quote:
Home protection is more than just having a shotgun or pistol in the house.

Start with doors. Dead bolts, strong sturdy doors, solid frames. Most breakins are through doors( I know, its obvious but a lot people tend to ignore that fact.)

Get a reinforcement kit for your doors, something like EZ-Armor. Under a $100 and easily installed. They will make your door extremely hard to kick down. A would-be intruder will get discouraged quickly and leave.

Next is windows. Put them electronic 'screechers' on your windows. You can find them at Wally-World.

Also, put some of them sticky bushes around the windows of your house.

Motion lights, get a burgular system installed. If you can't afford them, get some signs saying protected by 'ABC systems' or something like that.

Get a 'timer' installed on your lights inside the home for when you are away. Many would-be intruders 'scout' their targets. Get a neighbor the check your mail and pick-up your newspaper in your driveway(when you go away for an extended period of time.

Theives and robbers look for easy targets. Make your castle a 'hard target', most likely they will move on.

Those are all great suggestions but I would also suggest getting a dog. If a thief sees a dog they will probably just move to the next house without one.

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Posted by bapple

Capital City

Member since Oct 2010

11910 posts

Posted on 11/18/13 at 12:01 am to lsu480

quote:
but I would also suggest getting a dog.

They are the single best line of defense and deterrence in your home. They are also a personal alarm system that can go from 0 to 10 in an instant.

As for your skill level, I agree that some training would probably be smart. You should learn these rules of gun safety and apply them with practice with a certified instructor handy:

1. All guns are loaded.

2. Point your muzzle in a safe direction.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sites are on target.

4. Be aware of your target and what is beyond it.

A lot of guys are saying don't get a "pistol grip" shotgun and they are right in that a stockless pistol grip shotgun is a really bad choice. If you are like me and shoot a lot of carbines and handguns, you may find yourself right at home with a pistol grip and a stock. This is my 870 for HD:

Obviously yours doesn't have to be intense but I would give you two important suggestions:

1. Stick to a short barrel length (20" or shorter).

2. Do not put a plug in it and limit yourself on rounds. I keep mine loaded 4+1. If you want an extended tube (like a 7 round tube) that is fine as well.

If you have any other questions check out my YouTube channel. I have some videos about shotguns for home defense:

Bigapple YouTube

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Posted by RogerTheShrubber

Juneau, AK

Member since Jan 2009

261531 posts

Posted on 11/18/13 at 12:04 am to lsu480

quote:
If a thief sees a dog they will probably just move to the next house without one.

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Posted by SabiDojo

Open to any suggestions.

Member since Nov 2010

83952 posts

Posted on 11/18/13 at 1:18 am to lsu480

Agreed. I can leave all the doors unlocked and not worry at all because my dog is a nightmare.

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Posted by Reubaltaich

A nation under duress

Member since Jun 2006

4970 posts

Posted on 11/18/13 at 5:45 am to lsu480

quote:
Those are all great suggestions but I would also suggest getting a dog. If a thief sees a dog they will probably just move to the next house without one.

Yep, forgot about a pooch or two. I have two running out in my yard. Catahoula Curs. When a stranger pulls up, they raise a huge ruckus.

This post was edited on 11/18/13 at 5:46 am

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Posted by TigerOnThe Hill

Springhill, LA

Member since Sep 2008

6815 posts

Posted on 11/18/13 at 3:53 pm to lsu480

FIFY