80% Firearm for Home Defense

[350skylark]

What are the thoughts on using an 80% firearm as a home defense weapon? If it were used in defense would it look bad towards the owner?

[wireless]

My AR rifles and AR pistol are 80%. Nothing is registered except for my handgun.

My AR15 is my go to. When it's my life at stake, I'm going to use the gun I feel the most confident and comfortable with.

[fighter4cage]

If you are that Paranoid about using your rifle to save "your life" or "that of your loved ones" You should not even have a gun.

[mossy]

police will take it after the shooting. without a serial number it will be a pain to get back. i would keep it bare bones cheap, that way it will be easy to replace. if i ever use a gun in SD i am prepared to never see it again. sure i will try to get it back, but it will not be a serious loss.

[EspoMan]

If that's all you had, who cares how it looks? If you have other options, then use something else if it makes you feel better.

[LegalGunGuy]

Please remember that 80% weapons are 100% legal as long as they are featureless or comply with all California AW regulations.

I'm curious why you would be concerned about the legality of an 80% weapon any more than any other firearm?

I agree that the responding LEOs will certainly take the weapon in the case of a shooting, and you may be detained, but LEOs always do this no matter what the weapon is. If your 80%-derived weapon is 100% CA legal, you will get it back eventually without any ramifications or legal actions. Of course, you need to be sure the shooting was justified. There are MANY threads on this on CGN, so I won't start that firestorm.

You should stash some additional 80% paperweights, pats, and a jig just in case. I keep 10 paperweights and parts on hand at all times for me, friends and family. It helps me sleep at night.

[dwtt]

What are the thoughts on using an 80% firearm as a home defense weapon? If it were used in defense would it look bad towards the owner?

You better not use a gun for home defense that's built from an 80% receiver, or a gun bought through the SSE, or use any type of ammo other than what your local police use, or modify your gun or magazines in any way, or take a gun training course that can indicate a disposition to killing people, or a gun that's not on the roster, or a gun that isn't currently registered with CA DOJ. You'll be sorry.

[350skylark]

I have no issues and never said i was paranoid or worried about it i was just curious what people thought. I see all the time that people say to never use reloaded ammo in self defense because it would look bad and wanted to see people opinions on this.

[nealo]

I don't care how any "bad" any of my firearms look. All mine are legally owned and I wouldn't hesitate to use any one of them to protect myself or my family.

[Phat Daddy]

This is MY personal opinion but why would you use a rifle cartridge for home (indoor) defense? Having to worry about rounds going through walls where loved ones may be, neighbors, etc. is a lot think about when you only have seconds. Most encounters will be less than 40 feet away. I prefer my 12 gauge with light loads. I'm most likely going to hit my target and not have to worry about going through walls.

On the question of 80's... they're good to go!

[wireless]

This is MY personal opinion but why would you use a rifle cartridge for home (indoor) defense? Having to worry about rounds going through walls where loved ones may be, neighbors, etc. is a lot think about when you only have seconds. Most encounters will be less than 40 feet away. I prefer my 12 gauge with light loads. I'm most likely going to hit my target and not have to worry about going through walls.

On the question of 80's... they're good to go!

Might want to watch some videos of 12 gauge against dry wall.

12 guage is limited to 8-10 shells at most. I must chamber a new round with each shot. The recoil is not only uncomfortable, but detrimental to my ability to defend myself. More than one attacker, in a 1 bed room apartment, I want to be able to fire as fast as I can with as little recoil as possible while inflicting the most damage.

5.56 77gr Hornady TAP works great for me. I wouldn't use FMJ unless I had no other choice. The last thing I want is for that person to survive and be worried that they could come back. It sounds awful to hear myself say that, but it is how I feel.

edit: what's your idea of a light load? Bird shot? I was thinking 00 which isn't light and can easily penetrate multiple walls while retaining a lethal velocity. As you said, it's your opinion and what you believe is best for you. For my situation and build (5'5 125), I prefer to use an AR in 5.56. Everyone's situation is different so there really isn't a best round per say.

[Phat Daddy]

Might want to watch some videos of 12 gauge against dry wall.

12 guage is limited to 8-10 shells at most. I must chamber a new round with each shot. The recoil is not only uncomfortable, but detrimental to my ability to defend myself. More than one attacker, in a 1 bed room apartment, I want to be able to fire as fast as I can with as little recoil as possible while inflicting the most damage.

5.56 77gr Hornady TAP works great for me. I wouldn't use FMJ unless I had no other choice. The last thing I want is for that person to survive and be worried that they could come back. It sounds awful to hear myself say that, but it is how I feel.

edit: what's your idea of a light load? Bird shot? I was thinking 00 which isn't light and can easily penetrate multiple walls while retaining a lethal velocity. As you said, it's your opinion and what you believe is best for you. For my situation and build (5'5 125), I prefer to use an AR in 5.56. Everyone's situation is different so there really isn't a best round per say.

I have a VEPR 12 (semi-auto) with a 10 mag ready to roll! If your AR is set up legally, then you are only limited to 10 round mag just like me. For the house, I have it loaded with bird shot. The recoil (for me, 6'1" 205) is not bad at all. I can let those 10 shots fly fast and pretty much stay on target without actually aiming like I would be with my AR.

The chances of getting in an all out western shoot out in my house is very very unlikely. A perp. is usually going to flee at the first sign of movement. I'd take my odds with my VEPR 12 against someone coming into my house unwelcomed any day!

You're saying you're in an apartment. Most likely all you have is drywall separating you and your neighbor. That's not much of a backstop when you're letting 77gr. 556 fly! Just something to think about.

[caliberetta]

What are the thoughts on using an 80% firearm as a home defense weapon?

My thoughts are: if an 80% has been built and properly tested for reliability, it can be a very effective and intimidating HD weapon. Just need to know that rifle ammunition is very powerful and shots can easily go well beyond the confines of a room, home, property... neighborhood

They are also very loud, much louder than handguns, especially the AR Pistol. Especially AR Pistol with a Muzzle Break - you can shell-shock and incapacitate yourself just with the sound (guess how I know). To that end, I don't recommend an 80%.

Personally, I would prefer to use any of my handguns for HD, which I always keep within access loaded with Defense/Expanding ammo, while my rifles are kept unloaded and locked away for outdoor enjoyment.

If it were used in defense would it look bad towards the owner?

That's kind of a broad question with a million answers.

The only thing I suggest is: Train yourself with how to safely, effectively and skillfully use your firearms. Familiarize/Educate yourself on the laws pertaining to (1) how to ensure your 80% AR (or any firearms) is lawful and (2) the facts in California about lawful self defense - what you can and cannot do. Then you will have plenty to be busy about and not worrying about "looking bad."

Hope that helps, good luck.

[rivraton]

What are the thoughts on using an 80% firearm as a home defense weapon? If it were used in defense would it look bad towards the owner?

An 80% firearm would be ineffective unless you use it as a bludgeon. Once you have drilled, milled and assembled it into a 100% firearm, wit be suitable for defensive purposes. IMO