We live in a small development with one street that ends in a cul de sac. It is a very rural town of about 2,000 (?) in a red state. Nearly all households in the community own firearms. We have no police and contract with the county for the minimal protection that we need. The county itself has only an handful of employees. ( Being a highly armed community we are essentially "policing" ourselves.)
How much expereince with fireams do you have? (meaning other than childhood or basic sporting experience)
My husband and I have had basic training. We have budgeted for more advanced training.
What is your budget?
This year's budget is about $2,000 for arms and ammunition. We plan to make room in the budget every year for self defense.
Are you alone or would you be in a family team of some sort?
We have three adults in the family. One of the three is completely untrained. We also have preschoolers living with us in the household.
My husband has read all the posts, and I am in the process now of carefully reading them and taking notes. We are grateful for the time posters have taken to help us. Already, I have very different and more realistic outlook.
The Freepers were very kind to help me in my purchase of our first handgun. The gun that I did finally buy was not only perfect for me but also for the purpose for which it was needed. ( Protection while sleeping in mini-van with little room to maneuver.)
(assuming there is one or more fighting handguns already possession)
1. 12 ga pump shotgun (Rem870 or Mossberg 500 series), 18-20 inch smooth bore with or w/o rifle sights-a bead will do just fine with extended mag tube (6 or so capacity), low recoil (several makers) 00 buckshot and 1&1/8 ounce #6 2&2/4 inch non magnum shells. Loaded bird, bird, bird, buck, buck, buck, bolt closed on empty chamber, trigger cocked (so the action lock must be actuated in order to load-for the kids safety) Accessories-side saddle shell holder and or speed loader tubes-forget the sling with shell loops-makes the thing wave like a tree when it is swinging around all filled up and tangles easily on stuff. Possibly a red-dot sight ( I recommend at Trijicon reflex-self luminous, no batteries to fail and rugged).
2. AR or similar lightweight carbine- (my choice is a 16” CAR 15 with standard fixed carry handle sights and a trijicon reflext mounted on a scout cantilever mount) 50 grain Horn V max ammo and or 55 grain FMJs-trust me, they kill all out of proportion and are both soft-armor cabable, yet the Vmax is not too tough as to be extremely pentrative in the house.
Avoid slings and all the myriad of accessories for either-more to fail/manipulate etc when seconds count.
Get the training and make your plan, include everyone in teh househould-make it SOP (standard operating procedure) duress words, sinlge word key terms/alerts-do dry runs using possible scenarios knowing that every plan usually must be modified once contact is made...
Do not talk much about your plans/weapons to neighbors-they are not likley to die for you if under duress....
Insure your weapons are available when you are present, but secure when you are not.
Install a monitored home alarm system (I like the ones with key fob remote controls-can call 911/FD/Ambulance w/o a phone, get one for every adult).
Look to your perimeter-cut brush, hedges, fences should be transparent, add lights & perhaps low cost day/night cameras and a monitor DVD recorder. Security is a system, not a gun. Best;
MOLON LABE