Top 10 Home Defense Carbines

Armalite AR-10A Tactical Carbine
ArmaLite started it all with the AR-10 in .308/7.62mm NATO, and it’s still a viable choice if you need longer distance shooting capability. It has a 16-inch, chrome moly barrel, a six-position buttstock, an upper receiver rail, an A2 front sight and 20-round magazine. The AR-10A weighs 9 pounds, and Armalite backs up its product with a limited lifetime warranty. (<a target=blank href=http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=A10A4CBA2F>http:www.armalite.com</a>; 800-336-0184)

Auto-Ordnance M-1 AOM 150
Do you want something in between a pistol and a rifle cartridge? Combining lightweight with compact dimensions is the .30-caliber Auto-Ordnance M-1 AOM 150 with the folding paratrooper stock and walnut forend. It weighs just 5.4 pounds, comes with iron battle sights and is shipped with a 15-round magazine. The M-1 AOM 150 features an 18-inch barrel and a 35.75-inch overall length. (<a target=blank href=http://www.auto-ordnance.com/firearms/auto-ordnance-aom150.asp>http://www.auto-ordnance.com</a>; 508-795-3919)

Colt AR6591
Colt started the pistol-caliber AR ball rolling with a 9mm SMG made on the AR-15 platform. Today the Model 6951 is a civilian semi-auto version with a 16.1-inch barrel and 32+1 capacity. It has a four-position buttstock, full-length receiver rail with Magpul rear sight, birdcage flash suppressor, and its other features are virtually identical to those found in the M4/AR-15 carbines. (<a target=blank href=http://www.colt.com>http://www.colt.com</a>; 800-962-2658)

Del-Ton DT Sport
The Del-Ton DT Sport is very affordably priced without any sacrifice of features or performance. This 5.56mm NATO AR has a lightweight, 16-inch, 1-in-9-inch twist barrel, weighs only 5.6 pounds, a six-position M4 stock and a CAR-style handguard, as well as an A2 flash suppressor and a 30-round mag. The receiver is flat-topped with a rail and features an A2-type front sight and sling swivels. (<a target=blank href=http://www.del-ton.com/DT_Sport_p/ordtsport.htm>http://www.del-ton.com</a>; 910-645-2172)

Hi-Point 995TS
Often underrated, the Hi-Point 995TS is available in 9mm, .40 and .45 ACP with a 10+1 shot capacity and lots of manufacturer options. With a 16.5-inch barrel, an overall length of 31 inches and a 6.25-pound weight, the Hi-Point is handy and lightweight. I’ve found it to be accurate and dependable. It’s a good entry-level 9mm platform for less than $300, and that’s hard to beat. (<a target=blank href=http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com/Hi-Point-carbines/9MM_carbine.html>http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com</a>)

JR Carbine
Just Right (JR) Carbines come in 9mm, .40 and .45 ACP. and they offer the utmost in versatility. Depending on the caliber, they will accept Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P or 1911 magazines. On top of that you can get a conversion kit that allows you to switch yours to a different caliber. With its 17-inch barrel, adjustable buttstock and 6.5-pound weight, you get a lot in a compact package. (<a target=blank href=http://www.justrightcarbines.com/Home_Page.html>http://www.justrightcarbines.com</a>)

Marlin Model 1894 Cowboy
A more traditional handgun-caliber carbine is the Marlin Model 1894 Cowboy. This lever gun, like some of the autoloaders, has a 10+1 capacity and comes in .357 Mag, .44 Mag and .45 Colt. Fashioned from blued steel and walnut, it will make a great backup for your revolver, and the side ejection allows for more sight options. It has a 20-inch barrel, an overall length of 37.5 inches and weighs just 6.5 pounds. (<a target=blank href=http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/cowboy/1894_45colt.asp>http://www.marlinfirearms.com</a>; 800-544-8892)

RRA LAR-15 Tactical CAR A4
Lightweight and maneuverable, the Rock River Arms LAR-15 Tactical CAR A4 offers a forged A4 receiver, a 16-inch chrome moly barrel with an A2 flash suppressor and an R4 handguard. The LAR-15 also features a six-position CAR stock, a Hogue rubber pistol grip, an RRA two-stage trigger and a 30-round magazine. Guaranteed to shoot 1-MOA at 100 yards, this package weighs in at 7.5 pounds. (<a target=blank href=http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=218>http://www.rockriverarms.com</a>; 866-980-7625)

Smith & Wesson M&P 15X
If you need a handy AR-type carbine with more rail space for optics, laser or lights, the Smith & Wesson M&P 15X might be what you are looking for. A 16-inch barrel is mated with a quad-rail handguard and a CAR six-poisiton buttstock. An A2 front sight is combined with a Troy Folding Battle Sight. The whole package weighs just 6.5 pounds and offers 30+1 capacity. (<a target=blank href=http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765711_-1_757785_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y>http://www.smith-wesson.com</a>; 800-331-0852)

Taurus CT9/CT40
Taurus offers the CT9 (9mm) and CT40 (.40 S&W) models with 10+1 capacity, a full-length Picatinny rail, convertible charging handle and an ambidextrous slide catch/magazine release. Both models come in black finishes. The CT9/CT40 rifles both have a fixed, skeletonized stock and a pistol grip. They share overall lengths of 36 inches and 6.6-pound weights, making both quick handling, accurate and easy to shoot. (<a target=blank href=http://www.taurususa.com/news-detail.cfm?newsID=52>http://www.taurususa.com</a>; 800-327-3776)