Best gun for home defense for a novice shooter?

[Ripsnort]

When he's old enough, he's going to find that SCA sword alot cooler than any gun, trust me! 

My kids turned everything into a sword. 

[Shuffler]

A nice mossy with 18 1/2" barrel and pistol grip would do nicely. Regardless of what he gets he will need to go somewhere and fire it to become accustomed to the gun. He must become comfortable with its operation. How to safely load and unload the weapon.


Forget scaring someone with the ratcheting of the gun. All it will usually do is let the perp know where your at.

If he pulls the gun he better be prepared to kill someone.

[Golfer]

I have an electronic access gun safe (Liberty Franklin) that's bolted to the floor of my apartment.  I took the better to beg for forgiveness (and install some new carpet and pad) than it is to ask for permission in this regard.  I'm gone for up to two weeks at a time and having tens of thousands of firearms unsecured at home isn't an option.  For the cost of less than all but a few of the individual guns kept inside themselves I have great piece of mind and quick access to heavier iron when needed.  When I'm home my carry gun (1911) and a flashlight go in the dresser drawer as I have no kids and the safe door is open with an 11-87 with buckshot equipped with an 18.25" barrel and flashlight.  Behind those I have a selection of rifles and shotguns as necessary with no real chance of ever using them given my surroundings but they're there with empty chambers and magazines in the wells.

I'm more concerned about a novice buying a gun where they artificially inflate the propensity of use in their minds rather than facing the reality that proper training and some experience is in fact required before you're ready to defend yourself with a weapon in this manner.  This is how accidental shootings happen and people die.  Let the robbery be the catalyst for them taking an interest in firearms.  That's fine and he certainly isn't the first and won't be the last.  Let that spark grow into something else where he becomes a responsible gun owner and user though.  Thinking he's going to be Rambo or something (wanting a Desert Eagle is a great example of that...) blowing the toejam out of anyone who gets on his lawn isn't going to do him or us responsible firearm owners any favors.

If he's truly concerned about protecting his goods a proper alarm with a security provider, timers on the lights, a safe for the valuables and investing some time into actually preventing entry into his home.  There are things you can do that don't hurt that aesthetics of your place but will make gaining entry such a pain in the bellybutton for a would be thief they'll keep right on going.

My concerns aren't a team of well equipped thieves but a smash and grab dude who is willing to put in a window and get 10 minutes with whatever they can carry.  Go ahead and take the computer, you won't get in.  Take the guitars I'll get new ones.  Take my money, I have more.  Take my TV, I need another one.  Take my guns?  That's unacceptable to me to put dangerous weapons on the street when I am responsible for that dickhead getting their hands on them by not securing them.  I have a very nice gun cabinet with beautiful walnut and glass front.  It's pretty but it doesn't provide security to a thief with access to a rock.  Inside is an old .22 rifle that in 5 years I was never able to find parts to.  So I took out the bolt, a few other parts and slugged the barrel.  It makes a great decoy and if someone wants to smash the glass (instead of, you know...opening the door since it isn't locked) then they've successfully managed to steal a stick.  Be my guest.  If that's going to absorb a few of the precious minutes you have in my place then all the better, you should get going since the police are on the way.

Oh well I hope your buddy actually thinks this through.  I'm all for new gun owners and people getting into shooting.  Just do it the right way and don't get anybody shot in the process.

[Golfer]

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[Somerled]

Wait, what?

People have shot intruders in their own house, and have been succesfully sued by the intruder they shot? WTF 

Ok, not  gonna get political on this.

[Golfer]

(cough, New Jersey, cough.)

Also other states too.  I don't have the actual case information but there have been a few that had to do with what the statutes were and whether or not the intruder was actually a lawful threat.  Know the rules boys and girls.

[Ripsnort]

(cough, New Jersey, cough.)

Also other states too.  I don't have the actual case information but there have been a few that had to do with what the statutes were and whether or not the intruder was actually a lawful threat.  Know the rules boys and girls.

QFT.

Here in my state, I can use deadly force in my house, or attached garage. I cannot use deadly force in my detached (RV) garage or property. (Unless of course the perp has a weapon themselves.)

[Shamus]

12 gauge coach double with external hammers, cant get any simpler for the low/untrained.

shamus 

[Reaper90]

This is virtually identical to my "go-to" weapon if I hear someone downstairs.

Mossberg 500 pump 12 guage
Knoxx recoil-compensating folding stock
Red-dot sight
10-round "riot-gun" magazine tube and shortened barrel (min legal size)

Very short (compared to my other long arms) and easy to maneuver in tight spaces

loaded with #2 goose loads and 00 Buck, every 3rd round is buckshot

no slugs as drywall penetration is a concern, if 10 rounds of what's it's loaded with doesn't do the job, the S&W 5906 is right above it on the shelf loaded with 16 rounds of hollowpoint Black Talons, and 3 spare magazines.

I like having all 4 bedrooms upstairs... if someone does come in without authorization and poses a threat, there's only one way upstairs, up a central stair-well... a very nice narrow field of fire. Thankfully South Carolina law will back me up on this, they WILL NOT leave the house alive.

[1Boner]

My house gun of choice.

[Maverick]

Couple things to consider here. First find out what the legal ramifications are for a resident using a firearm to defend in a burglary situation. Laws vary by state so find out what the situation is for where your friend lives.

Second point. You specified novice shooter. That means someone who has never or fired a gun very little before. That has ramifications as well. That means he is unfamiliar with how to use a firearm and more importantly when NOT to use a firearm. This can be a recipe for BAD things.

If there is a ccw option in his area have your friend take a ccw class even if he never ever intends to carry concealed. That class will give him some information about when to use deadly force and when not to use it. He will also get some information from some folks about types and styles of firearms as well as a comparison for defensive purposes.

I do not recommend any long gun for in the home defense. My recommendation for an experienced shooter is simple. Get a revolver, preferably medium frame with a 4" barrel. Forget snubbies, too tough to learn to shoot well and they also hurt to shoot them with serious ammo if they are light and small guns. That will discourage practice and that is a BAD thing. You want him to practice and become proficient. That means he has confidence in what he is doing instead of being in a panic mode.

Lots of so called experienced people say you hit easier with a shot gun. BS! I've seen several experienced folks miss at 7 yards shooting from the hip at a range when calm and collected not hyped on adrenaline in a fight. The shotgun is not a magic bullet and does not spread to cover the hallway from the muzzle. Typical spread for open choke riot gun is an inch every yard. You still have to aim, that means shouldering the gun and looking down the barrel, not blazing away manically. A long gun at short range (touching distance like 7') means the gun can be something to grapple with or pushed aside. Not good for the guy trying to shoot while spooked and in fear of his life. Shotguns, especially pumps or semi autos, are also more complicated to use than a revolver. That means practice again and lots of it.

He also needs to have a plan in case his place is hit while he is in it. That should be something simple like barricade himself in bedroom with his pistol and a phone. Use the phone and only use the gun if the intruder gets into the bedroom and your buddy is in fear for his life. Do not go "hunting" for the bad guy. You give up the position of security and preparedness  and opt instead for a surprise meeting engagement at close range. Another BAD thing.  

[68ZooM]

 1911 45ACP  Self defense frangible made by MagSafe, great stopping power, and wont leave the body    there 5 bucks a round but a cheap price to pay to protect your family, i have a great site for getting ammo for any gun with multiple dealers so you can price shop 



i have these in my 1911 and in my 380 auto

[2bighorn]

a minute or two later after the threat has subsided kill him.  Kill him outright and swiftly.

Morally:
It's wrong to kill unless in self defense. If you disabled the intruder and you're in no imminent danger, you call 911. You don't go and murder.

Legally:
If something like that occur and involves anybody reading this forum, you may be charged with conspiracy to murder, or if you do it yourself, with 1st degree murder.


Don't talk about responsible gun ownership and give crapy advice like that.

[IamSalem]

Wait, what?

People have shot intruders in their own house, and have been succesfully sued by the intruder they shot? WTF  

Ok, not  gonna get political on this.

That's why you always use the double tap rule.    Also, best thing to say when asked why you shot the intruder, "I felt my and my families lives were threatened."

[Golfer]

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