Concerns with using a rifle for home defense

762 · July 16th, 2008, 02:54 PM

My 9 is my default defense weapon at home. it's either on my side or my night stand. if 16 rounds of HP don't do the trick, i don't know what will, but in the event, my backup is my beloved Kalashnikov - but with an issue...

A round from my AK will not only go through an intruder/evil doer, but will also go through 4-6 walls and everything in between. given the close proximity of the homes out here, i run the risk of my rounds landing on other peoples home in the event that i ever have to use it.

This is the same if i used any other rifle i have aside from my .22.

While it's a chance i will take to defend my home and my wife, it's
not something i hope i ever have to do.

matiki · July 16th, 2008, 02:57 PM

This is a contentious subject that comes up often here. If you use the search function you will probably find a lot of threads about it.

I'm in the penetration is king school of thought - but I still think most rifle calibers are too much risk to neighbors. A pistol caliber carbine is my top choice, and on my long list of things to buy before the elections.

762 · July 16th, 2008, 02:59 PM

Like a hi-point? my friend has one. it's not a saturday night special, but i am sure it will work.

msgt/ret · July 16th, 2008, 03:01 PM

Considering the possibility of over penetration from a rifle I prefer a 12ga shotgun loaded with #4 buck for a back-up to my 1911.

matiki · July 16th, 2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 762

Like a hi-point? my friend has one. it's not a saturday night special, but i am sure it will work.

Hi-points are ugly IMO but work. CX4 Storm, 9mm AR are good options too.

My preferred HD Longgun is my Shotgun, but I like the idea of a carbine for capacity and careful shots.

762 · July 16th, 2008, 03:04 PM

shotgun is another option i am considering. I personally do not like shooting them at all, but for home defense and max effect, i may get one and just keep it in my closet.

imatt · July 16th, 2008, 03:12 PM

Rifle rounds are a bit much in home defense. I personally feel a large pistol caliber sometimes is dangerous, depending on the thickness of your walls. I live in a one story brick house, so with the exception of firing through a window, a pistol caliber is just fine.

Shotguns still rule for home defense.

AMH · July 16th, 2008, 03:22 PM

My primary weapon is a SAXD .45acp, back up is a 12 GA loaded with birdshot (this load for HD is a matter of controversy in and of itself, but I use it do to the pesky little rattle snake issue we have here in the SW), and my last resort is my Kalashnikov.

As mentioned already in this thread, a rifle for HD is a hotly debated topic, mostly due to penetration issues.

I personally think that not having a combat rifle available is foolish. 2A is about keeping the government in check; this requires arms similar to what the government uses.

From a HD standpoint, there have been way too many civil unrest situations where I would prefer a rifle over a sidearm. American history is riddled with such situations, i.e.: The Detroit Riot of 1967, The Tulsa, Oklahoma Race Riot of 1921, The Los Angeles riots of 1992, etc.

If you don’t have one already, buy a shotgun. You can get a basic model for about $200.
88 Security

762 · July 16th, 2008, 03:27 PM

My AK (Lola) was adopted sooner due to the looming threats post November. In the event that the messiah looses, i want to be ready for riots and unrest.

I will have to check a shotty out sometime.

retsupt99 · July 16th, 2008, 03:31 PM

I have my .45's for basic HD. I also have a 30-30 and my AR-15 for 'reaching out and touching someone'...but not for use inside the home.

For additional HD I keep my double barrel, 12ga coach gun...00buck is my solution for 'groups' of uninvited guests.

Stay armed...make a plan...stay safe!

July 16th, 2008, 02:54 PM	#1
762 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 722	Concerns with using a rifle for home defense My 9 is my default defense weapon at home. it's either on my side or my night stand. if 16 rounds of HP don't do the trick, i don't know what will, but in the event, my backup is my beloved Kalashnikov - but with an issue... A round from my AK will not only go through an intruder/evil doer, but will also go through 4-6 walls and everything in between. given the close proximity of the homes out here, i run the risk of my rounds landing on other peoples home in the event that i ever have to use it. This is the same if i used any other rifle i have aside from my .22. While it's a chance i will take to defend my home and my wife, it's not something i hope i ever have to do.

July 16th, 2008, 02:57 PM	#2
matiki VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: N.W. Posts: 2,889	This is a contentious subject that comes up often here. If you use the search function you will probably find a lot of threads about it. I'm in the penetration is king school of thought - but I still think most rifle calibers are too much risk to neighbors. A pistol caliber carbine is my top choice, and on my long list of things to buy before the elections. __________________ "Wise people learn when they can; fools learn when they must." - The Duke of Wellington

July 16th, 2008, 03:22 PM	#8
AMH Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 317	My primary weapon is a SAXD .45acp, back up is a 12 GA loaded with birdshot (this load for HD is a matter of controversy in and of itself, but I use it do to the pesky little rattle snake issue we have here in the SW), and my last resort is my Kalashnikov. As mentioned already in this thread, a rifle for HD is a hotly debated topic, mostly due to penetration issues. I personally think that not having a combat rifle available is foolish. 2A is about keeping the government in check; this requires arms similar to what the government uses. From a HD standpoint, there have been way too many civil unrest situations where I would prefer a rifle over a sidearm. American history is riddled with such situations, i.e.: The Detroit Riot of 1967, The Tulsa, Oklahoma Race Riot of 1921, The Los Angeles riots of 1992, etc. If you don’t have one already, buy a shotgun. You can get a basic model for about $200. 88 Security __________________ Join the NRA! The Second Amendment has nothing to do with hunting. It is about keeping the government in check. This requires that the citizenry is well armed and at all times has immediate access to arms.

July 16th, 2008, 03:31 PM	#10
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 22,823	I have my .45's for basic HD. I also have a 30-30 and my AR-15 for 'reaching out and touching someone'...but not for use inside the home. For additional HD I keep my double barrel, 12ga coach gun...00buck is my solution for 'groups' of uninvited guests. Stay armed...make a plan...stay safe! __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

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July 16th, 2008, 02:59 PM	#3
762 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 722	Like a hi-point? my friend has one. it's not a saturday night special, but i am sure it will work.

July 16th, 2008, 03:01 PM	#4
msgt/ret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,020	Considering the possibility of over penetration from a rifle I prefer a 12ga shotgun loaded with #4 buck for a back-up to my 1911.

July 16th, 2008, 03:04 PM	#6
762 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 722	shotgun is another option i am considering. I personally do not like shooting them at all, but for home defense and max effect, i may get one and just keep it in my closet.

July 16th, 2008, 03:12 PM	#7
imatt Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NC Posts: 308	Rifle rounds are a bit much in home defense. I personally feel a large pistol caliber sometimes is dangerous, depending on the thickness of your walls. I live in a one story brick house, so with the exception of firing through a window, a pistol caliber is just fine. Shotguns still rule for home defense.

July 16th, 2008, 03:27 PM	#9
762 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 722	My AK (Lola) was adopted sooner due to the looming threats post November. In the event that the messiah looses, i want to be ready for riots and unrest. I will have to check a shotty out sometime.