Why use a rifle for home defense?

[blissinanarchy1]

Actually read what I got to say. I can almost guarantee one person will see the question and think it has to do with “take away AR15s” or something.

So the most common rifle would probably be an AR platform, chambered in either 5.56 NATO or.223 Remington. They’re pretty weak ass rounds, but definitely enough to kill you. These weapons were made to be used at a decent distance. When used at the intended distance, the rounds will most likely stay inside the target once hitting bone, soft tissue, etc, not always though. The advantage to this is the kinetic force stays in the target and can knock them down. Disadvantage is that it’s pretty easily overcome with common AR plates.

Now, for home defense, ARs are just ridiculous. 5.56 will not only penetrate but keep going, and the risk of collateral damage is very high. It can be personal property, or it can be another person hit. With the bullet going through the person and still traveling, the knock down power isn’t there. With that adrenaline going, unless you get hit in the head, heart, or spine, you aren’t dropping instantly like in the movies. They’ll still die, but in the mean time, are still an active threat.

This is why hollows were made, and why a lot of cops use them. The bullet stops in your body, it expands, it keeps the kinetic force in you, and knocks you on your ass. Not only that, it reduces collateral damage risk. Only bullets that are missed are going to cause it. But it’s a fucking shoot out, it’s by nature not safe.

My personal ideal pistol would something like an MPX, chambered in 10mm. I’m not sure if the MPX comes in that chamber. I would want a extended magazine, possibly a Beta C, but those jam so I’m iffy about it. Hollow points are a must for me.

[AaronKrieger]

You use a rifle when you are fully aware of an invasion and are able to get to it in time. A rifle is going to do better than a handgun in about every capability generally speaking. However, people often use pistols instead for ease of access and concealment. You will not always know a home invasion is happening while in bed (most people store their rifles in a safe inside their bedroom).

At the end of the day, it's what you are most comfortable and effective with shooting, which is different for everyone. Some people prefer a rifle and others a handgun in this scenario.

[blissinanarchy1]

Ah, but touch on why it’s all the way better

[AaronKrieger]

Usually rifles more accurate and easier to handle while also carrying more rounds than your average handgun magazine. However, I might be remembering this wrong, but I'm pretty sure some states have different legal capacities for magazines. That would impact my last point depending on the state

[HighValue]

Rifles are better for outside longer distances, defending against our own corrupt government if need be, terrorists, hunting, etc. , but are not practical for close quarters indoor defense.

Hollow points do perform better with longer barrels though. If a barrel is too short the hollow point bullet often won't expand at all, or very little.

Due to manueverability, handguns are more practical for close quarters home defense and will shoot accurately farther than the maximum distance across someone's entire property in most city home lots.

Shot placement/accuracy matters more than the caliber of the firearm in most cases when it comes to putting something/someone down quickly.

Also, ammo effectiveness/quality matters and can make a significant difference. Try out Liberty Civil Defense handgun ammo. You can get 9mm or.40 caliber rounds with comparable velocity to a 5.56 in a handgun with that.

[MysticDevice]

You seem like you actually know what you're talking about.

I agree that a 5.56 is problematic due to possible over penatration. In the city and suburbs that's a problem. In the boonies maybe not so much. Not when your neighbor is 4 miles away. Overpenning also wouldn't impart the round's kinetic energy into an intruder.

I don't like a shotgun either. Can't control the spread. A pistol really is the best bet. But against the wildlife in my state, a pistol would just piss them off. A rifle is nessecary.

All that beimg said, you have to use what you have. Guns are not cheap. People choose ARs cause they're relatively cheaper by comparrison and can fill multiple needs at once while being modulated for the individual's body and size.

Home defense is a complicated and tricky scenario to figure out. Doesn't help that the law favors criminals these days.

[Pterodon]

You’ve made good points. My personal defense rifle is my Springfield M1A Scout in.308. Think a Kyle Rittenhouse situation. He used an AR. Not me. My sidearm is a Springfield 1911 .45ACP. I’m old school. I carry what I know works and what I trained on when I was in the Navy. Yes the Navy still uses and trains on the M14. As far as ammo for my rifle I use the Federal varmit/predator 130gr hollow point rounds. My Scout loves them and in my tests at 100 yards it only penetrates two one gallon jugs of water but they totally explode. No over penetration here. I would use my scout from point blank up to 300 yards. If I’m aroused in my sleep I have my 1911

[Pterodon]

Big bullets make big holes

[blissinanarchy1]

I like the 1911, as long as it isn’t by Kimber. How much bigger is the exit then the entry on the.308

[Pterodon]

Kimber on 1911 forums have polarizing reviews. When they first came out everybody embraced them because they came from a well respected rifle manufacturer. However over time things have come to light. As far as the.308 with the ammo I use it will blow your entire chest out of your body

[blissinanarchy1]

And… you’re sure over penetration isn’t an issue?

[Pterodon]

Not in my testing with the ammo I specified. Humans don’t require FMJ or hunting rounds. We’re very lightly built. Varmit bullets are all we need. Varmit bullets explode on impact

[Pterodon]

So with that in mind would you rather have a.223 varmit bullet or a.308 varmit bullet. Bigger bullets make bigger holes

[blissinanarchy1]

Makes sense. Stopping power is my primary concern, what can incapacitate you the fastest. So, bigger whole most likely

[Pterodon]

That was the whole point of the 1911. It came about from the poor performance of the 38 revolvers during the Mexican American war.

[BCA6010]

I don't disagree with your rationale, however, since you're talking about the "pistol" version of the MPX, and making this in the context of close quarters inside a house or apartment, then the benefits of larger pistol caliber carbines and such goes out the window; their main benefit is to push the effectiveness of pistol calibers out from 40-50 meters to about 100 meters. A full-size pistol such as the Glock 19, HK VP or P30, or SIG P229 would be better.

[blissinanarchy1]

Yeah, definitely true. Was thinking more along the lines if they run out the house still shooting

[MementoMori777]

And AR15 you don't just have a higher caliber, you have better control and it has more rounds in the magazine, let's not forget most home invasions have more than one suspect because someone breaking in alone is less common, I do agree that what I have on my pfp is completely unecessary and that's not showing the green tips 😂

[blissinanarchy1]

Higher caliber, more penetration. More penetration means it can cause collateral damage. Some pistols can be just as controllable. Moving in close quarters with a shorter weapon is always better. And you can use magazines with extended capacity. 33 round mags, 50 round mags, 100 round mags, etc.

[MementoMori777]

Extended magazines jam, not to mention most intruders have high caliber firearms as well, mostly when it comes to defending a business, with an AR you are ready to defend against many calibers, I live in an apartment so the only entrance is the doors or a window, the bullet can go through the door and it will hit a 8 inch thick cement wall, I think I'm good

[blissinanarchy1]

There a statistic that says what kind of weapons are used?

[MementoMori777]

No but I know the dangers of my city, I recommend you do the same

[blissinanarchy1]

I’m from Kensington in Philly. I’m well aware of crime and danger.

[MementoMori777]

I'm from Miami, they kill each other for sandwiches here 😂

[exitseven]

I have a S&W Model 66. 4 inch barrel and a Remington pump shotgun. I bought the six shooter because I thought an automatic would been too complicated. A shotgun could do some serious damage to a group of people. I took a tactical shotgun course last summer.

[blissinanarchy1]

The racking sound of a shotgun got the whole psychological part too. Sounds scary af

[exitseven]

yes, i think they spent a lot of money to make it so it had just the right sound.

[Anonymous]

Because during a home invasion a 5.56mm will put an intruder down. If shor with a 9mm round an intruder can still keep going or return fire.

Few years ago I shot an intruder with my security six revolver in 9mm. It took 3 shots to the body to stop him.

[Fireguy17]

it is too long for close up.
Generally, you are about 25 to 12 feet away, any further and they are not a threat unless they have a weapon of some sort.

[FunkyMonkee]

Because eggs don't work that well and are now INSANELY expensive!!

[blissinanarchy1]

If your eggs don’t work well, you ain’t throwing them hard enough!

[FunkyMonkee]

Right! Whatever! Lead's not very effective, either when thrown, that's why we have guns to "throw" it for us! That seems to work QUITE well!!

[Juxtapose]

[msc545]

From my poin of view, gun fetishes are very interesting and alarming as well.

[blissinanarchy1]

I have an interest in guns, and a respect. It’s not my primary interest, my life doesn’t revolve around them, I don’t think every person in the US needs one.

[msc545]

how many do you own?

[blissinanarchy1]

One. Just a pistol, half the time I forget it’s there.

[msc545]

ok fair enough.

[Agape93]

No idea. I use a shotgun

[leahzrc]

keep a gun for the apocalypse