How about this?!!!

[slim 1,525]

A shotgun, for me, poses certain problems for home defense. Where do I keep it handy in my bedroom or anywhere near me as I move around the home? It needs to be close or it's worthless. I can keep a pistol on or inside my nightstand locked and loaded or on me everywhere else. The shotgun is less easy to keep close, and will I keep it handy at all times of the day? Probably not.

From what I've read, many times the intruder(s) actually enter the bedroom or burst through the front door when the homeowner answers the door...that means a few feet to in your face. How do you wield a shotgun at that distance? Only a pistol will work at such a short distance.

The assumption is the intruder will be some distance or in a different part of the home...but what about close up and personal?

As for having a light, I think it's as much to blind the intruder as to see what's up ahead.

I like my shotgun but I see it more for sweeping the streets than a one on one scenario.

I guess my house is "cozy" enough that I'm never far from my shotgun.

I believe a house should be buttoned up enough that nobody should be able to crash in without you knowing and having at least a few seconds to react. I don't know how someone could bust into my place without me knowing and reacting. As for answering the door without knowing who's there, that should never happen. If you're doing stuff like that, it doesn't matter if you have a pistol or a shotgun.

The SKS is still a bargain for a semi-auto, high powered rifle. My son has a Russian model and they go quite a bit higher and are not readily available. Most ones you find now are the Yugos with that goofy grenade launcher muzzle or the Chinese versions.

Best semi-auto for the value, for sure.

My issues with the SKS are the stripper clip loading and the non-detachable, low capacity magazine. But for the money they're decent and fun to shoot.

A great fix for that is a cheap modification to take AK mags.

The Mosins I've seen fired seem to have stiff or hard to cleanly rack bolts. There must be a lot of variance in their performance. There is also the hex barrel version and the round barrel version. Not sure which is preferable.

Mosins aren't "precision" instruments like a Swiss or even a Springfield. But, they're built to last.

The hex is a little more expensive because it's a little more rare. Which is preferable? Totally up to you!

[baron555 934]

Best semi-auto for the value, for sure.

Not better than a field grade M-1 from the CMP!

[visaveteran1 33]

I live in a condo so I'm used to people entering my unit to fix stuff, sometimes when I not there, so having a shotgun out in plain sight is a no-no. If I had a house that might be a different story. So for me, a pistol is the best for a home defense weapon. Plus the way my condo is designed makes wielding a shotgun difficult when on the move. Narrow hallway, small bathroom and kitchen, etc.

For me, a shotgun is for rule without law. For when society breaks down. To sweep the street. I know they sell them as home defense but it is a poor choice in my living situation.

[visaveteran1 33]

Not better than a field grade M-1 from the CMP!

I looked into one of those CMP Garands and it seems they're way overwhelmed and not really giving them out like candy as they once did.

Tell me if I'm wrong and I'll check again...but recently it looked like mission impossible.

[baron555 934]

I looked into one of those CMP Garands and it seems they're way overwhelmed and not really giving them out like candy as they once did.

Tell me if I'm wrong and I'll check again...but recently it looked like mission impossible.

I don't understand your statement of overwhelmed? They'll have Service Grades available some time next year so waiting until then may be warranted, especially if you can not hand pick at one of the stores.

But SKS versus an M-1? No comparison in my book.

[slim 1,525]

Not better than a field grade M-1 from the CMP!

Well... considering you can find a SKS for $250 cash and then buy ammo at $.25/round you're in for less than half the cost of the M-1 rifle alone. Factor in ammo and the SKS quickly takes the lead. Not to mention the fact CMP requires a training class and membership in a CMP-affiliated club. And lets not forget about shipping.

While a CMP Garand is a great value (probably the best "investment" value out there) it's nowhere near as cheap as a SKS. And the SKS is a fine rifle for SHTF purposes.

I live in a condo so I'm used to people entering my unit to fix stuff, sometimes when I not there, so having a shotgun out in plain sight is a no-no. If I had a house that might be a different story. So for me, a pistol is the best for a home defense weapon. Plus the way my condo is designed makes wielding a shotgun difficult when on the move. Narrow hallway, small bathroom and kitchen, etc.

For me, a shotgun is for rule without law. For when society breaks down. To sweep the street. I know they sell them as home defense but it is a poor choice in my living situation.

You know you can shoot through walls, right?

I get where you're coming from. In my apartment, even though it's small we actually have really big rooms and there aren't really any tight spaces.

Just curious, which handgun are you using for HD?

I looked into one of those CMP Garands and it seems they're way overwhelmed and not really giving them out like candy as they once did.

Tell me if I'm wrong and I'll check again...but recently it looked like mission impossible.

The "cheap ones" are $595 right now. Best deal out there on a serious battle rifle. (And yes, the M-1 is a serious rifle. SKS, not so much. It's good, but not "serious!" like the M-1.)

But SKS versus an M-1? No comparison in my book.

Basically it comes down to this - Do you have $300 or do you have $1,000?

I would say the majority of people out there don't have $1,000 laying around to buy a rifle they don't need. However, many can scrape together $300. As for which rifle is better, hands down, the M-1 is a better rifle. Although, the SKS has a lot going for it, especially in SHTF scenarios. Hell, I bet most people couldn't even carry a M-1 and bandoleer of ammo. It's too heavy for them!

[baron555 934]

Where can you find a nice SKS for $250?

Anyway, as stated before, my on the move rifle would be one of my M-14s.

A RRA NM AR-15 would be second.

[slim 1,525]

Where can you find a nice SKS for $250?

Anyway, as stated before, my on the move rifle would be one of my M-14s.

A RRA NM AR-15 would be second.

There are a couple on Swapgiant right now. A Norinco and a Yugo. Both fine SKS models complete with bayonets.

[baron555 934]

There are a couple on Swapgiant right now. A Norinco and a Yugo. Both fine SKS models complete with bayonets.

Yugos are the most accurate, followed by Romanians and Chinese last, YMMV.

And, I do have one each of the first two. Fun to play around with, not terribly accurate but functionable as they were designed.

Edited December 22, 2011 by baron555

[visaveteran1 33]

I don't understand your statement of overwhelmed? They'll have Service Grades available some time next year so waiting until then may be warranted, especially if you can not hand pick at one of the stores.

But SKS versus an M-1? No comparison in my book.

Considering quality and performance, I agree with you. But except for CMP, M1s fetch upwards of $1000 or more depending on condition. A good SKS goes for around $300. So considering value, the SKS is a better deal for a semi-auto rifle, and there's more around to buy. I'll add the Garand's flying expended magazine is not my favorite design, and not sure of availability.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Considering quality and performance, I agree with you. But except for CMP, M1s fetch upwards of $1000 or more depending on condition. A good SKS goes for around $300. So considering value, the SKS is a better deal for a semi-auto rifle, and there's more around to buy. I'll add the Garand's flying expended magazine is not my favorite design, and not sure of availability.

If we go by "truck guns" the KS wins. But we probably should not go by "truck guns". When I was young everyone had a Winchester M-94 in the truck OR an M-1 carbine, though those were considered a bt "puny" for deer, which as often as not is what you shot with a truck gun. After the FOPA of '86 and all the foreign and former US military stuff came flooding in, the SKS was by far the top choice. The west Texas gunshops had racks of those thing for $80 as I recall at the time.

Truck guns had to be "minute-of-deer" accurate and have enough snuff to easily kill a deer, or a coyote at up to 100 yards (the other common target of truck guns) but they had to be cheap enough that you did not worry if they got rusty, dusty, dirty, etc. because they usually stayed in the truck for months without being care for.

SKS was a great truck gun, even with the original 10 round magazine. I used a M94

Edited December 22, 2011 by Gary and Alla

[visaveteran1 33]

Just curious, which handgun are you using for HD?

Well, until just recently it was a 1911A1 Commander 45 cal. I got tired of the recoil, so I got rid of it. Recently I got a surplus Beretta 81 32 cal. made in Italy and used by the Israel defense force. I love this gun! It's 100% reliable and holds 13 rounds so there is some firepower. Cost all of $269. Fits the hand well and is just a nice well-made gun. I use it as HD for now.

However, I am now looking for a 9mm auto. I just can't make up my mind on which one. For CCW a Kel-Tec PF-9 is appealing and cheap but for HD maybe something bigger like a Beretta FS might be good. I really need to buy two guns...a CCW and a big HD auto. My son has gotten Glock crazy lately so I might even go that way. Maybe a Glock 17. I can get one at the PX without tax, shipping or FFL. The price is in the mid $500 range. That would be a Gen 4.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I carry my handgun at all times, even while home for TWO reasons.

1. Home invasions. Certainly not common here but when I go to the door my gun goes with me.

2. It is the only loaded gun in the house, it stays with me and then there are no accidents.

I take it off and put it on the nightstand when I go to bed. When I put on my pants in the morning it goes on the belt.

[visaveteran1 33]

Yugos are the most accurate, followed by Romanians and Chinese last, YMMV.

And, I do have one each of the first two. Fun to play around with, not terribly accurate but functionable as they were designed.

Many of the Yugos have that useless grenade launcher barrel. A deal-breaker for me. The most interesting SKS was the Albanian version which had several unique differences to the usual SKS. It had a better charging handle and a few other improvements I can't remember...but I wish I got one when they were available. My son has a Russian version and it's very nicely decked out and pretty accurate. My late brother-in-law gave it to him. I think he got it a long time ago at a gun show.

[slim 1,525]

Well, until just recently it was a 1911A1 Commander 45 cal. I got tired of the recoil, so I got rid of it. Recently I got a surplus Beretta 81 32 cal. made in Italy and used by the Israel defense force. I love this gun! It's 100% reliable and holds 13 rounds so there is some firepower. Cost all of $269. Fits the hand well and is just a nice well-made gun. I use it as HD for now.

However, I am now looking for a 9mm auto. I just can't make up my mind on which one. For CCW a Kel-Tec PF-9 is appealing and cheap but for HD maybe something bigger like a Beretta FS might be good. I really need to buy two guns...a CCW and a big HD auto. My son has gotten Glock crazy lately so I might even go that way. Maybe a Glock 17. I can get one at the PX without tax, shipping or FFL. The price is in the mid $500 range. That would be a Gen 4.

It still blows my mind they sell guns at the PX now. Man, if they would've done that when I was in, I would've had a lot more guns (instead of memories!) to show for all that money I "invested" on women and alcohol.

If you like the Beretta, just step up to the 92FS for HD. Basically, same gun only bigger. Great shooter, too. For carry, the Kel-Tecs are great. You may also want to check out the Ruger LCP in .380. "Baby 9" as it's called in the hood.

Many of the Yugos have that useless grenade launcher barrel. A deal-breaker for me. The most interesting SKS was the Albanian version which had several unique differences to the usual SKS. It had a better charging handle and a few other improvements I can't remember...but I wish I got one when they were available. My son has a Russian version and it's very nicely decked out and pretty accurate. My late brother-in-law gave it to him. I think he got it a long time ago at a gun show.

The best SKS I've seen have the mod to take AK mags and Tech Sights on them. An aftermarket stock seems to help too. Great rifles for the money!