Posted on 11/08/2005 2:18:45 AM PST by JoeGar
I have a SIGARMS P239 .357 SIG for concealed carry and inside-the-home defense, but I feel I need a good rifle for neighborhood defense outside -- just in case somebody wants to torch some cars. I'd love an M1 Garand -- just to hear the ka-ching when the clip ejects -- but it's too expensive. The Ruger Mini Thirty looks interesting. What are your suggestions?
"Just the sound of a pump shotgun rack will move the little darlings down the street...."
Amen to that! The click-clack sound of a 12ga round being racked into the chamber is one of the most "persuasive" sounds known to man.
Let me begin by saying that I LOVE the M-14 (I've got a Federal Ord "knock-off," couldn't afford an M-1A) and I've got both a CAR-15 and a Mini-14. All are fun to shoot, and as I'm sure that someone will say, the M-14 allows you to "reach out and touch someone."
But I wonder if any of these would really be good for home defense. I mean, the M-14 is great, but it's a "real" battle rifle, and it's pretty big and heavy. The mini-14 and AR15 are both a lot handier, but I'm not 100% sure about .223.
I was thinking that a better home defense rifle might be a carbine in either semi-auto or lever action. Frankly, I don't have either. But maybe something like a Ruger .44 Mag carbine, or a Marlin lever action, in either .44Mag, or .30-30 Winchester.
Plus, both make terrific deer rifles.
Just a thought.
Mark
One real advantage which very few other guns possess is that you can keep topping them off from loose ammo. Shoot one, load one.
I don't know your locale, but shooting vandals could get you someplace you don't want to go...
I'd personally love to pop a few taggers, for instance, but I know I'd end up in the slammer.
I have the same weapon. I have probably fired 10,000 rounds through it and I have never had a malfunction. Vanity gun? No. When the excrement hits the fan I will rely on nothing else.
Unfortunately, they are a bit hard to come by these days (thanks Bill). There are plenty of Romanian models around. I've read they are reliable as well but I've never fired one. I'd like to replace mine and retire my old beloved Kalashnikov. The Romanian models come with the cleaning rod under the barrell and cleaning kit inside the buttstock, something the Chinese models didn't have. Also, you can purchase a Romanian one without the gay-ass thumbhole grip. I had to purchase an aftermarket stock set and grip for my Chinese model.
I have had a short barreled Remington 870 with folding stock for a number of years now and I absolutely love it. On mine, the magazine tube is about 3/4" longer than the barrel. My son and I go to the range and maintain proficiency by shooting pumpkins this time of year and watermelons in summer.
Not necessarily. At the end of the day your $175 Chinese SKS or $350 Chinese AK-47 is going to fire every single round you put through it. The same can't always be said for your $1500 AR-15.
I would vote for either a good AR-15 (I have a rock river arms myself) or one of the AK knockoffs.
As for the AK, I have a WASR-10 that takes hi-cap mags (Some of the older ones do not) and it has been 100% reliable. If you DO go the WASR route make sure you give the weapon a good looking over, check for canted sites (front site not lined up correctly when looking down the front of the weapon) and make sure to check the gas system as well. Ask if you can take it down (Or ask the shop to show you how it comes apart) and check the parts as well.
They can be great low cost weapons and I would take one any day over a mini-30.
How many cartridges is max?
I have owned several H-Bars and sporter models. They have been perfect in reliability. They also are much more accurate than the Chinese guns.
There will be no lupus in fabula with that rig!
Six 3" rounds in the magazine, plus one in the chamber. At home or on the boat, I keep a Snap Cap in the chamber, so it has to be racked once to be ready for work.
"I don't think deadly force is authorized because someone is torching your car"........
It depends on where you are. In California, probably not. In Texas, you're good to go.
Always consider you may have to 'borrow' some ammo from your enemy, which could be wearing Powder Blue helmets (if not certainly be holding Powder Blue hearts).
And don't forgot an extra couple of longarms and sidearms for the guy in your neighborhood that didn't pre-plan or manages to 'lose' his.
I agree. In 1970, Black Panthers were sabotaging F4s on the flight line at MCAS Cherry Point. Guards were posted at night with unloaded double-barrel shotguns and the rounds in their pockets. Their orders were to say "Halt!" one time and then shoot to kill if ignored. When I was OD, I'd have to inspect the guards at night. They were always hiding so I had to look for them. As soon as I heard "Thunk, thunk, click", I froze. Loading both barrels has a very distinctive sound.
I can see using a pistol, shotgun and/or an assault rifle for home or auto defense, but unless you have some clear shots at long ranges, I can't see the need for a long range rifle in that role(not that I wouldn't want one for other reasons). If I should ever need to defend my home or car, I want something that I can handle in close quarters. I don't think that any thugs will be considerate enough to back up 500 yards so that I can defend myself with a long range rifle.
Idi Amin.
LOL!
Most amazing man there's ever been
He's the General, the President, the King of the Scene
Idi Idi Idi Amin...
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