lagged
join:2001-10-30
Narberth, PA
| reply to amigo_boy
Re: firearms
My Ruger 380 really snaps back. I think its a combination of being very light weight and having a straight blow back action.
For those concerned with over penetration, anything that will adequately penetrate a human will punch through all the walls in your house. You need to deal with it with training.
--
tight lines and screaming reels |
|
amigo_boy
join:2005-07-22
Tempe, AZ
 ·Cox HSI
 ·magicjack.com
| said by lagged  :For those concerned with over penetration, anything that will adequately penetrate a human will punch through all the walls in your house. You need to deal with it with training. But, some ammo will penetrate walls with more power than others. For example, rifle rounds will have more residual energy than .357 handgun. A shotgun with deer slugs more than bird shot. A +P handgun ammo more than a lighter loads. Full metal jackets more than hollowpoints. Frangible ammo (like Glasser Safety Slugs or Magsafe) less than anything else.
I think the selection of caliber and type of ammo is an important factor when considering the risk to other occupants of the house (or other houses). I wouldn't want to be hit by a .45 passing through two sheets of drywall. But, if I had a choice between that and .357 Magnum, I'd take the .45 any day.
Mark |
|
dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to swhx7
said by swhx7 :After a burglary, we're feeling a lot less safe in this house. I'm considering buying a gun. So I'm wondering what kind is best. Or if you think this is a bad idea, please say why, exactly. 38 Revolver. at the time you need it you don't want to risk a jammed clip.
--
When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee |
|
dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to LittlePiggie
said by LittlePiggie :Get a big nasty dog instead!  A firearm doesn't have to be taken out at 5am in the cold to use the bathroom. 
--
When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee |
|
Lowtarget
Premium
join:2003-12-22
Alger, OH
clubs: | reply to swhx7
Nothing like a 12 gauge shotgun. When you chamber a round will scare most people.  |
|
lagged
join:2001-10-30
Narberth, PA
| reply to amigo_boy
Any effective defense round will over penetrate through house walls. Don't choose a .45 over a 357 just because it will only penetrate through 4 houses instead of 6.
Train, learn "safe" shooting allys in your house, and as with everything firearm related, know exacty wtf you are doing.
--
tight lines and screaming reels |
|
amigo_boy
join:2005-07-22
Tempe, AZ
·Cox HSI
·magicjack.com
| said by lagged : Don't choose a .45 over a 357 just because it will only penetrate through 4 houses instead of 6. A .45 wont penetrate 4 houses. It will barely penetrate one stucco wall.
I do agree that the best safeguard against misplaced bullets is training. But, the selection of bullets is a pragmatic factor. If you're trying to avoid misplaced bullets because of the potential harm they'll cause, then the fact that one bullet will penetrate 4 houses instead of 6 should be relevant. Two houses worth of unspent energy can make the difference between life and death.
Mark |
|
Frank
is chilling
Premium
join:2000-11-03
somewhere | reply to swhx7
I'd go with a shotgun w/rocksalt shells. |
|
mr_slick
join:2003-05-22
Lynnwood, WA
1 edit | reply to CtrlAltDel
my god... has that dog been pumping iron and drinking protein shakes?  |
|
hdman
Flt Rider
Premium
join:2003-11-25
Appleton, WI
 ·Alltel Axess
 ·AT&T Midwest
 ·WildBlue
| reply to swhx7
As an instructor of firearm safety, I recommend TWO things. First of all, the best home defense weapon is a 12 ga. shotgun with #6 shot. It will destroy any intruder, you don't have to hit exactly where you want, and it will not penetrate to the next room with lethal force. I would, however, suggest the 3rd or 4th shot to be 00 buck JUST in case.
The second suggestion is that you learn how to properly handle and fire ANY weapon you bring into your home. If you have children, they MUST be instructed professionaly as well. Kids who see guns in the house, and are only told to STAY AWAY from them, WILL take them out an play with them when you are away. Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you want to talk one on one about what your plan is.
HDMan
--
The proper way to break in a Harley: Grab a fist full of throttle, and ride it like you stole it!!! |
|
RXDOC
You want what?
Premium,MVM
join:2002-03-13
Palatine, IL
clubs: | reply to swhx7
Take a look at the 'Judge'. It shoots both .45 and .410 shotgun shells. |
|
eotech
@myvzw.com
 from:
lagged
| reply to swhx7
lagged, if you're talking about the Ruger LCP 380, it's lock-breach, not gas blowback like the Beretta 3032 Tomcat. |
|
John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink
| reply to swhx7
I'd also recommend getting some Celox and Israeli Bandages, and learn how to treat sucking chest wounds.
There is no guarantee that -you- won't get shot.
Just saying...
--
The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master.
|
|
Loco
Premium
join:2002-11-09
So Cal
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to LittlePiggie
said by LittlePiggie :Get a big nasty dog instead! Or a big nasty pig. |
|
keyboard5684
join:2001-08-01
Youngsville, PA
·Teliax VOIP
·WestPAnet Inc.
·WestPAnet Inc. CA..
| reply to battleop
I want to clear up my statement.
Yes, assault rifles are certainly powerful, the rounds will travel, and has its downsides... just like any gun. My overall point was that you should know how to use your weapon. I like my M1 Carbine assault rifle (short gun, about 30 rounds, rapid fire, etc.) because I can use it well. If you get a shotgun, or any gun, it sounds like when the OP has to use it that it will end up in "scared" shooting all over the place and a shotgun will go through walls or ricochet possibly injuring those who you are trying to protect.
I have been through the police academy for Pennsylvania and trained to be an officer. I have worked different units which does not matter. Military training as well. Take my advice for what it is... know what you are doing.
But if you have not owned a gun then get an alarm system. I have grown up with guns, hunted, and also been through training
on multiple situations you will get into. I personally would want to be able to fight close range, long range, a gang of 10 "thugs" with guns, or just get them to lay down. No matter what happens I want to be able to keep the family safe and also achieve the objective... taking the threat away. Full metal jacket M1 rounds are not loaded in the clip I keep for home defense... home made rounds are used with soft lead that will stop when it hits something.
But again, in this case, buy an alarm system. A screaming siren is designed to hurt your ears so bad that you just want to get out. They know when the alarm goes off that the cops are coming. They want easier targets and signs outside that says there is an alarm system will likely make them think about moving on to another house. |
|
amigo_boy
join:2005-07-22
Tempe, AZ
·Cox HSI
·magicjack.com
| said by keyboard5684 :But again, in this case, buy an alarm system. A screaming siren is designed to hurt your ears so bad that you just want to get out. Another option is a "panic room." I read a few years ago about how people were installing steel doors at the hallway going to bedrooms. And/or a reinforced door in one bedroom. Instead of defending their property (and all the risk and responsibility that incurs), they opted for a safe(er) area to retreat and wait for the police.
That gets back to how I believe situational (shoot/don't shoot) training is important. It's amazing how many people (myself included) underestimate the effect a real-life confrontation can have on you. I guess we see it on teevee so much we think there's nothing to it. Some people go through the FATS simulator and decide that retreating to a secure room is the best choice. They don't want to go through all the emotions that occur in a real shooting scenario. It's not something you can guess what it's like, or how you'll respond (physiologically) until you go through it.
Mark |
|
swhx7
Premium
join:2006-07-23
Elbonia
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to swhx7
Thanks again to everyone above.
My thought process after reading thru has been something like this.
A shotgun would be nearly ideal except for needing both hands at all times. In case of a gunpoint situation I'd like one hand free for a phone. As between revolver and semiauto, definitely revolver for simplicity. Something medium-caliber and using easily available ammunition (a popular caliber and type of round).
There's a possible scenario of an intruder getting to a gun first (burglary in afternoon, one of us returns home before the burglar leaves) - but I guess a trigger lock would prevent the gun being used against us (?)
Also, I am slightly reassured about the prospect of the same burglars returning, because the police identified their car and towed it - they had also been reported by a neighbor when they tried to break in nearby. Hopefully the car will have led to arrests.
But there are still other factors. We've decided to move, and a good quality gun would cost $400-600, vs. maybe less for an alarm subscription for the remaining months. And I think a loud alarm noise when a window or door is opened when we're not there would scare off any intruders. This solution is not ideal (nothing is), but would also avert any accidental-shooting scenarios. We can always change our minds later. |
|
amigo_boy
join:2005-07-22
Tempe, AZ
·Cox HSI
·magicjack.com
2 edits | said by swhx7 :but I guess a trigger lock would prevent the gun being used against us (?) Trigger locks are clumsy to deal with. You have to keep the key handy (unless there are combination locks I'm not familiar with). Burglars can easily walk off with the gun, and drill out the lock.
Something like this would be good: »www.gunvault.com/ Just push the buttons and it pops open.[1]
You can mount it in a camouflaged location, such as inside a nightstand drawer with a faux drawer front (that hinges open, giving you access to the front of the safe).
If you want to get really secure, this biometric wall safe is a good choice: »www.dutchguard.com/biometric-gun···sec.html [2]
Trigger locks are good if you have kids and no gun safe.
It's a balance between accessibility and security. If you have no kids in the house, that gives you more flexibility. you can keep the gun in an accessible but secluded location. When you leave the house, move it to a more secure location (some place burglars wouldn't look). If kids are in the house, then trigger locks make sense -- at the expense of accessibility. Or, a finger-press safe if you can afford it. Otherwise, just in-home and away concealment locations.
I'm not a big fan of sleeping with a handgun under the pillow, or sitting on the nightstand. I think it should require a little effort to get it (like operating a finger-press safe) just to make sure you're really awake. I don't know about anyone else, but I've had a couple of episodes of "night terrors" where you're convinced you're awake, but can't move, and someone's in the house. When I finally woke up it seemed like the only thing that changed was that I could move. It took a few seconds to distinguish that everything up to that point was a dream. With a handgun too easy to access I could have gone in pursuit, not fully aware.
One other thing to consider about the choice between handgun and shotgun is that a shotgun is much more lethal. I hate to suggest to anyone that they should plan to have an accident. But, often shotguns are recommended to novices because it doesn't require much skill. The downside is that the unskilled are more prone to accidents, and a shotgun can cause devastating wounds.
A shotgun's great. It's like a personal Claymore mine. But, if I were going to accidentally shoot myself in the foot, I'd rather do it with a .38. At least I'd still have a foot. The same goes for accidentally shooting a family member.
So, that's something else to consider. Shotguns are definitely easier to use, require less aiming. Perfect for a defensive strategy, or a backup to the point person using a handgun. But, accidents are much worse. "Easy" shouldn't be confused with "safer."
[1] See also »www.amazon.com/HS10036684-2-Inch···_cp_hi_1
»www.walmart.com/catalog/product.···=2221464
[2] See also »www.amazon.com/Stack-PWS-1522-Wa···_cp_hi_2
»www.buyasafe.com/InvisiVault-p/s···ault.htm
Mark |
|
DarkSithPro
join:2005-02-12
Huntington Beach, CA
| reply to swhx7
If you get a Firearm then don't listen to all the peeps who say 357 magnum. That's way too much overkill for a defensive Firearm. I would suggest a 9mm, or a .40 caliber handgun, such as a Glock 19, 23, or a Springfield XD in 9mm or .40. 9mm would be best for your wife, as the kick isn't nearly bad as a .45 caliber. Also 9mm rounds are relatively cheap compared to the other rounds. Look at Federal Hydroshock, or Speer Gold-dot for some good hollow point rounds. |
|
amigo_boy
join:2005-07-22
Tempe, AZ
·Cox HSI
·magicjack.com
1 edit | said by DarkSithPro :If you get a Firearm then don't listen to all the peeps who say 357 magnum. That's way too much overkill for a defensive Firearm. I would suggest a 9mm, or a .40 caliber handgun, If he's considering the reliability of a revolver, then a .38 would be the equivalent to the semi-auto calibers you mentioned.
The nice thing about a .357 revolver is that you can shoot .38 ammo too. Best of both worlds. Semi-autos don't have that flexibility.
A .357 might be a good choice for someone with skill. It's all about tradeoffs. Revolvers are more reliable, but don't have the capacity of a semi-auto. Example: I like to carry concealed a .357. More stopping power per round which is important considering I don't have 10-12 rounds of lower-power ammo to empty into a bad guy (like you do with your Glock). For me, each shot has to count.
Inside the house, where concerns about missed shots going into other rooms (or neighboring houses with a .357), a .38 might be the better tradeoff. Or, .357 using frangible ammo (Glasser or Magtech.).
I don't think there are any right or wrong answers. There are a lot of factors that are different for every individual. (Even the choice to use frangible ammo is complicated by climate. I'd use it in a warm climate like Phoenix. But, not Michigan, where there's greater chance of an intruder wearing a heavy jacket, which can reduce the performance of frangible ammo.)
Mark |
|
