Picking the right firearm for home defense may be one of the most important decisions for the gun owner. Though the AR-15 rifle is one of today’s trendiest options, there are indeed some other good choices in self-defense rifles. This article explores some of the nuances involved in picking and setting up the best rifle for home defense, particularly the AR-15, and delves into some of the complexities of shotgun ammunition selection.
The AR-15 rifle is highly versatile and designed to be ergonomic. Fitted with a modern six-position stock, it adjusts easily to different body frames. Many shooters prefer a forward handle or Hogue pistol grip for this shooting; that makes the AR-15 in many ways an almost custom-tailored item in several directions. “A good quality AR rifle will shoot rings around a pistol,” reiterating once more the better ballistics and reliability of the rifle over a handgun.
Caliber-wise for home defense, the .223/5.56mm cartridge seems to be one of the most advocated. “With a 55-grain JSP, the bullet will quickly fragment,” because such would provide an efficient stop without over-penetration. Heavier loads are considered less effective in a personal defense situation since they over-penetrate and can only defeat a target’s lungs. Lighter loads, such as 36- to 40-grain bullets, are poor choices for personal defense work as most lack sufficient penetration and may short-cycle AR-type rifles.
The first and most critical thing you must do to properly outfit a rifle for home defense is to understand your environment. “Retention is a separate subject, but the leverage of a long gun is an advantage, for those who train.” For this reason, proper training on your firearm would not only make you confident in using the firearm but would also ensure your success in defending your home. Panic and indiscrimination firing may lead to disastrous consequences, not to mention some incidences where individuals have faced litigation against them for such activities.
A red dot sight is highly desired for speed in target engagement. “The red dot allows the shooter to keep both eyes open,” thus providing a large field of peripheral vision for better shot placement. Among high-quality red dot sight models, TruGlo, SIG, and Holosun are very popular. A combat light is also recommended for illumination and identification purposes and can be mounted on a Picatinny or M-Lok rail.
Within shotguns, there has been a trend to mix types of ammunition: buckshot, birdshot, and slugs. This is seriously problematic. “Shotgun slug, buckshot, and birdshot loads are quite different from each other,” meaning that the shooter should always know what round is in the chamber. Under high stress, this is an unrealistic expectation.
Target and ammunition discrimination becomes extremely important, for instance, when an intruder is moving from open space into any area where family members may be present. “I’d rather know what’s in the chamber at all times and take my chances with it,” speaking to the simplicity and predictability of defensive applications.
Whichever one it may be with home defense, either a rifle or shotgun, the most important thing a person could do is to be very well-prepared with their equipment. An AR-15 rifle is one of the firearms that are so versatile and highly reliable, while shotguns will necessitate a great deal of thought in selecting ammunition. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of whatever choice one makes can help in further refining one’s home defense plan to keep one’s household as safe as possible.