Best "self defense" knife...

[Endololz]

Can you guys recommend a good 2 sided knife? Having trouble finding anything double sided...

Cold Steel counter tac 1 or 2, Peacekeeper, and Tiapan. Microtech makes a knife called the Crosshair but that cost above 100 dollars.

[edillow]

Perfect! Looks like a great knife!

[edillow]

The cold steel OSS someone recommended above looks really good. With the sheath being black it might be easier to buy a new one from the company website instead of the carbon v model. Fits everything I would want to replace the current knife I have for this purpose.

[sherlockbonez]

Old bayonets are cheap and durable and are made for defense.

[223]

Do not opt for a pistol grip only 12 ga. A .410 bore is about the only thing I'd shoot with just a pistol grip.

Because of the power?
Just curious since this essentially will be an emergency gun.

[oukaapie]

The pistol grip is a crappy idea unless you are using it for breaching. Look at the elements of combat and the use of tools within that context.
You need something you can practice with and be familiar with. You need something you can use on the move while you are avoiding incoming rounds. You may have to use with one hand if for example you are holding a child or a pair of Prada sunglasses. You need to be able to put rounds down range with speed and repetition while under movement.
If you decide on a shotgun over a Glock, M&P et al due to cost constraints, get a regular Mossberg/Remington with a regular stock and an 18 inch barrel. The shotgun is respected because its easy to hit with, thats largely due to its point-ability. Dont bother unless you shoot a lot of shotgun or intend to start. The gunfight wont go well if you short stroke and end up not being able to shoot. Consider an M1 Carbine, they can be had for $400 and Jim Cirillo said nothing dropped guys faster when it had softpoints.

[223]

The pistol grip is a crappy idea unless you are using it for breaching. Look at the elements of combat and the use of tools within that context.
You need something you can practice with and be familiar with. You need something you can use on the move while you are avoiding incoming rounds. You may have to use with one hand if for example you are holding a child or a pair of Prada sunglasses. You need to be able to put rounds down range with speed and repetition while under movement.
If you decide on a shotgun over a Glock, M&P et al due to cost constraints, get a regular Mossberg/Remington with a regular stock and an 18 inch barrel. Dont bother unless you shoot a lot of shotgun or intend to start. Consider an M1 Carbine, they can be had for $400 and Jim Cirillo said nothing dropped guys faster when it had softpoints.

I am planning to get a remington 870.
It's between a no stock with extended mag and side shell carrier and a more tactical one with a folding stock, pistol grip, forward vert. grip, heat shield, mag extension, rail, light, etc.

I just really like the look and feel of a no stock pistol grip...

[mckishen]

A machete type knife like a junglas or Rtak II would be awesome. Great chopper for camping, and IF you ever need to defend yourself against a home intruder that is trying to rape you just swing it wildly in a figure 8 motion while screaming at the top of your lungs. You're bound to hit something.... either that or you'll send him running away like a bat outta hell.

lol, that just made my day!

[jimh0220]

Cold steel OSS in Carbon V

+1. In my top drawer with a SOG Fast Hawk, and a 14 in hickotry handle from a maul to round it out. All within 5 second reach.

Also a sharpened CS machete (prefer kukri), knife edge sharpened. Hidden in a special place between the bedroom and rest of the house.

[oukaapie]

If you must have a side shell carrier and a mag extension I get it. It will change the balance but its still good to go. Having a light I also get as its nice to see what you are shooting at. You have gone WAY over $300. If you are adding goodies, get the best, dont mess around with rubbish that will screw with reliability.

The heat shield is crap. Folding stock, pistol grip, forward grip et, all unnecessary

I would encourage you to seriously consider your use cases. Accessibility is far more important than anything else in most circumstances. Better to have Pepper Foam and a kitchen knife in hand than a Shotgun in the safe.

[223]

If you must have a side shell carrier and a mag extension I get it. It will change the balance but its still good to go. Having a light I also get as its nice to see what you are shooting at. You have gone WAY over $300. If you are adding goodies, get the best, dont mess around with rubbish that will screw with reliability.

The heat shield is crap. Folding stock, pistol grip, forward grip et, all unnecessary

I would encourage you to seriously consider your use cases. Accessibility is far more important than anything else in most circumstances. Better to have Pepper Foam and a kitchen knife in hand than a Shotgun in the safe.

That's why I wanted to have as simple and compact as I could...a 870 with a hogue grip.
And the tactical one I laid out I can get from somebody local for $350...but like you said, I don't really want that crap.
The no-stock is actually more in the $450 range.

[will_1400]

That's why I wanted to have as simple and compact as I could...a 870 with a hogue grip.
And the tactical one I laid out I can get from somebody local for $350...but like you said, I don't really want that crap.
The no-stock is actually more in the $450 range.

Police Trade-in 870 + a decently made sidesaddle for extra shells shouldn't be very cost prohibative. Then again, I think the 870 is probably the best "bang for the buck" (pardon the pun) shotguns out there.

[223]

Do you suggest against a pistol grip/no stock? I have seen law enforcement use the no-stock 870s before

[The Logical One]

Do you suggest against a pistol grip/no stock? I have seen law enforcement use the no-stock 870s before

If you don't mind shooting from your hip and not being able to aim. The 870 police magnum has quite a bit of recoil. You're better off getting a pistol grip/stock combo so that you can tuck your elbows in and be able to aim.

[will_1400]

Do you suggest against a pistol grip/no stock? I have seen law enforcement use the no-stock 870s before

Go with one that has a stock. If you can, get the stock reduced to "youth" dimensions (at least that's what I'd do). It'll shave a couple of inches off the overall length and make the gun that much handier, but get some range time with the standard stock first in case that works for you.

[will_1400]

If you don't mind shooting from your hip and not being able to aim. The 870 police magnum has quite a bit of recoil. You're better off getting a pistol grip/stock combo so that you can tuck your elbows in and be able to aim.

It's possible to aim with a no-stock shotty, but it's a pain in the fourth point of contact. Now if one can get a pistol grip/stock combo (think what a Benelli M4 Super 90 has) then you've got something going.

[oukaapie]

No stock is for breaching and needs to be avoided. You can still shoot a regular or pistol grip with stock from the hip or under the armpit if you need to shorten the weapon while moving around indoors. Either stock is fine, what ever feels better, its just not that big a deal If you shoot a lot of AR/AK then go a ahead and get the Pistol grip with stock. I don't care for them but plenty of very knowledgeable guys like them.

Watch these well know instructors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4objym5zh7c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzC92...eature=related

[will_1400]

No stock is for breaching and needs to be avoided. You can still shoot a regular or pistol grip with stock from the hip or under the armpit if you need to shorten the weapon while moving around indoors. Either stock is fine, what ever feels better, its just not that big a deal If you shoot a lot of AR/AK then go a ahead and get the Pistol grip with stock. I don't care for them but plenty of very knowledgeable guys like them.

Watch these well know instructors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4objym5zh7c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzC92...eature=related

To me a shotgun is an "everyman's" longarm. For example, the AR15 I recommend the most is the Colt 6920 (civvie legal version of the military's M4 (only differences are the slightly longer barrel and semi-auto only fire control group) and pretty much THE gold standard for an AR15), but it costs around $1000. A Remington 870 is often 300-400 bucks by comparison.

That said, shotguns do require a bit of training to run (as does any firearm). Louis Awerbruck and Magpul Dynamics are two of the best places to learn such skills from and I highly recommend taking a class from either (or both) in person and learning everything you can from them.

[223]

What about a folding stock?

[will_1400]

What about a folding stock?

Unless you're a member of the 82nd or 101st Airborne divisions, skip the folding stock. Much more hassle than they're worth for most civvies. I highly recommend going with a standard stock and then a youth stock and go from there. I don't know your situation well enough to make a 100% recommendation, but a standard or youth stock is more than adequete for most uses.

Best plan: standard-issue police trade-in 870 12 ga and go from there. Do some drills with various stocks attached and figure out what works for you. I recommend standard and youth stocks because that's what most people would be best served with, but YMMV.