AR for Home Defense

[bisley]

If you don't have a 22 pistol, get one. They are the best training around. Cheap ammo, low recoil. You can practice EVERY aspect of shooting with one, save for the added recoil of a larger round.
And the reduced recoil would be perfect for your wife.

A .22 revolver is a great choice, too, because it will operate just as well with CB's, which is like shooting a pellet gun. You can increase power as their comfort levels improve, and finally jump to a .38 or 9mm. I taught an engineer at work to shoot by this method, because his only gun experience had been with a couple of yahoos who put a .44 magnum in his hands, as a teenager, for a joke. He had an unbelievable flinch that we worked out in about 30 minutes, and he was shooting a 9mm well, within a couple hours, with no discernible flinch. The next trip, he did well with a .45ACP.

[Wambli Ska]

Good advice, thanks.

She actually really wants to go shooting, we just have to find the time. Having the young one has its constraints. We haven't had a night out together in months! :-)

I plan on taking her shooting soon and hopefully help her find a firearm of her own. Familiarity is key to overcoming the fear. I wish more gun control types would have the courage to be trained so they can understand the thing they are trying to get rid of. It's a tool like anything else.

Wow I like you! That is a very wise attitude and 100% on the money. In the past I lived with 3 female shooters (wife, daughter and MIL) and they all became serious shooters as soon as they had guns of their own. Funny to see a 60 year old grandma show her buddies her new Trap gun

One more thing to consider, even Jesus had to leave his hometown to become the Savior of the world. What I mean is you are no prophet in your house, you are just the guy who pays the bills and takes out the garbage. Buy her an hour with a decent instructor and cut her loose. After she learns the basics THEN she will be more receptive to what you have to say and it will be a ore enjoyable experience for both of you. When my wife decided to get serious and I STILL had to farm the job out to a friend.

[MississippiBoy]

I'm going to go off on a slight tangent, but hopefully not too bad.
I have a 3 year old and a 3 week old at home. Right now, I have my M&P .40 and 2 extra magazines high on a single shelf just inside my bedroom's walk-in closet. It's about eye level with me, so say 6 ft up, and there's nothing for the chirrens to climb on to reach it, since this shelf is over the clothes rack...there's just hanging clothes and empty space below it. The closet is right at the foot of my bed, so I walk within 2 feet of the gun when I get out of bed. I figure it's easy to get to, but it's still out of the reach of the young ones. Does this sound safe enough, even keeping the gun stored with a round in the chamber, or should I look at some other options, like a biometric safe or something?
Also, I've debated on using my 870 for home defense, also, but haven't yet because of the kids. I'm thinking that I could hang it inside the closet over the door, using something like this:


That's the first image I found that looks like what I'm talking about. The hooks I'm really thinking of have a larger hook.
Again, I'm thinking this would be way too high for the kids to get it, but still within my easy reach.
Am I on the right track, or what are some more options I'm overlooking?

[jbp-ohio]

I'm going to go off on a slight tangent, but hopefully not too bad.
I have a 3 year old and a 3 week old at home. Right now, I have my M&P .40 and 2 extra magazines high on a single shelf just inside my bedroom's walk-in closet. It's about eye level with me, so say 6 ft up, and there's nothing for the chirrens to climb on to reach it, since this shelf is over the clothes rack...there's just hanging clothes and empty space below it. The closet is right at the foot of my bed, so I walk within 2 feet of the gun when I get out of bed. I figure it's easy to get to, but it's still out of the reach of the young ones. Does this sound safe enough, even keeping the gun stored with a round in the chamber, or should I look at some other options, like a biometric safe or something?
Also, I've debated on using my 870 for home defense, also, but haven't yet because of the kids. I'm thinking that I could hang it inside the closet over the door, using something like this:


That's the first image I found that looks like what I'm talking about. The hooks I'm really thinking of have a larger hook.
Again, I'm thinking this would be way too high for the kids to get it, but still within my easy reach.
Am I on the right track, or what are some more options I'm overlooking?

May work for a couple years, but a 5yo would easily figure out a way to reach it.... I like my MiniVault, but even a 12yo could get it open with a hammer. Will only keep curious fingers away....

[Jayhawker]

For a few years I hung my HD shotgun on a couple of hooks above the closet door on the inside, then installed a deadbolt on the closet door.Out of sight and reasonably secure.... Locked it up in the mornings before we went to work and unlocked it when we settled down for bed. Wife and I were the only ones who had the keys...not the best way to store it, but pretty darned effective if you have limited options.

[Celtic Tiger]

Yep, already looking into .22 options. Thanks y'all!

[Jermanator]

For a few years I hung my HD shotgun on a couple of hooks above the closet door on the inside, then installed a deadbolt on the closet door.Out of sight and reasonably secure.... Locked it up in the mornings before we went to work and unlocked it when we settled down for bed. Wife and I were the only ones who had the keys...not the best way to store it, but pretty darned effective if you have limited options.

Skip the keyed deadbolt if you can and get one of these for a keyless entry...

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardw...5#.UR5yZ2f9zHE