Home defense weapon...

[TTravis]

Don't we have a LEO on this board from Newberg?

 

[LtScott14]

12 or 20ga home defense calibers, and hunting too. Pump guns and single/double bbls also handy. You can pawn shop shotguns and legally shorten the barrel or buy a shorter barrel at a gun shop or a gun show. Loads are important, 00 buck and #4 are serious stoppers.(12 ga) Available in 5 rd pkgs mostly everywhere. If age is your issue the shotgun is the answer. I have a 22 rifle, and a Mosin, and would choose a 12 or 20 ga anytime for your HD. Stay alert, add a game trail camera w/ night option to get a plate number and call the local PD.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Mossberg 500/590 or Rem 870; you can often find them cheap used. I got a 590 at 8+1 for about $200 a few years ago. I prefer the Mossberg because the safety is more convenient left handed. 00 buck is like 9 pellets of .380 per shell with 2-3/4s, 15 with 3". It hurts real bad, and with followup shots, you can keep hurting them until they decide to stop whatever they're doing. Until then, get some #3 for the 20. The .22 can stop someone with one shot, but only if you're lucky. Very lucky. The Mosin is in no way a CQB weapon. Put a scope on it and shoot someone else's burglar (just kidding). I like a red light because it doesn't mess with your night vision, but you can see things just fine. Use a white light and you zap your night vision.

 

[griffin]

Pump shotgun is my recommendation.

Okay, why do you and so many others recommend a pump shotgun instead of a semi-auto? Other than it being cheaper, why?

 

[wolfts01]

On another note, have you considered a pistol-caliber carbine? They can be had for around $300, and if you think you will buy a pistol in the future you can buy them to be compatible with different pistol magazines. Not to mention they will have ammo compatibility. You can get a 33 round capacity if it takes glock mags.

It is a fact that they aren't any more powerful than a handgun due to the cartridge, but you can buy one before turning 21. They are easier to use than a handgun if you have no experience with one, and the longer barrel will give you better accuracy and less blast.

I like the kel-tec sub2000, because it looks somewhat decent and it can fold in half for storage. It would be a good get-home bag gun, maybe.

Just to chime in one more time.....

Tactics utilizing distance, concealment, and cover, are just as important as the choice in weapon.

Use your home court advantage to the best of your ability.

Agreed. That 20 gauge from behind concealed cover is better than a pump out in the open. If they are also firing at you neither of you is going to be leaving cover long enough to get off more than one or two shots. If you have enough distance and it is at night they won't know that you have a single shot or an AA-12 (well, maybe if it were actually an AA-12).

Okay, why do you and so many others recommend a pump shotgun instead of a semi-auto? Other than it being cheaper, why?

More reliable? The distinctive sound, maybe?

 

[unlimitedrubicon]

The quickest and cheapest -for now- route may be to keep the shotgun loaded and ready with the .22 on-hand for the follow-up shot. If the intruder is on their own and the shotgun is on-target there probably will not be much need for a follow-up shot; if they have an unarmed friend then chances are once they see what you did with the shotgun and then see another gun aimed at them they will not want to go any further and may not even notice the size of the firearm or the caliber. Remember shot placement is key and even a .22 can be just as lethal as anything out there if put in the right spot. If you are serious about this you need to PRACTICE with your chosen arm(s), especially if you think you will need to use it in the home where loved ones can be all around you.