THE BEST GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE: PROTECTING YOUR HOME

If you’ve ever wondered how important choosing the best guns for self-defense is, consider what sort of weapon you would want on-hand in the event that a home-invasion occurs. There are three common and popular types of guns you can choose from, and the following information discusses some features to help you decide which is the best option for you, should you ever require a firearm for a home defense situation.

Handguns

The first type of self-defense weapon that comes to mind for many people is a handgun like a revolver or pistol, largely due to media which portrays handguns as the firearm of choice for both heroes and villains. But the media often presents erroneous facts to consumers, showing scenes that give viewers the wrong idea about how these weapons operate. Below are some inaccuracies often found in the way television and movies present pistols and revolvers:

• No recoil after firing. Most handguns kick when the trigger is pulled.

• Never running out of ammunition. All handguns have a limit to the number of bullets they can hold.

• Easily hitting the target every time. Handguns, like any other type of gun, require careful aiming for the operator to hit the target. Only people who are very experienced with guns can hit their intended target every single time.

Inaccurate representations like these can make novice gun owners believe that a handgun is the obvious choice for them when it comes to home defense, but this is not always true. While pistols and revolvers are an acceptable choice for concealed weapons, they are not necessarily the best option when it comes to home protection. One reason is that, due to the highly mobile and easy-to-carry nature of handguns, their manufacturers sometimes compromise on other important factors, such as stopping power and accuracy. Because of these limitations, a handgun is a difficult type of firearm to master. While a pistol can be deadly in the hands of an experienced shooter, a novice may not be able to hit the target at all.

Since you don’t have to worry about keeping your weapon concealed in your home, there are better choices than revolvers or pistols for home protection.

Shotguns

Shotguns, especially pump action and break action models, are highly reliable. Their mechanisms are fairly simple and they are straightforward to use in a home defense situation. You simply chamber a shot, point at the target, and pull the trigger.

Shotguns also offer an enormous amount of power at short ranges without much danger of penetrating interior walls, since they fire shells rather than bullets. These shells are filled with small pellets (called shot, thus the name shotgun) that may embed themselves in a wall, but will not go through it. This is an important factor for those who live in suburban areas or have family members elsewhere in the home. A round from a pistol or rifle can go straight through modern drywall construction, so a shotgun is a safer option for protecting your family.

In addition to their safety features, shotguns are also more affordable than other firearms, both in the initial purchase price and when buying ammunition. This makes it easier for those with limited finances to own one. There are also many gun accessories online that make shotguns easy-to-use and customizable, such as interchangeable barrels and shell pouches.

All shotguns come with one of these three popular types of mechanisms, or actions. They are as follows:

• Semi-automatic. Once loaded, this weapon fires a round simply by pulling the trigger.  While semi-automatics are a good choice for hunters, they’re not the best option for those whose primary concern is home defense, because they can be prone to jamming if not meticulously cleaned and maintained, leading to the need for expensive gunsmith services.

• Break action. This includes the classic double-barrel shotgun, and is mechanically simple, offering reliability in defense shooting scenarios. One drawback, however, is that break action shotguns can fire two rounds at most before needing to be reloaded. Due to the possibility of missing your target when firing a shotgun, this can mean a dangerous situation if you fire twice then have to take the time to reload.

• Pump action. This type of shotgun is famous for the ominous sliding sound it makes when chambering a round. While this may be an intimidating noise, don’t rely on it alone to protect you. Never use a firearm as a bluff; if you have a gun in hand, you must be prepared to shoot it at whoever or whatever is threatening you. Pump action shotguns carry several benefits, one of which is that they come in a variety of sizes for the handler’s comfort. They can also hold up to eight rounds, lessening the need to take time reloading, and their operating simplicity makes them extremely reliable.

Carbines

A carbine is merely a short rifle, and this post will focus on carbines that fire handgun rounds. These weapons offer the following advantages:

• They are available in a wide number of calibers, many of which pose little risk of over-penetration in apartments or houses.

• They can carry rounds in fast-change clips, instead of manually fed tubes like most pump-actions. This makes reloading faster and simpler.

• They can be as accurate as a rifle, thanks to their stocks and frames.

Despite these facts, carbines are not recommended for most home defense shooters, for several reasons. First, the level of skill needed to use one effectively is greater than most casual firearms users possess. Second, the carbines discussed here use handgun rounds, which are difficult to aim accurately. And third, while having plenty of ammunition can be a bonus, the ability to carry so many bullets can encourage a “spray and pray” mentality, especially under highly stressful conditions, and this can lead to accidentally hitting people and things you don’t mean to.

Bottom Line

Here is a list of weapons to consider for home defense, in order of preference from first to last:

1. A short-barreled, pump shotgun manufactured by a reliable company like Winchester or Remington, in either a 12 or 20 gauge.

2. A carbine chambered for handgun rounds, provided that the shooter has handled the weapon extensively and keeps it clean and in good working order.

3. A revolver with a two-to-four inch barrel, chambered for either .38 +P or .357 ammunition.

4. A semi-automatic pistol chambered for 9mm, 45 ACP, or .40 SW. For smaller shooters, a weapon that fires .380 or .22 long rifle ammunition is a better choice.

No matter what type of gun you choose, there’s no substitute for quality, which is why you should buy your firearms from Dury’s Gun Shop. Browse our selection online and place your order with your local Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder today.

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