sawn-off shotgun

[CosmosMpower]

Just get an AR with some frangible ammo. 30 rounds, tons of firepower, much less recoil than a shotgun and won't over penetrate like most handgun and even 00 buckshot. You could also look at a Taurus Judge revolver. It shoots 45 long colt and also some smaller shotgun shells. Easy to handle and maneuver around the house as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRlry5KH6I0

I keep a few different options locked and loaded around the house. No shotgun yet though.

The absolute most important thing is that whatever you choose make sure everyone in the house that would potentially use it in a self/home defense situation goes out and practices with it regularly. With a shotgun you still have to be fairly accurate even with buckshot at short distances as the spread is more or less still only the size of a baseball so you can't just pray and spray.

[CosmosMpower]

You think, but try locating one that is actually in a store right now.

Go to bullet trap in Plano, full wall of shotguns and AR's.

[OZMDD]

Thx.

[CosmosMpower]

Thx.

Also while you're over at BT go to Gun Gear to Go it's at parker/75. Prices a bit higher but also have good selection usually. Kel-Tec makes an awesome short tactical shotgun with 2 loading tubes so you can select between two types of ammo. It's pricey though at 1K+

[sxk122]

In for updates.... and info....
We live a bit north of you, and my wife has had similar concerns. In fact, over the summer, someone attempted to kick in her boss's door (lives in the Lake Highlands Moss Farms area). Her boss has a pistol and yelled out "I have a gun, and I will shoot you". Needless to say the perp left. When the police arrived, apparently the outdoor security lights had been unscrewed and the neighbors house had been burglarized.

In discussion with my wife, I think a shotgun would be the safest to use, and the best deterrent. Everyone knows the sound of a shotgun racking. A pistol is harder to aim and shoot in my opinion. However, with a shotgun in the house you are really doing something wrong if you miss.

[CosmosMpower]

In for updates.... and info....
We live a bit north of you, and my wife has had similar concerns. In fact, over the summer, someone attempted to kick in her boss's door (lives in the Lake Highlands Moss Farms area). Her boss has a pistol and yelled out "I have a gun, and I will shoot you". Needless to say the perp left. When the police arrived, apparently the outdoor security lights had been unscrewed and the neighbors house had been burglarized.

In discussion with my wife, I think a shotgun would be the safest to use, and the best deterrent. Everyone knows the sound of a shotgun racking. A pistol is harder to aim and shoot in my opinion. However, with a shotgun in the house you are really doing something wrong if you miss.

I disagree, in close quarters a shotgun is longer, heavier and harder to aim/get down hallways with. Also at 3-5 yards (average size of a medium size room in a house) the spread of buckshot just isn't that big.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKk45i9DzDA

[tailchaser]

The shotgun probably requires more "practice" to move through your house with due to the barrel length, but there's no arguing that ANYTHING coming out of the barrel will have a greater deterrent effect on whatever it hits. It is much easier to choose a load in the shotgun that will NOT penetrate exterior walls if you miss, as well, which is an important consideration in urban areas.

[CosmosMpower]

The shotgun probably requires more "practice" to move through your house with due to the barrel length, but there's no arguing that ANYTHING coming out of the barrel will have a greater deterrent effect on whatever it hits. It is much easier to choose a load in the shotgun that will NOT penetrate exterior walls if you miss, as well, which is an important consideration in urban areas.

Slugs are generally a really bad idea as they will penetrate many interior walls and likely an exterior wall, birdshot has been proven ineffective in stopping the thread which leaves the various buckshot options, most of which are good. The thing is even buckshot will penetrate interior drywall so there's still a chance of hitting someone in the next room. Most rounds that will do enough damage to be effective (16-20" of human penetration) will go through a few panels of drywall unfortunately.

[OZMDD]

Academy on Forest got a shipment of the Mossberg Maverick 88's (12ga, 18.5" unchoked). For $180, its a solid deal and she actually thought it fit her pretty well (better than several other brands we looked at) even before we order an adjustable folding stock for it. Reasonably light, 6+1, easy to rack, safety is simple for a lefty.

For those who don't want a handgun or AR, this is an easy option. Best of all, my background check came back "clear" in only 5 min!

[driftdevil]

Just remember to pull the plug out so you can load 6.

[POS Racing]

Best of all, my background check came back "clear" in only 5 min!

I find that very hard to believe!

[miataspeedracer]

Can't you load a combination of birdshot and buckshot? I read that bird shot is actually preferred in this type of situation. Maybe the first three rounds are birdshot, and the next three are buckshot if you need to "dig that deep"...

[OZMDD]

dowel is removed. :)

I'm going with bird, buck, slug, buck, slug, buck.

I used to do "cut shells" many years ago to make what is essentially a frangible slug out of buckshot, with less penetration. Might try that again instead of actual slugs.

[CosmosMpower]

Yikes, bird will just piss them off and leave some ugly scars and slug will make a giant mess of them or a giant mess of someone in the next 4 rooms if you miss. Frangible ammo is a good idea for HD.

Nice pickup on the shotgun though!

[tailchaser]

What Cosmos said... There are some studies on buck shot and drywall if you're concerned. As far as slugs... It's already been said.

DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK AT WORK

I think there are sufficient warnings embedded in this link that no one will accidentally click it...

I hope

Also, don't click through if you pass out at the sight of blood...

But bird shot doesn't work against people.

Yes... it's a little better than this at truly close range, but any buck shot is better...

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=01a_1338766499

DON'T COME CRYING TO ME THAT I DIDN'T WARN YOU.

[OZMDD]

Fortunately, our floorplan should minimize the risk of drywall penetration where the kiddo sleeps. I Just went to the indoor range near me and put several different rounds through it. Great gun, and aims reasonably well at 30 ft, especially considering how long its been since I shot.

[ken o]

Get a chainsaw. Fire it up when someone breaks in and yell 'FRESH MEAT"!!!

[sammm]

Get a chainsaw. Fire it up when someone breaks in and yell 'FRESH MEAT"!!!

You're thinking of zombies.

[POS Racing]

Rapist Zombies??

Makes me glad to live on the West-side!

[ken o]

In Allen we have Hipster Rapist Zombies.