If a disaster were to strike today would you be prepared? - Page 3

B-Line · #21 10-13-2006, 03:06 PM

I strongly believe every home owner (that want's one) should have a gun. Not to protect objects, they can have what ever they want. But to protect one self and family. No TV or diamond ring is worth killing someone for. That is what insurance is for.

Having said that, the gun should be under lock and key especially if there are kids in the house. But a shotgun and a sidearm are a smart thing to have.

Here are my recommendations:
Even though I do not own a glock, (I own a H&K USP Compact .40) Glocks are the most reliable, affordable, easy to use. I do not recommend a .9mm. Get a .40mm instead. It is only a hair bigger than a .9mm and has a lot more stopping power. A .45 is a little too big in my opinion.
The nice thing about a clip vs. a revolver is, it's very easy to load quick in an emergency. You can keep a clip loaded and the gun empty.

For Shotgun's, you probably want to get a Mossberg police issue type gun. Something small with a pistol grip. You do not want a hunting shotgun or Trap/Skeet type of deal. A small barrel and small grip is the way to go.. Point and shoot type of deal.

The shotgun is really your home protection weapon. Chances are you will not hit the broad side of a barn with a handgun if you are in a pressure situation. Handgun's are generally VERY hard to shoot accurately. It's not like in the movies.
However, just the sound of someone chambering a shotgun is enough to make a would-be "home invader" into a coward.

B

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noncom23 · #22 10-13-2006, 03:33 PM

Agreed. Gotta have a weapon. Society is not that sophisticated in a panic. At that time its you on your own. Look at Katrina.

Aleko · #23 10-13-2006, 03:44 PM

All good points, but I have a few corrections (below in blue):

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-Line

Here are my recommendations:
Even though I do not own a glock, (I own a H&K USP Compact .40) Glocks are the most reliable, affordable, easy to use. I do not recommend a .9mm. Get a .40mm instead. It is only a hair bigger than a .9mm and has a lot more stopping power. A .45 is a little too big in my opinion.

Glocks are popular guns, but not the most affordable ones. CZ 75 B is probably the most affordable and reliable gun. They are easy to use as there are no safeties to mess with, which could also be a bad thing if you’re not careful (which you should always be around firearms). They have a weird grip angle, too, which I find unnatural. A .40 will have more recoil than 9mm; a .45 will also have more recoil, but .40 has snappier recoil, whereas .45 is more of a push. I find .45 easier to control than .40, at least when it comes to factory loads. I compete with .40, but it’s downloaded to minor power factor, so it’s very soft recoiling. Also, over penetration is a big concern in HD cases, and both 9mm and .40 will penetrate the walls deeper than big and slow .45.

The nice thing about a clip vs. a revolver is, it's very easy to load quick in an emergency. You can keep a clip loaded and the gun empty.

It’s not a clip; it’s a magazine. Calling it a clip is like calling a fuel injector a carburetor…

For Shotgun's, you probably want to get a Mossberg police issue type gun. Something small with a pistol grip. You do not want a hunting shotgun or Trap/Skeet type of deal. A small barrel and small grip is the way to go.. Point and shoot type of deal.

Stay away from pistol grips on shotguns. They look cool in the movies when fired from the hip, but that’s about it. A good cheek weld and shouldering is important unless you want to end up with a dislocated shoulder or wrist. Mos 590 or Rem 870 are both good simple shotguns to use and require very little maintenance, and both are available with 18" barrels (shortest legal barrel for a shotgun, unless you want to jump through NFA hoops for SBS).

The shotgun is really your home protection weapon. Chances are you will not hit the broad side of a barn with a handgun if you are in a pressure situation. Handgun's are generally VERY hard to shoot accurately. It's not like in the movies. However, just the sound of someone chambering a shotgun is enough to make a would-be "home invader" into a coward.

Handguns are harder to shoot accurately, but not much with some training. Shotguns may be easier to hit your target with without aiming, but it’s also the biggest downside of them – you never know where your pellets will end up going. But you’re right - it will probably have the best intimidation factor. Shotguns are much louder, too, and it's a very important factor to consider for home defense - you don't want to end up with permanent hearing damage after having to defend yourself.

The reason I don't like shotguns for HD is because they require both hands to operate; I may not have that luxury because I will most likely have a flashlight in one hand, plus I may have to hold one of the kids, or be on the phone with 911, etc. You will need one hand to open doors and keeping it generally available for close quaters encounters, while keeping a firearm at "low ready". I can go on and on about pros and cons of any weapon, but it'll be getting too far off topic. If anyone has any questions and is seriously considering getting a firearm for HD, feel free to contact me off-line.

B

NBX · #24 10-13-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-Line

I strongly believe every home owner (that want's one) should have a gun. Not to protect objects, they can have what ever they want. But to protect one self and family. No TV or diamond ring is worth killing someone for. That is what insurance is for.

Having said that, the gun should be under lock and key especially if there are kids in the house. But a shotgun and a sidearm are a smart thing to have.

Here are my recommendations:
Even though I do not own a glock, (I own a H&K USP Compact .40) Glocks are the most reliable, affordable, easy to use. I do not recommend a .9mm. Get a .40mm instead. It is only a hair bigger than a .9mm and has a lot more stopping power. A .45 is a little too big in my opinion.
The nice thing about a clip vs. a revolver is, it's very easy to load quick in an emergency. You can keep a clip loaded and the gun empty.

For Shotgun's, you probably want to get a Mossberg police issue type gun. Something small with a pistol grip. You do not want a hunting shotgun or Trap/Skeet type of deal. A small barrel and small grip is the way to go.. Point and shoot type of deal.

The shotgun is really your home protection weapon. Chances are you will not hit the broad side of a barn with a handgun if you are in a pressure situation. Handgun's are generally VERY hard to shoot accurately. It's not like in the movies.
However, just the sound of someone chambering a shotgun is enough to make a would-be "home invader" into a coward.

B

I did not know so many of you felt the way I do...Needing Gun for Protection!!

So many times,at night, I have wondered what would I do if someone breaks into my house. Would I be able to protect my wife and me? My wife thinks I am too sensitive - any little sound outside wakes me up (trauma from war experience I guess) - as if I am always aware of the outside. I have motion sensing lights all around and am thinking of installing a video monitoring system - BUT, a gun??? The more I read all the comments posted here...I wil seriously consider buying a gun and of course training (I'd hate to shoot myself instead of the home invader) ANYONE..against owing a weapon????

noncom23 · #25 10-13-2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aleko

All good points, but I have a few corrections.

Yeah. I'm a 70 series, noncompensated owner. .45 is right for me.
Highly suggest a 3 day training course.

Aleko · #26 10-13-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noncom23

Yeah. I'm a 70 series, noncompensated owner. .45 is right for me.

Oh yeah... Another 1911 fan.

1911 is the best handgun ever designed IMO.

BMW X5 · #27 10-13-2006, 04:07 PM

HOLY CRAP remind me not to go where any of you guys live.

Quicksilver · #28 10-13-2006, 04:14 PM

With all due respect let's ask the question again " If a disaster were to strike today would you be prepared? Would your family be prepared? Would you know what to do"?

Were not talking about looking for the first opportunity to pop a cap in someone but working together as a community to survive.

This question looks for the answer regarding what effort people have made to gather the needed supplies, making the necessary arrangements for a meeting place. Checking on elderly parents, finding children. Perhaps we can leave killing people for another time.

Check the provided links. They may give each of us a clue where we could improve regarding our reddiness. If some of you have suggestions as to what you have done it may provide others with the needed information to make an educated choice.

BMW X5 · #29 10-13-2006, 04:24 PM

I think its a hard thing to come to terms with to admit that something will happen. I think its because of that people are not prepared

Aleko · #30 10-13-2006, 04:28 PM

With all due respect, we are talking about what it takes to be prepared. Being able to defend yourself and your family is not the same as "looking for the first opportunity to pop a cap in someone".

I'm all for "working together as a community to survive", but I will not be an easy target for predators. Does it mean I will start shooting up everybody within 100 yards of my house? No! If a family with hungry kids knocks on my door and asks for help - I'll do what I can to help without compromising my own family's chances of survival. If I see a pack of thugs roaming around the neighborhood stealing food/supplies/etc., then I'll definitely let them know they had better move on.

All your preparedness will mean nothing when someone else takes it away from you.

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