Off-topic: Something for home defense? - Page 2 - RC-Monster Forums

BrianG · 08.23.2011, 08:43 PM

Thanks for the input guys! So, it looks like the Remington 870 or Mossberg 500, 16" barrel, and buckshot is the winner. What about the amount of rounds these can take. I did a little reading and there was something about shorter barrels not being able to hold as many, but I'm not an enthusiast, so maybe they were talking about the barrel underneath? I just don't want to be forced to ask the burgler/rapist/murderer if they would be so kind as to rest a second while I reload.

And what about gauge? Is 16G enough, or should I go to 12G?

I agree with most people here: if anyone breaks into my home, I am not going to wait and see what their "intentions" are before I act (that sounds like your typical liberal-thinking TBH; can't "offend" the douchebag even though he is clearly at fault). I will give them one warning and one warning only (the tell-tale sound of a shotgun shell being chambered). After that, it's go time. As far as I'm concerned, any intruder gave up any of their "rights" once they violated mine. I didn't break into their house, they broke into mine. And yes, I will make sure only one or two shots are taken and are lethal; it's too chancy otherwise because they perp could be drugged up on something. Besides, 1 or 2 shots is probably all I'll have time for before things get tight.

As far as safety is concerned, the gun will be used if I have time to take it down from my hiding area and remove safety (gotta make sure the kids don't hurt themselves). But for more immediate defense, a nice aluminum baseball bat by the bedstand should suffice in a pinch.

Normally, I wouldn't go to these extremes, but it seems like there are more and more crimes nearer where I live. I'm sure part of that is due to increased desperation from the economy, but I bet a lot still has to do with the fact that criminals are almost given more rights than the victims in our great court of law.

JThiessen · 08.23.2011, 08:54 PM

My vote would be for 12 ga. 16 would probably suffice, but you have a lot more options with a 12, and the resale value is a little higher.

crazyjr · 09.02.2011, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitrzac

IRRC there are laws in place in most states that you can only use "lethal force" when someone's life is in danger... so if this burglar turns out to be unarmed, or you shoot them in the back, you go to prison for a loooong time...

My parents were told by the investigating officer on our break in in Washington State, Put a gas can and a lighter in his hand, Self defence, possible arsonist. Just be sure he's in the house when police is called, if he gets out and is seen, lawsuit

cmac · 09.02.2011, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyjr

My parents were told by the investigating officer on our break in in Washington State, Put a gas can and a lighter in his hand, Self defence, possible arsonist. Just be sure he's in the house when police is called, if he gets out and is seen, lawsuit

That is just plain wrong. Yes you are correct in saying that if your life (or the life of your family members) is/are in danger you can use deadly force, but they definitely don't have to be inside your house. When I carry my concealed handgun and someone want's to jack me for my car at the mall I will drop his ass right there. I won't at that point drag him to my house and put him inside. It does not matter where you are or where he or she is if your life is in danger you can defend your self. Putting a lighter and a gas can is tampering with the crime scene, and that will most likely get you in trouble or at least when his family tries to sue you it will be in the family's favor.

cmac · 11:39 PM

You have the tactile advantage when they enter your home. Make sure you have a box of ammo. With you. You can get a side saddle. Mine holds 6 more rounds which can buy me time. I also have the Glock 's40s&w close by for back up. Come up with a plan where the family knows what to do if someone enters our house.practice switching from shotgun to pistol. As much as I have practiced it will not come to that. What ever length barrel you get the longest extension tube you can fit so you can have as much ammo ready to go. I can't say this enough. Practice as much as you can. You are responsible for any ammo that you shoot. If you miss and it passes into your neighbors house you are liable.

lincpimp · 08.23.2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac

You have the tactile advantage when they enter your home. Make sure you have a box of ammo. With you. You can get a side saddle. Mine holds 6 more rounds which can buy me time. I also have the Glock 's40s&w close by for back up. Come up with a plan where the family knows what to do if someone enters our house.practice switching from shotgun to pistol. As much as I have practiced it will not come to that. What ever length barrel you get the longest extension tube you can fit so you can have as much ammo ready to go. I can't say this enough. Practice as much as you can. You are responsible for any ammo that you shoot. If you miss and it passes into your neighbors house you are liable.

You have very little advantage when you are asleep. Or groggy and disorintated from just waking. A good home alarm system with an instant trigger for glass breakage and exterior doors is a must. Also you need to teach the other family members what to do as well. Getting low and in a safe place is paramount, do not want to shoot your own family.

I keep a 45 with a light next to the bed, and a 12gauge pump in my office. 45 is a reliable manstopper with hollowpoints, and should not overpenetrate (stay away from the +p rated ammo, you want 230gr "ashtrays" that move slow and impart their full energy into the target)

As for shotgun selection, pick the best priced "home defense" model of the winchester 1300, mossberg 500/590, or remington 870. No real difference save for the safety locations. And stay away from the pistol grip only guns, they may look cool, but are hard to control. I stick with a nice wood stocked gun, cause you can always "butt check" your target in the face if you decide a lead sandwich is not appropriate.

Above all get to know your gun, and take a class if you can. Saftey is the most important thing you can exercise with a gun.

josh9mille · 08.23.2011, 10:53 PM

Generally speaking on most shotguns, the longer the barel the more rounds it can hold. Only because under the barel is where the shells are located. The longer the barel, the more room you have to acomodate more rounds under it in the tube. Im not sure if that makes sense lol. Also Im almost 100% sure that a 16" barel = jail time! 18 is the legal limit........in more things than one! haha

hemicuda11 · 08.23.2011, 10:57 PM

I vote for the judge...

http://www.taurususa.com/video-theJudge.cfm

cmac · 08.23.2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hemicuda11

I vote for the judge...

http://www.taurususa.com/video-theJudge.cfm

That would be a cool back up gun. I carry my Glock 357sig in the car.

E-Revonut · 08.24.2011, 12:38 AM

I apologize, it's an 18.5" barrel I have on my 870 and on my brother's as well, mine is fully rifled and his is a smoothbore. It's still a pretty short gun with that barrel, easy enough to get around a house with.

08.24.2011, 02:21 AM

I have a mossberg 590a1 next to my bed,great shotgun but a bit pricey.
Basically anything made by Winchester,Remington,mossberg,savage,benelli, or any other big names will work well for home defense.
Just remember to practice ALOT, you need to be prepared to use you're shotgun and use it well in a home invasion scenario. And honestly there are a few attachments that are a must have: a light and a side saddle shell holder. The light because both hands are now full and identifying your target is important and the side saddle to compensate for the low shell count of an 18" barrel. Also,check out the specific home defense models as they usually have these attachments already and make sure it has a decent set of tritium night siights. Lining up a shot with clay shooting sights at night sucks.

cmac · 08.24.2011, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsteel

I have a mossberg 590a1 next to my bed,great shotgun but a bit pricey.
Basically anything made by Winchester,Remington,mossberg,savage,benelli, or any other big names will work well for home defense.
Just remember to practice ALOT, you need to be prepared to use you're shotgun and use it well in a home invasion scenario. And honestly there are a few attachments that are a must have: a light and a side saddle shell holder. The light because both hands are now full and identifying your target is important and the side saddle to compensate for the low shell count of an 18" barrel. Also,check out the specific home defense models as they usually have these attachments already and make sure it has a decent set of tritium night siights. Lining up a shot with clay shooting sights at night sucks.

I also have all of those things. I use XS big dot Tritium night sights
http://www.xssights.com/store/handgun.html
If you have a light learn to flash the light on and off to acquire your target. You don't want your light on all the time. It will give the bad guy a easy target to shoot at. "Flash then Bang" that's my motto.

TexasSP · 11:22 AM

Personally 18" is plenty short enough for home defense. There is little advantage to a shorter barrel length.

A good flash light is a must for sure. Something that can be mounted on the gun is preferable. They make several flavors that you can operate easily with your left hand.

Do remember with a shotgun you do still have to aim. While you don't have to be as accurate not aiming will cause you to miss your target.

I am with the rest, getting woke up at night puts you at a strong disadvantage. Especially if you are a heavy sleeper like me. However, like linc said an alarm (don't worry about being connected to the police as most of the time they take more than 30 minutes to respond to alarm calls anyway) is integral. Also have your phone close. If you have a wife get her to hide and dial 911 and inform them you have an intruder in the house.

Make sure to discuss these things with your family so they know their part if something like this happens.

One other thing to have is on the master bedroom have a solid core door with a dead bolt. My parents always had this growing up and it will buy you time when desperately needed.

PBO · 08.24.2011, 05:08 PM

Have any of you guys ever needed to actually 'take arms' to confront a real in-the-flesh intruder?

TexasSP · 08.24.2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBO

Have any of you guys ever needed to actually 'take arms' to confront a real in-the-flesh intruder?

Personally no. Although my house was robbed a couple months back. Home invasions have also been on the rise in recent years.

My brother lives in a very nice neighborhood and his neighbors house was broken into at night last year while they were home. The thief fled when he/she realized the owner had their shotgun out and had just chambered a round.

In Houston it has been the nicest neighborhoods being hit the most.

Either way it can happen. I would rather be prepared than caught empty handed. It is my right to protect my family, myself, and my property. I have no intention of giving that up.