Let's start putting together your means to defend yourself in the event of a major crisis.
I have a few general thoughts before we get into the specifics, so bear with me for just a few moments.
First, budgetary consideration need to be taken into account. Sure, it would be great to go out and spend thousands of dollars on firearms, but is that realistic for you? You need to weigh what you're able to afford financially versus what you determine your needs will be--then do the research to maximize the money you have available to purchase the best weapons platform for you.
Next, there are many different and varying schools of thoughts and philosophies when it comes to personal defense. I'll give you my beliefs and thoughts, and while these have been gleaned from deep thought, research, and information obtained from firearms experts, how you choose to build your defense is entirely up to you. There are no set guidelines, and the best determining factor is your own confidence in your defensive plans and resources.
Don't do what I tell you, don't take my advice as law, and only use the advice and recommendations of any experts as a guideline and learning tool. Think for yourself, not just in this but in all things, and do what is in your best interest.
My thoughts are this:
A handgun is a tool that gives time to reach your primary weapon--hopefully a rifle or shotgun.
A handgun is the weapon of last resort--used when your primary weapons have either become disabled, rendered unusable, or you've run out of ammunition.
Handguns are wonderful; readily available, typically easy to operate, relatively effective at close range, and, maybe most importantly, concealable. While all of the above are true, a handgun is not the most effective weapon for self-defense. That honor and distinction belongs to the shotgun, and that is what we are going to examine today.
The shotgun gives you a convenient platform; easy to operate, easy to clean and maintain, and readily available and priced to fit any budget. It gives you a firearm that provides you with nearly unparalleled knock-down power, easily able to inflict lethal damage, and the range to address any imminent threat at distance. It also gives you the intimidation factor--few sounds in this world can compare with the sound of a shotgun being racked, and this factor alone may defuse a potentially dangerous situation and buy you extra time to explore other options.
The shotgun is a workhorse, and it's available in all sizes and shapes. It gives you the ability to operate in confined, narrow spaces--such as hallways or from cover, and provides a variety of option in ammunition types to tailor your defense.
If you only have the means to purchase one firearm, my suggestion and recommendation would be a shotgun--hands down, no questions asked, don't need to think about it twice. Get the shotgun, learn how to operate it effectively, and you have just obtained the foundation for a very formidable defense.
All the AR-15 and AK-47 fans may find issue with this, and I'll be examining those two weapons in a later post. For now, with budgetary considerations, availability and variety of ammunition, stopping power, and the ease to operate and maintain, I believe the shotgun should be the bases for any defense and arsenal you build.
Shotguns are available in almost every price range starting at just over $200 and going up into the thousands. To me, purchasing a lower end shotgun, purchasing the accessories you want, then using any budget left on another weapon makes more sense then spending all you money on an expensive, fancy shotgun that does the same thing. Lets say you have a thousand dollars budgeted for weapons and ammo: I'd spend about $300-$400 on the shotgun and accessories, probably another $200 on ammunition--and I'll get into ammo needs a little later--then use the extra $400-$500 to purchase a handgun. It just makes more sense to me then going out and spending all of the money on a really nice shotgun.
Recommendations:
Mossberg 88 Maverick: Winner of "Best Bang for Your Buck". You can find this base level shotgun for just over $200, and it gives you a great weapon you can pull out of the box and feel comfortable and safe using. The 88 Maverick is fully compatible with all accessories from the Mossberg 500 line, and if you spend about another hundred dollars you can deck this gun out with everything you could need or want. Bonus--compatible with nearly every type of shotgun ammo available.
I have a few general thoughts before we get into the specifics, so bear with me for just a few moments.
First, budgetary consideration need to be taken into account. Sure, it would be great to go out and spend thousands of dollars on firearms, but is that realistic for you? You need to weigh what you're able to afford financially versus what you determine your needs will be--then do the research to maximize the money you have available to purchase the best weapons platform for you.
Next, there are many different and varying schools of thoughts and philosophies when it comes to personal defense. I'll give you my beliefs and thoughts, and while these have been gleaned from deep thought, research, and information obtained from firearms experts, how you choose to build your defense is entirely up to you. There are no set guidelines, and the best determining factor is your own confidence in your defensive plans and resources.
Don't do what I tell you, don't take my advice as law, and only use the advice and recommendations of any experts as a guideline and learning tool. Think for yourself, not just in this but in all things, and do what is in your best interest.
My thoughts are this:
A handgun is a tool that gives time to reach your primary weapon--hopefully a rifle or shotgun.
A handgun is the weapon of last resort--used when your primary weapons have either become disabled, rendered unusable, or you've run out of ammunition.
Handguns are wonderful; readily available, typically easy to operate, relatively effective at close range, and, maybe most importantly, concealable. While all of the above are true, a handgun is not the most effective weapon for self-defense. That honor and distinction belongs to the shotgun, and that is what we are going to examine today.
The shotgun gives you a convenient platform; easy to operate, easy to clean and maintain, and readily available and priced to fit any budget. It gives you a firearm that provides you with nearly unparalleled knock-down power, easily able to inflict lethal damage, and the range to address any imminent threat at distance. It also gives you the intimidation factor--few sounds in this world can compare with the sound of a shotgun being racked, and this factor alone may defuse a potentially dangerous situation and buy you extra time to explore other options.
The shotgun is a workhorse, and it's available in all sizes and shapes. It gives you the ability to operate in confined, narrow spaces--such as hallways or from cover, and provides a variety of option in ammunition types to tailor your defense.
If you only have the means to purchase one firearm, my suggestion and recommendation would be a shotgun--hands down, no questions asked, don't need to think about it twice. Get the shotgun, learn how to operate it effectively, and you have just obtained the foundation for a very formidable defense.
All the AR-15 and AK-47 fans may find issue with this, and I'll be examining those two weapons in a later post. For now, with budgetary considerations, availability and variety of ammunition, stopping power, and the ease to operate and maintain, I believe the shotgun should be the bases for any defense and arsenal you build.
Shotguns are available in almost every price range starting at just over $200 and going up into the thousands. To me, purchasing a lower end shotgun, purchasing the accessories you want, then using any budget left on another weapon makes more sense then spending all you money on an expensive, fancy shotgun that does the same thing. Lets say you have a thousand dollars budgeted for weapons and ammo: I'd spend about $300-$400 on the shotgun and accessories, probably another $200 on ammunition--and I'll get into ammo needs a little later--then use the extra $400-$500 to purchase a handgun. It just makes more sense to me then going out and spending all of the money on a really nice shotgun.
Recommendations:
Mossberg 88 Maverick: Winner of "Best Bang for Your Buck". You can find this base level shotgun for just over $200, and it gives you a great weapon you can pull out of the box and feel comfortable and safe using. The 88 Maverick is fully compatible with all accessories from the Mossberg 500 line, and if you spend about another hundred dollars you can deck this gun out with everything you could need or want. Bonus--compatible with nearly every type of shotgun ammo available.
Mossberg 500: This line of shotguns, priced from the $300-$500 range, offers the most variations and configurations of any shotgun line manufactured today. If you have a special preference, the Mossberg 500 most likely has a version to fit your needs. Another workhorse weapon that is very affordable, very dependable, readily available, interchangeable and customizable, and will fill your need for a defense weapon very nicely. Plenty of accessories are available to upgrade your weapon, and is able to fire almost every size and type of shell.
Check out the 500 Tactical Persuader, around $399, for a ready-made, great defensive shotgun already decked out with most of the upgrades included. This model can be tough to find due to it's popularity, but it's well worth the hunt.
Remington Model 870 Express Shotgun: Remington has built a reputation for quality and reliability over the past century, and that reputation is well deserved and well earned. The 870 models begin at just over $400 and go up depending on the variations. The 870 Express is built specifically for home defense, and includes a few desired accessories, for about $415. Another shotgun you can take home, load, and be ready to go without having to mess around. I'll cover some of the other Remington rifles in another post, and they offer a few choices that are desirable for home defense and give you some capabilities the shotgun doesn't provide.
Benelli Shotguns: Benelli has several lines of high quality shotguns perfect for home defense--Nova, Super Nova, M2, M4, and Black Eagle. Benelli makes very high quality, unique shotguns--but it's going to cost you more then any of the options above. The Nova line begins in the $500's, and pricing increases depending on the line and options. The M4 Tactical is a wonderful, menacing and intimidating weapon used by the USMC, and if you have about $1300 budgeted for your shotgun you couldn't buy a better one. I love the Benelli's, and if price is not your main concern then you should absolutely take a look at all they have to offer. Great guns by one of the greatest names in firearms.
Others to Consider:
--CZ Model 712 --- $450 and hard to find right now.
--Winchester Defender -- $300 and a name you can trust.
--Howa Tactical Entry -- $400 for a nice shotgun, may be tough to find.
This should give you a great place to start as you plan your defense. The shotgun is the most effective weapon ever designed for close quarter combat, and it's my firm belief that you should consider the shotgun as the basic foundation upon which to build your arsenal for defense of your family and home.
Next up: Rifles.
Preparation is the Key!
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