What gun would you recomend for home defense?

**dave32881** · October 11th, 2007, 04:12 AM

I'm looking for a highly accurate, hard hitting , home defense wepon and I was wanting opinions from you guys/gals. I'm almost sold on the idea of a nice tactical 12 gauge but unsure what the best veratile choice would be, and maybe you can answer this too is .00 buckshot legal is the state of PA? Thanks guys/gals.

**XD45** · October 11th, 2007, 04:19 AM

for home defense a shotgun is just about perfect in all aspects, extremely hard hitting within the confined areas of a normal residence, and although theres always a chance of over penetration threw walls, your less likely to have it with a shotgun. I would look into a mossberg 590A1, but mossberg 500's are fine weapons also, the newer 500's really seem like a step up from the old ones, I can hardly tell the difference between the reciever on the one i just picked up and my 590A1. Remington 870's are great too. all of those guns you should beable to be out the door for $300-$400.

As for the ammo legality load it up with whatever you can buy in PA, I prefer 00 buck myself

**RocketFoot** · October 11th, 2007, 06:08 AM

+1 on a Mossy 590 or Remy 870! Either choice is a fine home defense weapon.

**MOUNTAINORACLE** · October 11th, 2007, 06:39 AM

Ithaca Mag-10, I have one by the front & back doors.

oracle

**Montell C. Williams** · October 11th, 2007, 07:00 AM

For ammo I suggest #2 or #BB lead or hevi-shot of equivelent size, it's deadly at close range and less likley to be deadly after penetrating walls or at ranges over 20 yards. A single 00B can kill at 100 yards if it strikes center chest, spine or brain.

**rwilson452** · October 11th, 2007, 08:17 AM

Yep a 12ga pump shotgun from a major mfg. I prefer #4 buck Federal #H132 4B to be exact. get a 18" - 22" bbl for it.

**mooch** · October 11th, 2007, 10:13 AM

I have been looking at these as well. anybody have opinions on the pardner arms tactical guns. They have them at gander mtn. for like $200, comes with magazine extension and short barrell. A lot cheaper than an 870 and for a gun which I hopefully be using much it might be ok.

**Xringshooter** · October 11th, 2007, 04:06 PM

Definitely get a shotgun. Head to any gun shop and look at the used. Most that I have seen have been trades and not used much (the owner probably wanted newer and prettier) and you can get them for a real good price. I also like BB up to #4 for the amount of pellets. 00 has too few. Plus the range that you would be using it it is more than enough to get the BGs attention and put a hurtin' on the perp.

**MarcS** · October 11th, 2007, 05:26 PM

#1 buckshot is the minimum size so sufficient penetration in a human, anything smaller will not reliably reach the central nervous system or vital organs. As #1 is difficult to find and there are no reduced recoil loadings, I suggest reduced recoil 00 buckshot for shotguns.

Do not rule out the use of a rifle. I personally use an AR15 carbine as my home defense gun. There are many advantages including:

-greater capacity
-faster reloads
-much less recoil
-faster follow up shots
-greater maneuverability
-easier operation under stress than a pump action.
-greater precision
-ability to defeat body armor