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[OCEquestrian]

I am sure this has been discussed to ends but don't bite my head off, I am a newbie.

First, some thoughts. I am a new gun owner (Glock 19, Mossberg 590 Retrograde in deposit) I have been taught by friends and even taken a combat pistol course. So not "new" to shooting but new to ownership. Still new though.

The thought of using a firearm in my home comes to me as a final line of defense. A guy is in there, he's got a weapon, he has friends etc. Even then, it makes me uneasy at the thought of shooting someone and the years of legal fallout, even if everything 100% goes my way. Honestly, part of me thinks I will still reach for my baseball bat instead, in some way. I dunno, it's just a frightening thought overall.

That said, IF it came down to it, I don't want to be shooting through walls obviously. What exactly "type" of 9mm and 12 gauge shell should I be looking at that minimises over penetration? Does this even exist?

One easy answer is to simply find out what your local police / sheriffs department carries. I think the LA Sheriffs dept carries 147gr. Federal HST in 9mm. My home defense pistol is a Sig P320 in .45 and it's loaded with Corbon 200gr HP. I run the 147gr HST or the 124 gr HST +P in my carry 9mm's.

For a 12 ga shotgun inside the house, I think the #4 heavy bird is ideal.

[IVC]

Good ideas. For ammo, is there a shelf life keeping it loading in magazines, or even in a shotgun?

No, as long as ammo is properly stored, it will last longer than you.

Magazines can be held loaded forever - loading and unloading is what causes wear on springs. Compression and decompression. Keep it compressed, and it will remain good.

[LTC-J]

I didn't see mentioned but if you are concerned with over penetration, there is a simple exercise:
Go through a mock walk through and figure out your lanes of fire. For those lanes of fire that might lead to out of house casualties, build up a backstop using house hold items like book shelves.

I did this at the last apartment I lived in. I used book shelves on a common wall with a neighbor... but only where a shot would go through an open door.

[DrjonesUSA]

I am sure this has been discussed to ends but don't bite my head off, I am a newbie.

First, some thoughts. I am a new gun owner (Glock 19, Mossberg 590 Retrograde in deposit) I have been taught by friends and even taken a combat pistol course. So not "new" to shooting but new to ownership. Still new though.

The thought of using a firearm in my home comes to me as a final line of defense. A guy is in there, he's got a weapon, he has friends etc. Even then, it makes me uneasy at the thought of shooting someone and the years of legal fallout, even if everything 100% goes my way. Honestly, part of me thinks I will still reach for my baseball bat instead, in some way. I dunno, it's just a frightening thought overall.

That said, IF it came down to it, I don't want to be shooting through walls obviously. What exactly "type" of 9mm and 12 gauge shell should I be looking at that minimises over penetration? Does this even exist?

Well, welcome to our community!

Next, and please don't take this the wrong way or negatively at all; it's in no way intended as such & my statement is not a judgement; merely what I believe to be the truth.



I'd re-evaluate your entire decision to keep a firearm for home & self defense until you get 10,000%, completely and totally rock-solid in your willingness to use it.



A moments hesitation in a defensive scenario could prove fatal for you; if you aren't fully, truly, deeply, with every fiber of your being dedicated and certain that you will defend yourself and your family with your firearms, without any hesitation, IMO, it's best to leave them locked up until you do.


Have you looked into CCW / Firearm Owner's insurance?
I agree that the prospect of various financial difficulties arising from even a clean HD / SD shoot worry me, but not to the point where I'd hesitate to use justified force in self defense.


You need to spend a lot more time reading, thinking, and getting comfortable with what you are willing to do to defend and protect yourself.

You need to spend more time at the range and take some various training classes to get more familiar and comfortable with firearms and get good advice from real men who've been there, done that; I'd look for classes taught by verified former MIL or LEO.

And I'll bet you any of those instructors would be more than happy to sit & discuss your concerns

Honestly; good for you and it takes a big man to be able to admit something like this. Many others put up a fake front of false confidence. Takes a man to admit his true feelings.

This here is an excellent resource to get started with, and Mr. Snyder also wrote a full book with the same title that is worth its weight in gold.


PS: I'm *NOT* calling you a coward; that's just what the essay is titled and I recommend it frequently for a variety of reasons.

http://www.rkba.org/comment/cowards.html

Lastly, what you need to do is harden your heart. You are probably a good, kind, decent, normal human being.

Our enemies have thoroughly weaponized that against us.

You need to harden your heart. That statement appears frequently on a couple of my favorite websites. I hope these are of interest to you.

https://westernrifleshooters.us/

https://www.americanpartisan.org/

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[Thoughts]

I would suggest taking a home defense course from a good instructor, preferably including some shoot-no-shoot scenarios and force-on-force. That should help you decide whether you are up to shooting someone. If you aren't sure, don't proceed.

I agree that anything that will stop someone is going to over-penetrate. I chose a featureless AR-15 with Speer Gold Dot as the best of the fairly unpleasant options available. I also have a .40 S&W pistol with Federal HST available. If I were going to use a shotgun, I'd use Federal 00 Buck with Flite Control. I was impressed with how well it grouped with my Benelli.

[KrisDSA]

Start from the outside to the inside

1. Security signs

2. Good lighting

3. Repair or upgrade gates n fencing

4. Solar lights around the property. In case the power goes out

5. Cameras

6. solar cameras

7. Locks on Gates/tool shed/Breaker box

8. Alarm

9. Good locks on doors

10. Sliding door stoppers or just use wood

11. Security film on windows

12. Security screen on front door

13. panic room

14. dog

15. Plate carrier

16. Family plan for shtf

17. First aid

[Ol'Chap]

Redundancy - have at least two of the same weapon of choice per house level.

[AreWeFree]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, OP mentioned a baseball bat, which is a deadly weapon, and use in self defense has the same standard as a firearm.

[Charlie50]

The stronger the door, the more time you have. That counts alot.

Most bad guys do not care about front door... its literally every point of entry that has direct street access that is most vulnerable. A fence with a locked gate is first ring of defence.Creating the largest distance of fences from public right of way to home. Reduce concealment and cover options around home. Windows are very easily broken, low roof, skylights. Larger dog ( sweet Irish Setter maybe not best choice) roaming fenced yard would work great. Lighting, alarms. Defence plan with occupants/ family. Comms, non-lethal then more serious options in the event house is breached. BTW I love the sprinkler option.

I really like the signs to put in your window that say "THIS IS A GUN FREE HOME"...

[glock17_1986]

I would think birdshot within a house scenario would suffice to stop most people. Wouldn't this also provide the least likey event of over penetration?

[DrjonesUSA]

I would think birdshot within a house scenario would suffice to stop most people. Wouldn't this also provide the least likey event of over penetration?

Very bad idea.

Maybe on the overpenetration of walls, but that cuts both ways; if the perp is wearing heavy clothes, jacket, etc; that could also stop the birdshot.

Not a good idea.

I seriously think an AR15 is the best for home defense.

[NATO762]

I would think birdshot within a house scenario would suffice to stop most people. Wouldn't this also provide the least likey event of over penetration?

And therein lies the problem.

[glock17_1986]

I understand what you are saying but to say that it's a problem because I say most people doesn't seem to be sufficient. Because almost all rounds will stop most people, there is no guarantee that any common caliber will stop everyone and I would say it's safe to say 556, 223, 9mm, 45 ACP, 38 special, 357 mag and so on would stop most people but there is no guarantee as has been shown through numerous engagements.

I'm not arguing for it persay. I am simply asking do you think birdshot with in 10 yards is sufficient to stop an attacker or threat.

[L84CABO]

As a new gun owner you are right to be thinking about the larger picture here...the taking of a human life and all that goes along with it, mentally, emotionally, legally, financially, etc.

Respectfully, you really need to get your head right with these things now. Because they can get you killed if you're trying to sort it out in the middle of a robbery, home invasion, etc. Introducing a gun to a situation where you're NOT fully prepared to use it is a recipe for disaster.

There's no rush on this. But I would keep the guns well locked up until you've come to terms with things.

[Thoughts]

I am simply asking do you think birdshot with in 10 yards is sufficient to stop an attacker or threat.

I wouldn't count on it. Speer Gold Dot .223 for the win. Federal .40 S&W HST for the backup.