I've seen on some other boards advocation of inexpensive surplus arms for defense.
These included the SKS, the AK-47 and its variants, M1 and its variants, the 1903 Springfield, and the Mosin-Nagant.
Ok... so I can see the SKS and AK, and even the M1. I've run through several scenarios, and I just can't think of a time when I might use my M44 for defense in a practical way.
Let's say I wake up in the middle of the night to strange noises within the house. I grab my M44 and affix the bayonet.
I find a couple people pilfering the entertainment center, let's say, and they become hostile and produce weapons. I shoot one in self-defense. Now, I have to work the action. I probably won't have time to do this: First, I'm a lefty and work the action much as that designated marksman on Saving Private Ryan, second, a long action is not the fastest to work. Third, I only have four shots before I must reload, and that takes awhile (comparatively speaking). The four shots comes from not having a round already chambered.
So I can use the bayonet and buttstock. I'm trained in martial arts and martial arts weaponry, and this thing is just another spear/staff to me.
Still, not the best scenario. And, I can't seem to come up with any scenario where I might have to throw on my ammo pouches and shoot at distance.
It seems to me that, while these advocates have a good grip on using the AK and the SKS for home defense, the M44 is less than well-equipped.
I think it would be better to use my "'smithed to perfection" Taurus PT92 loaded with premium HP ammunition or, better yet, my folding-stock, extended magazine, heat shield-equipped, buckshot-loaded, pump action 12 gauge shotgun.
The M44 can stay put for plinking and taking out wild dogs and coyotes at 25-200yds.
Is there something I'm missing about these old warhorses, or are some people just fantasizing about using the bayonet and buttplate?
I think that one of the attractions to the Mosins is that they were not available for many years in the past, and military collectors now have access to them. Also, for the price they are good inexpensive high caliber fun. ($100 for a rifle and a case of milsurp ammo) They are viable defense tools if you want to "reach out and touch someone" in a SHTF scenario. They are not really the best for home defense.
I may be wrong, but I believe that the Russians started to sell them shortly after the Soviet Union dissolved. They needed hard currency and were happy to let WW II surplus go.
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We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ
Last edited by Triggerjerk; 10-10-2007 at 08:40 AM.
you would be better off just beating them with it.
it would be a lot safer for the neighbors!
There could be a scenario where deadly force would be imperative if you are going to survive. In such a case where firing a weapon is absolutely necessary you are not aiming directly at anyone but the perp so the chances of hitting anyone else are very slim.I dont care if a .458Win.is the only weapon I can get if it comes to self defence vs a chance of hitting something I dont want to I would never even think about the slight risk of a bullet going wrong.I would try to make myself secure and then worry about it.After all I didnt want to be in those circumstances anyway and have to fire period.I am not going to take time to go to the neighbors and ask him to get his family in theit car and leave because I must shoot a man threatening my life. sam.
Much as I love my Mosins, I wouldn't use them for home defense.
Much better is a shotgun sawed off a quarter-inch past legal length for maneuverability in tight quarters, with light shot that won't go thru the perp, the bedroom wall, your kid, the outside wall and the neighbor's cat like a 7.62x54 round could.
The extra quarter-inch, as my brother once told a Sheriff's deputy, is "in case one of you s.o.b.'s has a rubber tape measure." Tact and diplomacy weren't his strong points.
As long as I have one of my guns to grab if someone breaks in on my wife and I,
I don't care as long as we can be protected.
With that said my CZ 82 is on a night stand by our bed and a 20ga singleshot is leaning in the corner next to me 2 ft. away.
I only have a 10 gun, gun cabinet so theres 8 more scattered around the house and 4 or 5 of them are loaded.
Just politely tell the intruders you understand and respect them, but could they please line up 3 or 4 deep so you can shoot them all with one bullet. I'm sure that will work.
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My first priority will be to reinstate the assault weapons ban as soon as I take office.
not the best choice but if thats all you have its better than nothing. just try to remeber what way the nieghbors house is. dont wont to shot them by accident.
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If total goverment control will make us all safer, then why are prisons so dangerous?
I can never decide if I'd grab my 44 or my overunder skeet gun. The 44's shorter, holds more, and makes a good club if it came down to that. The shotgun can shoot more rapid fire, but only twice, is longer than a 9130, but has the awesome close range power. It would probably just come down to the fact that I usually forget to take the lock off the shotgun after coming from the range before putting it in the cabinet, but the 44 is unlocked.
Well, the original poster does have a handgun, so it was more of a speculative question than advice seeking. I would certainly use a handgun or shotgun unless I was being attacked from outside...which is unlikely where I live.
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We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ
A good baseball bat is really handy when it comes to self defense. The thought of piercing 15 walls with a M-44 round doesn't make me feel real confortable.
The problem that I see is that when the bolt sticks as it is sure to do in a bad situation, you will have to put the but on the ground so that you can use your foot to kick open the bolt, and since you stated in your original post that the bad guys have guns that might be a bad thing.
Sorry...I just couldn't help it!
