In a "close encounter" (within the house) what would you use ...

[dryheat]

I will tell the burglar, I hate loud noise, please don't make me shoot you. It's a ploy.

We just had a news production where a home owner with a pistol confronted a burglar who had hit twenty homes in a block or two. Homeless guy. The HO had it all on his commonly available secuirity camera. Somehow he danced arouond with the perp until he got away. Not saying that wasn't the best alternative. The guy has flameing red hair and a huge tattoo on his neck. OK, all the scumbags have tattoos but I figure they will round him up eventually.

[RED]

My near the bed midnight break in gun is a old but reliable single shot 12 gauge 18 inch, open bore barrel, shotgun loaded with #8 shot.

My carry gun is a S&W Airweight .38 spl.

My car gun is a CZ-83 with 2-12 round mag.

[blackhawknj]

The current argument against "small bores", FMJs, is over penetration of drywall, etc., ineffective against assailants under the influence, against hollow points, underpenetration of thick clothing, etc.
My bedside guns?-my 6" Ruger Stainless Security and my 6" S&W M-28 loaded with a good 38. Their heft means a follow up shot will be much easier, at the 10-12' distances in my apartment I think a 38 has plenty of anchoring power-and that long barrel has a greater intimidation factor.

[DMS42]

After having my front door kicked in and being robbed at gun point I vowed that the next time I would not be an unarmed victim. Beside gun is a 1911 loaded with Black Talon, computer gun is a Commander with Black Talon, chairside gun is a Hi-Power with Rem. 124 gr HP. Downstairs are various handguns in the safes loaded with either Black Talon or, if 9mm loaded with Rem. HP. Hanging on the wall next to the gun room door is an FN FAL with ball ammo. In a wall rack are a Win M12 with buckshot and an M1 Carbine with 110 gr. soft points. All guns have been tested with what they are loaded with. Not too long ago I quit taking a gun with me to the bathroom, but still will bring one most of the time when I take a shower. Usually it is the Nickle Commander.

[Allen]

After having my front door kicked in and being robbed at gun point I vowed that the next time I would not be an unarmed victim. Beside gun is a 1911 loaded with Black Talon, computer gun is a Commander with Black Talon, chairside gun is a Hi-Power with Rem. 124 gr HP. Downstairs are various handguns in the safes loaded with either Black Talon or, if 9mm loaded with Rem. HP. Hanging on the wall next to the gun room door is an FN FAL with ball ammo. In a wall rack are a Win M12 with buckshot and an M1 Carbine with 110 gr. soft points. All guns have been tested with what they are loaded with. Not too long ago I quit taking a gun with me to the bathroom, but still will bring one most of the time when I take a shower. Usually it is the Nickle Commander.

Wow, sorry this happened to you. Thanks for replying. This is what this thread is all about--our worse fears/possibilities.

You may want to consider an additional gun to keep in the bathroom. An experienced robber would know to listen for the shower knowing you or your wife would be defenseless during that time.

I have Glocks, 1911's, M4's, carbines and other semi auto's but prefer to keep a revolver, bolt action, pump or lever action handy for emergencies. I've always had bad luck with auto's jamming at the worse possible time. Also, leaving a mag loaded, even partially loaded, weakens the mag springs over time and hopefully that would be a very long time as most of us will never have to use them against an intruder (hopefully). Of course this is just my preference though.

[blackhawknj]

Often seems like a HiPoint would be a good choice. They are reliable and if they are taken as "evidence" you won't be crying the blues.

[dryheat]

Meaning, you didn't set up some kind of Killer round? It sounds like lawyer and you have to be careful of that. Just thinking about lawyer could get you in trouble. There was a great old western about a bunch of kids who got rescued. At one point a kid whacked a bad guy. The patron says,"did you want to kill him"? Sure! says the kid. Maybe not that funny in script but it's a great line in the movie.

[togor]

Kabar.

[jon_norstog]

Kabar.

I'm gonna go (actually have gone, these many years) with an edged weapon as well. Keeping a firearm safe, especially with kids in the house, I think a blade is gonna get into action quicker.

jn

[barretcreek]

I'm gonna go (actually have gone, these many years) with an edged weapon as well. Keeping a firearm safe, especially with kids in the house, I think a blade is gonna get into action quicker.

jn

Maybe a kiddie compound bow (20-30#) or a spear/bayonet on an old plugged gun. I want distance between me and a hopped up younger assailant.

[togor]

Maybe a kiddie compound bow (20-30#) or a spear/bayonet on an old plugged gun. I want distance between me and a hopped up younger assailant.

Then again the claim by law enforcement is that an edged weapon is more dangerous at 5 paces than a handgun. For more distance you could use an old school bayo or machete.

[lyman]

Then again the claim by law enforcement is that an edged weapon is more dangerous at 5 paces than a handgun. For more distance you could use an old school bayo or machete.

it's not a claim, it has been proven, there are tons of videos out there showing a person can advance with a knife it the time it takes to drawn and shoot,

however,


in the house, things go bump in the night, and I feel the need to go for a looksee, that firearm is not going to be in a holster,


BTW,, if you have lived in a place more than a week, you should know the layout, and where anyone would be , family wise,

can you walk from room to room, upstairs and down, on a moonless night, no nightlights, in your house now?
with out turning stuff over?

[togor]

Yes the house is a lot less cluttered now. And remember a handgun in a dark house can easily miss in the same lighting conditions that can cause someone to stumble on a vacuum cleaner left out, and muzzle flash may not be your friend.

So another note of agreement on the value edged weapons for close home defense, with the caveat that a person has to be physically up for it and have some proficiency. Not everyone likes their odds there so people need to do what they need to do.

[Allen]

I think it is safe to assume that an intruder breaking into your home knowing there are people present is going to be armed with something.

If he has a weapon me or the police may search for it after I blow his chit away with a gun.

Defend yourself with only a knife in the dark not knowing what the intruder is armed with? Not for me.

[blackhawknj]

Yes, an M-1 or an AR-15 with a bayonet. I went through BCT at Fort Dix Summer of 1967-WHAT'S THE SPIRIT OF THE BAYONET !!!!!