Home Defense

[bladerunner]

So I have been talking home defense with my wife and friends with the aim of beefing up my security/defenses.  This goes beyond just having a gun, though I figure that as one layer.

I recently installed new deadbolts with 1 inch bolts, though they aren't Grade 1 (not sure if that is important). I am thinking of upgrading my strike plates to be better resistant to the door being kicked in.  I also swapped out one of my old deadbolts with a double cylinder deadbolt, as that door has a window.  My dad thinks that is a bad idea in the event of a fire, but it would be too easy to break the glass and turn the handle to unlock the door.  I am also looking to improve my window locks.

Also looking at getting a Mossberg 500 to be my main home defense gun. I have a 9mm, and practice on the range, but I doubt my ability to use if effectively in an adrenaline-heavy, hairy situation.

I have even contemplated a security system, whether a DIY one or a commercial system. Not sure.  I always love the banter and opinions the guys have here, so I figured someone might have some pointers.

[Captkaos]

I have MicroSeven Infared cameras to monitor my house and it has the ability to "page" me when something passes in front of it.  On top of that you can view it live on your smart phone or the internet.

This is the one I have:  http://www.microseven.com/product/Network-Cameras-M7-RC550WS.html

[bladerunner]

I have seen these IP cameras and have definitely thought about it. Do you record your video to a DVR or offsite server?

[thirsty]

On the dead bolts. The most important thing is that they stronger than wood. Make sure they aren't just attached to the jamb. Just about anybody can kick the striker through a piece of 3/4" wood. Use long screws that go into the framing too.

A 9mm is good but when push comes to shove I would rather have a 12ga. Not loaded with slugs or buckshot either. Birdshot with an open choke. Sounds cruel to use that on a person I know but that would stop them the easiest inside a house and when it comes to your family that is most important thing.

A dog is good too. They alert you if you are home. Thieves don't like to deal with them either and might not want to bother with a house that has a dog in it all day.

Hopefully you will never need to put your security measures to the test.

[Captkaos]

I have a computer and it records to the drive on it.  I can review and delete what I don't need.

My Mossberg 500 has a staggered load of field 6 and 0 and 00 buckshot.

[firefighter]

Ahhhhh, a topic I can really relate to.... Guns !!!     

I've been considering some kind of security system for my shop. Maybe a system for the house too but for some reason the shop seems more of a target.
It scares me tremendously to think of someone breaking into my shop and cleaning out all my tools and prized possessions out there. My garage is about 75' from the house and it's fairly dark around there and intruders could sneak in from the back.

The discussion of a "home defense" gun has been scrutinized by many gun forums and owners over the years.
Everyone thinks they're right and everyone has an opinion. To each their own because everyone's situation is different I suppose. I must admit I laugh at the guys who say their home defense weapon of choice is an AR15 or AK47. Well, I guess if that's what you want, then so be it.   
The most important thing about a home defense gun is how to safely store it when you're not home but your kids are. I'm not worried about my kids in the slightest because they've both shot it and know how it works. Every gun owner should just make sure it's safe so that someone without gun knowledge doesn't hurt themselves or someone else.

My personal choice is a simple pistol grip 12 gauge with a light mounted at the muzzle end. It's the shortest legal shotgun made since I can't do SBS in my state.
I also use #6 shot with no choke but the first shot is a round with 2 hard rubber balls. Some people may not agree with the first non-lethal round but it's just what I choose.
I choose the shotgun over a handgun round for two reasons.
1- the shotgun pattern is much larger and covers a bigger area. You don't have to be accurate. Just point and shoot and it's gonna hurt real bad at relatively closer ranges. If you get woken up out of a deep sleep, having to focus to shoot accurately can be more difficult.
2- a shotgun round will normally not penetrate interior walls. If it does, most of the velocity will have been lost.
If you had to shoot inside your house (God forbid), you would not want your shot to penetrate into an adjacent room and harm someone else.

I understand they even have home defense or personal carry tasers now so that could even be an option.
I've been shot by a taser before and it IS NOT a pleasant experience. I never want to go through that again!!

I'll be happy to follow this thread to hear other opinions and thoughts.

[thirsty]

I've been shot by a taser before and it IS NOT a pleasant experience. I never want to go through that again!!

[bladerunner]

I've been shot by a taser before and it IS NOT a pleasant experience. I never want to go through that again!!

Was that just as an experiment or what?

[firefighter]

Was that just as an experiment or what?

Yeah, I'd make a terrible career criminal. Ha Ha !!     

To update some of my medical certification, our volunteer dept. had to learn how to remove the barbs from a taser victim.
Our instructor told us he would shoot it into a piece of plywood unless someone wanted to volunteer so others could learn how to do it on a real life person. Well in the spirit of helping others, I volunteered.
I'm here to tell ya, that thing will turn the toughest man into a wimpering school girl. After only 5 seconds, you will be compliant.   
Yes officer, anything you say.     

[1980c10]

I worked with rental apts town homes and house. I've seen many kicked in doors or otherwise broken into places. When someone whom you don't know breaks into your place it is a crime of oppurtunity. It doesn't matter how good your locks are, they can and will get in if they want to. The best prevention is to remove the oppurtunity. Think of areas that they can break into while they are hidden. This might be bushes/trees near windows, dark areas around your house. Motion lights are great for this. Alarms may be enough to scare them off. Take a walk around your property in the dark and think where would be the best place to break in and take care of it. Prevention will eliminate most of what is likely to take place. If it doesn't be ready with your gun.
 

[thirsty]

I volunteered.

Did it go something like this?    > <   

[zieg85]

living in the country, if someone is wanting in, they're going to get in.  Luckily I share a driveway with my retired neighbor in back and we look out for each other.  Deadbolts, don't have a one cause that is more damage they are going to do getting in.  Don't have much that is worth stealing but an intruder will be met with my 12 gauge if I am home.

[bladerunner]

Picked this up on the way home from work:



$175 is not bad for a Mossberg 500.

Zieg makes a good point: get to know your neighbors and make sure you look out for one another. Neighborhood watches go along way.

I did not mention better deadbolts and strikeplates as means to stop someone, merely to delay them. Any extra moments you can buy yourself, will help give you the advantage if someone is trying to break in.

Did it go something like this?    > <   

Classic.

[gto109]

We are having a problem with someone getting into the Jaycee's hall.  We think someone has a key and is just taking things and emptied our keg.    We are looking into a keypad deadbolt to put on all the doors there and some motion cameras pointed right at the doors to take pictures once they enter.  Once we get some projects that start making us some money again ( couple bad years in a row) we are thinking with going with something like an ADT system so that way the cops will be called.

[Grim 82]

Unless your house was purpose built for security (underground/concrete, etc.) there isn't much you can do structurally to fortify it and still remain practical. Your best bet is to shore up the obvious entry points and concentrate on early warning and detection.
This should go without saying, but first off keep every door and window locked, even during the day when you are at home. Like mentioned, install some long screws at the door strikers that actually attach to the wall framing to slow down or prevent a kick-in. If you have a patio door cut a piece of closet rod or furring strip to length to fit in the sliding track to prevent the door from sliding. Rose bushes or similar plantings outside of windows will slow down a bad guy and can give early warning of a threat. Motion lights work wonders, and security cameras can give you live feed of what's going on, and can help find a bad guy if something happens when you are gone. Alarms will also give you precious seconds to react, and can be a deterrant in themselves.
Noise and light and just generally making it difficult will usually prevent your home from being a target of oppurtunity. If someone is determined to get in and possibly cause you harm, you are past the prevention stage and now into the reaction stage.

The 12 ga. shotgun is an excellent choice if you need to defend your life at close range. As far as what to load it with, my thoughts are that if I absolutely HAVE to shoot somebody because they are going to kill me or my family if I don't, you can keep the birdshot, rock salt, rubber balls, bean bags and all the non-lethal stuff. There is no prize for second place, and I want every advantage if I ever find myself in that situation, so I can completely and totally eliminate the threat as soon as humanly possible. For that, it's tough to beat 00 buck. It's not the movies where you pepper somebody with birdshot or shoot them in the kneecap. The district attorney would have a field day with you, and the "victim" would be awarded everything you have because you made him blind in one eye with a rubber ball projectile while he was trying to stab you in your sleep. That's just how our broken system works. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting dead.
I am a huge fan of flashlights on firearms, but just remember that whatever you point that light at, you are also pointing a gun at it. Keep a flashlight near the gun so if that bump in the night is just your kid getting a glass of water you don't draw down on them with a loaded firearm. Keep your cell phone near by. If somebody is in your house you don't want to have to walk out to the kitchen to grab your phone to call 911.
edit:       +1 for the dog thirsty, the best alarm you can get