compact home defense carbines

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dvdcrr

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I am looking for a rifle like this:

a short lightweight carbine for home defense, very low recoil round like 45 acp or 40 cal. I would like something semi auto and the ability to mount a bright light on the front. What options are out there? This would be for a 105 lb woman who lives by herself with very little firearms experience, hence the above specifications. Thanks in advance for any help provided.
 
well hi-point makes carbines in .40 and .45 and they come with rails for mounting accessories.

gender makes no difference,and stature is moot with proper technique, and lack of experience is hopefully where you come in. I would never recommend someone purchase a gun unless they were willing to learn to use it properly and that means more than a trip to the range and then stick it in the closet.

I have to ask: why not something like an AR15?
 
Nothing 'low recoil' in either of those rounds in a carbine, auto might be a problem as well.

Sounds like your looking for a 22LR, something that she would fire well and have plenty of rounds.
 
ar-15 would work I guess. I was thinking something in a pistol caliber. 22lr might work with the velocitors. M1 carbine is a decent idea. I appreciate all the input and any more forthcoming.
 
Rock River makes some 9 and 40 ar "pistols" run off a blowback mechanism if i'm not mistaken. Could be worth looking into
 
It's all relative... I consider .40's or .45's out of a carbine to be pretty mild recoil-wise... The ones I linked are also available in 9mm.
 
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it doesn't HAVE to be an AR15 but something in a 5.56 cambering is going to be roughly the same weight as most of the other options, it probably isn't going to recoil any more and in some cases the felt recoil may be LESS. 5.56 is more effective with the right ammo and sometimes penetrate less through walls, and will likely have 30 rounds on tap. The big factor with an AR15 or similar rifle is cost. the hi-point options are under $300 and a decent AR is 3x that. there are .22 conversions/upper/rifles that will let you offset some cost but you'd have to shoot a lot to make that compute, which I recommend but THAT much shooting isn't feasible for many.
 
I have a CMMG lower mated with an Olympic Arms 40 cal upper. Recoil is very mild, and the gun is very accurate. Hollow points screaming out of that system would ruin a person's day.
 
Sounds like your looking for a 22LR, something that she would fire well and have plenty of rounds
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I wouldn't get a .22 for home defence... There are reasons fighting guns don't use rimfire ammo.



OP it would help if you added a price range. But without one I would say:

M1 Carbine (not really a pistol caliber)
Beretta CX4 Storm
Kel-Tec Sub 2000

And really really really consider a .223 caliber carbine. AR15, Mini 14, Saiga, are all good options. In an AR15 the recoil impulse is about the same as a .40 or .45 and you will get a much more effective round with greater range.
 
a price range would help.

a saiga .223 can be had inexpensive enough. and the US-made railed handguard to mount a light to would get your parts count down where you could get US-made large capacity mags and be in compliance with 922r. mag changes are trickier but with practice can done quick enough. You will have to get mags specific to the saiga unless you want to do the work to take cheaper .223 ak mags. might save you a bit of money but since you're not going to buy a pallet of them I wouldn't bother for your purpose.
 
Marlin Camp 9 or Camp 45. You can use S&W 59 series mags in the 9 and 1911 mags in the 45 so if you decide to get a companion handgun you have compatability of both mags and ammo.
 
Keltec Sub 2000.
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This. Just got one, and I'm enjoying it. Mine's in .40. Much easier to shoot accurately than a handgun. Will likely be the lowest cost option. Mine was $350 out the door. Optional "chin" rail makes it easy to mount a kight or laser.
 
This would be for a 105 lb woman who lives by herself with very little firearms experienc
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Personally, I don't feel that the criteria you listed lends itself to a proper firearm for the person with the experience level laid out. Which, of course, is not to say that it's wrong or cannot be executed effectively.


I would strongly recommend changing the idea all together.

A revolver in .357/.38 (.38 for practice, .357 IF she wanted more punch, though the .38 would work just fine).

Simple, no jams, no handling bolts/slides, no magazines, no failures (in general--calm down).

Point, pull, bang.

Rail/light can be added to many.

my .02

Good luck.

PS: If you INSIST on a pistol cartridge carbine, and are looking for soft recoil, why not go 9mm?
 
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