Home Defense: 12 Gauge or SKS?

BigZman95 · Post by **BigZman95** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 2:27 am

Hey guys, I have been looking at getting a home defense weapon. I have tried to do some research myself but I get such varying opinions on things. I would like to buy a handgun, but I am not legally old enough yet.

So in your opinion, what should I get as a home defense weapon? I have been looking at various cheap 12 gauges and I have been looking at the SKS for awhile. Which one would you use? And in the 12 gauge would you use buckshot or slugs? What about using Hollow Point 7.62's in an SKS? My biggest concern is about hitting something that isn't my target, such as a family member or a pet.

Also do you any of you SKS owners have the SG Works bullpup stock? Does it make the gun more controllable for close quarters environments?

I have also considered a 20 gauge or 16 gauge as well.

Thanks!

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Post by **Livewire** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 5:30 am

There are a lot of factors that would help determine my choice. First one that comes to mind, how close are your neighbors? If you live in an apartment building or the like I wouldn't choose an SKS. A poorly placed shot could go through several walls and have unintended consequences. A 12 gauge slug could also have the same effect as well.

Post by **nemo** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:23 am

You can never go wrong with a good 12 ga. Very versatile and can adapt to many scenarios.

Post by **Niceguy** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 8:55 am

I agree with Nemo. Between buck and slugs, should have most any home defense situation covered. And less likely to pop someone in the next room over unintentionally.

Post by **SNL** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:01 am

private party handgun

BigZman95 · Post by **BigZman95** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:30 am

Thankfully I don't live somewhere as close quarters as an apartment lol. Where I will be moving to is a rather rural area with plenty of space between houses and the closest houses on either side are abandoned and condemned.

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Post by **Tyler** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:31 am

Check out the ammo studies posted on ar15. That should help you determine the best caliber/round for you situation.

http://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Self_D ... /index.htm

Post by **justang1997** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 11:19 am

If you are only going to have one gun in the home, the shotgun is king in my opinion. Buckshot in the tube and slugs on a side saddle shell holder. Give it a light for positive target ID and a sling for retention.

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1fastmach1 · Post by **1fastmach1** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 11:26 am

justang1997 wrote:If you are only going to have one gun in the home, the shotgun is king in my opinion. Buckshot in the tube and slugs on a side saddle shell holder. Give it a light for positive target ID and a sling for retention.

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I agree with this as well. Couldn't have said it better.

Post by **travisccook** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 11:58 am

Shotgun all the way. I love my rifles but it's hard to beat buckshot inside the house.

Post by **jackalo626** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:05 pm

Shotgun with buck. If someone else might be using it as well then I might even suggest a 20ga and use buck as well because the damage is in the same league and the less felt recoil and smaller stock options will help with women or smaller statured people.

Post by **son of liberty** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 2:24 pm

I would never willingly take a shotgun over a rifle , honestly I would take a 22 rifle before a shotgun. I know it never really goes over well , but I believe the shotgun is the most over rated weapon there is for nearly every task but shooting ducks out of the air.

The SKS, I great rifle when you dont monkey with it. The only change needed is a Tech sight rear sight to give it M1 like ghost ring sights. I have seen people load them out of the 10 round stripper clips very quickly and I have shot some decent groups with them. dont buy all that plastic horse poop trying to make it something its not.

take it for what its worth.

BigZman95 · Post by **BigZman95** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 3:50 pm

Wow thanks for all the info guys. Lots of stuff to mull over lol.

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Post by **jackalo626** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:49 pm

son of liberty wrote:I would never willingly take a shotgun over a rifle , honestly I would take a 22 rifle before a shotgun. I know it never really goes over well , but I believe the shotgun is the most over rated weapon there is for nearly every task but shooting ducks out of the air.

The SKS, I great rifle when you dont monkey with it. The only change needed is a Tech sight rear sight to give it M1 like ghost ring sights. I have seen people load them out of the 10 round stripper clips very quickly and I have shot some decent groups with them. dont buy all that plastic horse poop trying to make it something its not.

take it for what its worth.

.22 rifle over a shotgun in close quarters is exactly the opposite of my opinion but to each his own.

Post by **Toddstang** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:00 pm

jackalo626 wrote:
son of liberty wrote:I would never willingly take a shotgun over a rifle , honestly I would take a 22 rifle before a shotgun. I know it never really goes over well , but I believe the shotgun is the most over rated weapon there is for nearly every task but shooting ducks out of the air.

The SKS, I great rifle when you dont monkey with it. The only change needed is a Tech sight rear sight to give it M1 like ghost ring sights. I have seen people load them out of the 10 round stripper clips very quickly and I have shot some decent groups with them. dont buy all that plastic horse poop trying to make it something its not.

take it for what its worth.
.22 rifle over a shotgun in close quarters is exactly the opposite of my opinion but to each his own.

Exactly what I was thinking.
If I wake up to someone breaking in my house, I know I can clear the entire hallway with one blast of 00 buck vs 10 rounds of 22LR.
Plus 00 buck wont give a perp free room and board in a concrete room for a few years.

BigZman95 · Post by **BigZman95** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:29 pm

My only concern is a stray pellet hitting a pet or a family member. Otherwise I would definitely buy a shotgun no questions asked.

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Post by **Toddstang** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:03 pm

BigZman95 wrote:My only concern is a stray pellet hitting a pet or a family member. Otherwise I would definitely buy a shotgun no questions asked.

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22LR can go through a wall or door and kill someone just as easy.

Post by **SNL** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:07 pm

22 is no joke

BigZman95 · Post by **BigZman95** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:19 pm

In the 22's defense the mafia has used 22LR to do assassinations before lol.

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Post by **jackalo626** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:22 pm

BigZman95 wrote:In the 22's defense the mafia has used 22LR to do assassinations before lol.

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nobody is saying it doesn't kill or wound.

BigZman95 · Post by **BigZman95** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:37 pm

jackalo626 wrote:
BigZman95 wrote:In the 22's defense the mafia has used 22LR to do assassinations before lol.

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nobody is saying it doesn't kill or wound.

Yes I know lol. I would rather have buckshot than a .22 as well.

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Post by **Toddstang** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:21 pm

BigZman95 wrote:In the 22's defense the mafia has used 22LR to do assassinations before lol.

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No doubt, but they shot point blank.

Post by **Toddstang** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:21 pm

SNL wrote:22 is no joke

Its the new 9mm

BigZman95 · Post by **BigZman95** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:25 pm

Only thing that sucks is trying to find the ammo! It sells out so quick.

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Post by **Toddstang** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:28 pm

BigZman95 wrote:Only thing that sucks is trying to find the ammo! It sells out so quick.

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Hang around long enough on here and meet a few members and you may learn some secrets of getting 22LR.

Kentucky Armory Club