Yesterday I and my wife went out for our regular practice session, and I took several longguns as well as our regular carry/home defense guns. After we had shot a couple hundred rounds through the glocks and 357s, I took out my AR15 A2 model and 30-30 to verify the zero. She was curious and wanted to shoot both of them as well. After shooting the 30-30, her eyes lit up and she would not give it back! Then she began shooting the AR, and she went ballistic! She accused me of intentionaly keeping these away from her! She now demands, that her bedside gun be the AR or 30-30, saying that all my handguns are for wimps, and she wants and likes the power of the rifles! Any suggestions on home defense loads for these? When mama wants, she gets!
don't know about using ar's and 30-30 for HD. yeah it's not "whimpy". but for close quarters like your home, it might not be the best option. i'm sure the experts here can elaborate more. i think 15 rounds of 9mm JHP is more than enough unless, you're expecting zombies!!!
Get her the 870 Home Defense they are running about 280 in most shops. Also maybe look at an 870 Youth in 20 gauge. She probably will like the simplicity and you get to keep you rifles. Other wise I would look at the Hornady TAP and Critical Defense rounds.
The AR-15 for many is just about the perfect home defense gun. Much more manageable than a 12 ga. shotgun for just about everyone. Easier for men, and especially true for women.
Collapsible stock versions are much easier to wield in close quarters. Much easier to maintain retention of the gun in a gun grab situation. And with the proper ammunition much less over penetration and less chance of exiting the home than any 12 ga. 00 buck or slug round.
If you have any doubts, I urge you to take a weekend defensive carbine class and you'll really see it come into it's own and know first hand what the benefits really are.
To say an AR-15 is a poor home defense choice out of hand without any personal knowledge or experience with it is usually based on hearsay and myths from people who do not know any better. Even our swat team dumped their MP-5's in favor of M-4 Carbines with three round burst.
I agree completely with jwhite75's ammo recommendations. Federal's low recoil personal defense 12 ga. rounds are fine as well.
if you are going to go with a 'big gun' for home defense, a shotty is certainly the way to go. i wouldnt be using an AR thats for sure. Personally I'll stick with the handgun
Ditto. I have a Mossberg 500 at the ready, but as far as maneuvering through the house, I prefer a handgun for home defense. Better for turning corners.
3'' double odd buck will satisfy her lust for recoil, and wont put holes in you neighbors house down the road in a HD situation. 30 cal keeps going and going and going and going!
For .223, I use the 64gr PowerPoint (handloaded of course).
For .30-30, I would use lead bullets for sure. Nice and soft around a 12 BHN for expansion.
For shotguns, use #1 buckshot. Far superior overall versus any other size buckshot according to the IWBA testing.
The only thing I hate about .223 for defense or interior work is the increase in blast and noise (which is why mine is suppressed). A .30-30 or shotgun will be quieter.
I can't say as I disagree with the idea of using a carbine for home defense. I do disagree with the fact that people think it's too much for in a home. There is frangible ammunition available for civilian purchase that addresses the 'over-penetration' issue. Besides, if there's an intruder in your home and the cops get called, you can dang-well bet that there'll be at least one of the cops armed with some kind of a carbine too. Their ammunition isn't frangible!!
After shooting the 30-30, her eyes lit up and she would not give it back! Then she began shooting the AR, and she went ballistic! She accused me of intentionaly keeping these away from her!
There are definitely worse things. That certainly removes one of the big hurdles that many people face when attempting to set an effective defensive plan.
Sounds like you won't have to worry about caliber, then. Instead, pick the correct weapon for the scenario and then train, train, train. Congrats. :bier:
I'm going to add another vote for the Mossberg 500.
Here's my current HD setup; Mossy 500 pistol grip, tac light, 7+1 in the pipe, and 4 more on the side saddle. 00 buck.
Springfield XD9 with Crimson Trace laser grip and tac light, 15+1 and another 15 nearby. 147 gr JHP.
Who says that an AR15A2 is not good for home defense? I had no problems clearing homes in the military with this. Come to think of it, I also used M69 frag grenades. Hope she does not read this. :embarassed:
Hey guys thanks for the replies. I am now in the mountains of west va visiting a friend and am on the iPhone. Before I left, I loaded up some hornady ballistic tips and shot a few to make sure the cycled properly. Then I left her with the AR and came up here to visit afriend. I will look onto this more with Mrs Rambo when I get home. She does have 2 sisters, but they are taken, sorry. Keep the suggestions coming....thanks guys!
Just called my wife and I am now worried. She said that she places the AR on my side of the bed when she sleeps because it is too far out of reach sitting in the corner. I am going home in the morning because I think we have a problem. She also said she wants to hit the range again to shoot the AR. Is it possible I am losing my wife to a gun?
I am very careful around her. If you could see how she handles a horse and makes it do what she wants, you would know what I mean. But I am lucky to have a woman that shares my interests and is beautiful without being a powder puff. It's good to know your woman can hold the fort down while your gone.
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