Your "Go to home defense SHTF firearm!

[KevDen2005]

I don't live in the worst neighborhood, not the best either. I have practiced clearing my house several times and suggest that everyone do the same. I keep my AR locked up with the rest of the guns. I only keep the XD .45 out or Glock 22 out and the .38 next to my girl friends side.

[GreenScoutII]

I keep the 870 loaded in such a way that the first two out are #7 1/2 field loads. The next four are 3" 00 Buck. I keep the shotgun on two hooks above the closet door in the bedroom. Kids can't reach it, but it's accessible to adults.

Out here where I live, the most frequent invaders are rattle snakes and coyotes. The field loads make short work of rattlers and if I can't put something bigger down with four rounds of 00 Buck, I figure God doesn't want it put down.

As far as two legged predators, the dog will know they're here. He'll let me know they're here too.

[Jer]

If it's during the day I have my Glock 26 on me as well as my LCP backup. If I'm wearing sweat pants they all have pockets and I keep my LCP in one pocket and my Droid in the other. Never a moment I don't at least have the LCP on my to fight to a larger weapon if need be.

If in bed at night, I have a Glock 17 bedside loaded and ready to go at all times. First sound I grab that and a tac light. I then make my way to the safe in the back of the closet to get to the real firearms. If I don't have time I'm more than capable with the G17 and it has advantages for clearing your home and the least of which are light weight, tight and mobile. If I get to the safe then likely the AK47 simply for the fact that it's ultra reliable, has a heck of a punch, plenty of rounds and if I end a life with it it can get lost in the red tape for decades and I don't care... it's an AK47 and I can get another one cheap. I don't think I want my $5k AR15 w/two NFA stamps and suppressor to leave my possession for an designated period of time. Same story with the Glock... take it for your 'investigation' if I smoke a couple two legged varmints with it because I have plenty more and won't miss it.

That's just me. I live in a nice neighborhood which is exactly why I'm armed at all times. It really doesn't matter where you live so you can pretty much exchange that first part of the sentence with whatever type of neighborhood you live in because the statement it still accurate.

[Jer]

In terms of over penetration and shot accountability a 223 will penetrate LESS than either 9mm or any shotgun loaded with self-defense shot. There's a reason that entry teams have moved away from shotguns and pistol caliber carbines. The .223 is more lethal and less likely to cause collateral damage.

Quoted for truth. Funny because someone started a similar thread on another forum and I was amazed at how many people thought a shotty was best for over penetration and the AR15 was a bad idea because it would zip through five houses before it stopped. If I was to go to a long gun it would be my AR15 before it was a shotty for home defense EVERY time.

[Marlin]

Something that has a hard time penetrating drywall sure as heck isn't turning a person into "mush." Also, no aiming involved? Have you ever even shot your shotgun?

Not so sure about that. Granted it's sheet metal, and most of them didn't "penetrate." But sure looks like it could put a damper your day. 7 shots @25 yrds.

[Graves]

IMO the 00 buck will get the job done, if you have a nice autoloader or just nasty on the pump a bg wont have his chance in a civil suit. That being said, I lost everything I had to a goddamn local saints fan last weekend so I got nuffin. I don't suspect a very positive outcome for the bg once my tea cup poodle rips the shit out of his ankles to buy me enough time to scratch his eyes out and call the police...

[BadShot]

Really guys, the best thing you can do is know your home and spend the time to do the real research on what is best. The rules still apply when you're shooting in doors, know your target and what's behind it.

I can stay that after years of believing that a pistol or shotgun was my best choice, I learned that the rifle that I have the most trigger time on and the best muscle memory for, happens to be in a caliber that is the best solution for my need.

Kelly nailed it, and I really began to wonder if the misconceptions I previously had are the same ones that many of you hold. 5.56/.223 is more probable to be the better solution over your shotgun or .45/9mm in doors. But do your own reading and research.

As usual, a gun in hand is better than not in this "situation"

[BigBear]

Oringial question: "What is your go to gun?"

Answer: Whichever one I get to first!




hehe

[275RLTW]

In terms of over penetration and shot accountability a 223 will penetrate LESS than either 9mm or any shotgun loaded with self-defense shot. There's a reason that entry teams have moved away from shotguns and pistol caliber carbines. The .223 is more lethal and less likely to cause collateral damage.

Entry teams moved to .223 to defeat armor which is more available now. They can not use birdshot because of the liability issue if 1 pellet hit someone not intended. Slugs overpenetrate, thus .223 was the next logical choice.

[Irving]

If one pellet hit someone? You've got to be kidding. There is no way any law enforcement would use bird shot for anything but a unit hunting trip.

Marlin, He would have lived to sue another day.