Advice #2

Ankerson said:
I really wasn't picking on you. :D

It was the last post so I quoted it. ;)

This thread started going in the same direction as most of those threads tend to go in so I posted some reality.

I don't even go near and of those Defense forums because they aren't based on reality, it's all the latest and greatest and all that macho fantasy BS.

Truth is I start laughing when every time I read any thread like those because it's all pure BS.

Facts are that a Standard Short Barreled Shotgun is the best HD weapon and that has been proven in real life so many times in the past 100+ years that I really don't see the point in ever questioning it.

All that newest Techno cool stuff is great for the range and Competitions and bragging rights, standing around at the range looking cool etc, but it won't do anyone anymore good in a real life HD situation than a normal Shotgun will.
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hehe, I do agree with you on all fronts though. Thats why I suggested an AOW which is essentially SBS, just cheaper/easier to get legally.

I'm with you on generally avoiding the gun defence threads because of that, matter of fact thats why people are probably and wrongly consider me anti-gun.

While the tacticool has its merits, its very rarely useful in situations where zombies aren't involved.
 
Volk said:
hehe, I do agree with you on all fronts though. Thats why I suggested an AOW which is essentially SBS, just cheaper/easier to get legally.

I'm with you on generally avoiding the gun defence threads because of that, matter of fact thats why people are probably and wrongly consider me anti-gun.

While the tacticool has its merits, its very rarely useful in situations where zombies aren't involved.
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Yeah same here. LOL :D

I am Pro Gun. :thumbup:

But I am anti Stupid

Anti Macho

Anti BS...

I see guys in all that Gear and stuff and I start laughing, it really does look pathetic and yeah they do look like wannabes.... ROFL

I really do get a good laugh out of it. :D

I show up in jeans, T-Shirt and work boots and they all look at me like I didn't fit in. LOL

In the end they never could shoot better than I could even with all their stuff. :D

That was back in the days when I was really active and shot a lot, like 3 to 4 times a week for fun.

I loaded all my own ammo so it was way cheaper, still have my gear, but no guns these days, that is going to change again here soon though. ;)
 
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Again, thanx a lot for taking the time to give advice. It was all very educational. I'll let you know what happens. I'll have to upgrade to add some pix. Thanks again. Ron
 
I think a 12 gage for the house and if the wife won't/ don't/ can' shoot it (HD 1-2-3 rounds max???) get her some thing she 'PICKS HER SELF' for fit and comfort level. (with a little guidance if necessary)

I like low brass light shot at "in the house" ranges. That will reduce recoil a lot over most 00 or HD rounds. If you fit the stock to the Wife (Possible youth or custom cut and fitted with a good recoil pad) this will help with felt recoil a lot also. The worst kick I ever got from a shotgun was a old single barrel 20 gage with a real crappy stock angle. As bad as any 3-3 1/2 mag in a 12 gage.

I thought my then GF now wife would prefer the AR (low recoil), AK (shorter stock/better fit. She is 5-4, 5-6 ish, 125 lbs) Turns out she hated them but fell in love with my 18 inch 870. Tryed her on a 9mm and she then decided she wanted a pair of Single action 45 colts that were later traded in on a pair of S&W model 66 in 357.

There is no such thing as a GIRL gun. I knew one that shot 1911 .45 acp in comp. and another that could rock and roll FA with the best of them and better than most.

Expose the wife to a few options before deciding for her what she wants and how bad she was scared.
 
blakem said:
Baseball bat. I preffer ash, but aluminum works too. I keep guns locked up after a break in at my old house resulted in a stolen pistol.
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I also worry too much about a gun within easy access of my kids. Mine are all locked up as well. The old Louisville Slugger is propped up on the side of my bed.:D:thumbup:
 
OK guys --so this is my take. I doubt if Cochise could sneak up on the house w/o the dogs barking-they are pets first;they eat the same food I do. I would never exploit a dog and expect him to protect me. My wife will hardly ever be alone since I'm retired. Yeah,I have a Moab but it took me 5 mos. to pay for it and no more Busse's until I did. My dad gave me the KZ. I have no doubt that with the Moab I could handle myself against most intruders.I was taught never to fight,but if you do,be prepared to die;that adds a little fire to you. But you don't stand much chance against a gun. So,we're down to what gun. Before I say anything let me add that I value all the advice you guys have given. Nowhere else would a stranger have received such an outpouring. Anyway,for us,I think the shotgun would work best. With an 870 I could keep it loaded and teach my wife what to do. I understand that it would be hard for her to practice,but I think I would just get a small rifle or pistol and teach her to shoot and be comfortable,and then just let her fire the 870 a few times to get a feeling for the recoil. As is probably true for most of our wives they are capable of doing whatever is necessary...I realize that I should stay put and wait,but I'm not going to let someone kill my dogs either. I know there are some holes here. Please correct me where necessary.You guys gave me a lot of info and it's tough to process it all.
 
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In addition to the advice given already, I suggest you investigate taking an NRA Personal Protection In the Home course. PPIH will probably run you about $150 bucks or so. Depending on your instructor, you will get some good to great skills training, and lots of additional information ranging from understanding physiological responses to threats, practical planning to defend against an invasion (for example, keep a house key in the bedroom to toss to the cops, and keep basic info in your b/r you will need to tell the police - under stress, you might forget your own name!). The PPIH course will also provide very basic legal instruction, which certainly is important since we are talking about potentially ending a human life. PPIH should definitely help you think about various self defense issues you may not have considered before, and it may also prove to be a fun day for you and the Mrs.
 
oeser said:
I also worry too much about a gun within easy access of my kids. Mine are all locked up as well. The old Louisville Slugger is propped up on the side of my bed.:D:thumbup:
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Yeah kids are a real problem, the biggest issue when thinking about HD these days with the laws like they and also taking into account the kids friends when they come over. The legal issues are and can be overpowering.

It's impossible to keep guns loaded and handy if there are kids in the house.

If the guns not loaded it's like having a water gun, not much use. ;)

If you have to unlock something to get to the said gun, that takes time and that's time you won't likely have in a real life situation. Criminals know this too by the way. ;)

Even if you do teach them proper safety etc they are still kids and really can't be trusted to leave you stuff alone especially today.

That's the main reason I sold all my guns years ago, they weren't my kids so there wasn't anyway I was going to keep them in the house.. I couldn't keep them loaded and accessible so I just sold them all off, that's all 30+ that I had. I would have been a real PITA to keep them around.
 
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Would have never thought about it w/ kids,but ours aren't w/ us any longer. Great idea from Bigbrownfam Thanks
 
In addition to the advice given already, I suggest you investigate taking an NRA Personal Protection In the Home course.
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Good plan to receive training. The NRA or like coarse will help you cover your bases and establish a plan. Like a fire drill after talking to the local fire fighters.

You are determined to 'go forth and protect your's' and I get it. If the wife is locked in the 'SAFE ROOM' (bed/bath ...) with her new gun how do you plan to let her know its all clear. You don't want to just walk up on her or knock on a door, especially in the dark. Dose she understand how important it is to stay there until you let her know its safe so you know were she is?

What's your plan of action. Will you run threw the house flipping on lights or advance slowly in the dark with a flash light.

Cover or conceal? You can hide behind the couch or chair but it probably won't stop a bullet. Is there a place between what your protecting and the probable threat that will help to keep you safer?

What are you planing to protect. Wife and self, dogs, personal property, property boundries....??


As a young man I bought a good hammer, tape, tool belt, a saw..... I learned to drive nails with out bending them, measure twice and cut once, cut a straight line. With out a plan these tools and the skill to use them properly won't build a house. A gun is a tool. Shooting straight and fast is well and fine but you need a plan to really put it to work safely.

Grabbing the gun, throwing on the porch light and yelling at the dark will probably back fire against a determined bad guy.:thumbup:

I don't mean to tell you what you may already know. Just some thoughts to go with your new gun.
 
+1 on training and some range time. Guns, even more so than knives are a hobby, so when someone posts a what gun thread nothing makes me happier than telling him about all the wonderful toys out there and what I perceive to be the advantages and disadvantages of each.

But as others have correctly pointed out in the hands of someone who has had some training and then practiced what he learned a used .22 youth gun is going to be more effective as a HD weapon than a tricked out special forces AR with a grenade launcher and night visions scope in the hands of someone with no experience.

So yes the best thing is to get a little training and to spend some range time getting familiar with whatever gun you get. Also, think ahead and develop a plan. Where are the most likely entry points to your home. If someone is trying to gain access to that entry point, where do you want to be that will give you cover and the opportunity to take a shot, if necessary. Where do you want your wife to be so that you know she is safe. Having a plan and knowing the layout of your house gives you a big advantage over an intruder.
 
Gee Gunsnob, great minds think alike.:) You basically made all the points I wanted to while I was still typing.:thumbup:
 
I'm in the "short-barreled 12-gauge camp" myself - my wife has one and I have a Winchester 1300 with attached light and pressure switch. Of course, we don't have any kids around , so we keep them handy.;)
 
Another vote for:

remington 870, and or
ruger gp100

If you get the .357, since you have a good amount of land you may want to consider pairing it up w a Marlin 1894 lever gun chambered in .357 as well... I have one and it's a gorgeous carbine and would be a fine home defense weapon on it own - mine has an 18" barrel so it's very small and usable in tight spaces. Also, the power of .357 coming out of 18" is just devastating without it being too hard to handle for your wife... Accurate as sin too with iron sights out to 100 yards.
 
Since you are in CA and don't want to break the bank, I'd look into an SKS.

10 round stripper clips, fairly easy to use and recoil isn't as bad as a 12 gauge.

Another option is a 12 gauge coach gun as suggested by others. I'd think about going the extra step with the NFA tax stamp and get it cut down. Keep it in a handy location, like above a door.

Attach a light to whatever you get.
 
GUN SNOB said:
Good plan to receive training. The NRA or like coarse will help you cover your bases and establish a plan. Like a fire drill after talking to the local fire fighters.

You are determined to 'go forth and protect your's' and I get it. If the wife is locked in the 'SAFE ROOM' (bed/bath ...) with her new gun how do you plan to let her know its all clear. You don't want to just walk up on her or knock on a door, especially in the dark. Dose she understand how important it is to stay there until you let her know its safe so you know were she is?

What's your plan of action. Will you run threw the house flipping on lights or advance slowly in the dark with a flash light.

Cover or conceal? You can hide behind the couch or chair but it probably won't stop a bullet. Is there a place between what your protecting and the probable threat that will help to keep you safer?

What are you planing to protect. Wife and self, dogs, personal property, property boundries....??


As a young man I bought a good hammer, tape, tool belt, a saw..... I learned to drive nails with out bending them, measure twice and cut once, cut a straight line. With out a plan these tools and the skill to use them properly won't build a house. A gun is a tool. Shooting straight and fast is well and fine but you need a plan to really put it to work safely.

Grabbing the gun, throwing on the porch light and yelling at the dark will probably back fire against a determined bad guy.:thumbup:

I don't mean to tell you what you may already know. Just some thoughts to go with your new gun.
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Wow, good post.
 
My wife falls in the camp of a gun owner who thinks she shoots good enough and end of conversation. She won't train and thinks my tactical out look on home defense and personal protection is over kill.

So I adopted our HD plan to deal with this attitude. When/if bad things go bump in the night she is responsible to:

1) Arm her self with gun and cell phone.

2) Grab the young one.

3) Lock them selfs in the bathroom, get as low in the cast iron tub as possible, call 911 and keep her head down.

4) Kill any thing that comes threw the door. It got past me and did me harm and intends to do the same to you.

5) The threat remands until you hear different from me.

Before we established these guide lines she assumed she should back me up. In her mind she was going to charge head long in to the fray with no plan other than 'KEEP US SAFE.

When I explained I needed her to stay put she thought she would stay in the room she was in until she thought she should retreat to a safer spot. I explained I would not know were they were if they were moving around. How can I protect them if I don't know were they are? Why would you want to be moving around in a dark house when there is at least 1 loaded gun (mine) and person or people thinking there might be a fight.

Knowing were she is and that she is calling for help I can position my self were any returned fire will not be headed in there direction. (if the threat is already in side) If the threat is out side I can scan the yard and access the situation with out tripping over them or barking orders. I can concentrate on the perceived threat with out trying to talk on the phone or worried about them. (to some extent) If the threat is real they will be in a defensible position that will require minimal skills to defend.

But it required us sitting down and talking about it, getting all of us on the same sheet of paper and deciding what our priorities were.

I will not kill for my stuff, it can be replaced cheaper than the legal hassles. I hate that but that is the reality of the world I live in. I can't retreat, there is no were to run to. The gun is for when the lights, dog and locks don't work. Were in the county not the city so we are on our own until LE shows up to file a report.

I hope none of us need to use these extremes to protect our loved ones.
 
Wow, good post.
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Thanks. Just some of what I think needs to be thought about. It would suck to get shot by the wife but that would be better than shooting the wife. (for some of us anyway);)
 
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