When it comes to home defense, having the best tools for the job can make all the difference in the world. Some items to consider include the cost of a firearm and ammunition, as well as the amount of time you will spend training and practicing with your gun of choice. Last April, in the article “SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine: A Smart Choice for Home Defense,” I shared my excitement over the 9mm carbine, from saving money on ammunition while training to less recoil and the amount of ammunition each magazine holds compared to a pistol. In this follow-up article, I have tips for using the 9mm carbine as a firearm for home defense.
First, if you’re new to the AR platform, do not fret! Read “Getting to Know the Pieces and Parts of ARs.” This article is fundamental and perfect for a beginner who wants to learn the verbiage with photos.
If you have already read, “SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine: A Smart Choice for Home Defense,” you know one of the benefits of the carbine platform is the four points of contact with your body, allowing for better control and recoil management. In “Tips for Shooting Your AR,” I delve into not only the contact points, but also what to do with your elbows and how to manipulate the safety. Using your UNLOADED Victor 9mm Carbine, practice mounting it while getting the proper cheek weld and then, adjust the buttstock as needed – depending on what type of sight you choose to put on your carbine. Also, since some people have never had the opportunity to use a safety, I want to stress the importance of practicing engaging and disengaging it until it becomes an automatic motor program. Know what it “feels like” when the safety is both on and off.
Next, if you are planning on using your SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine for home defense, you should understand how to shoot from a barricade since chances are you will be behind some type of cover shooting over or around something. In my article, “Barricade Shooting: How to Build a Shooting Platform,” I demonstrated how to use a C-clamp to grip the handguard and how to shoot from both standing and kneeling positions.
Now that you have an understanding of the AR platform and have read how to hold it and shoot from a barricade, let’s go a step further. My article, “Home Invasion Dry-Fire Practice,” is a great place to begin training with your 9mm carbine for home defense. Although geared toward the pistol, you can relate it to your SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine just the same. Take the time to walk around your house and determine places where you may need to shoot from should an intruder enter your home. Then, with your UNLOADED firearm, set up the paper targets as suggested and try taking a position in those areas. Can you get a sight picture? What adjustments do you need to make to get the proper eye relief? Might there be a better place in that room to position yourself?
Finally, head to the range for live fire. In the article, “Home Invasion Live-Fire Practice on the Range,” I share how you can take what you learned during your home invasion dry-fire practice into live-fire on the range. Take the time to revisit the four points of contact, practice engaging and disengaging the safety and set your targets at the distances you determined necessary in your home. Remember, like with anything else, the more you practice correctly, the smoother you will become and the faster you will get.
Check out all SAINT Victor Carbines on Springfield Armory’s website.
Also, for those interested, Springfield Armory now has the SAINT Victor Pistol. More to come on that!
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and FASTER Saves Lives. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
