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Why you “need” and AR15 (or want) for self/home defense

blackjack50

blackjack50

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So rather than discussing the reason why we don’t need a reason to own an AR15, let’s address the reason why an AR15 is an appropriate choice as a self defense weapon regardless of what uncle joe says about shotguns. And I will address these in a numerical fashion so anyone brave enough to discuss can reference them easily.

1) Training: If you want people to have more training on a weapon...this is the long gun of choice. Military and police both have extensive experience. And then rifle shooting in general. Shotguns are not as easy to find training in terms of home defense. You can go shoot clays all day, but birdshot and buck do not have the same dynamics. So you should probably want people to purchase this particular firearm for home defense based purely on training.

2) Round/Shot: 12 gauge buckshot has a major flaw for home defense. If you fire 1 time with buck you will be putting 9-12 lead balls about the size of 1 rifle round in the air. And the penetration factor is much worse. The .223/5.56 will tend to lose energy much faster. And if you decide to use a shotgun slug you are using a .72 inch lead slug it will also penetrate more.

3) Recoil - reduced recoil compared to the shotgun will allow someone to fire a more accurate follow up shot.

4) Not everyone is a shotgun shooter. This goes with training but I feel should be separate a little. Just like some people are natural punchers and others grapplers...some people just “get it” when shooting a rifle or a shotgun. And for a defensive weapon there is no sense in trying to change your instinctual shooting to match something that you perceive as better...when in reality something else is a much better choice for you. That is the reason I will not be using an AR15 as a home defense weapon. I’m absolute dog **** with a rifle. But I can shoot a shotgun like pointing my finger.

So. Feel free to discuss or attempt to counter.
 
I’m just more comfortable with it than any other civilian approved long gun.
 
blackjack50 said:
So rather than discussing the reason why we don’t need a reason to own an AR15, let’s address the reason why an AR15 is an appropriate choice as a self defense weapon regardless of what uncle joe says about shotguns. And I will address these in a numerical fashion so anyone brave enough to discuss can reference them easily.

1) Training: If you want people to have more training on a weapon...this is the long gun of choice. Military and police both have extensive experience. And then rifle shooting in general. Shotguns are not as easy to find training in terms of home defense. You can go shoot clays all day, but birdshot and buck do not have the same dynamics. So you should probably want people to purchase this particular firearm for home defense based purely on training.

2) Round/Shot: 12 gauge buckshot has a major flaw for home defense. If you fire 1 time with buck you will be putting 9-12 lead balls about the size of 1 rifle round in the air. And the penetration factor is much worse. The .223/5.56 will tend to lose energy much faster. And if you decide to use a shotgun slug you are using a .72 inch lead slug it will also penetrate more.

3) Recoil - reduced recoil compared to the shotgun will allow someone to fire a more accurate follow up shot.

4) Not everyone is a shotgun shooter. This goes with training but I feel should be separate a little. Just like some people are natural punchers and others grapplers...some people just “get it” when shooting a rifle or a shotgun. And for a defensive weapon there is no sense in trying to change your instinctual shooting to match something that you perceive as better...when in reality something else is a much better choice for you. That is the reason I will not be using an AR15 as a home defense weapon. I’m absolute dog **** with a rifle. But I can shoot a shotgun like pointing my finger.

So. Feel free to discuss or attempt to counter.
Click to expand...
Won't counter at all. Shotgun? Good choice.Years ago I used a 12ga 3+1 with #4 and #7 staggered. At the range I would have shot, #7 would have in my opinion would have gutted a person. But lost my shotgun (probably one of those guns laying in the streets)and went with an AK but that made me a little nervous since I didn't want to shoot through the walls of our house and the one next door. So 9mm carbine works but I would like another shotgun.
 
Hard to beat and M10 riot gun, and Ithica 37 in military dress with an 8 shot tube. My first choice.

The AR is ok, but requires marksmanship with one lonely bullet to steer. The choice if the threat is outside the home, and at some distance, Or an automobile...hand guns are only to get me to a real gun if SHTF..
 
I need an AR-15 because they aren't producing the AR-16 (yet.)
 
How about: What are the home invaders breaking into my home carrying?

And then: am I not entitled to at least being equally protected?
 
blackjack50 said:
So rather than discussing the reason why we don’t need a reason to own an AR15, let’s address the reason why an AR15 is an appropriate choice as a self defense weapon regardless of what uncle joe says about shotguns. And I will address these in a numerical fashion so anyone brave enough to discuss can reference them easily.

1) Training: If you want people to have more training on a weapon...this is the long gun of choice. Military and police both have extensive experience. And then rifle shooting in general. Shotguns are not as easy to find training in terms of home defense. You can go shoot clays all day, but birdshot and buck do not have the same dynamics. So you should probably want people to purchase this particular firearm for home defense based purely on training.

2) Round/Shot: 12 gauge buckshot has a major flaw for home defense. If you fire 1 time with buck you will be putting 9-12 lead balls about the size of 1 rifle round in the air. And the penetration factor is much worse. The .223/5.56 will tend to lose energy much faster. And if you decide to use a shotgun slug you are using a .72 inch lead slug it will also penetrate more.

3) Recoil - reduced recoil compared to the shotgun will allow someone to fire a more accurate follow up shot.

4) Not everyone is a shotgun shooter. This goes with training but I feel should be separate a little. Just like some people are natural punchers and others grapplers...some people just “get it” when shooting a rifle or a shotgun. And for a defensive weapon there is no sense in trying to change your instinctual shooting to match something that you perceive as better...when in reality something else is a much better choice for you. That is the reason I will not be using an AR15 as a home defense weapon. I’m absolute dog **** with a rifle. But I can shoot a shotgun like pointing my finger.

So. Feel free to discuss or attempt to counter.
Click to expand...

I don't get how a rifle is a defense weapon. You're talking indoors, right? Not repelling an assault on your castle? If you have to defend yourself indoors maybe an AR is a better choice than a more conventional rifle, but I bet there's several better options than a rifle. I mean, isn't this like deciding which highway motorcycle is best off-road?
Admittedly, I know diddly-squat about AR-type rifles. To me, they're just a sexy-looking fashion statement. If you met me or one of my friends in the bush with one, we might not point and laugh but you'd definitely get grinned at!
 
Blkdirt Farmer said:
Hard to beat and M10 riot gun, and Ithica 37 in military dress with an 8 shot tube. My first choice.

The AR is ok, but requires marksmanship with one lonely bullet to steer. The choice if the threat is outside the home, and at some distance, Or an automobile...hand guns are only to get me to a real gun if SHTF..
Click to expand...

I love my Ithica .12 pump. Just the sound of throwing that shell up in the chamber will stop just about anyone in their tracks. Love that sound.
 
I used to want a .410 saw-off double barrel pistol for close-in defense. For years I used my Blackhawk in 357 with safety rounds so I didn't kill any neighbors. I am very rural now and don't worry about neighbors. Now I have a Judge with #4 .410 rounds backed up with a couple of 45 longs. I feel really comfy with this. I doubt you make it past the perimeter alarms and dogs, but if you do....I'm waiting.
 
Not only home defense but the AR-15 is great for small-medium size game. The AR-15 or similar rifle is the perfect rifle for pack animals like Wild Hogs or Coyotes.
 
blackjack50 said:
So rather than discussing the reason why we don’t need a reason to own an AR15, let’s address the reason why an AR15 is an appropriate choice as a self defense weapon regardless of what uncle joe says about shotguns. And I will address these in a numerical fashion so anyone brave enough to discuss can reference them easily.

1) Training: If you want people to have more training on a weapon...this is the long gun of choice. Military and police both have extensive experience. And then rifle shooting in general. Shotguns are not as easy to find training in terms of home defense. You can go shoot clays all day, but birdshot and buck do not have the same dynamics. So you should probably want people to purchase this particular firearm for home defense based purely on training.

2) Round/Shot: 12 gauge buckshot has a major flaw for home defense. If you fire 1 time with buck you will be putting 9-12 lead balls about the size of 1 rifle round in the air. And the penetration factor is much worse. The .223/5.56 will tend to lose energy much faster. And if you decide to use a shotgun slug you are using a .72 inch lead slug it will also penetrate more.

3) Recoil - reduced recoil compared to the shotgun will allow someone to fire a more accurate follow up shot.

4) Not everyone is a shotgun shooter. This goes with training but I feel should be separate a little. Just like some people are natural punchers and others grapplers...some people just “get it” when shooting a rifle or a shotgun. And for a defensive weapon there is no sense in trying to change your instinctual shooting to match something that you perceive as better...when in reality something else is a much better choice for you. That is the reason I will not be using an AR15 as a home defense weapon. I’m absolute dog **** with a rifle. But I can shoot a shotgun like pointing my finger.

So. Feel free to discuss or attempt to counter.
Click to expand...

My wife can handle an AR far better than a shotgun. Recoil is far easier and less punishing for those not familiar with shotguns. Personally, it is a toss up between my AR9 or my Mossberg 930. As far as wall penetration, any round shotgun/rifle or pistol capable of stopping a bad guy is capable of going through walls so you still have to be sure of what you are aiming at and actually aim. In addition, a shotgun will only fill a pattern the area between two buttons on a dress shirt at home defense range so aiming is essential.
 
trblmkr said:
Swing that thing in your 36" hallway while shouldered.
Click to expand...

If you need to “swing that thing” in a hallway, you’ve done it wrong....
 
trblmkr said:
Swing that thing in your 36" hallway while shouldered.
Click to expand...

You mean my AR pistol with a 10.5 inch barrel and Shockblade stabilizer? Works a treat. Just built it and was checking that very issue out. In my house, though, they'll only be coming from one direction.
 
Nap said:
Not only home defense but the AR-15 is great for small-medium size game. The AR-15 or similar rifle is the perfect rifle for pack animals like Wild Hogs or Coyotes.
Click to expand...

Don't forget Deer sized game with fast twist rifling and heavy hunting bullets. Lots of deer taken with the .223..
 
Rucker61 said:
You mean my AR pistol with a 10.5 inch barrel and Shockblade stabilizer? Works a treat. Just built it and was checking that very issue out. In my house, though, they'll only be coming from one direction.
Click to expand...

Come on dude. You are building custom arms. What does that have to do with a guy going to the pawn shop and buying an AR? And my argument works for all long guns. You know where I learned it? I'm a bubblehead. Submarines used Thompson's for repel boarders up until the 70's. Now that is a home defense weapon.
 
Tankers swore by the Reising M55 folding stock sub guns, till the M3 grease guns came out....

those would do in a pinch.... :mrgreen:
 
Having a gun in your home increases your family's risk of being shot.
 
Blkdirt Farmer said:
Don't forget Deer sized game with fast twist rifling and heavy hunting bullets. Lots of deer taken with the .223..
Click to expand...

I would personally prefer an AR-10 for wild hogs and deer. The .223 round is a little weak in my opinion. I know it is likely a mental thing and that shot placement is more important but it makes me feel if I am off a little it gives me a better chance. I typically use a semi-automatic 30-06 when hunting deer (I'm not much of a hunter so it is quite rare that I go)
 
trblmkr said:
Come on dude. You are building custom arms. What does that have to do with a guy going to the pawn shop and buying an AR? And my argument works for all long guns. You know where I learned it? I'm a bubblehead. Submarines used Thompson's for repel boarders up until the 70's. Now that is a home defense weapon.
Click to expand...

You can buy the upper and the lower all day long from companies like Palmetto State Armory and Primary Arms for about the same price as an off the shelf AR from your local gun shop. "Assembly" consists of just putting the two halves together.

Your defense plan should include channeling the enemy. If you're chasing an intruder around your house, you're doing it wrong.
 
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