home defense

[rabjr]

If you're using a firearm because you fear for your life, wouldn't you want the most modern, efficient weapon possible? I can't think of a reason to use a muzzleloader in a situation like that.

Exactly

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Not many home invasions in the rural areas. Most people have at least one gun. That said they almost always have 3 or more when it does happen. They won't hear the slide on a pump gun here as I want to get all of them I can. Their is no reason to scare an intruder off. They will just find an old lady for the next target. I think the plan should be for more than one intruder. This post is just my opinion and not against any other posters ideas. Larry Wv

Larry,

Here in the People's Republic of New Jersey we don't have the Castle Doctrine. That means we have to scare them or run the other way and hide in a "safe room" :shake: :shocked2: . Now IF we feel threatened with deadly force, we can respond in-kind. So that means that the bad guys have to have some sort of weapon. The worst thing that a homeowner can do in NJ is to shoot a Perp for breaking-in. Now IF the Perp just happens to wander into my home, well, I can't say here what I'd do, but I do have a plan of ACTION :wink: .

Dave
Comrade of People's Republic
Dirty Fighter when I have to be! :haha:

 

[rabjr]

Yeah pretty much the same here, you must exhaust all possible exits before defending yourself. And if you do shoot someone you better kill them or they will sue. :shake:

 

[hanshi]

Honestly, the first thing I grab - don't laugh, now - is my cane. I've been trained in it's use (among other objects as well) and the only thing it can't go up against is a gun out of it's reach.

 

[hoochiepapa]

If'n that .54 was the closest to me, you betcha I'd use it!! I can imagine what the guy would feel looking at that huge hole....

 

[vern faulkner]

Yeah pretty much the same here, you must exhaust all possible exits before defending yourself. And if you do shoot someone you better kill them or they will sue. :shake:

And if you do kill him, his mommy, girlfriend, kids, sister, or all of the above will sue ya.

Vern

 

[Stophel]

I'm much more comfortable with a .38 M&P than I would be with any BP gun when it came to "home defense"....but, a Dragoon would be nothing to sneeze at! :wink:

 

[Josh Smith]

I live in the country.

That said, all my firearms are kept loaded and the one nearest to me is the one I will grab first. This is usually my carry pistol.

However, the MLing rifles are in there, and you'd be surprised at how fast a leather capper can be utilized when I have to make a longer shot, or feel I need more power or accuracy than what the carry weapon can deliver.

Having had extensive H2H training, I find MLers are awesome polearms as well. The only guns that seem a bit better in this regard are main battle rifles with bayonets affixed.

So, would I use 'em? I will and have against questionable woodland critters.

First choice? Not if there is a repeating longarm in reach.

Josh

Good luck putting a cap on a Bess...

Hey Swampy,

You know, I've read that some folks back in the day drilled out their flash holes some to let powder trickle into the pan as it's loaded into the barrel.

True? Dunno. But when I get a flinter, it will be with replaceable flash holes and I plan to try it.

I'll of course keep one of those leather things on the frizzen.

Josh

 

[Norinco]

Same, I heard that it was a navy thing to do. They'd slam the butt on the ground after pouring the powder, and slam it again a couple times after dropping in the ball. That way, no priming needed, no ramming needed.

Does anyone here actually carry a cap and ball revolver for self defense (with or without cartridge conversions)?

 

[rwiliff]

Does anyone here actually carry a cap and ball revolver for self defense (with or without cartridge conversions)?

I do.

Warmest Regards,
Robert

 

[Bill Hall]

I kept an 1851 for protection when I was younger. It seemed easier to keep on the dresser near the bed where I could grab it in a hurry. I actually tested out how fast I could grab it one time in N. C. My wife had hung a huge plastic Santa head on the inside of the front door for Xmas, but in the middle of the night, the tape decided to let go. It made all kinds of racket, and I grabbed my cap and ball, threw off the holster, and was down the hall before my eyes were even open. Santa looked real scared, so I let him go. Bill

 

[F_Thomas]

Have you guys seen those little North American Arms Black Powder Pistols. 5 Shots of 22 Mag for one of them. Not much, but it is cap and ball.

I would rather have a 1911, but I used them in the Army.

 

[rwiliff]

All I've ever defended against has been skunks, coyotes, and rattlesnakes. Worked just fine.

Warmest Regards,
Robert

 

[Poor Private]

Our main first defense/alert system is our 2 farm dogs. They are treated like a member of the family, and have the run of the house and farm.
My wife likes the idea of her latest purchase: A Uberti Lightning, in .45 colt. It is a carbine, that will hold 14 down the tube. It is a pump that has a short travel. She likes it because she can do the "Snik-Snik" with it one handed. Bugger is so short the barrel didn't rest on the support in the gun safe. So I had to make a special foam support.
Now if I was using a BP pistol for a home defense I think it would be the Lamat 9 chambers plus that lovely 20 gage shot barrel.
But for a handgun I use a Remington Uberti with a .45 colt conversion cylinder.
Some people stick stricly to BP weapons due to none registration of them, the only paper trail is the bill of sale.
Also if you own a "Zouve" or a "Mississippi Rifle" the bayonet is a sword. I own the one for the Zouve and the blade alone is 20" long. Mine is mounted with the rifle on a display board and if you know how, it's an easy grab coming from the master BR. I also have a cane that has a solid brass doorknob as it grip. next to the bed that bugger is heavy, and short enough to swing with some authority.

 

[F.G. Ford]

I much prefer an old model ( hundred year old model Colt 1911 )
7 and one in the pipe.
With a Winchester Defender with 5 #4 buck in case it gets serious!
Really keeps the night crawlers away!
Old Ford

 

[CrackStock]

I have to agree with Claude. The days of black powder defensive arms is long past. They are for studying, building, hunting, shooting and admiring now. The cartridge guns rule defense.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I suppose it's better than poo on a sharp stick but I wouldn't grab a m/l of any type in preference to my other firearm choices for home defense.

 

[Jason Lewis]

it'd be my luck the damn thing would misfire the first time in a zillion shots.

 

[Stumpkiller]

If it does fire and you miss you can take advantage of the "Squid Effect" and use the cloud of smoke to make good your escape.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

For me, I would use the flintlock for bait. When the univited guest has armed himself with it, I would smoke him with a good old reliable Colt Gov't.
A drawback to using the BP weapon inside is the cloud of smoke. There is no need to put yourself at a disadvantage. As has been said before, I would go for the most reliable, modern and updated piece of machinery to defend family and home.
If there is a question of body armor, go to the head. And I would forget about the trick bullets that expand and do all sorts of great things. I have seen too many of those that do not do as they claim. They work all the time in a controlled setting. You cannot control the setting in an emergency situation, especially when it comes to defending your family. The trick stuff often becomes "ball" ammo when the hollow point becomes clogged with clothing material, wood or sheetrock. I have also seen the trick stuff come apart when penetrating sweatshirt material. And then you have the reliability in feeding with the trick stuff. It works most of the time. I would not mix ball ammo with trick stuff. Ball ammo works most if not all the time in feeding.
Last but not least is the all American Louisville Slugger. Not problems in feeding, no smoke to contend with. No special training needed, and very user friendly. Think "Fear of Hickory"... :rotf: