.45 Colt Shotshell for Self Defense

peetyboy

I am worried about using .45 Colt within the home for self defense because of penetration through the walls to other homes. Will the CCI shotshells do the trick for self defense or is there something better?

rufe-snow

Click on this link, it will answer your question.


http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot30.htm

roysha

As far as it went, the link was ok, however, it did not address the issue of excessive penetration which was part of peetyboy's concern.

v35

Try some on paper and wood for pattern and penetration.
Some years ago I loaded larger shot in Speer capsules for a 38 Spl Chief and recall they either penetrated a 1" board or almost did.
Load was maximum and shot was either #4 or 5. Pattern from the 1 5/8 bbl was good.
How about the Glaser Safety ammo? That's already been tested.

Ramtinxxl

In my humble opinion, self defense is NOT about making the attacker merely bleed, or if one makes a head shot, making the attacker blind. If someone is physically threatening your life, welfare, family, et al, you MUST stop the threat. While over-penetration of walls is a serious consideration, especially if one occupies an apartment/condo/duplex type dwelling or if one has family members that might be in harm's way, your first and most important consideration is STOPPING THE THREAT. Blasting a crack-crazed thug with CCI shot from a .45 Colt is likely to make that thug even MORE crazed--and more determined to do you harm, if he finds out about it.

You may read of persons using #6 shot from a 12 gauge shotgun for home defense. This is WAY MORE effective than "rat" shot from a handgun caliber round. There's more lead, first of all, and there's much more powder behind it. But smallish shot from a 12 gauge is NOT an optimal choice either. See what SWAT teams use when raiding tenement buildings etc.

If I were limited to using a .45 Colt for self-defense, and if I were worried about over-penetration beyond my intended target, I would check out some of the newer offerings from a variety of ammo companies that provide adequate penetration (of the target), lower recoil and less likelihood of collateral damage. Save the shot-shells for snakes, rats, etc.

nmyers

Ram is right in all respects.

I have seen many apartment shootings where the bullet ended up in a neighbor's space. I don't care for a shotgun in close quarters, so my choice is frangible ammo in handgun; e.g., Glaser or Magsafe. These are quite effective on perps with no chance of ricochet or overpenetration.

If you just have to try a shotcap, then you might want to consider loading it in your revolver so that it is the first round to be fired; but, the next rounds better be more potent in case he just shakes off the shotcap.

Neal

iwannausername

Will this particular 45 take the 2 1/2" 410 shells? I think you can get one with a three pellet 00 buck loading...

tobefree

If the day comes when you have to use that gun to defend your Family and you have that gun loaded with those shot shells, let me say this. Surrender!!! You ain't gonna survive the gunfight. Maybe he'll have mercy and not kill if you don't pepper him with shot.

Don't worry about holes in walls or the one in a million chance that you might hit a neighbor kid in bed. Practice, practice, practice until you are 100% sure you can hit what you shoot at.

If the worse case happens a you happen to hit an innocent in another house, sure you are going to feel bad, but you aren't the killer. The Bozo who forced you to pull the trigger is...

If you must use shot use a 12 Ga...
Either that or be prepared to be laying a pool of blood knowing you are gonna be dead because you went to a gun fight with a BB gun...

peetyboy

Okay thanks!

tsavo303

glasers