Firearms in house

evolve · Jun 24, 2020

Crimson2v said:
I know I am a bit behind when it comes to firearm knowledge but I have been thinking it's getting time we get something to protect ourselves in our house and out and about. My wife and I did not grow up around guns and are very nervous when it comes to having one in the house due to having little ones running around who get into everything. There are places around here where they have classes to learn about shooting and the operations of a gun, we may be looking into that. Our biggest concern is safety, what do you all recommend as far as safes and education for both my wife and I and possibly the kids when they get old enough.

There are some decent safes out there. My recommendation for any residential safe is a Group 1 lock with 11 gauge or thicker steel. Fort Knox is my go to, but it is a bit pricey. To me, safety means more than a few bucks. For a smaller safe (pistol size) - Fort Knox, GunVault, SentrySafe, and Stack-On have options. Look for the latest generation as there have been issues with kids picking the locks.

As far as education goes, most LGS (Local Gun Stores) offer introductory courses for folks with limited or no firearm knowledge. Take a look at your LGSs for more info there. Another class you may want to consider is "Stop the Bleed" or an intro to First Aid.

If you have any additional questions or want recommendations, feel free to PM me.

Sent from my LG-H932 using Tapatalk

Klaus · Jun 24, 2020

My philosophy on home defense is that in the event that an intruder is armed it is most likely with a handgun. So why would I make it a fair fight and only arm myself with a handgun? So I keep an AR within reach. Also, ditch the light as it gives away your position. You will have a tactical advantage as you know the layout while an intruder will not.

evolve · Jun 24, 2020

Klaus said:
My philosophy on home defense is that in the event that an intruder is armed it is most likely with a handgun. So why would I make it a fair fight and only arm yourself with a handgun? So I keep an AR within reach. Also, ditch the light as it gives away your position. You will have a tactical advantage as you know the layout while an intruder will not.

Although I agree with your view on keeping an AR close (my suppressed 300blk is within reach of my bed), the OP is not an experienced shooter. In this case the homeowner (OP) should use a weapon that he and his wife can use and I don't think an AR fits the bill - yet. Ultimately it boils down to what they are comfortable using.

In addition, most home invasions happen (approx 60%) by someone that the homeowner knows or has been inside of the house before. In a small house it is very easy to spot entrances and exits and any valuables worth taking.

Sent from my LG-H932 using Tapatalk

Blk04L · Jun 24, 2020

Ammo plays a big role too, when using a shotgun for defense. Last thing you want is to miss the perp and shred your kid sleeping two walls over.

Buckshot vs. Birdshot for Home Defense

We began by firing standard 9 mm and .45 ACP defensive loads. These sailed right through all three walls. A 55-grain bullet from a .223 Rem. round showed improvement because it stopped in the second wall. Then it was time to try the shotgun loads.

First to be launched was a standard 12-gauge police buckshot load, driving nine pellets at approximately 1,250 fps. I thought the buckshot would be contained in the third wall. I was wrong. It penetrated all three walls with ease and sailed into the protective backstop. In an actual home, people in the other rooms would have been in grave danger. A 1-ounce, 12-gauge slug load gave the exact same results.

Our final test was a 12-gauge field load of No. 7 1/2 shot, a 1 1/8-ounce load running at 1,250 fps. This load entered the first layer of sheetrock, making one hole that was about 3 inches in diameter. It exited that wall completely, but merely splattered on the surface of the second wall. People in that second room would likely have been hit with birdshot, but it would probably not have been life threatening.

These simple tests convinced me that, between buckshot vs. birdshot, a standard birdshot load is usually best for a homeowner’s defensive 12-gauge shotgun. In close-range encounters, as found in most home-defense situations, birdshot can be deadly. But, it loses power so fast, over-penetration is much less of a problem. In a home full of children, it would certainly be my first choice.

GNBRETT · Jun 24, 2020

Nothing will protect u and ur family better than a well trained Dog and nothing with keep an intruder from coming into ur house when sleeping or at work better than a well trained Dog! A gun is a nice back up tho.

patc84 · Jun 24, 2020

^ thats why i have 2 doberman and guns

Klaus · Jun 24, 2020

Blk04L said:
A 55-grain bullet from a .223 Rem. round showed improvement because it stopped in the second wall. Then it was time to try the shotgun loads.

First to be launched was a standard 12-gauge police buckshot load, driving nine pellets at approximately 1,250 fps. I thought the buckshot would be contained in the third wall. I was wrong. It penetrated all three walls with ease and sailed into the protective backstop.

Interesting. I may have to switch to buckshot over 223 as I do not like my neighbors.

Crimson2v · Jun 24, 2020

GNBRETT said:
Nothing will protect u and ur family better than a well trained Dog and nothing with keep an intruder from coming into ur house when sleeping or at work better than a well trained Dog! A gun is a nice back up tho.

We do have a German Shepherd who is our home defense for now. Hoping she has some more years left in her, she has developed digenerative myelopathy and can’t walk too well.

Crimson2v · Jun 24, 2020

evolve said:
There are some decent safes out there. My recommendation for any residential safe is a Group 1 lock with 11 gauge or thicker steel. Fort Knox is my go to, but it is a bit pricey. To me, safety means more than a few bucks. For a smaller safe (pistol size) - Fort Knox, GunVault, SentrySafe, and Stack-On have options. Look for the latest generation as there have been issues with kids picking the locks.

As far as education goes, most LGS (Local Gun Stores) offer introductory courses for folks with limited or no firearm knowledge. Take a look at your LGSs for more info there. Another class you may want to consider is "Stop the Bleed" or an intro to First Aid.

If you have any additional questions or want recommendations, feel free to PM me.

Sent from my LG-H932 using Tapatalk

I have been looking for first aid training classes, I am already cpr certified just wanted more knowledge in turnaquets and stuff like that.

Pribilof · Jun 24, 2020

RE: kids & guns. I started with my 3 year old - When you see a gun:
1. STOP
2. Don't touch
3. Find an adult immediately

At all times all firearms are either on my person or in one of the safes.

ajaf1656 · Jun 24, 2020

evolve said:
In this case the homeowner (OP) should use a weapon that he and his wife can use and I don't think an AR fits the bill - yet. Ultimately it boils down to what they are comfortable using.

What is more user friendly than an AR? Put a red dot or holographic sight on it and it's hard to miss anything in home defense ranges. Load it with a 30 round magazine so if you miss the first time, you have 29 more attempts.

evolve · Jun 24, 2020

ajaf1656 said:
What is more user friendly than an AR? Put a red dot or holographic sight on it and it's hard to miss anything in home defense ranges. Load it with a 30 round magazine so if you miss the first time, you have 29 more attempts.

I was leaving it to the homeowner (OP) and his wife in this case. I'm not arguing the AR use in HD scenarios, I have one close by for that reason. But the OP should use what he and his wife are most effective and comfortable with.

Would you say an AR is easier to use than a wheel gun? Or a Glock?

Sent from my LG-H932 using Tapatalk

Klaus · Jun 24, 2020

evolve said:
Would you say an AR is easier to use than a wheel gun? Or a Glock?

Personally I would say yes especially if you want to hit anything in a stressful situation. I got my wife an AR9 with this in mind. 33 rounds with no kick and packs more energy than 357 mag out of 18' barrel.

lOOKnGO · Jun 24, 2020

Our GunVault BIO, just arrived today. I have the older 9v finger combo +key for a g19. I want to wall mount this one for daily CC. It should hold my g30 and Darringer. It has a low voltage electrical connection I have to work out. I'm counting on this to be tamper proof, even though my two youngest have respect for firearms. We have a big safe for long arms and ammunition that is disabled after locking, along with hidden motion activated camera.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

ajaf1656 · Jun 24, 2020

evolve said:
Would you say an AR is easier to use than a wheel gun? Or a Glock?

Yeah, I would.

Klaus · Jun 24, 2020

evolve said:
Would you say an AR is easier to use than a wheel gun? Or a Glock?

Personally I would say yes especially if you want to hit anything in a stressful situation. I got my wife an AR9 with this in mind. 33 rounds with no kick and packs more energy than 357 mag out of 18' barrel.

evolve · Jun 24, 2020

Klaus said:
Personally I would say yes especially if you want to hit anything in a stressful situation. I got my wife an AR9 with this in mind. 33 rounds with no kick and packs more energy than 357 mag out of 18' barrel.

Love some AR9s! Good choice.

Edit: 18" barrel for HD would limit mobility, but with training it'd do just fine. However for plinking and varmint, it'd be perfect. Again it boils down to what the shooter is comfortable and effective with.

Sent from my LG-H932 using Tapatalk

2013GT'ed · Jun 24, 2020

Also, for a bit of levity for a thread don't do what I did and grab the 45-70. I mean yeah, whatever it is is going to go DOWN but I wouldn't recommend it as your go to house gun.

evolve · Jun 24, 2020

2013GT'ed said:
Also, for a bit of levity for a thread don't do what I did and grabd the 45-70. I mean yeah, whatever it is is going to go DOWN but I would recommend it as your go to house gun.

Hey man, you never know when old T-Rex will break into your castle.

Sent from my LG-H932 using Tapatalk

MFE · Jun 25, 2020

lOOKnGO said:
Our GunVault BIO, just arrived today. I have the older 9v finger combo +key for a g19. I want to wall mount this one for daily CC. It should hold my g30 and Darringer. It has a low voltage electrical connection I have to work out. I'm counting on this to be tamper proof, even though my two youngest have respect for firearms. We have a big safe for long arms and ammunition that is disabled after locking, along with hidden motion activated camera. View attachment 1648190

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

You can get a 12v power supply that plugs in the socket on the side for under $15 on Amazon. Don't rely on the batteries except for backup.

Firearms in house

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

. . .

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Life's Better @ Elevation

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Keep'um smiling

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Users who are viewing this thread