Which in your opinion is best for home-defense?
- Thread starter P99AS9
- Start date
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
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
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.
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
Moderator
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.
dabigguns357
New member
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.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
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
New member
I too voted other. I have the gun(s) beside the bed so I can get to the shotgun or rifle if necessary.
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.
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.
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!
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Crankylove
New member
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.
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.
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.Stevie-Ray
New member
Best for me and my house is the handgun. In .45 ACP flavor, please.