of reccomendeds against it.

I'm a big advocate for handguns as the most practical home defense implement since in a self defense scenario I want to retain the ability to use a phone, operate doorknobs and light switches, use a flashlight, etc.

If I were in your shoes I'd spend the money on good self defense ammo (buy enough that you can run a box or two of it through your pistol to make sure it operates reliably), practice ammo, and some formal training. I've taken classes with people who had physical disabilities and the instructors were always very accommodating.

[jeffrice6]

Dr Rockso ~ I so F'n love your Avatar!!!

[fffblackmage]

+1 for the 9mm. I don't believe it's going to be much less effective than a shotgun.

[cwj86]

It definitely seems like everyone is in agreement that I should stick with the 9mm. That's probably something I should consider then. That would work out pretty good too. I already have a lot of ammo for that. I spent several months getting a box or two every time I had a little bit of extra money to spend.