Home Defense Grendel

[BluntForceTrauma]

Flash hider came in recently and I finally completed my vision of a home defense weapon.

[VASCAR2]

I like it! I’d probably have a sling handy but unless you train with a sling it might get in the way on a home defense weapon.


I use a 1.25 inch two point sling with quick disconnect swivels. Being right handed I put the front sling swivel on the left side of the front hand guard and the rear swivel on the right rear on the stock or brace. This positioning permits weak side shooting plus allows weapon to be carried in the assualt position or slung across your back in the event you need to use both hands.

Here is a photo of my 12 inch 6.5 Grendel with a sling. This is my travel companion these days when I’m on the road away from home. This 6.5 Grendel usually wears a tactical light but it’s not in this picture.

[Lemonaid]

Any thoughts on ammo/loads for self/home defense?
I'm leaning toward a 120 Gold dot load, but would you want low, medium or high velocity for it? (enough penetration vs. over penetration)
I have checked out a couple of the threads on the forum about this but would like more opinions if possible.

[justinspicher]

I’m just curious to hear why you chose a Grendel for home defense.

[VASCAR2]

After DNS results with Federal 90 grain TNT ammo I’d be tempted to use that in a more built up area. In my rural location under my personal situation I’m using 123 grain A-Max or 123 grain ELD-M.

[BluntForceTrauma]

Justin: I think any AR cartridge is fine for home defense, as long as you're OK with the mag capacity. One could argue 30 rounds of 5.56 is better than 25 rounds of 6.5 Grendel. For me, 6.5 Grendel is what I know and like and I'm set up to use it beyond home defense, and I'm OK with 25 rounds.

[stanc]

Flash hider came in recently and I finally completed my vision of a home defense weapon.

Nice build. It has a unique look. I especially like the slick-side upper. (I too often got skinned knuckles from the forward assist on my AR's.)

But, unless one lives in a B-52 hangar or a sports arena, I don't understand the choice of an unsuppressed, rifle-caliber SBR for indoor use.

[LR1955]

Nice build. It has a unique look. I especially like the slick-side upper. (I too often got skinned knuckles from the forward assist on my AR's.)

But, unless one lives in a B-52 hangar or a sports arena, I don't understand the choice of an unsuppressed, rifle-caliber SBR for indoor use.

Yo Stan:

Shoot a very short barrel carbine, with a muzzle brake, inside a room, without ear and eye pro. If someone is trying to do you harm, he will be blinded, made deaf, and will get blasted with anything not nailed down. Problem is so will the shooter with the exception of getting shot.

I have a JP Grendel upper with a Gill brake and shooting it outdoors under a cover gives new meaning to double ear pro, eye pro, gloves, and long sleeved shirts. And not having anything loose left or right of the muzzle for about fifteen feet. I bet if I let go a round or two inside a room that it would blow the windows out, shatter any glass to the sides, shred curtains or blinds, and make me deaf. Surprising just how much overpressure is created by one of those things. Kind of reminds me of a 90 or 106 RR.

LR55

[justinspicher]

Justin: I think any AR cartridge is fine for home defense, as long as you're OK with the mag capacity. One could argue 30 rounds of 5.56 is better than 25 rounds of 6.5 Grendel. For me, 6.5 Grendel is what I know and like and I'm set up to use it beyond home defense, and I'm OK with 25 rounds.

I’m not judging you by any means. I am a huge fan of the AR and it’s different cartridge options, so I feel they are capable of anything a person wants to use it for. I just like to hear thoughts from the folks who are using it as to what made them come to their decision. Sometimes it’s budget, sometimes it’s experience, but most of the time it’s because they can. No matter how you look at it, it’s their choice.

[Glockpride]

5.56 or 6.5G inside the house or across room distances ain’t gonna matter. I typically have an AR pistol handy in 5.56 but would not feel outgunned with the 6.5G AR pistol.

[BluntForceTrauma]

Roger that on not WANTING to unleash rounds inside the house. My thoughts: 1) I THINK I want a suppressor — when I can afford one. (Minnesota legalized suppressors in 2015.) From what I read, suppressors don't reduce the decibels THAT much, and — again — indoors the problem is accentuated. But when the time comes, I will research the issue more closely and decide if it's worth it. 2) Until then, and in the very rare chance I actually have some kind of incident, I'm willing to trade my hearing for my life.

[Glockpride]

Roger that on not WANTING to unleash rounds inside the house. My thoughts: 1) I THINK I want a suppressor — when I can afford one. (Minnesota legalized suppressors in 2015.) From what I read, suppressors don't reduce the decibels THAT much, and — again — indoors the problem is accentuated. But when the time comes, I will research the issue more closely and decide if it's worth it. 2) Until then, and in the very rare chance I actually have some kind of incident, I'm willing to trade my hearing for my life.

A couple of points: yes, suppressors can help! OSHA considers hearing safe at 140 dB on impact noises. If you’re 160 and get a 20 dB drop, then that helps a lot. Remember, every 3 dB is a doubling of the sound pressure, so lowering is good.
2) grab a pair of ear muffs and set them on your nightstand. When/if needed, slip them on. Active listening are best and may help increase your hearing while better protecting, but even standard would be better inside than nothing.

[rickOshay]

Nice!! Now go get it dirty!

[BluntForceTrauma]

GP, good info. Thanks!

[Lastrites]

I like it, tell me more about that red dot, hadn't heard of that one before, looks a whole lot like the vortex ar-sparc.

[BluntForceTrauma]

Red dot sight is a Sig Sauer Romeo 5XDR with a dot-in-circle reticle. What I like is it has Instant On when moved and Auto Shutoff if not moved for 90 seconds. Also like the battery compartment built into the stand; makes the whole thing clean and compact and helps the housing become a blurred ghost ring when focusing on the reticle. I'm sure I got it on sale, but I got it HERE.

[41bear]

One thing I've added is a laser, love my CT 201

[shooter545]

Good looking gun. I like that it is clean, smooth and slick. Big fan of red dots for close in work. I read your comments about the suppressor and I would encourage you to go that route although it is a lengthy process. Once you start shooting suppressed your will be spoiled. I try to shoot suppressed almost exclusively anymore, especially when hunting.

Looking forward to the range report.

[PNWTargets]

Home defense is where it is at. 99 percent of my stuff is set up for home defense. I would recommend having electronic hearing protection available in the house.

[rumaco19]

Ya, I was wondering the same thing. I use a 10mm Glock.......but!