Single mom — need home defense advice
I'm a single mom with 1 kids and I've never owned a gun. Had a scary situation recently — weird guy followed me home. I want something for home defense but I'm overwhelmed.
Where do I even start? Budget is around $549.
6 Replies
Can you share more details on your setup? I'm trying to decide between a few options right now.
Gonna have to respectfully disagree here. I've seen too many people have issues with that.
Gonna disagree with the shotgun crowd here... Handgun gives you more options and easier to store securely with a kid around. Glock 19 is bomb-proof, easy to learn on. $500ish gets you the gun, maybe add a streamlight for another $100. Practice dry fire at home (safely!) and get to the range when you can. Most important thing is having something you'll actually use if you need to.
22 years LE here - agree with the shotgun recommendation. Mossberg 500 is bulletproof reliable. BUT... don't overlook a handgun either. S&W M&P Shield or Glock 19 are both in your budget range. Key thing is you need to be comfortable with whatever you choose. Go to a range that rents guns, try a few out. And please please please get some basic training. Your local PD might offer women's safety courses.
For home defense on that budget, skip the thermal for now lol. You want something reliable and simple - maybe a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 shotgun. Point and shoot, less worry about over-penetration through walls with your kid in the house. Around $300-400 leaves room for a light and some training. But honestly, get some training first before you buy anything.
AR-15 might sound intimidating but hear me out - easier to shoot accurately than a handgun, less recoil than a shotgun, and 5.56/.223 actually penetrates walls LESS than buckshot or pistol rounds. PSA has complete rifles around $500. Add a red dot and light later. Just my 2 cents but don't let anyone tell you what you "should" carry... go handle different options and see what feels right.