Gun for home protection

A pump shotgun is the best thing for home defense and you can get some decent ones within your budget.

Remington 870 or the mossberg pump will be your best bet.

Of course, make sure you get some training in some form or another. Either take a class or have a friend who grew up with guns teach you safety mainly, and how to shoot 2nd.

I'd say a youth pump shotgun in 20 gauge. That way anyone in your house could use it if they had to, wife kids etc.

Like downshift said get lots of training and safety too.

quote:

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Thinking around $300-400 range

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Get a decent used handgun or shotgun. Shotguns are a bit easier to use but the whole not aiming thing is completely false as the spread isn't huge in HD ranges. The best HD gun imo is an AR15 which you can get a decent one for close to $600 (there is a sale right on an Aero AC15 for $500 which is a fantastic gun and is normally $675).

He said $300-400.

Get a 870 for around $280 and then buy a replacement 18" mossberg barrel for it, they can be had for ~$90. They are really easy to swap out so you have a home defense weapon but you can take it hunting also if you want.

870 or Taurus Judge, either one will have them hurting and running for cover

If you are in the Baton Rouge area, feel free to contact me about doing some basic safety training or a full length concealed handgun course with a group. Shoot me an email bigapple828@aim.com.

You need to figure out if you want a long gun or handgun but if you're starting from scratch with no formal training, it would benefit you immensely to get some before starting your search. If you don't want to pursue formal training (which isn't the best course of action) but still want some instruction then find a friend who is a hunter and get him/her to show you the basics.

Don't be prideful and go into getting trained with an open mind. It's going to be new and different and you may look dumb at first but everyone has to start somewhere. The more repetitions you take the sharper your skills will get.

Best of luck.

.410 Judge or a double barrel Mossberg

OP:

1. As was mentioned, you need training. It's not a matter of learning how to operate the controls on the weapon. It's a matter of learning the safest, most efficient way(s) of operating the gun, and getting enough repetitions to be able to handle the the weapon effectively under stress.

2. Please ignore every recommendation that you get a Taurus Judge. It's a POS that is marketed as if it's the tool that can handle any/every threat. It isn't.

Irrespective of your decision on handgun vs. long gun you need to get the most reliable weapon you can find. Some makes are known to be more likely to go TU.

3. You need to seriously consider the pros & cons of a pump shotgun. The pros are that most are super reliable and, with the right load, will stop an attacker far better than a handgun.

The con has to do with repetitions.

Lots of folks on this board have so many repetitions with pumps that they can operate them from muscle memory. They assume everyone/anyone will be able to operate the pump equally well.

However, lots of law enforcement agencies have learned that officers who lack enough reps to build muscle memory (neural pathways) tend to "shortstroke" the pump under stress. It's not a matter of learning "how to do it" -- it's a matter of reaching a level where you "can't F it up." You don't want to be "that guy."

4. Whatever weapon you choose -- it will be incumbent on you to become proficient with it. Firearms are less complicated than a violin, but they're more complicated than a screwdriver. Don't fall into the trap of deciding you're "all safe" just because you bought a gun. Learn to shoot it, then learn how to fight with it.


Edited to currect redneck spelling.

Thanks! That's some great advice!