What do you do?
This just happened - thunderstorm just rolled through and it's drizzling, kids are in bed, I am in bed ready to close my eyes, thinking about goose hunting in two days. My wife is in the kitchen looking over school papers and the door bell rings. I fly out of bed grab the AK pistol out of the bedroom safe and my flashlight is not in it's spot and I move without it (kids). We live in a small 50s house with one level in a regular blue collar neighborhood. We both head for the door thinking it's a neighbor needing help, but prepared. I rack a shell which is very distinct and audible as the front windows are open. My wife opens the door as she steps to the side. As she opens the door I notice the yard lights are not working and the switch is on- now I'm getting a bit amped up, but also trying to be realistic about the situation- one neighbor is a younger single gal who's dad I'm friends with and the other is elderly was widowed less than two weeks ago and we often help them out. Probably just locked out or need some help and Now I'm that guy answering the door with a loaded AK and boxers.
It's a young black guy with a backpack who asks to use the phone, but we can barely understand him and he looks nervous. Something feels really wrong all of a sudden and I say sorry stranger and shut the door. My neighborhood is white enough that a black kid stands out a little, but regardless I'm not inviting anyone in my home let alone handing my phone out the door to a stranger after 10 pm or ever. I wait 10 seconds and open the door to tell him I'll call the police for him but that's it and to see what in the world is going on- nothing gone ....
I reach out wiggle the outside light bulb and it's loose and comes on. Go back in grab a light out of my blind bag, sweep the yard and check out the neighborhood. Nothing
I tell my wife to call the cops I'm going to just wait out front and see what I see. A few minutes later kid pops out of the dark way down the street and stands in the middle do the street for a minute then a car pulls up and he hides out of the headlights and is gone. Tell the cops what's happened, they drive by once with spotlights on, call us and say it's nothing and not to answer our door after dark anymore...
So two questions- good flashlight recommendations ? And what would you do if your doorbell rang after 10 on a weeknight and you have great neighbors?

I wouldn't of answered the door ! I would of waited on the other side with my gun till the fella moved on. I have lights in my yard though that I can still see if someone is at the door or not. even if my door light bulb is loose. Just me but I'm not taking a chance putting my wife or kids at risk. Now if I was alone , yes I would of confronted the guy.

It's happened here with someone "out of gas" on the hwy in front of my place. Young black guy knocked on the door asking for some money or gas and obviously casing my house. I answered the door holding a loaded SKS and he did seem wary of it. I have a gun cabinet in my living room but it's not visible from the front door or from a window. My other guns are in our master closet. I just told the guy I didn't carry cash and no gasoline. Only diesel. He said ok and I watched as he walked back down the shoulder to a late model F150. Got in with another and drove away.... He was looking for something to come back and get. I think my house got scratched from the list lol. If someone ends up on my place knowingly there to do something they shouldn't be doing... Shame on 'em. I hope they're prepared to meet their maker right there on my porch or in my yard. They won't make it inside.

I hate to hear about these things. It takes a certain security away from you and your family that just can't be replaced. You reacted just as I would. Just be ready and aware that if you a chamber a round that you may be responsible for it leaving that barrel and ending someone's life...

I live in a really nice neighborhood so it's not really a big deal if the door bell rings that late as it happens fairly regularly. However I usually get a text or call before they are coming in, if it rang without me having a call or message I'l just grab the pistol and still go answer it. I couldn't live with myself if it was really someone needing urgent help and I know I purposely didn't answer the door. However if it was someone I did not know I would do the same and tell them I can call the police to handle whatever situation happened. Still wouldn't let them in the house. For the other question, stream light makes a really good flashlight. Are you looking for something compact/tactical or just a regular size multi-purpose flashlight?

I have a 5.11 full size duty light 550 lumens on high 220 on low that's my big light. I always carry a streamlight 2 AAA penlight or the Bluepoint 3 AAA penlight in my pocket. My full size M&P .40 has a streamlight TLR-2 on it.


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wouldn't have opened it. Not with the wife and kids at home. We would have had our conversation through the door and pistol in hand. Probably would have also opened the blinds to the front window and let these ladies take a look. They are a pretty good judge of character and are quite intimidating when they sense there's something up.

Forgot to say. On the lights.... I don't have any gun mounted lights. Never needed them but... I do have a couple of Streamlight LED Stingers for all purpose type flashlights and do keep one next to my pistol in the bedside table. It's just a good all around light. I've been using them for years.

My home defense pistol, glock 21sf with streamlight tlrs 1, also night sights a must. I love it because the light is on the gun, switch within reach, also super bright and strobe feature. I prefer to have a free hand just in case. As for outcome, I would have answered with the gun pointed at him through the door( as to not see it) but ready at a moment's notice. A 45 will go through a door lol, then I'd politely tell him I know your scam HOMIE, and it be smart to leave and don't come back.

100 pound black lab plus a 40 H&K in hand.
12 ga. street sweeper loaded behind the master bedroom door.
My lab is a good judge of character.

105 lb German Shepherd. He doesnt care about your character if I sic him on you.

i travel a lot for work and will always have a mastiff in my household.

As a LEO a couple things come to mind. His story of needing help/phone were erased when the light bulb was loosened and him disappearing suddenly.
He most likely was knocking to see if someone was home or awake. He along with someone hiding in the dark were going to loot your vehicles ,garage or home.
And he was checking for resistance. By you answering the door showed him that you might be confrontational or protective.
He might be Christmas shopping. ..look now and return for pickup later.
First I would call your Sheriff or Police and report what you observed.
I would also think about how to prevent a forced robbery. Set up something that blocks the door once it's open a couple inches. That way when you open the door they can't bull rush you or your wife. Remember this happens fast very fast. Pepper spray and weapon at hand. A good rechargeable flash light purchased from a police supply store . A five cell doubles as a light and baton.
There are a lot of burglaries /robbery that stem from a suspect opening your unlocked door ,stepping in and grabbing a purse or wallet at or near the front door and then they slip out quietly .

You racist mutha fukas. That guy was probably on his way to work and broke down. So he didn't show up too work and is fired. now he needs government assistance to support him threw tax payers dollars. You are the problem with society...... I have had time to rethink the situation. You should have shot that niqqer

^^^^

hes gonna sue you, dean will be sending you a letter shortly.

As Netman stated, have something to block the door. I'm not of fan of outward swinging doors. Your front doors should always inward. The simple fact being that you can place your heel on the floor and the ball of your foot against the door. If you push down with your foot it will stop the door from being pushed inward. You can crack the door enough to speak and stop it wherever you want. However, if it's somebody I don't know I will be speaking through the door if we speak at all. If your door opens to the outside and intruder will grab the edge of the door and open it easily because you will only be holding onto the doorknob.

Thanks for the insights and the laughs Trousertrout. I honestly just thought it was one of our neighbors, but grabbed the AK because you never know. Yeah I probably endangered my wife and kids, but I'd like to think with a 40 round mag, we could put a quick end to anything. Some of you guys have some beasts for dogs, I like it!

Ya never know what could happen from this , But I will say this Ive had folks knock on my door late at night and , we all go into defence mode. Their is nobody that lives close to us that would walk up to are house.Light go off from the angle of are front door we can see from a side window pull the blinds down, and check who's at the door wife answers with a closed door with a loaded gun as I slip out the back door and come around the front. Are dog go out in front of me and will eat you alive if he don't know you. You will get your self in a world of trouble poking around my house at night, so far its been women with flat tires or out of gas. Yet to have a man come to the door at night they send the wife up to the house.

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In the given situation I would have answered with glock in hand behind my back and dog in a sit/guard behind me. I will never allow a stranger in regardless of the situation.

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http://youtu.be/Kj495zdgPJ0 skip to 50 seconds.

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malinois?

Yessir

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very nice dog man.

i almost bought one

He's a non stop chore, every other day I wanna get rid of him. But when I work him I realize what I have. He's far from a pet type dog, but he's worth the constant work.

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Got this guy too, but he's a much easier dog to manage.

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when that happen to me , i am in the country on ten acres with a long drive . So the dog was raising cain the front door nock came , then as a habit i slipped out the back came around
the side of house close to the front door in dark < this was with my kimber > asked if i could help him , then hit him with the light said he was looking for his friend , he said thanks and walked briskly down the drive . Next day niebrough came by laughing asked about it and yeah he was looking for his buddy that lived down the road , so i felt better knowing was not being cased

The sheriff here suggested a target range with a backhoe parked beside it.

As far as flash lights go, this is my favorite. It holds a charge and has three brightness settings. I can't tell you a cost because I got it from work. I know that it will blind the heck out if someone if its in their eyes.

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I have a light I use that is VERY bright and lights up everything within a 100 yards and makes things visible up to about 250 -300.. It was half the price of a stream light and came with a carry case, battery recharger, and is extremely durable. I think I paid $60 for it on amazon

My current favorite is a Fenix PD35. It's a good one if you want a compact light.





It's around 1000 lumens and flood illuminates a huge area. Has five brightness levels.



Here's a on candlepower forum.

Yeah, he was definitely up to no good. Everyone and their monkey owns a cell phone these days. Even homeless people. Asking to use your phone is BS.