Which carbine for home defense?

I hear where you're coming from. I'm jazzed by the bullpup design as well. The Muzzlelite conversions leave too much to be desired to qualify as viable--great idea, not so great execution. Saw an ad for a bullpup conversion for a shotgun a long time ago but don't think it ever actually went into production. Check out the link below for the Mossberg bullpup--a viable alternative to the .223 without having to go to frangible ammo. (Trying sintered bullets now and not all that impressed.)

If you're willing to accept the rather nasty trigger of the Muzzlelite, consider the 9mm Camp Carbine conversion. Gotta go. Gotta shoot!

M1 carbine is small, so is very maneuverable inside the confines of, say a hallway or a bathroom, plus has good ballisticas and can reach slightly longer distance than a shotgun. A shotgun is good if you are in a more open are of the house, say the living room or the garage; combine de devastating power of the 12 gause with either 00 Buck (preferably low recoil plated) or Slugs (preferabley 3/8 oz rifled slugs) and you have a devastating weapon. I own both a WW2 era Inland M1 Carbine and a semi-auto Benelli M4 Super 90 (used by the USMC) and I have both loaded and ready to go. Can't go wrong either way.

If you live in a rural area and you may need to take a shot beyond 30 feet, then an AR would make a fine choice. If you live in an apartment building, then I would go with a handgun.

Which AR? There's a bunch. I like Bushmaster, but others here say good things about DPMS and Rock River Arms. There's a shortage on semi auto rifles so shop around. Try not to pay more than $1200. Also, you may want to take a look at the AK, SKS, and Mini-14. But before you buy make sure you can find ammo for the gun.

EDIT: Another gun to consider is the lever action rifle in .357 Mag. Marlin makes a nice carbine. It's very compact and light. Load it with 125 Gr. hollow points, and you should get velocities around 1,800 fps. Serious power for home defense. But if she has her heart set on an AR, then see if you can get a decent deal on a Bushmaster with a 16" barrel.

The problem with using a carbine/rifle in a home defense situation is over penetration by the high velocity projectiles. Even a relatively light rifle cartridge like the .223 can punch through a whole bunch of drywall and studs before stopping. If you live in a rural area and don't have kids or roomies that could be in the line of fire that penetrating ability can be a asset is certain situations. And being able to engage targets at long range could be an advantage too. But, in an urban/suburban environment the chance of hitting an innocent is too great.

get a (pump) shotgun, and a 357 revolver. for home defense if you are not to familiar with guns. take a safety class! check out a gun show in your area. http://www.gunshows-usa.com/

the money you are talking and the rifles you list are not for home defense. What if you miss go though a wall and hit someone else? are you going to sleep with an AR-15, and a bullpup on the night stand?

I have several military surplus rifles. they are not for a fight in my living room. my old lady carries a sig p-232, but would like to switch to a .38 revolver this summer at the next show.

if you want a strong military rifle for cheap to have around look into a mosin nagant m-44 for $100 or an SKS for about $250-300

Carbine? Nah, not practical unless you're taking out bad guys at 100 yards. For her go with something like a 2" to 4" 38 revolver, easy to wield around and plenty of stopping power. Of coarse a shotgun is the optimum weapon when it comes to close quarters combat/defense.

I have to disagree with many and say a woman who does not shoot much is not likely to hit much with a pistol or rifle in a stress situation.

A 5.56 kicks close to a 20ga. Does she like the Ar-15?

I would stay with the 20ga. Get her some skeet loads or 1/4 or 1/2 brass shells to practice with.

A shotgun is much better for this situation and more likely to hit something for a inexperienced person.....also it won't travel far if through a window.....a 5.56 could over 1mile.

Get a hand gun. A shotgun would do nice as well. But a carbine would be the very last choice as a weapon to be used indoors.

If you must have a .223, look at the Kel-Tec or Olympic Arms .223 pistols....an AR weapon without the stock.

if you want a gun for home protection, use a shotgun, a hand-gun, or a rifle/carbine with a side-folding stock to make it easier to move around your house.