OT - Firearms for Defense of Home, property

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:32 am

We have hashed this out over and over, and I even did a search on the topic, but I want to ask the question again because of the political climate change, some of you may have purchased new firearms that have replaced your old standbys.

So the first questions are: What Firearm do you have as a go to weapon in your home? What ammo do you use and what other items do you have to assist in the defense of your home? How iminent do you feel a breech of your home is? (do you think it could happen any time and are vigilent nightly with your regieme of proctection, or do you think it might happen in the future sometime and don't always have a firearm available, are you relying on other layers of security to warn you? etc)

I think the #1 home defense weapon is a shotgun, the next a pistol, the next a short rifle like a lever (my NKJ .357). So with that thinking I have my Benelli M3 loaded with 8 shots of OOO. I pondered OO, Slugs, OOOO and I have each of these but I have used OOO on deer before and I know how that worked on them. Next to my bed or bunk is my cell phone, my car keys and a 120 lumen flashlight, and a knife. House doors are locked at night, I have two dogs, could use the car keys to activate the truck panic alarm, phone to dial 911 (with speaker) and the flashlight for obvious purpose. My jeans are always on the floor so I can step right into them if I have the ability. My Pistol, a S&W .357 with trijicon sights is by the bed, the NKJ .357 is loaded and is within easy reach. Both are loaded with 180gr sjhp. But the go to weapon is the M3 shotgun. this is my nightly security posture. When in the home, during the day or at night and not in bed, I have my rohrbaugh 9mm and two mags on me all the time. What do you use:

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:35 am

#1 is the gun attached to my person - usually the SP101 but oftern the .32 NAA when I'm in the Alltogether.

#2 is the 12ga pump & bandoleer in the fallback room. BB, Buck & Slug as needed.

#3 is the .357 Rifle at the Sniping/roof position.

All guns but the one attached to my person are secured.

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:41 am

I keep a Glock 19 handy at all times when I'm home. At night it rests on my nightstand loaded with Speer Gold Dots, next to a Surefire flashlight. I have an alarm with motion detector in the lower level of the house that is set at night. A break-in could occur at any time, so you better be ready at all times.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:13 am

Glock 19 w/ surefire light mounted in the nightstand. G26 right next to it.
Winchester 97 Riot gun in the rack next to my nightstand, shoulder bag full of 00.
Several leverguns and their cartridge belts.
Colt AR w/ two mag pouches.
Springfield SOCOM and mag pouch.

I have a couple others stashed around the first floor and basement ( I spend a lot of time down there) in case of an emergency. Mainly a Ruger PC9 and an SKS.

Alarm system and three large dogs inside. Motion sensor lights outside.

Thought I lived in a pretty sedate neighborhood until the neighbor's house was broken into one night last summer.

Only thing I'm going to change is a safe to keep the good stuff. I know they aren't fool proof but the boys are getting older and have their friends over more often. I'd feel better if they were more secure.

jb

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:26 am

I like to go with the idea of redundant zones of defense, as I don't often carry in my own home. A secured loaded weapon is available to me no matter what level of the house I am on. Given any amount of notice the 12-gauge pump (a Mossberg 500) is my first choice. A stainless .357 snubbie (Rossi M877) is my "bedroom gun"; a PPK is my office gun, and the 1911A1 is my basement gun. A Marlin 1894 in .44 Magnum and a SKS are also available very quickly if need be for "crowd control". Then again, if that is the case and I have any time at all, I have more to choose from, and I think I'd opt for the M1A for real crowd control - at least trying to keep the crowd as far away as possible!

Loadings for these "go-to" guns are all factory issued self defense rounds; I don't want some two-bit lawyer coming after me for using "home-brewed" fodder, even if I can make it more specifically to my needs. All are hollow-points except for the 12 gauge (00 Buck) and the SKS.

morgan in nm · Post by **morgan in nm** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:30 am

I am fortunate enough to live out of range from the nearest neighbor so the limitations are somewhat mute. I carry a model 29 smith because it is very accurate and I know it would take down an intruder if I hit them. I use a shotgun only for birds so I don't have slugs or buckshot because the birds here are not that big.

With fair notice of an intruder, I am confident that I can defend myself. If I hear something, I always look to see who it is which is fine for daytime but at night, I greet them with usually the 29. There is a problem that does concern me though. Being I live so rurally, what is to stop an intruder from driving up, act like they are trying to buy a tractor or something and when I turn my back, just shoot me. It would be days before anybody realized that I haven't been seen recently. In that case, it wouldn't matter ifI had a bmg mounted on the lawn, I would be just as dead.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:31 am

Lasered handguns at hand. Self loading shotgun and short rifle in fall back room.
Phones, keys, flashlights on both sides of bed.
A plan in place to evacuate quickly from fall back room.
The mindset to get ourselves out without confrontation.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:36 am

morgan in nm wrote:I am fortunate enough to live out of range from the nearest neighbor so the limitations are somewhat mute. I carry a model 29 smith because it is very accurate and I know it would take down an intruder if I hit them. I use a shotgun only for birds so I don't have slugs or buckshot because the birds here are not that big. With fair notice of an intruder, I am confident that I can defend myself. If I hear something, I always look to see who it is which is fine for daytime but at night, I greet them with usually the 29. There is a problem that does concern me though. Being I live so rurally, what is to stop an intruder from driving up, act like they are trying to buy a tractor or something and when I turn my back, just shoot me. It would be days before anybody realized that I haven't been seen recently. In that case, it wouldn't matter ifI had a bmg mounted on the lawn, I would be just as dead.

Perhaps setting up a daily communication with someone who can alert the LEOs that you missed the daily communication.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:40 am

Tycer wrote:

Perhaps setting up a daily communication with someone who can alert the LEOs that you missed the daily communication.[/quote]

Excellent idea Tycer!

slimster · Post by **slimster** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:57 am

My "always with me" gun is an NAA 380 Guardian, but when I am at home, there are much better options available. I keep both a Mossy 500 with an 18" slug barrel and a CAR 15 w/ spare mags ready to go in the front of the safe, but the first line weapon that stays instantly available is a Kel Tec P11 with Corbon 115 HP. Reason being, is that in the event that the use of lethal force becomes necessary, I know that no matter how justified a shooting might be, I would have that firearm confiscated, with no assurances of when or IF I might ever get it back. I am sure that there would be many hoops to jump through, (at my expense of course). I have utmost confidence in the Kel Tec, but it is much more disposable than one of the Glocks, the Sig., S.&W.'s, or Colts.

kirkwood · Post by **kirkwood** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:32 pm

Personal defense guns:
Remington 870 with Federal Premium 00 buckshot.
Para Ordinance 1911 LDA SSP .45 8+1 with Federal Premium Low Recoil JHP. Plus several extra magazines.
Bersa Thunder Plus .380 15+1 with Corbon JHP.

gunslinger598 · Post by **gunslinger598** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 3:45 pm

Shotguns, rifles, pistols, semi auto and revolver. All are placed in easy to get to places or carried on me.

to be honest, I'm just getting cautious about posting what I have were.

I'm very rural also, but If I came up missing it wouldn't be long before they had the dogs lookin for me.

I have heard that in rare cases out in these woods some folks may get blasted with a shot gun when standing in their own doorway. The other thing is more likely to be burned out when you aren't home.

I suspect those things are more likely to happen to the druggie types who are either operating a lab or have a pot growing operation around. it's not as large a problem here as it is in some areas, but even one in the area I'd consider a problem. Most of that stuff occurs back in the hills maybe 30 or 40 miles. But ya know before it was drugs it was whiskey.

I just stay alert. I know most of the folks in this little village so if they don't belong here it don't take long to realize it and get the guard up.

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:55 pm

I don't think a home invasion or burglery are likely - just a lot of people around us and the street is busy enough that it would be risky to mess with our house. Also, there are cameras on the corners of my house (shhh, they are dummy cameras) and in the back - but they look real - in fact, they are real casings - just don't have a camera inside - only a red blinking light.

And as far as what I have should an invasion ocurr - a Springfield XD 9mm with Glock tac light and extra mag is the primary - but I also keep my carry gun with it - an older electroless nickeled Kahr 9.

tman · Post by **tman** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:22 pm

nitestand gun is a RIA. 45acp. with a 4' barrell. it will function 100% with 230 gr. winchester jhp's. if, god forbid , i use it in a self defense situation, the police probablly won't give it back, so i'm out about $325, what i paid for it, a few years back, if my failing memory is still functioning. i've been looking at some less than lethal 12 gauge rubber buckshot, haven't done enough research on this yet.

Post by **Hobie** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:36 pm

Nothing has changed for me. A handgun on me as a way to get to the shotgun and every possible step taken to avoid conflict and prevent unauthorized entry into my home.

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:49 pm

Right now, I'm not all that concerned about a home invasion. I'm in town, and though there are a lot of reprobates here, they seem to prefer empty homes. I bought a good gun safe to deter burglars when I'm not here. The likelyhood of a home invasion is low, but present. I keep my safe open when I'm here with my gp-100 loaded on the top shelf.

Where we're moving to this Friday, the rules are a little different. It's way out in the middle of nowhere. Statistically, the chances of an altercation are low, but it's possible that any bad guys would be emboldened by the isolation and may take their time and get real nasty. Door locks are line of defense #1, followed by a mean cat who hates strangers (and only hates me slightly less). Don't laugh, if you've ever been attacked by a house cat, you know it's no trifle. After that, I guess if I can't take care of the problem with a nice stout load of buckshot, it's not a problem I can handle.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:04 pm

Mike,

I don't feel that a home invasion is eminent, but it sure is possible. We live in an area surrounded by crack houses and there are whores walking up and down the streets 24-7-365. So the unsavory element is here.

I won't go into detail, but I have a short gun with me all the time I'm home. Can't legally carry in IL unless your a criminal or an agent of the state.

I don't currently own a shotgun, although if I did it would be loaded and ready. Perhaps that will be my next gun purchase. Perhaps not.

I'm not paranoid at home, but I am aware of things around here.

Joe

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:00 pm

While the area I live in has a very low crime rate, criminals are nothing if not mobil. I, also, travel into some rather seedy areas for work. While outside the home, I carry, but it varies from something as small as an AMT .380 Backup to a 1911, based on perceived threat level and security of the places I go.

At home, I keep it simple. Very good physical security of my property, I'd rather not have to deal with an intruder. For firearms, a handgun of one sort or another, and 20 ga shotgun (must consider the wife might use it) as longarm. If I can't deal with a threat with either or a combination of both, I doubt anything else would make much of a difference, short of something along the lines of a fully automatic weapon.

To date, now I've done it, we have not had any problems. But as I said earlier, criminals are mobil. Hey, what was that noise? Oh, just the cat.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:16 pm

That's for sure!

I've had more "Close Encounters" out in the sticks that in town.
Twice it was serious enough to show the BG that I was not unarmed easy pickings.

First was in the NW mountains of PA.

The second was on the little farm I used to own. he suprised me out in the barn. The previous owner allowed this individual
to trap on the property. I was not inclined. He wanted to use leg traps and I was
afraid that the dogs would get hurt. Long story short. He got irate and things began to escalate.
That's when he saw the Ex standing in the front door w/ her 12 ga. and the phone.
He left in a hurry!

You don't have to live in an urban area to have a problem.

jb

44LVR · Post by **44LVR** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:44 pm

I keep a Marlin Cowboy beside the nightstand loaded with 250gr SWC's with 9 grains of Unique and get about 1300fps. I have no neighbors within a 1/2 mile so I'm not worried about that. I keep 'er loaded up with 12 rounds. This is the closest thing I have to an assault rifle

ON the nightstand there is a Ruger Flattop in .44 using the same load.

Keeping it company on the nightstand is a 1911 .45 with 2 extra magazines. Factory 230 FMJ's.

On my wifes nightstand is a Colt Officers model with 2 extra magazines. Same ammo as 1911.

We don't have electricity so there are flashlights just about everywhere. One huge problem we have is with no land line and only cell phones, we don't get reception inside our house. So we are on our own.

Home invasions are pretty rare around here, but break ins are common. Our house is left alone very seldomly and when I do leave it alone I am prepared to take on anyone who may have entered while I was gone, on my return.

44

Bogie35 · Post by **Bogie35** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:47 pm

12 Gauge: Magazine - 1st round - slug (for slightly more precision in a hostage situation), 2nd/3rd/4th - 00 Buck. However, all my guns are stored with empty chambers.

bogie

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:43 am

Here in the wonderful paradise known as The Demokratic Peoples Republik of Hawaii citizens are not allowed CCW permits, all firearms are to be kept locked up at all times by a minimum of 2 separate locking mechanisms (trigger lock/ gun vault, gun vault/locked room door, etc.), and all ammo to be stored separate from the firearm and also kept locked. No carrying of firearms in woods except in hunting units during hunting season, and following all hunting regulations.
Basically unarmed even at home when following these rules. Do the armed criminals follow the rules and laws?

claybob86 · Post by **claybob86** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:58 am

GANJIRO wrote:Here in the wonderful paradise known as The Demokratic Peoples Republik of Hawaii citizens are not allowed CCW permits, all firearms are to be kept locked up at all times by a minimum of 2 separate locking mechanisms (trigger lock/ gun vault, gun vault/locked room door, etc.), and all ammo to be stored separate from the firearm and also kept locked. No carrying of firearms in woods except in hunting units during hunting season, and following all hunting regulations.
Basically unarmed even at home when following these rules. Do the armed criminals follow the rules and laws?

Yep, law-abiding criminals seem to be a rare breed everywhere!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:13 am

GANJIRO wrote:Here in the wonderful paradise known as The Demokratic Peoples Republik of Hawaii citizens are not allowed CCW permits, all firearms are to be kept locked up at all times by a minimum of 2 separate locking mechanisms (trigger lock/ gun vault, gun vault/locked room door, etc.), and all ammo to be stored separate from the firearm and also kept locked. No carrying of firearms in woods except in hunting units during hunting season, and following all hunting regulations.
Basically unarmed even at home when following these rules. Do the armed criminals follow the rules and laws?

That sounds like the same stupid rules we have in the UK.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:38 am

I have a question for all you guys lucky enough to own several home defense firearms.
knowing full well that you are WELL practiced with your choice of weapon, I was just wondering, if having just been woken up in the night by some sort of disturbance, then being attacked by an intruder, would it not be better to be armed with just one type of hand gun or long gun?
Having revolvers and semi auto's plus pump actions and lever actions at hand would in "my case" possibly lead to confusion in the heat of the moment when seconds count.

I can imagine suddenly being in a life threatening situation and not getting my firearm into action quick enough because I failed to chamber a round or take off a safety etc.

This is NOT a criticism of anyone with multiple home defense weapons, I just wondered how easy it is to clear leather and start shooting with so much choice!

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 5:00 am

game keeper wrote:
GANJIRO wrote:Here in the wonderful paradise known as The Demokratic Peoples Republik of Hawaii citizens are not allowed CCW permits, all firearms are to be kept locked up at all times by a minimum of 2 separate locking mechanisms (trigger lock/ gun vault, gun vault/locked room door, etc.), and all ammo to be stored separate from the firearm and also kept locked. No carrying of firearms in woods except in hunting units during hunting season, and following all hunting regulations.
Basically unarmed even at home when following these rules. Do the armed criminals follow the rules and laws?
That sounds like the same stupid rules we have in the UK.

Check out our flag, look familiar?

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 5:04 am

Ji, I was tempted to say perhaps you should get a different flag!

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:44 am

game keeper wrote:Ji, I was tempted to say perhaps you should get a different flag!

You can say it, I feel it. If it wasn't for my aging in-laws I'd be out of here. I'm looking... West coast too expensive, maybe Gulf coast or Carolinas, relatively warm with ocean nearby, and much cheaper cost of living, and better gun laws. I feel bad for you, much easier for me to find a new flag by moving to another state, you have to find a new country.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:13 am

Game Keeper - my thinking is, If I heard a noise and was awoken in the night, I would reach for the shotgun. If i was awoken and someone was closing the distance and I could not bring my shotgun to bear on that person, then the pistol would be the choice. If, having engaged with shotgun to the point where I have no ammo and still have bad guys, then I would be hopefully falling back to the rifles. I still think the shotgun is the best choice. I don't see me getting surprised to the point that I need my pistol when I wake up. However, since I always carry a pistol, when I am awake, that will be perhaps my only choice as the other weapons are not on the living level of the house. On the boat, the shotgun has its own secure rack close at hand (it is a boat afterall) and the pistol is on my person. At work, its pistol on or near me, rifle in the truck which does little for the work situation, but may come in handy someday while on the road. (also, my shotgun, the benelli M3 is both a semi-auto and a pump which doubles its near flawless performance, it has a cross bolt safety and is fully loaded at all times).

RSY · Post by **RSY** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:33 am

What guns? Mine were all stolen last week. Gun cabinet ripped out of the wall and carted off. Don't plan on getting anymore, either.

RSY

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:56 am

RSY wrote:What guns? Mine were all stolen last week. Gun cabinet ripped out of the wall and carted off. Don't plan on getting anymore, either.

RSY

Scott - sorry to hear that

You must have gone out and bought a bunch more after that last canoe accident where your guns went to the bottom of the lake?

Wow, really bad luck!

alnitak · Post by **alnitak** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:27 am

GANJIRO wrote:all firearms are to be kept locked up at all times by a minimum of 2 separate locking mechanisms (trigger lock/ gun vault, gun vault/locked room door, etc.), and all ammo to be stored separate from the firearm and also kept locked.

Didn't Heller just make those kinds of restrictions illegal??? Why isn't there a lawsuit pending?

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:20 pm

.38 snub in a strategic spot
Short shotgun ...leads with #6 finishes with 00 buck

couple of loud dogs...house is alarmed

i dont worry so much about home invaders... bu we do live out a ways. Oklahoma has castle doctrine laws and make my day legislation in place. Bad guys know they may get shot so they really pick there spots to do their thing. Our little Sherrifs office patrols as well as any big county agency I've ever lived near.. and they show up if called here... no complaints about those guys.

Coming home to a break- in worries me as much as anything. My neighbors are in the back pasture acessing their cattle daily...my neighbors are retired and we keep a pretty close eye on the long drives to each others houses

Most of my gun work at home is zapping coyotes close to the house... we have plenty

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:43 pm

rjohns94 wrote:
So the first questions are: What Firearm do you have as a go to weapon in your home? What ammo do you use and what other items do you have to assist in the defense of your home? How iminent do you feel a breech of your home is? (do you think it could happen any time and are vigilent nightly with your regieme of proctection, or do you think it might happen in the future sometime and don't always have a firearm available, are you relying on other layers of security to warn you? etc)

(1) I use primarily the same firearms for HD/SD as I do for police duty, SIG P229 autopistols and Remington 870 shotguns. Neither is more "go to" than the others; it is generally better to fight with a long gun, but sometimes the handgun is handier at a given moment in time, no pun intended. Why the same weapons for both duty and personal use? Well, convenience, logistical simplicity, and the fact that my chief considers all of my in-state armed encounters to be line-of-duty. Paperwork will be MUCH simpler if I use a weapon with which I have fired the qual course. (I own my duty weapons.) Yes, there are other weapons for extreme situations.

(2) 00 buck, primarily, in the shotguns, and 155- to 180-grain controlled-expansion ammo in the SIGs. Once sighted in, a newer shotgun will be primarily a slug gun.

(3) There is no way for me to know how imminent a breach of the home may be, until I have completed crystal ball school sometime in the future.

The other stated questions I will simply ignore. This is a public forum. Some things I just don't care to share, and some answers would be a security breach. We are not as anonymous as we think when on-line, and even with ironclad computer security, my user name is not sufficiently anonymous. The current political climate, FWIW, changes nothing for me, in the area of HD/SD.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:53 pm

RSY wrote:What guns? Mine were all stolen last week. Gun cabinet ripped out of the wall and carted off. Don't plan on getting anymore, either.

RSY

Must be in the water. I just like to right about guns and find pictures of ones I'd like to own. But own any? Not me!!!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:58 pm

game keeper wrote:I have a question for all you guys lucky enough to own several home defense firearms.
knowing full well that you are WELL practiced with your choice of weapon, I was just wondering, if having just been woken up in the night by some sort of disturbance, then being attacked by an intruder, would it not be better to be armed with just one type of hand gun or long gun?
Having revolvers and semi auto's plus pump actions and lever actions at hand would in "my case" possibly lead to confusion in the heat of the moment when seconds count.

I can imagine suddenly being in a life threatening situation and not getting my firearm into action quick enough because I failed to chamber a round or take off a safety etc.

This is NOT a criticism of anyone with multiple home defense weapons, I just wondered how easy it is to clear leather and start shooting with so much choice!

John, this is indeed a concern for many people who own a firearm for self-defense but are not active gun enthusiasts. Even for some folks that shoot regularly, if they are not well practiced with their specific self-defense arm, things can go wrong very quick. Think of it this way. It is night, it is dark, and the worst is about to happen. Adrenaline is pumping fast and furious. If one hasn't practiced regularly, it is just too easy to make a mistake. This is why I always advocate a shotgun for home defense to people who aren't shooters. If they don't want a long arm, then I push them towards a revolver. Unfortunately, most want a semi-automatic pistol - and few practice with one enough to know what to do without thinking about it, including what to do in the case of jams, etc.

For many of the folks here though, my bet would be they shoot frequently and bother to get to know their weapons "intimately".

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:07 pm

game keeper wrote:I have a question for all you guys lucky enough to own several home defense firearms.
knowing full well that you are WELL practiced with your choice of weapon, I was just wondering, if having just been woken up in the night by some sort of disturbance, then being attacked by an intruder, would it not be better to be armed with just one type of hand gun or long gun?
Having revolvers and semi auto's plus pump actions and lever actions at hand would in "my case" possibly lead to confusion in the heat of the moment when seconds count.

I can imagine suddenly being in a life threatening situation and not getting my firearm into action quick enough because I failed to chamber a round or take off a safety etc.

This is NOT a criticism of anyone with multiple home defense weapons, I just wondered how easy it is to clear leather and start shooting with so much choice!

Excellent post! Having thought on this myself, this is why primary weapons, the ones for which I would reach in an emergency, do work the same, at least at the outset. My ready handguns are point-and-shoot, either DAK SIGs or DA revolvers, that point the same in my hands without conscious thought, and have similar trigger strokes. My "traditional" DA/SA SIGs are not my first-to-grab handguns, and they have initial DA trigger pulls. The go-to shotguns are all Remington 870s.

Yes, I have lever rifles, but they are not primary go-to weapons. Same with the autoloaders and single shots. They are not kept where I might grab them in a rush, or while half-asleep, and possibly get confused. I have a high-end 1911 pistol, and I can shoot it well enough, but I don't keep it loaded and ready, because it is not point-and-shoot.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:25 pm

My other thoughts were what about wives or girlfriends that maybe don't shoot or practice that often. Do you ensure that they have a weapon that they know how to use without thinking?

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:06 pm

game keeper wrote:My other thoughts were what about wives or girlfriends that maybe don't shoot or practice that often. Do you ensure that they have a weapon that they know how to use without thinking?

Mine's pretty good using a sharp tongue without thinking...

Wait, did I say that?

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:26 am

My wife carries a Taurus 85. She keeps the same one handy at home. While she knows how to operate the various ones in the house, she's "comfortable" with her, as she puts it, other 38's.

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:26 am

My jeans are always on the floor so I can step right into them

I think if you are going to be involved in a fatal shooting you should be walking around in your jammies when the police and newscams arrive. Otherwise it will look like you were waiting for him. Don't be shy.

I don't like having loaded guns in the apartment. I think there's a low probability of an invasion in here (as opposed to a house) and an accidental discharge might harm a neighbor, then I'd be in for it.

I have my Marlin 1894c which I am going to outfit with a 1x-3x scope so I can shoot it at the indoor range (dim light). That will then be my defense weapon, set on 1x. Visibility is better than with sights, about 1 second to get on target. When I start that, I'll be shooting it at least once a week so loading and handling will be second nature. I can keep the rifle by the bed and ammo under the pillow.

I live in a pretty small apartment so if I don't hear them prying the door or window I'll have absolutely no chance. Oh well I have some K-Bars lying around too.

I'm going to load my own 38-special strength rounds to minimize penetration for my neighbors. They'll be what I will practice with too. If necessary I can testify that I loaded down, not up, out of concern for the neighbors. As for the perp, the whole idea behind shooting him is to kill him. What am I supposed to do, kiss him? One area where we are fortunate, in CA we do have the right to assume an intruder is going to commit murder or grievous bodily harm.

Would it make sense to offer the police unfired rounds for analysis, thus proving that you loaded under factory levels? For example, the bullets I'll be using (cast lead, copper plated) can't even be driven to factory levels without harming the barrel. If the perp is full of cast lead bullets instead of jacketed, that ought to be proof right there.

I've thought about getting a handgun but I don't really like them, and the Marlin is pretty handy for the purpose. Though I kind of like that 30-30 revolver!

Poohgyrr · Post by **Poohgyrr** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 4:26 am

Whatever I'm wearing that day, like say a 1911/45 or 4" M21, which is out of sight and nearby when in bed. Wife has her 1911/45 on her side. And yes, she's had 40+ hours of training at a local school. A .30 carbine and 870 are out of sight and nearby as well. The dogs get treats for alarming us to anyone who enters the property.

Other stuff: flashlights, cell phones, portable landline phones, motion ligts outside, etc. all help.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:50 am

Read in the book "Stress Fire" by Ayoob that one should not fight a gun fight naked. Thats why I would step into the jeans. He stated that it will help your confidence and make you able to be more able to deal with the situation. When I investigate a noice in the house, or garage, or even come down the steps to get a drink, I always step into my jeans.

brucew44guns · Post by **brucew44guns** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:08 am

There is Ruger Blackhawk .357 near my back door where virtually everyone comes to enter the house, and a 12 ga. 870 combat type shot-gunstays handy behind a door. Got a loaded 336 30-30 handy in the basement. With any kind of pre-warning at all, plenty more firepower can be available instantly. What worries me, is the boon-docks location I have, no LEO's around here for miles, doing any patrol work at all. What if a gang of crazies who were running from the law, they're low on gas, no money, they pull in my drive and come back 1/4 mile to the house? There's no neighbors, no nothing to help out. It's you----or them. Im thnkful for this posting, made clear to me to beef things up a bit, be more ready.