(vanity) Yep, it's another "Help me pick home defense guns" thread

2/19/13 | marty

[martin_fierro]

POSTED THE OTHER NIGHT ON FB WHILE FR WAS DOWN:

Stopped by my local gun shop tonight for the first time, to see what their inventory/prices were like.



Was surprised by the friendly reception I got. Bunch of good ol' types hanging around.



I'm looking for a handgun + shotgun for home defense. The units would be low maintenance, use comparatively inexpensive ammo and be easy for a man or woman to use.



I looked at a Mossberg 500 (20 gauge) & some Taurus Millenium Series .45 ACPss -- these latter looked to be far too large


http://www.taurususa.com/gun-selector-results.cfm?series=MP1&toggle=tp



What do FReepers recommend?

[umgud]

A 12ga generally packs no more punch than a 20ga, just more shot. For your stated requirements, I’d go with the 20ga. Much less recoil.

[Yosemitest]

Two recommendations:

Consider as Glock pistol.
I like the model 39.

Also, consider the Browning Rifle BLR Lightweight TAKEDOWN Pistol Grip 270 Win..
Or consider any takedown rifle because it's easy to "backpack" and not be seen.

[philman_36]

...and be easy for a man or woman to use.



I'm going to go against the majority opinion you've been given and suggest the 20 gauge simply because of the criteria you've set. A 12 gauge can be hard for a woman to handle.

And since you're looking for home use I would not recommend the weapon you have pictured.

For tactical purposes (doors, hallways, stairs, etc.) a pistol grip, with or without a folding stock is, IMO, a better way to go.

As far as the neighbors and penetrations goes...how is your house built? All wood? Brick? Combo of both? Distance between them? That matters when considering ammo. The more durable the construction the greater the choice. (buckshot and bb's OK)

Pistols? Hard to give "good" advice. Anything from a .22 to a .45. A lot is dependent on the user. A small woman might not be able to handle a larger caliber so a smaller one is more practical. You get the idea. Find what is comfortable. The rounds you use can help make up the difference.

JMHO

[Yosemitest]

Check this site out and call them, and put it on order.
They fill their orders pretty quick.

[Kirkwood]

“.45 ACPss — these latter looked to be far too large”

Too large for what?

[Yosemitest]

Name of the shotgun and link to purchase it?

[martin_fierro]

The more recommendations, the merrier! Keep 'em coming!

Again, criteria:

• Maybe one handgun and one shotgun -- don't have to be the Most Massive, just have good stopping power @ close quarters
• Low maintenance
• for home defense -- with close-by neighbors
• Relatively inexpensive ammo
• Easy for a man or woman to handle

[martin_fierro]

As far as the neighbors and penetrations goes...how is your house built? All wood? Brick? Combo of both? Distance between them? That matters when considering ammo.

Wood frame & stucco. About 10-12' between houses here.

[MtnClimber]

For the shotgun, the Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Ithaca and Winchester 1300 are all reliable and low-priced shotguns. I prefer the 12ga, but the 20ga is often better for female shooters due to lower recoil. Your wife should shoot both to see what her recoil tolerance is. A 20 ga is no weakling for a home defense gun. Like others have said, #4 shot in a high-brass duck load would be devestating from across the room, but won’t go through walls with much energy left.

For a handgun there are many more choices. Revolvers are more reliable for people who don’t shoot much or don’t do maintenance on guns much. But, revolvers have more felt recoil because there is just the sudden impulse instead of being spread over the duration of a semi-auto slide operation. Also, on most revolvers there is much more muzzle flip because the hand is so much lower than the barrel than a semi-auto. Hand guns are much harder to give advice on. I would go to a range that rents guns and you and your wife should try to find something you both agree on. Many people say that you should not go smaller than 38 special in revolvers or 9mm in a semi-auto, but I think that some smaller rounds such as the revolver round .327 magnum would be good, plus you can use lower powered 32 rimmed ammo for cheaper practice and less recoil. A downside to something like the 327 magnum is that it is much less common and more expensive than something like 9mm which (usually) can be found easily. Read up on defensive and practice bullet types, but practice enough with the more expensive defense ammo to be sure it works reliably and is accurate in your gun.

[philman_36]

Name of the shotgun and link to purchase it?

That pictured is the Mossberg 500/590-12 Gauge Pistol Grip.
I used it more for an illustration/example than anything.

I pulled the image from...here...not from a dealer site.

Here is the 500 Cruiser - 20 Gauge, 6-Shot, 18.5" Barrel, Pistol Grip Stock, Bead Sight
...from Mossberg's own site.

[martin_fierro]

Did you look at the Taurus Judge for a handgun?

Geez, I just want to stop an intruder, not vaporize him.

[philman_36]

MSRP: $447.00

[Tainan]

A atrong 2nd on the Ithaca. Ejection out the bottom so you do not reveal your position...oh wait...not a consideration in your case.

Load it with '0' or #1 shot and no over penetration worries or to tight of a pattern for hallway needs.
As to a handgun, just get a good comfortable .38 special (lots of proven self-defense loads)and sleep well.

[Yosemitest]

Thanks. That looks like a great home defense, shoot from the hip, weapon.

[martin_fierro]

Many people say that you should not go smaller than 38 special in revolvers or 9mm in a semi-auto, but I think that some smaller rounds such as the revolver round .327 magnum would be good, plus you can use lower powered 32 rimmed ammo for cheaper practice and less recoil. A downside to something like the 327 magnum is that it is much less common and more expensive than something like 9mm which (usually) can be found easily.

I've heard anecdotal evidence lately of all such ammo being snapped up by government agencies (ICE, SSA, etc).

[martin_fierro]

Me likee pistol grip shhotgun.

[philman_36]

Wood frame & stucco. About 10-12' between houses here.
See #30 and 32. I'd go with that and bb's.

smallest BB's - #8 (birdshot)...wide spread (I use #4 myself)
the smaller the number the bigger the BB's inside.

buckshot - 00 (largest) to 04 (smallest) (20 gauge rated highest is 02...no 01 or 00)

How to Choose Shotgun Shells and Chokes

[philman_36]

My pleasure.

[philman_36]

Me likee pistol grip shhotgun.

Me likee mine for a long time.

[The Cajun]

Me likee mine for a long time.

Me likee mine with extended magazine tube, shoot long time :)