Was kicking around the idea of what an optimal 5-5ish lb long gun would be for home defense. Something that would/could be ideal for kids/women/elderly with less upper body strength. Surely in an actual defensive use a 6ish or 7ish or 8ish lb PCC/AR/bare bones AK/shotgun could fit the bill...

But when thinking about light light, the type where just about anyone could handle shouldering it, maybe even with enough upper body strength to keep it aimed at a perp for the police to arrive, yada yada...

Some ideas were:

Sub 2000 (600-800 ft lbs energy with hotter loads between 9mm and 40)

Mossberg 510 in 410/20 gauge (800-1500 ft/bs with buckshot loads) although the 20 kicks like a 12 being that light.

Single shot 18" 12 gauge (great stopping power, only 1 shot, would kick like the devil but may be a moot point with someone who doesn't train enough to realistically practice reloading in a timely manner like loved ones often do)

Uber lightened up AR: Nothing new for the boutique AR guys, maybe not cost effective but certainly not unattainable with pencil barrels, titanium/carbon doodads, polymer lowers, yada yada

I suppose some garden variety semi-auto 22lr rifles although reliability and stopping power would be a con

...anything else I miss?

How light to lever action 357s get?

I'd vote for the 20ga shotgun. Lightweight and can be handled by most people with ease. Do a little training and it can be a very versatile home defense weapon. Even held at the hip, the shotgun can easily still be on target at inside the residence range. Get a youth sized 20 ga and you have a gun most young adults and females can easily handle.

Troy Alpha Carbine in 5.56
(iirc, weighs less than Ruger PCC)

Taurus/Rossi pump action in 22 Magnum (loaded w/40gr Gold Dots)
Magnum ammo isn't as finicky/unreliable as LR,imho.

Beretta CX Storm 9mm uses Beretta 92mags and <6lbs.

Most AR style pistols
CMMG/Sig MCX, others

Braced 9mm Pistol

Mossberg Batam .410

Rugers 5.7 Carbine

M1 Carbine (loaded w/JHP or JSP ammo)

Rossi/Taurus/Henry model 92 Carbine 357mag/38spl

There are many options out there.

^^
Imho,just add a light and sling, to all of the above.

Is their upper body strength so diminished they can't rack or handle recoil?

Also, if you already have a light enough weight shotgun might just consider a lighter load especially at room distances.


https://youtu.be/zaR1EVybUgc

Just build up an AR - lightweight rifles are super easy to build nowadays using a faxon pencil barrel, lightweight handguard such as an aero precision atlas S series rail. And a mission first tactical stock you should come in around 5 lbs for an AR.

The sub 2000 is really lightweight, but the charging handle may be difficult to operate for someone with strength issues.

The .410 could work, but ammo may be hard to get.

Premium ammo in a .22 improves reliability. A 22 could work.

In my opinion a lightweight AR would be the easiest option.

A M1 carbine would be a excellent choice too

The felt recoil between a 20 gauge lightweight shotgun and a 12 gauge 7ish lbs recoil is very similar, stout for most people, especially those who never really shoot/train/go to the range. There aren't as many "low recoil" 20 gauge unless you really dig (wolf hill, etc) But for sure effective stopping power of the 20 gauge for short distance stuff is essentially about the same as a 12.

To answer the last portion, I forgot to consider that in my questioning. I have found the Sub 2000 somewhat troublesome for beginners to charge. There are longer charging handles like those made by Mcarbo, etc. I currently have one that I primarily focused on as much recoil reducing things on the Sub: Muzzle brake, rubber buttpad, rubber cheekpad, and a light and red dot to add a little bit of mass. It still blowback felt recoil, but noticably less recoil.

You did mention the Mosberg bantam in 410. That thing is creampuff to shoot, really close to a 12 gauge with the mini shells in felt recol. Can shoot it all day. Tried one in 20 gauge, recoil is STOUT.

Have done something similar to what you are saying. Recall the old "Carbon 15" by Bushmaster. I threw on a ti muzzle brake, gas block, lancer mags and it gives the Sub 2000 a run for the money with weight. A lot more "BOOM" than the sub 2000 due to 223 being more potent, but the felt recoil certainly was tolerable.

Some guy just got his AR down below FOUR pounds, and he didn’t have much of a budget. It was just a barebones, KISS build. I’ll see if I can find the article…

I'm a fan of the 9mm braced pistols.
- The Extar EP9 is $449 and someone is selling one on the board for $349 (I think that is a crazy good deal but I already have one and he's down in Norfolk), you can shoot it one handed, the recoil is extremely light especially if you go with light bullets, and it is 4.22# with the brace.
Also the Stribog gets around 4.75# with brace and is very soft shooting, though more expensive than the Extar.