Home defense

The one that you are trained and proficient with. That’s it....


Rifle, Shotgun, pistol absolutely doesn’t matter at all if you are competent and proficient with its use.

Operating a firearm in a high stress situation isn’t as easy as people think, whatever you decide on seek real professional training, perhaps even try some “gun games” USPSA, IDPA, 3-gun, 2-gun whatever, something that’s gets you shooting while timed with your heart pumping. Even that is a million miles a way from an armed conflict but at least you’ll feel a tiny bit of pressure.

Whatever you choose train, train, and train. I’d start with something you already own and feel comfortable with. There isn’t really a wrong answer.

To generalize I think a Full size Handgun, A Shotgun with a stock (that pistol grip stuff is for the movies), or an AR-15 in rifle, or pistol configuration all make for excellent home defense guns.

One other thing is I would 100% avoid modifying or “tricking out” a dedicated defense weapon. You want reliability not fancy, test the gun, test the ammo you will be using. What I mean is don’t shoot up a bunch of cheap ball ammo for practice at the range and than load your pistol up with fancy defensive ammo without testing it’s function. Be sure what you are using is proven reliable. Hollow points don’t feed like ball ammo.

 

I put some links down for you, from gov to open source, since you failed to do so for me. I can probably just find them all night and give you 1000 pages on forensic pathology of bullets related to terminal performance but at the end of the day it’s going to just show that rifle bullets are more deadly then handguns.

This has nothing to do with a 7mm mag I don’t have or hunting or 300y.

This comes from sound evidence, and a over a decade in of experience in war. While still my opinion AND there’s a vast majority of caveats and exceptions, my opinion is vastly based on facts.

Lastly, someone can cover 20ft pretty fast. Though a cool calm and collected shooter with a handgun can and has done the trick, a rifle is still more deadly. This is why SWAT and military forces alike still use rifles in close combat within structures, regardless of the size of the opposing force.

I do agree with ammunition selection. It’s more important that caliber selection inside the regularly used service pistol cartridge list, but still, they don’t do the same damage nor is there a set standard of 20ft, though I agree and recognize that most shootings take place within 6ft statistically. For instance if you have property and your state has some form of castle doctrine, ranges could vary. But that was not the point I was trying to make.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12845300/

https://www.archivesofpathology.org/doi/pdf/10.1043/1543-2165(2006)130[1283POGW]2.0.CO;2

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stopping_power

 

The best firearm, well, I doubt there is such a thing. So many variables that you need to consider for you only.
The best thing to start with is the mental and physical preparation to use what you have when you need to. Don't wait til the SHTF, cause things go sideways quickly. I'm not talking about full on SF courses, but have an idea of how you will defend your home and family and practice with what you have before you need it.

Shotgun, handgun, rifle, they all work in the right circumstance. Personally, whatever you have that is simple, because when in a high stress situation, even the easy stuff can be difficult. My wife keeps a loaded medium size revolver that has a lightened double action pull. All she has to do is point and shoot. I have a few other options about the house, but I'm a gun nut and like options.

 

No, it really isn't. Someone intent on breaking into an occupied home has already accepted a certain amount of DGAF.
For me, I'm not racking anything and giving away my location. I like as much tactical advantage as I can get.

I really, really hope to never have to use a gun in self defense again, as once was enough, so I try not to be an easy target in the first place. Simple things like outdoor lighting, locked doors, dog that bark and give a few moments notice, etc. go a long way to home protection. Think of doing the simple things that can keep them out in the first place, or the things that can give you even a few seconds more.

And in the end, remember the immortal words of Tuco: "When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk."

 

I don’t approve of shooting at police....

 

^^ This ^^

 

It seems everyone here is making valid points, and according to the articles below, even experts are torn on the subject... and make many of the same arguments mentioned here. So ultimately I think we can say the most important aspects of this choice are, #1: what gun are you most competent and comfortable with, and #2: what is your actual home situation (large open floor plan vs apartment with small hallways, block walls vs drywall, etc).
https://www.google.com/amp/s/geekprepper.com/best-home-defense-gun/
https://www.guns.com/news/review/gun-review-top-five-weapons-for-home-defense-situations
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-home-defense-gun/

 

You put one birdshot round into his groin and he's going down. Book it!

 

From the many many times I've gone shooting, I'm definitely proficient with a Glock 17. It's super comfortable, and I typically get within an inch or two of the bullseye even at 75 feet out. My Concealed carry is another story though. It's small, and only two of my fingers fit on the grip. Targets are still okay with it, but I go to 4-5 inches out from the bullseye at the same distance. My home is also an open floor plan with block walls following the perimeter and drywall/2x4 inside.

 

I live in a block house pretty much in the country. We have a 73 pound goldendoodle. While he does pack a mighty bite, I have no expectations of him to recognize a bad guy. Lol. I'd prefer my fiance stay out of it and stay hidden. 10:30 in the morning? That just seems like a poorly planned time.

 

I will be the odd one out and say that a 9mm AR Pistol / SBR is the best firearm for home defense.


More compact/easier to maneuver than a long gun (shotgun/AR).

30+ round Glock mags means not only easy to reload but not likely to need to reload.

Anyone in the home can use it. Easier than a shotgun for a smaller wife/even child.

More stability in aiming than just a pistol and more options for optics/lights/sling/can/etc.

Basically combined the benefits of pistol and rifle into one.

To each their own, and if you don’t train with your firearms consistently then don’t even bother discussing which is best because you’ll suck with it under pressure, but I’d clear my own house with an AR9 pistol/SBR before anything else I own.

 

Probably be your wife’s face without a weapon light

 

OP, you stated your CC is a Bodyguard. I recommend you stay within the S&W arms group and acquire a full size S&W, M&P 9mm and train with it. Include a light in your defense system: either a dedicated flashlight, or a mounted light. Here's my rig.

 

A katana and a few throwing stars but I’m a ninja

 

The one you have.

 

Hi Casey. Sup Brother?

Sucks to have to worry about such things but as we all know all too well, the criminals today are more desperate, more prepared and definitely less afraid. Add to that the drug of choice these days is Ice and there is definitely a reason to be worried.

I'm glad for your family though you're willing to say "not us".

In the country like where I live, home invasions top the stats. Most likely the same in similar areas across our great nation. Isolation provides opportunities for the bad guys.

Do you have any type of security system at the house? Something that has a siren, and door/window sensors, with a app on your phone? FYI, the Amazon DOT now has a glass breakage recognition feature you can enable. What about motion activated outdoor lighting? Finally, do you have perimeter cameras, and any interior cameras tied to an app on your phone?

The cameras would be a good way to assess the threat and buy you some time to notify the police. I would do that first and let them know you are armed.

We have Frontpoint (monitored) and Arlo. They are both Cellular so no wires to cut. If the criminals are sophisticated enough to jam my signals, I immediately go to DEFCON 1.

The siren is intense and can be heard from the outside through the walls. I can add an outdoor siren if needed.

In the event there's a breach, we have a plan in place and I take the defensive position and lie in wait at the end of a dark hallway.

I have a P80 G17 with a Olight Baldr Pro and enough mags ready to go to send 85 rounds of 147gr home defense ammo. I also have a tactical flashlight I can use as a decoy from one side of hallway near a doorway while I barely stick out of the opposing doorway.

I pray to God I never need to use this weapon for this.

I also pray for the strength to follow through with this plan should I have to.

Finally, I pray for any intruders that threaten my wife and I because I know for a fact we will not be victims.

If you like your CC get a mag extension. It will improve your accuracy. If you like the long slide G17, it's obviously my choice. Olight is a sweet little unit that's not gonna break the bank and be all you need.

Got my T Shirt, love the design! Thank you!

 

FN249 wins every time. The only disadvantage is it takes over an hour to link 250 rounds.

 

You need to get a linker.