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Although I like some of the SBR or AR Pistol options, he is not a fan of anything that looks like an AR. (I know, I know!)

While I like the idea of a lever action, I think I will recommend a slightly different tack for you to take. While You can make suggestions, my suggestions it to take him out shopping and maybe shooting. In today's market, if you have a decent range near by that rents firearms, you might let him see how he likes a few of the different styles of long guns that are out there. He may go for the lever since it is like the Red Ryder, but he might find a semi-auto that he really likes also.

And it is an excuse to go out and spend some time at a range and some time with your dad. That makes it a win-win to me.

srothstein wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2020 10:18 pm While I like the idea of a lever action, I think I will recommend a slightly different tack for you to take. While You can make suggestions, my suggestions it to take him out shopping and maybe shooting. In today's market, if you have a decent range near by that rents firearms, you might let him see how he likes a few of the different styles of long guns that are out there. He may go for the lever since it is like the Red Ryder, but he might find a semi-auto that he really likes also.

And it is an excuse to go out and spend some time at a range and some time with your dad. That makes it a win-win to me.

This is the way.

oljames3 wrote: Fri Jul 24, 2020 1:11 am

srothstein wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2020 10:18 pm While I like the idea of a lever action, I think I will recommend a slightly different tack for you to take. While You can make suggestions, my suggestions it to take him out shopping and maybe shooting. In today's market, if you have a decent range near by that rents firearms, you might let him see how he likes a few of the different styles of long guns that are out there. He may go for the lever since it is like the Red Ryder, but he might find a semi-auto that he really likes also.

And it is an excuse to go out and spend some time at a range and some time with your dad. That makes it a win-win to me.

This is the way.

No doubt about it. If he is healthy enough to go out and do some shooting it will erase any doubts or questions about which platform, caliber or style he likes/handles the best. He may even decide he likes a handgun best. You never know.

We will be spending some quality range time together, eventually, but live in different parts of the state.

I did a lot of research on ammo performance and think I've ruled out the 410 shotgun. So with that, I'm thinking of buying a semi auto PCC and a levergun in 357/38. Then we can spend a day at the range together, with those and a few handguns for him to try. I'll plan on storing whatever he likes and handles best at his house for the times when we go up to visit.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice, great things to consider and very helpful.

flechero wrote: Fri Jul 24, 2020 8:06 am We will be spending some quality range time together, eventually, but live in different parts of the state.

I did a lot of research on ammo performance and think I've ruled out the 410 shotgun. So with that, I'm thinking of buying a semi auto PCC and a levergun in 357/38. Then we can spend a day at the range together, with those and a few handguns for him to try. I'll plan on storing whatever he likes and handles best at his house for the times when we go up to visit.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice, great things to consider and very helpful.

Does your Dad happen to live in the Houston area? If so, both of you can join me at PSC and your Dad can try the guns you bring.

Chas.

flechero wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2020 10:17 pm Although I like some of the SBR or AR Pistol options, he is not a fan of anything that looks like an AR. (I know, I know!)

Ruger camp carbine? Available with wood stock in 9mm or 45acp.
I'm a proponent of the 20ga for home defense. A base load of #3 buck is sufficient - no uber loads required.

flechero wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:06 am My Dad asked me for some help/recommendations on a home defense weapon. He is mid 70's and has never owned a real gun. He asked about a pepperball pistol advertised on Hannity but then said he was sure he couldn't hit anything with a pistol.... ironically enough with a Red Rider BB gun he can shoot bottle caps with ease and handles the platform well. He joked that if it were more powerful, he'd be fine. SO... my first thought was a henry lever gun with .38 spl. I then found out that henry also does a 410 lever shotgun. These are basically the grown up's Red Riders.

It was a pretty helpless feeling to have Dad admit he was scared and knew if anything happened he could no longer protect Mom. I didn't want to knee jerk out a suggestion, so I look to you guys for some guidance, or to confirm that the levergun may be his best option.

What have you guys done or what do your elderly parents do for HD?

Thanks for any help!

Edited to add:
My other thought was one of the pistol caliber carbines... lower recoil, easy to handle and most seem very easy to use. I could teach him pretty quickly. The thought with that was follow up shots- much faster than the levergun but still a basic rifle.

I have a Rossi .45. It is a great rifle and would be good for home defense. I would not get a .410 for home defense.

Charles L. Cotton wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2020 4:19 pm I would lean toward an AR pistol or SBR in either a pistol caliber or .223/5.56. 30 rds, little to no recoil, light weight, mounted flashlight, red-dot sight or iron sights and a green laser. I'm not a fan of lasers, but indoor, especially at night, it might be just what he needs. (A Form 1 SBR "build" doesn't take long for approval. It could be a pistol until paperwork is approved.)

Chas.

That would be a good option.

Charles L. Cotton wrote: Fri Jul 24, 2020 10:41 am

flechero wrote: Fri Jul 24, 2020 8:06 am We will be spending some quality range time together, eventually, but live in different parts of the state.

I did a lot of research on ammo performance and think I've ruled out the 410 shotgun. So with that, I'm thinking of buying a semi auto PCC and a levergun in 357/38. Then we can spend a day at the range together, with those and a few handguns for him to try. I'll plan on storing whatever he likes and handles best at his house for the times when we go up to visit.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice, great things to consider and very helpful.

Does your Dad happen to live in the Houston area? If so, both of you can join me at PSC and your Dad can try the guns you bring.

Chas.

We'll have to pass but thank you for the offer, that is very generous. He's in Dallas. We can shoot down here (I'm outside of Temple/Belton) I have a small home range and will start at home with safety and dry handling.

Let us know when you come to the DFW area, there are several members in the area, who can direct you to ranges, and would be willing to share guns for try outs.

Although not likely with adrenaline pumping, you can short stroke a pump. My Marlin 44 mag will hang up if you don't work it fast (needs some timing or burs removed). Neither of these are much of a problem if you shoot with regularity but your dad isn't a gun guy. I would recommend some sort of semi auto. Either pistol caliber carbine, an AR (even though he doesnt want one), or semi auto shotgun. I know they exist but maybe not in home defense form but a semi auto 20ga would be a good HD gun. I couldn't imagine touching off any gun inside but a SBR in .223/5.56 indoors sounds especially brutal to me.

flechero wrote: Fri Jul 24, 2020 8:06 am We will be spending some quality range time together, eventually, but live in different parts of the state.

I did a lot of research on ammo performance and think I've ruled out the 410 shotgun. So with that, I'm thinking of buying a semi auto PCC and a levergun in 357/38. Then we can spend a day at the range together, with those and a few handguns for him to try. I'll plan on storing whatever he likes and handles best at his house for the times when we go up to visit.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice, great things to consider and very helpful.

I’m coming up on 68, and own a Ruger 9mm PCC, as well as ARs in both SBR and pistol format. I also own a lever rifle, but it’s a .30-30, so way too much for an inside the house gun. I also own 12 gauge shotguns in both semiauto and pump format.

Hint.... I recently sold a .45-70 lever rifle to another forum member because my shoulder joint could no longer handle the recoil. Recoil on a 12 gauge pump action approaches that kind of thump, and is close to the limit of what I can tolerate without flinching anymore. However, recoil on a semiauto shotgun is less severe. Mossberg makes a nice one in 20 gauge which might be even easier to handle. Things to think about.

I’d be fairly comfortable recommending an AR or SBR, as long as he’s comfortable with the manual arms—but if he hates evil black rifles the way you describe, that’s probably out of the question.

That said, I’m very comfortable recommending the Ruger PCC. Despite being black and a semiauto, it has more of a "traditional" layout than an AR. Available capacity is higher than any lever action (except maybe a Red Rider BB gun ), recoil is very mild, and even though it comes with decent iron sights, it also comes with the ability to mount an inexpensive "instant on" RDS with a long battery life. Also, with the 16” barrel, you’ll pick up a lot more velocity out of a 9mm. The one downside I can think of is the relative unavailability of 9mm ammo right now. But ordering it in bulk online is still a possibility. (We sell it in our shop, but we sell out of it every day, and we never have more than a few 100 rounds on hand anyway.) I have a suppressor for mine, but if you weren’t interested in going that route, I’d echo Rob72's recommendation to attach some kind of forward-facing muzzle device that would direct the muzzle blast toward the target and away from your dad.

You say he’s in Dallas..... I’m in North Richland Hills. If he’d like to try shooting my PCC, I’d be happy to meet him at a range and let him try shooting mine.

Another generous offer, thank you TAM. I don't think he'd be comfortable using someone else's gun as a total newb... I'll buy the gun and if he doesn't like it- I get a Ruger PCC.

Sure wish he would have had the realization last year! I'm ok on supplying his ammo until this all blows over (I might have a few extra boxes on hand!)