Ulyanov [any]
https://www.smga.com/smith-and-wesson/sw-mp15-optic-ready-556-nato-rifle-67 or https://www.smga.com/smith-and-wesson/mp-15-sport-ii-or-mlok-9675
$499.99 S&W M&P15 Sport AR-15. Probably better ARs to be had in the 700-800 range, but his is usually considered to be a solid entry-level AR-15.
Comes with 5 free hex mags plus a pmag. Don’t know anything about the quality of the hex mags. 5 mag deal is out of stock.
You’ll need to purchase some sort of optics or iron sights.
Anyone have a link to a good summary of why adventurism is bad/ineffective? Remember reading an article or essay a while ago but can’t find it.
I’ve found a couple decent ones by Lenin and others, but they’re pretty long, only tangentially reference adventurism, and/or are full of historical context that isn’t relevant anymore.
A quick rundown of the theory by someone who’s a better writer than me would also be fine if I can’t find an external source.
$520+FFL. Optics ready Springfield Hellcat Pro with 5 mags and range bag. Generally intended for CCW due to its small size. For non-CCW there are probably better options.
Reddit link for discussion, click through for deal
This is not an endorsement of this gun or dealer. I’ve heard good things about Hellcats but have no experience myself.
Yeah we’re on the same page as far as ARs go. Really hard to beat the versatility, effectiveness, an usability of an AR.
Been a while since I looked up pen tests, and I don’t have time right now since I’m at work, but iirc the right weight buckshot had similar or less penetration than other home defense rounds. But I may be misremembering. I’ll check later today.
Mostly just a question of AR > Shotgun > Handgun or AR > Handgun > Shotgun, I guess.
Thanks for the input. Agree about ARs.
I’ve shot shotguns much longer than I have handguns (since I was a kid) so my experience may be different than people entirely new to guns. Would you personally recommend a handgun before a shotgun, then?
I feel like half of those issues can be solved by ammo selection. But I could be wrong. Also, shotguns seem more effective for community defense and potentially hunting than handguns (assuming an AR is out of budget or not an option).
Not at all. It’s great for cheap range ammo.
Not recommended to rely on it for any form of defense, so it’s usually best as a third caliber. That being said, it’s perfectly capable of being lethal with good shot placement, and despite being rimfire there’s supposedly good quality and reliable rounds out there nowadays. Works fine for small game hunting in a pinch.
I’ll second this, it lives up to its name. I got the 380EZ as an easy-to-use gun I can lend to non-experienced people in a pinch.
Anyone considering it should keep in mind that it makes some sacrifices for its ease of use (particularly with the single stack mags, so it only holds 8 rounds instead of a more typical 12-15) and it isn’t best in its class.
I’d generally only recommend this to people who have trouble racking the slide on other handguns, or have partners/friends that have trouble. Ease of use won’t compensate for lack of training and there’s better options for people who don’t have trouble with other handguns.
The .380 version I’ve seen on sale as low as $250, now that prices have calmed down a bit. $350 on sale for the 9mm. 9mm is a better round, but for people who have tried it and still have trouble with the recoil, 380 is quite a bit softer.
Oops. Yep, I must have unchecked that box when I edited the sidebar. Should be good now
Definitely look up your state laws, especially if you’re in a coastal or otherwise gun-hostile state. Key things to know are whether certain features are banned and whether there’s a limit on magazine capacity. I believe a couple states even have a list of guns that are allowed, all others being restricted to law enforcement or something of the sort. Also good to know castle doctrine and other defense laws. There’s usually sites that show up on a quick google search that will provide a good summary/chart of your state’s laws. Could also check out your state gun subreddit (/r/CAguns, for example).
Any round capable of being used for home defense is going to go through multiple walls, whether that be 9mm, 223, or buckshot. Drywall is unfortunately just not good at stopping bullets. The best gun for home defense is the one you shoot the most accurately, which for most people is a rifle before a handgun. Additionally, 223 usually overpenetrates less than 9mm does. Whatever you get, never use FMJ/ball rounds for anything other than range training. Get some good hollow points or frangible rounds for defense.
And as much as I love AKs, there’s no practical reason in the US to get one over an AR. Entry-level AKs that don’t have reliability/safety issues start at $1k, whereas you can get a solid entry-level AR for $500.
I had to step away from the computer for a bit but it looks like you got some good info in the meantime.
I will say that it’s hard to go wrong with any of the popular striker-fired 9mm handguns (Glock 17/19, CZs, Sig Sauers, M&P Shields, Springfields). A lot of it will come down to preference, but practicing with whatever you have is a bigger factor in my opinion. And if one model really doesn’t suit you after a few hundred rounds, they usually maintain their resale value pretty well.
If you want a gun that is exceptionally easy to use (but it makes some key sacrifices for the ease of use), check out the M&P Shield EZ. 9mm is a better and cheaper round but it also comes in 380 if you really want to minimize recoil.
I will also say that a handgun isn’t usually the best option for home defense, depending on your circumstances and needs. It takes much more practice to become proficient with a handgun than a rifle, PCC, or shotgun. So you might consider getting an AR-15 or shotgun first, if you don’t already have one. There’s decent AR-15s in the $500-800 range, or a Maverick 88 12-gauge is like $200.