Keep a 12 gauge loaded with bean bags handy....Its pretty funny to see someone get hit with a beanbag from a 12 ga...... If you lose it to the perp it won't kill you unless he puts it to your head. and if you have kids you dont have to wory about penetration.

 

1999XLT, where do you get bean bag rounds? I have tried to find some non lethal loads for my 12 guage cut can't find any.

 

Well, all are good suggestions for avoiding a break in.

I know of houses that are isolated and nothing stops a dedicated crook.....

I do not recommend a shotgun. In a house you are in very close quarters. Sooner or later you must present that long barrel around a corner. The barrel makes one hell of a handhold for a crook.

I have more than a few firearms, but my Model 640 S&W snubnose fits into a pocket. I'd rather have a gun on me and not need it than need a shotgun and not have it!

Btw, I sold NFA firearms for a living and traveled throughout the US and have done numerous firearm demonstrations to law enforcement.

Fifteen years ago I was classed as 'Expert' with a shotgun, sub machine gun and assault rifle. Never been a cop or in the military btw. I've had the distinct pleasure in shooting some very exclusive firearms. I miss it greatly. The 'Gun' community shares a lot with the 'Car' community as far as meeting good folks.

A couple of things not mentioned is a cell phone at the ready and schooling your spouse and children on the dos and don'ts if there is an intruder.

To be effective at keeping yourself and your family safe you must have a plan of action. Just like a tornado or earthquake drill, you must discuss a plan with your family.

 

btw tominator, looks like a HELL of a ranger in your sig...

 

My dogs are my alarm. My neighbor came by the other day and remarked that when the dogs were hammering at the door after he rang the bell, he just wanted to run away.

Really their job is just to wake me up. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot someone, if I felt they presented a direct threat to me or my family. I have read where burglars will avoid homes with dogs, because of the hassles of having to deal with the dogs.

IMO, alarms are overrated. I prefer to tell the police what happened, vs their forensics unit trying to figure out what happened to me.

 

Was a "test subject" prior to going to Somalia, was hit with the bean bags and the sticky spray. Those bags HURT, and I was wearing a flak jacket and padding. The sticky spray is pretty funny, it's like silly string when it comes out, but once it is on you, it is not coming off.

 

An EAA Saiga semi-auto 12ga is my home defense weapon. 10 rounds as fast as you can pull the trigger. If that runs dry or is inaccessable, I ALWAYS keep my .40cal Smith & Wesson 99 handy. But my first line of defense is a 107lb male Pitbull/Rottweiler cross and a pair of Doberman bitches...all three are really sweet, gentle dogs if you have been introduced; if not, consider your butt hamburger as soon as you hit the treeline.

 

I recommend a short (18") barreled shotgun for the home. You can get a brand new 12 guage 7 round (plus one in the chamber if you like) 18" barrel Win 1300 for about 250, or a similar used Rem 870 or Moss 590 for about the same price. I keep my 1300 stuffed with 00 Buck, but I really need to switch to #1 Buck or something, since I live in a neighborhood now.

A basic home defense package is pretty cheap:
Front and back door dead-bolts: $35
Bedroom Door Lock: $10
12 Guage pump-gun:$250
Total: some of the best $295 you ever spent.

My Home Defense Package:
Dead-bolt Patio Door
Dead-bolt Front and Back doors
Locking Bedroom Door
16 Round 9mm Browning (I know, I'm a .45 man too, but again, I live in a neighborhood now) next to bed
Win 1300 under bed
If that don't get it done, then there's always the AK in the safe.

As to being able to take a life, I think just about any one would change their mind when they woke up in the middle of the night and saw the silhouette of a man slipping into their daughter's bedroom.

 

Never lived anywhere that we even had a key to the house. I realize many of you live in neighborhoods where this is a legitimate concern but if I had to worry about all that I would just move. I do have a mossberg slugster, but it is a carryover from living in Alaska and needing it for bears or moose.
I would have to add that just owning a gun, especially a pistol is a false security unless you are well versed with it and have a conditioned response. Just having a pistol in the nightstand can actually be more likely to get you killed. If you think just brandishing it will save you then you are dead. You will be a lot more likely to get killed if the baddy sees your gun. He isn't going to wait around to see if you are really going to shoot it, he will shoot first. I realize this may not pertain to any of us but it gets people killed that may have been alive if they hadn't had a gun. I even heard one survey that said you were more likely to end up dead if you had a gun in the nightstand. Then there are the kids that get ahold of the thing and shoot another kid. It happens. If you are going to include a fire arm in your security system you better know how to use it and be ready to kill someone if you even consider pulling it out. Don't even think of pointing it unless you are pulling the trigger too. A shot gun(my favorite) can be a deterrant, as mentioned just the sound of pumping the action would send most sane people scampering. Also you can shoot it from the hip and the accuracy required is much less.
All that considered, I still couldn't live where it had to be a concern.

 

The 12 GA shotgun is my first choice since I can load it with a few rounds of #3 or 4 shot to avoid overpenetration then the heavier stuff (I prefer BB). The sound is a serious pucker factor inducer. Any pistol can kill or injure your neighbor thru the walls of modern homes as easy as it can go thru a wall and do the same to your own family. 00 buck can do the same unfortunately.

Use ALL the means at your disposal to protect your family, home, and yourself. This means alarms, bushes trimmed, lights, locks, bars/HD construction, dogs, and training.

 

first of all if someone broke into my house they are going to die.
better them than my wife or my child,there are a lot of crazy people out there that will kill you over a stereo. second of all
if you are going to use a gun for protection. get a gun that will kill the first shot. like a shotgun with 00#buck. if you dont kill him he could sue you and win,yes it has happened. you could be responsible for for his injuries. third, he better be inside your house when you shoot,dont go out into the yard or youll be arrested. as long as hes in the house your fine. and last if you pull the gun on someone use it or theyll use it on you. be safe and put it up out of reach of children.

 

Mossberg 590 12 gauge with eight rounds of #4 buckshot, plus an 80 lb German Shepherd who sleeps on the first floor: "Burglar, try someplace else!"

 

That is 'old think.' Locally there have been several incidents involving thieves stealing out of cars on private property, that is, your driveway.

If the crook makes ANY kind of move other than running, shoot the *******!

If you wait it may be too late.

Those that do are hailed as heroes. Those that do not oft times are just another victim that let the crook go and next time he might surprise YOU!

This happens more than you might think.

Vanhecht

I'm proud of it and it goes like hell!

 

You guys can all say that you wil shoot an intruder, but when the adrenaline starts pumping, you can only hit something like 1 out of 4 shots. Once you get that adrenaline, and the fear, you can't think straight. You may think now, while you are calm, that you will be able to shoot a burglar, but if the situation ever arises, you might never be able to get a shot off, and he may kill you first. Also, when you talk about having guns in your nightstands, and under the beds, are they loaded? Do you have kids in the house? If you have kids, those guns better be locked up, or the curious kid could shoot himself or others. A gun is simply too big of a risk in most homes, especially ones where children are in the home.

 

I would like to thank everyone that has posted a reply. Certainly a lot of opinions and ideas addressed. You have provided the necessary information for me to study and make the decision appropiate for my situation. Everyone one's situation is different as is their philosophy/outlook on dealing with an intruder. I have all the other measures in place, simply desiring a firearm as a last measure. Injuring or taking a life is certainly not my intent; protecting my family at the highest level is my goal. Regretfully, the intruder,burglar of today is a far cry from years ago. I am simply changing with the times. Thanks Again, the information you provided is most helpful.