Okay, which of three choices for a home defense rifle?
- Thread starter tex_n_cal
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cratz2
Member
If it's to be used extensively indoors then overpenetration should be a concern unless you live alone and in the middle of nowhere. I'd go with the Mini 14 and some 55 Gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. Should be one of the least penetrating rounds on hard stuff like drywall and wood but should prove very nasty on bad guys.
Kahr carrier
Member
Ditto Mini 14 ranch rifle 223.
if you don't mind being limited to 5 rounds in the factory, but at least reliable, mag...i'd vote for a mini-14 ranch rifle too.
personal choice, in CA, is the SKS with it's fixed 10 rounder and a load of stripper clips. of course then you'd have to go to the more affordable 7.62x39mm round
personal choice, in CA, is the SKS with it's fixed 10 rounder and a load of stripper clips. of course then you'd have to go to the more affordable 7.62x39mm round
I personally believe that the Mini-30 is the reason the Mini-14 got a bad rap for accuracy problems 
I could barely keep 'em all on a paper plate at 100 yards!!! (Shut up... it was NOT the shooter )
Also, the 30 has NO reliable aftermarket 10+ capacity mags. The 14 has PMI and Thermold.
No question... I'd go Mini-14.
I could barely keep 'em all on a paper plate at 100 yards!!! (Shut up... it was NOT the shooter )Also, the 30 has NO reliable aftermarket 10+ capacity mags. The 14 has PMI and Thermold.
No question... I'd go Mini-14.
Redlg155
Member
I'd go with the Mini 14. Specialized ammunition is available for those with overpenetration concerns.
As for the Winchester, I'd vote against it because no factory ammunition is available for defense. I know there is a lot of debate on the factory ammunition versus reloads, but I personally use only factory for defense. I don't want some lawyer using it in an arguement against me.
Good Shooting
Red
As for the Winchester, I'd vote against it because no factory ammunition is available for defense. I know there is a lot of debate on the factory ammunition versus reloads, but I personally use only factory for defense. I don't want some lawyer using it in an arguement against me.
Good Shooting
Red
Hkmp5sd
Member
Since my home defense rifle is a stainless Mini-14 with a folding stock, think the Mini-14 is the one I'd recommend.
Hey if you don't want the .351 then let me know.It was the LEO choice for some time for a reason,get the dies and keep it.I HAVE A DEFINITE ATITUDE against Ruger,as I remember the pre California days,when the ban was going to debate Ruger kinda supported it through the Cattlemen's Assoc.
:banghead:
:banghead: 
:banghead:
:banghead: For home defense I wouldn't recomend any of those. What I would recomend is a shotgun, it fits the perfect description of what you want
1. Lethal (extemley)
2. cheap ammo
3. cheap gun(it's only going to be used for home defense right)
4. Lack of need to aim(short distances+wide pattern=DOA)
5. Most important of all you can be gaunteed that if you miss you aren't going to kill any one accidentaly
Those are my two cents. Plus if you are practicing gun saftey you will have the guns locked in a gun safe and ammo not stored with it so whatever
1. Lethal (extemley)
2. cheap ammo
3. cheap gun(it's only going to be used for home defense right)
4. Lack of need to aim(short distances+wide pattern=DOA)
5. Most important of all you can be gaunteed that if you miss you aren't going to kill any one accidentaly
Those are my two cents. Plus if you are practicing gun saftey you will have the guns locked in a gun safe and ammo not stored with it so whatever
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
My primary HD weapon at the moment is a stainless .223 mini-14 with a Choate pistol-grip stock; ammo is Federal 40-gr JHP in a 30-rd magazine (downloaded to about 24 rounds), so you know which one I'll recommend!
The 40-grainers are extremely unlikely to penetrate an exterior wall, the pistol grip stock aids in retention and maneuvering in close quarters, and at home-defense ranges I keep the rear sight folded down and aim with the front sight only, if needed.
I'd recommend the -14 over the -30 for reasons of capacity, wider availability of full-capacity magazines, and much lower likelihood of overpenetration with the right ammunition.
TaurusGL is right, a short-barreled shotgun is also a good choice, but I prefer the rifle for its ability to make a precision shot if needed, greater magazine capacity, and ergonomic reasons. I will say, though, that across-the-room distances, a shotgun pattern will only be a couple inches wide, so you will still need to aim (just a little less precisely than with a rifle or handgun).
The 40-grainers are extremely unlikely to penetrate an exterior wall, the pistol grip stock aids in retention and maneuvering in close quarters, and at home-defense ranges I keep the rear sight folded down and aim with the front sight only, if needed.
I'd recommend the -14 over the -30 for reasons of capacity, wider availability of full-capacity magazines, and much lower likelihood of overpenetration with the right ammunition.
TaurusGL is right, a short-barreled shotgun is also a good choice, but I prefer the rifle for its ability to make a precision shot if needed, greater magazine capacity, and ergonomic reasons. I will say, though, that across-the-room distances, a shotgun pattern will only be a couple inches wide, so you will still need to aim (just a little less precisely than with a rifle or handgun).
Duke of Lawnchair
Member
I'll toss in another vote for the Mini14.
ah if we could only get the saiga in CA...
my primary long gun for home is the sar-2 in 5.45x39mm
my primary long gun for home is the sar-2 in 5.45x39mm
Mini (14 and 30s) are okay as a ranch rifle, but have a lousy track record under sustained fire. They weren't built for it.
Talk to someone who instructs a combat carbine course on a regular basis. Here's what they'll tell you: People who bring minis usually find themselves borrowing something else to complete the course. THey just don't hold up.
Talk to someone who instructs a combat carbine course on a regular basis. Here's what they'll tell you: People who bring minis usually find themselves borrowing something else to complete the course. THey just don't hold up.
Mike Irwin
Member
"I personally believe that the Mini-30 is the reason the Mini-14 got a bad rap for accuracy problems..."
Uh, that would be a great big No, Onslaught.
The Mini 30 came out what, about 15 years ago?
The Mini 14 was having accuracy reputation problems LONG before that.
MY rifle of choice for such a situation?
I've got two first picks...
My SKS.
My Marlin Camp Carbine in 9mm.
Uh, that would be a great big No, Onslaught.
The Mini 30 came out what, about 15 years ago?
The Mini 14 was having accuracy reputation problems LONG before that.
MY rifle of choice for such a situation?
I've got two first picks...
My SKS.
My Marlin Camp Carbine in 9mm.
I have a very strong opinion of the winchester 1907. It is a flat out wonderful little carbine ! The balistics are better than 357 mag carbine loads, it's a self loader, and they handle great. If you work up some hand loads with a fully jacketed hollow point bullet ( hornady XTP as apposed to rem 125 hollow point) it would be far better than most new guns in stores today.
Mike Irwin
Member
"If you work up some hand loads with a
fully jacketed hollow point bullet ( hornady XTP as apposed to rem 125 hollow point) it would be far better than
most new guns in stores today."
How do you get around the problem that the .351 uses .351-cal. bullets?
fully jacketed hollow point bullet ( hornady XTP as apposed to rem 125 hollow point) it would be far better than
most new guns in stores today."
How do you get around the problem that the .351 uses .351-cal. bullets?
Though true that a shotgun is great for home defense, this statement is a widely used fairytale...
Short distances + shotgun = one single clump-o lead... You don't aim with shotgun at short distance, you miss with shotgun just like rifle!!!
At 10 - 15 feet, there is NO "pattern". It's just one big hole.
Shotgun is a good thing, not aiming and expecting to magically hit your target anyway is just plain irresponsible.
Awe gee, did I forget the "sarcasm" smilie again!
Besides, I got my Mini-30 when I was 15, and I had just learned of both rifles... I also didn't know my 14 was "inaccurate" until I joined TFL
None of the above. Recent events in FLA not withstanding, a rifle for HD is a no-no unless your nieghbors and housemates (dogs, kids, wives, etc) are out of the field of fire.
The 351 did a heck of a job on Bonnie and Clyde though.
Now, if thats ALL you have to choose from I'd opt for the mini 30 or mini 14. Either one can hold point of aim for 20 shots at hallway distance (not that you should need 20 shots to get a bad guy moving in the opposite direction). The 1907 is cool, but its old.. what if it breaks when you need it? Use a soft pointed bullet, rather than a frangible and practice shooting in low light conditions. (After all, who deer hunts with a frangible?)
A shotgun is better, a pistol is handier, either one coupled with a big dog is formidable.
The 351 did a heck of a job on Bonnie and Clyde though.
Now, if thats ALL you have to choose from I'd opt for the mini 30 or mini 14. Either one can hold point of aim for 20 shots at hallway distance (not that you should need 20 shots to get a bad guy moving in the opposite direction). The 1907 is cool, but its old.. what if it breaks when you need it? Use a soft pointed bullet, rather than a frangible and practice shooting in low light conditions. (After all, who deer hunts with a frangible?)
A shotgun is better, a pistol is handier, either one coupled with a big dog is formidable.
Sven
Senior Member
I'm throwing in a vote for an M1 Carbine.
aerod1
Member
Another vote for the Mini-14.
Jim Hall
Jim Hall
atek3
Member
Browning M2HB on a pintel mount, loaded w/ a 3 to 3 to 1 mixture of ball, raufoss, and tracer. Wait, by home defense, you meant 'compound defense' right?
Just kidding people
atek3
Just kidding people
atek3
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