Ultimate Home Defense Rifle Opinions

[huntnphool]

 I've tried to make sure I have a handgun and rifle that shoots the same round in various options, Berretta 92's and CX-4 Storm, FN FiveseveN and AR-57, Bushmaster AR15 and Bushmaster Carbon15 Pistol.

[mountainman]

HK USC

[jay.sharkbait]

I'll leave my thoughts on fighting inside confined spaces to another thread. That said I would highly recommend a Flashhider over a comp and suppressed is even better.

Forged upper and lower rec'rs. I would suggest Aero. They are making a quality affordable product. Billet stuff is nice, but heavy and not as strong as forged if weight is the same. I am not a fan of ambi controls other than the safety.

Barrel. FN M4 barrel these barrels are hammer forged and 1/7 twist. I would not use an adjustable gas block on a combat style rifle and might go as far as running it slightly over gassed. This can be tuned with the gas port size.

BCG. I am only using JP enhanced bolts from now on. They really are superior to anything else on market.

Small parts kit. I just use the pins and such so I tend to go cheap. I suggest the ACT trigger or Rock River NM. Noveske short throw safety's are a nice addition as well.

Stock and Grips. That's shooter preference. I use a LMT SOPMOD stock and Magpul grip.

HG. Free Float is highly recommend. You don't have to spend a fortune here. There are some great HG's out there under 100.00. I have a Geissele HG right now and like it. It locks up tight and doesn't Flex at all.

Muzzle device. A2 Flashhider or if you want to be fancy BE Meyers. Brakes suck in confined spaces and muzzle flash is a real concern as well.

Mags. PMag, HK, or plain old alloy GI(with updated followers) are all good. Shoot the rifle a bunch with the mags you do decide on and keep track of those.

Charging handle. Keep it simple. I do not recommend ambi handles, they are overrated and weak. GI works great with a extended latch.

Hope this helps.

[carpsniperg2]

I also have one of the Gen 1 cx4 STORMS. They are such a great little gun. Great gun anyone can shoot.

I am about as big of AR buff as you will find but I choose shotgun and handgun myself.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I've tried to make sure I have a handgun and rifle that shoots the same round in various options, Berretta 92's and CX-4 Storm, FN FiveseveN and AR-57, Bushmaster AR15 and Bushmaster Carbon15 Pistol.

 

[mountainman]

Not a rifle per the OP, but a person would be hard pressed to beat the Serbu Super Shorty 12 gauge for situations that are quick, close, and confined.http://www.serbu.com/super-shorty-aow-shotgun-12-gauge.html

[theleo]

There's a difference between home defense and ranch rifle, if you want a "Ultimate Home Defense Rifle" give up the idea of shooting coyotes at 300 yards.

[highside74]

12ga if you want true home defense.

[Rob]

There's a difference between home defense and ranch rifle, if you want a "Ultimate Home Defense Rifle" give up the idea of shooting coyotes at 300 yards.

Totally agree.

I also agree that a 12 gauge is the best home defense firearm.

[Rob]

I'll leave my thoughts on fighting inside confined spaces to another thread. That said I would highly recommend a Flashhider over a comp and suppressed is even better.

Forged upper and lower rec'rs. I would suggest Aero. They are making a quality affordable product. Billet stuff is nice, but heavy and not as strong as forged if weight is the same. I am not a fan of ambi controls other than the safety.

Barrel. FN M4 barrel these barrels are hammer forged and 1/7 twist. I would not use an adjustable gas block on a combat style rifle and might go as far as running it slightly over gassed. This can be tuned with the gas port size.

BCG. I am only using JP enhanced bolts from now on. They really are superior to anything else on market.

Small parts kit. I just use the pins and such so I tend to go cheap. I suggest the ACT trigger or Rock River NM. Noveske short throw safety's are a nice addition as well.

Stock and Grips. That's shooter preference. I use a LMT SOPMOD stock and Magpul grip.

HG. Free Float is highly recommend. You don't have to spend a fortune here. There are some great HG's out there under 100.00. I have a Geissele HG right now and like it. It locks up tight and doesn't Flex at all.

Muzzle device. A2 Flashhider or if you want to be fancy BE Meyers. Brakes suck in confined spaces and muzzle flash is a real concern as well.

Mags. PMag, HK, or plain old alloy GI(with updated followers) are all good. Shoot the rifle a bunch with the mags you do decide on and keep track of those.

Charging handle. Keep it simple. I do not recommend ambi handles, they are overrated and weak. GI works great with a extended latch.

Hope this helps.

Great info.

I have liked the ambi set ups, I find it interesting you don't.  I typically go ambi on the mag release, safety and charging handle.  Beyond weak charging handles, why do you dislike ambi?

[Jacque]

a short barrel 300AAC on a AR platform with a suppressor.  This gives you options, for example if the neighbors didn't hear it, did it really happen?  I mean to say, John's wife isn't going to call the police and say "my husband went to Bill's house at 3 am and didn't come home". 

[jay.sharkbait]

I'll leave my thoughts on fighting inside confined spaces to another thread. That said I would highly recommend a Flashhider over a comp and suppressed is even better.

Forged upper and lower rec'rs. I would suggest Aero. They are making a quality affordable product. Billet stuff is nice, but heavy and not as strong as forged if weight is the same. I am not a fan of ambi controls other than the safety.

Barrel. FN M4 barrel these barrels are hammer forged and 1/7 twist. I would not use an adjustable gas block on a combat style rifle and might go as far as running it slightly over gassed. This can be tuned with the gas port size.

BCG. I am only using JP enhanced bolts from now on. They really are superior to anything else on market.

Small parts kit. I just use the pins and such so I tend to go cheap. I suggest the ACT trigger or Rock River NM. Noveske short throw safety's are a nice addition as well.

Stock and Grips. That's shooter preference. I use a LMT SOPMOD stock and Magpul grip.

HG. Free Float is highly recommend. You don't have to spend a fortune here. There are some great HG's out there under 100.00. I have a Geissele HG right now and like it. It locks up tight and doesn't Flex at all.

Muzzle device. A2 Flashhider or if you want to be fancy BE Meyers. Brakes suck in confined spaces and muzzle flash is a real concern as well.

Mags. PMag, HK, or plain old alloy GI(with updated followers) are all good. Shoot the rifle a bunch with the mags you do decide on and keep track of those.

Charging handle. Keep it simple. I do not recommend ambi handles, they are overrated and weak. GI works great with a extended latch.

Hope this helps.

Great info.

I have liked the ambi set ups, I find it interesting you don't.  I typically go ambi on the mag release, safety and charging handle.  Beyond weak charging handles, why do you dislike ambi?

Mainly years of muscle memory. I have inadvertently hit the bolt stop and mag release. I also think that they are an additional point of failure and double the potential for foreign object issues.

[Yondering]

Stardard AR in 556. Frangible home defense rounds, 55gr varmit rounds for yotes and paper.

 Problem with that is rounds going through the walls.

That's kinda funny with the picture of your pistol caliber carbine right above. I suggest you try shooting through some building materials to find out which penetrates more.

Would love to hear thoughts on what caliber, overp penatration is going to be an issue no matter what caliber, if it is going to be shooting supersonic rounds I would think? I have a colt Ar15 in .223 so I am leaning towards this spectrum for interchangeability but I could be swayed

Here's the thing about penetration guys - high velocity causes more bullet fragmentation. Fragmentation causes less penetration. You do the math there.

Pistol calibers generally penetrate farther through building materials than expanding 5.56 rounds; velocity and bullet weight make big differences there. The reality though is that all of these shoot through walls. Anyone thinking their caliber choice is best because it won't penetrate walls is fooling themselves, and is a danger to everyone else in the house.

If you really want to shoot all the way through your house and the neighbors house though, subsonic 300 Blk is a great choice. 

[ghosthunter]

My self defense in the house guns now are
A Circuit Judge loaded with PDX .410 loads. 5 as fast as I can pull the trigger.

And two Bond Arms Hand cannons with .410 pdx or 45 LC.

Those will give be time to get to the safe and pull out the S&W 9ve with three 16 round mags.

[HuntandFish]

Great thoughts everyone. I threw in the coyote component and threw some of you off, I really have the intention of building this rifle with the ability to terminate long range threats should they occur, I leave out in the woods a fair ways from town and neighbors and should a threat occur directly outside the house or 300yrds away that require a response, I will be building a rifle to fit this purpose, with a focus on shooting ranges from 10-100yrds, high capacity low light ability.

I agree with everyone that a shotgun is the best approach for in the house and I agree, but I would like to have something for both in the house and outside the house should the situation call for such a circumstance. I have been going through other forums and visiting countless websites and the task seems daunting with so much information to absorb. I am more than capable and not intimidated by the task of building a rifle, just looking for your opinions on what you would use, and why. And just as importantly where you get your parts from (reputable sites) and any tips and tricks you have.

Sharbait- Your post was very informative and I have been researching everything you listed 

Thanks all, keep the comments coming, and where are the pictures, lets see em'. I will look up some pictures of the type of rifle I am looking to build.

H&F