Looking for a home defense gun

[ryang]

.223 doesnt over penetrate? .223 would penetrate more than buckshot for sure...

It may seem counterintuitive but .223 tends to fragment which reduces penetration of hard objects.

From http://www.rifleshootermag.com/featu...es/ar_patrol/:
It is a surprise to many people that the round that works best for going through walls is the 9mm. With relatively higher velocities, the .223 bullets generally break up upon impact, even when hitting a thin sheet of drywall. The resulting small fragments quickly lose their energy. Bullet selection plays a part in this, but even the toughest FMJ bullet tends to virtually disintegrate when it hits wood or drywall at 3,200 fps.

From http://www.steyraug.net/223forcqb.htm:
The FBI study clearly demonstrates the following: (1) that .223 rounds on average, penetrate less human tissue at dose range than the hollow point pistol rounds evaluated, (2) concern for over-penetration of the .223 round, at close range, has been greatly exaggerated, (3) with the exception of soft ballistic garment penetration. the .223 round appears to be relatively safer for employment in CQB events than this hollow point pistol bullets tested.

One other note: electronic hearing protectors would be a good thing regardless of firearm used.

[Gnome]

I purchased a Remington 870 specifically for Home Defense. I have it loaded with Hornaday TAP 00 Buck. A buddy told me that might be a little too much. Recommended I switch to birdshot for HD. Less chance of wall penetration.

The great shotgun vs handgun for HD debate. Manuverability is less than that of a handgun, but more of an effective range with the shotgun. Also, any law enforcement officer will tell that the distictive sound of shotgun being "racked" is enough to ward off most would- be criminals.

[proraptor]

My dad says the only racking sound you should make is the sound of the first round being pushed into the chamber....Not only are you making the sound but you are loading a round at the same time....He also said use buckshot and slugs

[M. Sage]

I purchased a Remington 870 specifically for Home Defense. I have it loaded with Hornaday TAP 00 Buck. A buddy told me that might be a little too much. Recommended I switch to birdshot for HD. Less chance of wall penetration.

The great shotgun vs handgun for HD debate. Manuverability is less than that of a handgun, but more of an effective range with the shotgun. Also, any law enforcement officer will tell that the distictive sound of shotgun being "racked" is enough to ward off most would- be criminals.

Don't use birdshot, it won't penetrate deeply enough on a BG. Under-penetration is your enemy. You might get wounding from birdshot 2 inches deep. Not deep enough. You want 12 inches.

Slugs abso-freaking-lutely rock. I DROPPED a deer by shooting it in the chest with a 20 gauge slug. IMO, a 20 gauge is enough for HD... If I can kill Michigan whitetail with it, it'll down a person.

If you have to debate between handgun and shotgun for HD, go with one of each, IMO. Toss the wife/GF the shottie, and you take point with the pistol. Of course, that means you'll both have to drill together so she won't shoot you in the back by accident.

[ryang]

Also, any law enforcement officer will tell that the distictive sound of shotgun being "racked" is enough to ward off most would- be criminals.

Please don't try to resurrect this dead horse. People scoff at "gansta pistol holds" yet somehow the idea of confronting an intruder with an unloaded firearm lives on.

[M. Sage]

Please don't try to resurrect this dead horse. People scoff at "gansta pistol holds" yet somehow the idea of confronting an intruder with an unloaded firearm lives on.

+1 to that and what Proraptor said. They get to hear the first round go into the chamber (only because the wife doesn't like leaving guns sitting around with rounds in the chamber...). If they decide not to leave under their own power at that point, well...

[highmeh]

My Home Defense Shotgun. Just finished it a week or two ago.

- remington 870 express magnum receiver
- wood stock set
- 18.5" bbl by Mossberg
- scattergun technologies +2 w/sling strap attachment.

Handles great, looks classy, and small enough to maneuver around inside a house.

[Gnome]

So do you think I'm okay with 00 Buck? I bought the Hornaday TAP. Kinda pricey, but I heard it was a decent HD round. Low flash and recoil is what my buddy said.

[wildcard]

So do you think I'm okay with 00 Buck? I bought the Hornaday TAP. Kinda pricey, but I heard it was a decent HD round. Low flash and recoil is what my buddy said.

If that's what you're concerned about.. take some out to the desert at night and give it a try (unless you have access to a range that'll let you shoot at night or in the dark). Don't matter if it's expensive or cheap.. you'll have to burn through some so YOU KNOW what is like.. especially if you're trusting your life to it. Should be good stuff though. And 00 Buck is fine.. generally considered the standard.. but some prefer #1 shot for more projectiles and reduced probability of over penetration.

[randy]

Let me get this ammo thing figured out. It's a home defense gun you are shooting it inside your house unless you've got a giant home chances are your longest shot will be less than 40 feet. (at that range he/she better be armed or you are in big trouble.)

That gives you about a 13" pattern still well within a torso shot of 9 or 12 pellets of almost 9mm size traveling faster than a 9mm. Do you really need some expensive whiz bang ammo. You bet if you like it it's your $$$ for me any factory buck or slug is good enough and you can afford to practice with it too.

[wearemisled]

Let me get this ammo thing figured out. It's a home defense gun you are shooting it inside your house unless you've got a giant home chances are your longest shot will be less than 40 feet. (at that range he/she better be armed or you are in big trouble.)

That gives you about a 13" pattern still well within a torso shot of 9 or 12 pellets of almost 9mm size traveling faster than a 9mm. Do you really need some expensive whiz bang ammo. You bet if you like it it's your $$$ for me any factory buck or slug is good enough and you can afford to practice with it too.

I agree, any buck or slug will annihilate any human being. All you have to do is google shotgun wounds. Having shot a few slugs through certain objects I can't even imagine what that would do to a persons body!