I’m new to firearms (recovering Democrat) looking to get a long gun for home defense and dealing with potential civil unrest or looting in a Katrina-like scenario.
In researching the effectiveness of different types of firearms and calibers, I’ve noticed that for any idea or firearm solution, you can find a lot of people who will tell you it’s great and just as many who will tell you it’s a terrible idea e.g. PCCs over AR’s, shotguns over PCCs, AR or bust, etc.
So I understand there’s no consensus around “best gun for home defense”, and a lot of it depends on one’s specific circumstances including willingness and ability to train, state restrictions, physical size and strength, etc.
Given that, what I’d like to know from the more experienced folks here is how should I go about researching and thinking about this topic? Specifically, knowing what you know now, how would you approach buying a gun for home defense, and what pitfalls would you watch out for?
So people will tell you all sorts of answers and the truth is that they probably aren’t wrong, just in a different living situation or lifestyle or experience from you that works for them. I own many AR type rifles, but they wouldn’t be my go-to for someone illegally entering my home, not because they couldn’t do the job, but if you look at my state and local laws as well as other home defense cases, I do have a strong chance of being convicted over a scary Black Rifle vs a Pistol or PCC. But as many people will just throw out brands of ARs I would say get a BCM, Colt, DD, Geissele, SOLGW, or some other reputable brand and start training with it, any by training, I mean take classes, go online and listen to other gun owners and reviewers and see what they say, with the understanding that their experience may or may not apply to your situation, or that they might be talking about a subject or a philosophy that you might not have broached yet. Please understand that this is a pandora’s box you have just opened, so be ready to be frustrated or ridiculed, with the understanding that you’ll at least get to learn from it.
If you want an AR, which is a good all around SD/HD gun, get one. A 16” carbine in any of the above mentioned brands are GTG, add a decent red dot sight, buy a stack of Magpul magazines and a couple cases of 5.56 ammo. Get some training and practice, practice, practice.
Your kind of a “Collector” or a guy buying strictly to Defend himself. If you’re a guy buying Guns to Defend Himself, you are very likely to become a “Collector” later.
A Basic no frills AR/M4. such as BCM with a quality red dot.
A inexpensive 12 gauge with rifle sights.
A Pistol and that’s a rabbit hole I won’t go down. I train with 9mm and carry 45 acp and that’s all I will say about that. But damn I have a lot of money in pistols and magazines. Handgunning is something very personal in what you prefer. Read a lot, try a few and Buy One at a time.
Thanks! Is there order in which you buy all that important assuming you get proper training, e.g. is it better to start on one type of gun vs. another?
That’s where you learn everything you will build on. I started shooting NRA small bore matches when I was 12 and got bit hard by the accuacy bug as a child.
The Guy who taught me to shoot was my Shop Teacher who was also a WWII island hopping Marine. Probobly the best instruction possible.
But it all starts with the rifle every bit of the discipline going to other weapons.
Also, and just a grievance side note, don’t buy an AR or take a Class from a local Joe Bob Groomed Bearded Individual with lots of “Moto” tattoos who claim to be a USMC Ranger Sniper Seal. I’ve seen a lot of people buy guns from a Local Gun Shop or at a Gun Show who builds the same thing as a Geissele Super Duty or a Noveske for only $900, it isn’t as good, its not tested the same and it will not hold up and I’ve seen classes where people tolerate a good amount of flagging, or safety issues where the left and right lateral limits are not defined of enforced. Do your research and utilize this site, Snipers Hide, and others, just realize that there are people very willing to sell Snake Oil
If I was going to train a newbie from square one you would be spending a lot of time with iron sights and and a bolt action old Military rifle until have a very good understanding of how iron sights work before you ever fired a shot.
There is so much that goes in to accurately shooting a rifle I think I might reccomend you spend some time going through the NRA Library and get the basics online.
Rifle is absolutely the best option. Look at what elite military teams use. You don’t see them running a bird gun or handgun as a primary. I keep a suppressed sub gun, but it’s not my defensive pick at this time.
Your next choice is suppressed or not. I personally don’t like the weight and length of a supperssor, but other guys like a short barrel and a suppressor. Personal preference.
I’ll go against the grain here. This guy’s new to firearms and wants to defend himself. He might need to defend himself tomorrow so training’s nice but that will be later.
First Remington 870 with 18.5 inch barrel. It would be great if it had an extended tube. Next a glock clone, ruger rxm. I want one and I’ve already got 5 glocks. Buy these and learn them, you won’t be out a lot of money. Practice with them.
If you decide you want into ar’s, then go to Palmetto State Armory and get a 10.5 or 11.5 inch ar pistol with brace, if that’s legal in your state. If not get a 16 incher.