Best "self defense" knife...

[will_1400]

Ditto. Aim for anywhere on the body, break bones. You might try an extendable baton, but check legality. The "SHUNK" noise of a baton when deployed is a very visceral sound and sounds similar to a shot-gun being cocked. Not a nice noise to hear. Baton's have such a high kinetic rating on them because they flex a bit in flight. Bones can SHATTER when struck with a baton. A little safer to keep around as well. If you get into a grappling situation, you can't fall on your baton and kill yourself. Again, you need minimal training with a bat or baton. Aim for back of leg, hit the sciatic nerve and they are done. If a thief is carrying a knife, strike the forearm with bat or baton. Knives are hard to use if your arm is broken.

Oh, for crying out loud.... Yes the sound of a shotgun being cycled is disctinct, but it's not as "terrifying" as many people think. Batons are useful though. I prefer to hit multiple targets rather than light up the same spot repeatedly. Then again, I was taught to flow from one hit to the next so it could be my training talking.

[djjonny]

Oh, for crying out loud.... Yes the sound of a shotgun being cycled is disctinct, but it's not as "terrifying" as many people think. Batons are useful though. I prefer to hit multiple targets rather than light up the same spot repeatedly. Then again, I was taught to flow from one hit to the next so it could be my training talking.

Thats also wisdom talking.
If one focuses on 1 area too much and gets it wrong he becomes predictable .

[oukaapie]

The Sound of a shotgun can be very nasty but it wont make a difference if the person you want to be intimidated:

1. Is in an adrenalized state and has auditory exclusion.
2. Is jacked up on certain substances
3. Deaf mute.
4. Does not give a crap.

[BePrepared]

I have guns, but the pistol laws in the state I live in are ridiculous...so I would rather have a blade close instead of a shotgun or rifle.
The knife would be a precautionary measure...not planning on having to use it...so I don't know if knife training is necessary right now.

Thanks for the reply!

Yeah, this is very very wrong bro. You really should get yourself a good Mossberg 500 with a pistol grip and take it to a practical range.

You'll find that it's by FAR the best home defense weapon you can get. With #4 Buck shot, one round will literally shred an intruder and even living in an apartment, the pellets will be stopped by the firewall between units.

It's not QUITE as maneuverable as a pistol, but the difference is minimal, and it is much more effective in the hands of a novice. Under stress, a pistol is much harder to keep on target while moving. With a shotgun, a blind shot is very much more likely to hit your attacker

a person on PCP can get stabbed and still proceed to beat you to death or stab you with your own knife. Unless you are trained in knife combat, a knife is a very bad choice for home defense. You are going to have to actually close with your intruder and engage in close quarters contact. Even a baseball bat or crowbar is a huge improvement.

And all of these facts don't even consider the possibility that your intruder could already be armed with a knife, gun or other weapon, in which case the ONLY effective weapon is a firearm

[BePrepared]

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

also, Busse Hawkeye Dagger

[mdauben]

Sorry, but there's some serious shotgun misconceptions here.

You really should get yourself a good Mossberg 500 with a pistol grip and take it to a practical range.

Despite what you see in films and TV, pistol grips on shotguns are a poor tactical choice. They make it very hard to aim and control a weapon as hard kinking as a shotgun. Stick with a shoulder stock.

With #4 Buck shot, one round will literally shred an intruder and even living in an apartment, the pellets will be stopped by the firewall between units.

A load of #4 Buck will ruin anyone's day but it won't "shred" your opponent. It will however pass through apartment walls with plenty of energy to kill or seriously wound someone on the other side. The fact is any round (handgun, shotgun or rifle) effective for self defense will pass through drywall with enough force to endanger someone on the other side. Rather than trying to find some magic round that won't go through walls you're better off planning firing lanes and safe backstops before your apartment is invaded.

Under stress, a pistol is much harder to keep on target while moving. With a shotgun, a blind shot is very much more likely to hit your attacker

At most interior distances, shot has little chance to spread an will likely produce a pattern only a couple of inches across. Even with a shotgun you can't just point in the bad guys general direction, you still need to aim.

[Siromanta]

Im not an expert, but I think that a double edged knife with a guard and solid grip is "best". I usually carry SOG pentagon (taiwan version) and its nice, except it doesnt have a guard. It pierces easily, as if its made for stabbing, which it is probably .
EDIT: Misread the original posters question, ignore my post, lol.

[Goosey]

Knife for home defense?

Just buy a big old Tramontina machete if you can't have a gun and don't like a club... Why a knife?

[BePrepared]

Sorry, but there's some serious shotgun misconceptions here.


Despite what you see in films and TV, pistol grips on shotguns are a poor tactical choice. They make it very hard to aim and control a weapon as hard kinking as a shotgun. Stick with a shoulder stock.


A load of #4 Buck will ruin anyone's day but it won't "shred" your opponent. It will however pass through apartment walls with plenty of energy to kill or seriously wound someone on the other side. The fact is any round (handgun, shotgun or rifle) effective for self defense will pass through drywall with enough force to endanger someone on the other side. Rather than trying to find some magic round that won't go through walls you're better off planning firing lanes and safe backstops before your apartment is invaded.


At most interior distances, shot has little chance to spread an will likely produce a pattern only a couple of inches across. Even with a shotgun you can't just point in the bad guys general direction, you still need to aim.

these points are at least partially wrong.

First, with training, you can certainly control a pistol grip shotgun. I know, because it's one of my home defense weapons, and i practice with it regularly. I can easily put an entire magazine on target with absolutely no problem. Recoil is not sufficient to prevent efficient function IF you shoot often enough to know how to compensate.

Second, and this depends greatly on where you live, #4 buck shot (specifically LEAD shot) will not over penetrate substantially from one apartment to another for a few reasons. Most apartments i've lived in in texas have a fire break between units. The one i live in now has a sheet metal fire break. After traveling through sheet rock, a small lead pellet will be deformed sufficiently that impacting with a sheet of metal will take most of it's energy. Steel shot, on the other hand, will blow through it like nothing... so i see your point.

On the other hand, it absolutely WILL "shred" your intruder in the sense that i meant. I'm not talking about Quake 2 style chunks flying everywhere shredding, i'm referring to the fact that getting shot center mass with #4 buck shot is roughly equivalent to getting shot with a 22 rifle 34 times. It will shred your internal organs. One shot will do substantially more damage than 2 or 3 stab wounds.

as to spreading, i don't disagree with you, but a 6" ball spread has a much higher chance of hitting with a poorly aimed shot than a .40 caliber bullet, and a MUCH better chance than a randomly swing knife.

[will_1400]

these points are at least partially wrong.

First, with training, you can certainly control a pistol grip shotgun. I know, because it's one of my home defense weapons, and i practice with it regularly. I can easily put an entire magazine on target with absolutely no problem. Recoil is not sufficient to prevent efficient function IF you shoot often enough to know how to compensate.

Second, and this depends greatly on where you live, #4 buck shot (specifically LEAD shot) will not over penetrate substantially from one apartment to another for a few reasons. Most apartments i've lived in in texas have a fire break between units. The one i live in now has a sheet metal fire break. After traveling through sheet rock, a small lead pellet will be deformed sufficiently that impacting with a sheet of metal will take most of it's energy. Steel shot, on the other hand, will blow through it like nothing... so i see your point.

On the other hand, it absolutely WILL "shred" your intruder in the sense that i meant. I'm not talking about Quake 2 style chunks flying everywhere shredding, i'm referring to the fact that getting shot center mass with #4 buck shot is roughly equivalent to getting shot with a 22 rifle 34 times. It will shred your internal organs. One shot will do substantially more damage than 2 or 3 stab wounds.

as to spreading, i don't disagree with you, but a 6" ball spread has a much higher chance of hitting with a poorly aimed shot than a .40 caliber bullet, and a MUCH better chance than a randomly swing knife.

Except that at most home defense ranges the pattern (from cylinder bore shotguns) will be in the area of 2-3". Meaning you still have to aim. Also, the shotgun's lack of precision can be a detriment in some circumstances. The lack of precision can be countered with a slug, but at that point you might as well have a good carbine.

ETA: while I agree that training can mitigate the disadvantages of a pistol grip only shotgun, not many people have the willingness or funding to practice enough to cancel them out. Most people would be best served with a standard-stocked shotgun either with the normal length of pull or a youth stock for slightly easier handling.

[BePrepared]

Have to agree with you there. Most people who own guns don't have enough experience with them to really use them correctly.

I am lucky in that i've managed to get enough practice time on enough different guns that i'm very comfortable with whatever i have in my hand at the moment.

A good defensive carbine is always an excellent choice IF you live in an area without neighbors too close. I am partial to Aug pattern rifles myself.

[will_1400]

Have to agree with you there. Most people who own guns don't have enough experience with them to really use them correctly.

I am lucky in that i've managed to get enough practice time on enough different guns that i'm very comfortable with whatever i have in my hand at the moment.

A good defensive carbine is always an excellent choice IF you live in an area without neighbors too close. I am partial to Aug pattern rifles myself.

I prefer the AR platform, in particular Colts, Daniel Defense, Noveske, Bravo Company, and similar companies. If an AR isn't available, then an Aresenal AK is what I'd go with, followed by a USGI M1 Carbine.

[BePrepared]

LOL looks like the Aug didn't even make your list

here are my preferred defensive carbines. I go with bullpups for the improved balance and massively improved maneuverability

[will_1400]

LOL looks like the Aug didn't even make your list

here are my preferred defensive carbines. I go with bullpups for the improved balance and massively improved maneuverability

I've got nothing against the AUG, but ARs and AKs are easier to find parts for. I've also got more trigger time on the AR/M16A2 so I'll default to what I'm more comforable with. I will say I'm not fond of the PS90 for anything more than a range gun, though. Nothing against the gun, but the 5.7x28mm round doesn't have the characteristics I find to be necessary for a fighting gun. The fragmenting rounds won't penetrate deeply enough to reliably hit vital structures barring a headshot while the LE/MIL AP rounds do about as much damage as a .22 magnum, if that.

ETA: My "List" is based on the guns I have experience with and also what is more common from what I've seen. ARs are literally everywhere, M1 Carbines can be had from the CMP among other sources, and AKs are pretty common as well.

[BePrepared]

the ONLY reason that i like the PS90 is as follows. With a 50 round magazine, at 25 yards, i can put 10 rounds in 10 seconds into a watermelon 5 times in a row with zero misses CONSISTENTLY.

It's not what i'd want in a home intrusion scenaro where precision and repeatability are not as important as first shot efficacy, but in a soft target bullet exchange, the ability to make consistent vitals shots with virtually zero re-aim due to recoil is great

The recoil on the PS90 is so close to zero as makes no difference. Your sight picture doesn't change at all from shot to shot, and 50 round capacity makes reloading a non-issue.

i'd prefer an AUG for most things, but the PS90 is very efficient as what it is

[BePrepared]

Here it is! The ultimate home defense weapon. 12 gauge bullpup shotgun with 10 round mags.. it's as short as a pistol grip shotgun but with much better control

[will_1400]

the ONLY reason that i like the PS90 is as follows. With a 50 round magazine, at 25 yards, i can put 10 rounds in 10 seconds into a watermelon 5 times in a row with zero misses CONSISTENTLY.

It's not what i'd want in a home intrusion scenaro where precision and repeatability are not as important as first shot efficacy, but in a soft target bullet exchange, the ability to make consistent vitals shots with virtually zero re-aim due to recoil is great

The recoil on the PS90 is so close to zero as makes no difference. Your sight picture doesn't change at all from shot to shot, and 50 round capacity makes reloading a non-issue.

i'd prefer an AUG for most things, but the PS90 is very efficient as what it is

Having spoken to guys who use P90s and MP7s they say the following. "The good news is you've got a high rate of fire and a large magazine. The bad news is you need both if you plan on taking down an aggressive target". One has to remember that the P90 was designed to be a gun that is more usable than a pistol for people who aren't supposed to get in gun fights. Such as tankers, pilots, etc.

Here it is! The ultimate home defense weapon. 12 gauge bullpup shotgun with 10 round mags.. it's as short as a pistol grip shotgun but with much better control

Box mag fed shotguns are less reliable than I'd like. I've seen too many Saiga 12s turn themselves into straight-pull bolt actions in competition circumstances. If they do that in a competition, what's stopping them from failing harder in a fight? And that bullpup is a nogo for southpaws like me.

[SeaxyBeast]

Quick commentary on the double edged factor. I don't like them as much because you can't reinforce your grip and can end up cutting yourself more easily in close quarters. I'd rather a single edge blade with a good point and a swedge. Think this will vary according to training.

[killgar]

I consider a knife to be a desperate, last-ditch, up-close and personal defensive weapon. When it comes to home defense the last thing you want to do is get THAT CLOSE to an intruder. If you're close enough to use a knife, then the intruder is close enough to use his. I would suggest as others have suggested, an appropriate firearm. I prefer a 1911 .45, but if a handgun were not available to me for some reason, I'd choose a 12 guage.

If a firearm of any type is not possible, then I would suggest a baseball bat. Though I still wouldn't want to get that close to an intruder, a bat does give you a little more distance than a knife. Also, a bat is a highly visible item and the sight of you with a bat at the ready might, I say MIGHT, be enough to scare an intruder into running.

When it comes to large bladed weapons like machetes and swords you need to really ask yourself if you truly have what it takes to hack a persons arm off, or chop a person to death. Sure, people will say "I could do whatever it takes to defend myself and my family, blah, blah, blah". But we've all heard the saying "Don't pull it unless you're prepared to use it cause if you aren't then the bad guy might take it away from you". People give this advice for a very good reason, it's because it's not uncommon for guys to hesitate, or simply find themselves unable to KILL another human being, even a scumbag, when that scumbag is standing right in front of them. There's a big difference between imagining what one will/can do, and what one actually can do. The "Tough-guy machismo" that causes people to say "I wouldn't hesitate to chop the guys head off" won't help you when you're actually required to USE that weapon.

There are occasions where people, armed with GUNS, find themselves unable to shoot an intruder in their homes, even to save their families. And they and their families suffered for it. Sure, they were able to buy a gun. And maybe they actually took lessons in how to use it. And maybe they went to the range once a month to punch paper. But when they were faced with a living, breathing target, they just didn't have it in them to kill. And that's with A GUN, one of the most impersonal weapons one could possibly use. So I wonder, how many people whose total experience with real-world violence was a shoving match in the seventh grade just assume that they have it in them to chop a persons arm off. I wonder how many people who wouldn't be able to chop the head off a chicken for dinner think that they could chop the head off a living man, without hesitation. Be realistic in your choice of weapons. A weapon won't be worth much if you don't actually have it in you to use it.

Lastly, for guys choosing firearms for home defense, don't forget that if you actually use that weapon that it will be impounded by the cops, and it could take a LONG time to get it back. In the meantime, don't expect the cops to treat your gun with care. It could easily get dropped on a concrete floor and get banged around an evidence locker. They're not going to clean it or keep it oiled. And they're not going to bother to wipe off their sweaty fingerprints. My point is, these are things you should consider before selecting a very expensive gun for home defense, or putting a lot of expensive work into a gun that you have designated for home defense.

[oukaapie]

There are occasions where people, armed with GUNS, find themselves unable to shoot an intruder in their homes, even to save their families. And they and their families suffered for it.

I find that quite interesting, do you have statistics? I do believe that getting around this would require some effort.