Buying my first home protection weapon

[farmerj]

I would not use and AR, you mention an apartment and you have to consider were rounds might go after they the hit the target or if you miss. Apartment walls may not stop a 223 and what is in the next room may be someone you have no intent of harming.

Shotgun would be a better choice and if my wife were shooting it I owuld go 20 ga. Auto would be my first choice then a sdouble. Punps are great but in a panich it is another moving part.

Actually, an AR WOULD be a better choice over a handgun. Jeez I love seeing what he does next.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot14.htm


Them using pistols.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot12.htm

[bensdad]

Pistol or AR15, training, training, training. Especially without training, you or your family are far more likely to kill or injure each other than to have to defend yourselves from a home invader.

That's an interesting little factoid. Can you please reference the source? If not, can you please explain why you would make a statement like that to a prospective new gun owner?

[Hmac]

Pistol or AR15, training, training, training. Especially without training, you or your family are far more likely to kill or injure each other than to have to defend yourselves from a home invader.

That's an interesting little factoid. Can you please reference the source? If not, can you please explain why you would make a statement like that to a prospective new gun owner?

Yeah, I'm a big believer in firearms training, especially for a prospective new gun owner who plans to use it primarily for self defense.

[bensdad]

Pistol or AR15, training, training, training. Especially without training, you or your family are far more likely to kill or injure each other than to have to defend yourselves from a home invader.

That's an interesting little factoid. Can you please reference the source? If not, can you please explain why you would make a statement like that to a prospective new gun owner?

Yeah, I'm a big believer in firearms training, especially for a prospective new gun owner who plans to use it primarily for self defense.

I don't care if you're a big believer in the Easter Bunny. You said, "... without training, you or your family are far more likely to kill or inure each other than to have to defend yourselves from a home invader." I expect that kind of inflamatory crap from Pelosi or the AMA. Not from a gun forum participant with over a thousand posts. Now, cite the source, or at the very least, admit you've exaggerated quite a bit.

[Hmac]

I don't care if you're a big believer in the Easter Bunny. You said, "... without training, you or your family are far more likely to kill or inure each other than to have to defend yourselves from a home invader." I expect that kind of inflamatory crap from Pelosi or the AMA. Not from a gun forum participant with over a thousand posts. Now, cite the source, or at the very least, admit you've exaggerated quite a bit.

Take your pick

https://www.google.com/search?q=gun+in+ ... TF-8&hl=en

[xd ED]

While I haven't looked at any on the generally cited links for a break down, it has often been pointed out that the statistics backing the assertion that:

you or your family are far more likely to kill or inure each other than to have to defend yourselves from a home invader.."

include deaths caused by suicide and justifiable homicides resulting from self defense shootings in domestic abuse situations,

Certainly there is tragedy behind any premature ending of a human life, and I strongly encourage as much firearms training as possible for any gun owner,
but I'm at a loss to see firearms training having an impact on these deaths.

[photogpat]

Those type of stats also include persons who make a living buying and selling controlled substances as well. I'd certainly agree those types of folks are far more likely to be shot.

People like you and me, law abiding, not crack dealing or trafficking in stolen goods, are just about even with the non gun owning population for chances of being shot.

[Hmac]

Those type of stats also include persons who make a living buying and selling controlled substances as well. I'd certainly agree those types of folks are far more likely to be shot.

People like you and me, law abiding, not crack dealing or trafficking in stolen goods, are just about even with the non gun owning population for chances of being shot.

Certainly there have been a lot of studies, and no doubt there is some statisitical manipulation done by both sides in drawing conclusions. No offense meant, but I'm inclined to disagree with your conclusion. IMHO, a gun in the home means there is an increased chance of someone in that home getting shot compared to a home where there is no gun and I think that risk is higher than the risk of getting lethally attacked by a home invader. I think it's a manageable risk, in the same way that driving a car is a manageable risk, with common sense and training in safe gun handling, storage, and use.

[farmerj]

house with Kids in them are still at higher risk.

Has more to do with kids curiosity more than anything.

NRA Eddie Eagle program is a good thing for the younger kids those to help educate them

[bensdad]

I asked for a reference. You crapped out a google search loaded with anti-gun propaganda and regurgitated, manipulated studies from a medical community that is decidedly anti-gun.

You fail.

[hornswaggle]

I'll also toss in my recommendation for the pump action 20ga shotgun for your situation. It's a relatively inexpensive firearm and ammunition so won't cost a lot to practice and train with. Low recoil so easy to handle for an inexperienced or infrequent shooter. Easy to load and understand functioning so also easy to empty and make safe. Sight of gun or sound of action could be enough to scare away potential bad guy. Practice a lot with whatever you choose and try different ammo so you both know and understand what type of pattern and penetration you want.

[farmerj]

An issues with long guns in a house is maneuverability.

You start exposing a barrel or running into things as you point it around.

A handgun takes a but more to become skillful with it. But it's doable.


Plan on practicing and alot of it.

But most importantly, discuss and develop a plan of action and practice it with you family WHAT you will be doing if you have to defend your home.

And include a safe word as well in the plan to ID family.

[Makarov]

I recently have just moved into my first apartment and looking to purchase an affordable home defense weapon. I'm only 20 so i can't purchase a handgun yet. Been thinking a shotgun or an AR (I'm in the military and I'm more use to the feel of an M4 than any other weapon) Plus please consider that I want my wife to be able to use it just in case, so no big guns that she may be afraid to shootr. Plus if mentioning a shotgun, please recommend me type/brand of ammunition. Please remember that I live in an apartment.

Since your wife will not be shooting it much, only "just in case" and for occasional training, I would go with a pump in 12 ga.
The 12 ga gives you, Jackjone, far more options and easily available ammo choices.
Do a check on Midway USA for shotgun ammo to compare what is available for both 12 and 20 ga.

Quick MidwayUSA examples:
Target loads
20 ga = 88
12 ga = 160

Slug loads
20 ga = 27
12 ga = 64

Predator loads
20 ga = zero
12 ga = 9

waterfowl loads
20 ga = 25
12 ga = 86

( I'm not including the 12 ga 3 1/2 in load options )

Now, for your wife's training experience, lighter loads of 7/8 oz 12 ga low recoil are available.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/290019 ... 2900175823
and even these...note warning that they will not function reliably in all pumps......
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/255579 ... -box-of-20

Later, if you decide to get into reloading, (a used MEC 600 jr and basic supplies for about $150) you can make her custom light loads she will have fun shooting.

[Nougat]

I've got a 12 gauge 870. it does pretty well with the minis.man they are fun! I wouldn't load them up for a defense situation though, supposedly theres a mod you can do to make them more reliable. I'm not very mod adept though and want to still use 'real' shells. my wife has shot the mini's in slugs and birdshot, I still have to get her to try the reduced recoil buckshot I have though. maybe off topic but I got some #4 from a old guy at work because I saw it recommended for self defense situations and it has way more 'kick' than the hornady critical defense or zombie double ought shells, did loads get 'woosified' for some reason or what?

[Hmac]

I asked for a reference. You crapped out a google search loaded with anti-gun propaganda and regurgitated, manipulated studies from a medical community that is decidedly anti-gun.

You fail.

I see you've made up your mind and facts won't change it. You asked for references. Just because you reject them doesn't disprove them. Can you cite studies that prove your point?