Posted on 09/15/2008 10:58:51 AM PDT by Kevmo
The Washington Post article is already being commented upon here in Free Republic.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/12/AR2008091202414
The purpose of this thread is to help Freepers and lurkers decide upon what the best mode of self defense would be in the case of the breakdown in social order such as happened with the Rodney King riots.
Joe Brower owns one of the RKBA (Right to Keep and Bear Arms) ping lists. I tried to convince him to open this vanity because he and his friends are more knowledgeable about guns. He says, "there have already been threads on the subject you mention right here on FR, although I can't locate them now. Tell you what -- you start the thread and then ping me, and I'll then flag my RKBA list for comments. I'm sure some folks in that group would be able to provide links, as well as plenty of timely advice. "
This scenario is called the SHTF scenario, where the acronym stands for $#|+ Hits The Fan. So this will be the SHTF gun thread for November 2008... Of course, gun ownership isn't for everyone. But it is the most accessible safety measure under our constitution, which is as our founding fathers intended. Recall where the police were when the Rodney King riots started: they left the scene for their own safety. If that were to happen in your neighborhood, what is your plan?
I agree, very enjoyable.
:)
Yeppers!
The Zombie Squad link upthread is great, too!
When we bought our farm property I put surplus concertina wire around the perimeter of the woods and up the drive. Then we planted blackberry canes all along the rows and they quickly covered the wire. The deer just jump right over it but it keeps all my neighbors dogs off the property. My newest addition has been to install a heavy steel gate with an electric remote that's 12V with a solar panel recharger.
The best part is that the house isn't visible anywhere from the road but from the house and my shop I can see all the property lines by looking out the windows downhill. I also keep a few Galil's in 308 up where they will be useful.
Honestly I don't think it's rioters I need to fear. But better safe than sorry.
You are right about being able to use a lighter load in a 357 for target practice. In fact, you can shoot light load 38spl’s in it for practice. Btw,I buy reloads at local gun shows for target practice - much cheaper for sure. And, you are also correct about the additional weight of a 357 absorbing more of the recoil.
About a shotgun for home defense; I bought my wife a 20 gauge Mossberg 500 pump for this. It's lighter than a 12 gauge and has considerably less kick than a 12 guage. Also, it came with two barrels, a short one for home defense and a longer modified barrel for birds. Btw, my wife accuses of buying guns for her as a pretense - says it's just an excuse for me to buy more guns for myself. Really hurt my feelings,I would never do such a scurrilous thing, heh, heh :)
If you add a pair of Crimson Trace laser grips to your snubby, you’ll double your range with it and be able to hit a coffee cup.
My cousin had a story similar to that. Definitely an unmistakable sound.
Be sure to check your claymores periodically as their positioning may shift with time and the connectors may corrode :)
Hmmmm....that’s an interesting thought...thanks for the suggestion, I like it.
OK. You shot some hogs.
I don’t doubt it at all.
Now, there’s three guys bustin down your front door right now. Your wife and two daughters and a son are hiding in the bathroom behind you with the lights out and the door locked.
You can reach two guns, a .22 rifle with a ten round clip, or a S&W .40 cal Sigma series handgun (like mine) with a 15 round clip.
Which do you grab?
I agree a .22 is way, way, way better than nothing. And I’ve owned 22s my whole life.
But in a close range, somewhat confined, possibly dark home defense situation, a shotgun or large bore pistol is the way to go.
Haven't read the whole thread; in fact I've only read your first reply.
Welcome to the wonderful world of shooting. First order of business, find an appropriate level of training from qualified (i.e. NRA certified) instructors.
So far as firearms selection, I have two points to offer. (Again, I haven't read the thread so these points might already be covered.)
First, a person's choice of firearms is a personal decision and has as much to do with personality, disposition, character, budget and "a whole bunch" of other considerations.
That said, I saw a post from Squantos recently that addressed this particular question that made sense to me.
Anyway, FR is the right place to ax such a question.
Be sure to include a good .22 (auto, lever, or bolt, it doesn't really matter IMO) and BLOAT!
Please tell me what BLOAT means. I knew once, but have since forgotten. Thanks.
The point is that those hogs were just as big, and just as tough as any human. Two-three shots to the chest dropped'em.
"You can reach two guns, a .22 rifle with a ten round clip, or a S&W .40 cal Sigma series handgun (like mine) with a 15 round clip. Which do you grab?"
I already answered that in my post.
"But in a close range, somewhat confined, possibly dark home defense situation, a shotgun or large bore pistol is the way to go."
There's a lot of folks in the world that can't afford (or handle--picture that 75 year old grandmother) anything else. Lots of folks can't AFFORD a "S&W .40 cal Sigma series handgun", or the ammo. What are those folks supposed to do?? Just roll over and die??
Buy Lots Of Ammunition ....?
Buy Lots Of Ammunition Today
“If you have never owned a gun: buy a revolver for close in and a bolt action/lever for range ( see below)
If you don’t have much $$$, buy a Ruger 10/22 and a brick of ammo...will kill game and feral humans.
If you absolutely want to kill stop a man in your home, get a 12 gauge pump-action and load it with #4 buck.
If you want to defend property outside the home, you need #00 buckshot for distance and car/garage penetration (warning: can penetrate many sheetrock walls).
If you want to defend against a mob, you will need a semi-auto with hi-cap magazines, ar-15/ak series/mini14/sks.
for two man team patrols in/around property, it’s hard to beat a .357 lever action for the wife/preteens and a .357 revolver. (can shoot .38 SPL)....this is old school SHTF... But still has merits.
lastly..... For zombie defense, get a M1919a4 on tripod and set the T&E to head level ;)”
I like the way you think...
Now I personally have a Browning Hi-Power with a 20 round Mec-Gar mag beside my bed. I also have a Winchester defender pump loaded with 8 2-3/4 inch buckshot in the room.
Now I have been shooting all my life, am a certified firearms instructor, and won my gun club's all-comers shoot. I am fairly confident in the Browning but would not be at all hesitant to use a .22 Ruger either.
BTW, I once tried a Sigma and it has a lousy trigger. I understand the newer S&W M&P autos are better.
Almost at the bottom of my homepage are some PDF books (free) on all sorts of shooting stuff as well as RKBA’s links all the way down , including a few more goodies.
Go take a peek read and seek and ye shall find !
OkSooner you’ll have to be specific as to my post you spoke of if ya can. Was it basic arms for average American home or ways to select a PDW based on individual unique needs ?
Stay safe and I’ll check back later ......nite !
Excellent advice...it should help a number of FReepers.
Not much difference in striking force, the .38 just does more damage after it mushrooms due to the sheer mass of the projectile.
Colonel, USAFR
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