6 Key elements of an effective home defense plan

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Trouble continues to brew across the country and many preppers are buckling up before SHTF by finalizing their home defense plans.

If you want to do the same thing, plan ahead, train, get the proper gear and practice with your chosen firearms so you can defend your family when needed. (h/t to PreppersWill.com)

Use the information below to start or improve your home security and home defense plan.

Train so you're mentally and physically prepared

Before SHTF, you must prepare yourself mentally and physically so you can deal with different situations without losing your cool. You can do this by training, which also helps boost your confidence level.

Training will teach you a set of skills that you can use in different scenarios. If you can control your emotions, you can effectively combine your training and practice when you need to defend yourself and your loved ones.

Most of the time, you can resolve an issue with a show of force, like wielding a firearm. An intruder will usually flee if they see that you are also armed, which quickly ends the conflict.

But this isn't always the case so you shouldn't rely solely on that. You also need to back up your actions if necessary.

Prepare by signing up for a good training course and practicing regularly at the local range. You should also choose the right firearm for your home defense needs.

Develop and finalize your home defense plan

A home invasion can involve different scenarios, including an invasion that can occur in broad daylight or late at night when everyone is asleep.

Decide on a room and tell everyone to head there when SHTF.

If someone breaks into your home, secure your family first. This might not always be possible, but gathering in one area makes it easier to do a headcount and keep them out of harm's way. For example, if you're dealing with a late-night break-in, you can all gather in the master bedroom. If you decide to confront the intruders, you know you won't accidentally hurt the others with a stray bullet.

Pinpoint the strong and weak points in your home

Before things go south examine the points of entry to your home. Find the best place to stand where you have enough cover and a clear line of sight to any weak points.

When making your home defense plan, you must identify all the weak and strong points in your home. When SHTF, you can use these points to your advantage.

Even if an intruder tries to do the same, they won't be as familiar with the layout as you are. (Related: Home security for preppers: Design your landscape strategically and grow defensive plants for your protection.)

Walk around the house with the lights off so you can get used to navigating in the dark.

Learn how to use your gear properly

When it comes to firearms, you have several options:

The Remington 870 is a trusted classic and it's ideal for home defense because it is a basic and dependable pump-action shotgun.

It is available in 12 and 20 gauge so you have the flexibility to have a firearm that is suitable for a variety of people in the house with different strengths and heights. Choose the gauge that meets your home defense or prepping needs.

Some think that using a shotgun gives them a better chance of hitting their intended target, but the pattern doesn’t disperse much at 21 feet so you still need to practice.

The Benelli Super Nova (SBR) is also a good option for home defense. It comes in 12- and 20-gauge sizes.

It also has the same pump action as the 870, which gives you more control over the rate of fire.

With a semi-automatic, pulling the trigger means you'll quickly empty your firearm. With a pump action, there's more to focus on. This can give you an advantage because it forces you to make your shots count in a stressful situation.

The Beretta CX4 is another option. The CX4 is a pistol caliber carbine that is available in .40S&W, 9×19 Parabellum and 9×21 IWI.

A carbine format that uses pistol ammo reduces penetration while still giving you the stability of a large shoulder weapon. Beretta’s CX4 platform can accommodate accessories such as a light, vertical grips and a laser sight.

Alternatively, you can go with your preferred 9mm pistol. If the pistol is for home defense, your life depends on it.

Lastly, you can opt for a solid revolver. Ideally, you should get revolvers chambered in .357 Magnum and would use 38 special ammunition. This ensures that you get a two-in-one firearm, leaving the.357 Magnum for other activities like hunting or woods trekking.

Revolvers are great for long-term storage because they can be covered in dust and clogged with pocket lint and still function. Look for Smith and Wesson if you're after dependability and craftsmanship.

Stock up on ammo for your weapons

Once you decide on a gun, you need ammo for your weapon.

However, ammunition requirements can vary depending on the situation. You need to consider factors like the population density of your living area.

If you live in a densely packed subdivision, get frangible ammunition. This will reduce the likelihood that your shot will penetrate the walls of your home and hit someone by accident.

Full metal jacket ammunition is the least expensive to shoot and performs well in a firearm, but it can easily penetrate interior walls and even exit your home, especially if you use a rifle caliber.

Practice reloading drills and skills

Reloading is a crucial skill for home defense. Different methods of reloading must be mastered for some of the firearms mentioned above.

The use of magazines in semiautomatics simplifies reloading and has a low learning curve. Some people may struggle with speed loaders for revolvers. But with enough practice, you can improve.

The shotgun is the easiest of the group to practice "rolling" reloading. Like with revolvers and pistols, you can reload a shotgun with almost no downtime if you keep feeding it.

Compared to large caliber pistols that take about the same number of rounds as a shotgun with an extended magazine, the ability to do a rolling reload gives your shotgun a significant advantage when dealing with a home defense situation.

Before SHTF, familiarize yourself with these crucial elements of an efficient home defense plan.

Watch the video below to know more about the top five prepper firearms.

This video is from the TopGunsWorld channel on Brighteon.com.