| Author | Message | ||
     Bads1 |
Thing of it is 98% of the time a home with a good dog is never bothered. I had a few break ins 3 years ago in the neighborhood. I was raised with guns but don't own anylonger. I bought a dog that I knew would do the job. Funny 6 months later I enjoyed him so much I bought another. I can safely say my home is safe. | ||
| Americanmadexb |
i agree, dogs help, but not full proof.. We were robbed when i was 13. We had a German Sheppard and a Rott/Lab mixed that were Very protective... Both where shot with a 22.. thank god we weren't home! | ||
| Gregtonn |
'Lunchbox, Inflicting welts or bruises would require that you hit the intruder. My ex-wife had a great technique for firing one of those. Turn your head away from the target, close your eyes, extend your arm toward the target and pull the trigger. She once hit a five gallon bucket twice using this technique. None of her sisters were able to hit the bucket form fifteen feet with six shots using more conventional aiming techniques. G | ||
| Nevrenuf |
bads, i know where your coming from but i'm not much of a dog person. didn't do a very good job with the wifes lassa and really don't think i would do any better with anything else. just like i'm to old to do the father thing again the same goes with having pets. | ||
| Ccryder |
870 in the closet with 7+1 and holo-sight. Wife's night stand Ruger Single Six with 22mag cylinder (oh yeah she's got one in the pantry too). My night stand has a Ruger P95 .40S&W with an extra mag. Walther P22 in the Buffet in the living room. Walter PPS 9mm in truck and .40S&W on the 1125. Office has the .40S&W XDM hanging in the closet with 2 spare mags in the shoulder holster. Just in case I need more, the gun safe in the Y2K room is full along with a few thousand rounds of assorted ammo. Depending on your Wife's hand size will depend on what she will be comfortable with. My Wife does like the PPS in 9mm. The .40S&W version fits her hand well but the recoil is TOO much. I just turn her loose in the back yard with her Single Six or my Mark II and from 10-15 yards, she real good at 2" groups. With the .40 she gets real tired after 3 rounds, the 9mm she will go through a mag or three. The Single Six she will keep reloading ALL afternoon. Ain't .22's almost too much fun for little $'s. Court just come by anytime and we can kill cans and punch paper all day long. If you want a little longer range we have the terrain and hardware for that too ;+}. Later | ||
| Xbrad9r |
for my wife's protection... a 6' 6", 250 lb bodyguard... ME oh, and a jack russell/mountain feist mix named Trixie | ||
| Bads1 |
i agree, dogs help, but not full proof.. We were robbed when i was 13. We had a German Sheppard and a Rott/Lab mixed that were Very protective... Both where shot with a 22.. thank god we weren't home! Sorry to here that Ian. 9 times out of ten they won't bother a home with a dog. They don't know what they may be getting there selves into. Thing is most dogs that owners say I are protective are barkers first. Not a bad thing but most won't do a thing unless provoked. If both were shot chances are that is what may have happened. When I say a good dog?? I mean a dog that is intuned to the surroundings. They will bark sure but usually no somethings wrong before the perp even enters. If they do enter they are met in that instance before they get a chance to move 2 step's. | ||
| P_squared |
Think like you're dressing your wife for an outing in the cold. Dress her in layers. What can you do to make your residence the least desirable target from the outside appearance? Landscaping, lighting & signs go a long way. What can you do inside to make your wife safer? ALWAYS keep a charged cell phone (to call 911 if the phone lines are cut/down), a flashlight (the brighter the better), and a pair of comfy sandals (not slippers. Your footwear should be secure on your feet) by the bedside. Figure out where the best place is for your significant other to hole up & dial 911 on that cell in the event someone does break in. That means spend the money on a good, solid door & quality locks for the bathroom/closet/bedroom. The longer it takes them to get to her, the better off she is. Dogs are good, and so are alarm systems, but they are not fool proof. They are an aid, not a final solution. Choose to incorporate them as you see fit into your personal situation. Firearms...if she can't shoot it (scared, doesn't fit, too complicated, etc.,etc.) then why spend the money on it? If she's serious about keeping herself alive in the event a goblin is ransacking the house, then she needs to spend the time figuring out what works for her in a firearm, and then she needs to practice with it REGULARLY. Once you've figured all of that out, then PRACTICE what to do. To this day, I'm still amazed by the # of folks who tell me they woke up in the middle of the night with the alarm going off & decided to "go take a look" without arming themselves. It sounds stupid, but it does happen. Just my $0.02 and YMMV. | ||
| Bads1 |
Nothing is full proof... nothing. | ||
| P_squared |
Nothing is full proof... nothing. I thought death was pretty fool proof?  Seriously though, you are correct. The best thing anyone can do is figure out what works best for them & their particular situation & then be prepared. Practice isn't insurance, but it does help reduce the mistakes that can be very costly to your health. | ||
| Whatever |
What would you get your wife for protection? I would get her a box of condoms... | ||
| Imonabuss |
Serious firearms, and she can shoot way better than I can, so the intruder is in for a real surprise. | ||
| Bads1 |
Heres one thing that is for sure. You can have a gun. You can spend countless hours learning to shoot it and well. You can go over and over on the what if's to make you feel prepared in the situation. But then it happens...... can you pull the trigger?? Most will say yeah no problem. Me I can honestly say I don't know if I could react quick enough. I'd like think I would. But I've never been in the situation. But then there is a good dog. Hes either been trained to do so. Or he is a dog that its bred into the breed to do the job like mine. They will react,they will have no reservations. I feel very comfortable with my two 4 legged best friends. | ||
| Slaughter |
Remington 870. Have her get used to light loads for learning the gun. Better yet, if you reload, that's even easier. If you have to buy, start with AA low-base light "target" loads. They will surprise her at how mild the recoil is. When somebody is USED TO the gun and how it points and responds when the trigger is pulled, you can step it up a notch. I reload for ALL guns I own but you can get light "target" loads for any gun you shoot. Problem with automatics is you can't download them too much without getting failures to feed (or you have to use lighter return springs) Hell, I reloaded so danged much (RCBS and Dillon RL550) - that I got to meet and go flying with Mike Dillon in his helo - back from his private range out of Tucson. Right after the LAST Gulf war, I got to shoot a 30mm ASP prototype (same cartridge as the 30mm chain gun but different feed) on a Navy Fast Attack Vehicle using some cool Litton night vision equipment. 4 short-haired guys in jeans and striped polo shirts were along on that episode. Mike Chenoweth came out to do some on-the-spot design work (Chenoweth built the vehicles) Interesting group. Asking for gun recommendations here is like asking for tires, beers, movie recommendations. REGARDLESS OF WHAT she gets, SHOOT and SHOOT OFTEN. Make it fun. Defense is a chore, plinking is fun. (Message edited by slaughter on November 09, 2009) | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
My Cane Corso was the best thing I did for home protection besides firearms. He keeps foot traffic in the alleys moving swiftly. | ||
| Mikej |
Dogs are fine but dogs don't have human reasoning or discernment. Even so, however, I do like having a dog around. | ||
| M2me |
What would you get your wife for protection? I would get her a box of condoms... And I'll train her how to use them!  Seriously, folks. I've never understood this thinking that everybody has to be armed for protection. What are you doing? Protection against what? Protection against whom? I've lived in south Minneapolis for 25 years. Minneapolis has been called "Murderapolis" in the past for a reason. Yet, I have never felt the need to be armed to "protect myself". Nine times out of ten, people who are armed to protect themselves end up shooting themselves, a friend or a family member. Own guns if you want to (I own two) but don't fool yourself into thinking that you're protecting yourself by owning a gun. Get a dog instead and fool yourself into thinking that the dog is protecting you. Take good care of the dog and yourself. Trust me, you'll be fine. | ||
| Bhillberg |
I trained my wife with both 9mm's, the 870 and the AR15. I always have one of the 9's and the AR in the closet. The problem is that too many people get too scared the pull the trigger and the weapon gets turned on them. She has been instructed over and over that if an intruder enters the house she is to get into the bedroom closet. Stay there, crouching with the weapon pointed towards the center of the door. If someone comes in the house and takes everything we own, so be it. If it is a friend, or me they will call her name out by the time they get back there. There is no reason or way that they will come all the way to the bedroom, and open the door to the closet and be friendly. At that point she is to empty the magazine and reload and stay. Sure, if I am there, I will try my hardest to get them out of the house and protect my belongings. Her though, just stay safe. We also have a german shepherd. I doubt my dog would really do much but she is a good alarm system | ||
| Rick_a |
Mine has a BHP in 40S&W. She wants a Walther P22 and PPK. A Ruger P89 is used mainly for target practice. I use my firearms for informal target practice...but it's only prudent to keep at least one loaded at all times. You generally have to be looking for a fight to get into one...but you never know. I've had plenty people I know get robbed or assaulted. I'd rather prevent that myself if possible. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
"Nine times out of ten, people who are armed to protect themselves end up shooting themselves, a friend or a family member." Prove it. You can't just throw numbers like that around. Think about this: If there is a possibility you'll get shot, won't you think twice about entering a home? So seriously, we should not live in fear, but being ready to act if something terrible comes your way can go a long ways too. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
We have big Polish sheepdog that lives outside & gives plenty of warning of visitors. There's a 9mm bolt action smoothbore in the house, makes a nice bang but won't do too much damage, plus a paratroopers knife (like an overgrown Bowie, but blacked) & a baseball bat. Then there's the wife herself, formerly a sergeant in the French army. I feel quite safe at home, though if I could sneak one into the country I'd like a Mossberg JIC. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
bhillberg, that is all i would expect her to do and probably want her to do. we have a small house by today's standards and always keep the doors locked at night but locks only keep the honest people honest. if a person really wants to, they will get in and it wouldn't take much time to get from either door to the bedroom. so keeping the gun in the little fire proof safe which sits in the closet would probably be the best thing. been a victim a few times of someone wanting my things more than i did which is fine but i won't leave my wife to fend for herself. | ||
| Court |
>>>Protection against what? In my case . . and I understand it is unique . . NYC can present some unusual scenarios you'd not find in Topeka or Dallas. Twice, in the 13 years I've lived in NYC, public disasters have rendered police protection non-existent. (think 3 day response time). Fortunately in both cases the very best things ocurred and folks, I mean even in the South Bronx, went to great lengths to be neighborly and held each other out. That was great. That may not happen every time. Living on an Island, particularly when that Island is likely the premier target in the world (it requires thousands of folks working covertly and nightly fly overs by helicopters with sensors to detect "dirty nukes") you have to always be ready for the "we'll be locked in for 30 days and have to fend for ourselves option". Some folks have these Hummers that are outfitted for Rambo style escapes. I know, if something happens, that NO ONE is getting out of town. That's a no brainer, I'm getting ready to head to my office 9 miles away on a Tuesday morning and know it will take 2 hours on a "normal" day . . . toss in some civil unrest and folks will go nuts, there'll be weapons displayed and fights JUST LIKE there were following the Yankees parade last week when the crowd forced the closing of the Staten Island Ferry terminal. I have no plans to go anywhere and at the same time want to make certain that my family is well protected. I have probably over reacted based on my prior experience being the victim of a shooting, my USMC and USSS experience. Each person should determine their own needs and act accordingly. | ||
| Slaughter |
We here in CA cannot forget the images during the LA riots when the Korean shop owners stationed their ARMED family members at and ON their store roofs. The rioters were torching their own neighborhoods and among certain groups, the Koreans were known to be hated. They new this, they KNEW the police were a full day behind the National Guard and so they PROTECTED themselves. NO market or place of business protected by the armed Koreans was torched. Can't say that of the more than 200 other buildings or whether or not the 53 people killed would have been saved. I look at having a loaded weapon available in the same context as flying with a parachute. If you need one and don't have it, you may never need one again. | ||
| Swampy |
Please, please, heed this warning: I have earned the name "Click" due to my neglect when it comes to cleaning firearms. Every firearm, semi-auto or revolver(and yes even the pump shotgun) is suceptible to lint, debris and fouling. So do please check function on a regular basis. | ||
| Swordsman |
"Seriously, folks. I've never understood this thinking that everybody has to be armed for protection. What are you doing? Protection against what? Protection against whom? I've lived in south Minneapolis for 25 years. Minneapolis has been called "Murderapolis" in the past for a reason. Yet, I have never felt the need to be armed to "protect myself". Nine times out of ten, people who are armed to protect themselves end up shooting themselves, a friend or a family member. Own guns if you want to (I own two) but don't fool yourself into thinking that you're protecting yourself by owning a gun. Get a dog instead and fool yourself into thinking that the dog is protecting you. Take good care of the dog and yourself. Trust me, you'll be fine." Spoken like a true optimist. If you live in "murderapolis" and don't feel you will ever need protection, well, I think that speaks for itself. Nice way you pulled those numbers out of your ass too. I would venture to say nine times out of ten, people who are armed to protect themselves have had a good deal of training and experience, and don't hit anyone they weren't aiming at. Now, when someone produces some real numbers, let's see who was closer. Not that you'll believe numbers. I'm sure the conservative conspiratorial gun freaks must have skewed them. ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on November 10, 2009) | ||
| Blake |
If they'd had the means to defend themselves, how many victims of violent rape would instead be killers of rapists? "I have never felt the need to be armed to "protect myself". Me neither. I hope neither of us ever does feel that need. But if you do, if you do become the victim of a mugging or break-in, how will it change your view of the issue? Closing your eyes and pretending that violence only ever happens to other folks is beyond foolish. "Trust me, you'll be fine." That is a foolishly irresponsible delusional statement. (Message edited by blake on November 10, 2009) | ||
| Blake |
 From http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/viort.htm So on average, a person living in America all his/her life has roughly a 2% probability of being or becoming a victim of violent crime. The odds are in your favor but pretending that violence won't happen to you is just another form of gambling, possibly with your life and the lives of your most beloved ones. (Message edited by blake on November 10, 2009) | ||
| Blake |
Not too long ago that probability was 5%. | ||
| Etennuly |
I have some weapons that will clear the deck and re-set the situation, including some close range cutlery that would alter an intruders day. The most confidence inspiring though are our dogs. The beware of dogs sign and the outside ones could be doing their job and it would never be known. If an intruder cannot see or read the sign they certainly will hear and see the outside dogs. If they feel like that didn't bother them enough, the inside dog is very protective. I have a Ruger MKIII 22 that I take out in the spring and fall for each member of the family to shoot a few clips just so that they can keep the feel of it handy. I spend some time working with them on loading and cleaning just so they know. One thing that I have been trying to adjust is a habit where-in when you hear a suspicious noise, you do not turn on the lights in the room, or rooms you are passing into, effectively blinding yourself. I keep a rechargeable spot light by the bed. It is so bright it will render anyone coming in in the dark, blind for at least three minutes(my son proved this to me when we were watching movies in the dark room one night). I also like Court's horn idea. Deafening an intruder can be as effective as blinding them. And once they have shit their pants, chances are they will rethink their aggressive position. I too am of the school of training, practice, and more importantly layers. If you are in an area where you have neighbors get to know them, you don't need to be friends, but rather mutual partners in self preservation. Several times in the past, when ever something untold would happen, those neighbors have been my first responders, alarm system, and defensive assistants, and us theirs. |
