Weapons for personal protection, what should I buy?

Question

I've been researching for a while and I want to purchase three weapons for personal protection.

1. Handgun - Glock 17 9mm -inexpensive and holds 17 rounds.

2. Semi-Auto Rifle - AR15 .223 round. (Not sure what model yet but I like the availability of ammo and it's ability to penetrate. ) Looked at the .223 AK models but am unsure of its reliability (I am an 80's vet...lol)

3. Bolt action Rifle or 9mm carbine (uzi style)

See example http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=352

I'm not purchasing all at once. I plan to stagger it out over 6 months. I am a former US Marine so I'm familiar with the M16 and 45 models and also some larger weaponry.

I'm still trying to decide on what third weapon I'd like to purchase. With my experience with the M16 models is after extensive use it tends to jam at critical times, but you can't beat the range and accuracy. That's why I decided on a third weapon with similar rounds as the first 9mm.

So, is the list way off?

Answer 1

Any rifle (or carbine is out for the home) like a 223 or 308 may end up in you neighbors home. Even a shotgun can be awkward, think about trying to operate one in bed for defensive use.



To me a 9mm don't pack enough punch it someone has on a heavy leather jacket or is even pumped up on meth.



My choice is the Glock G23 for around the house and even some work, other wise I carry a G35 in a leather shoulder rig made by Gould & Goodrich.

Answer 2

Bud



Your list is on the nose, but your experience with M16s are out dated.



The new ammo are great.



I use an M4 Commando with a chrome lined bull barrel. Its accurate to 400 yrds. No jams. Now a days you can mix and match commercially available uppers and lowers.



1. The Glock sounds good G17 or G19 would be great.

*** I'm a Colt guy, 1911 .45 you can also get it in 9mm



2. AR 15 is good in .223 or 9mm You should look into the New Bushmaster carbon 15





So currently compared to your list,



some of my weapons are



.45 pistol



M4 that takes in .223 and 5.56 I aslo recently got a Ciener conversion kit 22LR for plinking.



Ingram MAC M11/9 mini it shoots semi, 5 burst and full auto (this a great machine pistol)



OH yeah home protection?



I'd go with the ever dependable Shotgun. I have several. The lightest and with most ammo is the Maverick 88 by Mossberg it has an 8 round magazine.



But you know if some intruder gets in, my Mac M11 would be great too. no over penetration.





Choose well, and make every shot count...



Buy American you can't go wrong.

Answer 3

As far as personal protection goes, you don't really need range at all, infact, range will most likely get you arrested. ("I swear officer, that guy at 200 yards was threatening me") Your best choice for home defense is always going to be your pump action loaded with heavy shot. Even a near miss with a shotty is as good as a solid hit with a 9mm. There's a reason why you see swat teams using them going into houses, and that's because they are short-ranged, and brutally effective in close quarters. Unless you live in a warehouse, get a shotgun.



If you're concerned about reloading time on it (in case you have kids and want to leave it empty for their safety) I would recomment finding yourself a Saiga. It's a AK-47 variant made to accept shotgun shells, and is magazine fed. You can find them in any size, .410 -12 gauge, quick reloading, and semi-automatic.



As for a handgun, Glock 17 is an alright choice. I'm not a huge Glock fan (or any striker-fired pistol for that matter), and as someone else already stated, you can pick up a 9mm carbine from Kel-Tec that utilizes the same magazines, which is a nice bonus if you also wanted to get yourself a trunk gun. The carbine is also collapsable, which is handy if you wanted the 'uzi' style for it's compact size and storage.





I can kind of see where you're going, and if I'm guessing right, you're looking for guns that are practical for personal defense, but also enjoyable to shoot and take to the range, which is smart and economical. I'm guessing that's where the AR15 came in at, as well as the bolt-action rifle. I looked at it the same way when I started purchasing arms, so I understand. If you must have a long-arm other than a shotgun, take a look at an M1 carbine. It's shoots a .30 round which would be ideal for home defense. It's a fun range gun, short enough to use in a home, has a large magazine capacity, has a bit more *ooomphhhh* that a pistol and with the moderate-strength cartridge you won't have to worry about over-penetrating and shooting the kids next door if ever you do have to use it in your home.

Answer 4

The Glock 17 will serve you well for personal defense with good defensive ammo. Consider (for conceal-ability) the Model 19 which is a bit smaller & still holds 15+1 rounds.



If you like the 5.56 Model 15, go ahead. The Ruger Mini 14 is also a good choice. The .9mm copy of the Uzi looks good too, but I am not familiar with that make/model. Some M-15 are chambered for .9mm, so consider these. Also, Ruger make a PC-9, .9mm carbine that's pretty decent.



With your military experience consider a .308 Winchester if you still need a bolt action. Winchester or Remington will work fine.



Best.



H

Answer 5

Strange you didn't include a shotgun. That would be my first suggestion. Pump actions are reliable and intuitive to use, a big plus when someone is in your home and the adreneline pumping. Also if you live in an appartment complex or have other people in the house a shotgun has less of a chance of penetrating walls and hurting someone if you use bird shot or something.



A double action revolver would be another good choice since you brought up the reliability issue, very reliable and comes in many varieties.



When you used your M16 was it in the field or whatever (never served but I can imagin the crap that equipment can be put thru) ? I have an AR-15 and I've never had a problem just clean it and take care of it and its good to go. And if its for personal defense you really don't need the range nor the extra accuracy since your limited to under 50 yards. BUT if your already familiar with it then its a BIG plus. In the end the best gun for defense is the one YOU shoot best. And they are great guns.



The three I would suggest are a Pump Action shotgun (Remington 870), A Revolver (never owned one so can't make any suggestions), and an AK-47 (plenty of power in the 7.62 x 39, not good for shooting someone in the house if worried about hitting the baby in the next room but solves the reliability issue you brought up) You can get all three for the price of a high end AR so you can get them quicker than the 6 months with money to spare for tons of ammo.



However of the ones you mentioned, any are great except for the bolt action rifle which dosn't lend itself well to quick follow up shots and extremely overly powerfull rounds for the ranges involved, great for otherstuff like hunting and plinking tho.

Answer 6

Well... first off, when you say personal protection, do you mean home defense, concealed carry, or in case World War III breaks out? Because each one has different requirements. Anyways, here are my recommendations...



1. GLOCK 17 is a wonderful choice. Not only does it have the features you mention, they are nearly indestructable and reliable as hell. Make sure it feels good in your hand first. Also, if you plan on concealed carry, it is a rather large pistol. You might want to go for the GLOCK 19 or 26 - Just as relable, but smaller, thus easier to conceal. But... If it doesn't feel good, go for something else.



2. AR-15 in .223 is once again an excelent choice. Especially since, being a former Marine, you are used to it. As far as jamming after extensive use, I doubt you will put as many rounds thru the one you buy as the ones you used in the Marines had thru them. (Of course, I could be wrong...) As far as the .223 AK's, they are just as relable as their 7.26 X 39 counterparts. But, it won't be as accurate as a AR-15, and getting mags may be dificult, just to warn you.



3. For the third... I would suggest a quality (Remington, Mossberg, Maverick, Bennilli--take your pick)12 gauge pump action shotgun. For starters, it is the best weapon for home defense in most common scenarios. Using birshot, you don't have to worry as much about accidentally shooting thru a wall and hitting something you DON'T want to shoot, but when it hits whatever you DO want to shoot, it will hit harder than either the 9mm or .223. Not to mention when you rack that sucker, it makes a sound that just about everyone knows, a sound that says "There's a shotgun here, and it's ready to play! Do you REALLY want to stay here?" And from a legal stand point, it's much better for you if whoever breaks in runs than for you to shoot him.



Now, if you want the 9mm carbine still, instead of an UZI type, you may want to research ones like a Kel-Tec, for one big reason--if you do get the GLOCK 17 or 19, it can take the same magazines. Their SUB-2000 also come in models that take S&W 59, Beretta 92, and SIG 226 mags if you do decide on something other than the GLOCK. There are also other 9mm carbines that take pistol mags, I just can't think of any others at the moment.



Just remember, whatever you get, make sure it feels good in your hands. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I’m a Vet from the 70s and am not a M16 fan after what I’ve seen when they first came out.

I hear they have changed now, but the old style sure got a lot of good men killed!

This is what I have selected for that job.



1- 357 Magnum revolver 6 inch Ruger GP100 (more accurate then 95% of the semi autos)

It don’t matter how many round it holds I believe in a 1 shot kill not spray and pray.



2- Ruger Mini 14 I like the 223 and its ability and the Mini 14 is a copy of the proven old M14 that stood the test of time and saved lives not cost them.



3- 12 Gauge shotgun with 18 ½ barrel pump Mossberg 500.



I have others that cane be used in this line of work, but no need in listing them.

These listed will serve to keep all threats at bay.



That is my thoughts on the subject.



D58

Answer 8

I think you're a bit off, and I think your military experience is in a way clouding your judgment. Firepower and penetration ability are important considerations for military arms, but for personal protection the former is unimportant and the latter actually a detriment. You won't get a pass on collateral damage in a civilian situation, and friendly-fire casualties will probably get you jail time

A 45 ACP, especially if you qualified with the 1911 in service, will give you maximum stopping power with less risk of overpenetration, though I don't want to hit this point too hard. You have plenty of good options in your choice of cartridge to make up the difference, and the 9 is easier to shoot.

For home use, you've left out almost everybody's prime choice: the old scattergun, loaded with something like #4 shot.

The rifle or carbine will be almost useless in an urban or suburban environment, though I'd consider a deer-class rifle in a more rural setting.

I'm also an 80's vet, and I have to admit I've never bought a firearm for personal protection, but I have enough shotguns, rifles and revolvers around the house that I've never really had to worry about it. I've just developed handloads for the purpose in the weapons I have anyway.

Answer 9

Sounds like D58 is pretty much on the same wave length as me.... not sure if that's really cool, a bit scary, or he's been in my gun cabinet ;-)



Only difference to his list I would make is the pistol. Personally, I prefer the 1911and is my primary carry.



While I own a few more guns than his list, my bare bones would be: 1911, mini 14 (rather than the AR 15 for no other reason because I happen to like the wood and overall balance of the rifle), Mossberg 500, and, if I REALLY had to choose, either my Springfield XD9 or my Savage 111 in 30/06.



As to your list..... I'd change the Glock to the Springfield, try and find a range that rents them, squeeze that trigger once and you'll be hooked! The accuracy is ASTOUNDING. As to the high cap magazines, I have the Tactical model (5" barrel)and that holds 16.

Answer 10

I do like your choice in weaponry. Are you looking to protect your home, are you looking for a weapon to carry in bear country or are you looking for something in a concealed or unconsealed weapon on the streets?



Based on what I am seeing, I'm guessing you are looking for home protection.



Personally, I think your best bet for your primary weapon would be a 12 ga. shotgun. Anything that happens in your home will be close quarters. If you were a Marine, I am sure you are proficient with weapons, but a shotgun will allow you a little fudge factor when the adreniline is pumping and you are excited. Besides that, there are less overpenetration worries with shot than there is with a bullet.



I like Glock handguns personally. I prefer a larger caliber myself, but there is nothing wrong with a 9. The recoil is light and easy to recover from, ammo is cheap, and ammo is widely available.



Given your interests, I'd suggest:



1. The shotgun

2. The Glock

3. The AR or variant (223)

4. I'd opt for a bolt action over a 9mm carbine (you would already have the 9mm handgun and a 223 semi-auto)



I always dream about getting more weapons for home defense. Personally, I was going to use that excuse to buy a Thompson 45 semi-auto rifle. However, I used that excuse to buy an AK-47 and I already have more weapons than I need.



My primary defense is a 90 pound pit bull/black lab mix who is nice in the yard and great with kids, but doesn't take sh*t from any stranger in the house.



After that, it is a Remington 870 12 ga. with 5 rounds of 00 buckshot and 5 rounds of sabot slugs (I only have a rifled barrel for it).



After that, ideally my next choice is a Puma M92 lever action in a 454 Casull. I love the way the rifle feels. It fits like a glove and handles like a dream. However, I would just grab whatever rifle I have handy. I used to have an M1 Carbine loaded for defense purposes. The CMP is selling a bunch of them. The M1 Carbine isn't exactly a powerhouse, but it is light and pretty reliable with good quality ammo.



Good Luck! Be safe!

Answer 11

First off, I would definitely agree with your choice for a Glock. I own a Glock 22, and I love it. It is an amazing handgun, and I have never had a single problem with it. It is easy to disassemble and clean, reliable, accurate, and relatively inexpensive, especially since they offer a great military discount (I'm active-duty Army). I would recommend this weapon to anyone for personal protection, because you can pick it up and it will go bang everytime. The Glock 17 would be a fine weapon, or if you wanted a little more stopping power, I'd recommend a Glock 22 or 23 in .40, or a Glock 21 in .45. Also, the Springfield-Armory XD series is another good alternative. I have an XD40 Tactical, and it has served me very well.



As for the rifle, an AR15 would be a good way to go. I'd go with an M4, though, because they're lighter and more compact. Rock River Arms have some exceptional rifles, as well as Bushmaster, and you can find them in the $800-$900 range, depending on what kind of options you're looking for. Although they don't have the same kind of range as the ARs, another good alternative would be a carbine in a pistol caliber. A Ruger PC4 in .40 is a good choice, or even a Hi-point 9mm carbine, which can be had for under $200. The Beretta CX4 Storm seems interesting as well, but I don't have any personal experience with it. Also, if you can find one in good condition, I'm a huge fan of the M1 Carbine (I'll finally be getting one in a few weeks!). In the end, it depends on what you're looking for. In my opinion, the M4 is probably the best all-around rifle, as it has pretty decent range, is light-weight, accurate, easy to disassemble, reliable (as long as you take care of it), and uses pretty inexpensive ammunition. That being said, if you don't care about the range, one of those carbines listed above may suit your purpose just as well, for much less.



Ok, everyone needs a bolt-action rifle. All kinds of different calibers available for this one, ranging from the likes of the 30-06 to a .22. I'm a big fan of the 30-06, myself, but after firing more than 10 to 20 rounds, it tends to leave your arm kind of sore. Lots of smaller calibers out there will do the job just fine. For the money, Remington and Savage make some fine rifles. Also, there are a lot of great military-surplus rifles available that are accurate and very cheap. A Swiss K31 is a very accurate rifle, and you can find one in the $150 to $200 range. With mil-surplus rifles, just be careful of the bores, because if the rifling is gone, you won't be able to hit anything more than 10 feet out. Mosin-Nagants are pretty good rifles, too, and you can find an M44 or M38 for under $100. Now, as for the uzi carbine you mentioned, I would say that most of the carbines I mentioned above would be a better alternative. All of the carbines above can be found in 9mm, 40., or .45. I also noticed you didn't mention any shotguns; a 12-gauge is another choice for home-defense. The sound of the pump-action alone is enough to scare away most intruders. The Mossberg 500/590 series, Remington 870, and Winchester 1300s are all great shotguns and pretty reasonably-priced. This is just my own 2 cents on the subject. I apologize; I rambled a bit more than intended.

Answer 12

Bound's hubby here:



Well, I have a few suggestions, if you don't mind.



Handgun: Personally, I would lean toward the M1911 in .45, but you can get it in 9mm if you want. With the Glock, there is little you can do to fit the frame to your hand like you can a M1911. Also, any M1911 you buy will be more accurate and reliable than the issue M1911s you had in the Corps.



Rifle: Well, I can appreciate your looking at an AR. I shoot one competitively (a Colt Match Target) and I have yet to have a jam in competition. I usually clean my rifle every 100 to 120 rounds, reflecting a full match.



Long-arm #2: I would suggest either a Remington 870 Wingmaster or Marlin 1894 in either .38/.357 or .44.



With the Remington 870 Wingmaster get a second (deer) barrel in 12ga. Close-in in your home, #4 or OO Buck can't be beat! You have hunting versatility and defensive capability!



With the Marlin, you have 8 to 10 rounds of handgun ammo firepower at your disposal. True, a reload would be slow, but you would have reliability on your side.



I would not recommend a bolt gun unless you have a large perimeter [KZ} to spot your "invading" intruder. If this were the case, I would suggest either a Remington 700 VLS or SPS Varmint in either .223 or .308.



Good luck!

Answer 13

well i would say the Springfield 45 XD is better than a glock i like the way it fits my hand it hold 14 rounds of 45 more stopping power i only have a Colt 45 1911 i have carried it for years the ar 15 is a good gun i would not get the Uzi unless you got it full automatic (class 3) i have a Sten MK 2 sub machine gun (class 3 )i like it better than the Uzi i think its easier to shoot because of the shoulder stock and i just like WW2 guns more the only bolt action gun i have is a Barrett model 99 50.cal BMG is real big and a pain in the *** carrying when i go hunting but real fun to shoot i use mostly incendiary rounds i like to use my M1 Garand to 30-06 semi auto i would love to get a Tommy gun and i love the MG 42 , M2 50.

Answer 14

I love the AR-15, I give mine a pat every night as I go to sleep. Those that say a 223 over penetrates should recheck their facts. A 55 grain 223 FMJ bullet will go sideways at the first layer of sheet rock. or within 4 inches of penetration. In fact a 115 grain 9 mil FMJ will penetrate 9 sets of sheet rock (18 sheets!) to the 223s 4 sets



Glock is a proven platform, very reliable. If you comfortable with the glock trigger and safety then go for it. I prefer a 40 S&W to the 9, but I wouldn't want to be shot with either. My own choice was a Star Ultrastar 40 S&W.



If your looking for a bolt action my choice was a Remington 700 VSF in 308 topped with a Hourus Vision, Eagle 1000. I'm still learning to get the most out of that one.



If its a shotgun your looking for to round out the trio I can highly recomend the Remington 870, exelent reliability, good price, interchangable barrel and lots of aftermarket part to customise for your needs. You'll need to practice to make sure you won't short stroke it at the wrong time.

Answer 15

1. The G17 is a nice choice. Someone else suggested 45ACP, also wise.



2. Semi-auto rifle- nothing fancy needed, maybe an SKS, reliable, accurate, and cheap.



3. Bolt action is for hunting, unless you are talking .50 caliber.

That would be good against some heavily armored threat.



Get a backup small caliber lightweight handgun that will fit anywhere like on your ankle, like a .22 or .25 caliber semi-auto. Maybe even a sub-compact 9mm.



4. You definitely want a 12 guage shotgun. Semi-auto gas or pump.

Answer 16

The Glock is a good idea all on it's own. I shoot a 1911, but the Glock is even more hassle-free than my 1911. Ar-15s are fun (I use to have one), but for self-defense? Get a Mossberg 500 20 or 12 gauge instead (Both 20 and 12 have buckshot shells). I don't know about a carbine. With a Glock and a riot shotgun I think you have your bases covered!

Answer 17

My first question is ...do you live in a war zone? I guess the question is what kind of personal defense? The best personal defense firearm is the one that you feel most comfortable with. personnaly I own many firearms but the one that I keep by my bed is an old winchester mdl 37 .410 shotgun its easy to use in the dark, in a hurry and under pressure. It also will not shoot through the walls and hurt any of my family. Another good one is a .38 revolver its as easy as squeezing the trigger and no worry about jams.

Answer 18

I would suggest a good .357 revolver like a S&W 686 with a 4'' barrel. Rifle a Ruger mini 14 .223 and finally a good 12ga. pump 20''barrel with an extended tube 8 shot. This gives you more versitility and power protection with out making you look like rambo so you draw less attention

Answer 19

How do you protect your person with a battle rifle?

For personal protection I recommend a handgun of your choice. Go with a reputable company. I have a Ruger SP101, .357 magnum. I load it with .38 special hollow points so my wife won't be afraid to use it if she has to. When I know I'll be the one using it (camping for example) I load it with Winchester Silver tips in .357 magnum or something similar.

For home protection I like a 12 guage shotgun. Pump action is my choice. I have a Remington 870. Short barrel and 7 round tube magazine. I stagger load it with 00 buck , and 1 ounce slugs.

Answer 20

remington 870 12 gauge that is the first thing i would recommend. i have a ar15 one piece of advice don't get the full stock get the retractable ones. the full size one is really to bulky for a house. if you are looking for a good handgun with a huge amount of capacity then get the FN five seven holds 20 in mag and the round is awesome.

Answer 21

Son



Please believe when I tell you that you that unless you are defending your self against a platoon of invaders, you do not need all that firepower. Under the law, there are no free fire zones in America. The bottom line is that intruders must be in or near your house before you are in a reasonable sense of apprehension for your safety or the safety of others and you may defend yourself or others. Without that, you are guilty of a homicide. This is very general but I want you to understand that you cannot use your weapons indiscriminately and if you do, you will go to jail.

My recommendation, which is not legal advice, is to train with a shotgun with buck shot loads or a 40 cal. pistol. They will not go through a house but they have enough knockdown power to prevent almost any one who is hit, from returning fire to you.

Answer 22

The Glock is the best of these guns. A .223 or any semi-auto rifle is a terrible self-defense weapon unless you live on a large piece of land with no neighbors and few people in the house. You risk over penetration and the bullet will go through the target, penetrate a wall, and hit someone.



The 9mm is the best of these guns. I have the Glock Model 23, which is a .40 caliber and I love it. You can buy a .357 Sig barrel for $100 and just drop it in. No need to change mags or springs or anything and you are shooting .357 sig too.



A bolt action is not a good defense weapon either as you have to load for each shot.



The best suggestion is a pump shotgun. It allows for the best pattern and ensures a hit.

Answer 23

Scrub all of those possibilities and get yourself a pump-action 12 gauge shotgun. An attacker is going to be up close and personal and so you're going to want a weapon that will deliver maximum force to eliminate the threat.

Answer 24

Your list is way off,Rick.An AR-15 is not efficient for home defense/self protection.The bullet penetration alone would make it a danger to those in the next room you may be trying to protect.A bolt action won't allow a quick enough follow-uo shot,should you need one.Your choice in handguns is a good one,I own a Glock 23.It is a .40 cal and offers a little more power than the 9mm.I'd also recommend a 12 ga.shotgun.They are high on firepower and would stop your intruder in his tracks.I have a Mossberg.Good Luck.

Answer 25

Uhhhh.......

Why do you need range for personal protection? That is a little scary. And, why do you need penetration for personal protection?



Home protection: pump action shotgun (remington 870) keep the chamber empty and mag loaded. When you are ready rack the pump and if the guy isn't running from that sound you did all you can do to avoid a bad situation.



personal protection: Glock is fine make sure you have a ccw

Answer 26

Check out the FN Herstal 5.7x28 mm system under the "small arms" section. The tactical rifle and handgun share the same ammo.



This is what I would have as far as handguns are concerned. Two guys at work have bought them and they are a fine piece of hardware.



Five-seveN® pistols - low recoil and almost no muzzle jump, and a 20 round mag. capacity.



I love the website... they have some impressive hardware on there. For "real home protection" check out the "Integrated Weapon Systems" section under "Land Weapon Systems" then ARROWS... now that's total home protection there.



Good Luck

Answer 27

If you live in any large American city you do live in a war zone,all the thugs seem to have military type rifles so the logical thing is to stay up or ahead of them.

Answer 28

+1 for 12g shotgun.



For the recoil-terrified .22 lr or wmr have been recommended before.....



Better perhaps a 9mm of some sort.



.410 with slugs anyone?



Never considered this subject before, but heard it discussed always.

Answer 29

Use a large caliber revolver, and a pump shotgun, not autos.

Answer 30

Its a good list. You might want to consider a shotgun as well.

Answer 31

I can't help you much.I have a 357 magnum. (and yes, I have a concealed carry permit)

Answer 32

Id add a 12ga. shotgun to that list.

Answer 33

a cup

Answer 34

no joke, but i have a screw driver in my car