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Army Veteran arming for home defense needs advice
tribbsgasm
Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
I want 1 rifle, 1 shotgun, and one pistol, and i'm on a budget.
I was in the army, so I'm familiar with the 9mm pistol they use and also the M4, and would like to get as close to those as possible as far as the pistol and rifle, just because I've got 6 years of training with them. The shotgun I need more help with because I'm not too familiar but have been convinced that I might as well get one for home defence as long as I'm arming up.
SO...
1 RIFLE/PRICE
1 SHOTGUN/PRICE
1 PISTOL/PRICE
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
JIM
I was in the army, so I'm familiar with the 9mm pistol they use and also the M4, and would like to get as close to those as possible as far as the pistol and rifle, just because I've got 6 years of training with them. The shotgun I need more help with because I'm not too familiar but have been convinced that I might as well get one for home defence as long as I'm arming up.
SO...
1 RIFLE/PRICE
1 SHOTGUN/PRICE
1 PISTOL/PRICE
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
JIM
Comments
M4, $700-1000 (or more) depending on brand a features.
M9, About $550
Shotgun either Mossberg 500, 590 or Rem 870, $250-500.
All can be found on this auction site the supports this board.
Well then;
M4, $700-1000 (or more) depending on brand a features.
M9, About $550
Shotgun either Mossberg 500, 590 or Rem 870, $250-500.
All can be found on this auction site the supports this board.
Welcome to GB and thank you for your service to our great nation.
+1, esp. on the Rem 870 (12g of course [:p])
If you think you need an arsenal to protect you at home, possibly a perimeter alarm system would be appropriate. Or, a steel safe or lock box to keep your guns from being stolen. Without at least one of these, your guns are far more likely to be stolen by the druggie who breaks in when you are at work or play, than to be used by you to repel invaders.
Neal
As mentioned you can find a lot of difference in price for something in the M4-alike contest. And those run in price from $700 to $1800 depending on Brand name and how many options you add. I found however, the basic carbine is what you'll be needing if inside your house. Good brand names can be found in the $700 range.
In the past it was always written/maintained that a pistol was your main line of defense in a home. As many have found combat in MOUT type situations has shown the pistol isn't all what we thought it was. Still important but not so important that the emphasis has shifted to the rifle. And the pistols main function is to allow you to get to that rifle.
Anyhow, that's my thoughts on that. And thank you for your service as well.
Well then;
M4, $700-1000 (or more) depending on brand a features.
M9, About $550
Shotgun either Mossberg 500, 590 or Rem 870, $250-500.
All can be found on this auction site the supports this board.
+1. That's the answer to your question as posed.
I'd hasten to add that you've only got two hands. So unless you need to arm more than one person, I'd say you can probably get away with only one gun for home defense. Why make this more complicated than it needs to be? Less = more.
The money you save can be used on ammo for practice. Or a good alarm system. Or use it to buy yourself a nice large DOG, which is probably better for home defense than ANY gun.
Also, unless your property is very large, and/or you think you're likely to get into an actual firefight, you can probably skip the rifle.
Whether a pistol or shotgun is better for home defense is a matter of considerable debate, but personally, I prefer the pistol, as its lighter, more maneuverable, more concealable, has higher capacity, higher rate of fire, more easily stored, and can be used one handed (IMO one of its biggest advantages). You could still hang a light off your pistol if you wanted to (though I wouldn't. . .and don't).
Shotgun has better stopping power, obviously, and its a little bit easier to hit with a longarm, but in my opinion these things don't outweigh all the other advantages of a pistol for indoor use.
Well then;
M4, $700-1000 (or more) depending on brand a features.
M9, About $550
Shotgun either Mossberg 500, 590 or Rem 870, $250-500.
All can be found on this auction site the supports this board.
+1
I would go with the 870, as it is the most trusted shotgun in the world.
Thank you for your service to protect our freedom to be here![:)]
Best
Could not a Ruger ranch rifle replace the M4 for this purpose, at a lower price?
READ...he is familiar with teh M-4, and M-9...or AR-15, and Beretta 92.
Could not a Ruger ranch rifle replace the M4 for this purpose, at a lower price?
Yes, but:
a. He already said he's familiar with the M4 platform, and frankly, extra proficiency with the weapon and weapons system is worth a LOT. All else being equal, I'd pay an extra $100-200 to have the gun I've trained with, field stripped and cleaned 50 times, and carried and shot for a few years. That's a total no-brainer to me.
b. New Ruger Ranch rifles cost over $600 new right now; they're really not that much cheaper than AR-15s. Plus parts and accessories including high-cap mags are both cheaper and more readily available for ARs.
So even if there is a little bit of cost savings with the Ruger gun, it probably isn't that much, especially compared to the implied $!500+ budget of the whole project (ie $550 pistol + $250 shotgun + $700 rifle).