I have $550, and I need a home defense gun

[dvickery]

get a used mossberg in the 200 range and an AK in the 300 range.

Saiga 223 and 7.62x39 for <$300
https://www.gilbertsguns.com/store/p...y141/index.htm

dv

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[tankdriver]

New England Firearms Pardner Pump.

Same action as an 870, can use 870 stocks, and Mossy 500 choke tubes (you use Remmington 870 magazine extensions). Local Dick's Sporting goods sells them for $150 with black furnature, $199 for the Turkey model with Real Tree Camo furnature and fiber optic 'iron' rifle sights, 24" barrel with turkey choke.

Will leave lots on money for ammo or tricks, or other weapon.

[jdsumner]

Find a used Mossberg Maverick 88 12g (or any quality shotgun, used) for under $200, a used 4" S&W .38sp for $225. Use the rest for training and ammo.

Dan

[Cap'n]

Mossberg 500 Tac 12 ga. shotgun - $350.00 new and you'll still have $200.00 for shells. Compact and a great shotgun.

[64zebra]

I'd go for the Mossberg 500 persuader
$225 around here, plenty of money for sling and ammo

[rainmaker]

Another vote for an 870 for home defense. One consideration would be 20 ga vs 12 ga. My wife's more comfortable with 20 ga - less recoil and a little bit lighter, if nothing else. Still gets the job done especially at short range. There are more options (barrel, add-ons, etc) with a 12 ga 870.

[gwhall57]

I'd say go with the 12-gauge shotgun. Easier to get ammo, and basically a "point-and-shoot".

[SIXTO]

I'm glad I read all responses first. This is exactly what I was thinking. I would buy a $300 shotgun and a $150-$200 SKS.

This is from someone who has been buying guns since he was a kid;

Buy quality, not quanity. You will be sorry if you dont.

I invite you to take a look at this thread;

http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulle...heap-road.html

[JonInNY]

Rem 870! 0-0 Buck (unless you have thin walls with neighbors or other people. Then consider #8. Just as deadly at close range.

[imatt]

+1 on the Shotgun.
Don't get a pistol grip with no stock. (I have one.)
Pump action 12 gauge with 00 buckshot for home defense.
You'll have money left over to purchase a ton of ammo.

[Fast Cloud]

As someone on GT so elequently put it...Lack of 12 gauge = Loss of Man card.

I'm going to speak up for the Benelli Super Nova Tactical. With 550. you could walk out the door with it, a light and a mag extention bringing it up to 8 rounds of 00 pleasure. It comes stock with ghost ring sights, pistol grip/stock and a weather proof coating. Bad guys, beware.

[MitchellCT]

Lack of 12 gauge = Loss of Man card.

I'd rather have a 7.62x39mm or 5.56mm rifle than a 12 gauge.

[f8lranger4x4]

Mossberg 500 or Rem. 870

[Fast Cloud]

I'd rather have a 7.62x39mm or 5.56mm rifle than a 12 gauge.

Yes, well who wouldn't? But you're not going to have much luck finding one worth spitting on for 550 dollars.

[chuck brick]

This is from someone who has been buying guns since he was a kid;

Buy quality, not quanity. You will be sorry if you dont.

I invite you to take a look at this thread;

http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulle...heap-road.html

Inexpensive is not the same as cheap.
SKS: around $250 or less, and a rock-solid, dependable, well-made unit that matches the .30-30 at close range but with longer effective range. No extra expenses such as magazines, but the (optional) 10-round stripper-clips are about 10-15 cents each, and speed-load just about as fast and easy.
Mossburg 500: similar price-range new, used for half that or less, and tough enough that the military, some PD's, and lots of security firms use it. The 870 costs more, and might be worth it, but my old Mossy ($74.oo NIB, ~32 yrs ago) has never failed, broken, or otherwise disappointed me so I'm not sure how. Plus, the top-mounted safety is faster for most people (especially lefties!) than the behind-the-trigger crossbar once both are learned.
If you shop carefully, you might even can squeeze a Romanian 9x18 surplus handgun for $99.oo out of that $550.oo.
Then, you'll really be armed!
I'll choose inexpensive-and-multiple over high-cost-only-one every time, if limited.

Stay safe,

Chuck Brick.