Video Correction!! The section on ‘Over Penetration’ is incorrect. The AR performs worse than I had been led to believe. Sorry folks. The rest of the information still looks good.
What is the best gun for home defense for newer shooters? Tactics and firearms instructor John Lovell weighs the pros and cons taking the right gun for you and for your family. When picking a gun for home defense, it may be a good idea to select a weapon based off your weakest (newest) shooter. Personally i want a firearm that my wife can effectively employ, not just something I am good with. In this video we talk about the AR15 / M4 Carbine, the shotgun, or the pistol in a home defense context. One big problem I see, is that people will select a weapon based on only one or two criteria, while ignoring a host of other important considerations. My hope is to expand the viewers’ decision-making criteria to include ammo capacity, stopping power, overpenetration problems, ease of accuracy, ease of handling, and recoil management. Additionally, I’ll offer some general advice and pro tips to help you develop your home defense plan and select the right gun.
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The AR-15 in the video is a bushmaster AR pistol spray painted tan with a Gemtech HALO silencer and a Streamlight TLR-1 HL light. The shotgun is a Mossberg 590.
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I recently purchased an AR 12; 12g, semiautomatic, ten round magazine fed, AR platform. I picked up some frangible self-defense ammunition for it. It's heavy, I won't dispute that. But it seems to hit all the other buttons. All the benefits of the AR in handling and ease, and all the benefits of quality 12g ammunition. Because of the size of round, it has massive stopping power, but you only get a maximum of ten rounds per magazine. But I have two of those and a few five round magazines, so tactical reloads are possible with a little practice.
Saiga 12 with 20 round drum it's heavy but the recoil Is not too bad the the little miss
There isn’t any need for a gun fight, just shoot a 50. BMG at the floor and that robber is going to start running faster than you can yell get out.
I think the nature of the home and immediate neighborhood are significant factors in this consideration. My home is only 42 feet long because it is a fifth wheel. This greatly increases the need for maneuverability and concern of over penetration. It kind of removes long shots from possibility too. I defend it with 11 rounds of 45 or 14 rounds of 40. Just in case of marauding truckloads of miscreants, I keep an iron sighted mini 14 ready too.
Thanks for your thoughtful content.
Can cannon loaded with lawn darts.
Gotta yeet on'em.
Light s
I like to arm claymores in the hallway before i go to bed. I also booby trap the kids room because I'm tired of them sneaking up and eating all my f***ing poptarts.
Obviously the M82A1 Barret .50 cal is the best home defense weapon
I am intrigued by your ranking of pistol in terms of accuracy ease… I have now shot a gun 3 times in my life (all 9mm, 2 of those 3 with my personal 92A1). All 3 times I have been complimented on my grouping and accuracy (the most recent time being my best, and compliment coming from a police officer). Might have to put some real consideration into my 2nd weapon I purchase being an AR, as opposed to a more compact .40 or .45 acp for concealed carry.
My go-to for home defense is an AR pistol in 12 gauge.
The pistol is for fighting your way to a shotgun or AR-15
Sorry for being late in comment…
Newer shooter on home defense:
I'd recommend a short barrel shotgun.
More takedown and intimidation with bigger boom in front of the barrel. With only four rounds, the probability of hitting target or scaring off seems higher with buckshot. Clearing a room would be easier. The only extra step in most states would be to pay more and apply for the license.
I can't get my wife to touch my guns, let alone learn how to shoot it. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing, she may pose more of a threat to me armed than a burglar would.
AA-12 man not a regular shotgun AA-12 great home defense weapon used it already great beats my AR or my AR Beowulf
2 3/4 inch Turkey load for blasting intruders in your house is good.
I have a pcc leaning against my nightstand within arms reach of where I am laying down.
What about .45 critical defense ammo would that be a good home defense round?
Trick question. The right answer is a braced AR pistol.
Pistol is the best.
I'm going to be staying in an apartment and don't want to shoot through the walls..
Ar15 pistol at 120%