The perfect home self defense weapon?

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What evers closest

But when I have a choice, I go for an M4gery. I dont' simplicity of single type of round. I'd like to put a can on it, likely will someday.

Shotgun gets second choice. Prefered loading is Low recoil buckshot (00). I have some #4 buck (full power) from an earlier mindset.

I too like the shortness of a handgun, and would prefer to have one on me even if I'm checking out the bump in the night with a long gun. I'd like to have a "plan B" should any grappling get started.

I perfer lights on all of my defensive firearms.

Doubt if I'd ever rack a firearm as a deterence, but I suppose if I did, the sound of a rifle or pistol racking is not too different from a pump.

I have a saiga, but would rather defend my home with a pump. I'm just not crazy about the mag hanging low, small snag factor. I prefer the sleeker lines of a belly fed. Slugs should be a rare need, and belong on a sidesaddle (IMO). Don't think I've ever noticed the color of ejecting shells tho.

Got to admit that I hadn't considered the M1. I'm going to mull that one over a little. I've seen them used in competitions, and they seem very light and good handling. But I have seen them jam up quite a bit. (maybe due to who owns/maintains it). I'm not kidding when I say .. if it were a military firearm, I'd assume it can be VERY reliable with the proper TLC.

Again, whatever you can afford to buy AND practice with is best. If this were my first gun purchase, I'd go shotgun for low cost and cheap practice ammo (I'd practice 90% with birdshot anyways). BTW, check out the performance of the speer lawman buck. Improved shot cup is giving pretty amazing patterns.

Now, if I could get my pooch to bark at strangers ONLY I'd bet happy ... but that's another thread.
 
I've always kept a pistol (2-.380s, a .44 mag & a .45ACP) handy for HD, but after recently purchasing a Hi-Point carbine, ATI stock and reflex sight, I have made it my primary HD gun. The long tube really quiets the 9mm's bark. It's actually the quietest gun I own, and it's shorter than any legal stocked shotgun I know of (or at least that I could afford), and It didn't cost $300.00.
 
My primary HD weapon is my Springfield Armory TRP 1911, loaded with Federal 200g. EFMJ ammo in Chip McCormick 8rd. PowerMags. If that doesn't cover it, out comes the Remington 870 12ga., loaded with 00 buck.:evil:
 
The thing that strikes me most about this thread is the variety of responses. It seems like there's not a "perfect" home defense firearm, just like there's not a "perfect" hunting rifle. Different situations, different applications. Just like golf clubs.

Now I've got another goal to attain, namely an M4gery with a can. I can't put a can on my AR because that's the rifle I use on patrol and I don't want to mess around with trying to put it on and take it off all the time(won't fit the rack in the cruiser). Dang! Another gun to buy... :D
 
FN PS90: Penetrates Level IIa body armor, no worries about overpenetration, short/light & easy to manuever in close quarters, no muzzle flash, little muzzle blast, little recoil so very fast recovery time, 50rds before needing to reload.
Tomac
Here's a shot of a PS90 next to a Mini-14 w/its stock folded:
ResizeofPS90005.gif
 
First of all, the best home self defense weapon is deterrence.... a good home security alarm.... lights with movement sensors... etc and smart thinking.

Now, if you wish to arm yourself..... imho a shotgun is not the right choice for home defense. I say this because you might have other people living with you such as your wife and children. A shotty blast is just too dangerous and unpredictable. Also, maneuvering around corners, lamps etc with a long arm in the dark requires some training and planning and even so I do not recomend it. I really do not understand why some people insist on having a shotgun for home defense.
The best weapon to have in my opinion would be a handgun -easy storage, easy to maneuver, etc -. Any caliber that would cause enough damage would suffice - .380 and up -. I say this because the best course of action is that you take your weapon and secure yourself and family members and call the cops. Lastly, though I am a huge fan of 1911s, I recomend double actions as home defense weapons (in the dark, sleepy, nervous and most likely flooded with adrenaline... fumbling for that safety just ain't a good idea... and walking around without it is even worse).

Oh yeah, having little attachments on your gun such as flashlights or whatever is a NO-NO. It's bad enough you can't see them, so why would you tell them where you are with a flashlight on your gun?!
 
1. Long arms are much easier to aim/use effectively than handguns under stress.
2. Flashlights (weapon-mounted or not) serve one crucial purpose: target identification.
Tomac
 
If you are secured in your bedroom with your family a carbine length weapon is much easier to aim than a handgun and recoils much less for the same amount of power. Weapon lights are good things, a good combat light will not only identify the target but disorient the attacker as well. Its hard to shoot at something so bright that you can't look at it. We're talking about only a few yards distance here if that much, revealing your location is not the issue IMO.
 
under stress anything is hard to aim.... though I personally think a handgun is easier to under stress. Though the point that I tried to bring up... was that handguns are easier to maneuver inside the house compared to a long arm. Plus, long arms generally means bigger caliber = much higher chance of hitting an innocent person do to over penetration.

Back to the flash light. I don't know... I still say a flashlight is not a good idea. I agree target identification is a must when you might have to pull the trigger. And yes, it might disorient the intruder but it might also cause to react and fire at you.... Revealing your location does play a huge factor.... say you're walking down around a corner in a hallway.
 
I prefer a shotgun for static defense and rifle for dynamic defense. A pistol if for those time when you don't have access to a rifle or shotgun.
 
FN PS90: Penetrates Level IIa body armor, no worries about overpenetration, short/light & easy to manuever in close quarters, no muzzle flash, little muzzle blast, little recoil so very fast recovery time, 50rds before needing to reload.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but every time I look at that thing I say to myself, "Which end is the delivery end?":D
 
re: perfect home defense weapon

I've seen lots of posts touting how their home defense weapon is able to penetrate heavy body armor. The idea of a petty home invader having the resources or common sense to purchase a multi-thousand dollar ballistic vest is mind boggling to me. I'll stick with 00buck or maybe 000/slugs if I'm feeling angry :evil: As for the perfect home defense weapon I'd say a flash light and common sense is something everyone should have.
 
The perfect home self defense weapon?

The one that gets it done for you when you need it. Could be anything.

I prefer the pistol caliber short lever carbine, 38/357 will do, but the 44mag will as well. Light recoil, holds 9-10 357 at the ready, easy to manuever and ultra reliable. The lever guns work very naturally with the qk rifle skills.

If not the lever guns, the preference goes to the pistol I carry daily, at the moment, the g36 or g26.

Brownie
 
The idea of a petty home invader having the resources or common sense to purchase a multi-thousand dollar ballistic vest is mind boggling to me.
Click to expand...
A quick look on the internet shows I can order used 2a for $155 or used 3a for $290. I don't know why you think its so expensive, but its quite cheap for basic concealable soft armor.
 
Tomac said;

FN PS90: Penetrates Level IIa body armor, no worries about overpenetration, short/light & easy to manuever in close quarters, no muzzle flash, little muzzle blast, little recoil so very fast recovery time, 50rds before needing to reload.
Click to expand...

Of course with the Mini 14, you'll have a round that will actually have adequate terminal effects after you penetrate the subject's body armor. You don't have that with the P90.

Jeff
 
Impact+Range+Control= Good fighting weapon. Impact-12g, Range- any firearm, Control- personal.

My choice is Remington 870HD with #4's gives me impact, the close range, and personally I can control a 12 guage.

I'll take it!
 
I used to work with a guy who is now on death row for murder during a home invasion.

He and some fellow "bounty hunters" were all suited up when they invaded what they thought was the home of a drug dealer. The homeowner hit 2 of them with a pistol before they killed him and his girlfriend. They had body armor and only took wounds to their extremities.

http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1997/sep/09-03-97/news/news17.html


I keep an AK clone, a 20 gauge, and a .45 near my bedside. If I hear someone breaking in then I go for the AK first. They have to come through the bedroom door to get to my wife and I, so I'll just hunker down there and keep a bead on the door.
 
Personally, I'm a fan of the .45 Colt (long, not ACP) round. I keep a Ruger Vaquero by my bed and I feel very good about it as a defense weapon. Granted it won't come close to penetrate body armor, but it also won't go through the walls and harm my daughters. As for a long gun, what about a lever 30-30? It's got great ballistics and the carbines are very maneuverable in a small hallway. Just a thought.
 
Personally, I'm a fan of the .45 Colt (long, not ACP) round. I keep a Ruger Vaquero by my bed and I feel very good about it as a defense weapon. Granted it won't come close to penetrate body armor, but it also won't go through the walls and harm my daughters. As for a long gun, what about a lever 30-30? It's got great ballistics and the carbines are very maneuverable in a small hallway. Just a thought.
 
Personally, I'm a fan of the .45 Colt (long, not ACP) round. I keep a Ruger Vaquero by my bed and I feel very good about it as a defense weapon. Granted it won't come close to penetrate body armor, but it also won't go through the walls and harm my daughters.
Click to expand...
Unless it hits a stud, it will surely go through a couple of pieces of wallboard.
 
balance

NRA home security video is 80% non-gun security measures
and 20% gun.

That said, a good revolver that leaves one hand free for
flashlight or phone works better for me than a shotgun or
rifle. Plus it can be concealed if the supposed threat
checks out benign.
 
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