Home Defense weapon selection

[drice]

I was looking at this same issue a couple of years ago and found a video (no idea where that is now) where various shot loads were being tested for over-penetration.

The #4 buck shot was the best option. It was very lethal, but it did not maintain lethality after traveling through 4 sheets of sheetrock, which is good if you don't want to kill your neighbors.

I keep 6 cartridges of #4 buck in the tube of my 870 Home Defense, and 6 slugs on a side-holder. I'm not sure why, but I can image scenarios where I have to kill bad guys, then go outside and kill their car as well.

[morsetaper]

I can image scenarios where I have to kill bad guys, then go outside and kill their car as well.

[chrisb]

My home defense setup breaks down like this.

1. XD-45 Tactical loaded with Cor-bons. This is generally near me all the time.
2. 12 guage Remington loaded with 00 Buck in the bedroom next to the bed. I am going to change this to #4 as soon as I can get some.
3. AR-15 in the closet.

[kparker]

Well, if you own the home, how about also modifying the structure by adding a little more material to the top-of-stairs wall?

[cu74]

My nightstand gun is a revolver loaded with .38 Special hollow points. The "investigative" gun is a 12 gauge Mossberg pump loaded with #4 buck. My backup (the wife) has a Beretta Cougar loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm hollow points.

[randy]

I keep slugs on a side saddle for situations that I might have to punch through cover even inside the house (such as furniture). I can only envision having to use them to kill a vehicle in the case of someone trying to kidnap a family member.

[jcribbs]

I appreciate all the replies. Thanks. Still not sure what direction I'll go. I think it will take a some thought and a bit of range time to find out.

[mekender]

I might offer a different point of view...

IF, I repeat IF, you are in a situation where you have to shoot to defend your life... Does it really matter what is beyond your assailant?

I mean if you freak out over something like that, then defense in a lot of situations might get worrisome.

Unless your target is up against a brick wall, a dirt berm or ballistic steel, there is always a chance that your rounds will hit something beyond it. Public streets, parking lots, even neighborhoods, there is always a chance of over penetration. The trick is, it is a tiny little bullet that is on a random path into an unknown location... 99.9999% of the time, that single shot will hit no one and harm nothing.

The other side of the coin, how much harm will come to you or your loved ones if you use an inadequate caliber or a round that does not penetrate properly.

In my own house, the firing angle for me to hit a target coming into my bedroom means that rounds will go upward through my ceiling and out of my roof. Yes there are houses on other streets behind my house. If I am shooting, then the threat has become so great that there is no other way to make it cease. Bottom line is, I will shoot until the threat stops.

[Aglifter]

A benefit of a shotgun in the angle you just described, is they retain little, if any energy, coming back down. I use #4 buck in my shotguns -- I have switched, recently, esp. in the apt. I think I'll probably get some glasers to load in my 625 to keep on my nightstand.

[Bob K]

I know I'm a cynic, but I load BB or #2 shot ... "Your honor, it's my bird gun, loaded with bird shot, I never intended to kill the sonofabitch."