What firearm(s) would you recommend for home protection?

Self

[ru4liberty]

This question pertains to a diminutive woman in her mid-60s. She has a .38 handgun but has been told by a few people (shooting range owner, RTC instructor's cousin, co-worker, etc.) that the best thing to have is a shotgun. They pretty much said that sometimes the only thing a perp needs is to hear the cocking of the shotgun and he'll flee the scene.

I wanted to tap into the expertise of those FReepers who are knowledgeable of such things so I can pass along the info. Also, her funds are limited (fixed income), so any recommendations that would keep her from having to spend too much and where would be the best place to buy it would be helpful.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Yep...they’re not ALL fruity. And thweet.

[Alaska Wolf]

Home invasions don’t happen at times convenient to the occupants of a house

They most regularly happen at night when a loaded shotgun next to a bed would be just as convenient as a handgun.

This absurd idea that a shotgun is the “one size fits all” solution

Who the hell is making that assertion? The lady in question seems to be incapable of competently shooting a .38 revolver. I would suggest she try a small 20 gauge shotgun which a petite 60ish female should have little trouble handling with some training/practice.

PS Squeezing the trigger is much more effective than "pulling" it.

[eyedigress]

One more word of advice. Springs are available for anything. Don’t cut them yourself. Stay Safe

[bunkerhill7]

get a blunderbuss

The blunderbuss was the automatic weapon of its day -It could kill lotsa people at close range with one shot.

"By the middle 19th century, the blunderbuss was considered obsolete and was replaced in military use by the carbine Though the latter was considered by some to be a poor replacement, and the blunderbuss still found use with civilians as a defensive firearm." wiki

[Alaska Wolf]

And truth be told, if you fire 7 shots in the dark across our living room with a pistol, you’ll have that same 3 to 4 inch pattern of a shotgun. (if you are good at that moment)

Not if you fire the same number of shots from your shotgun.

[mylife]

Any Granny can handle a 410 loaded with buckshot over a .38 air weight
and 5, 30 cal balls coming at 1100 fps beats a .38 any day

[roamer_1]

Too petite for a shotgun, I would guess... and especially a sawed off, which is about the best thing in the small confines of a house... swinging a full sized shotgun around might be troublesome. Better have her try them out before committing in that direction.

Keep the .38, and get her a big dog.

[bunkerhill7]

Up haer we ben usin shotgun RockSally on them revenooers since 1920`s-

[mylife]

heyup

[mylife]

heyup.

Ya gittin too close LOL

[Brad’s Gramma]

Got it all figured out how you’re going to hold/swing it so it isn’t taken from you?

[roamer_1]

Naturally my own circle of friends in Idaho is restricted to vegetarian bee-keeping Buddhists

Aren't most bees vegetarian? Just checking...

[mylife]

Gnight Gang

Seriously, I think the shotgun is the best up close personal protection home defense.

Hand guns are for when you cant carry a shotgun, and rifles are for long distance.

See yall later.

[oldasrocks]

Circuit Judge. .410 easily handling. just pull trigger for 5 shots.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Have you seen the Breath Of The Dragon 12ga. shotgun rounds?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4FjODPDFA

[Marcella]

"We had better ban those. ☺" I thought about that when I wrote that sentence. Evidently, not many people know about these defensive bats. People keep trying to think I mean a baseball bat. One couldn't use this to hit a ball - maybe once but the weight would be too much to continue to try to hit a ball. It looks like a black baseball bat. One could carry it in the car as it's not designated as a weapon.

[Southack]

Next to your firearm should be your body armor. Used vests are cheap on eBay and www.bulletproofme.com .

When you pick up one, you pick up the other. Gives you an edge. Everyone needs an edge in a fight.

Disorienting strobe lights aren’t bad, either. If you are hardcore, then don a gas mask and pepperspray bomb your house.

Always be looking for an edge.

[smokingfrog]

That’s why you need a sling and a light mount for your shotgun.

And forget that crap about scaring them off by racking a round into the chamber. If the bad guy is in your house, he needs to be ventilated.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Smart aleck. Go to bed. Now.

[mylife]

Oh we call that an equalizer.
Problem with those is you better land on the first swing or the weight will roll you around LOL