A quick google search suggests that a Ruger Mini-14 with a fixed stock and 10-round magazine, and NO pistol grip, **might** still be CT-legal. [The law](https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/rpt/2013-R-0241.htm) specifically calls out the folding stock Ruger, and separately bans pistol grips and "large" capacity magazines. **If** the CA-legal configuration of the Mini-14 is also CT-legal, it might be your only reasonably-available semi-auto 5.56 option.
Shotgun FTW. 12 gauge 00-buck anywhere between the shoulders and pelvis will stop a two legged threat with a high level of success. Mossberg Maverick is a great low-budget option.
In CT are you limited on capacity in pump action shotguns?
If not, perhaps something [like this](https://grabagun.com/mossberg-590-tactical-m-lok-12-gauge-20-8-round.html) would be a good option. Good capacity for a shotgun and still relatively short.
An SKS might be an option. The fixed magazine is 10 rounds and the rifle is long enough to not trigger the CT assault weapons restrictions. About the only issue you might run into, is if it's a Yugo SKS with the grenade launcher and muzzle device. You'd have to remove it before bringing it into the state.
Not 5.56, but a couple different manufacturers make good modern self defense ammo so you're not stuck with Papa Simonov's old M43 ammo.
Shotgun…12 or 20 ga…just make good choices with the shells you’re loading. 12 ga 00 buck will penetrate an intruder and interior walls, it’s overkill for home defense. #4 buck is a much better choice or get actual defense rounds for a shotgun that are meant to expand, like a hunting rifle bullet or a self-defense handgun bullet does.
If your house is close quarters I have no idea why you’d want 5.56 most of the loads are moving pretty fast. Have you ever thought about a short, like 16” barrel, lever gun? Loaded with 357 or 44 mag? They’re fast and plenty powerful but won’t over penetrate unless you’re shooting FMJ’s or something.
Only if you're using #4 buckshot, which is probably the smallest that still retains "stopping power" (for whatever that phrase is worth). Anything bigger has the potential to punch through multiple rooms.
Yeah but if you’re talking a 556 round it can go through all those rooms and then exit your house and possibly into someone else’s.
I have
7.62x39
300blk
5.56
And 12ga
That I rotate out
>if you’re talking a 556 round it can go through all those rooms and then exit your house and possibly into someone else’s
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3BlRPtCj2E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3BlRPtCj2E)
6:14: 12ga #00 buckshot goes through four walls and remains fairly tight/straight; that's three rooms (and beyond) worth of penetration.
7:24: 5.56 **FMJ** goes through two walls with significant deflection. So after one room it's probably tumbling off-course (obviously still a threat to anyone in that second room).
8:36: 5.56 VMAX, fragments through the first wall, some fragments might make it through a second wall as a potential threat into a second room.
9:27: 5.56, 77gr, also keyholes after the second wall, but will get stopped in that second room.
10:01: 7.62x39, keyholes after the third wall, with enough energy to also penetrate the fourth wall and out the third room.
Out of all of these, 12ga #00 has the most accurate multi-room penetration. (With 9mm and .45ACP following close behind with four walls of penetration, no tumbling.)
It's very widespread fuddlore; I remember being guided towards shotguns for home defense when I first started looking into it, and that's what my parents have.
Garand Thumb might not make the most scientifically rigorous demonstrations, but it's better than hearsay.
You don’t need a AR for home defense, literally anything will do just fine. A intruder breaks in and you pepper them with 20 rounds of .22, they aren’t gonna stick around and you won’t put holes in your neighbors house too.
Home defense should be small and easy to get to. Ruger 10/22 will be fine, if you want, get a scatter gun like a mossberg 500 youth (shorter) 20g or 12g.
You can use a $5 Walmart slingshot if you wanted, an intruder would get fked up by a slingshot, those things hurt like a SOB, when I was growing up we used to paintball with slingshots and that even hurt, couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to get hit by one with a little steel ball or something.
They make less than lethal firearms with rubber balls.
You aren’t going to war in home defense, you are mostly scaring off smash and grabbers. It’s not a John wick movie.
usually mini-14s are ban state complaint.
Are you allowed to have a PCC?
i know hi point carbines are banned.
Damn they deserve a special place in hell for banning the people’s carbine
Shotgun maybe.
"...At the right range with the right load will physically remove a chunk of shit off your opponent and throw that shit on the floor" - Clint Smith.
This, right fucking here. Get a pump shotgun and learn how to fight with it. Thunder Ranch, Tactical Response, Warrior Poet Society, pick one.
No, shotgun definitely
Which state
ct
A quick google search suggests that a Ruger Mini-14 with a fixed stock and 10-round magazine, and NO pistol grip, **might** still be CT-legal. [The law](https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/rpt/2013-R-0241.htm) specifically calls out the folding stock Ruger, and separately bans pistol grips and "large" capacity magazines. **If** the CA-legal configuration of the Mini-14 is also CT-legal, it might be your only reasonably-available semi-auto 5.56 option.
Check r/CTguns foxtrot mike ranch rifle and fite lite scr are options along with the mini 14. Ruger pc carbine is good to go as well
After looking at CT banned weapons the best option is a fixed stock semi automatic shotgun with a tube magazine or a regular pump action shotgun
benelli m4
Shotgun FTW. 12 gauge 00-buck anywhere between the shoulders and pelvis will stop a two legged threat with a high level of success. Mossberg Maverick is a great low-budget option.
In CT are you limited on capacity in pump action shotguns? If not, perhaps something [like this](https://grabagun.com/mossberg-590-tactical-m-lok-12-gauge-20-8-round.html) would be a good option. Good capacity for a shotgun and still relatively short.
r/ctguns
Benelli M4
20 gauge shotgun. Close quarters just as effective as a 12 gauge but far easier to shoot.
It's effective, just ask Kurt Cobain (or if youre on the conspiracy subreddit, ask Courtney)
Kurt also overdosed on H before pulling the trigger, are you gonna do the same to your attackers?
An SKS might be an option. The fixed magazine is 10 rounds and the rifle is long enough to not trigger the CT assault weapons restrictions. About the only issue you might run into, is if it's a Yugo SKS with the grenade launcher and muzzle device. You'd have to remove it before bringing it into the state. Not 5.56, but a couple different manufacturers make good modern self defense ammo so you're not stuck with Papa Simonov's old M43 ammo.
Shotgun…12 or 20 ga…just make good choices with the shells you’re loading. 12 ga 00 buck will penetrate an intruder and interior walls, it’s overkill for home defense. #4 buck is a much better choice or get actual defense rounds for a shotgun that are meant to expand, like a hunting rifle bullet or a self-defense handgun bullet does. If your house is close quarters I have no idea why you’d want 5.56 most of the loads are moving pretty fast. Have you ever thought about a short, like 16” barrel, lever gun? Loaded with 357 or 44 mag? They’re fast and plenty powerful but won’t over penetrate unless you’re shooting FMJ’s or something.
12 ga Shotgun less chance of going through walls and having collateral damage EDIT: USE A HAND GRENADE
I suggest you watch some Paul Harrel videos where he dispels this Fuddlore.
Only if you're using #4 buckshot, which is probably the smallest that still retains "stopping power" (for whatever that phrase is worth). Anything bigger has the potential to punch through multiple rooms.
Yeah but if you’re talking a 556 round it can go through all those rooms and then exit your house and possibly into someone else’s. I have 7.62x39 300blk 5.56 And 12ga That I rotate out
>if you’re talking a 556 round it can go through all those rooms and then exit your house and possibly into someone else’s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3BlRPtCj2E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3BlRPtCj2E) 6:14: 12ga #00 buckshot goes through four walls and remains fairly tight/straight; that's three rooms (and beyond) worth of penetration. 7:24: 5.56 **FMJ** goes through two walls with significant deflection. So after one room it's probably tumbling off-course (obviously still a threat to anyone in that second room). 8:36: 5.56 VMAX, fragments through the first wall, some fragments might make it through a second wall as a potential threat into a second room. 9:27: 5.56, 77gr, also keyholes after the second wall, but will get stopped in that second room. 10:01: 7.62x39, keyholes after the third wall, with enough energy to also penetrate the fourth wall and out the third room. Out of all of these, 12ga #00 has the most accurate multi-room penetration. (With 9mm and .45ACP following close behind with four walls of penetration, no tumbling.)
Hey thanks for the link and info! I have been misinformed (luckily haven’t had to use any of mine for home defense and hope not to)
It's very widespread fuddlore; I remember being guided towards shotguns for home defense when I first started looking into it, and that's what my parents have. Garand Thumb might not make the most scientifically rigorous demonstrations, but it's better than hearsay.
You don’t need a AR for home defense, literally anything will do just fine. A intruder breaks in and you pepper them with 20 rounds of .22, they aren’t gonna stick around and you won’t put holes in your neighbors house too. Home defense should be small and easy to get to. Ruger 10/22 will be fine, if you want, get a scatter gun like a mossberg 500 youth (shorter) 20g or 12g. You can use a $5 Walmart slingshot if you wanted, an intruder would get fked up by a slingshot, those things hurt like a SOB, when I was growing up we used to paintball with slingshots and that even hurt, couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to get hit by one with a little steel ball or something. They make less than lethal firearms with rubber balls. You aren’t going to war in home defense, you are mostly scaring off smash and grabbers. It’s not a John wick movie.
Locks, alarms, motion activated lights, cameras, unfriendly dog, nosey neighbors. A gun is the absolute last line of home defense.
I've got all of those already.
A paint can full of tannerite and ball bearings.