Hello All,

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?

Thanks,

Josh <><

Saw your question and the (at the time) 3 pages of replys on Gunboards. Didn't seem like adding to what was said was worth the time over there.

My opinion? Your primary weapon is between your ears, hopefully, and the hardware is of less importance. An M44 or other long gun can be an asset when used for defense in some situations, but for most occurances, it would be a handicap. My defense guns are out and accesable, my Mosins and other rifles are locked in the safe.

I personally wouldn't use it. I'm trying to figure out why someone would is all.

Josh <><

You don't think the other robbers would take off after witnessing that M44 going off and taking a buddies limb off/ and or blowing a golf ball size hole in him/her? I don't think i would stick around..but that decision is up to you..the plain sight of that rifle is probably enough to scare off any punk.

The m 44 is/was quite effective for use on people. As is the case fort most former military weapons. Whether or not you want to use a high power rifle is another story. Heck you can use the muzzle flash as flamethrower if need be.

The m 44 is/was quite effective for use on people. As is the case fort most former military weapons. Whether or not you want to use a high power rifle is another story. Heck you can use the muzzle flash as flamethrower if need be.

Use it in a dark room and everyone is blind and deaf!
:rolleyes: Maybe not the best choice!

If all I had was a Model 44, then I would use it. My personal preference would be a gas gun rifle or shotgun. Take care...
Oberndorf

Use it in a dark room and everyone is blind and deaf!
:rolleyes: Maybe not the best choice!

Uhmmmm yea...

what he said, X2:rolleyes:

The only reason I can think of for someone to use an M44 for self defense is that's all they have.

Just reading through the forum and came accross this. I don't want to stir things up, but would like to add my .02$.

I would hesitate to use any highpowered firearm in a home defense situation. Over penitration is one concern. I live in the woods and the clossest nabor is 1/2 mile away so that's not a big concern for me.

I'm a lefty also, and would hate to have to screw with jacking the bolt for a follow up shot with my life on the line.

A home defense weopon needs to be simple and easy to operate under extream stress, you need to be very familure with it, and it needs adiquit stopping power. You also need the ability to quickly follow up the first shot with a second or third if needed.

Do not buy into the therory that the mer sight of a weopon will freez the bad guy or make them run. That thinking has gotten plenty of people killed.

Personaly I would use a MI carbine if I was to limit my choices to surpluss rifles/carbines.

My personal choice for home defense is a leaver shotgun and 45 single action revolver. The shotgun is quick handling, has 6 round capacity and cycles quickly, plenty of stopping power with little or no overpenitration. The 45 is reliable, fast and a proven stopper. I'm very familure with both guns and do a lot of shooting with both. There are better guns out there, but these are the ones I'm most familure with and shoot on a regular basis and fit the bill nicely.

If all I had was a bolt action carbine I'd use it, up to and including butstroking the ***, but it wouldn't be my first choice. A rifle butstroke or bayonet is a very deadly weoplon, but you have to close with your oponent. The idea behind a firearm is to keep away from your oponent.

The most dangerous weopon on the planet is the human mind, not a chunk of inanimate wood and steel. How you use what you use is more important that what you use. Part of that is thinking through what you'll use.

Because there are people who do use Mosins as home defense because it's the only thing they have, ie, first gun, I thought I'd add the following.

IF you do decide on a Mosin, any Mosin, for home defense, be sure to use brass cased ammo, not lacquered steel case stuff. The last thing you want is to have to beat a locked-up bolt open, after a fired round or two, in the middle of a fight.

Even if you use brass ammo, be sure to give the rifle chamber a good cleaning with BOTH steam and solvent to remove any traces of lacquer from its' previous user.

Remember if your M44 seizes up because of a stuck case, all you have then is a club with a pointy, sticky thing on one end.

Cheers

The M44 is a handy, compact, strong bolt action in a powerhouse chambering. Would it be my pick for home defense? No, it would not. But, in recent years I've seen them sell for as little as 40 or 50 bucks, and finding them at $70 isn't too hard right now. THAT is a reason to get one for home defense, if it's all your budget will stand.