Home defense gun

[Weights]

I'm not sure if this is posted elsewhere, so forgive me if it is. Which gun do you primarily devote to home defense, and why did you choose that one?

[brian]

the first one i grab in a hurry.
hand gun or shot gun is the generally accepted means.

[TonyF]

Which gun do you primarily devote to home defense,

AR15.

and why did you choose that one?

Ballistic advantage. Specifically, terminal performance.

[lildobe]

I'm not sure if this is posted elsewhere, so forgive me if it is. Which gun do you primarily devote to home defense, and why did you choose that one?

Mossberg 500a 12ga shotgun loaded with 00 Buckshot.

I chose it for the reliability track record of the Mossberg and the stopping power of Buckshot.

A Single round from my shotgun is the same as being hit by 9 rounds of .32 caliber ball ammo. The Shotgun holds 8 rounds. You do the math.

I also keep my Glock and my Keltec .32 handy too... but if I hear someone break in, the Mossberg is the first gun I reach for.

[Zef_66]

Right now, my XD40. Soon it will be a shotgun

[Shawn.L]

I put the 16 round mag in my xdsc9 that I carry. (carry with 10 rounder)
I am comfortable with the gun, and shoot it well.

When I am done with my AR build I will start to save for the XDC45 I have been lusting after.

[reverserboy]

Mossberg 590A1....12ga...loaded with 00 buck. I also keep a CZ 97b (.45ACP) handy. I also have good locks on fairly sturdy doors. No one would be able to "wander in by accident".

[LittleRedToyota]

oh boy...this is a fun can o' worms.

here are my thoughts:

i carry my pistol (glock 17) at home just like anywhere else, so, depending on when a home invasion happens, that may be my home defense gun just because it will be the gun i have on me at the time.

also, depending on the situation, i might want the ability to use a flashlight independent of the gun...if so, i will likely stick to the g17 so i can use a flashlight with my other hand.

however, my "primary home defense gun" (i.e., one i keep by my bed at night and the one i will grab if i have the chance) is a 16" EOTech sighted AR-15 loaded with 55gr soft point (black hills) ammo.

the EOTech sight is awesome for close range work...targets acquisition is very fast, and it works well in bright light, low light, and darkness. whatever weapon i choose for a primary home defense gun will be an EOTech sighted long gun of some sort.

now, the reasons i choose an AR-15 over say a 12 gauge (which is a popular choice) are:

1. higher mag capacity.

2. less penetration through walls (especially with the soft point ammo) than slugs or buck shot (which are the only two shotgun loads i would consider for defensive purposes).

3. shorter and easier to maneuver in close quarters

4. less recoil...faster follow-up shots (at least for me)

5. i really like shooting my AR, so i shoot it a fair amount, so i am comfortable with it and more proficient with it than i would be with a shottie.

[SteveXD]

I would prefer a handgun primarily because I have a daughter so I need to lock my guns up. So a small safe in the nightstand is easier for me to get to.

Any 45 will do, but right now it's a HK 45 USP.

I also like the FN 5.7. The bullets won't penetrate through walls and it has a 20 round mag

[WhiteFeather]

12 gauge pump shotgun with dedicated flashlight mounted on it (most trouble comes in the night)- 1st round 9 shot (no unnecessary over penetration in home) other rounds in magazine are double 00.

What would happen if you have to shoot an intruder in your home and go clean through them with over penetration and hit a love on other side of dry wall interior walls?

Almost all rifles and even most pistol rounds will over penetrate any dry wall in the home at engagement ranges (is well under 20 feet) so the nine shot in a 12 gauge will most certainly do the job on any BG intruder.

If you have to use it, please aim the 12 gauge, the spead of the pattern in a shotgun is a lot less than most people think will be. take your shot gun out, try it for yourself at 20 feet or less with 9 shot and 00 buck.