An odd, but valid home defense question...

[billy]

remember shotguns rip right through walls too.
that lead doesnt magically stop.
my buddy had an accident with a 12 ga. once
a 00 round went through three apartments and stopped in a hall.
nobody was hurt luckily.

[billy]

not three walls.
THREE APARTMENTS.

[waterdog]

BTW my house is 60 ft long not 150 ft ( 75yrds) While not my first pick on handguns if I got the drop I could stick a .451 ball twixed your eyes Very easy, but I do practice with it . thats right I said twixed (ie between) for our good northern friends here at G&G. ..........Waterdog

[tommy]

Originally Posted by Rambo

Since most home defense situations are inside the home, a shotgun with birdshot is most effective. Birdshot at 15 feet will put a hole through anybody.

if i lived way up north where it snowed and people wore them huge jackets with multiple under layers of cloths i think i would scrap the bird shot and go for the buckshot.

[Ten Man]

Originally Posted by waterdog

if you don't practice with your newfangled handgun you're just as undergunned as a person who's got a pocketknife, slingshot or leftist view on crime. ..........waterdog.

priceless!!!!!

[Deersniper]

Second on the Mav 88. Great value and it works every time.

[Lobo0311]

Originally Posted by larmus

FINALY!!!! someone else provides some sort of credability of the use of birdshot! ive done my own testing of #7 up against plywood... in my 870 with factory choke i was blowing holes through 3/4inch ply at 25 feet a standard distance in a home... dont get me wrong i like 00 and #4 but just hate the nay-sayers about the other rounds uses...

But how would it do against the plywood, drywall, studs and insulation of a mock up wall?

[larmus]

Lobo0311, im not mad or flameing, but do you think that standard drywall board is stronger then 3/4" plywood (not particle board)?...

as for the 2x4 studs i dought it will go through, standard insulation most likely...

this is all viewed as shooting from the inside of a room outwards... drywall yes it will go through, drywall and insulation will slow it down considerably a 2x4 stud on the end across the 2inch face with 4 inches of depth (generalized as i know a 2x4 is really 1 3/4x 3 3/4) no i do not think so and then to pass through the plywood and exterior faceing of the house, it wouldnt make it, now thats my opinion i have not tried it yet but i will just to see if it will... now if we were talkin about 00buck or a slug then i would call the neighbors and tell them to duck, because anything short of a brick house and interior walls thoughs two rounds will pass through it all... thats why i suggest birdshot and not the more powerful rounds...

[mdj696]

Retired LEO. I carry a 1911 at all times (except when in mountain home). For medium range I will use my M1A1 carbine to make it to mountains. (15/30 round magazine). Its very true the rack of a 12ga riot gun really gets their attention (past experience). Most instances occur at night. We were trained when you drew your service weapon, you held it tight to your side as if putting barrel into the gut of perpetrator. Most altrercations occur with 12 to 15 feet of perp. At night, forget sights (Viet Nam experience). Made 12 ga with flechettes (nasty at 25 yrds). About blk powder, hope you have extra cylinders to exchange while your shaking like a leaf. Combat is not a pleasant experience, trust me.

[Pyro01]

Well, I got my S&W Performance Center 460 XVR today, so now I got that and a 12 gauge to use for home defense. Of course I'd probably load the 460 up with 45 colt so it won't overpenetrate too much.

[Lobo0311]

Originally Posted by larmus

Lobo0311, im not mad or flameing, but do you think that standard drywall board is stronger then 3/4" plywood (not particle board)?...

as for the 2x4 studs i dought it will go through, standard insulation most likely...

this is all viewed as shooting from the inside of a room outwards... drywall yes it will go through, drywall and insulation will slow it down considerably a 2x4 stud on the end across the 2inch face with 4 inches of depth (generalized as i know a 2x4 is really 1 3/4x 3 3/4) no i do not think so and then to pass through the plywood and exterior faceing of the house, it wouldnt make it, now thats my opinion i have not tried it yet but i will just to see if it will... now if we were talkin about 00buck or a slug then i would call the neighbors and tell them to duck, because anything short of a brick house and interior walls thoughs two rounds will pass through it all... thats why i suggest birdshot and not the more powerful rounds...

I was just wondering if anyone had tried it against a mock wall for test purposes, I wasn't implying anything, more along the lines of wondering how many pellets would go all the way thru given the obstacles in an ordinary wall.

[Lobo0311]

Now that I re-re-read you r post, larmus, I see what you were saying. Now the only question is what shot do you use, 7 1/2, 6, 4,????? BTW now I see the credibilty of birdshot, I would still use buckshot in my home, but only due to the fact I live in a basement apt and have concrete and cinderblock walls with nothing but earth on the opposite side. When I move I'll have to reconsider.

[Freezing Hot]

I don't know where you're from, but interior walls that are insulated are few and far between in Iowa.

I load my 870 like this:

Chamber: Empty
Shell # 1: 7 1/2 Shot
Shell # 2: 7 1/2 Shot
Shell # 3: Slug
Shell # 4: Slug

I keep the chamber empty in an attempt to avoid accidents(Someone is screwing around with it and dryfires, etc.), then I keep two shotshells in for the "Just woke up" stupor. By the time I've got two rounds off, I'm not playing anymore and insurance will buy a new floor.

[Hobbit]

shotgun

[Maudite]

Originally Posted by Capt'n Mil Coll

Yes I do!

Then either you're ignorant, or you adopt ridiculous opinions specifically to be argumentative.

[Capt'n Mil Coll]

Originally Posted by Maudite

Then either you're ignorant, or you adopt ridiculous opinions specifically to be argumentative.

Im am not ignorant and am stating my opinion. I have studied and trained in self defense after a very bad home invision incident I had. They came in my house to kill me.

They did not suceed.

I believe a .357 wheel gun and a 12 gauge is all you need for HD.
You are free to use a slingshot if you want for HD. I dont care. Its not my family or my life you are protecting.

The rule of HD is use as much firepower as you can to defend yourself.
You can use a .40 or a .38 or a .41 or a 9mm.
But personally after checking these out Im sticking to a .357 or a .45.

I like the .357 better because any one can use it. If you GF or Wife or kid is in danger and you are wounded they can still defend themselves with it.

Also when the badguy is in your house the adreanalin is pumping you're heart is pounding you're thinking a mile a minute you cant seem to get a breath of air. Using a wheelgun takes some of the stress of the situation off of you. You dont have to check to see if its cocked and locked. You dont have to worry about it jamming (for the most part). If it FTF's you simply pull the trigger again.

I have seen some on here stating they use an air rifle for HD. Or a .410 or a .32. If that is all you have they are better than nothing.

I say dont let yourself or your loved ones down.
Get a good .357 and a good short barrel 12g pump.
If you prefer a .45 use that.
Then go out and practice practice practice shooting them.

[calboy147]

I think your question was a little misleading.You axed about the perverbial SHTF situation. In which case i would definately want a couple black powder weapons lying around simply because i can make all my on ammo from scratch. not knowing how long the "s" will be on the fan i may be temted to try to conserve my 12 ga ammo.
But in the event of a home invasion type scenario all other circumstances being even i will try to aquire the shotgun.

[Pyro01]

The 45 colt I shoot through my revolver has almost no kick. The gun itself almost weighs 5 pounds and it's got a built-in compensator at the end. I love it dearly.

[thrillbilly]

^ I like it! If nothing else, that big ol' thing would scare the bejeebers out of someone!

[tommy]

i have never ever heard of the inner walls of a house being insulated. the only walls that are insulated are the outside walls . now i have seen people who have a recording studio in their house and they took and insulated one room with acoustic foam but thats it.