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When was the last time you shot your "home defense gun"?

4K views 46 replies 31 participants last post by  Kweeksdraw 
#1 · (Edited)
I was reading this story yesterday. Someone bangs on the door. Young wife asks who it is. Drunken voice demanding to be let in. She tells him to leave, and he starts trying to break in the door. She calls 911 and gets the shotgun. He breaks the door open, steps in and she blows him back out. Fourteen minutes later the cops arrive.

And I thought about that for a moment.

If someone were to attempt to break in here, there's a 38 laying on the coffee table right next to me. I could call 911 while holding it ready.

OR, I could deedee down the hall and get the Ithaca. As the young wife learned, a 12 gauge fulla double aught does a fine job.

And then I thought some more.

You know, I ain't shot that damn gun in four or five years. No worries about having forgotten how it works, but - could congealed oil make it so it doesn't work? Could 103 colonies of spiders built a giant condo in the barrel, so when I shoot it it blows up in my face?

Hmmmm.

Most of the firearms I would grab if I needed to shoot something (human or otherwise) I have shot recently. I know they work. But that shotgun. Hard to find a place to shoot a shotgun these days. Most indoor ranges don't allow them. Lot of outdoor ranges don't also. I'm guess it's because of the "it's gonna be there forever" plastic wads.

Guess I need to tear that 37 down and make sure the action works and the bore's clean.
 
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#3 ·
37s are one of the most reliable guns that I know of. I have had the same one sense I was 13.
Other then the barrel being plugged with siders I bet yours would shoot right now with out even cleaning it.
The only draw back I can see is the 37s hurt when they are shot. The older I get the more it hurts.
But I am sure it would hurt the bad guy more........
Mike
 
#7 ·
I shoot my carry gun every time I go to the range. I buy fresh self defence ammo every year.

I also have a self defence shotgun at home. I will shot it once a year at least. I haven't owned it for a year yet. I have shot it twice so far.
 
#8 ·
I don't have a very large collection of firearms. A deer rifle, 2 shot guns, a few fun 22's and about 8 pistols. They all get a workout about once a month or so. It therapeutic for me. I like to send a few and then take a few cleaning them all up and making sure they will work the next time I need them. That way I never have to wonder if they will work when I squeeze the trigger.
 
#9 ·
It's a good point.
"Could 103 colonies of spiders built a giant condo in the barrel"
Sure, that was an extreme example in jest, but honestly, one little mud wasp or even a shed hull in the wrong place and it's "click" instead of "boom".
I thank my lucky stars I shoot on my own property so I'm able to shoot anything anytime.
Was out with the 870 last week blowing up 2 microwaves, a stand fan, coffee maker and a 32" crt tv.
Fun times.
I don't clean my guns well enough as a rule.
Your post has made me a little less lazy.
 
#14 ·
My primary home defense gun is my Glock 19
It's what I carry every day
When I come home it sits on a table in the living room by my side
When I go to bed it goes with me

I shoot and cleaan it regularly
That's how I am with my Shield. It is always with me.
 
#13 ·
At least once a year the 20 goes for a walk at the range for slugs/buckshot/bird shot at various ranges. And every year I tell myself I need to buy a recoil pad for it. Every time I go to the range is 100 rounds of 9mm through my Springer 1911 though. And my early warning system is two dachshunds..have never had a postman sneak up on me..
 
#16 · (Edited)
The Smith 60 that I carry sits on the nightstand every night. I shot it Thursday.
The Mossberg got shot a bunch of times over the past few months in 3 gun. That's over now, it may not get fired again for a while.

Edit: I clean every gun every time I shoot it. If they sit, then during the winter they get thoroughly cleaned and oiled.
 
#19 ·
I carry my P938 every day - at work, in the open, elsewhere concealed. It gets a regular workout whenever I visit the range (seldom) and when I visit my property in Golden Valley (often). What it doesn't get is a decent cleaning and oiling often enough. I need to work on that...
 
#21 ·
Probably the same as many others. Some of the SD handguns I carry are fired and cleaned a lot more than others. Revolvers are fired frequently, semi-auto's, not so much. This past Friday I had 3 of them out double checking the sights and just playing with them a little at 100 yards. From a rest my 18 in. X 24 in. steel buffalo target was fairly easy with the 696 in 44 Spl. It was fun hearing the "tink" of the 240 gr. cast bullet then going to the target and picking up the lead "nickels". The CZ 83 and 82 were not nearly as easy to put on target....imagine that....:D I hit it a few times with each but nowhere near the consistency of the revolver. All were thoroughly cleaned afterward.
 
#22 ·
Thanks for the post.... I have a nightmare from time to time that my shotgun jams.....
I used to have, often, nightmares where my 1911 would not fire when I needed it. Hammer cocked, safety off, but the trigger would not move. Told someone, finally, and quit having them.

Started having nightmares where I was trying to stab someone and the knife wouldn't penetrate. :confused:

I think my favorite is when I was rabbit hunting in the house. I followed the bunny into the spare bedroom, and as I went by the door closed behind me. I turned to see the rabbit leaping at me, from behind the door. He was coming feet first. Had giant suction cups on the bottom of his feet. I tried to get the shotgun up but before I could the feet hit my chest and stuck, and I woke up.

Had that one three times before I told it to someone. Kinda glad I don't have it any more.:cool:

So - TELL your nightmare to someone. Be detailed. That's made me stop having three different ones. Maybe it'll work for you.:)
 
#24 ·
Revolvers are fired frequently
I've been liking the revolver more as of late. I've been on a 38 snub kick as of late as I try to find a round I can shoot for cheap that will play at 25 yards. With the rounds I have been trying to search out, it's just a noise maker at 25 yards. With +p spendy Hornady and Speer defensive rounds, it's ok at 25, but I need more practice there, hence the search that is cheaper ammo in the bulk ammo.
 
#25 ·
July 4th. We shot instead of fireworks. Although truly someone would be suicidal to try and come up here. Generally the "Sheriff's Dept. K-9 Training Facility" sign stops them. (it even stopped the cable guy, he refused to come up till I went and got him). If that doesn't do it, the climb to the house would kill most half way up. If they still get here, well, then they have to deal with me and various fur missiles. Just not a smart move. There is easier prey.
 
#31 ·
My 12ga pump that sits by my bed had gotten stiff to pump.I couldn't figure out how to get the forend off to clean it so I took it to my gunsmith last month and for $40, it is now smooth as silk.He also fixed the bead where I had the barrel shortened and the guy put my bead on crooked as a politician. Bead fixed,loaded with 00B,pump fixed, I'm now ready for home invaders again.
 
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