white97dsm Wrote:so, would an AK make an ok home defense weapon? Just curious??? Cause its cheaper than most handguns....
The best home defense weapon is the one you have.
Now that we have that out of the way, we can begin the discussion in earnest.
Ok, a rifle is almost always better than a pistol. Pretty much the only reason for having a handgun is for weight savings and concealment, neither of which is a concern when defending one's home. 7.62X39 is a verified manstopper, as evidenced by the Hajis success (or, at least, not total abject failure) in the sandbox.
Pros:
An AK is very simple, it is easy to both use and clean,
Many AK's have folding stocks, which make for easy storage
An AK is inexpensive.
An AK is small and light, making it easy to aim and carry through a house or in a vehicle.
The AK has mild recoil. 8 year olds in africa use these every day.
An AK is dead nuts stupid reliable. (Owed mostly to it's simplicity and rugged construction) Properly cared for, it is probably the most reliable weapon for the price point, maybe on the whole planet. (Yes, swords and knives included)
Cons:
The AK is a bit of a crude rifle, and can feel cheap. (Not really a concern for an HD weapon)
The sights are godawful
If you're concerned about "shooting through your wall" into a room or a building next door, then get pepper spray. The reality is that anything that will enter a bad guy with enough force to make him stop what he's doing will cut through drywall and insulation with ease. This includes anything that comes out of a shotgun. It's just like the 3 little pigs...unless you live in a house made of brick, the wolf is getting through. But don't take my word for it, ask
Ole Painless. Any weapon you get you need to *train train train*, *practice, practice, practice*. You should be able to operate it, in the dark, under stress, while half asleep. And you'll only be able to do that with practice.
Many people will tell you to get a shotgun. It's not a bad idea, as shotguns are very effective when loaded with 00 buck or larger, can be quite compact (minimum legal barrel length: 18") and can be very intimidating. But they also have a lot of recoil, and can be very heavy when loaded with ammunition. If you choose a shotgun, resist the temptation to take the buttstock off and put "just" a pistol grip on it. You are not the Terminator, and that is a bad idea.
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