Handguns and Home Protection?

[FozzyUSN]

I must agree with the pump shotgun. Just the psychological effect of hearing a round jacked into a barrel is enough to make most run. But there are always going to be one that 'nothing' scares and have to dealt with accordingly. I have two 22-cal long guns, a 9mm and 22-cal hand gun, and two 50-cal muzzle loaders (sounds like a cannon). My 22-cal hand gun is loaded with 4-bird shot rounds and 2 hollow point rounds and the 9mm is loaded with all hollow points. The sound of an automatic's slide being pulled back is also a very good psychological effect.

I do know that the psychological effects afterwards, knowing that you have taken a life, is difficult, at best, to deal with.

Something I taught my kids and wife, was to hit the floor if they heard anything going on in the house at night, not a perfect solution by any means, but better than standing up.

[Redneck]

Very good points so far.

There have been 5 break-ins in the last week, where they are coming through a window or door in the middle of the night, holding the homeowner at gunpoint, while others ransack the house. 4 of the 5 have been with older homeowners, 2 of them in their 80's.

What makes this personal for me is that this past Friday my stepson was at his friends house with approx 20 other kids when 3 people came in with guns and bandanas, made all the kids (15-18 yrs old) strip down, and took wallets, jewelry, cellphones, keys, clothes, they even eat a big mac while they were there. A couple of the kids (my stepson included) got whacked on the side of the head a couple times with the guns.

The trauma for him and those kids and the anger for me right now is unbelievable. Someone asked if I could pull the trigger; if it was your kid that happened to how would you answer that question.

I can understand your anger and don't blame you a bit. If multiple armed invaders get in your house even if you were proficient with guns and prepared your chances of fighting them off is slim. They are alert prepared and have a plan. If you have warning they are coming you have a chance. dogs are excellent for warning you, motions sensing lights are good. The bottom line is you should already be prepared to defend your family. Taking measures to prevent a confrontation are much better than a confrontation. I would recommend getting some professional self defense training. Being able to shoot a gun well is only one small part of good self defense. I have enough guns to fill a pickup bed and the one I would want for defending a home invasion is a pump shot gun with a light mounted on it.

[flb_78]

the one I would want for defending a home invasion is a pump shot gun with a light mounted on it.

 

[Guest Highway]

No BS..After 32 years as a LEO. A shotgun would scare me the most. And I agree, a light weight 20 Ga. pump. The sound of racking a round into the chamber will send chills down anyones spine. You dont need a 12 or 16 Ga. in close, room to room. If you have to have a pistol, A 38 is easy to handle and will not penetrate excessively on a miss. Shotgun for home is the answer, unless you have extensive handgun experience. Good luck

[Redneck]

Not exactly what I had in mind but it would do in a pinch.

[Sterling Turner]

My two cents worth, I've been a competitive shooter since my late teens, now in my late fortys... First, Learn to use the gun you choose !!!!

You have received lots of good information, My suggestion is that if you choose a pistol, go with a minimum of .380 caliber, A State Policeman told that to my buddy, after my buddy had pumped 3 shots from a .25 Auto into a Muggers gut and the fellow got away (later to be arrested at the hospital) . My preference is .40 S&W caliber for self/home defense (but that's me). Yes, a shotgun is awesome, but you need to be able to manuver it.... My piece sleeps with me "cocked and locked".

Also think about "night sights" or a tactical light, they will come in handy.

[hig4s]

Statistics have shown that a shotgun it more effective for home protection than a handgun.

 

But as Juggler said, there are other thing to do first.

 

I was taught to shoot when I was 7, I hunted and practiced with all sorts of guns and when in the military was a marksman with 45s. I don't own a handgun or a shotgun as I no longer hunt, and don't feel it is that much protection in the home. If someone breaks in with gun, will you have time to get your gun? Probably not unless it is left out, (which is illegal some places) and then there is a chance it will be used accidentally by someone other than you.

And if you don't get to it in time, the first thing they are going to do is steal it.

 

If they don't have a gun, the aluminum bats I have (some from when I played softball, some from when I coached my son's little league team) are pretty good defense. Also my 19 year old son, who still lives at home, has a 42in broad sword in his room.

 

The only gun I own is a .22 long rifle. My dad bought it with his first paycheck when he was 16, he taught me to shoot with it when I was 7, and the only reason I keep it is because it was left to me.

[cmiles3]

The best gun in the world won't help if you can't reach it when they come in the door or window. Are you prepared to carry a loaded weapon in your home? If not, where will you keep it, and where will you be when you need it? And will you pull the trigger?

 

If you don't use it, it's likely to be used against you. Do you want to be in a firefight with your loved ones in the house?

 

Decisions. You need to think them through, before you need the weapon. Go to some home defense training, and make your choice. If you want a handgun, try a shop that has a range and will let you test fire a few pistols.

[Mariner Fan]

I've been hankering to get a coach gun.

 

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_coach_guns.php

[Freebird]

Looks pretty much the same as my old Stevens 311.

[flb_78]

Stoeger Coach guns are wicked.

 

Im partial to a Serbu Super Shorty.

 

http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/ser_shorty_big.jpg

[Mariner Fan]

Looks pretty much the same as my old Stevens 311.

 

When I was 11, my dad got me a single shot 20 gauge. That thing used to pound the heck out of me when I shot it.

[WIKD]

I'm a one caliber type of guy. Glock 36 .45acp as a concealed carry, 1911A1 in the night stand, a thompson in the closet and looking now for a M3/M3A1. And lots of .45acp. Also have a 20 ga just in case but it's also in a closet so not very good for late night home protection.

[Redneck]

Looks pretty much the same as my old Stevens 311.

Hey I have a stevens 311 series h hanging over the fire place loaded with 00 buck it sits just above the 50-70 sharps carbine.

[KingSizer]

I really appreciate all of your opinions and ideas and just to clear some things up: no, i have never fired a handgun before, i went hunting with my dad one time when i was 12, and i did take one shot to see what it felt like. i think the rifle was a 30-06? i have done some target shooting with a 22 rifle when i was a teenager.

 

I will definitely be installing some more lighting around my house and looking into an alarm system. As far as getting a handgun I'm not sure that i trust myself enough yet, but I like the idea of having a shotgun.

 

I just hope that tonight my stepson will be able to sleep. He's been waking up every couple hours the last two nights, saying that he thinks he heard something, so what happened Friday has definitely affected him. I just want him to feel (and be) safe.

 

Thanks again to everyone for your ideas.

 

Todd

[AmnChode]

For me personally, I have several firearms and they are located on either end of the house. I keep my carry weapon, a glock 30 .45, in the living room in a small gun safe (ie, electronic lock) that I can openly quickly and keep most in the bedroom; .357 magnum loaded with .38s, 9mm, another .45, and Mossberg 500 in the closet. Both me and the wife go out to the range as often as we can and she vsn handle a majority of the firearms (only majority as she hasn't fired the Mossberg, yet)...all are kept loaded with only the shotgun with an empty chamber....

 

As added measure outside lights stay on at all times and the my dogs tend to make a racket anytime someone, they don't recognize, comes near the interior...sometimes the one the do recognize as well (almost makes it a pain to come home after a swing shift, if you catch my drift)...

 

I hope to never see the day that any of them have to see their use in a defensive situation, but we are prepared if that day arrives...