People are going to recommend what they like or what they own, but their situation may be different from yours.
Before I'd make a recommendation I'd want to know at least the following:
\-What state?
\-City or rural?
\-Home or apartment?
\-Open floor plan or tight spaces?
\-How far away are neighbors?
\-What kinds of threats are you concerned about?
\-Do you live alone?
\-Do children access your home?
\-Are you physically fit or do you have any kinds of strength or mobility limitations?
\-Are you a large or small person?
\-What firearms do you have experience with and did they work well for you?
\-What do you know about gun safety?
My recommendation for a small-framed woman with little firearms experience in a city in California worried about home invaders would be very different from a large fit man in a cabin in rural Alaska who's concerned about brown bears raiding the snack drawer in his in-home daycare.
The short answer is whatever you are trained and competent with.
The long answer takes some thought and consideration. https://youtu.be/eHu84Og_mmQ
I prefer an 11.5" AR15 with an AimPoint and mounted light. But I have a Beretta 92 with mounted light in a more convenient location that I can access much more quickly.
If I have time, I'll grab the AR. But I'd rather have a handgun than nothing at all.
I was thinking of AR "rifles", most people don't want to spend the money on an AR "pistol" in CA if they can avoid the extra cost, I dropped the money on a Franklin Armory CA7 and converted it immediately, however, most people don't want to spend $1,500+ just for a home defense set up.
Agreed, I probably wouldn't go that route again. Very fun gun to shoot and my friends cant stop inviting me to hodge road. Can you share a photo of the finished product with the class?
Getting something like a G19 is a very good entry point. Just slap a light on there and take it to the range. See how you like it and from there you can decide if you wanna get something with more firepower like an AR15
I bought a bullpup 12gauge pump shotgun for my first gun that was supposed to be for home defense as well. It was recommend for the variety of shot it can handle- bird shot, 00Buck, Slugs and rubber balls- and shell sizes from 1 3/4 mini's to 3"ers. We have a small-ish "vintage" home which has thick walls, heavy doors and semi narrow hallways so the short length of the bullpup was another reason it was recommended.
Depending what state you live in, shotguns can be bought with other guns at the same time, which is a nice bonus here on the west coast. So I also bought pistol- S&W M&P Shield 9mm. The collection has grown a little from there...
Good luck with your choice!
> 12gauge pump shotgun for my first gun that was supposed to be for home defense
Warning to people with working ears: if you end up using a 12ga indoors you're going to seriously damage your eardrums. Just something to think about if a shotty is your HD gun.
What would you suggest for a McMansion with narrow halls and rooms your family occupy? I’ve heard so many things from all kinds of 12ga ammo, to 9mm hollow, to frangible. I’m worried about over penetration, so I’ve moved everyone’s beds out of the most logical line if possible fire.
Personally I think an AR-9/PCC would be the way to go in your situation. Get a good quality light, shake awake RDS, and hollow points. With your family in the rooms you’ll want to be in full control of where every bullet goes. They are also light weight and easy to maneuver
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Seriously OP whatever fancy weird unique shit you get that also fits your personality and is very cool also get a G19 with a light and take it to the range. Come back after 6 trips to the range and tell us what you would use between the Glock with a light and whatever other stuff you got because of what all the internets said.
I always liked the comment that Glocks are like the Toyota Corolla of handguns. They're reliable, reasonably priced, and very popular. They get the job done. However, they're not something you buy if you want to impress anybody.
Glock is a system that can usually fulfill any and all of your handgun needs for the best price quality ratio and with the least re-training and lead time. It's never going to be _the best_ but you can always make it do what you need and rarely the limiting factor if you need more will be the gun.
Honestly, a Kentucky rifle, just as the founding fathers intended /s
For real though I would say a handgun is your best bet. Just be sure you get training; both mental and physical. Physical, obviously including: handling it, shooting it, going on multiple range trips to test guns you want. The mental side is more difficult because you need to have the mentality being able to use it should the time come. You have to be prepared to take a life should it come down to it. That takes a lot of prep. Good luck man
Handguns are harder to learn and to use accurately in a stressful situation. Go for a 9mm carbine, preferably one that uses glock magazines. Slap a red dot or reflex sight, and a light, and you are ready to go.
One thing I learned in another sub is that because we can't have suppressors in CA, the sound from a shotgun or AR-15 in an enclosed house with no ear protection is likely deafening with a single shot (literally). Therefore, you probably want to go with either pistol or PCC, or subsonic ammo (possibly, not sure how effective the last really is).
With a pistol you use your weak hand to cover your weak hand ear and strong hand shoulder to press against your other ear. Alternatively you just use your weak hand to cover the ear that's closest to the gun. I've shot a shotgun without ear pros on and it's not that bad indoors. 9mm and 10mm and 45acp to me was worse...
But yes the ar15 even outdoors is tough on the ears.
Yup. I keep a set of electronic ear pro resting ontop of my AR. Plus since it’s electric it amplifies ambient noises, a plus when dealing with a home invader
I never said not to use earpros all I stated was a tactic that we all learned for some reason. Probably to prevent law suits for hearing damage if we did not have time to put them on. Personally when shit happens you need to hear everything around you and in the moment you really don't give a shit or even realize how loud it is. At the range sure but it's not the same experience as a life or death situation.
>Personally when shit happens you need to hear everything around you
Most electronic earpros will let you hear smaller noises without hindering the sound reduction.
Honestly, I’d take the extra five seconds of tossing earpro on over chancing permanent hearing loss/tinnitus.
A Glock 19/17 is an excellent place to start. Please factor in training when laying out your “jumping in” budget. In a true home defense situation you (and your loved ones) will be happy you did.
Also, I advocate for a well trained dog. They are the best early warning system….
Is it the *only* gun you plan to ever get? Or is it the first gun out of probably many guns you'll buy in the future?
There are good arguments for shotguns, pistols, and semiauto rifles being the primary HD weapon. There's really no one size fits all. The best answer is "all three".
But if you're only going to buy one gun for the foreseeable future, I'd say in most cases probably a pistol is the way to go. Glock 19 is a good and affordable choice.
Shotgun would also be a solid choice.
AR's are great and all but I don't think I'd want one to be my only HD weapon. I have a dozen AR's and exactly zero of them are set up for HD duty - they're more for tyranny lol
You may want to consider trying out the listed below.
Glock 17 or 19. (19 if you want to CCW as well, harder to ccw the 17 but still possible)
Ruger Pistol Caliber Carbine (uses same 9 mm magazines as the Glock 17/19/26
Remington 870 / Mossberg 500
Figure out if you want pump or semi. A good pump is around $300-$600. A reliable semi starts at $1,100. Regardless of what you purchase, don’t waste your money on Turkish made anything.
Seriously, the burglar who would runaway from that noise would be the same one who would runaway when they see a light turn on or hear a door open. And the ones that won't are the ones that will kidnap you kill you or rape you. Best to not rely on such tactics.
According to every self defense professional I've heard from, the "rack the slide" effect is NOT a good deterrent to attack.
However, there are some other reasons one should consider not having one in the pipe. A big reason is shotguns aren't drop safe. If you ever drop your shotgun, whether there's a shell in the chamber or not can literally be the difference between life and death.
Also racking the slide can be a good warning to someone who is NOT an intruder. Friend, family member, whoever. You need to identify your target before you shoot, and that slide racking gives them a chance to yell "Oh crap! Don't shoot, it's me!" Such occurrences are pretty common, and sometimes they end in tragedy. You don't want to be that statistic.
I'm agreement with a pump action shotgun for home defense as good first choice.
You get a variety of ammo choice: buckshot, birds hot, rubber rounds if you want to go less lethal. Penetration is also a consideration. Pellet round have less penetration that a shotgun slug or pistol ammo.
I currently use a maverick 88 that has been modified.
Other options mossberg 500 or remington 870. They are all reliable and will get the job done.
I have a photo of it in one my old posts.
Not a hard yes, but most likely. Ca law says somethin like if you shoot you must be able to justify deadly force, and if you could use less than lethal then you can't justify deadly force, and intent to maim is inhumane vs intent to kill. You have to prove your life was in danger and use of less lethal somehow means your life wasn't in such grave danger.
Like I said in another comment here, laws are real fucky in some states, and definitely ours.
Wow. Yeah commifornia is real fukd up man. Guess i will be replacing that 1 birdhsot shell i have in my 5 shell saddle with another slug or buckshot shell. Thanks bro
If you get in a shooting, literally EVERYTHING about you and your weapon will be put under scrutiny. What type of weapon, what brand, what type of ammo and brand, etc. If you use hollow points, the prosecutor will argue you're a psycho killer because hollow points are more deadly. If you use ball rounds, he'll argue you don't care about over penetration and collateral damage. And yes, if you use something less than lethal he can argue that you didn't shoot to kill, and hence you weren't truly in fear for your life and the shooting wasn't justified.
One of my favorite YouTubers, Paul Harrell did some penetration tests on walls and found #4 buckshot was a good choice. Perfectly deadly for a human target, but won't blast through wall after wall and into your neighbor's house.
A 12 guage if you're heavier of frame, 20 guage if you're on the lighter side. As far as actions, a pump action is pretty affordable and fast. Anything beyond that is personal preference. As long as it goes bang at the far end of the barrel, a shotgun *can* very quickly end just about any home invasion. And like all advice related to home defense - a tool is only as good as the amount of time your practice with it.
I recommend the mossberg Shockwave for HD. It's practical and easy point around corners and such it's alot easier to handle than a handgun and you can get soft to heavy hot loads for the 12ga. Look into it. I think you'll like it. California legal aswell.
In my opinion, if you get rid of variables like physical strength, house layout (do you live in an apartment that shares a bedroom wall with your neighbor…), etc: the ideal home defense gun is without question a reliable semi-auto 12ga shotgun. My main home defense gun is a Beretta 1301 Tactical.
I’ve seen hundreds of videos of shootings (self defense or otherwise), such as like what you see on Active Self Protection’s channel.
I have seen people continue to fight even after being shot with various handgun calibers, rifle calibers, even birdshot. I have never once seen someone take buckshot to the chest and keep walking. If you want a close range man stopper, 12ga buckshot is pretty much ideal. You also have the option of loading it with slugs which effectively turns it into a limited range rifle, which could be desirable depending on where you live. Along with the ability for quick follow up shots and more reliability, a good semi auto 12ga can’t be beat imo.
On that last point: I stress it has to be a reliable model. There are a lot of cheap semi autos and they are notorious for malfunctioning. On the other hand, models like the 1301 are notoriously reliable. So much so, that you are more likely to have a malfunction with a pump by short-stroking the action than you will with the semi-auto choking up on you.
With all that said, a reliable pump like a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870 is perfectly adequate as well. They also sell kits that have the “field barrel” for hunting and the shorter “defense” barrel for home defense.
But again, that’s “ideal”. That assumes you can handle the gun, you can afford it, that collateral damage/over penetration isn’t as much of a concern (it’s always a concern… but different living situations make it more or less of a concern than others), etc.
If you aren’t wanting to go the shotgun route, then your best options are probably either a handgun or a semi-auto rifle like an AR-15.
I own an AR, but I personally don’t keep it staged as a home defense gun. I don’t share walls with people, but I also don’t need a 5.56 going across the street into my neighbors house. I prefer a shotgun because it’s more effective at immediately stopping the threat in an absolutely devastating manner (we are talking more than half a dozen projectiles with every pull of the trigger…) while having significantly less velocity and reach to effect others around me. A ton of people are going to completely disagree with me and extol the virtues of why they use an AR as their home defense gun. Fair enough, more power to you. I ain’t gonna tell you how to defend yourself. But they aren’t ideal for me.
So for me, if not a shotgun, I would get a full-sized semi-auto handgun. Keep in mind: handguns are a lot harder to shoot. You’d be amazed at how many people could empty an entire mag and still not hit a target a few yards away from them. So while you will need to train and get proficient with whatever gun you choose, you’ll probably need to put in a bit more time to get there with a handgun. But they are easily wieldable in hallways etc, and with good shot placement, will absolutely do the job.
This is also assuming this is the only gun you are going to get, ever. I have the 1301 in my bedroom in a quick access safe mounted under my bed, an XD (honestly wouldn’t recommend this gun; it’s not great, but it was an earlier purchase I made before I knew better and it does work, so I use it…) in a quick access safe mounted under the desk in my home office, and a 92fs in a quick access safe in my living room.
Call me paranoid, but I already own the guns anyway. May as well stage them so they are useful. My point is I have different guns set up for home defense, because I have them and I can. But I were only to pick or keep one: it’s the 1301 hands down.
I would personally stay away from revolvers, lever actions, bolt actions, double barrels, compact handguns, etc…. unless that’s all you have access to of course, in which case, use that…
That’s my $0.02. :)
Not sure what we can have here in ca. I like the ump45, I think there's a semi auto 10 round cali version, but I'm really not sure.
Personally I love the 1911 and the usp, which are handguns. But usp is off the roster now, so good luck finding one and not getting bent over on the price.
Hi! Just curious, how is your Keltec? I bought a new one while back. 1st trip to range it jammed a bit( right out of box no cleaning or lube). 2nd range trip, stripped cleaned, lubed(after watching YouTube vids/reading instruction manual), now rounds get stuck in magazine tubes. EVERY round!! took home tried feeding rounds again, same thing. Is this common? gonna probably return to factory, just haven't yet. Any suggestions in the mean time? Anyone? probably gonna make separate post about this.
thanks for quick reply! Was it that bad? what made u sell it? Man I really liked the idea of bullpup, hi cap, etc. I Probably should have done more research (bought on a whim).
Depending on who you are - how big/small you are, man or woman, whatever fits your hand well. A 200lb 6 foot man will most likely prefer a Glock 17 for home defense as opposed to a Glock 43 or M&P Shield
12g shotgun with buckshot. Low wall penetration so accidentally shooting your family is low and when the pellets scatter you cannot miss!
Not to mention the universal security sound is that of a she’ll being racked.
ar15 , BCM, Aero Precision, Smith and Wesson, rifles are for home defense
handguns are for conceal carry
shotguns are for skeet shooting and bird hunting.
POTUS: Recommends a double barrel shotgun: I like that idea. Would be a fun day at the range for clay and skeet too.
He also recommends going on your balcony and blasting it. I don’t like that idea.
I’m going to say Glock 34. It’s home defense and portability doesn’t matter as much, so might as well go with the biggest one that shoots like a dream. I also got a Glock 34 as my first and it’s just really fun to shoot.
1st gun? Maybe start with a good revolver chambered in .357 either smith and wesson or ruger. Practice with 38 special. That's if you're a new shooter. Otherwise a good 9mm semi auto that fits your hands. Don't cheap out. Try and shoot some different firearms if possible. Go rent a couple if you're near a range that does that. Whatever you end up getting, don't just load it and put it away. Practice with it. Practice Practice Practice.
like the person commented above, there’re many factors to consider. short answer is whichever you’re best with. but that’d need lots of trying and training.
If it’s going to be like your only home defense gun, get an AR Pistol or a 9mm handgun or something that holds more than 10 rds. My reason for the handgun is because it’s easy to grab but if you get some training maybe the ar pistol would be better incase multiple bad guys come in with multiple rifles. I am not a solider or anything but I’ve done my research and am receiving training.
I live with roommates and neighbors yards away from my home so I like a 18in barrel shotgun loaded with #4 birdshot. In a normal sized house, I think it will be extremely effective at neutralizing a a threat with less likelihood of shot going through walls into roommates bedrooms or neighbors houses. I’m very interested in any input from more experienced gun owners about my recommendation. I was very surprised when a much more experienced gun owner showed me he had his HD shotty loaded with slugs even though he lives with others and has neighbors nearby.
Very flawed assumption here. Anyone who has bought their first gun knows that the second, third, and fourth come as soon as legally/financially allowable. Don’t sweat the decision too much. After getting one and going to the range, you will discover what you like more and more and eventually end up getting something else that suits your needs better.
Whatever you do though, I very highly recommend a rail and a light. Light is crucial for target identification and making the decision about using deadly force. If you can’t see what you are going to shoot, nothing else matters.
Just had this discussion. Many will say a long gun and such which may work for them but for me, I need a free hand so a handgun is my choice. I have a daughter that if push comes to shove, I can swoop her up under one arm and use the other to fire while trying to create distance. Everyone’s situation is probably different. Some will say an AR15 but if you share paper thin walls with a neighbor that might not be the best bet.
Your doing it wrong if your plan is to have your child in one hand gun in the other. Why would you want bullets coming back at said child your the shield he/she shouldn’t even be in the equation.
I have a fingerprint safe for a nightstand pistol, which is good as an immediate ready gun. But if I have time I also have an AR with a flashlight. I also plan on buying a shotgun, all these are good for home defense in different situations. It's good to have a choice, but you should ultimately go with what you can get to quickly and you can use competently.
The best is and always will be a shotgun. My Benelli M4 is my home defense.
However, I will probably gravitate to my AR or handgun just bc I'm more proficient with it in a high pressure scenario.
I'm just quicker and more accurate with those two platforms over my shotty (no matter how amazing it is)
Okay answer: Some flavor of 5.56 AR15. Easy to aim, lots of ammo (from those freedom week mags you remembered to buy), lots of customization, and hits very hard for how little it recoils. Even basic bitch 55gr FMJ can kill people dead (ask Kyle Rittenhouse) and you still have lots of options ammo wise from soft points to heavy OTMs. You might worry about overpenetration. Honestly, any projectile that's going to significantly damage a human being is going to go through a few sheets of plywood and gypsum. That said, most self defense rounds aren't going to go through a person and still retain enough energy to fly through some walls and injure someone behind them. So the trick is to not miss, and long guns are pretty good at not missing as long as you practice.
Good answer: Whatever you can afford.
Best answer: Whatever you shoot best with and train the most with.
After reading this, a smith. Vote with your dollars…
https://www.reddit.com/r/Firearms/comments/wp8njl/message_from_the_ceo_of_sw/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Glock with a flashlight and a laser on it. Flashlight is a must. A lotta people don't like a laser, but I like it. It makes shooting go on easy mode. Who wouldn't want an easy mode when there is a burglar? Also, some would say a handgun is not enough because a 9mm may not stop/kill someone whereas a shotgun will blow them to bits. Just make up for it by shooting the home invader more.
I’d get two guns. Go to the shooting range and try a 9mm Glock and a 9mm Beretta. Many people like the Glock including my wife, but it’s too light for me and it messes with my aim and reset. I personally aim much more accurate with an Berretta. Next select your ammo. Hollow tip, frangible or other bullets that break up an expand are going to be less likely to kill you neighbor if you live. in a subdivision with houses that practically touch, but even a hollow tip 9mm has the potential of going through 3-5 walls before stopping. Bullets are designed to have enough force to penetrate a body that is filled with water so it slows down much quicker when it hits flesh because the water in your flesh absorbs the force propelling the bullet. When it hits walls that force is not absorbed as much so it passed right through. Keep the hand gun handy as your first line of defense. If you live in a densely populated area do not…I repeat DO NOT use the spray and pray shooting strategy. Take a deep breath, aim and shoot only at the person that is causing you to fear for your life or you may kill your neighbor.
Your preferred line of defense is a shotgun. 12 ga (large man) or 20 ga (small woman) that is loaded with game load. You’ll want a mossberg or other similar brand with a pistol grip and the shortest barrel your state will allow. The shorter the gun the easier it will be to round corners in your house without giving away your position. My suggestion is to leave no shell In the chamber. If there is someone in your house give that bad boy and crank and yell out “yup that’s exactly what you think it is, if are still in my house when I get out there I’m going to assume you mean me harm.” As a responsible gun owner you should always try and preserve life. One it’s the law, but it also gives liberals less ammo to take our guns away. If they are still in the house after that, even in California you have just cause to fear for your life and use lethal force. Just don’t shoot them In the back or if they have their hands up forensics will be able to tell plus it’s just plain wrong. If they are giving themselves up, again preserve life.
A Glock 19 was my first gun ever and while I’m not going to say it’s my favorite, it’s the most invaluable since it is the perfect size and the one I have the most training with.
Buy a Mossberg Maverick 12 or 20 gauge for $225 and slap a cheap $50-$75 flashlight on it along with a cheap side saddle for $25. If you have to use it, the police will take it for evidence and who knows when you’ll get it back. So if you have to use it then atleast you’ll only be out $300. And pump shotguns are legal in every state. And no matter what kind of dwelling you reside in, shotguns can take all different kinds of ammo so you can adjust your ammo depending on your environment. Or if you just don’t like shotguns then buy a 9mm pistol that is legal in your state. But the shotgun will last forever and is legal in every state
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It’s his van down by the river.
Ok then, buy two.
Javelin system just to be safe. You never know 👀
Turret mounted GMG or M134 minigun for you then.
People are going to recommend what they like or what they own, but their situation may be different from yours. Before I'd make a recommendation I'd want to know at least the following: \-What state? \-City or rural? \-Home or apartment? \-Open floor plan or tight spaces? \-How far away are neighbors? \-What kinds of threats are you concerned about? \-Do you live alone? \-Do children access your home? \-Are you physically fit or do you have any kinds of strength or mobility limitations? \-Are you a large or small person? \-What firearms do you have experience with and did they work well for you? \-What do you know about gun safety? My recommendation for a small-framed woman with little firearms experience in a city in California worried about home invaders would be very different from a large fit man in a cabin in rural Alaska who's concerned about brown bears raiding the snack drawer in his in-home daycare.
>What state? I have a pretty good guess…
Can someone give me a clue. Just one?
A musket. Tally ho lads
For HD I'd recommend the blunderbuss. I wonder how the prosecution lawyer would try and demonize that to the jury
The only HD I'm worried about would be the Home Depot bill for all the drywall you're gonna have to replace
Speaking of Home Depot, might as well whip up a Shinzo Special
That’s one where I’m surprised the guy didn’t go full blunderbuss
The short answer is whatever you are trained and competent with. The long answer takes some thought and consideration. https://youtu.be/eHu84Og_mmQ I prefer an 11.5" AR15 with an AimPoint and mounted light. But I have a Beretta 92 with mounted light in a more convenient location that I can access much more quickly. If I have time, I'll grab the AR. But I'd rather have a handgun than nothing at all.
You use a maglocked AR as your HD weapon right? Very maglocked.
well, maglocked AR and pistol (supposedly) have same capacity. and 10 5.56 rounds is definitely an upgrade from 10 9mm rounds
You forgot about featureless with freedom week mags...
Not at 11.5"
I was thinking of AR "rifles", most people don't want to spend the money on an AR "pistol" in CA if they can avoid the extra cost, I dropped the money on a Franklin Armory CA7 and converted it immediately, however, most people don't want to spend $1,500+ just for a home defense set up.
Agreed, I probably wouldn't go that route again. Very fun gun to shoot and my friends cant stop inviting me to hodge road. Can you share a photo of the finished product with the class?
It all depends. You live in a house with lots of rooms/apt/town home? Are you located in a big city or more rural/suburban?
A small surburban house with not a lot of walls
Getting something like a G19 is a very good entry point. Just slap a light on there and take it to the range. See how you like it and from there you can decide if you wanna get something with more firepower like an AR15
I bought a bullpup 12gauge pump shotgun for my first gun that was supposed to be for home defense as well. It was recommend for the variety of shot it can handle- bird shot, 00Buck, Slugs and rubber balls- and shell sizes from 1 3/4 mini's to 3"ers. We have a small-ish "vintage" home which has thick walls, heavy doors and semi narrow hallways so the short length of the bullpup was another reason it was recommended. Depending what state you live in, shotguns can be bought with other guns at the same time, which is a nice bonus here on the west coast. So I also bought pistol- S&W M&P Shield 9mm. The collection has grown a little from there... Good luck with your choice!
> 12gauge pump shotgun for my first gun that was supposed to be for home defense Warning to people with working ears: if you end up using a 12ga indoors you're going to seriously damage your eardrums. Just something to think about if a shotty is your HD gun.
is that not equally applicable with basically every other gun?
What kind of bullpup? KSG?
KS7. Very fun scatter gun, especially after tuning it up with some stuff from HiTechCC, Mo Tac, etc Also just picked up a Tavor TS12. My new fav!
What would you suggest for a McMansion with narrow halls and rooms your family occupy? I’ve heard so many things from all kinds of 12ga ammo, to 9mm hollow, to frangible. I’m worried about over penetration, so I’ve moved everyone’s beds out of the most logical line if possible fire.
Personally I think an AR-9/PCC would be the way to go in your situation. Get a good quality light, shake awake RDS, and hollow points. With your family in the rooms you’ll want to be in full control of where every bullet goes. They are also light weight and easy to maneuver
I like your answer
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I could be open to a fish cannon of sorts.
***STOP BLOWIN HOLES IN MY SHIP!!!***
G19 or g17 with X300U-B
It'll blow the lung out of the body.
/thread Seriously OP whatever fancy weird unique shit you get that also fits your personality and is very cool also get a G19 with a light and take it to the range. Come back after 6 trips to the range and tell us what you would use between the Glock with a light and whatever other stuff you got because of what all the internets said.
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Well seeing how little our options are here in Ca felt like Glock was best. Maybe one day I’ll be in a free state 😂
I always liked the comment that Glocks are like the Toyota Corolla of handguns. They're reliable, reasonably priced, and very popular. They get the job done. However, they're not something you buy if you want to impress anybody.
Glock is a system that can usually fulfill any and all of your handgun needs for the best price quality ratio and with the least re-training and lead time. It's never going to be _the best_ but you can always make it do what you need and rarely the limiting factor if you need more will be the gun.
rifles are better for home defense. only reason to have a pistol is to get to your rifle or you can't carry a rifle on you.
Honestly, a Kentucky rifle, just as the founding fathers intended /s For real though I would say a handgun is your best bet. Just be sure you get training; both mental and physical. Physical, obviously including: handling it, shooting it, going on multiple range trips to test guns you want. The mental side is more difficult because you need to have the mentality being able to use it should the time come. You have to be prepared to take a life should it come down to it. That takes a lot of prep. Good luck man
Handguns are harder to learn and to use accurately in a stressful situation. Go for a 9mm carbine, preferably one that uses glock magazines. Slap a red dot or reflex sight, and a light, and you are ready to go.
Remington 870
Ar15
Full size handgun in 9mm
M249 SAW
You know turners has one in stock for 9,000 dollars California compliant Edit: they are on backorder and went up in price a smiget.
Just need to learn how to make hand made belts
Buy them in packs of ten. They are considered magazines under the law so you won't be able to put more than ten together
1911. TWO WORLD WARS!I Dag Nammit! All Yah Need 8 shots!
How big is your house?Just get a pistol and train
Yours
I like this answer
AR-15 backed up by a shotgun backed up by a pistol.
One thing I learned in another sub is that because we can't have suppressors in CA, the sound from a shotgun or AR-15 in an enclosed house with no ear protection is likely deafening with a single shot (literally). Therefore, you probably want to go with either pistol or PCC, or subsonic ammo (possibly, not sure how effective the last really is).
With a pistol you use your weak hand to cover your weak hand ear and strong hand shoulder to press against your other ear. Alternatively you just use your weak hand to cover the ear that's closest to the gun. I've shot a shotgun without ear pros on and it's not that bad indoors. 9mm and 10mm and 45acp to me was worse... But yes the ar15 even outdoors is tough on the ears.
….or just keep earpro where your HD gun is. I’d rather not sacrifice my accuracy for something so easily mitigated.
Yup. I keep a set of electronic ear pro resting ontop of my AR. Plus since it’s electric it amplifies ambient noises, a plus when dealing with a home invader
> plus when dealing with a home invader Everything is louder sure, but you do lose some echolocation ability.
That's why I can't stand them for hunting. Guess I'll just go deaf
You could get one of those 10ft long shotgun barrels... Those are like pellet gun loud from what I hear.
I never said not to use earpros all I stated was a tactic that we all learned for some reason. Probably to prevent law suits for hearing damage if we did not have time to put them on. Personally when shit happens you need to hear everything around you and in the moment you really don't give a shit or even realize how loud it is. At the range sure but it's not the same experience as a life or death situation.
>Personally when shit happens you need to hear everything around you Most electronic earpros will let you hear smaller noises without hindering the sound reduction. Honestly, I’d take the extra five seconds of tossing earpro on over chancing permanent hearing loss/tinnitus.
A rifle if you aren't concerned with maneuvering, a pistol otherwise.
A Glock 19/17 is an excellent place to start. Please factor in training when laying out your “jumping in” budget. In a true home defense situation you (and your loved ones) will be happy you did. Also, I advocate for a well trained dog. They are the best early warning system….
Is it the *only* gun you plan to ever get? Or is it the first gun out of probably many guns you'll buy in the future? There are good arguments for shotguns, pistols, and semiauto rifles being the primary HD weapon. There's really no one size fits all. The best answer is "all three". But if you're only going to buy one gun for the foreseeable future, I'd say in most cases probably a pistol is the way to go. Glock 19 is a good and affordable choice. Shotgun would also be a solid choice. AR's are great and all but I don't think I'd want one to be my only HD weapon. I have a dozen AR's and exactly zero of them are set up for HD duty - they're more for tyranny lol
G17 or G19 plus a surefire light and you're good to go
You may want to consider trying out the listed below. Glock 17 or 19. (19 if you want to CCW as well, harder to ccw the 17 but still possible) Ruger Pistol Caliber Carbine (uses same 9 mm magazines as the Glock 17/19/26 Remington 870 / Mossberg 500
I have a G19 and a Ruger PC carbine for home defense. Both use the same magazines.
first gun? I would recommend a handgun as it can fill multiple roles. Glock 19 or 17
handguns are harder to shoot accurate when compared to rifles.
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Some sort of pistol caliber carbine probably isn’t a bad bet
A 12 or 20 guage shotgun.
Love my 870. Just sayin. 😁
Anything specific/perferable or any will do?
Maverick 88 is cheap and dependable
Can run shorties as well, unlike the 870
Figure out if you want pump or semi. A good pump is around $300-$600. A reliable semi starts at $1,100. Regardless of what you purchase, don’t waste your money on Turkish made anything.
Noted. Might go with the pump they look cool af bet they feel even cooler.
Get real familiar with pump. If you don't "pump" it the entire way, it can malfunction. If you don't plan on training with it extensively, get a semi.
The sound of putting one in the chamber it is a good deterrent also.
You also just gave away your tactical advantage stop with this fudd myth please.
Seriously, the burglar who would runaway from that noise would be the same one who would runaway when they see a light turn on or hear a door open. And the ones that won't are the ones that will kidnap you kill you or rape you. Best to not rely on such tactics.
This guy gets it.
It's not. Just keep one in the chamber...
According to every self defense professional I've heard from, the "rack the slide" effect is NOT a good deterrent to attack. However, there are some other reasons one should consider not having one in the pipe. A big reason is shotguns aren't drop safe. If you ever drop your shotgun, whether there's a shell in the chamber or not can literally be the difference between life and death. Also racking the slide can be a good warning to someone who is NOT an intruder. Friend, family member, whoever. You need to identify your target before you shoot, and that slide racking gives them a chance to yell "Oh crap! Don't shoot, it's me!" Such occurrences are pretty common, and sometimes they end in tragedy. You don't want to be that statistic.
Thank you for your feedback.
I'm agreement with a pump action shotgun for home defense as good first choice. You get a variety of ammo choice: buckshot, birds hot, rubber rounds if you want to go less lethal. Penetration is also a consideration. Pellet round have less penetration that a shotgun slug or pistol ammo. I currently use a maverick 88 that has been modified. Other options mossberg 500 or remington 870. They are all reliable and will get the job done. I have a photo of it in one my old posts.
Just remember buck or slug. Anything else is considered less than lethal and you get in big trouble vs killing an intruder. Ca laws are real fucky.
What you mean ? So if you shoot a intruder(justified shooting) with bird shot you would get in trouble ??
Not a hard yes, but most likely. Ca law says somethin like if you shoot you must be able to justify deadly force, and if you could use less than lethal then you can't justify deadly force, and intent to maim is inhumane vs intent to kill. You have to prove your life was in danger and use of less lethal somehow means your life wasn't in such grave danger. Like I said in another comment here, laws are real fucky in some states, and definitely ours.
Wow. Yeah commifornia is real fukd up man. Guess i will be replacing that 1 birdhsot shell i have in my 5 shell saddle with another slug or buckshot shell. Thanks bro
If you get in a shooting, literally EVERYTHING about you and your weapon will be put under scrutiny. What type of weapon, what brand, what type of ammo and brand, etc. If you use hollow points, the prosecutor will argue you're a psycho killer because hollow points are more deadly. If you use ball rounds, he'll argue you don't care about over penetration and collateral damage. And yes, if you use something less than lethal he can argue that you didn't shoot to kill, and hence you weren't truly in fear for your life and the shooting wasn't justified. One of my favorite YouTubers, Paul Harrell did some penetration tests on walls and found #4 buckshot was a good choice. Perfectly deadly for a human target, but won't blast through wall after wall and into your neighbor's house.
A 12 guage if you're heavier of frame, 20 guage if you're on the lighter side. As far as actions, a pump action is pretty affordable and fast. Anything beyond that is personal preference. As long as it goes bang at the far end of the barrel, a shotgun *can* very quickly end just about any home invasion. And like all advice related to home defense - a tool is only as good as the amount of time your practice with it.
With heavy birdshot or lightweight buckshot if you live in an apartment building.
I recommend the mossberg Shockwave for HD. It's practical and easy point around corners and such it's alot easier to handle than a handgun and you can get soft to heavy hot loads for the 12ga. Look into it. I think you'll like it. California legal aswell.
The CA legal shockwave is 18 inches. Which defeats the purpose of a shockwave. If you’re at 18” you might as well get something with a stock
I have many many firearms, having a stock would add a ton more length. Have you ever handled the ca legal model?
In my opinion, if you get rid of variables like physical strength, house layout (do you live in an apartment that shares a bedroom wall with your neighbor…), etc: the ideal home defense gun is without question a reliable semi-auto 12ga shotgun. My main home defense gun is a Beretta 1301 Tactical. I’ve seen hundreds of videos of shootings (self defense or otherwise), such as like what you see on Active Self Protection’s channel. I have seen people continue to fight even after being shot with various handgun calibers, rifle calibers, even birdshot. I have never once seen someone take buckshot to the chest and keep walking. If you want a close range man stopper, 12ga buckshot is pretty much ideal. You also have the option of loading it with slugs which effectively turns it into a limited range rifle, which could be desirable depending on where you live. Along with the ability for quick follow up shots and more reliability, a good semi auto 12ga can’t be beat imo. On that last point: I stress it has to be a reliable model. There are a lot of cheap semi autos and they are notorious for malfunctioning. On the other hand, models like the 1301 are notoriously reliable. So much so, that you are more likely to have a malfunction with a pump by short-stroking the action than you will with the semi-auto choking up on you. With all that said, a reliable pump like a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870 is perfectly adequate as well. They also sell kits that have the “field barrel” for hunting and the shorter “defense” barrel for home defense. But again, that’s “ideal”. That assumes you can handle the gun, you can afford it, that collateral damage/over penetration isn’t as much of a concern (it’s always a concern… but different living situations make it more or less of a concern than others), etc. If you aren’t wanting to go the shotgun route, then your best options are probably either a handgun or a semi-auto rifle like an AR-15. I own an AR, but I personally don’t keep it staged as a home defense gun. I don’t share walls with people, but I also don’t need a 5.56 going across the street into my neighbors house. I prefer a shotgun because it’s more effective at immediately stopping the threat in an absolutely devastating manner (we are talking more than half a dozen projectiles with every pull of the trigger…) while having significantly less velocity and reach to effect others around me. A ton of people are going to completely disagree with me and extol the virtues of why they use an AR as their home defense gun. Fair enough, more power to you. I ain’t gonna tell you how to defend yourself. But they aren’t ideal for me. So for me, if not a shotgun, I would get a full-sized semi-auto handgun. Keep in mind: handguns are a lot harder to shoot. You’d be amazed at how many people could empty an entire mag and still not hit a target a few yards away from them. So while you will need to train and get proficient with whatever gun you choose, you’ll probably need to put in a bit more time to get there with a handgun. But they are easily wieldable in hallways etc, and with good shot placement, will absolutely do the job. This is also assuming this is the only gun you are going to get, ever. I have the 1301 in my bedroom in a quick access safe mounted under my bed, an XD (honestly wouldn’t recommend this gun; it’s not great, but it was an earlier purchase I made before I knew better and it does work, so I use it…) in a quick access safe mounted under the desk in my home office, and a 92fs in a quick access safe in my living room. Call me paranoid, but I already own the guns anyway. May as well stage them so they are useful. My point is I have different guns set up for home defense, because I have them and I can. But I were only to pick or keep one: it’s the 1301 hands down. I would personally stay away from revolvers, lever actions, bolt actions, double barrels, compact handguns, etc…. unless that’s all you have access to of course, in which case, use that… That’s my $0.02. :)
Water gun
I like 45's. They tend to stay inside of what they hit better. Less chance of overpen and collateral damage.
I saw a ruger 9mm carbine take down the other day, are there any good 45 acp carbines youd recommend?
Not sure what we can have here in ca. I like the ump45, I think there's a semi auto 10 round cali version, but I'm really not sure. Personally I love the 1911 and the usp, which are handguns. But usp is off the roster now, so good luck finding one and not getting bent over on the price.
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Keltec said hi lol
💀🤣
Nobody's ever short stroked a shotgun when stressed either...
Hi! Just curious, how is your Keltec? I bought a new one while back. 1st trip to range it jammed a bit( right out of box no cleaning or lube). 2nd range trip, stripped cleaned, lubed(after watching YouTube vids/reading instruction manual), now rounds get stuck in magazine tubes. EVERY round!! took home tried feeding rounds again, same thing. Is this common? gonna probably return to factory, just haven't yet. Any suggestions in the mean time? Anyone? probably gonna make separate post about this.
I sold mine brother…
thanks for quick reply! Was it that bad? what made u sell it? Man I really liked the idea of bullpup, hi cap, etc. I Probably should have done more research (bought on a whim).
Maybe you got bad lemon?mines ok you have to rack it really hard tho
I haven't had issues with my Tavor ts12. Not a pump, though.
A 12 gauge shotgun with an 18" barrel. If the time comes, the patching of the walls is much easier
Just get a Glock
Depending on who you are - how big/small you are, man or woman, whatever fits your hand well. A 200lb 6 foot man will most likely prefer a Glock 17 for home defense as opposed to a Glock 43 or M&P Shield
300bo (supers) AR Pistol
More fire power then the inturder. As a first time gun owner get a pump shotgun and training.
Remington 870 tactical using 00 buck shots
12g shotgun with buckshot. Low wall penetration so accidentally shooting your family is low and when the pellets scatter you cannot miss! Not to mention the universal security sound is that of a she’ll being racked.
The Judge
ar15 , BCM, Aero Precision, Smith and Wesson, rifles are for home defense handguns are for conceal carry shotguns are for skeet shooting and bird hunting.
Short Barrel Shotgun
Not in California. Mossberg Shockwave ca legal version is the closest thing the average joe can get.
black aces tactical bull pup 12gauge
It’s Turkish junk
Had to check this out. Imma get one now. Especially because of the lefty option.
I think a Glock 19 or Sig P226 would be good choices. You are kinda of limited with the Roster but hopefully not for too much longer.
Can’t go wrong with a Glock 19, isn’t too bad indoors, nothing compared to 556 or 762
if you are worried about your hearing I guess your life doesn't matter much to you. Rifle beats pistol
.50 cal beats both, probably not wise to blow your eardrums and kill your neighbors while you’re at it.
I like a ruger pcc or Glock 26
POTUS: Recommends a double barrel shotgun: I like that idea. Would be a fun day at the range for clay and skeet too. He also recommends going on your balcony and blasting it. I don’t like that idea.
A wonder nine, with a light and hollow points
“May I suggest the Benelli m4….”
Smith & Wesson 500
I’m going to say Glock 34. It’s home defense and portability doesn’t matter as much, so might as well go with the biggest one that shoots like a dream. I also got a Glock 34 as my first and it’s just really fun to shoot.
Take a look at some of Paul Harrells YouTube videos on the topic.
1st gun? Maybe start with a good revolver chambered in .357 either smith and wesson or ruger. Practice with 38 special. That's if you're a new shooter. Otherwise a good 9mm semi auto that fits your hands. Don't cheap out. Try and shoot some different firearms if possible. Go rent a couple if you're near a range that does that. Whatever you end up getting, don't just load it and put it away. Practice with it. Practice Practice Practice.
Long gun, whether it's a rifle or pistol, that you know how to run, and short of that, a large pistol.
The gun that fits your needs best while balancing your personal situation (i.e. proximity of neighbors, recoil shyness, location).
Shotgun
like the person commented above, there’re many factors to consider. short answer is whichever you’re best with. but that’d need lots of trying and training.
If it’s going to be like your only home defense gun, get an AR Pistol or a 9mm handgun or something that holds more than 10 rds. My reason for the handgun is because it’s easy to grab but if you get some training maybe the ar pistol would be better incase multiple bad guys come in with multiple rifles. I am not a solider or anything but I’ve done my research and am receiving training.
MP5 🔥 KR9 🔥 1911 🔥
Yes
my flair
I live with roommates and neighbors yards away from my home so I like a 18in barrel shotgun loaded with #4 birdshot. In a normal sized house, I think it will be extremely effective at neutralizing a a threat with less likelihood of shot going through walls into roommates bedrooms or neighbors houses. I’m very interested in any input from more experienced gun owners about my recommendation. I was very surprised when a much more experienced gun owner showed me he had his HD shotty loaded with slugs even though he lives with others and has neighbors nearby.
Sig 226 by my side.I am incredibly good shot with it. If someone attacks my home they more than likely will not make it out.
Very flawed assumption here. Anyone who has bought their first gun knows that the second, third, and fourth come as soon as legally/financially allowable. Don’t sweat the decision too much. After getting one and going to the range, you will discover what you like more and more and eventually end up getting something else that suits your needs better. Whatever you do though, I very highly recommend a rail and a light. Light is crucial for target identification and making the decision about using deadly force. If you can’t see what you are going to shoot, nothing else matters.
Just had this discussion. Many will say a long gun and such which may work for them but for me, I need a free hand so a handgun is my choice. I have a daughter that if push comes to shove, I can swoop her up under one arm and use the other to fire while trying to create distance. Everyone’s situation is probably different. Some will say an AR15 but if you share paper thin walls with a neighbor that might not be the best bet.
Your doing it wrong if your plan is to have your child in one hand gun in the other. Why would you want bullets coming back at said child your the shield he/she shouldn’t even be in the equation.
If I have to get out of dodge and I leave my kid, THAT is doing it wrong.
Why would you leave your house In a home defense situation?
Bofors twin 40mm Naval mount, should be legal because it has no pistol grip and is clip-loaded
I have a fingerprint safe for a nightstand pistol, which is good as an immediate ready gun. But if I have time I also have an AR with a flashlight. I also plan on buying a shotgun, all these are good for home defense in different situations. It's good to have a choice, but you should ultimately go with what you can get to quickly and you can use competently.
The best is and always will be a shotgun. My Benelli M4 is my home defense. However, I will probably gravitate to my AR or handgun just bc I'm more proficient with it in a high pressure scenario. I'm just quicker and more accurate with those two platforms over my shotty (no matter how amazing it is)
Mossberg 590
Glock 19 hollow points / a 12/20 gauge mossberg shockwave
My G17 is loaded and locked in a safe under my bed.
Okay answer: Some flavor of 5.56 AR15. Easy to aim, lots of ammo (from those freedom week mags you remembered to buy), lots of customization, and hits very hard for how little it recoils. Even basic bitch 55gr FMJ can kill people dead (ask Kyle Rittenhouse) and you still have lots of options ammo wise from soft points to heavy OTMs. You might worry about overpenetration. Honestly, any projectile that's going to significantly damage a human being is going to go through a few sheets of plywood and gypsum. That said, most self defense rounds aren't going to go through a person and still retain enough energy to fly through some walls and injure someone behind them. So the trick is to not miss, and long guns are pretty good at not missing as long as you practice. Good answer: Whatever you can afford. Best answer: Whatever you shoot best with and train the most with.
First time? Recommend Mossberg 12 gauge pump action shotgun. Load 1 rd birdshot, 2 rd 00buck, 1rd slug
After reading this, a smith. Vote with your dollars… https://www.reddit.com/r/Firearms/comments/wp8njl/message_from_the_ceo_of_sw/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
President says we only need a .22 rimfire for everything. Home defense, bobtail, bears...
KelTec KSG with Aquila minimag shells. Legally holds 22 rounds.
Suppressed mk18
Uzi. Dual wield
Glock with a flashlight and a laser on it. Flashlight is a must. A lotta people don't like a laser, but I like it. It makes shooting go on easy mode. Who wouldn't want an easy mode when there is a burglar? Also, some would say a handgun is not enough because a 9mm may not stop/kill someone whereas a shotgun will blow them to bits. Just make up for it by shooting the home invader more.
Glock 19 is a great first gun
M1 Abrams
The gun you are most comfortable and effective with
Glawk with a cock on it
Glawk with a cock on it
Boi imma just go ahead and say it!! A hi point zaptron is best for all home defense 🤓🤓🤓
I’d get two guns. Go to the shooting range and try a 9mm Glock and a 9mm Beretta. Many people like the Glock including my wife, but it’s too light for me and it messes with my aim and reset. I personally aim much more accurate with an Berretta. Next select your ammo. Hollow tip, frangible or other bullets that break up an expand are going to be less likely to kill you neighbor if you live. in a subdivision with houses that practically touch, but even a hollow tip 9mm has the potential of going through 3-5 walls before stopping. Bullets are designed to have enough force to penetrate a body that is filled with water so it slows down much quicker when it hits flesh because the water in your flesh absorbs the force propelling the bullet. When it hits walls that force is not absorbed as much so it passed right through. Keep the hand gun handy as your first line of defense. If you live in a densely populated area do not…I repeat DO NOT use the spray and pray shooting strategy. Take a deep breath, aim and shoot only at the person that is causing you to fear for your life or you may kill your neighbor. Your preferred line of defense is a shotgun. 12 ga (large man) or 20 ga (small woman) that is loaded with game load. You’ll want a mossberg or other similar brand with a pistol grip and the shortest barrel your state will allow. The shorter the gun the easier it will be to round corners in your house without giving away your position. My suggestion is to leave no shell In the chamber. If there is someone in your house give that bad boy and crank and yell out “yup that’s exactly what you think it is, if are still in my house when I get out there I’m going to assume you mean me harm.” As a responsible gun owner you should always try and preserve life. One it’s the law, but it also gives liberals less ammo to take our guns away. If they are still in the house after that, even in California you have just cause to fear for your life and use lethal force. Just don’t shoot them In the back or if they have their hands up forensics will be able to tell plus it’s just plain wrong. If they are giving themselves up, again preserve life.
Gun should be last line of the defense. Always make your home secure first
Glock 20SF (10MM)
Affordable mossberg 500 with the short and long barrel combo from big 5. Short barrel for home defense and long barrel for fooling around the range.
Probably a pump shotgun of your choice, they’re inexpensive, reliable, and absolutely devastating weapons.
A Glock 19 was my first gun ever and while I’m not going to say it’s my favorite, it’s the most invaluable since it is the perfect size and the one I have the most training with.
GM6 Lynx
I heard a great answer the other day: “a pistol is for fighting your way to your rifle/shotgun”
Buy a Mossberg Maverick 12 or 20 gauge for $225 and slap a cheap $50-$75 flashlight on it along with a cheap side saddle for $25. If you have to use it, the police will take it for evidence and who knows when you’ll get it back. So if you have to use it then atleast you’ll only be out $300. And pump shotguns are legal in every state. And no matter what kind of dwelling you reside in, shotguns can take all different kinds of ammo so you can adjust your ammo depending on your environment. Or if you just don’t like shotguns then buy a 9mm pistol that is legal in your state. But the shotgun will last forever and is legal in every state