Home protection rifle

[Mr. Krinkle]

Does anybody have any suggestions for a first time purchase? I'm looking into a Beretta CX4 Storm. My boss recently bought one and likes it a lot. I have very little gun experiance. My second option is an AR-15.

[Rob Rockcrawler]

When i think of home protection i think of a handgun. A shotgun isnt a rifle but makes damn good home protection. There is no mistaking the sweet sound of racking a shell with a pump. You can shorten it up by going with a pistol grip if you want something smaller.

[Raven]

close range shooting requires a weapon that has knock down power... go shotgun... great bashing tool as well

[Mr. Krinkle]

Originally Posted by Rob Rockcrawler

When i think of home protection i think of a handgun. A shotgun isnt a rifle but makes damn good home protection. There is no mistaking the sweet sound of racking a shell with a pump. You can shorten it up by going with a pistol grip if you want something smaller.

I don't have a permit for a handgun and to get one in NY state is ridiculous. You have to wait at least a year now and pay over a 100 dollars to get it. You gotta love the NY bureacracy.

I'm also not interested in a shotgun because I want to do some range shooting as well. Thanks!

[fishaholic18]

shotgun

[spence]

Buy a handgun for the range and get better deadbolts on your doors. I can't fathom how someone who wasn't pretty experienced would feel safer by having a rifle in the house, unless you're into illicit activity in which case it should be small and automatic

-spence

[Sgt_Nutz]

shotgun for home and get yourself a .22 rifle for the range. Both can be had for under $200 each. .22 is cheap to shoot too. Unless you are getting a rifle in a pistol caliber it is to much power for home defense especially if you have neighbors. (Unless they are the ones you are defending against??). Most calibers including a .22 can easily go through your wall then the neighbors wall ect... Take Karl F's advice, join a range and take a safety course.

[Bigcat]

For me it's a 12 gauge short barrel shot gun, load it with 00 buck just point it, you will take out a whole wall and anything in front of it.
There is nothing more frightening the the sound of a the slide of a pump gun slamming shut.

I don't know about NY, but you could buy a gun and have the it delivered to your home as long as it never leaves your home your OK.
In MA your home is your castle, you can protect your life but not your property.
You will have to check that out just go into a gun shop they will be happy to help you out.

[afterhours]

another vote for the 12 ga.- the sound of a round being chambered with a pump is intimidating as can be. not so sure of a rifle for home defense..don't want strays visiting your neighbors.

[likwid]

You do not want a rifle for home defense. Period.
Get a shotgun.

[stripersnipr]

Shotgun for the house another toy for the range. Mossberg 500, shortest legal barrel and pistol grips.

[BIG TIM]

Shotgun...

[Goose]

Home protection rifle is called a hand gun with a trigger lock

[Swimmer]

My opinon is the following:

1. .22 caliber semi-auto pistol and load it with bird shot shells. Yes they sell .22 caliber birdshot ammo. Works great in attics on
squirrels and probably intruders. Spreads quickly and stings. It can kill. After a few bird shot rounds regular rounds should be used. .22 enter but rarely ever exit. They just go round and round inside the person who gets shot by one.


2. Shortest legal shotgun, not a pump, semi-auto only, if your get shot at you are not going to be able to rack a round after the perp shoots at you in an effective manner, and again first couple of rounds should be birdshot, next ones should be double 00. Spreads really quickly from the end of a 12 guage. I saw a swat entry a long time ago and the first guy in the door had a double barrel shotgun, sawed-off, who unfortunately had to fire it at the fool inside. The spread caught the guy and one pellet entered his heart killing him.

That being said it is very rare when anyone who has a gun gets to defend themselves with it. Because your weapon is in a closet with a lock mechansim in the trigger housing, and you or anyone else doesn't have time to go get it. That being said the best remedy is distance and time, time and distance. Remember the perp always has his weapon in his hand and yours isn't.

[Fishpart]

Be careful, most pistols and rifles will go through sheetrock walls, you don't want to accidently get a loved one who may be in the next room. Shot gun with small game loads or a pistol with birdshot it the first couple of positions.

[redlite]

Very, very good points made by some of you. The gun has to be locked by law, so the chances of gettin your keys, it unlocked and ready to roll in the dark quietly while shattin in your pants is a tough, tough thing to do. believe me, had to try when we lived in good ole Q-town. The points about the projectile moving through walls and hitting unintended targets is so true. Unless you're an expert marksman with a pistol or rifle, not recomended. If it is a must, as short a 12 gauge with a pistol grip and light on it loaded with 00 buck or bird shot is the way to go. No sling as it is something to hang up on shat with. One blast and the perp is neutralized and you'd need new kitchen cabinets.
Mossberg 500 (cheap) or Winchester 1300 defender (expensive) (stainless so it won't rust while collectin dust in the closet). The point about an auto loader vs pump is very vaild, but don't know of very many autos with short barrels.
The most important thing is that if you absoluetly need to use it, make sure it is justified and the job is complete. Dead people can't talk or sue you. And don't say anything, I mean ANYTHING to the police until after you confer with an attorney. You just shot someone and you are now the bad guy.
Glad to see there is another new person interested in partaking in our God given right to bear arms.

[outnumbered]

Mossburg 500 had one 26 years no rust makes the point if you need it.

[Nebe]

Using a rifle for home defense is like bringing a driver to play minigolf.

[Bill L]

better off with a baseball bat in the corner

Buy the rifle and have fun at the range

[Swimmer]

One more thing about a long gun as opposed to a revolver or pistol. If a fist fights starts you cannot just put a long gun down and defend yourself in that manner. Your stuck holding onto it. I have been in many situations where I could not assist in cuffing someone because you can't just holster a shotgun or stuff it into a belt to secure it. And you can't put it down so someone else can pick it up. Stopped carrying one a log time ago. I have the availabilty of one and a rifle, but it use is dictated by the circumstance.

[TheSpecialist]

Lots of good info here, but you live in NY and most who answered here live in Mass, or RI.

Get a semiauto shotgun, and load it with OO buck, it will be more than you need, and the 00 will kill some one easily at the ranges you would be shooting at. Get the shortest barrel allowed by NY law. Also if you had to, you could safety the gun and smash someone in the face with the buttstock. Also in Mass you need a liscense to buy pepper spray, not sure about NY, but this is a good alternative as long as the perp is not high. Another this is a goo strong flashlight, especially at night it will blind you opponent and give you a few extra seconds, I highly recommend a surefire and use in on momentary.

As far as the handgun and ammo go, when you get your permit, and you will because you should not let the bureacracy deter you, you could by frangible ammo, it won't penetrate a wall. My personal protection is an HK USP .40c. However I did own a Sig p239 in .357sig, let me tell you if you shot at someone and missed, and you will miss because even the most trained pros do, the flame and sound of this thing would be enough to scare even the most proffesional thug back to his mommy to have his diaper changed..

[basswipe]

Remington 870.

For a good basic revolver I like the Taurus Model65.A great .357 revolver.For the home I step down to 38+P and you get much lighter recoil when shooting the lighter round.

I also have never been against the idea of a .22 semi as a home defense weapon.I love my little S&W 422.Extremely reliable.

[Thom]

Cheap side by side 12 ga shotgun. Wack a few inches of the barrels if legal 4 rounds of 4 buckshot. About the size of a .22 in a 12 ga there is like 13 or 14 if I remenber right aiming center of body and pull the trigger. Follow up with second shot if needed at close range mostly likely you won't need the second shot with a pistol or a rifle you are going to threw the person you shot threw the wall of your house and kill somebody just walking by. This could even happen with both the 00 or #4 buck shot less likley with the #4. Best Bet in my book call the Cops let the guy steal what he wants it isn't worth killing somebody over a TV and the like. ThomT

[Mike P]

You live in Suffolk County, so if you have a clean record, you should be able to obtain a premises, or a hunting/target permit. Either one will allow you to keep a handgun in your home, and use it there in self-defense if need be. Check with Edelman's in Farmingdale, and they can assist you in the application and permitting process. You will need a minimum of 4 personal references, and the County PD will check with them.

I wouldn't recommend a rifle for home defense. You want to keep a round confined within your 4 walls, and ideally within the body of the bad guy. That's also why handguns like a .357 Magnum aren't the best idea. You also have to be careful of pistol grip shotguns, any long gun with a capacity of more than 5 rounds, and any rifle (like an AR-15) that has a magazine that extends below the stock, as they might put you in violation of NY's assault rifle law.

Get the advice of a knowledgeable firearms dealer in your area. Edelman's has a good reputation, both for keeping buyers within the bounds of the law, and for assisting in obtaining handgun permits.

[Jenn]

Definately NOT the AR-15! Shotgun or handgun.
I have my .380. May not be as recommended as a .45 etc but its what I am comfortable shooting. Maybe its a little different for me being a woman but the last thing I want to have to protect me is a gun I that I cant comfortably shoot, if I actually had to use it in self defense.

I am in MA and dont know about NY but it just makes sense to have all proper permits, training, safety courses, etc. Go the distance and find a seminar on the use of weapons in self defense. If god forbid you ever have to use it, chances are YOU will be under the greatest scutiny, not the one that invaded your home. It will help describe situations that may arise, how to judge when to use it and when not to use it. Sad to say but that info could potentially save YOU from going to the clink for protecting your family.

Its not as simple as "guy breaks in and shoot"....there are many factors to weigh.

[kenyee]

A handgun is what you use to get to the shotgun. Also be aware that if you use an "evil looking" rifle (aka, AR15 or CX4), the gun-phobic part of the jury will want to hang you because "why would anyone want one of those".
And be aware of any weird laws you might have in LI. E.g., in Boston, you can't own any "evil looking assault rifles" :-P

[Backbeach Jake]

In the house use birdshot. For the love of God don't use 00 in your own house, it'll go through the walls until it's outside. Plus it you eff-up and a loved one is on the other side of a wall, well a load of .30 balls will probably kill them. Use 6 or 7 shot tops.

[Mr. Krinkle]

I should have said in the original post that I can't get a handgun because I don't have a permit. The background checks are taking from 6 to 12 months. I really wanted a gun for shooting at the range, but for home protection if NEEDED (hopefully not). My cousin is on emergency services and recommended an AR-15.

I went shopping with him the other day and got a Bushmaster XM-15, which is more intended for law enforcement use. I chose that because he knows the gun in and out and can supply me with ammo for the range and teach me how to take it apart, clean it, and shoot it.

I took it to the range today and had a great time learning how to shoot from a trained professional.

Thanks for all the advice. A shotgun will be next (down the road). We will discuss that when the time comes.

Happy New Year everybody!