rifle vs revolver, hd

S

SPUSCG

New member
ive ruled out shotgun, since splash damage may injure who im trying to protect and the bad guy, so im wondering if a rifle, or hangun, will do better
 
What are you more comfortable with? I think that's what's really most important. Also, i would consider penetration issues, especially if there are others (family members and such) in the house with you. theboxotruth.com has some really informative penetration tests; however, take them for what they are, and don't base your entire decision on just this information. Additionally, i would take into account what you have (especially if you're not looking to purchase a new HD weapon). For example, if you have a scoped .243 rifle, it probably won't make for the best HD firearm. Whereas if you've already got something like a mil-spec 1911, it would probably work just peachy, as long as it is something you are comfortable with and can shoot well in a variety of situations. Just some things to think about and hope it helps some. Happy shooting.

Petey
 
im going to look for a 30-30 or 357 levergun, and whatever pistol i can get, private sale only. im wondering if rifle has any advantages, or disadvantages.
 
Not sure what you mean by splash damage with the shotty. At across the room distances the shot doesn't spread much at all. With a shot size appropriate for hd your looking at at 3" pattern.

If you are going to barricade yourself in a safe room and keep a gun pointed at the door any rifle with open sights or shotgun will do the job. However neither are really practical to have with you when it comes to answering that unexpected 11:00 knock on the door.

Another big drawback to a rifle or shotgun for HD is navigating the house. Most houses do not provide the space for you to enter rooms with the long gun at the shoulder without having to place the muzzle into the room blindly where it can be grabbed by the intruder. In a confined space a handgun is a much better weapon. With the advantage that it can be easily concealed when answering the door. Grab a yardstick or a short broom handle that is about the length of a rifle or shotgun and have someone else in your family hide in the house and play the burglar. You'll be surprised how easy it is for them to disarm you with a long gun before you can get a shot off. Then try the same drill with a squirt gun pistol.

If you know someone is in the house you should never attempt to clear it yourself no matter what weapon you have. You should get the family into a safe room and behind cover and call the police. Keeping an 18" barreled shotgun in the safe room is a great idea. Having a handgun to use while rounding the family up is also a great idea. If I could only have one I would choose the handgun.
 
First, why private sale only? Sounds a bit odd.

Second, both the 30-30 and the .357 would not be advised unless you got your ear plugs in.
 
inside the house defense

A long gun quickly becomes cumbersome when moving thru a house simply because of the doorways. Personally, I'd look at a 4" barrel .357 Magnum revolver using .38 Special loads. The Taurus 608 holds eight rounds and would be very low in recoil when firing .38's due to its size.
 
There are advantages and disadvantages to each weapon. It sounds like you need to maybe get some training and/or some education on the subject before committing. Then you can decide which advantages and disadvantages are part of your particular situation. Either will work quite well assuming you know how to work it properly. Neither will be adequate if you don't. I'm very well trained, and I'd take my choice of a long gun over a handgun in my situation. Somebody else with different training or a different situation might be better served otherwise.
 
many novices think a shotgun is a weapon that you only need to point in the general direction of your aversary and you'll get an incapacitating hit. he size of the pattern varies with barrel length, choke, and shell type, but at home defense ranges it is completely aimable and capable of surprising precision.
 
I think that the revolver is the better choice. The .30-30 is too powerful for indoor shooting. The .357 lever action may not be handy enough for shooting from behind concealment. The .357 revolver can handle any ammo from the mildest .38 target load to the most powerful .357 magnum.
 
A rifle takes two hands and room to use. In a house or apartment, you may not have either. Your weak-side hand may be holding a cell phone or flashlight. Rifle bullets, even the little .22, will penetrate a LOT. A pistol is the obvious choice. Select your caliber and round for penetration that will stop within most body cavities.

In a revolver, I'd pick the venerable .38+p in a 4" barrel. For an auto, my choice would be a 9mm+p in a 4" barrel.
 
Have you considered...

a M1 Carbine, with stock pouch with thirteen rounds each mag?

Lightly polish the feed ramp and soft-nosed ammo slides nicely into the chamber.
 
First off, are you even old enough to own a gun? Second, you have 256 posts under your belt on a firearms forum and you don't have a clue about what you would use for home defense? I suggest you go to the local range and rent a shotgun and someone to teach you how to use it. Explain to them that you need a home defense gun and let them take over. Do you live in the city or the sticks? If your answer is city and your looking for a 30-30 your gonna kill your nieghbors at very least. A high powered rifle isn't for home defense, period. A handgun is also a good choice, I keep both a loaded 18" tactical Remington 870 with a light mounted under it on a touch switch and Knoxx Spec Ops stock for fast follow up. It is loaded with Hornaday TAP 00 Buck defense ammo. I also keep a Glock 23 and Surefire 6p for blinding light with the 120 lumen upgrade. It is loaded with 13 rounds of Hornaday TAP 180gr JHP and two back up mags loaded with the same. I also keep a Firestar .45 loaded with 230gr HP. Shot gun is my first choice as I have children in ajoining rooms. I also have motion detectors outside that alert me in my bed when someone is approaching, so I can beat them to the door. As well as a camera at the most common point of entry. Shot guns loaded with the right load will pattern at 3" or less. TAP is specifically made to do this. The .45 is my second choice, slow and big, less overpenetration should I miss. The Glock is my CCW gun, overpen is more than a .45 but less than a 10mm. The Good Old .45 Auto is returning to depts. all over the nation. Many officers are even turning in their plastic for 1911 variants. For you, until you get some experience, buy a can of pepper spray and a hickory axe handle, and keep that cell phone close by.
 
I have never considered hearing protection in a home defense situation. I would rather hear what was moving where as I check things out.
 
id say revolver from the options you gave..BUT, I don't think the "splash affect" is a real concern inside a home..id say a shotgun is better than rifle...
 
Everyone seems to have an opinion on what would be the best home defense weapon. Get a .45, get a 9 mm, get a .38 revolver, get a rifle...it goes on and on.

First, the best weapon for the job is the one you have. Whatever you have is better then nothing at all whether it be a rifle, six shot revolver or .22.

Second, imagine the circumstances behind the defense situation. Would you be able to manuever a rifle after being awaken at 3am from something crashing through your door? Would you be able to manipulate the controls on a semi-automatic in order to get it to fire while in low light and half-asleep? Set your alarm clock for 3am and put it on a loud buzz. Then see how fast you can move around with a long gun.

Therefore, with that said, I would simply use a revolver for a good bedside weapon. This weapon is a no-brainer and is the best weapon when being awaken in the middle of the night from a deep sleep.

However, I would have other weapons around for different situations. I would have a semi-auto in .45 for when there was more time to prepare. I would have a carbine in .45 or a long rifle when there was even more time to prepare.

I like the .45 because of stopping power. I know that people are going to reply back to this thread stating that shot placement rules, however, when it comes to my life in a close quarters situation then I will gladly trust the .45 over these other calibers. Even if it gives me only a slight advantage, then I'll gladly take that advantage.
 
"...dont care about loudness..." Hi. Ever shot anything inside without ear defenders? Even a .22 is very loud.
Any centrefire rifle bullet will travel several miles if you miss. You are 100% responsible for where it ends up. Hit anything or anybody, if you miss and you're in for a world of grief.
 
So, in the above scenario of something crashing through your door at 3:00 a.m., your going for the muffs before the gun? I think we all realize how loud our firearms are inside, even outside gunfire can damage your hearing. I would rather be able to hear what is going on around me than spend time going for something that could give an upper hand to whoever crashed my door.
 
You got me thinking about the blast...

Wouldn't a pair of Peltors, or similar electronic muffs be especially good for roaming the house in the middle of the night? I can hear conversations on the other end of the firing line. This sensitivity to low sounds could be very helpful in the dark, AND protect your ears if you have to let it go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top