Preparing My Home - 1st Gun Questions - Need Advice

What a great site this is. Yesterday was my first post and I am already getting so many great ideas.

I see that most people are recommending a shotgun however my preference at this time is a handgun. Jackson Arms shooting range is on my way home from work. I could conveniently stop there once a week on the way home from work to practice. I don't have time to practice with a shotgun on the weekends and I also like the idea of having the handgun in a lock box near my bed.

So here's another question....

Once I get the revolver, if I hear somebody entering my house do I grab the Taser and Bear Spray first, or go straight for the revolver?

Thanks for the NERT suggestion. I'll definately look into that.
 
Tasers and strong sprays are illegal where I live so I have no choice but to go with the firearm.

That said, I'd probably go with the firearm even if I had a choice, but I'm not familiar with sprays or tasers.

Maybe one of the more experienced members can answer this one better for you.

FWIW, our downstairs handgun is a .38 Special and the upstairs handgun is the .44 Special. My wife likes the .38 Special the best. (We do have a shotgun ready but I honestly feel a handgun is good enough IMHO.)

Like Bill D. stated, a .38 Special is a good choice for you IMHO. It's a fine, medium powered firearm. Easy to shoot also.
 
Don't forget to have your other half practice as well....BG's don't always wait for the man to come home before they break in

Since you've decided on a handgun, a nice medium to large frame revolver like a S&W K,L,or N frame will work. If you get one that is a 357, practice with standard loads and put 38+p in it for protection - the flash and bang won't make your ears bleed as bad as full power 357's will
 
Plus me on the shotgun for home defense.

My go to gun for home defense is a Mossberg 12 gauge pump gun. Similar to the one Playboy Penguin showed. Admittedly, I would have a .45 on my person if time warrants.

Think of all the expressions you have heard:

Never bring a hand gun to a gun fight.
Your hand gun only exists to give you time to get to your long arm.
 
Hello everone!!

I just joined to today and didn't have a clue where to jump in. Thought this might be a good place.

I have an AK, a Stag AR-15 Model 2, a Rem 870 18.5”, a Glock 21SF, Gock36, Glock19, an SP101... and my favorite a little S&W642 no-lock (.38spl +P), my last purchase. LOVE that gun - it is now with me 24/7.

Why so? In a SHTF situation you will be out an about, maybe working on your genny, or repairing a fence, or walking in town doing errands. The 642 is in my right front pocket now - sooo comfortable I completely forget that it's there.

I love my other weapons especially my Glocks, BUT I highly recommend a small airweight 38 in your front pocket and all times. Hidden, and readily accessible no matter where you are, hat you are doing, or whtever weapon you may be carrying. I keep Federal Hydra-shocks in it and a 5-round stripper clip in left pocket.

It always goes in my pocket first every morning, and then I decide if I want/need to carry another holstered or slinged weapon. Usually it’s just the little 642.


- Larry Spencer
 
Once I get the revolver, if I hear somebody entering my house do I grab the Taser and Bear Spray first, or go straight for the revolver?
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If someone is in your home don't mess around - grab the gun. And do takes some classes.

Wow, I sure am glad I don't live in California! You people act like armogedon is going to take place at any moment.
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That's ok, we've had 10,000,000 people move here over the last 40 years and don't need any more. Now let's look at why someone might want to be prepared. A really major earthquake could leave a city without heat or lights for 2-3 weeks and roads closed or clogged. Thus food and a BOB and a gun to defend them. The port cities are prime targets for terrorism - same story as an earthquake. And let's not forget riots.
 
Well you could get both the 870 shotgun and the handgun billdeshiv mentions for a reasonable price. These things come up on this site for sale used all the time even. I have one of those shorty shotguns, a shorty Mossberg (and like perhaps 5 other shotguns as well), and what folks say is true, they kick very hard and are a beast to fire. I might be able to get off only 10-15 shots in practice before I'm done and just spent! A full stock is real nice! However, the short ones fit in small spaces and are easy to grab. With a shotgun, you have an option to put like a #4 shot sized shell in for the first shell, (like you would kill a goose with) and the pattern across the room would be chest sized. You'd hit your target and most likely disable it or cause it to flee AND you won't have to worry about a bullet going through your wall and then your neighbors wall then into your neighbors kid like with many pistols. I frankly suspect that in the still of the night, the sound alone of you pumping a shotgun (which is so loud and distinctive) would stop everyone by a raving lunatic dead in their tracts. The intimidation factor of you slamming the pump back, the distinctive sound sounds like the Terminator is standing there. Everyone will instinctively know not to mess around with you via sound alone. If you were good with it and needed to crank off the goose shot round you'd trash some poor bastard but wouldn't kill him. Most likely blow him off his feet I suspect. The pellets bury themselves deep into wood, and then if you needed a lethal weapon still and pumped in a heavier round immediately....you would have the best of both worlds, if you were good with it.

However, lugging a shotgun all over creation or in your car isn't that realistic either. There are many good smaller weapons for carry you might look at, peruse this site on that subject, there's a search feature that is real good, folks discuss it endlessly.

I suspect that like most of us, once you get out and start shooting, you will want lots of other goodies as well:-)

Then you'd wished you have just purchased the big gun safe up there! Good luck with your choice.:D
 
Do you guys on the other side of the US know what the earthquake fault with the biggest damage potential is? It's not in CA.

I take quite a few EOC/ICS classes for work, and California is actually *fairly* well prepared for an earthquake, and most government agencies prepare for an "all-hazard" type of approach. Much of the ICS structure that is taught nationwide to government agencies (if you want federal disaster dollars you have to conform to that structure) came out of the lessons learned by the large wildfires in Southern California in the 1970's.

The states that border the New Madrid fault are not well prepared for a large earthquake. Unreinforced masonry construction will be a huge issue if that fault ever lets go again. The earthquake in the early 1800's near Memphis rang churchbells as far as Boston.

Everone should find their local NERT or CERT group and take the training. It's basic stuff (if you were ever a boy scout you'll recognize some of it) and worth it. The ratio of first-responders to civilians is about 20,000 to 1 in this country.
 
Newbee survival guns...

If you must have but one gun it would be a Ruger 10/22 rifle or a shotgun in 12 or 20 guage. Remington has a 7 shot security model and Mossberg combos can be found at Big 5 for about $250. I think a handgun as an only weapon is a poor choice because it's harder for someone with limited experience to use well uder stress. There are two .357 revolvers I would recommend. A 4" S&W 686 or Ruger GP100 if you want to go that route. I would plan to shoot .38+P ammo until you are able to really shoot well, then .357 mags would be fine. A .22 rifle would discourage most intruders, and would be a good foraging weapon that allows you plenty of opportunity to really learn to shoot. You might look at a .357 lever action rifle as well. The rifle will extend your range and a lever action would be politically correct. Marlin is probably the best current make. Whatever you do, the most important decision if you buy a gun is to be prepared to practice regularly so that you can handle a weapon in the dark with complete confidence.

I would also invest in a safe with digital lock to secure your guns and valuables when you are not home. rc
 
That's ok, we've had 10,000,000 people move here over the last 40 years and don't need any more. Now let's look at why someone might want to be prepared. A really major earthquake could leave a city without heat or lights for 2-3 weeks and roads closed or clogged. Thus food and a BOB and a gun to defend them. The port cities are prime targets for terrorism - same story as an earthquake. And let's not forget riots.
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That's exactly what I'm saying! Glad I don't live in California. Personally, I would just move. Good luck to you :)
 
RC,

In a SHTF situation are you really going to just carry your Rifle or Shotgun down the street, walk into drugstores, banks and grocery stores with it over your shoulder? Have you thought this out?

You won’t last very long if you do…. Most likely be shot or arrested first day out.

THE small handgun is always there in your front pocket regardless of where you are - unnoticed but ready to defend your life and your family.

It is THE most important gun to own in a SHTF situation. (Not the only gun needed) - But absolutely the most important for 24/7 protection of you and your family.
 
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if I hear somebody entering my house do I grab the Taser and Bear Spray first, or go straight for the revolver?
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Invading someone's home is an extremely hostile act. You want to be prepared for the worst case scenario - I would have a firearm ready. That does not mean going around shooting at noises, or what turns out to be the cat or some neighborhood 7-year old. You are not going to shoot until/unless you have determined you are dealing with a serious threat.

If it turns out not to be a life-threatening situation, you can always rachet down to the non-lethal options. Doesn't work the other way around, though: if you respond to a lethal threat with a less effective means of defense, you may not be alive to use your most effective means of defense as "Plan B."
 
to Jasper

After careful consideration I would have to agree with Mr. Spencer.
In any kind of civil disorder situation (e.g., Katrina, earthquakes) you are not likely to be able to walk outside with a long gun without attracting unwanted attention from the authorities or from miscreants who may want your gun. I wouldn't think you'd want anyone to know you were armed until you felt it was important for you to let them know.
I am a strong proponent of the shotgun, but it's not as easy as it might seem to become capable with a shotgun and buckshot. In most such guns save gas-operated semiautos the buckshot or slug recoil is severe (almost twice that of a .30 cal. rifle), so practice is important and can be difficult. If you're getting out of Dodge in a vehicle a long gun can be hidden, so that's a different situation.
On the other hand, if you got a .357 revolver, you can practice with lower power (and cheap) ammo to gain proficiency, and if you choose move up to .38 +P or the .357 cartridge. If you then want to add a long gun, you can consider a lever action rifle in .357 mag/.38 special. These hold 9-10 rounds, are quite easy to shoot, are compact, and you will need only one kind of ammo.
At in-house distance (up to 20-30 feet) a shotgun pattern with buckshot will be only a few inches, so you certainly can miss; more likely if the recoil is a problem for you.
 
I would plan to get both a good handgun and a decent shotgun. In your situation, I would first get a 4 inch .357 magnum S&W revolver or a Ruger revolver in .357 with a 4 inch barrel. The 4 inch barrel is easier on your hands as far as recoil is concerned. Since you ALREADY are a little familiar with revolvers I would get the revolver first. I would also think about getting some .38 special ammo to use in the revolver along with some speedloaders and a holster for the revolver and speedloaders.

The next firearm I would consider getting would be a 20 gauge Remington 870 shotgun. Once you've learned to master the 20 gauge, then I would suggest that you step up to a 12 gauge shotgun. I would get what is loosely known as a tactical shotgun which is one that has an extended tubular magazine, rifle type sights on it, a sidesaddle ammo carrier and a sling on it. I would also get some training dvds on the tactical shotgun and properly using a handgun.

After watching and re-watching the dvds I would seek firearms training from a local and reputable firearms instructor for both firearms.

I would keep the revolver in a locked security box for which only I knew the number. Don't use an obvious number like your address or date of birth of you, your wife or any of your kids. Pick something that only you would quickly know. Keep the shotgun also under lock and key or secured so that only you or your wife can get it opened to use.

Keep in mind that you will need cleaning kits and oil for both firearms. You should, at least once a month, check on your firearms' cleanliness and routinely clean them at least once every 3 months whether you've shot them or not.
 
1) full size, or even compact, semi-auto pistol with night sights (+/- laser and attached light) in either 9mm, .40 S&W or .45 ACP
2) Colt 6920 (or similar) carbine
3) 12 gauge optional

With the good Lord's help, these will cover everything from prowler to home invasion to riots ;)

If I was forced to have only one long gun, I'd much rather have a carbine for a long gun due to the significantly greater versatility allowing CQB to longer range defense, superior accuracy and greater shot to shot recovery.
 
I am beginning to think that the best thing to do would be to own two guns. A revolver AND a shotgun. I wanted something right next to my bed which was one of the reasons the revolver was appealing. I could keep the revolver next to my bed and keep the shotgun in a safe which I can access in case of emergency, while the revolver backs me up. Also, if the SHTF and there are riots / looting, people trynig to steal my food / water, etc I am thinking that a long gun would be the best thing to scare the BG's away quickly and let them know that they are not welcome again.

I am also seeing how a single initial home protection purchase could lead one to really practice his 2nd ammendment rights and build a nice collection. I will be getting a big safe with extra room for sure.
 
I rather doubt you can purchase a handgun without a CCW permit/license in SF, but probably can a long gun (many liberal states trend this way).

I agree with a SG as a great home defense weapon, but also it tends to be less practical in acutal use. As others point out, if it isn't immediately acessible to repel invaders, it has a very limited value. Long guns take considerable practice to manuver in typical apt./homes, have limited ammo, and though pump actions are super reliable, take longer to acquire and make a second shot.

For armed intruders, especially multiples, spray and tasers are not a appropriate response, and spray is more likely to effect you too indoors.

The home defense, is probably deterents: motion lights, locks, solid door with peep hole, low ground cover near exterior walls, alarm, protective dog, cheap door wedge slows entry. Most criminals will pick an easier target.

General disaster preparedness, especially in your area, is wise. A search will provide a number of good books on this subject; like Deyo's the best.

Regardless of what you decide on, practice with unloaded items and take as many classes as you can to gain the edge - you clearly have the will:)
 
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