What is a good firearm to buy for home defense for around $200-250?

Question

i'm looking for either a shotgun or a handgun but rifles are fine too i guess...

Answer 1

For that price range, go for the shotgun. Maverick 88 12 guage is pretty good and dependable. it falls with in your budget. Brand New too.

Once an intruder hears the pump action, he'd think twice about staying any longer.

Answer 2

An H&R or NEF (New England Firearms) "Pardner" Pump ($200 or under new) or a Mossburg 500 pump (around $2-250 new)shotguns are almost ideal, almost. Shotguns can have a stout recoil (kick). But a miscreant hearing a shotgun being racked will dive out a second story window rather than confront that famed old favorite house gun!
Or, if you prefer, there are many small but good enough handguns to be found in the gun stores and pawn shops. I have an excellent little Makarov in 9X18 Makarov. Superbly built, multiple safeties on one little lever, power between a 9mm Luger (9X19) and a .380 (9X17 or 9mm Kurz or Corto ((both mean 'short')), reliable (will ALWAYS go bang), and accurate enough. And under $200.00. Ammo is cheap and the Mak will work with normal ball (round nosed) or hollow points (better for self-defense). Easy to clean, easy to shoot well, built like a tank, and absolute reliability. Holds 8 + 1 cartridges safely with the hammer down. The safety blocks the slide, trigger, hammer AND firing pin. With the safety off, the firing pin is still blocked until the trigger is fully pulled. Virtually fool proof. The trigger is stiff enough that a small child can't pull it and even hard to pull without practice.

Answer 3

Charles B's answer is right on, go with a name brand shotgun.

A quality handgun may not be available for under $250 and you definitely don't want a rifle for home defense.

Answer 4

Get yourself a Mossberg 12 gauge, probably 500 Persuader
http://mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=5§ion=products

However the 500 in 20 gauge would not be a bad idea if it is only for home defense. Like low pro & ideaman mentioned there is no better deterrent for a criminal than the sound of a pump action shotgun being cycled.

Answer 5

A remington 870, ithaca 37, Winchest 1300, Mossberg 500 are all in that price range Either a 12 ga. or 20 ga. loaded with buckshot will serve you well. I would opt for an 18-20 inch barrel to make it a bit easier to move about.

Answer 6

first off to the smuggler if the person wants a gun for deffence in their house thats his or her right

now the question a good remington 870 or mossenberg pump with a short smooth bore barrel loaded with buckshot is best wal-mart sells both unless you had the time to pactice and train with it a handgun or a rifle is usless also buckshot usually wont penetrate and exit the house if you hunt a shotgun is an all around gun i still advise practice

Answer 7

I would go with a shotgun. You can get a Remington Express 870 or Mossberg Maverick for about that price.

Answer 8

I got this advice from a cop freind that also studys firearms cases as a hobby.
Get a hunting type shotgun and use a standard gooseload 3inch no.2 shot and get a hunting licensce avoid high capacity military looking guns .You will look alot less like a murderous neanderthal if you ever have to use it , may save your butt with the law.

Answer 9

Get a garden-variety 12 or 20 guage pump (150.00$, used in nice shape), and take it to a gunsmith and have the barrel shortened to 18 1/2 inches (minimum legal length....say, 25.00$).
Experts agree that a pump shotgun is the most practical, most effective, and most easily employed home defense weapon.
It's also affordable and damned intimidating.

Answer 10

I would suggest buying a used Mossberg 500 "persuader" or a new NEF or Ultra Cell 87. All are cheap 12g home defense guns that are chambered for 3".