Best Home Defense Rifle?

[Soundguy]

on the other hand you have the AK-47 series. Chambered in a 7.62 or .308. I have heard of my buddies talking about interchanging these two rounds in both there Winchester .308 rifles and there AK's. I think the talk was that some rounds the shoulder on the brass was just a FUZ different and that some AK's might not like it depending on how they were made. The point is, you'll likely get both to work either way.
larger round has PROVEN better stopping power.


another plus for the .308/7.62 round is the stopping power. I have personally spoken with a number of Iraq vets that say many US solders they served with would chose an AK over a M16/m4 variant because the

ak47 is likey chambered in 7.62x39 which is worlds of difference from 7.62x51 / .308 2 really.. REALLY different rounds.

soundguy

 

[JB4310]

Given the OP's end of the world as we know it scenario, I'd probably opt for a flat top AR. It doesn't sound like he's simply talking about protecting his home from a "typical" home invader.
I prefer the AR to most other common sport rifles because it is a modular system and very easy to customize.

I agree, I was getting the same feeling from Dennis's postings, It may be that subconsciously he is planning on doomsday, which I can relate to as I also think about worst case scenarios.
If it is just home/property defence then any and all the suggestions here are great, My preference was to have a high capacity large caliber hand gun within reach of my sleeping position. Then next level in the bedroom closet, a 12 gauge pump with the shortest legal barrel, pistol grip and side saddle ammo holder attached to the receiver, tube and holder loaded with 00 or 000. Then the next level, CAR 15 collapsible stock, night sights, 2 - 30 rd mags joined side by side and a top sling. That should be enough fire power to slow down the average home invader, even a small gang of them.
I said it WAS my preference, since now that I have 3 kids everything is locked in the safe.
I use to be more of a gun nut but having kids around and the extra work that goes into a bigger family really curtailed that activity.

If it is a worst case situation/societal breakdown then you will not be able to protect your property and way of life with any gun or amount of ammunition for very long, you will be able to buy some extra time though, which is good as most of us would want to live to see another day, just that the day might not be very pretty especially with bodies piling up in your yard. Just remember to save the last round for yourself.
JMO JB.

 

[Soundguy]

Golly, you guys scare me. Ever thought about a really bright flashlight and some pepper spray?

Not unless I want to be overpowered by an attacker! Guns only.. peper spray is for those that can't get a gun...

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

I've read Eddie's post three times and he makes sense to me. Our laws in NH are more restrictive than in Texas, as we are required to flee if possible.

That's too bad that your state forces you .. the victom.. to be put in more danger by turning your back on your attacker.

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

You also stated: "To suggest that an assalt rifle is somehow better for home defense then a shotgun, which he has, then we're not talking home defense, we're playing Rambo." I can see the positive side of your reasoning that a shotgun is better in an inside the home type defense weapon, I'm not going to disagree, but an AR in the right hands is plenty lethal and tactically efficient. To make an assessment that someone is playing "Rambo" is downright...well, let's just say that statement is very "liberal". I'll leave it alone.

Finally, you stated: "Are you really serious asking how shooting somebody will change your life for the worse? Do I really have to explain that to you????"

It may for you, but for many others protecting their family from death or serious bodily harm, not so much. At least for me, I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep over exercising my basic right to use deadly force on said "bad guy" to prevent him from committing those atrocities. Not a wink, so tell me how that would make my life "worse". And you know, somehow I feel that you wouldn't either if it came to that. You have to look at the context in which I explained my thoughts previously. I wasn't speaking of shooting someone just to be doing it. God no! It would HAVE to be a kill or be killed situation, ie. someone booting in my door at o'dark-thirty. Game over my friend...game over.

Good day.

Podunk

I agree. if it me and my familly.. or the bad guy that showed up to hurt us... well.. it's going to be the bad guy.. and I'll sleep good that night.

soundguy

 

[CurlyDave]

After reading through the whole thread, let me explain some things.

Unless there is a complete breakdown of civil authority, the idea of having to defend my home against a mob or group of armed men attacking it from the outside at long range is very low probability. And, if there is a breakdown of civil authority, your home will rapidly become uninhabitable, since electricity, water, etc. will no longer be supplied. Spend your money and efforts defending against something that might happen instead of something that won't happen.

A much higher probability confrontation is defending yourself against a home invasion style attack, where someone is either inside your home or a few feet outside it. While many people recommend a pump shotgun for this scenario, I differ with them. If you really insist on a shotgun, an autoloader is far superior to a pump, for the simple reason that I can return fire with one arm disabled. Can't do that with a pump.

However, I am not a big fan of shotguns for home defense. Home invasions happen fast, and a shotgun has the disadvantage that I can not carry it on my person.

If someone breaks into my house, they are not going to stand in open-jawed amazement as I head off to the bedroom to get my shotgun. They are going to prevent me from doing this. And, they for sure aren't going to stand by and watch as I open the safe so I can get out a weapon and load it...

The best home-defense weapon is the pistol I carry. It is with me, so I don't have to go get it. It is kid-proof, because I have it and never put it down. In fact, the kids don't even have to know it is there.

Now, the highest probability threat of all is that of coming home to find an intruder in the house. Here again, I feel the pistol on my person as I walk in the door is better than the shotgun in another room. All the shotgun does is arm the intruder before I arrive home.

And, no one has brought up the most effective home defense tool of all -- a dog. Not an aggressive pit bull, ready to attack anyone who comes near, but a friendly dog that barks. Even the smallest pink-dyed poodle, with a ribbon in its hair, is going to let you know if someone is sneaking into your house.

Since my taste in dogs doesn't run toward pink poodles, I have two labs that let me know if anyone is near the house. These guys are a reliable, friendly breed that aren't going tear some little kid who wanders by into pieces, but they are going to let me know he is there.

If the threat is an animal, I dispatch it with my deer rifle, a .308 which has significantly less recoil that a .30-06, but still has plenty of power to put down a bear or a cougar. A .223 just isn't going to do that well on a black bear.

IMHO, someone might think he needs a rifle, and I am all in favor of responsible people owning firearms, but there is a lot more security in a concealed carry permit and a dog or two.

 

[Podunkadunk]

Lots of good points CurlyDave.

Podunk

 

[Eagleview]

We would go directly to jail for carrying a pistol on our person in OZ .

I still like the idea of the 12g , we need a special licence for a pump so a double barrel is as good as it gets . I think even if you miss with a shotgun , someone standing at the angry end of one that has just disintergrated the TV beside him would be aware there is another one comming soon . Just the awsome sound of the discharge , the flames and smoke would be enough to make him think he is going to become modern art in your hallway if he does'nt "exit stage left" . And really the first shot in my house would not be aimed straight at him anyway . You would ALLWAYS use the first shot as a warning . If it was just a noise that woke you and the lighting was poor , you would not fire to kill as it could be a child comming in late or a boyfriend LEAVING late , or even if it was a kid with your DVD player under his arm , you would not kill him for that.......You only kill people that want to kill or assault you and your family , DVD players are 49 bucks .

 

[Sigarms]

Look at what is being used in Iraq and Afghan. right now with huge success. They are writing the book on CQB...with M4's. Not going in with M9's blazing, just M4's and Mossberg tacticals

You're comparing apples to oranges so to speak.

How many troops go into a house? Only one? Are they wearing body armor along with helmets?

Even with the blood pumping, shooting an AR in a dark, enlcosed room can not only scare the bejesus out of the bad guy, but the person shooting the gun if they are not familiar with it.

Guys, try it some night. Open a window, stand back a good 20', and shoot that AR in the room out of the house WITHOUT hearing protection.

They don't know what hall leads where...I do. Not saying that will not get me shot, but it'll increase my odds of getting them first

You're probably right, the bad guy/guys may not know the layout of your house. However, chances are that they are taking the time to break into your home for valuables. Facing a confrontation usually accomplishes nothing for a burglar. That said, usually to find the intruder in the house, you have to go to him. As I mentioned, nothing in our house is worth our lives. Anyway, most of anything of value is in a safe where the average intruder does not have the time to break into anyway.

When two oposing forces are equal in force, it is usually easier to defend. That's what you're doing per my first post, defending a secure area.

General rule of thumb, always let the threat come to you.

And, no one has brought up the most effective home defense tool of all -- a dog. Not an aggressive pit bull, ready to attack anyone who comes near, but a friendly dog that barks

I agree 100%, yet another reason why I highly doubt that someone will get into my house without me knowing it, or knowing EXACTLY where the intruder is.

If you really insist on a shotgun, an autoloader is far superior to a pump, for the simple reason that I can return fire with one arm disabled. Can't do that with a pump

There we disagree a little. An autoloader is usually big and can be heavy. Try aquiring your target and shoot multiple times with only one arm with a gun of that size, it can be very hard to do. Small 870 pump, you can rack another shell with only one arm with practice. Two other things... also have a pistol with the shotgun, and that's why you take cover and defend your position (while the police are on there way), so you don't get shot in the first place. For my wife, a small pump shotgun was the easiest weapon for her to use and learn.

If someone breaks into my house, they are not going to stand in open-jawed amazement as I head off to the bedroom to get my shotgun. They are going to prevent me from doing this. And, they for sure aren't going to stand by and watch as I open the safe so I can get out a weapon and load it

Agreed, however this situation is different from the intent of the question asked per this thread. As you previously mentioned, a good reason for personal carry with a sidearm. The bigger question I have is where the heck the intruders are going to park (without me knowing it when I come up onto my house from being "out") and what they intend to take, and how far are they willing to hike with my possesions to leave the area?

Here again, I feel the pistol on my person as I walk in the door is better than the shotgun in another room.

One reason why your firearms should be secured at all times.

You would ALLWAYS use the first shot as a warning

Could not disagree more. When your weapon is drawn, target in your sights, and your finger is on the trigger, you shoot to "neutralize" the threat, period.

If it was just a noise that woke you and the lighting was poor , you would not fire to kill as it could be a child comming in late or a boyfriend LEAVING

One reason to always know what you're shooting at.

Warn the intruder that I have a weapon and notify him of my location? Not hardly. Walk softly and carry a big stick.

You're missing the point. I don't care if the intruder knows where I'm at, because he or "them" (more than one) will not be able to take my position. Chances are the intruder will just leave. The police are on their way. Notice how I instructed to my wife to mention to the dispatcher that shots have been discharged?

You can walk softly and carry a big stick, just increases the odds that you get that big stick on the back side of your head if you go looking for the threat.

The bottom line is this. "He threatened me with my life, that's why I shot the intruder officer. He said he was going to kill me." What will they do, ask Mr. dead guy if he said it?

Are you implying that you should lie? Personally, if you can't stand by the actions you took, you shouldn't of taken those actions to begin with. Also, might be hard to explain why the bullet holes are in back of the head.

If there were a better weapon than the M4 like I posted a pic of in my previous post, then someone should notify the military and every major law enforcement agency out there that uses the M4 for close quarters urban house to house style combat.

As mentioned, apples to oranges. Funny, I've got more than a couple of M4 "clones", and they stay in the safe at night.

 

[shvl73]

I thought that NH had "Live free or die" on the auto license plates? Sounds like you folks need to make some changes come election time.

Won't happen. It's "Live Free or Run"