Alright, first of all I am a twenty year old college student. I live away from home in an off campus apartment. I live in a relatively small city, but I can't help but notice an increase in crime rate. Especially break-ins and other crimes of that nature. A few weeks ago two students were held at gunpoint a few blocks from my apartment. What would be the best option for me when it comes to personal defense? I am and always have been a hunter so I am familiar with shotguns and rifles. I've never shot a pistol but thought about purchasing one and taking a training couse next year when I turn 21. Another option for me would be to purchase a home defense shotgun. One that is tailored specifically for close quarters combat. A third and cheapest option would be to go home and get the youth model 20 gauge that I used when I was younger and load it up with oo buckshot. I own two 12 gauge shotguns, but the length on the barrels make them ideal for duck hunting, not home defense.
2007-12-13 09:59:32 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Other - Outdoor Recreation
If its within the confines of your own place, its hard to beat a shotgun. Even a 20 gauge will deliver energy roughly equivalent to two .44 magnum slugs simultaneously hitting someone at the same time if loaded properly. If your worried about being robbed outside of your home, then yes you should look into getting a pistol. I'd recommend that you take a NRA basic pistol course in order to familiarize yourself with the various options, since they'll usually show you a few different varieties that you can get used to. So in summary, get your shotgun and load it up with #3 shot and you basically have an ideal home defense gun. If you want to protect yourself on the street, take the NRA course. I'm not going to specifically recommend a handgun because each person is looking for something different and you should go into it with as open of a mind as possible.
2007-12-13 10:08:33 · answer #1 · answered by Mike M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any reliable 12 gauge shotgun, if you have a 20 laying around but no 12, this will work as second best. Keep length right at the legal minimum, this make for the best handling. I believe it is 18 or 18.5 inches for the barrel, but I like to leave about an extra 3/4' just to be sure I don't get one of my fingers over the barrel when working the pump. For ammo, use a 2.75" shell with buckshot, I prefer 00 as that I don't have to worry about hitting anyone other than who intend to and it will be at less than 10 feet. I will not miss at that range. You could step up to 3" magnums but that will just inflict more punishment on you in the form of recoil.
2016-04-09 01:26:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go with a handgun. This way if the possible intruder does get the upper hand over you, you still have a chance to defend yourself. A shotgun is big and would not work for possible close quarters attacks and defending. Also less for him or her to grab onto and redirect the shot.
Just hope and pray you never have to defend yourself in your home.
List of some great handguns
Ruger - both semi-autos and revolvers
Springfield Armory - The XD series
Taurus - 24/7 series
Beretta - Px4 Storm or 92
Walther - P99
Glock
2007-12-13 12:29:43 · answer #3 · answered by bobbo342 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have the perfect weapon right there...the 20gauge is what i have at home ...i use no4 00 buckshot guaranteed to ruin a bad guys day for sure
in california number 4 is the biggest you can buy legally id love to use a number 2 but 4 ought to do the job...i have a single shot breach loader with automatic ejector coach gun and its beautifull i keep it oiled and cleaned and the shells within reach ....anything bigger and you run the risk of going through the perp and a wall and hitting someone else...good call with the 20 way to go
2007-12-13 10:17:35 · answer #4 · answered by redrockerdrummer 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think for now, take the cheap route and get your guns from home. Image the sound of racking a shotgun to someone breaking in your home in the middle of the night. That'd scare the CRAP out of anyone!!
2007-12-13 10:09:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would go with the shotgun, kinda hard to miss the target and the sound a pump action makes usually stops a criminal cold!
2007-12-13 12:10:25 · answer #6 · answered by D. M. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To prevent killing a intruder, buy a paintball gun. No special permit you need or anything. If you want to go cheap get a Proto Matrix Rail. That shoots faster than a machine gun and won't kill anybody.
2007-12-13 11:25:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I use my umbrella. You might try a taser. Learn martial arts, or other self-defense, and get good locks and an alarm.
Oh, and be smart, e.g. don't walk thru an alley alone, etc.
2007-12-13 10:08:15 · answer #8 · answered by Linni 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Don't forget about the amazing HK USP. Nice weapon...
2007-12-13 13:43:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋