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.
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?
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
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.
Are you saying that the training is less important with a shotgun?
OP, its an AR forum, so most of us are going to recommend that but for good reason. Any gun is better than no gun if you really need it, but even with a sad mag limit, ARs are incredibly easy to use effectively.
If you’re considering a first gun for inside the home defense = Handgun
A long gun requiring two hands isn’t well suited for opening doors, stair handrails, using a phone, assisting family members… on and on. Simply acquiring control of a long gun generally takes longer and is of course less maneuverable in tight spaces compared to a handgun.
For every day carry outside the home in public a handgun is practical for obvious reasons, inside the home as well.
Long gun advantages are specific defense situations not applicable or far outweighing the above.
I hate to say it, but I think a 9mm handgun is the first choice for someone who wants to have a defensive weapon likely used indoors. I do not personally like Glocks, but a Glock 19 or 17 or a Ruger RXM is hard to argue against, especially in a locale that is not firearm friendly. Find out what ammo the local PD uses. Load that into a couple magazines. Add a Surefire or Streamlight weapon mounted light. Buy a holster with active retention. Take multiple quality classes AKA not NRA. Regularly practice.
An AR-15 with a red dot is cool. I love shooting. I have a suppressed 8.5” 300BLK under my bed. But it isn’t a first gun that will also be used for home defense.
I would say, get a quality .357/.38 revolver. They are very effective and as simple to operate as it gets. And get some proper instruction. Even if you get more into firearms and eventually get pistols and long guns, a revolver will always be relevant.
Since you’re in a ban state I would look at a 12 gauge shotgun. Take your pick of pump action or semiautomatic just keep in mind you have a magazine limit of 5 rounds for semiautomatic shotguns, I think pistol grips may be prohibited too.
A Beretta 1301 tactical 5+1 with a quality red dot sight and a scout light would make a very effective rig out to any sensible distance in a built up state like CT. Slugs will get you to 75-100 yards, and 00 buckshot in a flight control wad will give good results out to any reasonable home defense distances.
Alternatively a lever action rifle in .357 magnum or .44 magnum outfitted similarly to the shotgun is also completely viable. An added bonus in a state like CT is it looks like a cowboy gun to an average idiot lib-tard juror, cop, or prosecutor.
Good luck, sorry you live in a dystopian communist shit hole. Remember how you used to vote is the reason you’re now dealing with less freedom.
A pump shotgun is a good HD weapon and formidable in its own right with the caveat one really knows its manual of arms and isn’t recoil shy. I carried a shotgun in my squad car and trained with it regularly so using it effectively is second nature to me. Once patrol rifles got approved everyone made it their primary long gun for good reason. For the novice shooter (or anyone in my opinion) the AR is a much better HD long gun- detachable magazine for very easy reloads, very light recoil, much handier length even with 16” barrel, lighter and a simpler manual of arms.
If you end up deciding to go the handgun route find a rental range that has some training included and go with something you can handle and shoot well.
I will eventually go the handgun route, just not for my first gun. I’ve shot rifles, shotguns, and hand guns and the hand guns were the least fun by far. My rationale is that I should start on a gun that is good enough for home defense but also one that I enjoy shooting and will actually practice and train with.
I think you’ve answered your own question then, so your choices are an AR Style Carbine ir a Nice 12 Gauge.
When my Son moved out I gave him a Rem 870 to protect Himself and his Apartment. He’s finished College, gotten Married and has been flooded out (Altus Oklahoma) 3 times. He doesn’t have that Chevy Truck I gave him, it went downstream, but he still has that old 870.
You cannot go wrong either way. I would tend toward the Carbine, but if I had a young Wife, I just might get the shotgun. A big box of Bird shot and some clay pidegons to train with (you don’t have to “Throw the Pidgeons to train with them, but the feedback is fun) so you can kind of ease her in to it. Bird Shot is low(ish) recoil and if She likes the Clay Birds exploding and learns to roll with the recoil you are in the deep Gravy Brother.
The next thing you know she will have a pink Glock 26 and be reminding you to buy more ammo.
Why does everyone here keep recommending an AR-15?
Are you guys illiterate? The OP lives in Connecticut, he’s not already in possession of an AR-15 so he’s not getting one. Period full stop. They’re banned.