where to start???

[n3rdc0re]

So i have to wait till i do my taxes but the wife is giving me the ok the buy a gun for personal and home defense. I really dont have a budget but nothing more then $500-600 is my mind set. So far my thoughts are...
- an ar 15 lower as a project (all this talk about gun bans tells me i should get one before its too late)
- a remington 870 shotgun (new ones run around $400-500 and i havent checked around for any used ones yet, no time)
- either a xd9 or xd40 (seen them for around $500)
...... so where should i start?

[spitfirejes]

For home defence I would say the rem 870 or a mossberg 500 12 gauge and use the left over to buy ammo

[dieselpower]

For home defence I would say the rem 870 or a mossberg 500 12 gauge and use the left over to buy ammo

yup.

[kurac]

+1 on the 870, wait until the have them on sale at Big5, you should be able to pick one up for around $350-$400.

Good luck on finding an AR receiver, those are pretty much going for the same amount as the 870

[Iskra]

2 Mossberg 500s for $279 each when they go on sale at Big 5. 2 is 1, 1 is none.

[MichaelKent]

For home defense I'd also recommend the Remington 870. It's an excellent shotgun I've fired before (a friend has one) and I just picked up my own new 870 from Big 5 the other day. It wasn't on sale yet the price was still fairly reasonable at $389.99. With taxes and dros and such it came out to like $440 or so.

A mossberg 500 is also an excellent shotgun, you wouldn't go wrong with either one. Not only are shotguns excellent for home defense, but the shells are more available than many rifle cartridges in panic season. You want to buy lots of birdshot for fun and practice but you want some of the (more expensive and much more powerful) 00 buckshot for home defense (and practice with some of these shells as well so you're prepared for the extra kick).

Yeah you could get an AR lower to be in before the ban, but if you're mostly looking for self defense then half a gun won't be able to protect your family... Not to mention even if you can afford to build the rest, ammo is plain unavailable right now!

Hope that helps a bit.

[IA300]

For home defense I'd also recommend the Remington 870. It's an excellent shotgun I've fired before (a friend has one) and I just picked up my own new 870 from Big 5 the other day. It wasn't on sale yet the price was still fairly reasonable at $389.99. With taxes and dros and such it came out to like $440 or so.

A mossberg 500 is also an excellent shotgun, you wouldn't go wrong with either one. Not only are shotguns excellent for home defense, but the shells are more available than many rifle cartridges in panic season. You want to buy lots of birdshot for fun and practice but you want some of the (more expensive and much more powerful) 00 buckshot for home defense (and practice with some of these shells as well so you're prepared for the extra kick).

Yeah you could get an AR lower to be in before the ban, but if you're mostly looking for self defense then half a gun won't be able to protect your family... Not to mention even if you can afford to build the rest, ammo is plain unavailable right now!

Hope that helps a bit.

+1...Hands down for home defense, shotgun is the way to go. I second the 00 buckshot as well. I have buckshot in the tube and slugs on the side saddle, in case I want to tac load one in...

[desertexplore]

Most people will say a shotgun for home defense and I too have an 870. But I prefer a handgun for home defense and all around self defense. If you go that route, I like 9mm and sounds like you're on the right track with a XD.

And before anyone says "the racking of a shotgun is the best deterrent for home defense", they are wrong and full of BS. NEVER go into a self defense situation with an unload weapon and then also announcing your position when racking it. I get tired of people posting that stupid false tale.

[NYT]

Most people will say a shotgun for home defense and I too have an 870. But I prefer a handgun for home defense and all around self defense. If you go that route, I like 9mm and sounds like you're on the right track with a XD.

And before anyone says "the racking of a shotgun is the best deterrent for home defense", they are wrong and full of BS. NEVER go into a self defense situation with an unload weapon and then also announcing your position when racking it. I get tired of people posting that stupid false tale.

exactly.

The new recommended firearm for home defense is the ar. easy to aim, work in tight confines and limited recoil for smaller frame shooters. your 10 yr old daughter could grab it and defend herself.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[ODub]

I also prefer a handgun for home defense, but that's just my opinion. You and your lady should rent or borrow some of your options and shoot them to see what you're most comfortable. All of the above weapon systems will require a fair amount of practice to attain competence.

If you're like most of the members here at Calguns, then this will be the first of several weapons, so you don't necessarily have to hit a home run with your first purchase.

Recent chatter makes it sound like a AWB isn't going to happen, so don't stress on the AR. Budget about $1200 if you do decide to go that route.

Handguns are tough to source these days, so be patient.

Most importantly, have fun with whatever you decide to start with, and be safe!

[ElDub1950]

For home defence I would say the rem 870 or a mossberg 500 12 gauge and use the left over to buy ammo

+1 Rem or Mossy - Should always be 1st for HD

[acolytes]

For home defence I would say the rem 870 or a mossberg 500 12 gauge and use the left over to buy ammo

+1 Start with the shotgun. It never stops at one gun anyway.

[acolytes]

It also depends on the confines you are working with. Different tool for each situation.

[Firerescuebatt07]

I'm on both sides of the fence. I have a Mossberg 20inch 590a1 on layaway that I'll use for HD, but currently I am using a M&P40 for HD and every now and then I'll have my 1911 out. M&P 40, XD 40 or 45 and we got to toss in a glock for great handguns in the 5-600 range... Although the XD and the M&P can be had for under 500

[PapaCastro318]

Like stated before, shotgun for HD. Handgun is a lot harder to hit things unless you're a crack shot. Shotshell covers more area, so better chance of puttin' ammo into intended target. I personally have the shotgun as my primary and 40 cal as the back up.