One important factor that seems to have been ignored here is the possibility that the home intruder is armed either with a gun, a knife (often found in the homeowner's kitchen), or other weapon. IMO, the strong possibility of the invader being armed rules out the use of any defensive weapon that doesn't produce a projectile. Close combat with a poker, knife, etc. for me would only happen if an intruder managed to separate me from my firearm, or surprised me in an unarmed state.

I believe the right tool for the job of home protection is a short barrelled 12ga pump action with buckshot. I like the Reminton 870, but the Mossberg 500 is a great "bang for your buck"

 

Its not about how many you have had so far its about being ready when it does happen.
#2 martial arts are great, but if the perp has a gun your screwed. If he has a knife and knows how to use it you are at least going to get cut some, probably worse. Also what happens when 3-4 guys break in to rob the place?

 

Gun wasn't part of the original scenario.

A knife I've got, an Emerson. MA also taught to use available weaponry (not quite like a Jackie Chan movie, but close). 3-4 guys still have to come up the stairs, gonna be a problem for all concerned.

And to the guy with the shotgun, who's going to clean up that mess? (still better than being carried by six)

Any of y'all got little kids?

 

My friend learned the hard way not to walk into my house unannouced late at night. I had just returned home late and I walked into the bedroom to get changed and I heard the back door open (this was at 11:30 at night and he was drunk mind you). Turned out the light in the bedroom grabbed my .45 and took a shooting positoin behind a door frame with my pistol aimed about head level. When I realized who it was I made my presence known and when he saw the gun I thought he was going to pass out. And I know you are going to ask why did you leave the back door unlocked and it is my nightly routine to do a walk through of the house to make sure everything is locked before goin to bed. There was also a shooting that happend about four blocks from my house days earlier. Always make sure of who or what you are shooting at before you pull the trigger as you may end up not hitting what you intend to.

 

Very true about the .223 going a long ways. That probably isn't the best for residential situations I think I will just stick to my G19 for that and just over the AR15 for a future range weapon. Maybe I'll get a little shotty, but it can't be shot at the range, so it is not a purchase for the near future. The only thing that I was thinking with the AR when I said that was that if I can practice with the AR a lot at the range and become very skilled with it, it looks pretty darn good in court if you put one well placed shot of .223 into a guy instead of a 9mm hollow point or something. I have read cases where the defender received a lot of prison time for using hollow points because they were "excessive," even though the police use them in most areas. Also you can get "excessive force" for using too many rounds to defend yourself. If you only use one round and make the kill, there is no argument that you only had the intention of killing them since you made one shot in the head (hopefully. Also claim a lucky shot in court ) vs a few in the chest w/ a 9mm hollow point or something you know? Just a little something to think about for when court comes around with a jury full of antis

 

None.

I've also never had a fire in my house, but I have smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher.

I've never got stuck anywhere in my truck either, but I have straps, chains, ropes, etc.

I've never been hurt on my job to where I couldn't work, but I still have disability insurance and a savings account to live off of for a while.

I've never been in a hurricane, tornado, tropical storm, or any other natural disaster, but I keep extra food and water on hand anyways.

I hope for the best, but plan for the worst. To do otherwise in any matter is foolish and irresponsible.

 

Any of those things can save your life and a gun is no exception. Every situation is different, but you better be prepared when or if a situation arises

 

People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan.

Slid under the bed and ready to go - http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/m4.tpl

 

its all about range... you have to get relatively close to use a poker. you have a point though.

 

 

x2

 

Feuer Frei

 

I bust out the 12ga. incendiary rounds bitches.

 

Is that so you can see if you missed them by the fire burning on your wall.

 

Not exactly, one of the perks of using them is that your aim is on steroids.