Would you use an AR 5.56/.223 for home defense

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I've made claims and voiced my opinions on this site, and this is not the first time I've been called a liar. I'll post this and each can make his/her mind whether I can back up my claims and if my opinions have merit. It's your choice to determine if my experience backs my claims and opinions or not in which case feel free to ignor my post. I really don't care.

Not real fond of being called a liar. I tried to settle this in PM but for not.

Go here and type my last name, should find me 3 down from the top

http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/repo...stType=RIFLE&year=&service=&alphaStart=stuart

This one is in .pdf format.

http://photos.imageevent.com/kraigwy/avatar/APSC Certification.rtf.pdf

http://photos.imageevent.com/kraigwy/scans/websize/USAMU Sniper School Deploma.jpg
 
You can train the fear away for sure.....others have had the fear removed by years of tense situations.

Trust me, the fear manifests itself somewhere else at other times. You never get rid of it, you are simply displacing it.

But one thing is for certain, training does work. Training allows you to act without thinking. The physiological response will come after.


You train yourself without knowing it... for example, you buy a new hunting rifle. You take it home and fiddle with it look at it. You go to the range and you adjust it and test it. You take it home and fiddle with it some more. Or does one take it out of the box on hunting day and hope for the best?
Or the video game that you sucked at 6 months ago now you can beat with your left hand while making popcorn


Thanks again Kraigwv for your service and your contributions here.
 
If you really believe someone is in your home call the police and let them clear it. Don't go looking for the threat around dark corners, in closets, under beds, etc. That's a dangerous job and can easily go south in a hurry. That's a job for a team.
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I always like these comments. The problem isn't believing somebody is really in my home. The problem is not knowing IF somebody is in my home.

If somebody is in my home, I am fairly certain they are going to be able to find my family and me long before the first cop ever shows up and about another 10-15 after then for a team of cops to arrive, devise a plan of action, and make entry.

Quite frankly Whatever is closest becomes your favorite weapon real quickly if somebody is invading your home, armed or not. Looking at hard numbers? Shotgun spreads at 5-10 meters with buckshot? yeah the wad probably holds the spread together pretty well,
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Unchoked buckshot typically spreads out at a rate of about 1" per yard, slightly more or less depending on many ammo-specific variables.

Yes, a 5.56/.223 will provide a one stop shot with hollow points under normal circumstances. Even if the guy is a big hulking muscle head on drugs, it shouldn't take more than two to put him down...
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Yes, it will provide a one shot stop, unless it doesn't. :rolleyes:

Normal circumstances? If you are in need of shooting a home intruder, the circumstances are already not normal. The normal home invader may very well be on drugs.
 
I think the problem is if you are unsure if it's an intruder.

Several times I heard strange noises and went looking with my gun.

Often I can't fall asleep until I check it out.
 
.223 for home protection... Sure with the right ammo.
Personaly, I perefer other options for various reasons. But .223 is an effective round and can stop the threat if you hit them in CNS or other vital organs.


As for the "taking the shot" scenaro.

I'm not some trained commando, sniper, ex special forces/swat team whatever...
I'm just a guy that grew up with a rifle in hand and has been hunting/shooting/collecting firearms for decades.

And while I'm not some "tactical" expert shooter I can honestly say that I would "take the shot"
If someone got away with a member of my family (to do god knows what to them) and I didn't take the once chance I had to stop them I simply could not live with myself.

All Macho BS aside, I would literaly go insaine from the grief and self blame. It is something I cannot handle.

People may disagree with my reasoning and that is their right to do so... But I stand by my convictions and fully plan to do whatever it takes to protect my loved ones. Just my honest opinion.......
 
Anyone who uses common sense should know that a person that is ready and alert has a much better chance of surviving a encounter if they are defending a room rather than attempting to 'clear' a room.

I like a 'cruiser' style shotgun best but won't hesitate to use my ar15.
 
We have all said what we will or will not do in a violent situation where you or a loved one is at risk of bodily harm or death. There is a common misconception that when it counts people will rise to the occasion. The truth is you will do what you have been taught to do. While there are exceptions, if you haven't been taught to respond to a threat, you are most likely to panic. Before anything happens you must observe a threat, orient yourself to the threat, decide on a plan, and act on that decision. That is called the OODA loop. How you get from orient to act can determine whether you live or die.

I'm no super ninja bad ass but I have spent a large portion of my military career as an MP both in garrison and forward deployed. I would highly suggest that we all sit down with our families and actually come up with a plan of some kind. Figure out what is best for your situation. If that plan involves a firearm, take a dynamic firearms class. Yes I said LEARN TO FIGHT WITH A GUN IN CONFINED SPACES if your plan involves use of deadly force.
 
many people claim that the 5.56 is an underpowered round for combat/selfdefense/hunting/anything but paper killing. I am not an alumni of that particular school of thought. I would sooner use a 5.56 for home defense than the more heavily recommended 7.62x39. x39 has less trouble penetrating soft targets at HD ranges IE, sheet rock, cabinets etc. at home defense distances just about any centerfire rifle cartridge will be a through and through shot but a 5.56 will be less likely to make it through a bad guy AND a wall than 7.62x39.


with that said...the best gun for home defense is a handgun. if I couldn't get to my XDM for some reason my 9mm AR15 would be my second choice.
 
I would sooner use a 5.56 for home defense than the more heavily recommended 7.62x39. x39 has less trouble penetrating soft targets at HD ranges IE, sheet rock, cabinets etc. at home defense distances just about any centerfire rifle cartridge will be a through and through shot but a 5.56 will be less likely to make it through a bad guy AND a wall than 7.62x39.
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Not entirely true.

New rounds designed for the 5.56 penetrate better than 7.62x39.. AND... even sometimes more than 7.62x51.

I use my AR for a HD gun.. but like I said.. I live alone in the country... I will wait 30+ minutes for a police officer.. and I have no need to worry about over penetration.
 
I would use a 5.56 for home defense.

Home defense can be a multiple layer or tier approach.

Auto lights to deter.
Locks to deter.
Curtains and blinds to conceal.

First on my list: my dog. He will be chewing on you while I plan my next move.

If you get past my dog, which means you have severely hurt him or killed him, I am going to be really upset and I will probably shoot you in groin just for spite.
 
I always like these comments. The problem isn't believing somebody is really in my home. The problem is not knowing IF somebody is in my home.
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+1. I clear my house each and every time I come home from anywhere if I've been away for over an hour. The one here is easy, nosy neighbors, a basement, and locks that can't be locked behind you. The northern one is more difficult; several walk-in closets and a couple beds and other areas that can hide a man. I'm prepared, but things must look the same as I left them for me to clear it.
 
I have a labrador retreiver. She isn't a guard dog but more of a watch dog. She may lick an intruder to death. However, she is an alarm.

Then I have various firearms stashed around my house.

I think the hard part maybe wasting time trying to figure out which firearm to use :eek:
 
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