Which in your opinion is best for home-defense?

P99AS9 · October 15, 2008, 06:23 PM

**pax** · October 15, 2008, 07:29 PM

To my way of thinking, the best gun for home defense is (drumroll please) ... the gun you can get to in a hurry and use efficiently.

Whether or not that's a shotgun, a rifle, or a handgun depends entirely upon you and your own unique circumstances. For me, it's a handgun, and you can find the long-winded reasons at this link: http://www.corneredcat.com/FirstGun/handgun.aspx

pax

BillCA · October 15, 2008, 08:31 PM

I selected the Carbine.

My definition of a "carbine" is a repeating rifle with a 16-18" barrel that fires a light to medium caliber cartridge. Something light and quick handling. e.g. M1 Carbine, bullpup semiauto, a short lever action carbine, etc.

The carbine usually has sufficient power to handle CQB chores. Its light weight makes it easier to hold and the shorter size means it's easier to wield in smaller spaces.

The carbine, even in a pistol caliber, will increase velocity and hitting power. With a rifle cartridge, the power is greatly increased.

A shotgun offers a good compromise between power and hitting ability. The larger zone of contact favors the shotgun user, but if too many pellets miss it's not as effective.

David Armstrong · October 15, 2008, 08:52 PM

I voted "Other." None are best, each has their role and place. Each is different, and knowing how to recognize and utilize that difference to your advantage is the key. Your level of training will impact the issue, along with a host of other factors. No best, just different.

Cerick · October 15, 2008, 09:30 PM

I like the idea of my 870 throwing 10 pellets of 000 buck at one time. By the time it's empty, it has shot 70 pellets that are a little bit bigger in diameter than a 9mm bullet. 105 pellets of 00 buck

light1 · October 15, 2008, 09:58 PM

I have to agree with pax on this.
The gun you have closest at hand and that you are the best with.
I love my old Winchester 1300 defender, but I have my P90 well with in reach at all times.

dabigguns357 · October 15, 2008, 10:02 PM

How about doing a combo,that way if you lose your shotgun then you still have an option,other than talking your way out of a jam.If you can clip the rig and grab the shotgun,if not then grab the handgun.

jrothWA · October 15, 2008, 10:56 PM

whatever hit the hand first! (aka: all of the above)

**Glenn E. Meyer** · October 16, 2008, 11:25 AM

Your mind and a plan. Any of the guns would work. So have them all and train and practice with them. Pax's work is a good starting point.

glockman19 · October 16, 2008, 12:13 PM

I too voted other. I have the gun(s) beside the bed so I can get to the shotgun or rifle if necessary.

Keltyke · October 16, 2008, 12:29 PM

Handgun.

A shotgun or rifle takes both hands to use. It's also cumbersome in tight quarters and doesn't hold as many rounds as a handgun. Yea, a shotgun is a lot of firepower and the BG is supposed to faint dead away at the sound of a pump being racked - but it takes time and room to bring into play and takes room to properly store.

Creature · October 16, 2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

A shotgun or rifle takes both hands to use. It's also cumbersome in tight quarters and doesn't hold as many rounds as a handgun.

Now that depends on which shotgun and carbine you're talking about, doesnt it? My AR carbine holds a hell of a lot more rounds than my Sig 226...and my Mossberg 590A1 hold far more rounds than any of my revolvers and just as many as my single stack 1911.

Like has been said a bazillion times before, I will use my pistol to fight my way to my rifle or shotgun. Preferably my carbine. And carbines being cumbersome in tight quarters is untrue. Unless by "tight quarters" you meant a phone booth or a jam-packed subway train!

Crankylove · October 16, 2008, 09:03 PM

My prefered home defense weapon is a short barreled pump shotgun loaded with birdshot. Don't laugh. A close range hit (15-20 feet) to the head or torso is pretty dang nasty ( I have seen several pictures :barf: ) and the birdshot also has a minimal chance of penetrating thru walls and/or the perp.

bcarver · October 16, 2008, 09:30 PM

short... fast... low penetration.

Andy-Y · October 16, 2008, 10:15 PM

I have a handgun and a shotgun next to me when I sleep. I always laugh when people talk about "racking" their shotgun to scare people away.

If a BG is in my house he will be lucky to hear the "click" from the safety of my 870. My house is small, and giving away my position to a possibly armed intruder isn't a smart idea to me.

athlon64 · October 21, 2008, 02:25 PM

Shotgun primary, handgun in a belt rig as a backup.

redhart · October 21, 2008, 02:53 PM

shotgun, loaded with No.1 buck

Erik · October 21, 2008, 08:59 PM

"Which in your opinion is best for home-defense?"

For most? The shotgun.

Stevie-Ray · October 21, 2008, 11:58 PM

Best for me and my house is the handgun. In .45 ACP flavor, please.

besafe2 · October 22, 2008, 11:49 AM

IMO the one you can get to.

bestbod85 · October 22, 2008, 12:27 PM

which ever is closest. one mind, any weapon

Stonewall Jackson · October 22, 2008, 12:54 PM

12 gauge with very short barrel, i also like my ak47 loaded with a 30 round mag , but i like the shotgun with 00 buckshot, more area with fewer shots

Dwight55 · October 22, 2008, 02:41 PM

My HD weapon, . . . the one I am carrying today. On this day, it is my Besa Thunder .380, . . . but normally is a 1911 in .45ACP.

Why the handgun? HD encompasses so many scenarios, . . . and many do not lend themselves well to a shotty or even a carbine (try answering your front door with an 870 in hand, . . . and the visitor not thinking you are somewhat spacey).

HD does not always offer one the time to pick and choose the time and/or place in the house when the "attack" will come, . . . necessitating a weapon that can be accessed quickly and deliberately, . . . and put into action on a short moments notice.

HD also often requires the homeowner to be very careful of the weapon employed, . . . as rounds streaming through exterior walls or windows will land somewhere, . . . and in your neighbor's house is not the desired place for them to quit their flight, . . . much less in an innocent bystander outside your house. Most handgun rounds will also be more likely to stay inside the building than rifle rounds or slugs.

Finally, . . . there is never very much in the average house that will fully provide "cover" for any bg in your house, other than a full refrigerator, freezer, or some wood stoves. There really is no need for the extra penetration given for the rifle or hopped up shotty.

IMHO

May God bless,
Dwight

View Poll Results: Which, in your opinion, is best for home defense?
Carbine	6	10.71%
Shotgun	26	46.43%
handgun	18	32.14%
Other (Explain)	6	10.71%
Voters: 56. You may not vote on this poll

October 15, 2008, 06:23 PM	#1
P99AS9 Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 612	Which in your opinion is best for home-defense? Which in your opinion is best for home-defense?

October 15, 2008, 07:29 PM	#2
pax Staff Join Date: May 17, 2000 Location: Washington state Posts: 6,403	To my way of thinking, the best gun for home defense is (drumroll please) ... the gun you can get to in a hurry and use efficiently. Whether or not that's a shotgun, a rifle, or a handgun depends entirely upon you and your own unique circumstances. For me, it's a handgun, and you can find the long-winded reasons at this link: http://www.corneredcat.com/FirstGun/handgun.aspx pax __________________ Kathy Jackson My personal website: Cornered Cat

October 15, 2008, 08:31 PM	#3
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,017	I selected the Carbine. My definition of a "carbine" is a repeating rifle with a 16-18" barrel that fires a light to medium caliber cartridge. Something light and quick handling. e.g. M1 Carbine, bullpup semiauto, a short lever action carbine, etc. The carbine usually has sufficient power to handle CQB chores. Its light weight makes it easier to hold and the shorter size means it's easier to wield in smaller spaces. The carbine, even in a pistol caliber, will increase velocity and hitting power. With a rifle cartridge, the power is greatly increased. A shotgun offers a good compromise between power and hitting ability. The larger zone of contact favors the shotgun user, but if too many pellets miss it's not as effective. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)

October 15, 2008, 09:58 PM	#6
light1 Junior Member Join Date: October 15, 2008 Location: Alabama USA Posts: 4	I have to agree with pax on this. The gun you have closest at hand and that you are the best with. I love my old Winchester 1300 defender, but I have my P90 well with in reach at all times. __________________ Beware the man that has only one gun, he just might be able to use it very well ~ Col. Jeff Cooper

October 15, 2008, 08:52 PM	#4
David Armstrong Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Location: SW Louisiana Posts: 2,289	I voted "Other." None are best, each has their role and place. Each is different, and knowing how to recognize and utilize that difference to your advantage is the key. Your level of training will impact the issue, along with a host of other factors. No best, just different.

October 15, 2008, 09:30 PM	#5
Cerick Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2008 Location: 973, NJ Posts: 331	I like the idea of my 870 throwing 10 pellets of 000 buck at one time. By the time it's empty, it has shot 70 pellets that are a little bit bigger in diameter than a 9mm bullet. 105 pellets of 00 buck

October 15, 2008, 10:02 PM	#7
dabigguns357 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Location: Ona,West Virginia Posts: 1,215	How about doing a combo,that way if you lose your shotgun then you still have an option,other than talking your way out of a jam.If you can clip the rig and grab the shotgun,if not then grab the handgun.

October 15, 2008, 10:56 PM	#8
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 1,813	The answer is: whatever hit the hand first! (aka: all of the above)

October 16, 2008, 11:25 AM	#9
Glenn E. Meyer Staff Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 13,157	Your mind and a plan. Any of the guns would work. So have them all and train and practice with them. Pax's work is a good starting point. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. http://www.teddytactical.com/archive...05_Feature.htm Being an Academic Shooter http://www.teddytactical.com/archive...11_Feature.htm Being an Active Shooter

October 16, 2008, 12:13 PM	#10
glockman19 Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Posts: 234	I too voted other. I have the gun(s) beside the bed so I can get to the shotgun or rifle if necessary.

October 16, 2008, 12:29 PM	#11
Keltyke Junior member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 2,933	Handgun. A shotgun or rifle takes both hands to use. It's also cumbersome in tight quarters and doesn't hold as many rounds as a handgun. Yea, a shotgun is a lot of firepower and the BG is supposed to faint dead away at the sound of a pump being racked - but it takes time and room to bring into play and takes room to properly store.

October 16, 2008, 09:03 PM	#13
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: The land of green Jello and vanilla icecream Posts: 1,197	My prefered home defense weapon is a short barreled pump shotgun loaded with birdshot. Don't laugh. A close range hit (15-20 feet) to the head or torso is pretty dang nasty ( I have seen several pictures :barf: ) and the birdshot also has a minimal chance of penetrating thru walls and/or the perp. __________________ "As we know, there are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. We also know there are known unknowns. That is to say, we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns, the ones we don't know we don't know."

October 16, 2008, 09:30 PM	#14
bcarver Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2007 Location: Jackson,Mississippi Posts: 743	M1 carbine short... fast... low penetration.

October 16, 2008, 10:15 PM	#15
Andy-Y Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 15	I have a handgun and a shotgun next to me when I sleep. I always laugh when people talk about "racking" their shotgun to scare people away. If a BG is in my house he will be lucky to hear the "click" from the safety of my 870. My house is small, and giving away my position to a possibly armed intruder isn't a smart idea to me.

October 21, 2008, 02:25 PM	#16
athlon64 Member Join Date: June 9, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 16	Shotgun primary, handgun in a belt rig as a backup.

October 21, 2008, 02:53 PM	#17
redhart Member Join Date: April 13, 2008 Location: east coast Posts: 60	shotgun, loaded with No.1 buck

October 21, 2008, 08:59 PM	#18
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	"Which in your opinion is best for home-defense?" For most? The shotgun. __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective

October 21, 2008, 11:58 PM	#19
Stevie-Ray Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Downriver area and the shores of Lake Huron Posts: 4,206	Best for me and my house is the handgun. In .45 ACP flavor, please. __________________ Stevie-Ray Join the NRA/ILA I am the weapon; my gun is a tool. It's regrettable that with some people those descriptors are reversed.

October 22, 2008, 11:49 AM	#20
besafe2 Member Join Date: March 29, 2008 Location: NC Posts: 90	IMO the one you can get to. __________________ "Blessed be the Lord my strength,which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight". Psalm 144:1 KJV Be safe: Paul

October 22, 2008, 12:27 PM	#21
bestbod85 Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Posts: 161	which ever is closest. one mind, any weapon

October 22, 2008, 12:54 PM	#22
Stonewall Jackson Junior Member Join Date: October 7, 2008 Location: ma Posts: 1	12 gauge with very short barrel, i also like my ak47 loaded with a 30 round mag , but i like the shotgun with 00 buckshot, more area with fewer shots

October 22, 2008, 02:41 PM	#23
Dwight55 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,470	My HD weapon, . . . the one I am carrying today. On this day, it is my Besa Thunder .380, . . . but normally is a 1911 in .45ACP. Why the handgun? HD encompasses so many scenarios, . . . and many do not lend themselves well to a shotty or even a carbine (try answering your front door with an 870 in hand, . . . and the visitor not thinking you are somewhat spacey). HD does not always offer one the time to pick and choose the time and/or place in the house when the "attack" will come, . . . necessitating a weapon that can be accessed quickly and deliberately, . . . and put into action on a short moments notice. HD also often requires the homeowner to be very careful of the weapon employed, . . . as rounds streaming through exterior walls or windows will land somewhere, . . . and in your neighbor's house is not the desired place for them to quit their flight, . . . much less in an innocent bystander outside your house. Most handgun rounds will also be more likely to stay inside the building than rifle rounds or slugs. Finally, . . . there is never very much in the average house that will fully provide "cover" for any bg in your house, other than a full refrigerator, freezer, or some wood stoves. There really is no need for the extra penetration given for the rifle or hopped up shotty. IMHO May God bless, Dwight __________________ www.dwightsgunleather.com If you can breathe, . . . thank God! If you can read, . . . thank a teacher! If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a Veteran!