Best gun for home defense for a novice shooter?

[Somerled]

Friend of mine had his condo recently robbed, and he's really mad and is talking about getting a gun to protect his house.

Note that he was not home when the robbery occurred.

He asked me what he should get for a gun. Originally he was talking about a desert eagle, but i talked him off _that_ ledge. I would think that's the last thing he wants for home defense. Note tho that neither he or I are gun owners, tho i was in the rifle team in college which is why he asked me.

I suggested a shotgun, for several reasons.

1: The cha-chink cocking sound is farking intimidating, and may scare a thief away so he does not need to shoot.
2: Scatter shot has a better chance for hitting if he has to aim and shoot in a hurry
3: I also told him to get bird, not buck shot. Not because of lethality issues, but because i would think they would be less likely to go through the walls into the condo next door to him and possibly hurt an innocent neighbor.

Thoughts on this?

[Ripsnort]

So he wants a gun so that next time he's not home, the thieves can get a weapon when they break in?

Sometimes I just don't understand people.  The best defense is a good offense. Wire the condo for an alarm system, monitored if necessary. THEN buy the weapon for that 1% that thieves actually break in to occupied homes....

(And yes, a nice light 870 pump is usually a good home defense weapon, if one is not experienced with shooting pistols, this way you don't kill your neighbors with missed shots.)

[fbWldcat]

Shotgun sounds fine. Bird shot. Too far away? No problem, just a little spray, he is in pain, he leaves or crumples to the floor. Too close (attacking) he goes bye bye. And yes, if I was invading a house (I wouldn't) the oh-so familiar sound of a shotgun cocking would get me out in a pinch.

But if you are looking for a scare effect, there are rifles with pump action as well. For having just a really big gun, try a muzzleloader  

My neighbor had a fully loaded glock in his truck, just in case (notice I said HAD) Someone stole the loaded thing last Halloween.
Glock is intimidating with that snapping sound it makes when the action closes.

Hope this helps.

[fbWldcat]

In response to ripsnort:

Gun-safe 

[jimson]

Good going talking him out of the Desert Eagle, a cool gun but not the best for self defense for a novice.

Shotgun isn't a bad choice although in close quarters the barrel could be grabbed and wrenched out of his hand.

If he's willing to get some training (which he should regardless) a 4 inch revolver in .357 or .38 plus p with a good frangible HP load is also a good choice.

[Ripsnort]

Shotgun sounds fine. Bird shot. Too far away? No problem, just a little spray, he is in pain, he leaves or crumples to the floor. Too close (attacking) he goes bye bye. And yes, if I was invading a house (I wouldn't) the oh-so familiar sound of a shotgun cocking would get me out in a pinch.

But if you are looking for a scare effect, there are rifles with pump action as well. For having just a really big gun, try a muzzleloader  

My neighbor had a fully loaded glock in his truck, just in case (notice I said HAD) Someone stole the loaded thing last Halloween.Glock is intimidating with that snapping sound it makes when the action closes.

Hope this helps.

See, this here? This is comedy gold. Idiots like to buy guns, put them in cars, houses, with locks...thinking they are safe.

Here's a thought. You're (not the poster, you as in general idiots) supplying more stolen firearms to the black market which enable yet more bad guys to be heavily armed.

Protect the weapons please. Gun safe in the house, perhaps an alarm system. If you travel with a gun, take it OUT of the vehicle when you leave the vehicle unless you have your eyes on it  when you've left the vehicle.

And tell your friend Ripsnort said he's a dummy.

[Ripsnort]

In response to ripsnort:

Gun-safe 

Kinda tough to get those in a condo though...

[katanaso]

1: The cha-chink cocking sound is farking intimidating, and may scare a thief away so he does not need to shoot.
2: Scatter shot has a better chance for hitting if he has to aim and shoot in a hurry
3: I also told him to get bird, not buck shot. Not because of lethality issues, but because i would think they would be less likely to go through the walls into the condo next door to him and possibly hurt an innocent neighbor.

Thoughts on this?

My thoughts:

1.  Perhaps.  However, in the rush of adrenaline, would he remember to chamber a round?
2.  At the range he'd be shooting at an intruder, there wouldn't be much of a spread.  Lots of debates on this abound.
3.  Drywall penetration is a real concern, but I'd always go for lethality.  If I ever have to shoot an intruder in my home, I do not want him having a second chance at harming my wife or me because I only wounded him or her.

mir

[jimson]

Protect the weapons please. Gun safe in the house, perhaps an alarm system. If you travel with a gun, take it OUT of the vehicle when you leave the vehicle unless you have your eyes on it  when you've left the vehicle.

This is a good point. I ended up supplying the criminal element with a lot of firearms when my collection was stolen several years ago. Most of mine were weapons criminals wouldn't make use of, WW2 era rifles and such. Still, I wish I had done more to keep them from falling in the wrong hands.

You have to strike a balance between security and quick access. If I need a gun I want it in my hands immediately.

Perhaps keep it out of the safe only when you are home?

[Somerled]

Oh, and yes, I told him to get an alarm system instead of a gun, but he feels violated and unsafe. He insists on a gun, not a 'wimpy alarm'.

*shrug* He may come down and think normally after a few more days.

And yes, I think an alarm is a better idea than a gun, since most robberies are when no one is at home. Home invasions are rare.

Me, I don't even have a gun, tho i do keep my old SCA wooden sword under my bed in case anyone needs a beatdown. I also have very young kids, so the thought of an easily accessible gun makes my skin crawl.

[Somerled]

This is a good point. I ended up supplying the criminal element with a lot of firearms when my collection was stolen several years ago. Most of mine were weapons criminals wouldn't make use of, WW2 era rifles and such. Still, I wish I had done more to keep them from falling in the wrong hands.

You have to strike a balance between security and quick access. If I need a gun I want it in my hands immediately.

Perhaps keep it out of the safe only when you are home?

Yeah, and are you going to remember that every time? Or forget that its in the drawer one night and 'oops'.

[Ripsnort]

This is a good point. I ended up supplying the criminal element with a lot of firearms when my collection was stolen several years ago. Most of mine were weapons criminals wouldn't make use of, WW2 era rifles and such. Still, I wish I had done more to keep them from falling in the wrong hands.

You have to strike a balance between security and quick access. If I need a gun I want it in my hands immediately.Perhaps keep it out of the safe only when you are home?

That is a great point.  Personally (Since I've had kids in the house) I use one of these for my pistols, it's beside my bed and I've rehearsed access while laying down....3.2 seconds.

http://www.nationwidesafes.com/pistol-safes.html?campaign=Nationwide%20Safes&kw=bedside%20pistol%20safe&gclid=CKyIh-zT_aUCFQkPbAodkj4PmQ

We have a house alarm that is on when we're not there, as well as a dog that lives inside the house.

When I travel, the gun is on my hip, concealed (have permit)

[IamSalem]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVhSS_jSfTw

[Ripsnort]

Oh, and yes, I told him to get an alarm system instead of a gun, but he feels violated and unsafe. He insists on a gun, not a 'wimpy alarm'.

*shrug* He may come down and think normally after a few more days.

And yes, I think an alarm is a better idea than a gun, since most robberies are when no one is at home. Home invasions are rare.

Me, I don't even have a gun, tho i do keep my old SCA wooden sword under my bed in case anyone needs a beatdown. I also have very young kids, so the thought of an easily accessible gun makes my skin crawl.

I don't have the picture readily available here at work, but I have a picture of my then- 4 year old and 6 year old cleaning my pistols and rifles, spread out on a table. The story is this: I took the "mystery" out of firearms with them at a young age. They were no longer curious after a few sessions of cleaning, handling the guns. The oldest took his hunter's education at age 11, and has been bird hunting with me a few times. The youngest has no interest. I techically could leave these out in a corner of the closet and they would not touch them because the mystery of firearms is all but forgotten due to alittle gun cleaning.

[Somerled]

mine is currently 17 months and loves to open drawers, and i have another one on the way. Kinda too young for teaching them properly.

Me, I grew up in the woods of NH, and when I was 6 the first time someone handed me a rifle (unloaded) I pointed it at my mother. I could not sit down for a while after that, deservedly. But I never did it again.