Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Recommendations for home protection-Novice user

Just talking about yourself?

Again.

I never could understand why people want to buy firearms to protect themselves (at home or out in the world), but DO NOT want to take the time to become proficient with the firearm. It's like buying a car, and saying you don't want to learn to drive. INFURIATING to someone that works behind the counter at a gun shop.

While I keep a handgun at home for personal defense (I also shoot about 400 rds a week), I find "non-gun" people generally buy shotguns for home defense. That said, a loaded, unlocked shotgun is dangerous to leave around (children, grandchildren, etc), and a unloaded shotgun is useless at 2am, and most newbies would NOT be able to quickly load after just after waking up, under pressure (home invasion). For that reason, i've become a big fan of rapid safes, for safe, loaded shotgun storage, especially for those that don't take the time to become proficient with their weapon. YMMV. -TomT

Rapid safe (shotgun version):

https://www.hornadysecurity.com/rapid-safes/shotgun-wall-lock#!/

My point is,...rifles are vastly superior to handguns for any type of defense. Semi auto rifles are even better if they're reliable.

Of course, you know that,...but you just can't resist attempting to bait me into a discussion where you can launch into one of your nightly displays of chuckleheadery.

My point is,...rifles are vastly superior to handguns for any type of defense. Semi auto rifles are even better if they're reliable.

Of course, you know that,...but you just can't resist attempting to bait me into a discussion where you can launch into one of your nightly displays of chuckleheadery.

Keep in mind the key limiting factor: novice.

noun
noun: novice; plural noun: novices
a person new to or inexperienced in a field or situation.




P

deflave, I guess YMMV is a new term to you?

ALSO, I'm talking about neophytes, and i'm thinking you HAD firearms training. Hell, I shot a field dressed my first deer at 7, most people that I deal with on the day to day are NOT gun people.

I've only "blood trailed" two people. Neither one was a burglar.

What that has to do with a novice's choice in weaponry escapes me.

I don't know anyone that I can think of who doesn't own a gun. I have been asked by people from work. I always recommend a pump shotgun or metal frame 9mm pistol.

I don't think those are the best choices, but they're the best most would actually buy. Better than a Glock at least. I always tell people Glocks are why cops can't hit anything and to not buy one unless they are willing to practice a lot.

Heck,I think a good dog is as important as anything..Takes the element of surprise away...Then you have time to get the fire power needed...lol

In the last month I have had three different relatives contact me asking about what to buy for home protection.
All three are couples who have never owned a firearm previously, and never felt the need.

Seems the Wuhan virus has made people very uneasy, and those that werent affected by that have become uneasy with the recent riots.

Two of them purchased prior to talking to me, making my advice kind of moot. The third I will talk to later today.

Both selected 9mm pistols, one a Glock and one a S&W. Probably whatever the salesman recommended.

My advice would have been a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 but in talking to both they wanted something smaller.

(Probably interesting psychology- they want something to make them feel safer, but a shotgun seems to feel like they are over reacting. They almost seem embarrassed they are arming themselves.)

I talked about the importance of the right ammuntion, but both had already gotten FMJ 9mm loads, probably the only ammo the store had in stock.

I also talked with both about the importance of learning how to safely load and shoot whatever they get, but I think in both cases the guns they bought will be rarely handled or shot, that is the reality.

Wondering if many others here have gotten similar recent calls?

Also wondering what people here would recomend to someone in similar circumstances.

[bleep] it TRH don't be recommending good guns to people who reaLLY DON'T WANT A GUN IN THE FIRST PLACE. Tell the to buy Rossi's or Tauruses, no point wasting good Smith's on closet gunowners now. MB