Firearms for the Homestead

Here is my two cents worth. For home defense, a shotgun would be difficult to manuever inside the house. Outside or from a porch or window I think they would be hard to beat. A 12 gauge kicks a lot. As a female, I would prefer a 20 gauge. For inside the house, a handgun that packs a punch would be great. Like a 9mm. A revolver is less scary for someone with minimal weapon experience. But no one should have a firearm if they aren't well versed in how to use them. As a varmit gun for small critters, a 22 would be okay. So would say, a 38 with snake loads. Bows have many advantages in my opinion, but take a lot of strength. And practice. So do firearms. Never thought of air guns. Will run that by the Hubby and see what he thinks. I am loving this forum!!!

Bettacreek said:

Personally, I'd say 30-06, .22 rifle, bow and a shotgun. Maybe even an air rifle. 30-06 will take down just about anything, .22 rifle is dirt cheap ammo and can be used for vermin, shotgun for small game/protection, air rifle would be neat for vermin and discreet hunting, bow for discreet hunting, and pistol is personal taste. I don't have one, not my taste. I cannot hit the broad side of a barn with a pistol. They say that a shotgun is the best for home protection. If someone breaks into your house, a rifle projectile will go through walls, while shotguns are less likely to do so. Certainly don't want to have a "peep hole" all the way through your house, and absolutely don't want to accidentally kill a family member in another room.

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How big a vermin will an air rifle take care of?

DH suggested up to fox-sized. Depends on whether you want to kill it or just discourage it. (skid row winos'l be discouraged)

I know this is an old thread. But reading through it I figured I'd bump it. Cause it is a good one.

When choosing a firearm for any application you have to shop around. Say you're like me and pretty thin. You might think that a 20 gauge would serve you better. But remember that precieved recoil is different than actual recoil. A 12 gauge might have more actual recoil. But since it's generally a heavier gun the precieved recoil can be less than a lightly built 20 gauge. So shop around. But still there are downsides. That heavier 12 gauge might seem like there is less recoil making follow on shots easier to manage. But since it's heavier it makes it more difficult to weild.

Even out of a short barrel with no choke at in home distances it wont pattern more than four or six inches. So you still need to aim.

Me? I carry daily a XDs in .45. It works for me. But I've been shooting since I was like 4. I've sought professional training and eventually got the range time in and what not to become a NRA certified range master.

But. If my thin frame can handle it reliably anyone can.

That said. Shop around and find what you're comfortable with.

For a carry gun. If you can not out four rounds center mass from 7 yards in under three seconds from the concealed carry then you're either carrying too much gun or need more practice.

Anyway. Back to the op. I have three guns. A pistol, shotgun and a rifle. I like to steer women towards autoloaders for pistols. Yes I've heard all the arguments for wheel guns. And they make sense for the lady that won't be shooting often. But if she is going to get trained and practice. Then there is no doubt that an autoloader will suit her well.

With this though comes additional training. Autoloader can be difficult for women to work. Pulling the slide back can be a pain with our weaker grip. But there are methods to overcome this.

And compacts and subcompacts can be even more difficult as they tend to have stiffer recoil springs to make up for the lighter slides.

I don't own any guns. I don't think I've ever even shot a gun in my life that I can remember. I don't hunt so I never bothered buying guns. However, lately with all the strife in the world and economic uncertainty, I have been thinking of buying guns for us, but haven't the slightest idea what to buy. (Of course we would learn how to properly handle any guns we bought via a local shooting range in our area that offers lessons.) Then, I start to get thinking, if we ever needed guns to protect ourselves and supplies in a time of disaster, most likely someone would come along who was better equipped with fire power and probably take what they wanted anyway. Then, the thought of guns slips away into the back of my mind until the next time I think of it.

I can understand that line of thought. There will always be someone better equipped. Does that mean I should give up? Naw.

The thing to do is prepare yourself with a weapon, and make sure your friends and neighbors have also. Gives you a better chance of protecting yourselves together. Our ancestors didn't throw up their hands and surrender, and neither should we.

Oh, I wouldn't give up or surrender, but I'm sure we wouldn't last long against most marauders. Our closest neighbor to our east is in her 70's, and the closest house to our west has been empty for 11 years. No one to our north unless they come over the mountain. And, no one to our south for over a few acres. We'd be on our own. Not giving up or surrendering...just being realistic.

I agree. There's nothing I own in this world worth actually killing a person over and if you lack the conviction and fortitude to kill someone, it's best not to even pick up a gun. The only thing I would take up a gun over was real and present acts of violence to the persons of my family...maybe not even then, but I doubt I'd kill over stored foods and such. I have faith that my God can provide for us in times of need, so don't need to live by the gun to protect food.

What usually gives me pause are the folks who won't even kill an animal for food but state quite brashly they will kill a person trying to break into their homes. Never could see the reasoning behind that kind of thinking. Don't want to hurt a chicken but will kill a human outright over material goods.

I don't agree with that mentality. But I can understand it.

I have a couple friends which I call vegetarian light. They don't hunt but do plan for home defense. It's their belief that animals are innocent and only doing what comes natural to them. Wheras humans are sentient beings capable of making decisions based on morality. So if a person makes the choice to violate their property or safety then that person gave up their right to life.

I have seen some of the ugliness that people can force on others. And I will without a doubt defend myself. If someone is breaking into your home with you there then it's pretty obvious that they are there for more than your a tv or money.