Why choose an AR for Self Defense?

[cknight8]

Documentaries, man... they are documentaries. Don't let anybody tell you it's not real!

oh i know its real... i'm with you, aint no one convincing me different! :-)

[Magiccarpetrides]

For home defense I have a shotgun ready...body armor or not at close range it will at least knock a BG on their a$$. For the trunk im still up in arms...but normal self defense which would primarily be inside the residence im definitely biased towards the "scatter gun".

[creeky]

oh i know its real... i'm with you, aint no one convincing me different! :-)

We really need a "TGO Zombie Reaction Force"... not "if"... but "when".

[G27]

For home defense I have a shotgun ready...body armor or not at close range it will at least knock a BG on their a$$.

Does it knock you down when you shoot it?

[Magiccarpetrides]

Does it knock you down when you shoot it?

hahaha....no...and I see your point but I dont expect para-military types with body armor to be bustin in my house...least not unless Obortions elected

[Magiccarpetrides]

We really need a "TGO Zombie Reaction Force"... not "if"... but "when".

Im all about that....we need to form Eastern, Middle, and Western Tennessee chapters with zone responsibility and logistics

[molonlabetn]

Im all about that....we need to form Eastern, Middle, and Western Tennessee chapters with zone responsibility and logistics

I'll be on my roof.

BYOB

[TGO David]

We really need a "TGO Zombie Reaction Force"... not "if"... but "when".

I'm ahead of you.

[cknight8]

I'm ahead of you.

i'm in all the way... and i LOVE that pic!!!

[creeky]

I'm ahead of you.

That's why your the "Admin"!

[PackinMama]

Thanks to everyone for the input. The AK and SKS sound like interesting options. How's the reliability of those compared to the AR's?

[cknight8]

Thanks to everyone for the input. The AK and SKS sound like interesting options. How's the reliability of those compared to the AR's?

my SKS's are rock solid reliable. never had a FTF or FTE, just got to clean them like any other gun. i'd love to have an AK, but for now i'm 100% with my SKS's...

[strickj]

Packin;Just mosey on down here to Zoomiooga and put a few through mine.Then you can run right over and get Prices AR!

[G27]

Thanks to everyone for the input. The AK and SKS sound like interesting options. How's the reliability of those compared to the AR's?

Just remember that the more powerful 7.62 round is a double-edged sword, so to speak - penetration is a big issue...

[PackinMama]

Packin;Just mosey on down here to Zoomiooga and put a few through mine.Then you can run right over and get Prices AR!

Thanks for the offer Strick! I've got some thinking and a little more research to do before I invest in anything though. If I decide to get Price's AR I'll let you know and then maybe while I'm down that way we can get together and shoot off a few rounds! OK everyone, go ahead and have your fun with that one

I have shot a couple AR's before, my ex had one and both my brothers have one. They were all Colt Match Targets and I've witnessed all three jam, twice when I was shooting them.....so I kinda got a bit turned off because of that. Is this common with the Colts? I believe it was feeding issues, so it could have been cheap mags or something maybe......or cheap ammo, I think it was mostly Wolf stuff.

I do want a quality built, dependable self defense rifle that's not too difficult to field strip and clean/maintain. I just have to figure out which type of rifle would suit my needs. Have any of you shot any of Price's builds before? What do you guys think about the one he has for sale here?

[Guest abailey362]

I haven't shot one of his, but I do know that he only used quality parts on this and I have seen him shoot his builds before with no issues. I do have an SKS that he has owned a few times in the past, and it was well taken care of when I got it.

I've never had any reliability issues with AR's before, except one bad mag...and it went in the trash.

[Magiccarpetrides]

My AK's always go boom when you pull the trigger no matter what crappy surplus you throw through em. My recommendation is go get a Saiga or Yugo...FBI tests show that overpenetration has never been a factor in a shootout and is much over-hyped.

[TGO David]

FBI tests show that overpenetration has never been a factor in a shootout and is much over-hyped.

Antipersonnel over penetration, perhaps... but when you start talking about penetration through walls and such, not so much. The 7.62 punches through cinder blocks with ease and keeps on going. The 5.56 loses a lot of it's velocity and fragments when it hits hardened barriers like that.

[Guest bkelm18]

Yeah, whilst I do keep a couple loaded mags right next to my AK in my safe, I will not be grabbing it to shoot someone in my apartment.

[strickj]

I'll let you know and then maybe while I'm down that way we can get together and shoot off a few rounds! OK everyone, go ahead and have your fun with that one

[PackinMama]

Well, I thought about it too long. Price's AR has been sold

Oh well, that just gives me plenty time to check out a few different rifles before I make a decision.

[threeshot]

or just stay at home and shoot out of your supply stash... who says you have to go anywhere?

hahaha....no...and I see your point but I dont expect para-military types with body armor to be bustin in my house...least not unless Obortions elected

The Feds/Police/Gov... remember armed citizens being unarmed after hurricane Katrina?

[NuTcAsE]

The Feds/Police/Gov... remember armed citizens being unarmed after hurricane Katrina?

^^^^^^^^^^ There's another reason for .223 it's available...

[Guest mikedwood]

I'm ahead of you.

That is awesome!

I nominate Magic Carpet Rides as General of the Eastern Tennessee Zombie Reactionary Force. He has some supreme anti-zombie gear and is generally a great guy.

As far as gun choices if I were getting one with the fear of SHTF and no way in or out, perhaps no contact with an outside world for a bit. I would want an AK-47. Due to the fact it is so super tough and can fire with or without proper care.

The AR-15 while superior on accuracy to an AK at distance. Ar's seem somewhat fragile to me. I like them don't get me wrong. Were I an LEO or in a military role where you could do your gun business during the day and take the M-16 or Ar-15 home for cleaning in the evening I'd prefer that.

For home def I don't see how a 12 ga can be beat.

For personal carry I'm crazy about my .38 snubbie in the pocket.

Just my thoughts and they are probably wrong. I'm certainly not part of the "One gun is enough crowd" none of us here are.

[GLOCKMEISTER]

theres really several more factors to be figured in... besides liking the cool black rifle the cops and military use.

1st... if its a true defensive firearm, why 223/5.56... I want allot more range. I prefer 308/7.62, its got more range and more knockdown. I want to be able to take out zombies way before they get close to my perimeter. 308 also has more close quarters knockdown. Pick the right one like a Springfield, HK, or Fal... and you have a pretty good all around rifle with about the same capacity as an AR.

Now for a SHTF firearm... I like an AR or a Ruger 10/22. The AR is good all around, and the "zombies" that you might encounter will probably be carrying an AR as well... so ammo, mags, and parts will be plentiful. The Ruger 10/22 would be good for taking game... or if you dont have an AR... it might help you obtain one. You can carry 100 times more 22lr then you can anything else.

Shotgun is fine too in a defensive situation where over penetration of a rifle round may be an issue.

So it really depends on what you want, can handle, and afford.

Edited September 21, 2008 by GLOCKMEISTER