The Glade 4.0

A couple years back I believe I either started a thread, or posted in one, that I was thinking about buying a firearm for recreational shooting but primarily the decision was motivated by home defense. The decision took a while. I did quite a bit o' research.

A handgun would be nice, since you can get very nice and quick-access-in-the-dark safes (biometric fingerprint scanning, even). But, I ultimately ruled them out because I am fairly sure that in a true life or death situation your nerves your going to play hell with your aim. I think down the line I'd still like to get one, though.

No, I wound up purchasing 12 gauge pump ation Remington 870 Wingmaster shotgun. I will be purchasing an 18" barrel and light/laser combo for it as well.

I settled on the 870 for a few reasons. One, a shotgun requires aim, but far less so than that of a handgun. And the fact you can hold it with both hands and keep it close to your body will lessen the "nerves" factor. Two, a pump action is very reliable and easy to clear a jam (if you ever have one). And three, the "rack rack" sound of a shell loading into a chamber will make it very clear to anyone during a home invasion as to what's going on.

But, mostly, I wanted to be a bit more ready when the Zombie Apocalypse inevitably happens. And, I'll be doubly ready if the zombies start throwing clay pigeons at me.

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Les Zombis et les Loups-Garous!

Congratulations. I have an 870 model myself with quite a long barrel but its for target clays.

If its a real situation I would follow that racking the slide with a shot really quickly because you just gave away your position.

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"...but there exists also in the human heart a depraved taste for equality, which impels the weak to attempt to lower the powerful to their own level and reduces men to prefer equality in slavery to inequality with freedom." - De Tocqueville

I miss my antique .22 rifle my grandfather gave me. It was stolen when I was still in high school during a break-in.

I've considered getting a gun, but I don't have time to shoot now. I'm sure I will sometime, if only so my daughter can learn proper gun safety.

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When he's underwater does he get wet? Or does the water get him instead?

I really like the 870, but for home defense I use a .45 Kimber 1911.

Elmo's right about the slide racking. Ideally if you're in the position to use a gun for home defense the first sound the invader should hear is you shooting him...

Edit - also, use bird shot instead of buck shot. Buck shot REALLY over penetrates walls.

Sort of. There's a lot to be said for him running away without you having to shoot him. A home is a damn small area unlss you have a huge house and if you keep the shotgun handy for home defense it's most likely in the bedroom, which a home invader is going to know - and likely will know generally where the bedroom is, too. If you don't happen to be in the bedroom when he comes in, it's pretty likely he'll see you on the way there.

I'm also not a huge fan of shorter barrels; I like the shot pattern to be more concentrated, but that's just a preference. I have a very long barreled Browning I got from my dad, and I have no plans to get a shorter barrel for it.

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"Hysterical children shrieking about right-wing anything need to go sit in the corner and be quiet while the adults are talking."

Well I wanted a shorter barrel for home defense so it is easier to navigate around doors and tight hallways. At twenty feet the spread isn't crazy.

And I am still on the fence about bird shot. A lot of stories out there of people shot with bird shot and it didn't phase them much.

I'll be keeping a long barrel too for clay shooting. I enjoy that.

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Les Zombis et les Loups-Garous!

I wouldn't go with birdshot, but you don't necessarily need buckshot either. Number 4 is acceptable. I'd avoid things like number 8.

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"Hysterical children shrieking about right-wing anything need to go sit in the corner and be quiet while the adults are talking."

#9 High Brass Bird Shot will stop anyone you need to stop ...

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