"Essential" Firearms

[EasyTargetRN]

I'm looking to gain other's insight on essential arms for a primarily home defense scenario. I've owned/sold just about every caliber under 50 cal but have narrowed what I have down to 22lr, 9mm, 38/357, 45ACP, and 12g with 45 Colt being reserved primarily for cowboy action though it is also quite effective for personal defense and requires proficiency with the SAA/Win1892 derivatives.

The only rifle I have is a lever action in 45 Colt.

I sold my 5.56 AR platform rifles and all associated ammo to acquire the necessary gear for CAS (high price of admission)

Current long guns aside from the 1892 are "tactical" SA and PA 12g.

Is an AR in 5.56/300 Blackout an essential platform to have on-hand? It would require an exchange of one of my 9mm sidearms, a Sig P320 AXG Classic to be specific. My other is a Glock 17 which is equally equipped with more magazines.

Thanks for your insights...

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[cabinguy]

I have 3 AR style, neither would be my grab in the night for defense, 12 gauge pump with flashlight on it be my first choice, 2nd choice would be my ruger 22 with laser on it. Which is useless in the daylight!!

 

[EasyTargetRN]

I have 3 AR style, neither would be my grab in the night for defense, 12 gauge pump with flashlight on it be my first choice, 2nd choice would be my ruger 22 with laser on it. Which is useless in the daylight!!

Agreed. Aside from my EDC, all have weapon mounted lights except the PA which securely rides in the Wrangler when venturing onto trails. I've always thought the AR platform was best used for ranges 50-100m+.

 

[Joe Link]

Common use in both platform and caliber is important for guns I might have to rely on. AR15 and Glock 17/19 for me

 

[Sunky Heribeck]

My home base line of defense rolls out as follows:

• 1st - Mossberg 500 12 gauge pump with mounted strobe weapons light. First round, rubber slug followed by OO Buck.

• 2nd - Glock 17 with same light as above. Suppressed, running 147 grain hollow points.

• 3rd - Vicious Chihuahua, no light, fully loaded, no suppression.

 

[dangerranger]

I have two AR's that I never shoot. I bought them because CA said I could not have them after a certain date. They are not a lot of fun to shoot. I have a couple rifles in 223 that are very accurate, they shoot 2/3's smaller groups. My marlin lever gun shoots about the same size groups as the AR's and only slightly slower. the lever guns are much easier to carry. So for me the AR's are not a necessity. DR

 

[nvshooter]

I like AR-type rifles. They make libturds fill their BVDs...

 

[Sunky Heribeck]

I like AR-type rifles. They make libturds fill their BVDs...

So does my Vicious Chihuahua.

 

[DunRanull]

By the Grace of God I would never be without an AR15 of some sort, for home defense likely an M4gery.. add to that a 9mm Glock or similar pistol, and a good pump shotgun, an 870 or Mossberg 500, 20 or 12 ga.. I would also add to that a .308 and a .22lr for hunting.
Mind you those would be "basic" preferences but the world is far larger and others certainly have their own preferences, and some prefer none...

 

[Whisky Tahoe]

I'm looking to gain other's insight on essential arms for a primarily home defense scenario. Is an AR in 5.56/300 Blackout an essential platform to have on-hand?
Thanks for your insights...

essential /ĭ-sĕn′shəl/

1. Constituting or being part of the nature or essence of something; inherent.
2. Fundamentally important or necessary: synonym: indispensable.
   "essential ingredients."
   Similar: indispensable

For home defense: I consider a scattergun to be "Essential". My preference is a pump action loaded with 0 buck shells and backed up by other weapons.

22LR pistols and rifles are great ways to minimize the cost of training and practice.

Lower cost ammo favors the 9mm and 223 & 5.56x45 chambered pistols and rifles enabling more training and practice

After that it is preference and largely preparedness. The best weapon is the one you have with you.

 

[El Pistolero]

A 20 gauge pump is essential for a household with a wife or other smaller people who you will train to protect the homestead. IMHO.

 

[EasyTargetRN]

I've found that 20g is a bit more snappy than a 12. With the right load, a 12 is very manageable for smaller framed individuals.