Home Defense

[DragonDJ11]

Other than a shotgun, what lower cost rifle (say below $400) would be a decent choice for home defense. Powerful enough to stop an intruder, but less likely to over penetrate and pass through multiple walls? Opinions?

[billofrights]

Mosin Nagant, wielded like a club.

[L84CABO]

It's like you're asking for a triangle but you want that triangle to be round. It's just not possible. You can't have a round that will penetrate bone and flesh but not also penetrate a wall.

But with the requirements you listed...and a defense rifle under $400 is no easy task...I would go with a used AR15 with hollow points. And I would a) train to make sure I can hit what I'm aiming at so rounds don't go through walls and b) I would try to setup my house in a way that if there was going to be a gunfight, it doesn't happen in a way that puts the kid's room behind it.

Also recognize that in the $400 AR category the quality of that weapon might be questionable. If it were me with that dollar limit, I would add whatever I needed to to get into something like this...

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/166590

Good luck.

[ChuckDizzle]

I'd have to say a bare bones AR 15. You could probably build one for less than $400 with the right sales.

PSA freedom upper, $200, stripped lower $40, lpk $70, magazine $15, that leaves you $75 for sights. That's available right now.

[FatCaliberBuddha]

Your concern with over penetration isn't going to be a question of the gun, but the ammo you use in it. As mentioned already, frangible rounds or hollowpoints seem to be what you're looking for. Although stuff like soft point ammo may also fit your needs. Remember there's no magic bullet, every ammo has it's pros and cons. Frangible ammo like Glaser rounds or sintered bullets have widely varying performance depending on a number of factors like whether or not they hit bone, and have been shown to be highly inconsistent in both damage done and penetration, even in controlled test settings. There's a lot of different ammo offerings that you will need to sift through and decide depending on your specific situation.

From there you'd need to decide on a firearm that will cycle and shoot that ammo reliably. I personally couldn't bring myself to build or buy a $400 rifle that I would trust to reliably cycle and shoot more finicky ammo like frangibles and hollowpoints. I've seen solid ARs having trouble feeding even soft tip.

I would say that you want something short enough to handle indoors and around corners comfortably, avoid muzzle brakes, and you probably won't want a large caliber rifle.

Just my two cents, good luck.

PS why not shotguns?

[walmart_ar15]

Depending on Ammo shotgun also can over penetrate.

On the cheap use 223 at > 2850 FPS, 55 grain with cannelure with slow twist barrel. It is known this type of bullet will fragment once it hits dry wall but can carve a nasty channel in soft tissue. Basically ur 70’s AR.

Use a linear can on it if u value ur hearing.

[omega]

RUGER PC 9mm carbine, less than $100 over your price range

use your Glock mags or mags that come with rilfe, plus you will probably train with it often, and get more use out of it.

[WS6]

Sorry bro, you’re not getting a decent modern rifle for under $400. My suggestion would be to stop being poor.

[ChuckDizzle]

RUGER PC 9mm carbine, less than $100 over your price range

use your Glock mags or mags that come with rilfe, plus you will probably train with it often, and get more use out of it.

Nah, shooting weak pistol rounds out of a rifle makes no sense. If you are using a long gun, get a long gun cartridge.

[simonp]

At that price no idea

Less penetration, get a carbine in .30 caliber or a lever action in .357 but at that point why not just use a pistol instead of a long gun.

Most rifles and shotguns are going to have the risk of over penetration, hell shoot a FMJ 9mm or .45 in most homes and they will go through your target, the Sheetrock and into your neighbors home too - use frangible / hollow points and be accurate.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[TMB 1]

Hi Point carbine is in your price range. 380 or 9mm with hollow points so it wont over penetrate.

[DragonDJ11]

Rather be poor of money, than poor of soul.

[DragonDJ11]

Reason for rifle, is I'd like my 18 year old daughter to get something she can keep for home defense before the law changes. The reason for not getting a shotgun now, is that she kinda has one. Her uncle has one that is designated for her, but he's an out of state resident and I'm not sure we can get the transfer done before the law changes.

[hermosabeach]

Any firearm that you can hit with will work for home defense.

Not a fan of the rabbit gun- the ruger 10/22 for home defense.

But would my grandmother be better able to hit something with a 10/22 than a 12 gauge or an AR/ mini14?


It’s all about rounds on target.

If it’s too loud
If it’s too awkward
If it’s too awkward
If it has too many sharp points
If the controls are not natural

It is not a great choice.

It’s in the home so accuracy is not a big concern

Clearing malfunctions is a concern
Having controls that are natural is a concern

How do you engage / disengage the safety(ies) In the dark?

[DDM4556]

I'd have to say a bare bones AR 15. You could probably build one for less than $400 with the right sales.

PSA freedom upper, $200, stripped lower $40, lpk $70, magazine $15, that leaves you $75 for sights. That's available right now.

OP, there's your answer.