I've got two swords in the basemant, knives in the kitchen, and a 2 foot metal spreader bar in my bedroom.

Supposedly a lot of the guns in circulation here are illegal imports from the likes of eastern Europe rather than previously legally-held guns; though I suspect your comment is still largely true on the basis of whatever's culturally the norm (which includes criminals!) I don't really like the idea of large numbers of guns in circulation amongst the general populace but I don't think that the Draconian clamp-down we've seen here has been helpful, especially combined with misinformation such as being able to reactivate a deac within 15 minutes for a total cost of ￡50, as recently claimed in the national press.


I'd probably do the same thing! Even with my swords, I'd worry about the corrosive effects of getting someone's blood on them (or me!) and would probably end up choosing something entirely ineffectual. Or just hiding.

That's a good one: Would you hesitate to defend yourself and/or property?
If it was just the trespasser wasn't directing any violence when he entered my home then I may be lenient but if I saw any hints of aggression I doubt I'd hesitate a second time.
I do seem more hesitent with weapons than I do with my bare fists, no idea why

*Looks at pre Skyrim TES games*

"Hmmmm, hitting with fists, nothing happens. Hitting with my sword, durability loss..."

Guess we've grown to think fists are indestructible.

Lol Indeed that's how it happened, but punching a dragon: flying Argonian happens, though fists remain unbrusied

I hope that not many people have participated in decapitation before.

... especially as it tends to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the, er, decapitatee. As far as I'm aware, a regular sword (i.e. something weighing 2-3 lbs) shouldn't have any problems removing heads, limbs, intestines etc and there are unfortunately a lot of really quite serious injuries resulting from people larking about without having proper respect for just how much damage these things can cause. They were standard military-issue weapons for a reason, after all...

A 60lb dog at the door, and a Ruger sp101 loaded with five 125gr Magtech Guardians.


There is no "taking away" unless you're physically or mentally handicapped, in which case I agree with the "people".

I protect my home with an .45/70. The only thing I protect it from is animals. We don't have many human intruders around here other than the ones who knock on the door seeking refuge from the cold.

There's been a bit of an accident madam. My friend is lying in the middle of the road, bleeding to death. Please let me in!

At 60 below I'm afraid there is no hope for your friend. Come in and I'll call the troopers for you and report it. Please be aware I am armed. Now, would you like a cup of coffee to warm up?

I've seen enough Malcolm McDowell to know where this is going.

Would have to say then my only question is what's the rule regarding combat shotguns like the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchi_SPAS-12? Though if I could lay my hands on one a good colt 1911 might be better. Forget "which" glock it is but I think it's the 18 that has a good rugged durability. Would want to weight the difference between a 9mm bullent and a 45.

From what I know its as simple as this.
9mm, cost less goes faster. bullet weights less.
Colt .45ACP (automatic colt pistol). larger bullet weight but slower.

Modern 9mm handguns in compact or full size with hollow points (or even FMJ) are quite capable of taking a person down. The 9mm has a higher capacity in most cases. Mine holds 15+1 for example where the XD .45 holds 12+1.
1911's are pretty, but if I wanted a .45 it would not be a 1911. Personally I think the 9mm is overall the best round shooting either FMJ or HP's. Either Hp or FMJ can take a person down, just FMJ has less room for error and require better shot placement than a good Hp round does.

Also, shot placement. Live it and love it.

Beyond that, if I went bigger it would be .357 magnum revolver.
Wheel guns are far easier to go to the next chamber if you have a FTF (fail to fire) and are simpler over all.
If you get a any firearm please always practice, practice and then practice some more with it. Practice fire drills, and rounds that fail to fire or fail to eject (FTF / FTE) or even fail to feed.

Read and learn all you can as well.

Edit.
If you want a shotgun go for a Remington 870. They are priced low new, and work well. Also they have a lot of personalization/customization options.

The mosin nagant 91/30 (or the nugget) would be a good cheep first long rifle. $129 normally for one and the 7.62X54 is fairly cheep.
A yugo SKS can be had cheep as can the remingtion 870 and mossburg shotguns.

.22LR riffles are a good place to start as well.

A dog and a selection of guns.
Also Cacti.

A crowbar and a cockatiel. When taped together they're a deadly combination

Cacti.

You could place them under the windows and mount a 'Home Alone' style defense.

In the US, self-defense differs widely depending what state you live in. In some states, if someone breaks (or attempts to break) into your house you can kill them almost immediately. In some states you have to give them a warning. In other states you have to retreat until you cannot retreat any further - basically hide, call the police, and if you're found, warn them, then shoot. You're always supposed to use the least amount of force necessary, but since you're operating in the heat of the moment you get a lot of latitude.

A very important note to add with ballistics is actual ft/lb (Newton/Meter or whatever for the metric crowd) of energy delivered with the package. Comparatively a 9mm to a .45 is the greater muzzle velocity (not always, as this depends on the specific load). I would much more prefer to hit the numbers on impact than speed from the muzzle. Granted 9mm is the cheapest and most universal cartridge, and when it goes down to the actual trigger time e=mc2 and the human body is rather frail in defense to such a law.

Now what happens when impact is made? Ball (FMJ), half-wad, or HP? Personally I stick to half-wad and HP for lower penetration and increased spall. I want one shot at center mass to end all questions as to who is in charge.

If I had to compromise I would settle for a .40 or 10mm HP in the pistol category. For a revolver definitely choose a magnum load; 125gr max HP or half-wad to eliminate over penetration and possible peripheral damage to property or innocent bystanders.

And as far as shot placement, let this stand; Your objective is one round on target, or at most a double-tap. Accuracy is moot as most encounters in self defense are within 10-20 ft. A ten inch shot group center mass for a revolver vs 5 inch for a pistol becomes insignificant with the proper load.


Very true. Revolvers are your best bet in a tight spot as they fail less often (and are much easier to maintain) and in general can deliver a much more powerful load. Always go with this option for personal defense. And train, and train, and train.

Pistols (semi-autos) are better for the uninitiated as they have recoil buffer, faster recover to target time, and can be loaded much faster (an importance based upon some laws).

And beginners should stay away from rifles and shotguns for self-defense. Unless you're a fringe element that cares little for their interior decor.

^this... a knife wouldn't decapitate cleanly but a proper sword? hell yah.

And LOL he called an axe a "blunt" weapon

For myself? Anything within arms reach is a potential weapon.... seriously.

I know, I have looked at quite a few charts on blastic data, some when I took my CCDw class. Depending on what chart you look at even a .38 can meet the minimum for a one shot stop.
For me 9mm is my choice over a .45. Due to cost and magazine capacity.


Thats expansion VS penetration. I have seen quite a few reports where .45 FMJ and 9mm FMJ never left a exit wound on a target.
Most people say 12-14 inches of penetration is optimal, that's when you get deep enough to hit a organ.
I am fairly sure a 9mm Hp will hit 12 inches easily and it will make a nice wound cavity.

Everything I have seen or been thought is always "shoot until the target goes down" you don't always get a one shot stop.


I dislike the .40SW (or short and week some call it) after shooting a few 100 rounds.
With the rate of misses to hit in most encounters over penetration and bystander/property damage is not really a major factor IMO.
Look at how many times cops miss in a shoot out when they happen.


I agree, you always hope for a one shot stop, and yes most encounters are very close. You would be surprised how much things change when you are moving and the target is moving, the hit % drops drastically.
I know I won't be standing still and the other guy won't either.


We agree, revolvers are easier to deal with if you have a FT fire, but my semi-has never had a issue either.
But I would love to get a .38 or pocket .357 as a back up gun (BUG) just in case.

If you get good with a speed loader you can load just as fast, but yes you are correct. its easier to have a preloaded mag and just swap than practice with a half-moon.

The boom stick is the king for HD and pretty much every other situation for a reason.
With a good 870 you have a ton of options for SD.

Holy Smokes Miles, I train but I can't say I've studied ballastics that much!

Unless you're a CSI that's all you really need.

Can you put a bullet on target? Yes? Then screw the rest and drop your enemy.

Well my room is close to a window, and the closest thing to me I can grab for a weapon is probably my ps3 or maybe start chuckin' stuff at em. But If Im on my computer, I can simply pick up an EA game and they may run in fear. Or if that doesnt work I have a huge DeathWatch book by me so Ill be good.

Nothing.

I have a gun at home, ready if I need it which I hope I don't. Its legal here in America.

I don't really see the point in it. If your possessions are worth more than someone's life, then what kind of person are you?