compact home defense carbines

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I'll second the CX4 Storm; I purchased mine for around $550 during an event, and got 5 extra magazines with it. However, I don't think that's your best option.

My wife and I use a 20 gauge Remington 870 pump with a Supercell recoil pad and an Elzetta flashlight mount (holds most tactical flashlights, not just their brand). Figure $400 for the shotgun, $20 for the recoil pad, $40 for the flashlight, and around $100 for a tactical flashlight (one whose switch is on the butt). You may be able to find cheaper.

For that cash (and possibly a fee for someone to put it together, though it's not hard to do), you get a relatively soft shooting, controllable weapon with more stopping power than a .44 Magnum. It is a pump, not a semi-auto, but a pump is more reliable, and for home defense you want to follow the KISS principle.

Whatever you get, you need to practice; having a weapon in the house that you shoot once in a blue moon is more of a danger to you than a help. A shotgun is the best home defense weapon, and the configuration I outlined is pretty soft shooting; however, there are fewer places to practice with one. Here's what I suggest:
  • Get some training; look for some sort of introductory course to firearms from your local gun store, or check the NRA site. Do this as part of the selection process, and get whatever advice you can get from your instructor.
  • If there's an outdoor range or a friend's house where you can practice with the shotgun, I recommend the shotgun I outlined above.
  • If there isn't a place to practice with the shotgun, but you can find a place to practice with a carbine or a pistol, then choose that weapon. Not because they are better than the shotgun - they aren't - but because you will be better served by a weapon you can practice with than one you cannot.
    • If you think you might eventually conceal carry, go for the pistol, probably in a semi-auto 9mm or .38 revolver.
    • If this is strictly home defense, consider the pistol caliber carbine.
Sorry to be long winded; hope that helps some :)
 
I’ve always told women that want a home defense firearm that do not want a handgun to check into the Mossberg HS410 shotgun. It’s a pump action gun with a 6 or 9 (I don’t remember which) magazine. A three inch .410 shell with buck shot would make an intruder think twice after taking 2 or 3 rounds to the chest.

Saiga also makes a .410 version of their AK pattern shotguns. I think they come with a 5 round detachable magazine.

A handgun is my first choice for home defense, my second choice would be a shotgun. I really don’t consider a rifle as a home defense weapon, but some people do.
 
Kel-Tec's RFB

8lbs
26" OAL
7.62 NATO

PS90

6.28lbs
26.23” OAL
5.7x28mm

FS2000

7.58 lbs
29.29” OAL
5.56 NATO

I really like the look of the Mossberg 930 SPX. I don't think pumps are more reliable than auto-loaders anymore. The best auto-loading shotguns are very reliable now and very consistent.
 
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I'd also have a look at a Saiga in either x39 or 223. $300, utterly reliable, easy to use and more punch than a pistol cartridge.

Skip the HiPoint for HD, mine broke four times.
 
Kel-Tec's RFB

8lbs
26" OAL
7.62 NATO

PS90

6.28lbs
26.23” OAL
5.7x28mm

FS2000

7.58 lbs
29.29” OAL
5.56 NATO
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Really? Are you being sarcastic?
All are expensive.
where do you even get the Kel-Tec RFB I've never even seen one. (Maybe I'm getting soft but for home defence the 7.62x51 nato is overkill)

The PS90 expensive and expensive/hard to find ammo with marginal/qustionable power.(Yeah some people think it is great but I'm not convinced yet)

The FS2000 does nothing a AR15 cost half as much can't do.
 
price range

you are correct I should have put a price range. I had not discussed that with her. I appreciate all the feedback on models there has been a couple listed here I didn't think of and that helps a lot! Thanks!
 
Just sayin'...
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It would be nice to have a clue about the budget. It would also be good to know if the lady will actually spend some time learning proper use, to the point of competency. And without the proper mindset and attitude, it's just money spent on burglar-bait...
 
To everyone suggesting an AR or AK, I guess you missed this post: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=475643
I would stick with one of the suggested pistol caliber carbines or the M1 .30 Carbine.
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Any cartridge that will be effective for defense will penetrate several walls. 7.62x39 is going to really penetrate which is why I suggested 5.56. I saw a test where a good defensive round was used and the 5.56 was show to fragment and penetrate fewer walls than 12ga 00 buck or handguns chambered in the big 3.

Really the best solution it to train, learn your weapon, and hit the target. The weapon system is less important than the shooter.
 
There is a huge hole in the market here that I wish Ruger (or someone) would fill. The Beretta Storm is ok even with the plastic trigger, but the 8 round Mag capacity makes it a poor choice.

Why wont Ruger flex their Mini-14 line a little? Chamber it in 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 45 Win Mag, 5.7 x 28, and perhaps 50 AE? Put some decent iron sights on it, a 20 round mag, and not so much plastic, please! I'd buy a couple. One in 45 Win Mag for sure please. :)
 
Edward429451 said:
The Beretta Storm is ok even with the plastic trigger, but the 8 round Mag capacity makes it a poor choice.
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If you are speaking of the CX4, mine uses 15 round Px4 9mm magazines. In what configuration are you seeing an 8 round limit?
bigghoss said:
Really the best solution it to train, learn your weapon, and hit the target. The weapon system is less important than the shooter.
Click to expand...
Absolutely on the money.
 
surprised someone hasn't mentioned the Rossi Circuit Judge .45 lc and .410. Lets face it more than 2 or 3 rounds and you are no longer in a home defense scenario you are in a firefight.
 
Why wont Ruger flex their Mini-14 line a little? Chamber it in 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 45 Win Mag, 5.7 x 28, and perhaps 50 AE? Put some decent iron sights on it, a 20 round mag, and not so much plastic, please! I'd buy a couple. One in 45 Win Mag for sure please.
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ruger used to make 9mm and .40 carbines that accepted the mags from the p-series pistols. I believe they were discontinued in 2006 IIRC. I do wish they would bring them back and do a .45 version either with P-series .45 mags or 1911 mags. they also used to make 2 models of semi-auto .44 mag carbine but they only held 4 rounds.
 
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