Celebration and a question - home protection thoughts (guns!)

Where do you live? By that I mean, apartment, condo, single family home? What is your home made of? By that I mean, is it wood frame, brick, stone...

Does your wife intend to learn to shoot as well? How much are you willing to spend for firearms, do you intend to get any kind of real training?

How "physical" are you and your wife? By that I mean, how healthy, how active, do you like sports and physical challenges?

Andy
 
Shotties are good home defense imo...

I also have a glock 22 (40 S&W) that I grab first for bumps in the night.
 
I keep an 18in double barrell 12 gauge by the bed, and a 1911 in the nightstand. I suggest a 12ga pump or double barrell w/18in barrell. Simple to manipulate, and they are point and shoot. Plus with 12ga you dont have to worry about shootin through walls and into other homes as much.
 
steeljhp said:
I would also have to go with the shot gun they are alot more versatile ,they are cheap, ammo is cheap ,you can hunt just about anything with them ,a small child could not manipulate the action near as easy as a pistol,pistols can be diiicult to shoot accurately,not a problem with a shotgun,go with a pump action remington or mossberg in 12 ga.,women can shoot these things easily,i would suggest something along the lines of poly-shok ammo for home defense 100% energy dump into the target nothing coming out and lets not forget you hear a bump in the night ,they hear that slide rack one time there will most likely be no confrontation as said intruder will be looking to get out faster than intruder came in I promise you. If you want a pistol get a revolver .38 or bigger
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Not looking to bust on you, man, but there are a few things you said that I have to disagree with.
#1: Shotgun ammo is not cheap. HD ammo, anyways. If you have a cheap source for 12ga, please shoot me a PM, I'd love to stock up on some more.
#2: It's been my experience that you do need a modicum of accuracy with a shotgun, even with something that has a nice spread, like say #4 or #6 shot. If you're talking about #00 shot, at close ranges like home distances, you'd be surprised how small the pattern can be. Not saying you need a fancy sight on it or anything, but it's not exactly a "point in the general direction" kind of weapon, like everyone makes out.
#3: Not many women would agree that a 12ga is "easy" to shoot. My wife hates it. Hell, even I'm not a big fan of going to the range and blowing off 50 rounds with my Mossy. And I'm a pretty big guy. Low-recoil tactical rounds help, and a Knoxx Spec-Ops recoil-absorbing stock helps even more. But I bet if you took any woman to the range, had her shoot a 12 and a 20, then asked her which she liked better (and looked to see which she shot better), the 20 ga would win 99.5% of the time.
#4: In a home defense situation, or any violent confrontation involving guns, really, you should never count on the fact that a racking slide is gonna scare off the bad guys. Some people may not even hear it from behind a closed door. Some people are just crazy. Some think that you aren't determined enough to follow through on your threat. If you want a second opinion on this, I suggest posting this thought over on Prac-Tac. You will ignite a firestorm of debate (again).
#5) Punctuation is your friend.

To the OP,
If you want my recommendation, get a nice 20 ga. Pump works fine, but it has moving parts, just one more thing that can go wrong in the heat of the action. Check out a 20ga side by side coach gun. Small and maneuverable, they work great as HD pieces. And hopefully you won't have to unload multiple rounds into your assailant to end the conflict. If you're worried about firepower, maybe you do want an 8-shot magazine, I don't know. Also, SxS shotguns aren't nearly as vilified in the courts as that scary tactical 12 ga. May be a consideration, maybe not. Just something to think about. FWIW, laser sights are nice, but I'll take a good flashlight/weapon light any old time.
 
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#1-I dont care for punctuation, are you a school teacher? #2 my first firearm was a 12 ga. remington 870 i was 12 or 13, no problems #3 have you priced a box of quality pistol ammo vs. a box of shotgun shells ,I have lots of sources#4 under stress the chances of hitting a target with a shotgun are muuuuuuuuuuuuch greater than with a pistol key word here is stress#5 your job is to give the man your opinion not to give your opinion of my opinion ,you might not like mine i know i wont like yours,being both former combat arms military and law enforcement i might have a little experience ,not alot of time spent punching keys on a keyboard ,no offense,takin,buddy
 
My wife and I have been considering the same thing. We live in a safe, rural area but if the worst should happen the cops are at least 15 minutes away, so we understand that we are ultimately rsponsible for our own safety.

I have decided to buy a 12 gauge pump first, because they can be had cheaply and without delay. Then, I would like to follow up by getting a handgun later, which is a more expensive and time-consuming process where I live.

How do you store a shotgun safely (small child) and discreetly, but so that it is still ready at hand if needed?
 
I have a home alarm, an annoyingly loud dog, and a 9mm w/ light mounted in a quick access safe at the bedside. I also have 2 children who never pick up their toys, and 2 cats who are usually underfoot, so the entire house is usually an obstacle course :).
 
My two daughters were raised with loaded firearms around the house from the time they were brought home until the time they left home. Teach them proper safety and don't make firearms a mystery. Never had a safe-never had an accident-pistols in night stands,shotguns standing in corners. Let children look,touch, and when old enough shoot and clean your firearms. My girls would drop shells in my 22 revolver (helping me out) when they were two years old. I have a safe now to protect my firearms not to protect my family.
 
Foilist said:
My wife and I have been considering the same thing. We live in a safe, rural area but if the worst should happen the cops are at least 15 minutes away, so we understand that we are ultimately rsponsible for our own safety.

I have decided to buy a 12 gauge pump first, because they can be had cheaply and without delay. Then, I would like to follow up by getting a handgun later, which is a more expensive and time-consuming process where I live.

How do you store a shotgun safely (small child) and discreetly, but so that it is still ready at hand if needed?
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I don't have small children anymore, but when I did, I did the following: first, I installed a lock on my bedroom door. I had a key, and my wife had a key.

Second, I would load the magazine on the shotgun, but leave the chamber empty with the slide forward, safety on. This way a child would have to figure out how to release the slide, chamber a round and defeat the safety.

I was a stay at home dad so when the kids were there they were always under direct supervision. When they had friends over the bedroom door was locked to block access.

Andy
 
steeljhp said:
#1-I dont care for punctuation, are you a school teacher? #2 my first firearm was a 12 ga. remington 870 i was 12 or 13, no problems #3 have you priced a box of quality pistol ammo vs. a box of shotgun shells ,I have lots of sources#4 under stress the chances of hitting a target with a shotgun are muuuuuuuuuuuuch greater than with a pistol key word here is stress#5 your job is to give the man your opinion not to give your opinion of my opinion ,you might not like mine i know i wont like yours,being both former combat arms military and law enforcement i might have a little experience ,not alot of time spent punching keys on a keyboard ,no offense,takin,buddy
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Hey, opinions are what make the world go around. No need to get worked up. I respect your experience, I was just giving another viewpoint. I agree, shotguns work great, better than handguns in stress situations unless you have lots of training. In fact, I did recommend to the OP that he check out a 20ga coach gun. In the interest of preventing thread drift, I won't go into the rest of your points. My recommendation stands: 20 ga shotgun, in whatever configuration you and your wife feel they can handle effectively under stress. That is all.
 
Well first of all, your gonna need a realiable gun, your gonna need reliable ammo, and your gonna need Alot of practice. Wanting a gun for home protection is a lot bigger than people think. Most people think they get a gun and a safe.
Safes are nice and the only time i would recomend them is if you have more than 5 guns.if not dont bother. You said yer wife and you are gonna get training. well If your really motivated you could get sum dvd's and practice practice practice. If your thinkin a semiauto, then try and get an airsoft gun that replicates it. Saves you a lot of time and worring if the guns loaded. with an airsoft it can only be loaded with air and plastic ball. Not gonna kill you. I have used the dvd system to train and work on my skills. In 2 years i went from not knowing anything to saving my life 3 time with the training i recived. THis wasnt firearm related but it was unarmed /knife fighting.Motivate you and her and keep practicing. For a firearm home defense Stay waway from the m-16 ak-47 stuff. most shootings that happen in low light, and usually end before the first magazine is ever empty. So look at a 12 gauge,or a revolver.I personaly have a P-226 wich i love.... well anyway Remember to KISS..It will help you out in the long run.
Also, Safe are not good for a selfdefense gun. you need instant access to it. keep it sumwere only you and yer wife can get to it. I got a shotgun and a 9mm within 3 feet of me right now as wee speak.
 
peripatew said:
My wife and I got to bed late last night, and out of no where she said something pretty amazing "You know, we should probably get a gun". I've been working on my wife for a while, and she finally saw the light!

So, all that being said, I've got a lot of researching and contemplating to do. I've got a 4 year old son and a bun in the oven, so I want family safety to come first. I have a fairly non-violent thought process, but I want to protect my family.

My wife and I will take a gun safety class, and I'm looking at some other options as far as gun education goes as well.

But for now my main question is where do you keep your gun at so it's easily accessible yet family safe, and what kind of gun do you rely on for home protection?
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I don't have any children at home so I have more leeway as to where I put my guns. I have a shotgun inside the closet above the door. That way the casual/lazy thief cannot see it by glancing in the closet, but it is easily accessible. I have various handguns scattered throughout the house. Most are semi autos with a couple of revolvers thrown in. Now that answers your direct questions I will throw my opinion in with others.

Your challenge now is to keep your wife interested in the idea of having firearms. Don't allow anyone into letting you or your wife shoot a gun that might hurt you with recoil. Start small and work up. Start with a .22 either rifle or handgun, then move up. Always have ear and eye protection. Hopefully you can rent or borrow. Once you and her are comfortable with the .22, move up to a bigger caliber. Don't jump right into a .357 or .44, perhaps a .38 in a heavy revolver. Even though a .38 is relatively small, put it in a smith airweight and you had better have a hold on it because it is going to recoil. What I am saying is, make shooting fun.

With that said your next responsibility is instruction/training then practice, then start the cycle again more instruction/training and practice.

Self protection is more of a mindset than anything, you have to be aware of your surroundings and your options.

Make a plan about what you are going to do in case of an emergency, then practice it. There are lots of videos and courses out there. Their even some shows on the Outdoor channel that covers this subject that has very good information.

Good luck and pray you never have to use your gun for protection.
 
My advice is a 12 or 20 ga.
and
NEVER EVER leave a loaded gun with any children around. Something could happen that you would regret your entire life.
Figure something out for quick access in the event you require it's service quick but never leave a loaded gun in a house with children. Lock the ammo in a fingerprint box for quick access.
 
I'd really figure out a way to try out various firearms, calibers, etc so you can find what suits you best.

Everyone is different, and what suits one person, might not another.

Many factors can go into a firearm purchase.

Sometimes manufactors put together "try & buys", or there are gun shows to handle various weapons.

Handguns usually have alot more restrictions and require more obstacles to jump through for ownership, something to consider.

I'd really mual it over about what you'd like/need/expect and start gleaning information from respected sources. As was stated eariler, addressing your environment ie house vs apartment, etc will impact your choice.

But you can never go wrong w/ a good shotgun and mounted flashlight.
 
My advice:
Shotgun for the house, revolver (GP100) for the person.
I love all guns but my suggestions are very simple to operate.
With the kids, put the guns away during the day and pull them out at night.
My wife doesn't like guns like I do but I have finally worn her down and she doesn't hate them and can see the importance of them.
I have always preached to my son to never touch a gun without asking. If he asks me, I'd be more than happy to show it to him. I've done this since he was old enough to walk, he's 13 now...he still doesn't touch them without asking!
Get something thats comfortable and shoot it alot! When you need it is not the time to find out how to use it.
 
Andrew Colglazier said:
I don't have small children anymore, but when I did, I did the following: first, I installed a lock on my bedroom door. I had a key, and my wife had a key.
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Kids can get in a locked door interior house door. School ID or something flexible. If they want in, they will get in.
If the ammo is locked after they bypass the locked interior door, then your safe.
Never underestimate children up to no good and snooping. They are drawn to guns and they end up pointed at their friends.

See here> http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071204175939AAEDQ2A and scroll down to "SimpleMo".
Kids can get into anything.
 
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