Home Defense by Nick

[SkyHog]

So I sold my old S&W SP10 a bit ago, and decided it was time to buy a new primary weapon. I love it. Its so pretty

Its a Smith & Wesson Model 15, very similar to the old SP10, but in much nicer shape. It just felt wrong to sit in my house without my own defense weapon. Check it out guys:

 

[flyersfan31]

Curious why you went the revolver route? Semi autos seem very popular.

Familiarity? Cost?

 

[SkyHog]

Curious why you went the revolver route? Semi autos seem very popular.

Familiarity? Cost?

I can't jam the web of my hand in a revolver

Actually, I really like revolvers, and I think that nothing screams "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE" like a six shooter at close range.

 

[jesse]

I can't jam the web of my hand in a revolver

Actually, I really like revolvers, and I think that nothing I "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE" like a six shooter at close range.

Most autos man it very difficult for it to bite you,near impossible with mine.

For defense I prefer a reliable auto with no manual safety chambered and cocked. You get more rounds, a gun ready for instant action, and that ever important consistant trigger pull.
That said revolvers are just cool

 

[SCCutler]

Somewhere I have a 5-shot nickel-plated Smith & Wesson revolver, with a concealed hammer and a squeeze-grip safety. Damned if I know where it is though. We hid it (not loaded, of course), and casnnot recall where....

 

[jesse]

Somewhere I have a 5-shot nickel-plated Smith & Wesson revolver, with a concealed hammer and a squeeze-grip safety. Damned if I know where it is though. We hid it (not loaded, of course), and casnnot recall where....

It is in your "guest room"; pretty funny that I know where your gun is and you don't.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

It is in your "guest room"; pretty funny that I know where your gun is and you don't.

Proof that "no good deed goes unpunished". LOL!

 

[flyersfan31]

I can't jam the web of my hand in a revolver

Actually, I really like revolvers, and I think that nothing screams "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE" like a six shooter at close range.

I can think of one: Mossberg 12gauge. Rack it and watch 'em run!!!!

 

[kevin47881]

I can think of one: Mossberg 12gauge. Rack it and watch 'em run!!!!

The best self defense noise known to man.

 

[Trapper John]

The best self defense noise known to man.

Second behind a dog with a deep bark! But if they get to the porch, I'd have to agree with you.


Trapper John

 

[dmccormack]

Once a telemarketer called our house...

"...and for only $19.95 a month..."

"Hold up."

"Yes?"

"I have a big dog and a gun -- I'm good to go."

laughter..."Ok, man .. you have a good day!"

 

[Trapper John]

So I sold my old S&W SP10 a bit ago, and decided it was time to buy a new primary weapon. I love it. Its so pretty

Its a Smith & Wesson Model 15, very similar to the old SP10, but in much nicer shape. It just felt wrong to sit in my house without my own defense weapon. Check it out guys:

Nice choice. Frame size and feel makes a big difference, IMO.

Since it sounds like you live in a multifamily or high density environment (from your cable borrowing neighbor story), I'd encourage you to buy frangible ammo, though.


Trapper John

 

[kevin47881]

Nice choice. Frame size and feel makes a big difference, IMO.

Since it sounds like you live in a multifamily or high density environment (from your cable borrowing neighbor story), I'd encourage you to buy frangible ammo, though.

Trapper John

Agree completely! I keep one mag full of some blue tip rounds (can't recall the mfg at the moment) for in-house use.

 

[SCCutler]

It is in your "guest room"; pretty funny that I know where your gun is and you don't.

OK, you got me.

Can you, like, tell me?

 

[Tom-D]

best home defense weapon ever.

 

[wbarnhill]

A revolver will not jam on you. Just keep pulling the trigger. And even five rounds should be plenty to kill the criminal and send any friends of theirs running.

That said, I do like semis a lil more...

 

[flyersfan31]

I keep a Streetsweeper by the front door for point defense. That is, if they make it past the Claymores in the azaleas. I have fallback MP5s on wall racks in the hallways, plus I always carry a Glock in my waterproof holster, so if the zombies come while I'm in the shower I'll be ok.

 

[jmaynard]

Agree completely! I keep one mag full of some blue tip rounds (can't recall the mfg at the moment) for in-house use.

Sounds like Cor-Bon.

I can't jam the web of my hand in a revolver

You're holding it wrong. The grip should be in the palm of your shooting hand, with the fingers wrapped around it and the thumb on the other side; your other hand should be wrapped around the first, except for your thumb. Do NOT wrap your non-shooting thumb around the grip, lest it get in the way of the slide. Instead, your non-shooting thumb should be on the same side of the grip as your shooting thumb, above it and pressing it down, locking it in place.

 

[wbarnhill]

I keep a Streetsweeper by the front door for point defense. That is, if they make it past the Claymores in the azaleas. I have fallback MP5s on wall racks in the hallways, plus I always carry a Glock in my waterproof holster, so if the zombies come while I'm in the shower I'll be ok.

Meh, I have automated turrets with IFF face recognition software. No worries here. Except the fact the software was Windows only...

 

[vontresc]

Meh, I have automated turrets with IFF face recognition software. No worries here. Except the fact the software was Windows only...

I prefer a moat, and boiling oil....

 

[SkyHog]

You're holding it wrong. The grip should be in the palm of your shooting hand, with the fingers wrapped around it and the thumb on the other side; your other hand should be wrapped around the first, except for your thumb. Do NOT wrap your non-shooting thumb around the grip, lest it get in the way of the slide. Instead, your non-shooting thumb should be on the same side of the grip as your shooting thumb, above it and pressing it down, locking it in place.

LOL, I figured I was holding it wrong. I sure hope Glock doesn't design their guns to snare loose skin

But I've had many people show me how to fix it, and it keeps happening. I think I just have big, fat hands.

 

[SkyHog]

Nice choice. Frame size and feel makes a big difference, IMO.

Since it sounds like you live in a multifamily or high density environment (from your cable borrowing neighbor story), I'd encourage you to buy frangible ammo, though.


Trapper John

I actually live in a house with a decent distance from the neighbors (by Albuquerque's standards), but still, I only use Hollow Point rounds for home defense, lest I shoot through an intruder and into my roommate. I want to make sure that round stays in the intruder's body.

 

[Trapper John]

I want to make sure that round stays in the intruder's body.

One shot, One kill...

Trapper John

 

[nddons]

LOL, I figured I was holding it wrong. I sure hope Glock doesn't design their guns to snare loose skin

But I've had many people show me how to fix it, and it keeps happening. I think I just have big, fat hands.

Ah, but they do! (When held incorrectly.) In my first PPC competition, I realized that I really should have learned to shoot my Glock 27 left handed (I'm naturally right handed) before the competition began. After extracting a chunk of flesh, I figured it out from round 2 forward. I found that if I press the weapon into the fleshy area between thumb and forefinger, nothing should get caught. Hold it loosely, and it might get bloody.

I like your revolver. I had a Ruger SP101 2" barrel revolver that I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it. Plus, when loaded with .357s vs. .38 specials, I gained a very uncomfortable numbness in my shooting hand. Then I shot a large K frame (I think) S&W revolver, with an action like butter, and it felt great.

 

[Tom-D]

A revolver will not jam on you. Just keep pulling the trigger. And even five rounds should be plenty to kill the criminal and send any friends of theirs running.

That said, I do like semis a lil more...

1 shot from a 12 gauge 00 buck hits the perp with 9, 30 cal balls, that 12 gauge pump carries 5 shots. do the math..

 

[jesse]

Sounds like Cor-Bon.


You're holding it wrong. The grip should be in the palm of your shooting hand, with the fingers wrapped around it and the thumb on the other side; your other hand should be wrapped around the first, except for your thumb. Do NOT wrap your non-shooting thumb around the grip, lest it get in the way of the slide. Instead, your non-shooting thumb should be on the same side of the grip as your shooting thumb, above it and pressing it down, locking it in place.

That grip works and is pretty traditional. Another good option is the straight thumb grip, which takes awhile to get used to, but you'll find yourself getting onto target faster with it. Looks like this..roughly:

I would be *very* careful with frangible ammo. Yeah, you won't get much for penetration through a wall..but you also won't get much for penetration into a human. You need to get a round deep to hit the vital organs and a bullet exploding and not penetrating isn't going to stop someone. A lot of the ballistics tests on the pistol frangible rounds ..are less than encouraging.

Truth of the matter is...if you can effectively penetrate a human deep enough to get a vital wound hit..you can probably penetrate a wall. Sucks--but thats what the ballistics say.

Some good info via these guys: http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot2.htm

Also some good stuff showing the frangible rounds hitting basaltic gel out there as well...and still..less than encouraging.

1 shot from a 12 gauge 00 buck hits the perp with 9, 30 cal balls, that 12 gauge pump carries 5 shots. do the math..

00 works pretty good. It gives you the penetration you need. Those that use bird shot will be disappointed. Just remember this--just because you use a shotgun doesn't mean you don't have to aim (people tend to think this). At 12 feet you're only going to have like a 2" spread. Of course, anyone that has handled a shotgun a little should be able to rapidly pointshoot 10 feet no problem.

 

[dmccormack]

That grip works and is pretty traditional. Another good option is the straight thumb grip, which takes awhile to get used to, but you'll find yourself getting onto target faster with it. Looks like this..roughly:



I would be *very* careful with frangible ammo. Yeah, you won't get much for penetration through a wall..but you also won't get much for penetration into a human. You need to get a round deep to hit the vital organs and a bullet exploding and not penetrating isn't going to stop someone. A lot of the ballistics tests on the pistol frangible rounds ..are less than encouraging.

Truth of the matter is...if you can effectively penetrate a human deep enough to get a vital wound hit..you can probably penetrate a wall. Sucks--but thats what the ballistics say.

Some good info via these guys: http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot2.htm

Also some good stuff showing the frangible rounds hitting basaltic gel out there as well...and still..less than encouraging.


00 works pretty good. It gives you the penetration you need. Those that use bird shot will be disappointed. Just remember this--just because you use a shotgun doesn't mean you don't have to aim (people tend to think this). At 12 feet you're only going to have like a 2" spread. Of course, anyone that has handled a shotgun a little should be able to rapidly pointshoot 10 feet no problem.

There are few statistics to support this, but I would wager that 80% of the home invasion perps will flee at the sound of a pump shotgun being loaded, another half will run after a near miss, and the rest will bite it on shot 2 or 3.

The penetration/ballistics gurus are shooting gel.

The reality is some 6ft/140 lb guy will take three expandable shots to the abdomen while the 6'3", 240 guy drops like a bag of flour when hit by a FMJ.

Human reaction to gunshot is very unpredictable. Have you ever been really hurt but didn't know it until someone pointed out to you?

That's why ethical hunters -- shooting game in very controlled conditions (not in your dark hallway at 3 AM with the smoke alarm blaring in your ear) are very careful about shot placement while using far more powerful rounds than what is found in the typical home defense handgun.

Forget the gun store gurus -- find a firearm you can handle and consistenly shoot well-- .40, .45, 9mm, 380, 12g, 16g - whatever - and then practice.

No ballistic property will make up for sorry shooting.

 

[Ted]

No ballistic property will make up for sorry shooting.

Absolutely! Which is why I need to make a point of going to the range more.

The best part of my security system:

Yeah, he has a tendency to lick people to death, but his bark can be frightening. I left him in a friend's house a few weeks ago while we went to breakfast. When we came back, he made a loud bark as we walked up to the front door. We looked at eachother and agreed that would get the attention of most criminals.

 

[flyersfan31]

Absolutely! Which is why I need to make a point of going to the range more.

The best part of my security system:

Yeah, he has a tendency to lick people to death, but his bark can be frightening. I left him in a friend's house a few weeks ago while we went to breakfast. When we came back, he made a loud bark as we walked up to the front door. We looked at eachother and agreed that would get the attention of most criminals.

Nice doggie, but nothing sez "Get the f away from my house" like a barking Doberman Pinscher.

 

[dmccormack]

Nothing sez "Get the f away from my house" like a barking Doberman Pinscher.

...or Rottwieler....

 

[wbarnhill]

Favorite sign ever:

 

[jmaynard]

Forget the gun store gurus -- find a firearm you can handle and consistenly shoot well-- .40, .45, 9mm, 380, 12g, 16g - whatever - and then practice.

No ballistic property will make up for sorry shooting.

+500

If it doesn't feel good, you won't shoot it well. There are two things you should never buy without handling it first: cameras and firearms.

 

[Ken Ibold]

I keep a Streetsweeper by the front door for point defense. That is, if they make it past the Claymores in the azaleas. I have fallback MP5s on wall racks in the hallways, plus I always carry a Glock in my waterproof holster, so if the zombies come while I'm in the shower I'll be ok.

You will be sorely disappointed, as a zombie cannot be stopped with a firearm.* I prefer a chainsaw if there's room. For close quarters such as a shower, a machete or even a crowbar is better than a Glock.

*Source

 

[Ted]

Nice doggie, but nothing sez "Get the f away from my house" like a barking Doberman Pinscher.

...or Rottwieler....

You realize, that doggie is a Rottweiler, right?

Large, imposing dog with brown and black fur and a fierce bark = scary to most people.

Of course, that's if you can wake him up from his busy day of napping.

 

[dmccormack]

You realize, that doggie is a Rottweiler, right?

Yep.

We have a Yellow Lab -- wouldn't hurt a bug.

Yet his bark is scary loud.

If he barks in the middle of the night, I'm up.

So far all he's spotted is two deer on our back deck.

 

[jmaynard]

We have a Yellow Lab -- wouldn't hurt a bug.

Yet his bark is scary loud.

When I was a kid, we had a Golden Retriever. Nicest, most tolerant dog you'd ever want. One of my fondest memories is of her laying there, letting my sister's new Yorkie puppy chew on her ear.

One day, my uncle came by when we weren't home. He told us later he thought she'd come through the fence and rip his throat out.

 

[wbarnhill]

When I was a kid, we had a Golden Retriever. Nicest, most tolerant dog you'd ever want. One of my fondest memories is of her laying there, letting my sister's new Yorkie puppy chew on her ear.

One day, my uncle came by when we weren't home. He told us later he thought she'd come through the fence and rip his throat out.

A friend of mine lived in NY and had a german shepherd. One day his house was broken into, and he got home to see police standing around outside. He asked what happened, and the officer told him that someone apparently broke a window on the side of the house, and one of his fellow officers had leaned in the window to see if he noticed anything, and when his eyes adjusted to the light inside the house, all he saw was those teeth growling at him. So needless to say, they didn't think anyone was still in the house.

 

[Jay Honeck]

Forget the gun store gurus -- find a firearm you can handle and consistenly shoot well-- .40, .45, 9mm, 380, 12g, 16g - whatever - and then practice.

No ballistic property will make up for sorry shooting.

Good advice, Dan. My son and I are off to the shooting range in two hours. We're going once or twice a week now, practicing with our 9 mm S&W.

Our only challenge has been finding ammo. It seems that a large percentage of the country is of the same mind since the election...

 

[SkyHog]

Piper is part 2 of my home defense strategy:

He will lick the perp to death, but before he gets close enough, holy cow does his bark scare people. Will wake me quick enough to grab the gun and meet the perp at the door if I'm home.

 

[flyersfan31]

Oh, I know it's a Rottie. I just think a Dobie is the Mother of All Dog Weapons. Maybe 'cause we had a mean one on our street where I grew up.