One gun for home defense.

[Ramrod]

OK, here is the scenario. You can only have one gun, it will never leave your house. What would it be?

[Bikenut]

I'm sorry but I can't vote on this one... I just cannot, and will not, rely on just one gun in any circumstance. Guns are only machines and no matter how reliable a machine has been, nor how long it has been reliable, Murphy's Law is always in effect. There is no way I want to be standing there looking stupid holding a gun that decided to malfunction just when I needed it most and not have a back up instantly available.

I'm not knocking your poll nor the idea behind it... the concept of only one gun just does not apply to me personally.

[DEPUTY]

rifle for sure!  100%

223 caliber

[NYH1]

I voted for a "shotgun" because shotguns are so effective for close range work like in a home. Contrary to popular belief, you still have take the time and aim a shotgun for it to be effective, having said that, if you do you job a shotgun will do its job. I also wouldn't mind using my AR-15 either. With the right ammo the "little 223 Rem." is one heck of a self defense round. With expandable bullets its a lot more effective then the "ball ammo" (full metal jacket) the military has to use.

[rockbilly]

:grin: There is just something about the sound of a 12 gauge pump action being closed in a dark house that would send most intruders fleeing.   If they elect to stand and fight, there are eight rounds of 00 buck to deal with.  If they make it past that jump out the window and run like hell.  Course if ya got kids in the house ya may have to use the scatter gun as a club.  

Hehe, us wise old farts have a backup hid someplace in case the shotgun didn't do the trick.

[Ramrod]

Bikenut, the concept of one gun doesn't apply to me either, but it does to alot of folks. Not everyone is as interested in guns as we are, they just don't want to be killed in their own house. And believe it or not, the only way some people in this good ole' USA can protect themselves in their own home is by breaking the law. So one gun is it. And someday, if the gun-grabbers win, it might apply to all of us.

P.S. folks, I'm surprised the handgun is not getting more votes. Even though I don't personally believe it is any better than a knife at the indoor spitting distances we are talking about, I would have expected more votes. (15% as I write this).

[killdeer]

If I had a clear shot  at the threat I would choose a shotgun. Devastating. For running and gunning inside a building I much prefer a hand cannon for maneuverability and  to shoot through walls or other possible cover.However shotguns with a proper load will easily shoot through most  interior doors.

[CAV Trooper]

There is just something about the sound of a 12 gauge pump action being closed in a dark house that would send most intruders fleeing.

I have to agree with rockbilly. Back in my LEO days, on a number of occasions, I brought what would have been a very serious social situation to a screaming halt simply by racking a round into my Remington 870.

I also have to agree with most of the rest that, while it might for some people, one gun doesn't apply to me. I'll grab whatever's at hand. Colt 1911, Beretta 92FS, an 11-87 or 870 Police shotgun. Hell, I might even grab an M1 if I'm in my home office at the time.

[litman252]

Handgun for only one reason, can be used as other hand does some thing.  With the addition to the little one I mught be moving him and keeping gun on person.
Otherwise, shotgun.  If all 3 of us are in bedroom, 1300 is pointing at door.

Tony

[Don Fischer]

If I could keep only one it would be a shotgun, a sxs 12 ga. There's just something about looking down a 12 ga barrel that makes ya not want to know if it's loaded. A sxs has TWO of those barrel's. Standard stock but would like 18" barrel's. Another thing about a 12 ga, if someone did break in, there's something awfully impressive about blowing down the door he/she is hiding behind.

Alas, my shotgun's are for the most part AyA's or brownong o/u's so there ain't gonna be any barrel shorting. Guess I'll stick to my P89 Ruger and my GP 100.

Would not choose a rifle for fear that a bullet may go thru the wall's and outside getting someone I didn't mean to get.

[Old Griz]

:cb2: CAS ain't fer nuttin'! That dar 12 ga. coach gun is sittin' thar by the bed just a waitin' fer more action! Then thar's the wife's .357, my .357, my .45 Glock. Then, hidden in the other rooms . . . . well, just glad that I ain't gotta depend on just one.

[papajohn428]

I've got handguns all over the house, if it came down to grab something and shoot NOW, that's easy.  But living in a trailer park means I have to be very careful where I aim, so a shotgun makes more sense.  Small shot size, to limit penetration, then bigger shot near the end, in case it takes that many shots.  That can only mean he's dug in somewhere, and the #4 buck will route the little ferret out!  :wink:

Papajohn

[NimrodRx]

A pump action 12 ga with #4 or #5 shot.  Within the home, we're talking about distances of 45 ft or less.  That's plenty of punch to put the boogy man down without sending a hot round through the wall and into a loved one.   Yes, it may still penetrate the wall, but most of the energy will be gone.  I like the idea of using #4 buck after the 2nd or 3rd shot.

Besides, the sound of "racking" a pump is universal.  Once he hears this, it's likely that you won't even have to fire the weapon.  Personally, I like that aspect of a shotgun.  If it comes down to it, I will certainly defend myself and my family to the death.  However, I pray to God it never comes to that.  If I can scare the $hi! out of him and get him to leave, all the better.

[DEPUTY]

yah , if the sound of shotgun racking this is old.

I once asked  a hardened life long system resident what he thought of that. his answer was well if you just realized that you now need to load your gun you have all ready lost!  and thanks for letting me know your home and were your at.

[Don Fischer]

NimrodRX wrote:  

If I can scare the $hi! out of him and get him to leave, all the better.

Ya might just as well either catch him or shoot him. Otherwise he'll just go somewhere else with the same intention's. Catch or shoot either way wouldn't matter to me. If you shoot him, you go to jail over night, if you wound him he'll sue you and if you catch him, some judge will will give him community service and probation.

[NimrodRx]

My understanding is that to be justified in shooting someone who has entered my dwelling, they have to demonstrate bodily harm.  Again, as I understand the law, I can't simply shoot to kill anyone who enters my home (in MI).  Not that I agree with that, that's simply my understanding.  As far as I'm concerned, if you're in my home, your a$$ is mine.  

Look, I'm a family man, with a career and a lot of responsibility.  I really don't want to get myself jammed up in court if I can help it.  And to be perfectly honest, I really don't want to end another's life, if I can help it.

My thinking has always been that the majority of intruders who ever enter my home will be unarmed.  Maybe I'm being naive.  But, police reports certainly back this up - at least in my area.

That being said, if I can demonstrate to an intruder that I'm armed, and they're not, they're likely to run.  

If a guy wants to stick around after he hears me put one in the chamber of my Win 1300 Defender, well, then, it's on.  He is most likely armed.  That alone will demonstrate intention to do bodily harm.

Deputy, thanks for the thought.  If it ever comes to that, I'll rack one in and move quick or hit the ground.  

Look, I'm not one to be cavalier about the whole thing.  I keep a 12 ga defender next to my bed with the mag. full and the chamber empty.  In 15 yrs, I've only had to pull it (actly it was an 870 at that time) once.  That one time was at 3 am.  Turned out to be my oldest brother who was in town after a long weekend of drinking.  He had gotten divorced 3 months prior and was in a bad spot.  He was drunk as a skunk, but remembered how to get into our house.  

I heard a noise, got out of bed, walked to the hallway, saw a shadow, aimed, racked one in, and said something to the effect of "don't fu$$$ move."  When I racked the gun, he layed out spread eagle on the kitchen floor.  

That has been my only experience with home defense.

[Old Griz]

:cb2: In our neck of the woods the police tell us if they are in your home while you are there, they are willing to do you bodily harm and you have the right to harm them first. I they were concerned about the negative effects of confrontation, then they would break in when you weren't there. So here you don't have to wait to see if they are armed. By then it may be too late.

[1911crazy]

Yup a 12ga with 3" shells in "00" Buck!!!!!!!!!!!  Its for upclose and personal work and it fits home defence perfectly!!!!!!       BigBill

[RupertBear]

I'll take 20 gauge with #7 shot... will fill the hallway, and recoil is light enough that most people can handle it.

[tallyho]

I'd go with the shotgun if I had only one. Either 12 or 20 ga works for me. Lighter loads rather than buck or slugs (live in apartment with thin walls)

Currently have a Rem 870 in the apartment - but used to have a 20" barreled Stevens 311 12ga.

Miss that gun (mostly for esthetic reasons -just plain like the looks of a double shotgun)... but I have no doubt the 870 will do the job.

Also have a S&W J frame 38 for my wife, and a Browning HP 9mm available in reserve.

Cheers
Kerry

[spraynpray]

I would use my GP WASR (semi-auto AKMS) for self defence.  Its got a folding stock so it can be short (but still long enough to be legal), it just about packs the punch of a 30-30, and bayonet (you never know...), two clamped 30 rounders, pistol grip, and a vertical forearm... got to love it. :grin:

(These pictures don't have the clamped 30's)
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=937
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=936

[45LCshoooter]

OK, here is the scenario. You can only have one gun, it will never leave your house. What would it be?

Tough question when you make it "one gun". I was thinking pistol until I saw that it will never leave the house, then it had to give to the short range power and variety of ammo of the shotgun.  No "racking" the shotgun here: but you may get a "hello" in the form of 95 lumens of blinding white light.

However, a pistol usually gets the #1 nod if I might be carrying it the next day. And if I can have one, I would keep a matching carbine, as I like the handling of shoulder arms better than handguns. Light rifles perform much better, if I lived in a brick house in the 'burbs, I would consider a .223, if a shack in the woods: .308. Still, carbines handle a little better inside.

I keep self-defense appropriate ammo for almost all of my guns and available even if the gun is in the safe. Not to be all commando or such, but if I just finished cleaning the FAL when someone starts banging on the door, it is just as easy to put a mag of 110 grain HP in as it is to get the SIG...works wonders....

[rimfirehunter]

My vote went to the shotgun, preferably a 20ga with 18.5-20" barrel loaded with 2 3/4" #3 buck.  Nothing like a fast handling low recoiling shotgun with a 20 pellet load to handle anything within 20-25 feet.

rimfirehunter

[CraigJS]

Surpressed MP5K !!

[K.K.]

I vote for the shotgun. You can shorten it to make it more maneuverable, put a flashlight on it and load it up with good shot shells, and you are all set.  If the threat comes from outside, Brenneke slugs are accurate enough and anything that you hit will stop threatening you very quickly.  A handgun requires more training (the wife and kids may be called on to use the gun, too), and rifles penetrate too much. I would not risk rifle bullets zipping through the walls and injuring or killing my family or neighbors. I own them, all, and hope I never have to use them for anything other than shooting and hunting.

[Savage Tactical]

I don't know what I would use, but I've head alot of good things about 223 carbines with expanding bullets lately. To sum up: they will penetrate body armor (although I'll admit it will be highly unlikely for a perp to be wearing it), but tend to fragment when they go through soft tissue or a wall, and therefore lose velocity much faster. They also are more precise than a shotgun or pistol. Problem is that they don't go through stuff like glass as well as shotguns or pistols.

[flintlock]

When I got my CC several years back, the last class the officer wrote in big letters on the board 12 Gauge....Like he pointed out...you don't take a pistol to a gun fight...He said when he entered a known drug house his .45 was on his hip and his 12 gauge was in his hands....Like most on here, I have both..
but the 12 gauge is in the bedroom.

[DEPUTY]

why would yah shoot through glass in home defense situation?


and federal tru and bonded loads work well on glass as well as hornady tap

[Savage Tactical]

why would yah shoot through glass in home defense situation?


and federal tru and bonded loads work well on glass as well as hornady tap

Just regergitating what I read about the limitations of the 223.

[Ocsamschainsaw]

If I only had to have one gun, PERIOD?
Probably my SKS. No magazine to lose, goes bang EVERY time no matter what, can load with stripper clips nice and fast, round has good stopping power, can be had in frangible loads (glaser) If I end up being severely paranoid about overpenetration at any time, and...this is key...ammo's dirt cheap, as are parts. Also the gun's low cost, if it's ever stolen I'm out 89 bucks, not 600 dollars.