Hard to beat a 10/22. I agree that the best choice for any individual's defensive use is the gun you shoot a lot and don't have to think about how it operates. A 9mm is certainly capable of getting the job done, but unless shot placement is virtually perfect, one shot 9mm stops on determined opponents are not comfortingly common, and there's a good chance you'll need to apply more of them to get the result you need. More shots = more time for the BG to do things that are not good for you. That doesn't mean it's not a viable choice, and it's not a show stopper as long as you're not surprised by it. That being said, the gun you're proficient with to the point of unconscious competence still beats the heck out of one you're not. I'd also use the Mossberg 500 over either of the others in a home defense situation any day.Liko81 wrote:You're exactly right; the .223 is a more powerful round; about 3 times more powerful out of an AR than a 9mm is out of the CX4, in fact. Good for it. The fact remains, if I were ever to use a stocked rifled gun to defend myself and my home from another person, both an AR and a CX4 will do the job admirably. It comes down to what I would be more comfortable firing; the AR15 is longer, heavier and fires a more powerful bullet, while the CX4 is the opposite. I've fired the CX4 and it's a great gun. I've fired the AR15 and it's great too. I think if I were rudely awakened at 2:00 AM by an intruder, I'd want the CX4; controls are simpler and easier to find (fewer bumps on a CX that don't mean anything), I will have fired it more often since the ammo's cheaper and I can fire it in a pistol bay instead of renting a rifle bay by the half hour, and loaded with Federal HSTs or Ranger SXTs it will bring down Sparky the BG, no problem.Excaliber wrote:The 5.56 is a hypersonic rifle round that creates a very damaging temporary wound cavity in human targets at close ranges, and is a much more effective man stopper than the 9mm. Rounds which do not reach hypersonic velocity are physically incapable of producing this effect. At longer range, when the 5.56 projectile drops below hypersonic velocity, its man stopping effectiveness falls off significantly and it tends to just punch really small holes through the target. It's not unusual for the long range shootee to remain capable of returning fire after being hit.
In my particular case, this is all pretty moot. I have a Mossberg 500 Tactical for serious HD (blows the pants off either choice, and the BG to boot), a Ruger 9mm handgun for most other bumps in the night, and I don't hunt, so if I got a CX4 it would be a range toy just like you say. All I was saying is that it isn't just a range toy and it shouldn't be discounted as such so lightly.
+1RiverRat wrote:I'm going to take slightly different tack for an "only" rifle recommendation. I have 10/22's and highly recommend them for a general purpose plinker/varmit rifle. It would be sorely lacking with medium or larger game.........remember you want one rifle to do it all.
That said....to your question.....if I only had one rifle, I would chose a 30.06, probably a Savage model 10 bolt action or a Winchester model 70. Bolt actions aren't sensitive to variations in powder loading and different bullet weights. 30.06 is jack-of-all-trades of rifle calibers. (I have .308.....it's still not as common in Podunk, TX, particularly bullet weigh choices)
If more of a battle rifle is to your taste, add another $300 to the rifle costs mentioned above and get an M1 Garand. It will give you 8 rounds of semi auto with almost absolute reliability with iron sights.
I wouldn't use a rifle for home defense, anyway, unless there are no more options........get a $100 12 gauge.
There are almost unlimited choices in ammo types, loads, and bullets...from 75 grain varmit loads, to 220 grain for moose loads (I've not ever looked for a larger bullet than 220g). 30.06 ammo is universally available in the US. Accuracy is very respectable to several hundred yards.
Surplus ball ammo from CMP for plinking is $60 for ~200 rounds. Reload equipment/dies common and relatively inexpensive.
Good luck with your decision. I'd save my money and get a 10/22 also, to go along with the real rifle you choose.
