GetYerShells
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Mossberg Persuader on my side, sidearm on the dresser, and an AK under the bed.
Rifle/Carbine vs Shotgun vs Handgun for HD POLL
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The Great Mahoo
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I just use my handguns for HD weapons. I have some shotguns and carbines I could use, but prefer to keep them locked up and out of my way. If I had time to get something in particular (zombie invasion!) I would probably opt for a long-arm, but am more than confident with my handguns.
Flapjack23
New member
Combo
My preferred setup would be short barrel carbine (.223) and hi-cap handgun. Works for my particular situation. Don't have the carbine so the Glock and a Surefire will have to do.
My preferred setup would be short barrel carbine (.223) and hi-cap handgun. Works for my particular situation. Don't have the carbine so the Glock and a Surefire will have to do.
Bartholomew Roberts
Moderator
I've done enough Force-on-Force now that I know I am not going to try and clear any structure by myself unless there is no other option. I am going to fort up and wait for police in a home defense situation. If there is no other option, then the last thing I want to do is grab the least effective firearm I have to do a search.
The light I use on my rifle is a Surefire G2 with a Cree LED head. It has a bright spot and a secondary spot. The secondary spot will illuminate about a 15' circle on the wall from 10' away and is sufficient to search/illuminate without pointing the rifle directly at things - in fact, I can search without ever raising the muzzle higher than 45 degrees down with the large secondary area of illumination.
Since the light has a push button switch and is mounted conveniently on the forearm, I can also flip it on/off easily while using the same stance I normally use.
Now if you are talking about just investigating an odd noise at night, then yes, I'll probably bring the pistol and a flashlight for that because the chances it is actually an intruder are pretty low and convenience wins out over preparedness.
45Marlin carbine
Moderator
the poll shows that 'combination' is leading by a wide margin.
for good reason IMO.
hard to beat a primary weapon of handgun with a shotty/carbine back up.
myself I have all 3 handy with the Camp carbine .45acp least 'handy'.
for good reason IMO.
hard to beat a primary weapon of handgun with a shotty/carbine back up.
myself I have all 3 handy with the Camp carbine .45acp least 'handy'.
I've only owned revolvers and hunting rifles.I'm thinking of getting either a 9mm or a .45cal semiauto pistol for home and personal protection. I like the idea of the larger caliber to stop an attacker but wonder if using a smaller caliber will be more accurate,less muzzle jump. Also I'm planning on taking training to be an armed security guard and the school says most security companies use 9mm.
I find it a little misleading as to what the preferred choice of self defense weapon is. I have all three, but voted handgun because that is what I would use 99.9% of the time...
A better poll would maybe have had the options of:
Combo: handgun preferred
Combo: shotgun preferred
Combo: rifle preferred
Combo: no preference
in addition to just shotgun/rifle/handgun
I have a feeling people voted combo just because they have all three
KnightZero
New member
I can see the use for all of the above in HD, but in my scenario, anything larger than a pistol is far too clumsy and cumbersome to use in my apartment. Spiral staircases and long guns do not mix. I'm thinking of picking up a shotgun, but for bedside HD I'll stick with my Springfield XD+TLR-2
I will use the phone first if I have a choice followed by a combination of various weapons.
If I have to go looking for that "bump in the night" I will use a handgun. If I KNOW there is an unauthorized intruder in the home I will use a shotgun from a barricaded position.
If niether of those options work, I can always use a 9mm Carbine, but I prefer the shotgun. As far as using a rifle caliber, in a rifle, for my living situation and the population density I feel it would not be a wise choice at this time. Your situation, needs and requirements may be different.
Biker
If I have to go looking for that "bump in the night" I will use a handgun. If I KNOW there is an unauthorized intruder in the home I will use a shotgun from a barricaded position.
If niether of those options work, I can always use a 9mm Carbine, but I prefer the shotgun. As far as using a rifle caliber, in a rifle, for my living situation and the population density I feel it would not be a wise choice at this time. Your situation, needs and requirements may be different.
Biker
45Marlin carbine
Moderator
Quote:
the poll shows that 'combination' is leading by a wide margin.
for good reason IMO.
I find it a little misleading as to what the preferred choice of self defense weapon is. I have all three, but voted handgun because that is what I would use 99.9% of the time...
A better poll would maybe have had the options of:
Combo: handgun preferred
Combo: shotgun preferred
Combo: rifle preferred
Combo: no preference
in addition to just shotgun/rifle/handgun
I have a feeling people voted combo just because they have all three
you selected just a part of my post - as stated 'hard to beat a primary weapon of handgun with a shotty/carbine back up' - a handgun 'preference' if you will allow.
the poll shows that 'combination' is leading by a wide margin.
for good reason IMO.
I find it a little misleading as to what the preferred choice of self defense weapon is. I have all three, but voted handgun because that is what I would use 99.9% of the time...
A better poll would maybe have had the options of:
Combo: handgun preferred
Combo: shotgun preferred
Combo: rifle preferred
Combo: no preference
in addition to just shotgun/rifle/handgun
I have a feeling people voted combo just because they have all three
you selected just a part of my post - as stated 'hard to beat a primary weapon of handgun with a shotty/carbine back up' - a handgun 'preference' if you will allow.
Willie Lowman
New member
Our first choice is the G22 w/surefire light. It is super reliable, accurate, and easy to navigate the confines of the house with. She loves the Glock and so do I. It's nice to see eye to eye on something.
My first choice in generic HD is the shotgun. It comes out about 6 times a year. I have defended against raccoons, stray dogs, and an army of starlings.
90% success rate. (Some starlings flew away before I could train the gauge on them)
My first choice in generic HD is the shotgun. It comes out about 6 times a year. I have defended against raccoons, stray dogs, and an army of starlings.
90% success rate. (Some starlings flew away before I could train the gauge on them)45Marlin carbine
Moderator
actually the post is directed to 'HD' (home defense) weapon.
for 'self defense' outside the home where close quarters is not a concern then definitely a long gun.
as this is written I have my Makarov about 6' away and my SXS 12 ga Mag about 15' away if needed.
if I need to go outside the SXS goes and my Mak stuck in waistband of trousers.
for 'self defense' outside the home where close quarters is not a concern then definitely a long gun.
as this is written I have my Makarov about 6' away and my SXS 12 ga Mag about 15' away if needed.
if I need to go outside the SXS goes and my Mak stuck in waistband of trousers.
Rifleman 173
New member
It really depends on which firearm you train to use. I can use a variety of firearms in a home defense situation and feel comfortable with any of them. You come around my place and you can be met by any number of firearms in a fashion that is layered to allow me to have more options. For example, I might greet you with a shotgun backed up by a pistol which is backed up by a sheath knife. Then I could opt to use a carbine backed up by a pistol which is backed up by a sheath knife. The choice is mine and I train with all of them and I have contingency plans for a variety of different invasion situations. So I'm ready for day, night, low light, bright light and various other shooting/defensive situations.
I took the question to be in a "Purely" home defense situation, . . .
A) Unexpectedly, someone kicks in the front door and attempts to enter
B) Burglars, B&E specialists enter your dwelling at night while you're asleep
C) Enraged neighbor comes to your porch looking for trouble
Something along the lines of the above, . . . as my perception of HD follows the above as most likely HD situation based on observation of local HD scenarios.
In that case, . . . the handgun would be the most logical, . . . as more than likely, . . . I could get to it in a hurry, . . . and may not be able to get to the shotty or the rifle.
Thus my vote.
May God bless,
Dwight
A) Unexpectedly, someone kicks in the front door and attempts to enter
B) Burglars, B&E specialists enter your dwelling at night while you're asleep
C) Enraged neighbor comes to your porch looking for trouble
Something along the lines of the above, . . . as my perception of HD follows the above as most likely HD situation based on observation of local HD scenarios.
In that case, . . . the handgun would be the most logical, . . . as more than likely, . . . I could get to it in a hurry, . . . and may not be able to get to the shotty or the rifle.
Thus my vote.
May God bless,
Dwight
I once read an article that mentioned a study of Prison inmates... it went something like this ...
" What is the one thing that would stop you dead in your tracks if you were doing something you shouldn't be doing ? "
The resounding answer was " The sound of a 12 Gauge pump action "
Most of what I've read has said that for "purely" home defense a Short barreled (18" ) tactical shotgun ( No stock but pistol grip for maneuverability ) with Buck shot or bird shot ( to avoid over penetration) is the best Home Defense weapon there is. The sound alone is enough to scare an attacker off. Also the fact that in a high stress situation and a moving Attacker , a shotgun gives a bit more room for error.
If I had wanted one for STRICTLY that , I would not have gotten my Glock. I would have bought a shortgun. But I wanted a CCW/Target Pistol as well to serve as both.
I have often though considered trading in my .22 Magnum for a Mossberg 500 ( interchangeable barrel lengths for home defense or Hunting ) and adding a tactical Pistol Grip to it.
Mossberg 500 Cruiser
More review info:
http://www.firearmsfirst.com/?p=11
" What is the one thing that would stop you dead in your tracks if you were doing something you shouldn't be doing ? "
The resounding answer was " The sound of a 12 Gauge pump action "
Most of what I've read has said that for "purely" home defense a Short barreled (18" ) tactical shotgun ( No stock but pistol grip for maneuverability ) with Buck shot or bird shot ( to avoid over penetration) is the best Home Defense weapon there is. The sound alone is enough to scare an attacker off. Also the fact that in a high stress situation and a moving Attacker , a shotgun gives a bit more room for error.
If I had wanted one for STRICTLY that , I would not have gotten my Glock. I would have bought a shortgun. But I wanted a CCW/Target Pistol as well to serve as both.
I have often though considered trading in my .22 Magnum for a Mossberg 500 ( interchangeable barrel lengths for home defense or Hunting ) and adding a tactical Pistol Grip to it.
Mossberg 500 Cruiser
More review info:
http://www.firearmsfirst.com/?p=11
Last edited:
Sparks2112
New member
I keep a pistol on me, but, if I knew someone was in my house I'd have to go for the shotgun. I've trained extensively with one, and feel I understand it's capabilities very well. Not to say I don't have a pistol or rifle around, it's just my first choice if I know if have unwanted visitors.
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