Posted on 09/24/2012 6:24:41 PM PDT by Kartographer
This prepping and survival blog post is a discussion of the best inexpensive guns for home defense across various categories of guns. On this subject, opinions vary greatly. If you have a different opinion, feel free to comment on this post. However, I’m talking about home defense guns here, not self-defense guns generally. You might want a self-defense gun for carry that is compact, lightweight, concealable. But all of those features are low priority in a home defense gun. In my view, the most necessary features in a home defense gun are these seven:
(Excerpt) Read more at prep-blog.com ...
But if I had the option of having five, I'd take: a 12-gauge shotgun (pump or semi-auto, whichever you prefer), a .22 handgun (a Ruger Mark II target pistol is inexpensive, accurate, and reliable), a 1911A1 (that .45ACP makes really big holes), a .22 rifle (any semi-auto would do fine), and an SKS (preferably a Russian-built).
If you shop around, all five of these firearms can be found for under $1500. Ammo for all of them is relatively inexpensive and can be found at just about any sporting goods store, gun shop, or department store (plus a number of gas stations in certain parts of the country).
If you really think the S will hit the F, you’d be foolish to carry anything that won’t chamber NATO rounds, don’t you think?
Well except maybe 22LR... jmho.
Two choices given the requirements...
1) an old smith&wesson model 10 police service revolver
2) and old 9mm glock police service pistol
Cops trade in their guns from time to time and get something newer. Look for one of these in a gunshop.
I am not snake eater but I have lived and worked in war zones and the best defense firearm for killing people is one that will do the job more often than not.
Assuming you do not live on a ranch..like I do..albeit a small one.
I would suggest a revolver because they are fool (us) proof and are cheap like you asked.
Rossi makes some fine ones in .357 including I think a 7 shot version...nice which also shoots .38 for practice
.357 is a very lethal pistol cartridge
folks here suggest scatterguns all the time but my own experience is they are unwieldy in a home and the pistol grip version are foolish but for the most trained hands
if you do indeed live rural and need to defend open property then a nice lever action in any .30 caliber will do with reasonable glass...plenty of smaller cartridge black guns out there but they are likely more expensive then a Marlin or Savage lever or if you must an SKS or Romanian AK
and birdshot to kill people in shotguns...hilarious again
go outside and shot some number 8 or 9 at 20 yards and then try any type buckshot and see for yourself penetration and spread...I mean really
freeper advice on guns sometimes proves some people here are full of crap but a shotgun with buck in very trained hands with a coach barrel is not without merit...but still unwieldy
there is a reason CQB military assault teams use MP-5 and Ingram style mini carbines (small..fast shooters) ...for spray and swing ease..but they are not cheap
You aint breaking in and spraying a room full of people.
One or two are breaking in and you are spraying them.
I stand by the 12 ga.
$1000.00? I could get a shotgun, S&W 9mm, a SKS, ammo and a case of MRE’s. What do you think this is a government project?
As to any rifle, any shot outside of 25 feet is going to be questioned.
I don’t use rifles for home defense.
I have some nifty carbines, .30,9mm and 7.62x25 but it is just to much for home defense.
BTW, that nut job in Colorado did all his damage with a shotgun loaded with 00 buck.
His AR jammed
F-—! I.am so annoyed with.thiz new freaki.v phone!
If you are strong, shotgun. Mossberg 88 12 gauge - same as a 500 but $200 less b/c some trim parts can’t be replaced.
If you aren’t strong, a weaker shotgun - 20 gauge or 410.
In either case get one that can hold 7-8 shells. Semi-auto may also be a good thing to consider, but stick with higher end brands for reliability and safety. Winchester makes a good semi-auto home defense - 930 SPX.
Nothing gives away your position like a shotgun being racked, too. Sometimes a good semi-auto shotgun is worth it.
Keep one in the pipe . . the only sound that bastard should be hearing is the squeaky noise when the gates of hell open up for him.
/.02
People poo poo the 410 all the time but 5 .30 cal balls going 1150 fps is nothing to sneer at.
.22lr hollow points are not pleasant things to be shot with, especially out of a rifle barrel. Lots of dead people in the ground because of a. 22 round.
My mudder said that to me once.......Once....
Amen. You get hit with that, you are gonna have a bad day.
A very bad day.
i also said a case could be made for shotgun however lethal in buck or slug or sabot but is too cumbersome for all but those very adept with the shortened versions
but if shotguns are so great then why don't all the world's folks who do this for a living tote them around for CQB then? ....I hear SEALs have shotguns but as a specialty weapon for particular circumstances...the only SEAL i know as an adult liked to have his pic taken with his Ingram..I know his job was to know all guns
same reason I said...unwieldy except the sawed down gripped stuff which in 12 guage is a hoss for the average person including myself who has a Mossberg shorty in 12..gripped...model 500 I think which oddly I bought on Mott st in Manhattan in the mid 80s..with no papers legally and walked home to Union Square with it in the box over my shoulder
a full game size shotgun for in home defense is silly..can't imagine why anyone would suggest such..not saying you did...a coach Stoeger double maybe but for me two long and only two shots
oddly enough my 12 year old...who loves his 1930s era Sweet Sixteen Modified Choke that was his Great Grandad’s told me just yesterday while we were putting up the fowlers after a dove hunt this first segment of season that “you know dad, this would be hard to handle around this room to deal with intruders..and he is my back up my plan...my dear wife being less intuitively prone to deal with such should it arise
well, from the mouth of babes as they say...
and I have a large home with room to blast aways unlike say a Jim Walter home or standard American ranch or dutch or acadian style home
which is why he knows where the .44 Russian is...loaded with 247 grain Fiocchi lead...slow but disperses all energy in target
loaded...breech open...shoots either action you wish...foolproof and cheap btw..
slam the topbreak and pull or cock..your choice
I also like the .45 long colt for a simple revolver due to large weight bullet and low recoil relatively speaking but they are pricey and pretty heavy for most shooters
Shells are expensive though, which places the 410 buckshot out of the parameters of this thread.
I still think it is a reasonable alternative for older people of slight build.
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