Comments on: Selecting a Gun for Home Defense

By: ders notu

ders notu — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:56:54 +0000

I prefer Rifle

By: Thomas

Thomas — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:01:25 +0000

I agree with you Stephen…. I’m of the same mindset

By: stephen

stephen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:20:28 +0000

Disclaimer about previous comment: I have all 3 weapon types: for home defense, every day carry and long range defense in case society fails. Everyone looks at me like I’m crazy when I say that.

By: stephen

stephen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:17:13 +0000

There are plenty of studies showing that handgun and buckshot rounds are more lethal after penetrating wallboards than the .223(5.56 NATO). Don’t beleive me? FBI agents are encouraged to draw their sidearms to flush out “bad guys” from behind barriers as opposed to their .223 rifles. .223 bullets fragment violently at short ranges and are less likely to cause fatal injuries on the other side of barriers including two layers of wall board(check out FBI ballistics studies). It is true that a .223 round will penetrate walls easier than pistol rounds, but will fragment and be much less lethal on the other side, more like a low velocity birdshot. AR-15 is the way to go, home defense and long range efficacy in one.

By: Arturo Mtz

Arturo Mtz — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:32:22 +0000

I like a short barreled and strong revolver (2½” to 3” barrel) because you could use the butt as a club instead of firing at the bad guy and if he grasps the gun you could shot his hand. I recognize that is preferable to keep the intruders at a distance of more than 15 ft. and avoid physical confrontations but anything could happened in a home invasion.
I know somebody who have a .30-.30 carbine for home defense and I like the logic of using such a gun: with enough power and round nose bullets that expand very well, It is light and easy to point with.

By: Michael Moriarty

Michael Moriarty — Sun, 10 May 2009 03:34:59 +0000

Shotgun ammunition sufficient to stop an attacker (00 buckshot) is powerful enough to go through at least 2 interior walls in a house or apartment. Anyone in the next room or apartment is going to be hit with lethal force.
The most important thing is target identification and shot placement. I suggest trying all three types of weapon, and finding the one you both most comfortable handling, and most accurate with. Buy that one, and practice, practice, practice.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:27:35 +0000

I am taking a trip to Alaska canoeing & back packing. I will be taking a Remington 870. What load do you recommend for bear defense?

By: JAMitchell

JAMitchell — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:24:14 +0000

If your situation requires depending on a hunting-type rifle for home defense, my recommendation is use only light-weight hollow-points, as this will mitigate (not prevent) over-penetration. I used to use a .270 loaded with 100 gr hollow-points as a varmint gun (couldn’t afford a .22-250 at the time). Had (2) cases shooting coyotes where the shot was made between 25-40 yds and the bullets never exited. The insides of the coyotes were soup. And the cross-section of a coyote is not nearly as large as a typical human. I fully understand that a home defense situation may not even be at this long of a range, however I think the theory may still remain valid.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:31:44 +0000

I just bought the mossberg 500 for $230. It came with both an 18 and 28 inch barrel. Now I not only have a home defense shotgun, but one I can hunt with as well. It is fun to shoot.

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:16:13 +0000

For the budget minded, a Mossberg 500 runs about 200 bucks. Excellent reputation and reliability.