How about this?!!!

[Robert&Liliya 31]

Nothing says welcome to my house now get the hell out quite like the sound of a 12 gauge pump shotgun.

[Dave-n-Oksana 49]

Nothing says welcome to my house now get the hell out quite like the sound of a 12 gauge pump shotgun.

Loaded or not, the sound of cycling a round in the dark will strike fear into the heart of most intruders (or husbands for that matter)

[MishaMoose 2]

My wife asked a second time, when am I going to get her a gun. This was after telling her about the lock down at a school next door to my office yesterday. I hadn't seen so many police at one spot since the last big sale at a donut shop. So, now I am trying to figure out which kind of gun she really wants. I thought she would want a pistol but she mentioned a rifle. We are talking about person protection for in the home.

Any suggestions?

I would certainly consider a shotgun. They offer a selectable range of lethality and penetration based on the choice of shot. Base on several studies I have read small game and large bird loads are quite effective indoors, being quite leathal (all still in a 'clump') at end of hallway ranges but rapidly loosing penetration power in walls etc. Seems most pistols that offer good stopping power tend to be highly over penetrating and rifles even more so.

A 16 or 20 gauge might be more comfortable for a small lady than a 12 gauge, but the 12 throws more pellets.

I personally like my Mossberg 500.

Just my 0.02 grivna.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I would certainly consider a shotgun. They offer a selectable range of lethality and penetration based on the choice of shot. Base on several studies I have read small game and large bird loads are quite effective indoors, being quite leathal (all still in a 'clump') at end of hallway ranges but rapidly loosing penetration power in walls etc. Seems most pistols that offer good stopping power tend to be highly over penetrating and rifles even more so.

A 16 or 20 gauge might be more comfortable for a small lady than a 12 gauge, but the 12 throws more pellets.

I personally like my Mossberg 500.

Just my 0.02 grivna.

I have a Mossburg 500 with pistol grips I got from Longs Drugs back in the mid '80s for $200. That thing rocks. We used to shoot signs with it single handed using 3" shells at street signs while driving 75+ mph. It's great for fishing trips here in Alaska, it's light and easy to pack with a sling.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I would certainly consider a shotgun. They offer a selectable range of lethality and penetration based on the choice of shot. Base on several studies I have read small game and large bird loads are quite effective indoors, being quite leathal (all still in a 'clump') at end of hallway ranges but rapidly loosing penetration power in walls etc. Seems most pistols that offer good stopping power tend to be highly over penetrating and rifles even more so.

A 16 or 20 gauge might be more comfortable for a small lady than a 12 gauge, but the 12 throws more pellets.

I personally like my Mossberg 500.

Just my 0.02 grivna.

I bought Alla a Remington Sportsing Clays 28 ga. semi auto whiuch she has used for skeet but she has latched onto a Winchester M52 in my collection and now wants it for her "birthday present" I will get her a nice case and shooting sling for it. Tomorrow is shooting day and I have been informed that just because my summer skeet league is over it is no excuse and that we WILL be going shooting on Wednesday afternoons.

[slim 1,525]

I thought she would want a pistol but she mentioned a rifle. We are talking about person protection for in the home.

Any suggestions?

Yeah, don't get her a rifle for home protection. As others have mentioned, a shotgun is the way to go for home defense.

Get her a rifle too, but use it at the range for fun. Something like a Marlin 795 is a great value and a whole bunch of fun out at the range. Start with a .22LR so she can learn the basics and it won't kill her shoulder. Building good fundamentals on a smaller rifle makes it really easy to step up to a bigger rifle down the road.

I would certainly consider a shotgun. They offer a selectable range of lethality and penetration based on the choice of shot. Base on several studies I have read small game and large bird loads are quite effective indoors, being quite leathal (all still in a 'clump') at end of hallway ranges but rapidly loosing penetration power in walls etc. Seems most pistols that offer good stopping power tend to be highly over penetrating and rifles even more so.

A 16 or 20 gauge might be more comfortable for a small lady than a 12 gauge, but the 12 throws more pellets.

I personally like my Mossberg 500.

Just my 0.02 grivna.

Just yesterday I visited a crime scene with multiple gunshots and it's obvious, a shotgun is the way to go. Even something small like a .410 is more than enough to stop an intruder and cause plenty of damage. Large handgun calibers easily penetrated several walls and went through things like the refrigerator and entry doors. While it's nice to have some penetrating power, in a small apartment or house there really is a case to be made for having "too much gun."

I've previously been really big on 12ga. with 00 buck but after seeing what I saw (.410 with #6 shot) I'm thinking about scaling back to #4 shot or even a smaller gauge for in-home use. I still like the 00 buck for zombie control but it's probably a bit overkill - at risk of overpenetration and hitting unintended targets - for bump in the night purposes. 12ga. 00 buck is for destroying things. There are literally nine 9mm shots going off every time you pull the trigger. That's some serious firepower and probably too much for hitting one - and only one - target in the dark.

I have a Mossburg 500 with pistol grips I got from Longs Drugs back in the mid '80s for $200. That thing rocks. We used to shoot signs with it single handed using 3" shells at street signs while driving 75+ mph. It's great for fishing trips here in Alaska, it's light and easy to pack with a sling.

I like having a pistol grip and a buttstock too. Currently I'm running a Winchester 1300 Defender with an aftermarket stock. I have the John Masen stock on there and it comes with the option of either pistol grip only or pistol grip plus buttstock.

There's just something comforting about being able to smash an opponent with the buttstock if neeeded. With the pistol grip only... that option just isn't there.

[baron555 934]

I've previously been really big on 12ga. with 00 buck but after seeing what I saw (.410 with #6 shot) I'm thinking about scaling back to #4 shot or even a smaller gauge for in-home use. I still like the 00 buck for zombie control but it's probably a bit overkill - at risk of overpenetration and hitting unintended targets - for bump in the night purposes. 12ga. 00 buck is for destroying things. There are literally nine 9mm shots going off every time you pull the trigger. That's some serious firepower and probably too much for hitting one - and only one - target in the dark.

I agree and have had the same different consideration.

I have a Remington 870 with the extended 7 round mag. I previously had loaded with this both #4 Buck and 1 inch Slugs but after a lot of additional reading I will load a few Shot rounds first.

Another important feature for a home defense rifle or shotgun, equip it with a good sling, especially one that will keep it on your shoulder while you are moving fast.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

A handgun is easy to keep inthe nightstand so it is close at hand. If you have time and are going to investigate suspected intruders...bring a shotgun.

As for a gun for home defense...for anything in the house a rifle is out of the question, It would be OK for gangs of marauding...whatever...outside, so you could shoot them before they get very close. Once they are in the house a shotgun kills them best at that range. At close range, what they are loaded with is of little concern. I have heard it recommended that you use bird shot as it kills people at close range very dead but does not have the penetation to endanger people in other rooms. Probably some merit to that. I will take a shotgun with number 8 shot any day over any handgun in a house. Number 4 buckshot is my favored choice though.

In practical terms, for the average home invader, burglar, if she popped him a number of times with a .22 pistol, or even just fired in their general direction, my guess is the intruder would seek out homes to intrude upon where he did not get shot with/at .22s

Just like with bears...it is not important that you can outrun the bear, it is only important you can outrun your hiking companion. You do not have to KILL an intruder, you only have to be more unappetizing than the neighbor. The vast mojority of cases of firearms being used for defense never involve firing a shot.

As mentioned above, the universally recognized sound of a pump shotgun being "racked" annouces "I have a SHOTGUN! It is IN MY HANDS! It is LOADED!" A lot of burglars and home invaders take the hint. And NONE of the pump guns has a more intimidating sound than the rock solid, all steel, Model 12 Winchester. My model 12s are too pretty for that kind of dirty work so I use a M870 Remington but it is positively "tin-ny" compared to the M12.

[1HappyGuy 45]

Thanks everyone. That's a lot to absorb, but it helps. I have a good friend that is quite knowledgeable about firearms so I will probably ask him to acquaint us with local shops and shooting ranges. I certainly understand about the shotgun over the rifle. I just want her to feel safe.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks everyone. That's a lot to absorb, but it helps. I have a good friend that is quite knowledgeable about firearms so I will probably ask him to acquaint us with local shops and shooting ranges. I certainly understand about the shotgun over the rifle. I just want her to feel safe.

Alla is considering a handgun now. It probably will be a .22 She likes to shoot a .22/32 kit gun I have, a small revolver, but she is leaning more toward some sort of auto. She was looking at a Browning Buckmark the other day. I like the Rugers myself, though I would be hard pressed to tell you a good reason why. The Browning looks like a good pistol. So far, she considers pistols "too hard to shoot" and she is not interested if she does not "have victory". If She shoots and shoots and doesn't hit anything, it is not interesting. If the gun kicks too much or is too heavy to hold, it is not interesting. I think this is the main attraction to the .22 rifle. It is easy to hols, she shoots it well and feels she can "compete" with me and other people at the range.

For Alla, it is going to have to "look good" and the trend to black rubber grips, while practical, does nothiong for "looking good"

[baron555 934]

Alla is considering a handgun now. It probably will be a .22 She likes to shoot a .22/32 kit gun I have, a small revolver, but she is leaning more toward some sort of auto. She was looking at a Browning Buckmark the other day. I like the Rugers myself, though I would be hard pressed to tell you a good reason why. The Browning looks like a good pistol. So far, she considers pistols "too hard to shoot" and she is not interested if she does not "have victory". If She shoots and shoots and doesn't hit anything, it is not interesting. If the gun kicks too much or is too heavy to hold, it is not interesting. I think this is the main attraction to the .22 rifle. It is easy to hols, she shoots it well and feels she can "compete" with me and other people at the range.

For Alla, it is going to have to "look good" and the trend to black rubber grips, while practical, does nothiong for "looking good"

The Buckmark is a solid arm; I have one and it is dead on and flawless. I also have a nice Walther PP .22 which is very nice but too expensive for home defense (the cops will take whatever you use to defend yourself in my state and even if you are not charged you may not see it again).

Yes the Winnie 12 is nice, I have one, but I really like my Winnie M97 Trench Gun which can be fired each time it is racked (no trigger disconnector). THAT is the ultimate defense/offense home rifle!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

The Buckmark is a solid arm; I have one and it is dead on and flawless. I also have a nice Walther PP .22 which is very nice but too expensive for home defense (the cops will take whatever you use to defend yourself in my state and even if you are not charged you may not see it again).

Yes the Winnie 12 is nice, I have one, but I really like my Winnie M97 Trench Gun which can be fired each time it is racked (no trigger disconnector). THAT is the ultimate defense/offense home rifle!

OK so I cannot knock the M97 except that it did have some mechanical problems and a tendency to break extractors so it was superceded by the M12 but it could not have been too bad since they contined to make it until 1957. The M12 is sleeker looking as it contains all its parts internally. The M97 looks like it is being field stripped every time you operate it!

We went shooting today and Alla moved her target back to 100 yds. She actually prefers shooting at that range as she says she just "covers the black with the cross" The reticle of the 2.5x scope completely covers the bull which to her seems easier. ??? At any rate, she poured the shots into the center, hitting the 9 and 10 ring with each shot using a bag rest under her forward hand only. That is roughly 2 inch groups from 100 yds with a .22! She rarely changes a target, she just patches and keeps using the same one and by the time we finished the center of her bull was pretty well chewed away

[slim 1,525]

I previously had loaded with this both #4 Buck and 1 inch Slugs but after a lot of additional reading I will load a few Shot rounds first.

Another important feature for a home defense rifle or shotgun, equip it with a good sling, especially one that will keep it on your shoulder while you are moving fast.

The "traditional" home defense load was buck, ball, buck, ball, etc. Slow 'em down then stop them. Switch targets. Slow them down then stop them. Switch targets. Etc.

Reading up on the subject reveals, more often than not, only a few rounds of buckshot is usually all it takes to stop most intruders or send them hightailing in the opposite direction. Multiple targets are more easily engaged with buckshot than slugs and all too often, a miss with a slug is penetrating several walls, furniture, etc.

One thing I've really been considering is the buck and ball rounds available now. I still think that may be a little overkill but it's a good option for crowd control or multiple targets. There's also several options available for less than lethal shots. Bean bags, salt rock, powder rounds, rubber bullets, etc.

Personally, I think I'm going to use the Dragon's Breath if I need to shoot soft targets. BURN IT DOWN!!!!

A handgun is easy to keep inthe nightstand so it is close at hand.

In practical terms, for the average home invader, burglar, if she popped him a number of times with a .22 pistol, or even just fired in their general direction, my guess is the intruder would seek out homes to intrude upon

Any gun is better than NO gun!

But, I've seen so many reports of handgun fights where 57 bullets were fired and nobody hit nuthin! I'd rather have a better chance of hitting something and really, the difference between reaching into the nightstand and under the bed is probably only about 1/2 a second. Granted, that could be the 1/2 second you need, but taking that extra time could save you a lot of time just a few seconds later.

Might as well debate the "revolver vs. semi" for this one as well!

Thanks everyone. That's a lot to absorb, but it helps. I have a good friend that is quite knowledgeable about firearms so I will probably ask him to acquaint us with local shops and shooting ranges. I certainly understand about the shotgun over the rifle. I just want her to feel safe.

You should absolutely seek out good training for firearms and having a buddy show you the ropes is a great way to do so. Safety first!

Shooters are typically more than willing to help out a newbie or anyone remotely interested in shooting. The sad fact is we're losing our heritage of marksmanship so anyone who even mentions it usually gets all the offers they can handle. Take 'em up on it!

And don't hesitate to ask questions here. Most of us RUBbers are avid shooters and would love to answer your queries.

I like the Rugers myself, though I would be hard pressed to tell you a good reason why.

Because it's a wonderful firearm!

(the cops will take whatever you use to defend yourself in my state and even if you are not charged you may not see it again).

In my state they take everything in your house. EVERYTHING!

That is roughly 2 inch groups from 100 yds with a .22! She rarely changes a target, she just patches and keeps using the same one and by the time we finished the center of her bull was pretty well chewed away

That's great shooting! Good job, Alla.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Thanks everyone. That's a lot to absorb, but it helps. I have a good friend that is quite knowledgeable about firearms so I will probably ask him to acquaint us with local shops and shooting ranges. I certainly understand about the shotgun over the rifle. I just want her to feel safe.

http://www.taurususa.com/video-taurus-judge.cfm <------ get the 6 1/2" barrel so there's not much recoil and she will be a happy camper. 3" .410 mags ftw.

[LvivLovers 39]

We're heading out this weekend to do some gun shopping...probably going to buy both handguns and shotguns.

Anyone sitting on the fence about getting a gun should probably go get one. Things are likely going to get nasty in the very near future...the dominoes could start falling in a matter of months. It's no coincidence that my brother, who is a police officer in Ohio, has been getting riot control training.

Maybe I played too much Doom when I was younger, but I think I'm going to get a chainsaw too.