Best Home Defense Rifle?

[CavinMan]

I think by selecting a rifle you've already gone wrong. Too clumsy to carry quickly through a house, particularly a dark one.

I'd go with a quality double-action revolver - it won't bang into walls or lamps, at the ranges your talking about indoors, you shouldn't miss and if you're missing a man-sized target at 4 - 8 yards, you need practice anyway, and finally, you won't ever worry about jams, just pull the trigger again.

Also, while in most state you can shoot an intruder with impunity, the law generally frowns on you shooting people who are fleeing your property, you'll be less likely with a revolver to make what in retrospect could be a very bad decision (legally), and even if you do, you'll be less likely to hit them then.

If you're determined to use a long gun, then my vote would go to the 12 gauge. Just the sound of that pump action loading a round would convince many that your house should be abandoned for easier pickings.

And last, it should go without saying that you need to properly store your guns if you have kids in the house. Balance the ease of access with a realistic assessment of your actual risk of having an armed intruder.

 

[ray66v]

Nothing says: If you don't leave your dead, quite like looking up the barrel of a 12 gauge at close range.

Get a pump model.

If you use the right shells, you don't have to worry about stray rounds going through your house, and your neighbors houses.

 

[SnowRidge]

Nothing says: If you don't leave your dead, quite like looking up the barrel of a 12 gauge at close range.

Get a pump model.

If you use the right shells, you don't have to worry about stray rounds going through your house, and your neighbors houses.

I agree with that 100% for your run of the mill intrusions (term sounds silly, I know), but what I got from the original post was a societal breakdown scenario. I.E., rural home and land besieged by mob during civil insurrection.

Maybe the OP could say more specifically what or who he anticipates defending against.

 

[EddieWalker]

Be careful of the Rambo syndrome. More bullets and gun do not make for a better defense. First rule of security is lots of lighting. Then a strong perimiter. Deadbolts are a must.

If it gets to the point of pulling out a firearm, your life is going to change forever, and probably for the worse. The more it appears that you are looking for a war, the more dificult it will be to say you were just defending yourself. Long range assult rifles will put you on the defence regardless of the situation. When shooting at people long range, it's very hard to say that your life was in danger and it was self defense.

I don't have an assult rifle and don't want one. I have a few deer rifles and wouldn't even consider grabbing it if I felt threatened. Pistol and shotgun would be my first choices depending on which was closest.

The biggest threat that we have where I live are wild dogs. For those, it's pretty simple to grab the deer rifle and take care of them. One shot is about all you get, so a semi auto just makes more noise, but rarely results in more kills. One thing that they stressed when I was in the Marine Corps was the lots of shooting doesn't do much for killing anything. Site picture and trigger control is what gets the job done, and after one shot, the rest are just noise makers.

If you are set on a semi auto, I agree with the others on the Ruger mini 14. We used them with the State Depetment, and of all the weapons I've trained with, it's probably the best. For fun, I really like the Uzi in full auto, but that's not really an option.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[Soundguy]

Hmm.. home defense 'rifle' IMHO.. that's alot of penetration potential. I think the 12ga pump is a GREAT home defense weapon.. as well as the 38 revolver.

I got 2 38's inthe bedroom and a couple 12ga's in there as well.. if the 12ga with buck don't stop them at close range.. i don't think I'd have any better luck with a rifle.. Plus I'm not as worried about missing and the 30-06 leaving my house and killing someone 1 mile away....

For the property.. the .22 is great for varmints.. the 12ga is also good for medium range varmints.

If i just had to have another gun.. maybee a 30-30....

soundguy

Saying nothing about the political/economic situation, I am wondering about which type of rifle to look for to use as a "home/property defense weapon"?

I live in NW Georgia at the perimeter of a national forest. My property is situated on a hilltop with forest pretty much all around it. We raise registered Boer goats on 10 acres of pasture that is 2 acres of open grass and the rest mixed forest with grass spots. We are fairly isolated with farms and 5 to 10 acre homes in the surrounding miles.

Predators, both human and 4 legged are both to be guarded against. With "hard times" seemingly in the cards I wonder what would be the best home defense weapon to have available?

Currently, we have a Remington 12 ga pump, a scoped semi 22, and a SW snub nose 38. The 22 is great for getting the tree rats but has little stopping power. The shotgun won't reach out as they head out through the woods or down/up the drive.

It would seem that a larger caliber rifle is needed. My military service made me very familiar with the M14 and 16. I favor the idea of having a lot of rounds at a rapid rate on hand. I find the cost of the M14 prohibitive. A bolt action may be to slow..............

Ideas?.............thanks..........God bless OUR country..........Dennis

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Short barrel AR-15 with the collapsable stock, 30 round mag. Very maneuverable, 30 rounds, and as intimidating looking a weapon as was ever made.

For varmints on the run you just hold it in front of their path and start pulling the trigger, they will run into the spray.

 

[RG_Upton]

Another thought depending on range, etc... might be a lever action carbine in .357 Magnum. Same ammo as many self defense wheelguns, and ten or so quick shots if needed. Short barrel and light weight so easy to carry around. Out to 150 yards or so quite capable for defense shots against man or most beasts.

Best of luck to you whatever your choice.

 

[Tororider]

I agree with Eddie, the less it looks like you are looking to pick people off the better, not that I am suggesting thats what you are looking to do, but lawyers have a funny way. I agree that a shotgun is probably all you need. Even if the intruder is 200 yards out, firing a shot into a "safe" field for full noise affect will probably be all you need. I am currently looking to get a handgun for home defense, and others uses if I can find the right gun. Good luck in your search.

 

[schmism]

think long term.

AR-15 going to be a first choice for a lot of people. Its chambered in a 5.56mm or .223 round but i am unsure of weather or not the 2 rounds are interchangeable.

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.

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 larger round has PROVEN better stopping power.

the .30-06 has a LONG history of being a top rifle round. No rifle collection should be without one.

As you never have ONE rifle my list goes like this
AR-15 -red dot scope
AK-47 -red dot
a more civilian looking .308 hunting rifle, (marlin, Ruger etc)
a .30-06 rifle with high power scope

and because you cant put rabbits, squirrels etc for the table with any of the above and still have something left over, a trusty .22 and .17 HMR rounds it out.

 

[Podunkadunk]

Saying nothing about the political/economic situation, I am wondering about which type of rifle to look for to use as a "home/property defense weapon"?

I live in NW Georgia at the perimeter of a national forest. My property is situated on a hilltop with forest pretty much all around it. We raise registered Boer goats on 10 acres of pasture that is 2 acres of open grass and the rest mixed forest with grass spots. We are fairly isolated with farms and 5 to 10 acre homes in the surrounding miles.

Predators, both human and 4 legged are both to be guarded against. With "hard times" seemingly in the cards I wonder what would be the best home defense weapon to have available?

Currently, we have a Remington 12 ga pump, a scoped semi 22, and a SW snub nose 38. The 22 is great for getting the tree rats but has little stopping power. The shotgun won't reach out as they head out through the woods or down/up the drive.

It would seem that a larger caliber rifle is needed. My military service made me very familiar with the M14 and 16. I favor the idea of having a lot of rounds at a rapid rate on hand. I find the cost of the M14 prohibitive. A bolt action may be to slow..............

Ideas?.............thanks..........God bless OUR country..........Dennis

You posted that you like the M14...
I can understand why you like the M14. Well, an AR10 would suit you well for the perimeter of your property. Reliable, a lot less cumbersome than your old M14, collapsible stock, shortened barrel length, either iron sighted or you can add an optic for CQB which will suffice for both short and longer ranges. Lots of knockdown as you know and the ammo is relatively cheap if you buy military surplus. Even new production 7.62x51mm, Federal/ATK white box, 149grain, FMJ ball is cheap. However, my AR10 isn't my choice for "in-the-home" protection. Cons to an AR10...they aren't cheap.

You posted you have a .38 pistol and 12ga. pump...
Great "in-the-home" protection, either of them. Since you were military, I am confident you know how to use either.

You posted that you are fairly isolated...
Seems you're pretty rural. Don't have to worry about hitting a neighbor when the round goes through your house. That's a plus. A lot of people live in the city, or other areas where neighbors are close by. Using an AR10 or 15 inside the home could be lethal to John and Jane Doe next door. Frangible ammunition works great for this type of problem.

As for the possibility of being pre-judged by a lawyer or media for owning such weaponry (AR's, etc.) after you've whacked an intruder, that's a fact of life in liberal Amerika these days (considering your location). If it's legal to own in your state, you have a legal entitlement to purchase it and it's nobody's business what you have behind your bedroom door.

If it gets to the point of pulling out a firearm, your life is going to change forever, and probably for the worse.

I realize you have a mr. niceguy reputation to stay aligned with and that's cool, but why the ethical policeman? Don't you think we are all adults here and can intelligently surmise a potentially hostile situation? How would me pulling out a firearm and possibly using it, change my life for the worse? Is it because I had to stop someone from killing someone in my family. This is 2008 Eddie, I've got to assume that someone who's invaded my home is going to do bodily harm to my child, my wife, or me, or all of us! If you're assuming less, you're gambling with your life, or as you say "worse"...possibly the life of a loved one. I doubt the guy was breaking in to sell me girl scout cookies, or build a fire and make smores!

The more it appears that you are looking for a war, the more dificult it will be to say you were just defending yourself.

So by owning weapons which, by the laws of your state are legal, you purchased legally, and can possess legally, to protect your family or just plink, automatically predisposes you to guilt by association? Because I own those weapons, I'm looking for a war? I think you've been watching too much of the Clinton News Network and reading too much Time magazine. I guess my neighbor (1/4 mile away through the woods) is a racist, because he flies a Confederate flag beneath Old Glory. Nevermind that he has the right to do so and oh by the way, his great-great grandfather served in an Alabama unit during the civil war. Stereotyping is real and is a fact in the way humans perceive things, but I doubt "stereotypical" will stand up in court. If it did, OJ wouldn't have been looking for his wife's murderer on all those golf courses for the last 10 or so years...he'd have been reading about those golf courses from his 5-star prison dormitory.

Long range assult rifles will put you on the defence regardless of the situation. When shooting at people long range, it's very hard to say that your life was in danger and it was self defense.

I'm not disagreeing with you regarding long range acquisition/shooting and proving the person was meaning you bodily harm from 1,2,3,4 or 500 yards. I agree.

I don't have an assult rifle and don't want one.

You make it sound like there's something wrong with owning an AR! I don't have an assault rifle either. I have several AR's though. Semantics? Nope...just media ignorance. Any black rifle or semi-auto (military looking weapon) is evil and an assault rifle. I wouldn't mind owning one though, but the prices are astonishing. Why would I want one, because it's my right to have one...at least until the next regime, then probably not.

Good day ,
Podunk