Installing a 12” strike plate for security

[CoyPatton]

I have nothing against the .38 load itself. My concern is limited number of shots and likelihood of multiple folks in the break-in. Also a bit heavier might help to steady her handling of the firearm. I would say go to a store that has a firing range, and will rent out firearms. Try out several calibers. She needs to be able to rack the slide as well as handle the recoil. As for loaded magazines, multiple magazines helps reduce that issue.
As for your 3.5” screws, take off 1 side of the molding carefully to avoid damage and put in a spacer where you put screws. Too much tension on the door frame, can make longer screws as much of a compromise as the short screws.

 

[Sid Post]

In my case, I gave my elderly Mom a Sig P226 9mm and had my friend who is professionally skilled instruct her. Pulling the 9mm slide back was a little bit of a challenge but, she could do that if needed. With 15 rounds and a loaded chamber, all she needed to do was the long double-action stroke similar to a revolver and it was "game on".

I was much more confident in her abilities with modern 9mm JHP loads versus the 38's in the old revolver Dad left her after his death. She used that P226 until her death ~15 years later, thankfully never fired in anger at evil doers.

 

[tstorzuk]

Have you considered an "active security system" to drive away the intruders? I have some friends living on remote acreage that swear by the products from Burglar Bomb. See burglarbomb.com They even have systems that will re-arm and repel intruders multiple times in case they come back.

I've reviewed this site. I don't know if this would be beneficial if someone is home (his wife). She would get a blast of spray as well as the burglars.

I can see using this for when no one is home though. Or on a shop/shed/barn.

 

[5030]

When my good friend built his new home, I built him a kick proof door jamb from 1/4" hot rolled plate 6 foot long. Only thing he has to do is keep it painted. Of course he also has a not too friendly dog, just like we do and here, someone is always home and my Kimber 45 is always handy as well plus my wife is a crack shot. Nice living in 'Flyover Country' not much crime out here. More domestic violence than anything else actually.

I have an NRA sign out front as well as another sign on the fence that states... Don't be afraid of the owner, be afraid of his handgun and it has a picture of a revolver pointing out. The sell them at Harbor Freight pretty cheap.

 

[perfdoc]

Frightening how some think the use of firearms is the answer. 38 snubnose as a first handgun for an inexperienced shooter is usually a mistake. Small size, low weight and very short sight radius serve to expand the shooter’s lack of skill, inconsistent grip, recoil and trigger control. A few of the comments suggest lack of knowledge, and that’s a scary thought.

 

[Sid Post]

Yep, that's why I gave mom a full-size P226. Weight dampens recoil and the longer sight radius reduces aiming errors. Both help the novice shooter stay on target.

Smaller and lighter pistols take more skill to use effectively which is why I always start new folks out on a full-size Semi-Auto or a 6" revolver.

The hardest pistol to keep on target for me was a S&W Sigma 380. Truly terrible! The guy that had it shot the shooting bench 6 times and the lane divider twice in the 8 rounds he fired. I put 8 in the 10-ring of a 50' pistol target. I think the owner's jaw hit the ground when he saw my target with his pistol. That owner was at least on paper with my Glock 17 at the time.

 

[tradosaurus]

Frightening how some think the use of firearms is the answer. 38 snubnose as a first handgun for an inexperienced shooter is usually a mistake. Small size, low weight and very short sight radius serve to expand the shooter’s lack of skill, inconsistent grip, recoil and trigger control. A few of the comments suggest lack of knowledge, and that’s a scary thought.

I bought my wife a .38 Ruger revolver. Terrible accuracy for both her and myself. Sold that one and she picked out a Sig 365. Great gun.
Home defense gun is the one you feel comfortable shooting and is readily available.

 

[JethroB]

I’d rather deter a thief rather than shoot or catch him. Dog or several VISIBLE big ugly Pelco cameras, working or not.

 

[Sid Post]

I’d rather deter a thief rather than shoot or catch him. Dog or several VISIBLE big ugly Pelco cameras, working or not.
View attachment 919488

Fair point but, a drunk or meth head won't notice your cameras and may not recognize an aggressive dog while they beat you to death with a rock or brick they found somewhere.

A defensive barricade with enough firepower to stop a determined attacker is what I want so I can see the next Sunrise if they continue a lethal attack. If they leave me alone, I'll let law enforcement deal with it.

 

[rvds]

In Canada our houses are pretty solid because of our winters. I remember hearing that in many warmer places you can cut your way through a wall with a box cutter knife and not bother with the door.

 

[gstrom99]

You might want something that secures your door to the floor, and not just the jamb. Useful when someone is home, as they can't be used when no one is home.

Saw a movie a long time ago, "Burglar" staring Whoopie Goldberg. She had some sort of bar that "locked" in place into the floor. I've never been able to find it available online.

German Shepherd or Rottweiler are both GREAT dogs (I've had both). The "in floor" device is a great idea. I did the DIY "reinforce the heck out of the door jams" when I was in Illinois. Shooting a burglar will get you/her in loads of legal issues!

I have a loaded 12 ga (turkey loads - 00 buck has a real small pattern) and 9mm at hand, but they're not really needed out here in rural Iowa (Chicago/Illinois carryover habit). Dogs are wonderful.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I suggested practice using a handgun.
I do think, for my wife, a shotgun is a better choice. Still need practice, but don't have to be as accurate. Also, handguns can penetrate from room to room etc. I know a shotgun will make mincemeat out of sheetrock, but less penetration.

 

[Sid Post]

I know a shotgun will make mincemeat out of sheetrock, but less penetration.

For the doubters, I would suggest shooting birdshot and 00 Buck at scrap sheetrock to dispel a lot of myths and false information out there on the "error'net". Also, lead versus copper or nickel buckshot makes a difference in penetration and breaking bones. If in doubt, talk to someone who has killed deer with a shotgun about the effectiveness of copper/nickel buckshot versus pure lead buckshot.

Also, please pattern your shotgun at household distances if you are using one for self-defense. There are a lot of myths out there about the patterning of a shotgun at close range.

For what it is worth, my best patterns were with an Improved Cylinder 12 gauge when using Buckshot with fewer "flyers" than with a smooth bore or other choke options. Modified was the second best pattern for me. Whether this holds true with your shotgun and ammunition can only be determined by you at the shotgun range.

 

[LouNY]

I prefer #4 buck, in my 2 3/4 12 gauge that get's 27 .22 balls going down range with each round.
I switched to that decades ago after having coyotes run through 00 buck with just a yelp and limp at times, after the switch none ran away.

 

[Racer4]

In Canada our houses are pretty solid because of our winters. I remember hearing that in many warmer places you can cut your way through a wall with a box cutter knife and not bother with the door.

My buddy bought a house a few years ago. He wanted to re-side it with new vinyl siding. When we tore the old siding off, there was no plywood on the exterior walls except for the corners. The rest was 1/2” foam. Needless to say, we replaced the foam with plywood.

 

[TimberFarm]

My buddy bought a house a few years ago. He wanted to re-side it with new vinyl siding. When we tore the old siding off, there was no plywood on the exterior walls except for the corners. The rest was 1/2” foam. Needless to say, we replaced the foam with plywood.

I had a GF once that bought a townhouse built like that. rats would chew right through the vinyl siding and then it was easy chew through the sheetrock.
Thankfully it wasn't her place. But, she told me she saw this happening across the common area to another townhouse.

 

[bmaverick]

I’d rather deter a thief rather than shoot or catch him. Dog or several VISIBLE big ugly Pelco cameras, working or not.
View attachment 919488

Oh look at this, a sign that says, cover my lens, come on in and use the bathroom for two hours. Bring all your friends.

 

[AnotherBueller]

Don't forget aout the hinge screws. 'They' usually detect the reinforced lock side, then kick in the hinge side because they generally have 1" screws in them. Use screws long enough to penetrate beyond the double studs of the door frame.
Also install a double keyed deadbolt (keys) needed on both sides with the inside 1 usually kept in there. This prevents 'them' fron breaking door or side glass and reaching in to turn the bolt. Yes it can be a fire danger if the key is not there and you are trapped. so park the key nearby ad out of sight.

There are knob hangers that 'bark' like a mad dog when jostled. Also hang some or one bell from the top of the inside of each door so when it opens or is kicked, it rings a specific tone. Different tone for each door. And don't get shot by your wife if she doesn't recognize you coming in late at night. Who then is going to fix the wallboard ?

There are door lock sets that have a long dead bolt which unlocks when the inside handle is turned. You can't lock your self out and in case of emergency (fire) the panic response is to just turn the handle and forget the dead bolt and then everybody dies of smoke. If you disagree, ask your FD and see what they say.
I installed one on the two doors we commonly use to go in and out for that reason. Mine are 'Baldwin' brand and while expensive I think their worth it, 50 years ago these were $50 - $60 each, now $585 ea. ouch! still worth it though buy once cry once, or for the rest of my life.

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[Elviscaretaker]

As a former contractor and hood rat... I'm sorry to say that with most construction practices in the last 50 years there isn't much you can do but slow them down. The frame is the issue, not the doors but what the door/jamb(doors are crap too) is mounted too. There are ways around this if you want to partially rebuild, putting in a steel frame with a drop in steel jamb but... what do you want to spend? You can also add a "glued" on mesh the entire length of the frame and jamb that will make it harder to break the wood, even an angle iron cap will help with that if mounted well. 3-1/2" screws can help to a point but most snap easy enough unless you are talking ledger locks or something of that type (not pretty but can be concealed) . Now the magnetic seals are great for keeping drafts out if installed properly but keep an eye on the sweep too. With modern day audio playback quality an motion activated dog snarl/bark might help. Wireless security is easily defeated as is wired. Even cell based, there are "jammers" readily available. All depends on the level of dumbass you are dealing with and how many of them there are. Some of the organized gangs are fairly tech competent. Guessing the police were notified?
Now, what I do isn't for many people so there is no use going into that.

 

[kenhar]

Forget the gun advice. Sounds good but look what happens when the cops do their job with a gun. They are indited. Besides, what would you do with the body? A big dog that barks is safer and better than a manslaughter charge. A neighbor has a picture by his door that says " Property protected by guard dog" and a recording that sounds like a dog barking that turns on automatically like a light sensor. Avoid the lawsuit.