Posted on 08/06/2022 6:33:10 AM PDT by jagusafr
With limited funds for firearms purchase, what are thoughts about home defense shotgun v. SHTF AR or other style rifle? Which would be your priority?
My AR-15 RRA Operator.
Glad you asked! There was a time when I and a bunch of gun nerds had way too much time on our hands (before Youtube, sadly, or we would probably have a pretty good channel), and built a bunch of different test specimens and tested a whole bunch of different rounds and calibers.
.223 DOESN'T penetrate as well as you would expect in most cases, because it depends heavily on the angle of incidence of the round, and the design of the projectile. A ball round fired straight at a light framed wall will penetrate several layers of gypsum board with enough energy to cause injury. It DOES shed mass and velocity with each layer, but you should expect deadly effects if there's only one wall in the way.
At an angle it changes dramatically. If the projectile strikes a wood stud solidly, a ball round will fragment, and deposit most of its energy in the wood. On the test specimens I've used, it will deform the back layer of the wall, but won't penetrate with any apprciable energy. Same goes for solid blocking which is typically installed in wood framing.
The story changes with different projectile designs though. One would want to build a test specimen and try out different ammo for himself, but there are brands of frangible ammo that I've shot that really do dump most of their energy in the first couple layers of drywall, but it's expensive. Federal used to load a heavyier (IIRC 77 grain) hollow point that when tested just broke up into a bunch of pieces that did penetrate the second layer, but lost a lot of mass.
So, I would say that Sarcazmo is mostly correct, based on my own experience. But, mainly, don't miss. Put the rounds center mass in the bad guy, and this shouldn't be an issue.
If someone has limited funds they should consider a pistol. This way you have a firearm that can be used for concealed carry when out and about and can also be used for home defense. When it comes to protecting my life, I’m not looking for cheap, I’m looking for reliable. A Glock 19 or 43 would be a very reliable pistol that should still be affordable for most people. I prefer a pistol for home defense because it can be carried on you during the day and is easily accessible when in bed. A pistol also frees up one hand for carrying a flashlight (if you don’t have a rail mounted light) or opening doors, or warding off an intruder if you make close contact unexpectedly. I’ve never considered a rifle or shotgun to be my first go-to home defense weapon.
If cost is the primary concern, you can’t go wrong with a pump action 12 gauge. Remington and Mossberg make reliable models that are affordable and rugged.
The choice of ammo gives you the flexibility. Jeff Cooper recommened #8 Birdshot at indoor distances, and who’s to say he’s wrong. Just set up a target at 7 yards to see for yourself: the pattern will reliably put an ounce of lead in the “head” of the target.
If you need more standoff distance, slugs will remain stable easily to 100 yards in a smoothbore. At intermediate ranges 00 or 000 buck speak with authority.
IMHO, if you’re looking for that first gun to start your armory, you simply can’t go wrong with the 12 gauge pump. Used guns are also a perfectly good choice, and could save you some money to spend on training and ammo.
Stay safe, stay armed, and get trained!
And don’t forget to BLOAT
That's a revolver. Five or six shots and you're out of the fight. There's a reason no police department or the military uses revolvers. They're antiquated museum pieces in today's devolving civilization.
They've got so much on most of us that one more tidbit isn't going to matter.
Rock Island Armory M200 .38 Special Revolver $249.99
Build your own ar
BLEM PSA 16” M4 Carbine Freedom Rifle Kit $349.99
PSA AR-15 “M4 CARBINE” Stripped Lower Receiver $59.99
PSA Mil-Spec AR-15 Carry Handle $69.99
carry handle can be found for lower cost.
shotguns are not my thing
Nope, just now have the extra cash. I own a S&W Sigma .40 cal, a Ruger LCP, a Remington 870 I inherited from my dad (glad to see it’s recommended!), a Remington .22 bolt action single shot rifle (present for 13th birthday) and a ‘22 revolver, have the Air Force Small Arms Expert ribbon and the Navy Expert Rifleman medal (thanks to a reserve Master Chief who let me shoot the big gun - officers rarely got to do that when I was in). Didn’t know whether to buy an AR- type or another shotgun. I really appreciate all the recommendations.
just saw your last post #88
If you have the others covered the AR is the choice to fill a hole in your collection.
18 inch barrel 12ga shotgun for best pattern spread and to keep it legal. At close range, it won’t get much pattern spread, but will be deadly. At 100 feet or more, it will be quite effective against multiple intruders. If you are accurate at pointing it, you won’t need any more rounds than the 6 or 7 it will hold. #4 buckshot, #2 birdshot, or even #4 birdshot will be quite effective. The last two birdshot suggestions will give you better pattern spread at close range.
Define”defend your home” as in area of operating and your current knowledge of firearms.
Normally closing the bolt is so loud, people freeze. If you miss with two shots they figure your double barrel is empty, bad thought......
See my #88 - and “defend your home” means precisely that: intruder, 2d floor master, weapon either I or The Colonel’s Wife (5’2”) could use without thinking too much.
Thanks. You may depending on your location and interests want something for a bit further out like 6.5 creedmoor or the more traditional 270 or 308 either in bolt or AR format. I would say a 223 would be kinda redundant in your case.
Also re 870s, short/long/whatever barrels are readily had and swapped in seconds.
No. The gun may or may not cycle. Either option sucks.
I keep my nightstand gun fully loaded with one in the pipe just to avoid the kind of problem you mentioned.
We need to practice practice practice with our home defender so if and when the time comes you need it, your muscle memory from training will help you overcome the adrenaline of the moment. I also believe your weapon should have a good working green or red dot optic for easier target acquisition during a high stress situation.
Maybe their last thought.
The best thing is an inexpensive one can be had for around $275 new. A whole lot of peace of mind for the money. But greedy guts me wants to load up a whole box of shells at once.😇
Didn’t know that, very helpful. My dad’s is 28” which is a bit unwieldy at close quarters.
Pump action 410 or 20 gauge shotgun
Hi.
The rule of threes...
One, close quarters 50’ to 75’ a semi automatic hand gun. Preferably .357 and above. Many good mfg.
Two, a shotgun for about 100’ to 400’.
Three, a semi auto rifle for everything else around to reach out and touch someone, .260 or higher cal.
I really can’t recommend anything with little info, but here goes...
S&W or Glock in .40 cal
Mossberg 500 in 00
AR 15 in 5.56 NATO Colt or Armalite.
Hope that helps.
Oh, and Bloat.
5.56mm
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