Wanting to Purchase a Rifle

[Jimbo_79]

Ok, so I know that EBR's are forbodden in NYS thanks to FUAC but if I were looking for a decently priced rifle or shotgun what could I expect to pay? I know caliber, features, brand etc makes a difference but what should I look for if I wanted something that would be great home defense and/or target shooitng for the wife? I have a Mossberg 500A 12 Gauge and she has expressed no interest in shooting it but since I've been away for work lately I want to know what I could get for a reasonable price that she could use in case of some ahole(s) tries to help themselves to her and/or our house? Any info would be most appreciated!

Jimbo

[thughes]

I still think a shotgun would be best for someone that probably won't be training a lot but wants an easy to shoot, relatively effective home protection firearm. Take a look at a 20 gauge semi-auto in a youth model: Semi-auto so you don't have to worry about her learning to pump, short-stroking under pressure, etc, and the recoil is much lighter than a pump....youth model because they're a bit smaller and "friendlier" looking....shot gun because while you still have to aim with a SG, you don't have to be as accurate with a load of #4 buck as you would have to be with a .22 or .30 cal round and you get 20 nice size holes with every pull of the trigger (versus one hole per pull with a rifle).

[Cgrutt]

What's an EBR? LOL.

Got to narrow it down a bit bro. What is main purpose of this new addition? Mossy should handle HD. Want something to plink with a 1022 never get's old. Hunting? Too much to choose from. FUAC? Go for an AR with fixed mag and all the features. FUAC (I just like posting that whenever I can).

[Jimbo_79]

A shotgun of a smaller caliber is something I thought about as well! In your opinion is a .410 too small and would it be effective in a home defense scenario?

[Cgrutt]

Personally I would never choose a 410 for anything but squirrel hunting but that's me. Capable of HD? Sure, but there are much better options. A few pistols can shoot 410 and 45 but you "need" your permit. Why not try a 20 gauge? I've got a Winchester 1300 pump that I've never fired you are welcome to try out. Bought off the other forum a few years ago and never had opportunity to try her out.

[Meketrefe]

In close quarters there is little argument with a shotgun. The problem with the shotguns is that people with little training and under a lot of stress could use an easy to shoot and reload
autoloader much better than operating a pump shotgun. Fast accurate shots and quick reloads is all it matters, more than just raw power.
But here is the catch, if you go for shotgun autloader then you are limited by the round count, not detacheable magazines and might be slow/ hard to reload tubes, specially novice shooters
plus the fear and stress so there is a good argument here for a light carbine. Even a 30 carbine with ftx or hollow points and several 10 round magazines. Those are easier to shoot, faster to
shoot and specially so much easier and faster to reload.

But even the compliant AR (fuac is the name) continues to be the best option in terms of modularity and flexibility. So even with the funny stock is pretty handy and with super fast
reloads with some training too. We have been using those for a while now and we don't see any impact on the groups although for some folks used to the vertical grip might take a couple of sessions to get used to the new grip or even need to wrap some paracord or hockey tape to make the grip a better fit. Other than that there is no impact with the BS safe act version. Also there are alternative calibers that let you stack several rounds and with a modfied 10 round magazine will send 2 or 3 projectiles with every shot.
This will beat any shotgun in speed in any close quarters scenario. An AR with a welded/fix mag makes zero sense unless is to keep in the safe for compliance reasons or to take tacticool pictures but not to be seriously used.

I still think everyone in America should have a shotgun. Some autoloaders with 12ga #4 coyote loads are easy on novice shooters and they will amputate limbs and neutralize any threats,sometimes better than low density patterns depending where the heavy buck shot lands. In the short term it might be worth looking into something that is easier to build proficiency at operating and quick reloads. The AR in several alternative calibers is hard to beat. But again don't discard a 30 carbine or even a saiga or a mini.

I think AR because I am thinking alternative calibers that might be prefect for close quarters, specially the pistol like 9mm, 357SIG, 40cal, 10mm, etc..There are lowers that run flawlesly
wtth the same glock magazines one uses in the pistol. So yet another reason.

[harleyhutch]

The Firearms Tactical Institute recommends #1 buckshot:

“A standard 2 ¾-inch 12 gauge shotshell contains 16 pellets of #1 buck. The total combined cross sectional area of the 16 pellets is 1.13 square inches. Compared to the total combined cross sectional area of the nine pellets in a standard #00 (double-aught) buck shotshell (0.77 square inches), the # 1 buck shotshell has the capacity to produce over 30 percent more potentially effective wound trauma. In all shotshell loads, number 1 buckshot produces more potentially effective wound trauma than either #00 or #000 buck. In addition, number 1 buck is less likely to over-penetrate and exit an attacker’s body.” (Shotgun Home Defense)

However, further along in the article, they recommend 00 buckshot as another option: “Third choice is any standard or reduced recoil 2 ¾-inch #00 lead buckshot load from Winchester, Remington or Federal.”
My take on shot size is that #1 buckshot may be theoretically the best choice, but you have far more options for ammo at the 00 shot size. Double-aught lead buckshot (00) is commonly recommended and used for self-defense, and the typical self-defense loads sold as such by major ammunition manufacturers are mostly 00 buck. So, be aware of the issue of over-penetration and, as always, consider where the shot might go if you miss. And then 00 lead buckshot is probably your best choice.

[harleyhutch]

I keep my Beretta A390 with 00 Buck in one place, a NY UNSAFE AR (62gr SP) with a Burris Fast Fire III in another and a Browning High Power (Hi Shocks) in another all locked and loaded, ready to rock and roll. Don't come in uninvited nor be caught snooping around. The only thing worse than a narc is a snoop who is usually a narc, who is snooping around in an attempt to narc.

[Meketrefe]

Here is a double tap round in the 10mm that makes it a great candidate for close quarters. I prefer this much better than the 3 ball 410 just because of the hollow point in the front.
An upper in 10 mm is a brutal thing and loads like a charm from 10rd glock magzines.

http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.p...&product_id=42

[Jimbo_79]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Lots to consider here!

Probably going to have to hold off on it for a while now. Yesterday the wife took a nasty fall on an obsticle course run and after 24 hours in the hospital, CAT scan and a funky looking back brace she can't lift anything over five pounds for a while, let alone shoot anything for 2-3 months. Compression fracture in L1 by 20%. Glad she's ok more than anything! Sorry to interject some personal stuff.

[GUNSICK]

What the F that is horrible, take care of her and hope she feels better.

[LibertyOrDeath]

When the time is right I would go 20g shotty. Jimbo, hope your wife heals up quickly!

Harley- What do you think of that Burris Fast Fire III?

[Guest]

Wow! Man i wish her speediness in recovery. Sorry to hear that Jim.

[ADK2ndClub]

Its all a personal preference, when she is feeling better you should let her try out different weapons before you buy. I have my SKS all evil looking but that is for shtf type stuff, and it sits empty. I keep my 12guage pump and Winchester lever gun with a full tube. The shotgun requires less precision when aiming and the Winchester is my lightest, shortest carbine. I would like to add another lever gun in pistol caliber eventually.

[Cgrutt]

Sorry to hear about your wife Jimbo. Hope she feels better soon and recovers quickly.