My neighborhood has become a nightmare lately. My next door neighbor had her window shot through the other day. I live around lots of appartments and people come and go all hours of the night. I fear for the saftey of my family. Can someone recomend a pistol that's not to expensive. I'm thinking of a .38 cal with short barrel. I'm not experienced with pistols and need some advice. We have a terrible problem with drugs/meth around here and I feel it's just a matter of time when someone is going to come in uninvited. Need some sugestions. I don't want some huge gun, but I want to win the fight if it comes down to it. Appreciate any advice.

 

I say go with a good alarm system and ontop of that a gun... Dont really know guns but something to kill the little bastard when they come into your house....

 

stay away from the pistol, for home defence get a pump shot gun, the sound alone will turn anyone away.

you won't hit anything with a pistol and can't miss with a shot gun. Plus its harder to shoot yourself with a shotgun,

 

Disadvantage of a pistol is the risk of shootin' yer family right thorugh walls. A 12gauge pump would be easier to use and simpler to buy. Also just the sound usually neutralizes most situations instantly.

Adrianspeeder

 

i agree get a good alarm and shot gun.

 

That was going to be my suggestion......

A Mossberg 500 with pistol grip and mini mag flashlight attachment with pressure switch. Makes an inexpensive arm small enough to store and manuever in the home. #8 shot with a full choke to the chest or head will drop any would be assailant. In an apartment or with kids, I belive that they make shots that wont penetrate through the walls so you dont have to worry about hitting anyone that is not in the room.

 

I do have a 12 gauge winnchester modle 120 pump shotgun but the barrel is like 28 inches long. To me that would be hard to swing around. Is it ok to cut it down to 18 1/2 inches. At least that's what I heard. Sure appreciate the replys.

 

let's not tear up a good duck gun- I think that is a model 1300

take a look at a couple of gun web sties and look for the defender models

 

Yes as a matter of fact Cabelas sells everything you need to turn it into a full on tactical/home defnse weapon....





here is thier field guid story of how they built that machine.....

Shotgun makeover Winchester Model 120

 

[QUOTE=PSS-Mag]Yes as a matter of fact Cabelas sells everything you need to turn it into a full on tactical/home defnse weapon....





here is thier field guid story of how they built that machine.....

Shotgun makeover Winchester Model 120[/QUOTE


nice find

 

Unless you are really short of cash, and that 120 is in really bad shape, I wouldnt cut the barrel. If you have to, just sell it to get the right one. The two best for home defense IMO are the Mossberg 500 series, and the Remington 870. There are plenty of add-ons for tactical, short range usage. Word of advice here though: I see a lot of guys putting lights on their picatinny rails for a barrel-end flashlight. This is dumb (take this from someone who actually has cleared buildings with a mossberg 500). When you see a light turn on, pointed at you, what are you going to shoot at? (they trained us to use a small flashlight held out at arms length, away from the side of the body).

The 12 GA is the most versitile home defense weapon out there, do some research on the different kind of shells you can use (there are lots).

 

I agree with getting a shotgun for HD.
If you get woken up in the middle of the night then you will be groggy so using a pistol might not be the most accurate weapon. the pump shotgun is simple to use and very effective.

I keep a 870 next to my bed.

 

Thats a good Idea, hadn't thought of that!!!!

The two times in 12 years I thought I had an intruder.... First let me explain this, my house lay out is what is known as a shotgun house. That is becasue every door in the hallway is opposite of another door. You break the door frame to look in a room and your back is also exposed in another room behind you, so you cant use a "slice the pie" manuver to scope out any room. Then the hall opens to living room, kitchen, dining room approxinatly 600 sqft. No way you can scan the area, find and indetify a target and gain aquisition on it with a small single projectile. Atleast not before getting shot first.

With that said, the two times I thought I had an intruder, when clearing the house, each room, the shotgun lead the way at arms length and just over my head, my head was tucked in and lower and barely peaking around the door frames. Quick scan then quickly jump to the room behind me.

It's a good idea to look at your floor plan and think about your home and have a plan prior to needing one.

 

All of the above suggestions and one of these..A well trained rottweiler will scare off any right (or not) minded criminal.

 

[QUOTE=beckerjs]Man you folks rule, I knew I could count on you. My shotgun is just a plain winchester Ranger model 120 pump. I'll see if this can be modified. Thanks a bunch for the help!