Best Inexpensive Guns for Home Defense

Prep-Blog ^ | 9/24/12 | Thoreau

[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:

[NowApproachingMidnight]

Why would you recommend a gun that is a rip-off, made by commies?

[moehoward]

"We like the Mossberg 500."

Cant go wrong there.....Lots of different configurations.

[trimom]

My advisor here says that a 20 gauge is half the shot load and twice the kick. And that a 28 gauge is a better choice for girls...the 410 is more of an “expert” weapon.

[Fireone]

You decline to differentiate between urban “home defense” and rural. For urban settings, Mossberg 500 gets my vote.
For rural, Ruger 10/22 with Leupold variable scope will keep ‘em from getting clost to the home.

[Tijeras_Slim]

shotgun ballistics are not like rifles. A 12 gauge target load is 1 to 1 1/8th ounce of shot at 1200 feet per second. A .410 is 1/2 or 11/16 ounce of shot at 1200 feet per second.

For a light recoiling defense shotgun I’d suggest a 20 gauge (7/8th ounce) semi automatic.

[STJPII]

Ping

[Fightin Whitey]

You can pick up a Remington 870 tactical 12-gauge pump, the no-frills model, for $330 in my area. Up to $400 some places. Holds seven rounds, 2 3/4 or 3 inch.

Pump rather than auto because you minimize concern about jams.

Shotgun rather than rifle or handgun because you minimize concern about missing.

Defense model rather than big old long gun because you can manuever in small rooms, around corners, so much easier.

You’ll be surprised at how secure you’ll feel with that little black bulldog in your hands.

[yarddog]

There is a 12 gauge Winchester Defender near my bed right now. I only paid $189 at Wal-Mart but that was a few years ago.

It is tactically just as good as an 870 but I sure like the feel of the 870 better.

Right now it is loaded with 8, 2/34 inch OO buck shot, tho at times I have gone with BB shot, #4 buck and even number 8 bird shot.

I have arthritis in my hands and I added a pistol grip along with the same type butt and pump handle. I find the pistol grip (it looks much like an AR-15 type) makes it much easier to handle with my arthritis.

[TheRhinelander]

I have the Marlin model 60, awesome rifle. I def need to get that hi-point.

[varmintman]

If any of you folks are going to buy a shotgun, I'd suggest you forget the games and buy a real one with at least 3" chamber(s) and the absolute top all around shotgun I know of is going to be the Beretta Xtrema-2 which can be had on gunbroker for around 1100 (last time I looked at least) and can basically do everything.

The Xtrema-2 is Beretta's semiauto hunting gun with a 3.5" chamber and a heavy spring and bleed-off valve meaning it can shoot skeets one day and geese or deer the next with just a chamge of ammo, said to be self cleaning which is only a tiny bit of a lie, you have to clean the barrel and I normally clean the piston chamber and piston but that isn't difficult.

A 3" magnum buckshot shell will absolutely annihilate any sort of a hoodlum or burglar who ever gets shot with it and available options include large-capacity feed tubes which are normally used by trick shooters but would in fact convert the thing to a home defense weapon.

[Flatus I. Maximus]

I've seen a lot of fathers turn their kids off to shooting forever by giving them a .410 for a first shotgun. There's so little shot inside those "cute" shells, it's difficult to hit anything, and it's hitting the target that makes a kid think, "This is fun! I want to shoot more!"

Get a decent "youth model" 20-gauge pump with an adjustable stock. I'm a big fan of the Mossberg 500 Super Bantam. If they're not yet big enough to lift, aim, and fire a 20-gauge loaded with light trap loads, they're not big enough to be shooting a shotgun, period.

[G Larry]

S&W .38 Special
Model 10 or 64

The amount of training and practice you’re willing to dedicate is another significant factor.

The Glock 17 is 9mm pistol I’d consider as a first semi-auto, if you’re willing to train & practice.

[.45 Long Colt]

You might want to get a .410/45 Colt chamber adapter from Short Lane for that Model 66. I ordered one last year for around $20.

[mylife]

Mossburg 500 or
Remington 870 pump shotguns.

[Red Steel]

For a little over $300 you should consider this shotgun. You get many options with this:

"12 Gauge Mossberg 500 Pump Action Field and Security Shotgun Combo 28" & 18-1/2" Barrels 6 Rounds Wood Stock Blued Finish

Mossberg 500 Field and Security Combo, Wood Stock, 12 Gauge, 28" Vent Rib Barrel and 18-1/2" Cylinder Bore Security Barrel.
Mossberg's 500® pump action shotguns offer an amazing amount of gun for an unbeatable price. The variety of stock, barrel and finish options alone would assure the place of the 500® in the hearts of outdoorsmen. But, of course, its performance in the field goes a long way in cementing its reputation with millions of hunters as well. Quickly and easily change between wingshooting and home security with this combo .

Specifications and features:
Mossberg 500 pump action field & security shotgun combo
Interchangeable barrels
12 gauge
28" vent rib field barrel
18-1/2" security barrel
6 round capacity
Ambidextrous thumb safety
3" chamber
Quiet carry dual action bars
Twin bead sight field barrel
Bead sight security barrel
Accu-Set choke system field barrel
Cylinder bore security barrel
Pistol grip kit
Wood stock
Blued finish
48-1/2" overall length with field barrel
37-1/2" overall length with security barrel
13-7/8" length of pull
1-1/2" drop at comb
2-3/8" drop at heel
Drilled & tapped
7-1/2 lbs.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/46907

[verum ago]

Whatever shotgun you get, reduced recoil 00 buck is pretty cool stuff- significant reduction in recoil, but still truly sufficient penetration and oomph.

Might I also suggest a pistol caliber carbine like a KelTec SUB-2000?


Folds to 16x7" if you like. Light, compact, better range, more precise, and cheaper to feed (and to practice) than the shotgun. Less recoil and blast too. Takes Glock, S&W, Beretta, or SIG mags. .357 mag ballistics at 50 yards.

[Citizen Tom Paine]

Get a single barreled, single shot 12 gauge shotgun. Buy a used one. Use 00 buckshot.

[gore_sux]

I love my short barreled 870 Marine Magnum (it’s pretty and has great manuverability). The 7 shot capacity is almost enough to recreate that scene in Predator where they knock down the entire jungle with hot lead.

[jwalsh07]

Same here, but I load #4. Right next to my wifes 22/45. :-)

[RedStateRocker]

Any basic pump action 12 gauge. Plenty of different loads for different applications; outside of a serious high power rifle there isn’t really anything that can deliver so much lethality. While I put no faith in the old canard of the racking sound scaring off a bad guy, and at ‘social encounter’ ranges the spread is minimal, it is still my first choice. And quite capable of taking out someone at 25 yards or so. And cheap.

My major concern where I live is that there are young children in the houses in three sides of me, and I’m in the middle of a city; even with thick walls there is a non-zero chance of a bullet leaving the property and that is totally unacceptable in any circumstances.