Best Long-Gun for Home Defense?

[krazy kaju]

Since I am only 18, I am not legally allowed to purchase a handgun from a store. Thus, I was considering purchasing a long-gun, but I'm not sure what to get. This is what I'm looking for:

• Sturdy
• Beginner Friendly: Easy to Maintain
• Good for Home Defense

Can anyone help me?

Thanks in advance.

 

[raystone]

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=179084&highlight=shotgun

 

[Live_Free_Or_Die]

nt

 

[puppetmaster]

benelli m-4

 

[disorderlyvision]

"assault" rifle - AK-47

Bolt Action - I am happy with my Mosin Nagent 7.62x54r, best bolt action rifle you will get for 100 dollars

 

[Icymudpuppy]

I recommend a shotgun for many reasons.

1. Very intimidating from the large bore, and also the distinctive chambering sound.

2. Easy and cheap to customize with different grips/ barrel lengths/ etc.

3. Easy to aim and hard to miss.

4. Rounds don't penetrate as far. You could kill your neighbor two houses away with a rifle. Not gonna happen with a shotgun, but they still have plenty of power in the short range enough to pick a man up and carry him across the room.

5. Inexpensive. Try a Remington 870 for one of the best inexpensive most customizable shotguns on the market. A used one can be less than $200.

 

[Anti Federalist]

Since I am only 18, I am not legally allowed to purchase a handgun from a store. Thus, I was considering purchasing a long-gun, but I'm not sure what to get. This is what I'm looking for:

• Sturdy
• Beginner Friendly: Easy to Maintain
• Good for Home Defense

Can anyone help me?

Thanks in advance.

A pump action 12 gauge shotgun.

A Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 as IMP mentioned are two excellent first choices.

Inexpensive, well built, easy to handle, by far the best choice IMO.

 

[krazy kaju]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

So what are the pros and cons of a shotgun vs. an AK assault rifle? AKs are supposed to be sturdy and relatively easy to maintain as well. Could I get a semi-auto one without a license?

 

[cthulhufan]

For in home defense, as stated above, the shotgun will trump the AK solely based on the fact that the shot from the shotgun will not put your neighbors in danger nearly as much as firing 7.62x39 rounds from the AK. The last thing you want to do is miss your intended target and end up wounding or killing an innocent person. There is a youtube video showing the difference in kinetic energy between the 556 NATO and 7.62x39 google "AR-15 vs. AK-47" or something like that and you should find it. It should give you some idea of the capability of that round to penetrate.

 

[krazy kaju]

A pump action 12 gauge shotgun.

A Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 as IMP mentioned are two excellent first choices.

Inexpensive, well built, easy to handle, by far the best choice IMO.

For in home defense, as stated above, the shotgun will trump the AK solely based on the fact that the shot from the shotgun will not put your neighbors in danger nearly as much as firing 7.62x39 rounds from the AK. The last thing you want to do is miss your intended target and end up wounding or killing an innocent person. There is a youtube video showing the difference in kinetic energy between the 556 NATO and 7.62x39 google "AR-15 vs. AK-47" or something like that and you should find it. It should give you some idea of the capability of that round to penetrate.

Wow, yeah, thanks for the info. I think I'll end up going with a shotgun. I was just looking around and they're cheap. That, in addition to their good uses for home defense, make it the best buy in this case.

Thank you.

 

[youngbuck]

Unless you plan on hunting with it, get an 18 or 20" barrel. As mentioned, a Mossberg 500 or 590 and Remington 870 make excellent choices.

In most states (AFAIK), even though you aren't legally allowed to buy a handgun, you can still possess one. You can have a family member buy a handgun of your choice, and then transfer it to you as a gift.

 

[cthulhufan]

Wow, yeah, thanks for the info. I think I'll end up going with a shotgun. I was just looking around and they're cheap. That, in addition to their good uses for home defense, make it the best buy in this case.

Thank you.

This is the video showing the penetration of the 7.62x39 (you have to watch a few minutes in): YouTube - AK 47 vs M16 Comparing accuracy, and penetration

You, most certainly, don't want strays flying around your apartment complex or neighborhood. Glad to hear you went with the shotgun.

 

[krazy kaju]

I am aware of the handgun rules. I was also considering purchasing a hand gun from a private citizen at a gun show, which is also legal.

 

[forsmant]

Perhaps you should build a turret on the top of your house with a Gatling machine gun and just kill anyone who approaches...

 

[pcosmar]

Perhaps you should build a turret on the top of your house with a Gatling machine gun and just kill anyone who approaches...

WTF,

 

[cthulhufan]

Perhaps you should build a turret on the top of your house with a Gatling machine gun and just kill anyone who approaches...

If I lived in Detroit right now, I'd be pretty damned concerned about the safety of my family, possesions and living quarters too. One in three are unemployed there.

You, also, may take notice of the fact that the OP had the good sense to ask for advice on the matter of in home protection rather than making an uniformed and rushed decision.

 

[krazy kaju]

Perhaps you should build a turret on the top of your house with a Gatling machine gun and just kill anyone who approaches...

Haha, that doesn't sound like a half bad idea.

 

[pcosmar]

Haha, that doesn't sound like a half bad idea.

While I think that is a bit extreme for home defense, I always attempt to be helpful.

South Korean Intelligent Surveillance and Guard Robot
http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=762

 

[50calray]

500 Mossberg or Remington 870 12ga Shotgun w/18.5 barrel.

 

[Pericles]

I recommend a shotgun for many reasons.

.......

4. Rounds don't penetrate as far. You could kill your neighbor two houses away with a rifle. Not gonna happen with a shotgun, but they still have plenty of power in the short range enough to pick a man up and carry him across the room.

I hear this frequently as the reason for shotgun vs. handgun or a .223 / 5.56 mm rifle. This might be of interest to those convinced that the shotgun has less penetration and the AR will hazard the neighbors.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot1.htm

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot2.htm

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot4.htm

As you will remember the subject of 5.56 mm performance always comes up in a discussion of what kind of rifle to buy. If one of the problems with the AR is lack of penetration through material, it can hardy put your neighbors two houses away at risk.