if you were going to buy a new gun, what would you get? (1 Viewer)

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I agree that stopping power is a very strong point for the shotgun in a home defense situation.

If you can point me in the direction of the studies you're referring to regarding over penetration, I'd be much obliged. My research on the topic indicated that both will over penetrate, but buckshot to a much larger degree.

Sure! Here is one quick video showing 5.56 vs 9mm Hornaday Defense vs 00 buck 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AXOIQgfvVlE

You can see a few things:

1) Overall penetration between 9mm and 00 are identical, with only one of the 00 pellets seeming to make it to the next to last drywall panel (where the 9mm round terminated as well).

2) 00 wound channel is MUCH larger, effectively the same as hitting the target with NINE .380 rounds at once in a 2-3" area, in general.

3) Stopping power is visibly greater, with the 00 shot toppling the test boxes 

 

[[icon]]

Wanted to add that the best home defense weapon is the one you're personally most comfortable with. If you have a ton of range time with your pistol and think that's where your best chance lies... that should be what you use.

Generally speaking, most folks lack the proficiency with a pistol required in that type of scenario, so I suggest a shotgun. Lots of factors should be considered, though. There's certainly no "right all the time" answer.

 

[rascal]

I had one... wasn't a fan of the single stack mag (lower capacity and too small for my large hands).... also found I wasn't as accurate with it (vs my glock26) in several side by side sessions.

That said, handguns are very varied and will perform differently for different folks. Anyone who buys one based on how it works for someone else is doing themselves a disservice. Go shoot a lot of different models and FIND which one works best for you. Not speaking to you rascal, just in general. 

Yeah, the small single stag mag is a problem for me as well.  I don't even use the 7 mag.

It was a gift and it was mentioned.

 

[rascal]

Thoughts on this...use a shotgun for home defense but with bird shot.  In close quarters, which is most home defense situations, that will be sufficient and runs less risk of injuring family/etc by going through as many walls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dbtBWp_beo

 

[flapgreen]

Get one of those Captain America shields 

 

[Statorama]

I think there are a couple of scenarios here.  

First you have a common burglar looking for a quick and easy heist.  Once they realize the homeowner is present, they will probably flee regardless what the homeowner is armed with.  The "CHIK-CHIK" may cause them to leave a brown trail though.

The second situation involves a criminal (or criminals) that are willing to commit bodily harm to you to complete their goal.  When this type of criminal hears the "CHIK-CHIK", you've given them three things: 1) information on what you are armed with;  2) information on where you are; 3)  the opportunity to prepare for a gun fight.  These are things I don't want to give the criminal.

In the second situation it would be me with the brown trail

 

[OrtonToOlsen]

Wanted to add that the best home defense weapon is the one you're personally most comfortable with. If you have a ton of range time with your pistol and think that's where your best chance lies... that should be what you use.

Generally speaking, most folks lack the proficiency with a pistol required in that type of scenario, so I suggest a shotgun. Lots of factors should be considered, though. There's certainly no "right all the time" answer.

https://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/self-defense-night-stand/

 

[Ned]

Why is everyone assuming the shotgun is for home defense?

I would recommend the Remington 870 since it's so versatile and simple. Tried and true that will last generations. 

 

[[icon]]

Why is everyone assuming the shotgun is for home defense?

I would recommend the Remington 870 since it's so versatile and simple. Tried and true that will last generations. 

Very true! I don't hunt but have used my 870 with an easily swapped long Barrel w modified choke for skeet shooting and range schenanigans.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Agreed with everything above by osb except the "don't need a shotgun unless you hunt" assessment. 

A shotgun is the best home defense weapon there is.

It's also multifunctional.  Home defense, hunting, varmint protection, and cabbage killing.  I have a tactical shotgun for my lake house and I have rubber ball buckshot in case I run into a badger or a rabid raccoon (happened last year) on or around my property.  Another thing about shotguns is the built in safety it allows.  No South African blade runner bs, just have the first shell be rock salt and your woman will only be mad at you for a few days. 

I think if you own just one gun it should be a shotgun. 

 

[ren hoek]

Everybody knows the G11 is the best gun. 

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

It's also multifunctional.  Home defense, hunting, varmint protection, and cabbage killing.  I have a tactical shotgun for my lake house and I have rubber ball buckshot in case I run into a badger or a rabid raccoon (happened last year) on or around my property.  Another thing about shotguns is the built in safety it allows.  No South African blade runner bs, just have the first shell be rock salt and your woman will only be mad at you for a few days. 

I think if you own just one gun it should be a shotgun. 

If I could own just one gun, it would be an H&K MP7 or a KAC PDW. 

Not feasible though. And ammo costs would be excessive.

 

[Otis]

Calling all gun nerds:

Not a gun dude but I'm reading "One Second After" and it convinced me I should have a shotgun in my house just in case anything every goes really south. 

Im looking at the Mossberg 590 or Remington 870 which are supposedly easily the best two options for home defense. Wouldn't mind spending a little more but I'm convinced pump is the way to go. (The Benelli Supernova seems legit as well).  Any reccomendations?

What do you guys do for keeping a shotgun locked up?  I want to do something more than just keep it on a high shelf in my closet. Wife and I are both concerned about kids or others getting their hands on it. Do they may some kind of locking back or locking case?  How do you guys store your guns?

Lastly how much ammo do I get?  If zombies I may need a lot. 

Thinking 00 buckshot and some slugs. 

TIa

 

[flapgreen]

.357 Colt Python 

 

[flapgreen]

Calling all gun nerds:

Not a gun dude but I'm reading "One Second After" and it convinced me I should have a shotgun in my house just in case anything every goes really south. 

Im looking at the Mossberg 590 or Remington 870 which are supposedly easily the best two options for home defense. Wouldn't mind spending a little more but I'm convinced pump is the way to go. (The Benelli Supernova seems legit as well).  Any reccomendations?

What do you guys do for keeping a shotgun locked up?  I want to do something more than just keep it on a high shelf in my closet. Wife and I are both concerned about kids or others getting their hands on it. Do they may some kind of locking back or locking case?  How do you guys store your guns?

Lastly how much ammo do I get?  If zombies I may need a lot. 

Thinking 00 buckshot and some slugs. 

TIa

Otis with a gun? Haaaahaaa 

 

[Ned]

12ga 870 is perfect and will last forever.

Tons of trigger lock options out there. No need for a safe when you're only going to own one gun. 

Are you going to go learn how to shoot?

Slugs are pointless IMO.  

 

[talongrey]

Does anyone have experience with The Judge? I believe it shoots shotgun shells or regular ammo?

 

[modogg]

just out of curiosity, i hear most of the posters in here speak about a gun for self defense and home protection. i am not looking into getting into a pissing contest, but has anybody who fears that ever had their home broken into? I have had my home broken in to 2 times in my life, and a gun would have been useless, and most likely stolen and used in some crime somewhere where i eventually would have gotten a call for it if i didn't report it. 

i know people who live in the suburbs and out in the rural parts by me who feel they need this, but have never had anybody break in and nobody even close to breaking in. Just seems strange to live in this fear of having to defend your house when the people i know around here really have less then 2% chance of it ever happening. A dog, or wood blocks in windows are by far much more helpful 

 

[Charlie Harper]

just out of curiosity, i hear most of the posters in here speak about a gun for self defense and home protection. i am not looking into getting into a pissing contest, but has anybody who fears that ever had their home broken into? I have had my home broken in to 2 times in my life, and a gun would have been useless, and most likely stolen and used in some crime somewhere where i eventually would have gotten a call for it if i didn't report it. 

i know people who live in the suburbs and out in the rural parts by me who feel they need this, but have never had anybody break in and nobody even close to breaking in. Just seems strange to live in this fear of having to defend your house when the people i know around here really have less then 2% chance of it ever happening. A dog, or wood blocks in windows are by far much more helpful 

I own 2 handguns and 2 rifles. Honestly I don't think of any of them are for home defense, but maybe that's because I live in an apartment by myself. 

Guns are a hobby to me. Just a natural expansion after years of playing FPS. I do take courses and shoot every week, so my proficiency is decent, but I'm not a tactical Timmy who lives in high alert 24/7.

 

[Otis]

12ga 870 is perfect and will last forever.

Tons of trigger lock options out there. No need for a safe when you're only going to own one gun. 

Are you going to go learn how to shoot?

Slugs are pointless IMO.  

Otis is actually pretty bad ### with a shotgun, for a city slicker.  

Few years ago we went away to some family resort in Pennsylvania with a big group of extended family. Tey had a trap shooting contest. Otis had gone there and shot as a teenager once and was pretty good at it.  

Otis and Otis extended family head up for the contest and entered. A bunch of other random vacationers entered. So did a couple of redneck dudes with camo hats. It was a packed house.

First round you just need to hit 3 of 5 to advance. Otis gets up and throws on the ear protection. "PULL! BANG."  PULL. BANG." Otis whiffs on his first two.  Guy tells me to relax, and Otis takes a deep breath.  Then I settle in. 

Otis proceeds to go round after round--without missing--with the field around him thinning out each time. 

We reach the finals. It's city slicker Otis squaring off against one of the camo brothers. Camo guy is scowling at the idea of facing off against Otis. The guy is clearly thinking "I go hunting every weekend. I'm not letting this noob best me."  Otis had gone 5/5 in the prior round, so the host asks me who I want to shoot first, me or camo. Without hesitating Otis steps up like a man possessed. "I'm shooting."  I am not missing, and I want camo to feel and buckle under the pressure.  

Otis grabs that shottie. Pull, bang, pull, bang, pull, bang, pull, bang, pull, bang. 5 pigeons up, 5 pigeons down. The crowd roars. After missing the first two shots in the first round, Otis went straight through the entire tourney without missing.  Camo guy steps up, but it was clear to everyone standing there in the clearing that it was already over. He covers well on his first two, but whiffs on the third. The crowd cheers. The camos both scowl even more. Otis, the city slicker who can't possibly know his way around a firearm, looks downright lethal out there and pulls off the improbable victory. 

I still have the medal. 

 

[Borden]

just out of curiosity, i hear most of the posters in here speak about a gun for self defense and home protection. i am not looking into getting into a pissing contest, but has anybody who fears that ever had their home broken into? I have had my home broken in to 2 times in my life, and a gun would have been useless, and most likely stolen and used in some crime somewhere where i eventually would have gotten a call for it if i didn't report it. 

i know people who live in the suburbs and out in the rural parts by me who feel they need this, but have never had anybody break in and nobody even close to breaking in. Just seems strange to live in this fear of having to defend your house when the people i know around here really have less then 2% chance of it ever happening. A dog, or wood blocks in windows are by far much more helpful 

I think there's multiple things that going into this decision. Personally, I have a gun but it's not for home defense. However, as long as the person isn't being stupid with the gun, I don't see a problem with this reasoning. 

Maybe it just is a piece of mind for them. Again, as long as they are responsible with it, there's no reason to judge. People have insurance on everything and multiple levels of insurance sometimes too that they might never use. On top of that if having the gun removes stress than it's likely worth every penny. Think about all the money people spend trying to remove stress from their lives. You are right though that there's a ton of ways to make your home less friendly for break ins. Some make not work everyone (like allergies to dogs) but hopefully who is buying a gun for home defense is also employing those options as well.

As with everything, if you stupid about it, it could be dangerous. Most people would say that being able to swim is good in case you ever fall into water. But if you jump off a boat in the middle of the Atlantic and drown trying to swim home just because you know how to swim then the problem isn't swimming it's you being stupid. 

 

[belljr]

just out of curiosity, i hear most of the posters in here speak about a gun for self defense and home protection. i am not looking into getting into a pissing contest, but has anybody who fears that ever had their home broken into? I have had my home broken in to 2 times in my life, and a gun would have been useless, and most likely stolen and used in some crime somewhere where i eventually would have gotten a call for it if i didn't report it. 

i know people who live in the suburbs and out in the rural parts by me who feel they need this, but have never had anybody break in and nobody even close to breaking in. Just seems strange to live in this fear of having to defend your house when the people i know around here really have less then 2% chance of it ever happening. A dog, or wood blocks in windows are by far much more helpful 

Do you have smoke detectors in your house?

 

[Borden]

Calling all gun nerds:

Not a gun dude but I'm reading "One Second After" and it convinced me I should have a shotgun in my house just in case anything every goes really south. 

Im looking at the Mossberg 590 or Remington 870 which are supposedly easily the best two options for home defense. Wouldn't mind spending a little more but I'm convinced pump is the way to go. (The Benelli Supernova seems legit as well).  Any reccomendations?

What do you guys do for keeping a shotgun locked up?  I want to do something more than just keep it on a high shelf in my closet. Wife and I are both concerned about kids or others getting their hands on it. Do they may some kind of locking back or locking case?  How do you guys store your guns?

Lastly how much ammo do I get?  If zombies I may need a lot. 

Thinking 00 buckshot and some slugs. 

TIa

@Ned Nailed this question. 

The 12g 870 is your best bet because of the options it has and there's lots out there. This makes it easier and cheaper to find whatever you need or accessories you want online or at the local store. I'd also say to get the 3 and half inch because it will also accept the 2 and three quarter shells as well as the 3 inch ones. 

What type of ammo you run through it all depends on if you are actually going to use it for anything. Slugs are mostly for hunt larger game animals (deer and bigger). You also have to consider the "choke" for what you are shooting and how far. 

If you're buying this gun just for the post apocalyptic scenarios, I'd recommend not buying it. If you want to have a fun goofy talk, for sure (maybe start another thread or something because I do enjoy those talks) but if you're never going to take it out it a waste of money. Plus, you mention that you and the wife are already concerned with the kids getting a hold of it, why bring that extra stress into your life for no reason?

 

[Otis]

@Ned Nailed this question. 

The 12g 870 is your best bet because of the options it has and there's lots out there. This makes it easier and cheaper to find whatever you need or accessories you want online or at the local store. I'd also say to get the 3 and half inch because it will also accept the 2 and three quarter shells as well as the 3 inch ones. 

What type of ammo you run through it all depends on if you are actually going to use it for anything. Slugs are mostly for hunt larger game animals (deer and bigger). You also have to consider the "choke" for what you are shooting and how far. 

If you're buying this gun just for the post apocalyptic scenarios, I'd recommend not buying it. If you want to have a fun goofy talk, for sure (maybe start another thread or something because I do enjoy those talks) but if you're never going to take it out it a waste of money. Plus, you mention that you and the wife are already concerned with the kids getting a hold of it, why bring that extra stress into your life for no reason?

Imagine the money is a non-issue.  My hope and expectation would be to buy this thing and never take it out.  But it would admittedly give me a little peace of mind to know I've got it just in case something awful happens.

 

[Borden]

Imagine the money is a non-issue.  My hope and expectation would be to buy this thing and never take it out.  But it would admittedly give me a little peace of mind to know I've got it just in case something awful happens.

The likelihood of some type of huge world changing event happening and you being able to use this gun is a much lower probability than one of your kids figuring out how to get into the safe or case. And them getting into it is very low in itself. Plus, there's more effective things for you to have in a situation like that, that won't cause your wife to stress out about the kids getting into the gun. 

 

[modogg]

Do you have smoke detectors in your house?

yeah, like i said in my post, i don't want to come in here and piss on anybody's parade. Everybody has their own thoughts on guns, and i wasn't in here to make any bold statement. it was a general inquiry because i saw a lot of people talk about home defense, and i was inquiring since i have been the victim of having my house broken into, and have my own experiences. 

Not sure the analogy with the smoke detectors, but yes, i have multiple

ETA: funny enough, now you got me thinking about weapoinzing my home defense. Personally, i would skip the gun. Would rather land mines i can put in the floor and set on timers or something, that would be fun

 

[belljr]

yeah, like i said in my post, i don't want to come in here and piss on anybody's parade. Everybody has their own thoughts on guns, and i wasn't in here to make any bold statement. it was a general inquiry because i saw a lot of people talk about home defense, and i was inquiring since i have been the victim of having my house broken into, and have my own experiences. 

Not sure the analogy with the smoke detectors, but yes, i have multiple

ETA: funny enough, now you got me thinking about weapoinzing my home defense. Personally, i would skip the gun. Would rather land mines i can put in the floor and set on timers or something, that would be fun

My point was how many house fires have you or your neighborhood had that smoke detectors saved lives?  Yet we all still have them.

It's the item you hope you never have to use.

Ftr - I don't own a gun

 

[modogg]

My point was how many house fires have you or your neighborhood had that smoke detectors saved lives?  Yet we all still have them.

It's the item you hope you never have to use.

Ftr - I don't own a gun

hmm, yeah i can see that. I just know from most of the cops i have spoke with, guns are not really the end all be all for protecting a house. I don't know if there is specific research or just their experience. And i don't know of anyone that was able to stop a house invasion because of a gun, but i am aware (2nd hand) of multiple people who did get their homes broken into because they had a gun (city thieves love legal guns owned by someone else)

 

[bleachercreacher]

just out of curiosity, i hear most of the posters in here speak about a gun for self defense and home protection. i am not looking into getting into a pissing contest, but has anybody who fears that ever had their home broken into? I have had my home broken in to 2 times in my life, and a gun would have been useless, and most likely stolen and used in some crime somewhere where i eventually would have gotten a call for it if i didn't report it. 

i know people who live in the suburbs and out in the rural parts by me who feel they need this, but have never had anybody break in and nobody even close to breaking in. Just seems strange to live in this fear of having to defend your house when the people i know around here really have less then 2% chance of it ever happening. A dog, or wood blocks in windows are by far much more helpful 

There were a few break ins in my neighborhood about 3-4 years ago.  They coincided with fake door to door salesmen ripping people off.  One of my neighbors was a cop, and said he suspected they were connected.  A guy knocked on my door asking to clean my carpets.  I said no, and he got pushy and walked into my house to see how much carpet I had so he could clean a room for free, despite me asking him to leave.  I always left my gun in the hall closet, but had went to the range earlier in the week.  I got lazy and didn't put my better ammo back in the magazine.  I calmly grabbed my unloaded VP9 out of the hall closet when he walked down the hall.  He stopped at the end of the hall and turned around to my unloaded gun pointed at him.  He about #### his pants and ran out of the house. 

Having said all of that, I don't own my gun for protection.  Most houses are broken into when no one is home, and in the chance I were home, I'd sleep through it.  I mainly just have mine to mess around at the range, but to me it's worth having just in case.  If you know what you're doing, and you store the gun properly, there is no downside.

 

[Ned]

My hope and expectation would be to buy this thing and never take it out

Don't bother buying it. 

 

[modogg]

There were a few break ins in my neighborhood about 3-4 years ago.  They coincided with fake door to door salesmen ripping people off.  One of my neighbors was a cop, and said he suspected they were connected.  A guy knocked on my door asking to clean my carpets.  I said no, and he got pushy and walked into my house to see how much carpet I had so he could clean a room for free, despite me asking him to leave.  I always left my gun in the hall closet, but had went to the range earlier in the week.  I got lazy and didn't put my better ammo back in the magazine.  I calmly grabbed my unloaded VP9 out of the hall closet when he walked down the hall.  He stopped at the end of the hall and turned around to my unloaded gun pointed at him.  He about #### his pants and ran out of the house. 

Having said all of that, I don't own my gun for protection.  Most houses are broken into when no one is home, and in the chance I were home, I'd sleep through it.  I mainly just have mine to mess around at the range, but to me it's worth having just in case.  If you know what you're doing, and you store the gun properly, there is no downside.

yeah, that must be more common then i thought. had that happen a few years ago, wife was the only one home. Guy wasn't as pushy and was something else (maybe general contractor stuff), but shady. Luckily i got 2 good size dogs, so guy didn't stay long at all my wife said when the dogs fell over each after waking up from mid-afternoon nap upstairs to see who was at the door. Definitely provides peace of mind when you have stuff like that.

Only one like that i had recently got me good. 2 girls, about 9 years old, selling crap for Christmas. Mom hung out in the car and was shady. But they took me for about $75, and got 2 of my neighbors too. I work with human services and wish i paid more attn to this one so i could have reported the mom for abusing her kids 

ETA: edited to just say i have dogs. i have seen the sh't storm that pitbull thread is so figured to try and not spread that mess to other threads

 

[KCitons]

12ga 870 is perfect and will last forever.

Tons of trigger lock options out there. No need for a safe when you're only going to own one gun. 

Are you going to go learn how to shoot?

Slugs are pointless IMO.  

unless you get hit with one.

I own roughly 10 guns. 3-4 rifles, 3 handguns and a few shotguns. (throw in the guns my sons own and I have 16 in the house).  Most have the action (bolt or trigger mechanism) removed and placed in one safe, while the gun is in separate safe. I keep my 9mm in a locked case in my office and a 12 gauge shotgun with a cable lock in my bedroom office. 

The shotgun has six rounds loaded. First two are 00 buckshot, next two are slugs, then two more buckshot. It's the bear approach. The first two are to slow down the predator and get past the adrenaline, then take a better aim with the slugs. I expect the sound of cambering a round will make most intruders crap their pants and run before I ever have to pull a trigger.  

 

[[icon]]

It's also multifunctional.  Home defense, hunting, varmint protection, and cabbage killing.  I have a tactical shotgun for my lake house and I have rubber ball buckshot in case I run into a badger or a rabid raccoon (happened last year) on or around my property.  Another thing about shotguns is the built in safety it allows.  No South African blade runner bs, just have the first shell be rock salt and your woman will only be mad at you for a few days. 

I think if you own just one gun it should be a shotgun. 

I hate that I ifought with @Doctor Detroit for so long... because that MFer knows ####. 

Protip1: listen to DD 

Protip 2: Hide yo wimmen

Protip 3: refer to protip 1

 

[[icon]]

Calling all gun nerds:

Not a gun dude but I'm reading "One Second After" and it convinced me I should have a shotgun in my house just in case anything every goes really south. 

Im looking at the Mossberg 590 or Remington 870 which are supposedly easily the best two options for home defense. Wouldn't mind spending a little more but I'm convinced pump is the way to go. (The Benelli Supernova seems legit as well).  Any reccomendations?

What do you guys do for keeping a shotgun locked up?  I want to do something more than just keep it on a high shelf in my closet. Wife and I are both concerned about kids or others getting their hands on it. Do they may some kind of locking back or locking case?  How do you guys store your guns?

Lastly how much ammo do I get?  If zombies I may need a lot. 

Thinking 00 buckshot and some slugs. 

TIa

I will leave the 12ga reccomendations to those more versed in 12ga weaponry than I... but I'll go ahead and throw down a highly divisive statement on top of all this: Buy a glock 26 or 19 (depending on if you want to carry or safe-keep) and get some Barnes or Hornady Critical Defense ammo. 

Holy wars have been fought pro/against the Glock platform I just suggested. But if I was ever to tell a friend to buy one pistol that I knew would do what it should do.... with minimal risk of complications: G26 or G19 are simply the best weapons in my personal opinion for what they are designed to do. 

Buy 500 rounds of ammo for the pistol and shotgun. 

Go to a range and shoot them all (over several sessions). 

Then buy 500 more rounds.

Put 100 rounds downrange per month, and replace them. Consider that the bare minimum. 

Not kidding. Learn to shoot. Practice shooting. Practice shooting again. 

And PLEASE Keep your #### locked up safe. 

 

[RokNRole]

I would choose the best one to kill a burglar or blow my head off if needed. When buying a gun I want something diverse and good for all occasions.

 

[msommer]

Buying a gun for the impending zombie apocalypse is effing nuts

 

[KCitons]

I will leave the reccomendations to those more versed in 12ga weaponry than I... but I'll go ahead and throw down a highly divisive statement on top of all this: Buy a glock 26 or 19 (depending on if you want to carry or safe-keep) and get some Barnes ammo. 

Holy wars have been fought pro/against the platform I just suggested. But if I was ever to tell a friend to buy one pistol that I knew would do what it should do.... with minimal risk of complications: G26 or G19 are simply the best weapons in my personal opinion for what they are designed to do. 

This is On top of the 12ga. 

Buy 500 rounds of ammo for each. 

Put them ALL downrange. 

Then buy 500 more

Put 100 downrange per month. Replace them. Consider that the bare minimum. 

Not kidding. Learn to shoot. Practice shooting. Practice shooting again. 

I've got a G26 Gen 4. Very versatile depending on needs. Accepts the 17 round clip with grip extender. Or I can go with the 10 round for smaller footprint. 

 

[SWC]

i used to have a ruger red lable over under 20 guage that i used for bird hunting i sold it when times got tougher and i wish every day that i did not just a dumb move but it needed to ahppen at the time i would try to get that sucker back brohans take that to the bank

 

[Borden]

I am a sucker for this conversation. It's just too fun. The "Best Weapon for the Post Apocalypse". 

The answer is definitely a 9mm Glock (handgun). It's small, common and there's lots of 9mm rounds out there. And the Glock is well known for being durable and reliable.

Next (non handgun) option, would be the 12 gauge shotgun preferably with a 3.5 chamber. The Remington 870 is the best model as it has so many parts available. The biggest draw back of the shotgun is its size and weight. Plus, the size and weight of it's shells. The other two draw backs are it's lack of range (compared to a rifle) and the variety of ammo. In our fictional situation, you likely wouldn't be able to swing by the store and pick up whatever you what. You could end up with a ton of slugs which are less forgiving to poor aim and useless for small game that you may need to hunt for food.

Long (ie hunting) rifles and ARs, would be luxury items. Despite what some media might say, trying to find an AR, likely a AR15, and more so it's ammo would be difficult. You can only carry so much ammo off the hop and if you're using it for hunting small animals, it's rounds are probably to big. A hunting rifle would be wonderful if you are in big open area but in tight areas (dense forest, buildings, etc) it won't be that helpful. 

As a side note, a .22 caliber is great for birds and small game. The rounds small so you can carry a lot of shots. And I believe it is the caliber that is the most produced in the world. It's probably too small of a round to kill someone with a single shot unless it's at point blank range. There's tons of there around too. In fact there's special compact one that they put on the ejection seat for pilots who might have to eject into wilderness.

 

[Statorama]

Another vote for getting some type of training on whatever weapon you choose.

Took a handgun class and it was outstanding.  Learned a lot about safety in addition to how to properly shoot.

 

[grateful zed]

uzi all the way.

why mess around?

 

[Mad Cow]

The problem with going with a handgun is the limited range.  In the words of a police officer friend of mine - in a firefight, the best thing my handgun is good for is the fight my way to my car to get my AR.

My collection is decreased due to selling a few items, but still worthy I would say.

A great compromise for home defense/fun is the AR15 "pistol".  Very usable indoors, light and going to be much more accurate at most distances over a handgun.

Like this with a RDS = sweet!

 

[[icon]]

The problem with going with a handgun is the limited range.  In the words of a police officer friend of mine - in a firefight, the best thing my handgun is good for is the fight my way to my car to get my AR.

My collection is decreased due to selling a few items, but still worthy I would say.

A great compromise for home defense/fun is the AR15 "pistol".  Very usable indoors, light and going to be much more accurate at most distances over a handgun.

Like this with a RDS = sweet!

Though with Otis money I'd go higher end with an EOTech optic.... but yah, AR pistols are great.    Downside is over-penetration in a home environment... but will be much more accurate/maneuverable than a 12ga. Pistol is nice for convenience... the best gun is the one within your reach when you need it.  But I agree stopping power and range are compromises. 

 

[Chaos Commish]

The problem with going with a handgun is the limited range.  In the words of a police officer friend of mine - in a firefight, the best thing my handgun is good for is the fight my way to my car to get my AR.

My collection is decreased due to selling a few items, but still worthy I would say.

A great compromise for home defense/fun is the AR15 "pistol".  Very usable indoors, light and going to be much more accurate at most distances over a handgun.

Like this with a RDS = sweet!

Tinnitus ruined the hobby for me. My collection is mostly collectible at this point. Zero AR platforms here now. But that pistol... nice. The .300 BLK is subsonic for cqb so penetration not so bad, but still needs suppression indoors. So I think I'd prefer more capacity in 9mm just to chase off the maximum number of zombies without reloading while having readily available ammo. Didn't you have a 9mm snubby?

 

[Mad Cow]

Tinnitus ruined the hobby for me. My collection is mostly collectible at this point. Zero AR platforms here now. But that pistol... nice. The .300 BLK is subsonic for cqb so penetration not so bad, but still needs suppression indoors. So I think I'd prefer more capacity in 9mm just to chase off the maximum number of zombies without reloading while having readily available ammo. Didn't you have a 9mm snubby?

I have so much.  At home, I have my AR, my AR pistol, a .40 Walther P99, a 12 ga autoloader shotgun.  My dad's M1 garand and another 1 or 2 I am forgetting?  Also have my 9mm Walther PPS for concealed carry.

At work, I keep my Beretta Storm CX4, a Beretta 92FS Stainless that shares mags with the CX4, Springfield XD Mod 2, a couple of .22 carbines and something else I might be missing.  All of that and I have sold my .308 AR10, another AR15 and a .22 semiauto.

 

[Chaos Commish]

At work, I keep my Beretta Storm CX4, 

That's the one. 9mm snubby afaic.

 

[Mad Cow]

That's the one. 9mm snubby afaic.

It is a fun gun.  A 9mm carbine like that would be fantastic for home defense as well.  Less wall penetration than a 5.56.  Almost no recoil when firing.  Kind of a wonky trigger, though.  You have to get used to it.

 

[Mad Cow]

Tell you what, too - if Trump and his boys do get around to making suppressors easier and cheaper to get, I will can up on a few of my guns, as well.

 

[Chaos Commish]

It is a fun gun.  A 9mm carbine like that would be fantastic for home defense as well.  Less wall penetration than a 5.56.  Almost no recoil when firing.  Kind of a wonky trigger, though.  You have to get used to it.

If I move to Nevada... 

I currently have 2 old collectible O/U shotties, a Mossy 930 12g w/3 barrels and two stocks, 2 old collectible 1911s and nice newer one, a Colt Detective 38 special acquired via trade, a basic Ruger 10/22 also a trade, a 7mm Savage customized for F-Class that was for sale for 4 years but no one respected the smith work, a Savage 110BA in .338lm for anti-aircraft purposes.  Handed a few down to nephews in better states, sold the rest, still have too many.

 

[Chaos Commish]

when you really hate reloading