Anyone know which ......

[Centurion_D]

firearm is used the most in cases of home defense? Is it rifle, pistol, or shotgun? My first choice is a pistol...1911 to be exact but from what I've read .223 wouldn't be a bad choice either. Anyone know what the stats are?

[Maddog5150]

Ive read the same thing about the .223 being a good home defense firearms but from what my instructor told me it seems like it could be very hazerdous to the shooter. He told me about two of his officers who fired their carbines in a house. One got his hearing back after a few days while the other will have to wear hearing aids for the rest of his life. Each only fired twice in the situation.
Sorry I know it isnt the answer to your question but just food for thought about using a .223 for defense.

[SemiAutoSam]

When I lived in Nevada I had a real cute XM177 clone with a 11.5 inch barrel and a CAR stock of course.

The mag I used in it was the only drum that really would keep up with its rate of fire.

Yes the C.

[Centurion_D]

Ive read the same thing about the .223 being a good home defense firearms but from what my instructor told me it seems like it could be very hazerdous to the shooter. He told me about two of his officers who fired their carbines in a house. One got his hearing back after a few days while the other will have to wear hearing aids for the rest of his life. Each only fired twice in the situation.
Sorry I know it isnt the answer to your question but just food for thought about using a .223 for defense.

Hmm..yes I guess muzzle blast/noise indoor without hearing protection would be a concern I wonder what the difference would be comparing .223 vs. .45 acp?

[ohsmily]

Hmm..yes I guess muzzle blast/noise indoor without hearing protection would be a concern I wonder what the difference would be comparing .223 vs. .45 acp?

Sorry I don't have a technical answer for you, but all I can tell you is that the difference would be VERY significant...

[Maddog5150]

I will have to ask him that next time I see him. He's real sharp though and told us how right away after the incident he equipped his guys with passive surefire ear plugs. He's also the top force on force instructor for surefire. He's the guy Im qouting in my sig and no I dont mean Freud.
Problem is, would you really want to put on ears if you needed to reach for a gun and also, you might lose hearing for a few days but what if you need to try to hear something after you fire? Some of the guys on here are used to handgun rounds but I doubt your ears will handle a carbine in a hall.
I would like to hear the db ratings of each to really find out.

[M. Sage]

How about a compromise? Pistol-caliber carbine? Not as powerful as .223, but still more powerful than a pistol in the same caliber. More accurate, too.

[Centurion_D]

Yes I would be concerned about the muzzle blast. I read some where that one should consider muzzle blast when choosing a firearm for home defense. Not until I read your post about these guys having trouble with their hearing after shooting their carbines indoors did I stop and think about. It's something to consider.

[Maddog5150]

How about a compromise? Pistol-caliber carbine?

That seems like a great idea but seems like the Ruger PC9/40 or an OLL in a pistol carbine less you can get a hold of an old camp carbine.

[chris]

would'nt a shotgun blast be just as loud in a confined space like a carbine round being fired? it would be nice to know the db reading on this.

either way i would rather wear a hearing aid than be dead.

[Socal858]

would'nt a shotgun blast be just as loud in a confined space like a carbine round being fired? it would be nice to know the db reading on this.

either way i would rather wear a hearing aid than be dead.

also curious about this question. im about to throw some earplugs in my shotgun case

[CalNRA]

I have shot my 12 gauge Mossy with heavy gameloads(which is lethal to anyone at indoors' distance) with an 18 inch barrel inside a small stable with no hay to absorb the sound and the noise was tolerable. Loud yes, but not nearly as loud as a 45acp pistol such as a 1911a1. from what I understand the preferred barrel length for a HD shotty makes it a bit louder than a regular(28+ inch) barrel.

In fact call me crazy, but it was more tolerable than my 22LR pistol with a 5.5 inch barrel, since there wasn't much of a sonic crack and so very ear friendly.

now before you jump on me for not testing buckshot, the thing I noticed was that even with the game loads, the pellets in the Remington gameloads put a big hole and penetrated 1984 Ford F150 passenger doors with ease at 10 yards, which leads me to believe that it would be sufficient against harmful two legged species indoors(don't ask me the specifics, my buddy and I got bored one day and decided to do our "truck o' truth". the truck still runs fine). The bad news is that with a 1 oz slugger shot, it will penetrate both doors and fly out the other side. so Please don't use slugs inside a house. It will penetrate multiple walls and hurt someone unintended.

[chris]

did you guys have fun doing it atleast?

[VeryCoolCat]

Game and Target loads have a much lower noise than 2 3/4 00 Buck....

You ever go to an indoor range with a shotgun? Everyone theres shooting away with anything rented. I always get that "WTH WAS THAT" look at other people on the range. Though, its still WAAAAAY more bearable than a rifle caliber i.e. 223 or 7.62x39.

Though, I'd rather have 00 buck. Its like getting shot by 7-9 9mm sized bullets.


I use target/clay loads and 00buck, with the occasional SUPER MAGNUM 3" RIFLED SLUG! Ouch my shoulder hurts.

Target loads and heavy game are better than bird shot and are lethal. I highly doubt an unarmored person getting up after a shot from over 50 BB sized bullets flying at them at 1600fps.

[DrjonesUSA]

Regarding hearing:

It seems that a set of electronic muffs is an absolutely excellent idea: Not only do they protect your hearing (obviously) but they also amplify sounds when they are not blocking gunfire or other loud sounds.

This would give you an advantage, as you would be able to hear BETTER than an intruder.

I've really got to get around to picking up a set of electronic muffs to keep by my bed & HD gun.....