Home Defense: 9mm Semi-auto or 7.62x39mm AK-47?

1878 side by side 12 gage coach gun loaded with #4 buck in both barrels. Both hammers back pull both triggers at once and basically try not to look at whoever you hit, you will not want to see it. As a back up in case anything is still alive my Ruger Alaskan 44mag with 6 rounds of subsonic Cor-Bon 200 gr DPX in 44 special, Magnums not necessary at close quarters never second guess .44 Special an underrated/mostly forgotten CCW round that knocks down what it hits.

 

I live in rural area, my home defending is against raccoons, skunks, coyotes, bears ect, not humans. I have a ruger ranch riffle (mini 14) shoots .223.

I'm no gun expert but I do know that swat teams commonly use .223 as their main weps. And they obviously operate in urban areas where a lot of people are sleeping in all directions. If police (the people keeping us safe) use these rounds to protect civilians why wouldn't they work for protecting your family?

 

Or, gives away your position, giving the intruder an advantage.

 

I say handgun inside a home. Long guns aren't the best for close quarters defense.

 

My handgun is there to get me to a long gun.

 

Beretta 12g semi-auto with eotech red dot scope. 2 7/8 magnum slug in the chamber and 00 buck shot in the tube if they try and run out of my house and I miss with the slug.

 

You should tell that to the guys overseas that clear buildings with rifles...

 

Yep
Also, key words.
I'm personally much more proficient with my ruger p-95 than either my pump or semi-auto 12 gauge, Why? Because i only hunt with my shotguns, and i train with my pistol.

 

Shotgun spreads at home defense ranges is pretty small...

Check out the link for some info.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm

 

Ar15 is my go to HD gun, why would I want an underpowered hand gun or a lower rate of fire and less rounds with a shotgun?

And mega LOL at anyone who says rack a shotgun to scare bad guys off, or that you dont have to aim with a shotgun.

 

I have a wife and daughter so a 12 ga is my HD gun. Not taking a chance of over penetrating and endangering my family..

And those of you in apartments or townhouses... keep in mind you are held accountable for any rounds that leave your weapon and strike innocent bystanders.. so if you're using a rifle or handgun beware

 

12ga is more likely to over penetrate than handguns and 7.62/39 & 5.56. Unless you are using birdshot or something.

 

Thanks for posting that, I didnt feel like searching for something like that. Really irritates me how many people think an AR15 isnt a good HD weapon, then go on to say 45acp or buckshot is best. I wonder how .223 frangible would do?

 

I do use bird shot. Slugs and buckshot will def over penetrate.
Bid shot argent goes about like the 22 argument. I have superb confidence I would kill a man with either. And if I can't I shouldnt be carrying anyway. Just my opinion

 

For sure, whatever works for you and you are confident in, I just dont like to see the blanket statements like "use a shotgun to avoid over penetration" without specifying. There is a lot of misinformation out there on stuff like this so we need to spread truth to those who are new to firearms or are uninformed.

My personal choice is my AR15.

 

Are you the only one that lives in the house? I personally have my glock 23 .40 cal as my home defense gun. It boils down to training and knowing your shooting lanes inside your home. I have 2 kids and both bedrooms are on the opposite end of the house of my room. But with knowing my shooting lanes and running a polymer HP I don't and won't need my sks and a 30 rounder to drop someone. I just think a .223 is overkill for a home invasion where the average range between you and the bad guy is going to be what 10ft MAX? Why use a round that is capable of 200+ yards?I am by no means bashing you nor anyone who chooses this route for home defense,if it works and you are comfortable with this then that's all that matters.

 

That's exactly why I don't run ball ammo for home defense,I run a polymer hollow point which acts as a plastic frag grenade when contact is made. And a .223 round is more than double the velocity in FPS, which in my eyes is overkill for a close quarters situation.

 

Handgun rounds are much less effective than rifle rounds, and a rifle is more accurate, harder to miss with and better for follow up shots. Theres a reason swat busts down the doors with short barrel ARs and not handguns.

 

It all depends on who you talk to and what their background is. My buddy doesn't believe in ars for home defense and house clearing, same goes for shotgun. His department showed him that someone can easily grab the barrel of your rifle as you enter a hallway or door way and take control of you.

Swat my city still uses mp-5s 9mm

 

ARs have a shorter overall length than most shotguns. A shouldered AR with the stock collapsed would be pretty similar in length to a properly held handgun.

Im no expert on swat teams but Im sure a lot of them use SBRs in 5.56, which would be same size as an mp5.