ExRx.net

The purpose of this thread is not to discuss gun control, or the morality of using a firearm in self defense. Instead this thread is simply for discussing the relative merits of different firearm types for home defense and concealed carry (where legal). For example, we already know hoosegow likes pump shotguns for home defense.

Home Defense Weapons

Shotguns - Advantages include stopping power, ease of use and versatility (different types of ammo). Disadvantages include recoil, length (can be difficult to use in tight spaces), relatively small capacity and slow reloading (generally). Over-penetration can also be a problem with slugs.

Rifles - Advantages include ease of use, range and accuracy. Some rifles also have a large capacity and can be reloaded quickly. Disadvantages include length and over-penetration.

Pistols - Advantages include compact size (easy to use in tight spaces). Can be used with flashlight. Some models have large capacity and can be reloaded quickly. Disadvantages - Less powerful than most rifles and shotguns. Hard to aim.

Revolvers - Advantages include compact size and reliability. Can be used with flashlight. Can be kept loaded with no spring tension. Disadvantages - Small capacity. Slower reload than pistols. Less powerful than most rifles and shotguns. Hard to aim.

PS) I'm not a big fan of gun-mounted lights, since anything you shine your light on will also have a loaded weapon pointed at it (not very safe).

It depends on what you are defending. It depends on who is doing the defending too. I could potentially pick any of those things.

My main "house gun" is a 4" medium-frame revolver in .357 Magnum ... Not very sexy but I like it.

For concealed carry I use a 2" small-frame revolver. ... Only 5 shots, but it's reliable and I shoot surprisingly well with it. It's also much more comfortable to carry (in a pocket holster) than the Glock 23 I used to carry (inside-the-belt holster).

Of course, I also have several rifles that could work well for home defense if I ever feel the need for more firepower or greater range.

Have you ever had to fire any of your weapons whilst defending your home Matt?

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What if the Hokey Cokey really IS what it's all about?

No, and hopefully I never will, but it's good to be prepared.

Here's what I use for home defence - a door lock.

You say it's good to be prepared, prepared for what exactly Matt? Who or what could possibly turn up on your door which requires you to have multiple firearms? If you lived in the tribal regions of Afghanistan or Pakistan or in the deepest darkest parts of the Congo I could see a need for being prepared, but Pennsylvania?!

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What if the Hokey Cokey really IS what it's all about?

If you want to pretend that nothing bad can ever happen to you, be my guest. I hope for your sake that nothing ever comes along that shatters your illusion.

As for having more than one defensive firearm ... anything a person plans on carrying needs to be concealable. This generally limits one's options to compact handguns.

Weapons for home defense don't need to be concealable, so you have a lot more options including full-sized handguns, rifles and shotguns, all of which will outperform a compact handgun.

Technically, I could use my carry gun for home defense, but I'd be giving up a lot in terms of performance. Likewise, I could carry a full-sized service pistol or a revolver with a 4" barrel, both of which are still concealable (although less so). However, that wouldn't be very comfortable, and I'd be more limited with regards to what kind of clothing I could wear.

I'm pretending that nothing bad can happen to me? Que?!

You said you can never be too prepared, I'm just curious as to what you're preparing for exactly.

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What if the Hokey Cokey really IS what it's all about?

I'm with Phil on this.

I'll never understand why you Americans are so desperate to own guns. I'm not trying to start an argument, I've heard them all before.

Just baffles me.

Hey now, Proper, Robert. While the lounge is for threads of every subject, the threads themselves need to stay on topic if any is stated by the OP. If you look at the first note both of you are WAY off topic here. You need to create a new thread for your tangentially related topic.

No more off topic posts in this thread.

oh don't worry, I have no intention of pursuing it. I probably should've just stayed out of it.

My apologies.