Home Defense

[David Milisock]

For one, I always lock my doors, two, I moved to a rural area dominated by conservatives, the kind that keep their penises and know what a woman is. Three, I have a dog, 40 pounds of noisy which the noise is what I need.

We have a home defense plan and safe words in case bad guys use me her or other family member to get into the house. Phone are charged close to us at night. Side arms, (that's plural) are kept handy as well as knives and tactical batons.

As long as you choose reliable firearms, other tools to augment your defense and have a plan, what type of firearms, cartridge choice you make do no mean squat!

 

[cmysix]

I have seen #5 shot drop deer clean at 20', so large shot not needed in the house situation.

it is unobtanium, but a few years ago they came up with a #2 #4 shot mix, it's deadly

 

[cmysix]

My vote would be something that doesn't leave a biohazard mess to clean up.

you could use a Garot, but do you really want to get that close?

 

[Eagle Six]

More precisely 'garrote' or 'garotte'. As "garot' is a form of Korean clothing.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I have seen a lot of discussions about home defense. They mainly talk about caliber size, type of gun, what is supposedly the best gun and so on.

Home defense can be a conundrum, there is no correct answer or method. There are too many variables to be considered in a split second or waking up out of a sound sleep during a break in. Whatever weapon you have handy and that you are comfortable with is a start. Size, type, of defensive weapon used is very subjective.

The best thing is to develop a defensive posture just having a weapon for home defense is a small part of home defense.
You need to Identify the high-risk areas in your house. To identify areas in your home could be spots that allow intruders to hide. Such as narrow corridors that you could get trapped in.

With that said a good alarm system with cameras is a good start. This will help ID if there are any weapons and how many intruders there are.

If possible, create a safe room with doors and walls that can protect you and this makes it difficult for intruders to get to you so you can call 911 for help. If you have a master bedroom with a connected bathroom you could make the bathroom a safe room with nominal costs and do it yourself skills and materials. A cast iron tub to lay and ballistic panels to replace sheet rock with a steel door and frame opening out instead of in.

You need to think about possible escape routes from different areas of your home as intruders can strike any time. Living in an apartment is probably one of the worst places to live and to develop an adequate defensive posture. A portable fire escape ladder from a balcony or window should be considered. An apartment also brings additional challenges. A doorbell camera is a first line of defense. Where and how to store your weapon for ready access when you have children?

Next you need to know the local and state laws in your area. For example, do you live with 100 yards of a school? In some States if you do you may be violating the law if you have a gun in your house.

You need to be realistic with your skills and capabilities of your weapons. So do your family members so they can protect themselves as you may not be there to protect them. I grew up learning to shoot and the important of safety at the age of 6. My wife does not like guns but understands the importance of them for when the SHTF or to defend from intruders. She has learned to properly use them along with other items.

There is a lot more to think about other than caliber, size, and type of weapon.

Next to a great dog or two, a high qulity DA revolver that you and your wife can shoot is really hard to beat. About the most reliable thing out there. If you have kids in the house, I feel sorry for your predicament.

 

[M-61]

it is unobtanium, but a few years ago they came up with a #2 #4 shot mix, it's deadly

For shotguns I would test various size shot to see what will pass through two 1/2” sheets of sheet rock. Surprising what makes it through . Kids in the next room? Close range meaning maybe living room size.

 

[Handi204]

Nothing beats a short barreled open choke 12 gauge with a mounted light, or a big white rag tied around the barrel. I prefer 71/2 shot hard to miss at close range.

 

[Jr solocam]

125# GSD - check
85# border/heeler - check
12 ga with 7 rounds 4 buck - check
Pistols in nearly every room and in every building in our yard. I've been shooting since I was 6, and load/shoot alot and have trained my wife in on all of these firearms.

We live about 20 miles from 911. Worst case scenario we are on our own.
The 3 cats are mean SOB's too

 

[LuvDog]

Cameras, motion lights, security system, lights on random timers, and 2 dobermans. If they make it through that then they have to deal with me

 

[Kevin1990]

I feel the most important aspect that I haven't seen discussed is weapon reliability. If an intruder comes to your home, sometimes plans a,b,c and all the way to Z fail. You need to make sure the weapon or weapon system you have is reliable. Do you trust you life with it? I've got more than a few I would say no to. Also train sweeping your house.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

Nothing beats about 4 Chihuahuas for a high alert alarm system

As someone that comes from the country that originally brought you home/farm invasions big dogs are not deterrents especially if they stay outside. Small dogs staying/sleeping in the house is what will make a wood be intruder move along and choose another house

 

[ebb]

I was thinking about the system Sonitrol used to used that ultra sonically incapacitated an unwanted intruder. Also maybe a teaser, or even a well trained dog that ran them outside before inserting a fang.

 

[Knotwild]

These are always interesting threads. So are the articles about actual shootings and the aftermath in the courts. But you seldom read about the mental trauma. Ayoob usually has some good articles.

I almost shot a man once, but God was looking out for me. If I had shot him, I would have killed a man so drunk he didn't realize he was in the wrong house. And I would have had to have that on my conscience the rest of my life. Life can throw some real curves.

 

[mike a]

Bars on windows, doors that can’t be kicked in, alarm, dog, shotgun with a lite. Sound like a fortress? Of course it is. Cheers

 

[Will Henry]

More precisely 'garrote' or 'garotte'. As "garot' is a form of Korean clothing.

Maybe you could smother someone with it? WH

 

[Toddmack]

These are always interesting threads. So are the articles about actual shootings and the aftermath in the courts. But you seldom read about the mental trauma. Ayoob usually has some good articles.

I almost shot a man once, but God was looking out for me. If I had shot him, I would have killed a man so drunk he didn't realize he was in the wrong house. And I would have had to have that on my conscience the rest of my life. Life can throw some real curves.

That's interesting, i have a friend who could double as the drunk guy in your story.

He was hammered one night talking on his phone and walked into a house in a town he didn't live in. He was met with an AR in his face by the homeowner! Luckily
Lucky for him that he happened to know the homeowner...I was told this story by the guy who was holding the gun.

 

[nakneker]

Home defense is hard to prepare for, attack on one’s home can come from many different angles. We always think about the door being bashed in, windows being broke but I’ve seen a couple people go through stalker scenarios that led to altercations and other scenarios. Currently we don’t have any neighbors, there are locked gates on the entry road to our home, it’s just me and my wife and two small dogs both of which bark but are useless in a fight but we still love them. Dad lives next door in The shop but he doesn’t hear well and only has vision in one eye. The criminals that give me the creeps are the smart ones who pattern places, habits, who’s home, who’s not home. I’m careful who I let work on the place, I Change the keypad codes every 3-4 months or when we get a new UPS or a FedEx driver. The scenarios are endless and you can’t prepare or predict them all. Personally I have a Benelli M2 and an 870 with an extend mag on each side of the bed. Both are loaded with high brass #4s for the first two shots and double 00 buck following. I keep a Glock 17 within reach at night, I have a quite a few pistols that are newer and fancier but I know the Glock well and trust it, I also keep an Old Springfield 1911 in the living room that is cleverly locked away. My wife has her P365 comp close to her and she’s getting better about practicing with it, shoots it about once a month, 3 or 4 mags worth on the steel plates out back. All of the guns I actually use for home defense and carry in my vehicles have been thoroughly tested with the ammo they are loaded with.

When I watch these encounters on film I learn a lot. It’s amazing how many people, including law enforcement drop a mag early, or fail to rack the pump on a shotgun all the way back before moving it back into battery. Adrenaline is pumping and people are ramped up. Usually when the first shot goes off intruders are running for the door, they want out. Rarely do they stay and fight if they think they’ve lost the advantage. Criminals seek out easy victims when they can, when they have to play defense they usually run.

I’ve never had to deal with a home invasion, car jacking, mugging etc and I hope I never do. I try and be prepared to protect my loved ones though and I try and practice with guns mentioned above every 60 days or so. Not a lot but enough to stay fairly familiar with them. Just hope I never have to deal with that crap.

 

[bsekf]

It is easy to talk or write about protecting your family and possessions. But when you aim and pull the trigger on another human, you better be prepared emotionally and psychologically and financially. Because you are going to be charged and go to jail. Maybe we should be worried about how our ELECTED DA's and Judges think and if we have a functional POD. Maybe it is time for the 95% to have a voice, rather than the 5%.

Disclaimer: my 12 ga is loaded with #2's and 4 buck, and there are loaded handguns in strategic locations. We have a plan and we practice it. And Jim, the Airedale, would love to help!

 

[TrapperBR549]

How big is the pattern of a 12ga cylinder bore at say 10 feet? I'm wondering how big of an advantage it would have over a 1911?

 

[mike a]

How big is the pattern of a 12ga cylinder bore at say 10 feet? I'm wondering how big of an advantage it would have over a 1911?

I’m a rifle guy. Yeh I hunt upland birds abit. A pistol may be more quick and handy but they require lots of practice. I don’t think most people are. If your a well practiced pistol guy that’s great. I’d shoot myself. Also I don’t care about pattern size, just a hit! Lazer flashlight. P.S. ARs go through to many walls.