6 Home Defense Carbines, 5 are NOT AR’s

The Daily Caller ^ | March 15, 2012 | Michael Piccione

[2ndDivisionVet]

Let’s talk home defense.

First things first, shotguns are devastatingly powerful. Nothing can compare to the 12 gauge at close range. Even birdshot, which is still one mass of moving lead at close range, will tear a human to shreds. In my battery I have a Remington 870 and a bandoleer of slugs and buck ready to go for when the SHTF. You don’t lose much with a 20 gauge at close range either and you gain some agility with a smaller gun, and more family members are likely to respond better to the 20.

The second point I’d like to make is on handguns for home defense. Shoot the biggest cartridge you can handle.

--snip--

Hi-Point Carbine

This is the least expensive gun on the list with a suggested retail price of $285. You can get them in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. The added barrel length as a rule of thumb will add 300 feet per second making even a 9mm a good stopper and even better with +P loads. The specs on this gun make it a good home defense choice; 16.5” barrel, length 31” and it weighs 6.25 lbs. Now here is the rub, some folks flat out hate these guns. Others love them. I’m indifferent right now because I don’t have a lot of range time to make up my mind but that will change because my neighbor just got one...

[2ndDivisionVet]

Comments?

[driftdiver]

Comments on one of these threads is guaranteed.

[driftdiver]

The best gun is the one you have when you need it. As long as it goes bang then it will be a game changer. Nobody wants to be shot with even a .22

For the home I prefer a 12 guage or a .45 but I found some tests which found the 5.56 round had the least penetration through sheetrock walls. It only went through 3 simulated walls.

[SVTCobra03]

I am interested in the Hi Point carbine in .45 cal. I would appreciate any range reports from current owners.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

I don’t have anything with which to defend myself. Come on in...

[2ndDivisionVet]

I’ve had the C9 9mm pistol for some time now and think it’s probably the best value for the money out there. Can’t afford the carbine at this time.

[enraged]

12ga/45 is safe bet. I like how the first two listed were my favorite rugers.

[umgud]

The second point I’d like to make is on handguns for home defense. Shoot the biggest cartridge you can handle.

[smokingfrog]

454 Casull = too much recoil

HiPoint carbine - I’d go with the 45ACP

AR - be sure to have something like Hornady TAP ammo or maybe some frangible ammo for inside the house.

And please tell me where I can get an AR for $650.

[OKSooner]

I think I’d opt for an old, honestly-used lever gun in .44 or .357 rather than a highpoint. JMO.

[smokingfrog]

Not recommended for apartment dwellers...

[BipolarBob]

And please tell me where I can get an AR for $650.

I could tell you where but that's not the problem. The problem is when. Do you have ready access to a time travel machine?

[OKSooner]

Keep your eye out for an old Marlin camp carbine in .45acp.

[Azeem]

AR - be sure to have something like Hornady TAP ammo or maybe some frangible ammo for inside the house.

No frangible! Frangible is for shooting steel and breaking up. Drywall is not harder than the cartridge. It will tear through your home and your neighbor's home.

#4 Buckshot in a 12/20 gauge shotgun with a light or 45/40/9 in handgun with a light.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Wal-Mart, until Sandy Hook happened. Had some really nice ones.

[PMAS]

*

[Goldsborough]

The section on handguns was ignorant. There are many valid reasons that a SHTF handgun should be a 9mm, such as weight of the ammo, ubiquity of the ammo, cost of training with the round, etc. An invalid reason to knock the 9mm would be its non-performance in the hands of gang bangers using FMJ ammo from Wal*Mart.

Most unabashed fans of bigger bore handguns have likely never shot at a target trying to avoid being hit. They also likely never have seen how hard it is to achieve solid hits in a two way shooting range.

If higher capacity carbines trump the shotgun's low capacity but generally more powerful ammunition, for ease firing and time of firing without reloading, and ease of other family members being able to achieve hits with it, etc,, the double stack 9mm holds the same type of advantages over the single stack .45ACP or 6-8 shot .357 Magnum revolver.

[Azeem]

If I know someone is in the house, I’m with the Saiga 12 at the top of the stairs as wife calls 911 holding her 870. If I have to investigate, I’m taking my M&P .45 and light. A rifle and shotgun can’t corner/quarter as well and are easier to grab by bad guy hiding.

[smokingfrog]

I thought frangible was what air marshals used. Or are they using something like Glaser safety slugs?

[metalurgist]

Last month at the gun show in Monroeville Pa., they were selling complete lower AR recievers in Polymer for 149.95. Uppers from Midway were selling at a starting price of 409.00.

How well does a polymer reciver stand up? Glocks, Rugers, Springfields seem to do OK. I don't know.