Home Defense

[Hawklore]

Dad wants shotgun, says he won't have to aim as well if he uses buckshot.

I say pistol or lever/bolt action rifle, still intimadating but less likely to hit someone with the pellets..

Opinions?

[Dune]

I say go with the pistol.  Easier to use in close quarters, less likely to be taken away in a struggle.

Second choice is the shotgun.  Perhaps, if you can accurately handle the recoil, something with a pistol grip.  Usually a Remington 870 w/ #4 buck.

Last choice would be a rifle.  Especially a bolt-gun.  You want something short and fast in a home defense situation.  That's not a rilfe.

[Tarmac]

Originally posted by Hawklore
Dad wants shotgun, says he won't have to aim as well if he uses buckshot.

I say pistol or lever/bolt action rifle, still intimadating but less likely to hit someone with the pellets..

Opinions?

Intimidation is a nice side effect of a gun, but it's not the primary reason for pulling/using one.  They're for shooting people.  And at close range, a bolt or lever action rifle isn't worth much.  Plus you've got overpenetration issues with any rifle, so I'd stay away from those.  

Handgun is best, but takes lots of training to use effectively.  Even cops with years of training can empty their pistols and not hit a man standing 10 feet away.  

Shotgun is the best choice for normal home defense, I'd say.  It aims naturally, is long/heavy enough to handle its own recoil, and will knock anyone down in a single hit.  The only problem is that it's big, and therefore harder to swing around in tight spaces.

[Gixer]

And to think I left the back door open all night to let the dog in.



...-Gixer

[Tarmac]

Originally posted by Gixer
And to think I left the back door open all night to let the dog in.



...-Gixer

Dogs are good for home defense, too.  

[Gixer]

Originally posted by Tarmac
Dogs are good for home defense, too.  

Yeah if the thing had bothered to come home.  



...-Gixer

[capt. apathy]

unless you already own pistols and are comfortable enough to load, fire, and aim them well in a high stress situation, I'd go with the shotgun.

the idea of not having to aim as well is a myth though.  at inside-the-house ranges your buckshot pattern will be no more than a couple inches of spread, not exactly a 'hit everything in that general direction' situation.

the upside to a shotgun is you get the combined impact of all of the individual pellets at the same time.  but since they are separate they slow down much faster than the same amount of power in one mass.  this equates to more 'moment of force' impact on the target (which means it hits harder, but won't penetrate as deep as the same weight/speed of projectile in one piece.)  this also means that if you miss these individual pellets will bleed off energy much faster as they pass through walls and such on their way to your neighbors house or your kids bedroom.

plus you really can't discount the motivation for cooperation induced by the sound of a shell being racked into a pump-shotgun.

also your aim will simply be better with the shotgun, you have much more control.

if there is a problem at my house, I grab my pistol.  however, when I go out of town and it's just the wife and kids at home, I load the shotgun and put it where she can get to it quickly.

[Pongo]

Use a combination of a shot gun and fusion grenades. It works great in Halo.

[xrtoronto]

tek9

[capt. apathy]

Originally posted by Pongo
Use a combination of a shot gun and fusion grenades. It works great in Halo.

LOL, kinda suprising the grenade never really caught on for home defense:p

but claymores, now there is a home security system.

[Hawklore]

Went to local gun store, they said shotgun...

It was short too as long if not shorter then my arm...

7 shot, it was light though that was my only concern..

[Holden McGroin]

The "Shuk-shuk" of a pump action shotgun somewhere in the dark is enough for most intruders to pee their pants.  

Especially when accompanied by a low, calm, "What chyall doin in my house?"

[Angus]

Just be careful not to actually shoot anyone with the shotgun. It's a badass at close quarters. Maybe take a smaller gauge and more ammo?
Anyway, I'd have the shotgun.It needs to LOOK mean and be seen, that would hopefully be the only use for it. Second option is a warning shot, the shotgun is very good for those, loud, but do great damage to the plaster, oops.
Hell, I even have one at my bed

[capt. apathy]

Originally posted by Angus
Just be careful not to actually shoot anyone with the shotgun. It's a bad bellybutton at close quarters. Maybe take a smaller gauge and more ammo?
Anyway, I'd have the shotgun.It needs to LOOK mean and be seen, that would hopefully be the only use for it. Second option is a warning shot, the shotgun is very good for those, loud, but do great damage to the plaster, oops.
Hell, I even have one at my bed

LOL,  big damage is the point.  and warning shots are great, and should be aimed at the sternum.  

seriously warning shots are stupid, any round you fire will stop somewhere (in your kid, your neighbors house, whatever), the best place for the shot that leaves your gun, to go is into the criminal who has invaded your house.

[lazs2]

people letting dogs run wild is a good reason to own a handgun too.
]
lazs