re: Home Defense Weapon(s) of Choice

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Home defense starter kit


Mossberg Maverick 88
12 gauge 5+1
2 3/4"
#8 bird shot

Backup:

S&W Shield 9mm
Hornady Critical Defense
115gr

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I'd change two things ... ammo related.

Change the #8 upland game birdshot to either turkey loads or #1 or #4 buckshot.

Change the Hornaday Critical Defense to Fed HydraShok in either 135s or 147s.

Trust me, we've done the gel tests and the recoil tests not to mention muzzel blast at night that is just blinding out of those hot 115s.

Hornaday CD 5.56 is excellent though. And if we were only talking about day time shooting and if your attacker or assailant were in light summer clothes then the 115s for the 9 would be fine.

I lost a new shotgun, three rifles and two pistols in a tragic boating accident on the Tennessee River

A Glock 22 (.40 cal) with two 15 round mags in my nightstand and an AR15 with two 30 round mags connected in the closet.

Come at me bro.

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Change the #8 upland game birdshot to either turkey loads or #1 or #4 buckshot. 

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I've got some #1 buckshot homeloads with a little extra powder... just worried about over penetration through drywall

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Change the Hornaday Critical Defense to Fed HydraShok in either 135s or 147s. 

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Ive had good experiences with the Fed Hydra Shok 135 JHP... shite, I have a box in the closet.. I can see the 115s having a hell of a flash at night... will change

Could someone link to some stats telling how many people used shotguns in home defense situations vs use of handguns in similar situations

Beretta 92FS

AR-15

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Could someone link to some stats telling how many people used shotguns in home defense situations vs use of handguns in similar situations

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The NRA might have those stats.

The general rule is not to use long shotguns. Use shotguns in the home, if necessary, that are 18-20" barrels and well balanced preferably with a pistol grip so the trigger elbow does not have to stick out like a chicken wing.

When you practice MOUT or Urban dwelling shooting or clearing the first thing they teach you is to stay small. Wide elbows are a problem and if you're nicked or shot in your trigger arm it changes the fight immediately.

Trying to shoot around concealment (because there is no cover in your home unless you have a ballistic Japanese screen in place or something) is a nightmare with a sporting shotgun or rifle. You gotta keep that elbow low and tight when working a room.

Of course, if someone is shooting back you're gonna go full spread anyway, you can't stop natural instinct, so it's important to practice heel toe advances, laying down serious lead and speed reloading on the move.

Advance forward, heel toe, fire fire fire fire, reload, fire fire fire fire ... that used to be the hardest thing to teach in my classes.

So the best approach to home defense, as someone has already elluded-to in this thread, is multi-layered early warning systems to give the homeowner an advantage.

Dogs are good. Other little things like trip alarms and bells work too in a pinch. Growing up, after the Clutter murders, my Dad used to balance a coke bottle on the door knob at night. More than a few times we were awoken to that bottle falling when the wind was blowing or thunder rattled the door ... but we would jump up and do our drill and everyone always went back to bed knowing we had reacted, as a family, properly.

Home alarm systems are the second layer and are excellent as long as they have a "home" feature with no delay. Meaning when that door or window is opened, or glass is shattered, the alarm goes off immediately with no delays.

Video cameras, laser activated trip alarms on decks and at entrance points into the home, motion sensing lights, etc., are all part of the second layer.

Plan your defense. Ballistic Japanese screens are excellent for cover and concealment but if you don't have one of those put your family (armed) on the floor and get ready to do battle.

Lighted firearms work IF they are above 230 lumens for stunning the intruder's night vision ... but don't talk once they are in the house, just start throwing lead.

I've been shown tons of CC videos of home invasions where shots were fired and if you throw first lead you're survivability goes way way up.

Never assume there is only one intruder ... always assume there are two of more.

Reload reload reload ... that's the rule. And never chase the intruder ... throw lead, let the lead chase them.

These days there are a lot of surplus ballistic plates on the market and modern vests are made to carry them so they cover your vitals. If you've got your early warning systems in place you'll have time to slip into one ... I practice all the time, it takes about three seconds. Wear one if you can afford it because it could save your life and keep you in the fight to save your family from harm.

With the proper plan in place tue intruder is ALWAYS at a disadvantage. If you practice, practice, practice your plan ... you'll win. You'll also have a calmness that comes with confidence knowing you've practiced for the situation. It will make a difference you just have to trust your ability and concentrate on deep breaths and calming yourself.

Every man with a family should be prepared for a home invasion these days. Every man should have a plan in place and be ready to work the plan.

M&P 9 loaded with hollow points. I dogs, too. One will eat your face off.