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Opinions on best 12 guage home defense load
Farmer Brown
Member Posts: 198 ✭✭✭
I'm currently using a Glock 17 with laser/light for home defense. I'm nervous that if I had to use it, the 9mm would penetrate walls and possible injure my sleeping kids. Thinking of going to a 12 guage pump. What load do you recommend for good stopping power, but safe after penetrating a couple of layers of drywall? My goal is to stop the intruder, not kill them (that's a whole other debate).
Thanks!
Thanks!
Comments
I have never tested this but a load of N0. 12 dust shot at close range (less then 15') would seem to be, in theory, very distructive to person, yet would loose most of its energy after passing through a wall, if it passed through at all.
Frangibles or light weight, 30-45 grain hollow points from a .223 carbine are also choices to think about for inside the house use.
A hollow point bullet traveling at 3600-3800 FPS will pretty much turn into fragments upon hitting any hard surface.
Shoot low.
You asked about 12 gauge loads and wall penetration. I suggest you not go larger than #4 shot. I am assuming you know the difference between shot and buckshot, if not ask. There is a site called wall of truth or something like that that has information on penetration, you may want to look it up. Most any 12 ga load will penetrate a couple of sheets of drywall. I have the same concerns in my home.
I will start controversy here with this suggestion. A .410 pump shotgun loaded with #4 shot is my choice for in home defense, 20" barrel, full stock. At in home ranges it has enough power and the limited wall penetration I want. You can also get a .410 revolver now and have both the handgun manuverability and the limited wall penetration in one weapon coupled with the safety and ease of use that comes with a revolver. This also has the benefit of simplicity which is a plus in my opinion, especially if you have others in your home that may use the weapon. I like the idea and may get one myself although I am comfortable with the shotgun. The big concern with a long gun is it is easier to take away from you and be used against you. It is also harder to to check around corners with a long gun than a handgun.
There are speciality loads that can be used from other weapons and I am sure there are many on here that know more about them than I do, hopefully they will make some suggestions.
For comparison purposes, a standard 2-3/4" 00 Buck Shot 12-gauge shell holds (9).33 caliber balls. The same 2-3/4" No. 4 Buck Tactical Load holds (27) .24 caliber pellets.
The link below is a very informative piece of information that many of you might find quite interesting... especially those of you who think or believe that birdshot or a skeet load is an effective self-defense load.
http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm
These were the original sky marshal load designed to decrease the likelihood of penetration into the airplane's vitals.
They're very specialized rounds and aren't cheap, but have a strong reputation for stopping power as long as no barriers are present.
Bottom line- a load that has enuff energy to penetrate a bad guy enuff to stop him is ALSO going to penetrate walls. Go for the 0 or 00 buckshot, and AIM.
There is a lot of opinions on this one. I work in emergency rooms including the trauma center . I have seen people killed with about everything, including many loads that some on here swear will not do the job. I've also seen people survive large caliber weapons most swear by, and everything in between. Of course you want to stop the threat, if they survive or not is another matter as long as the threat is stopped. Home defense generally means close quarters, only you know your house but rarely would a person have a shot over 30 feet in their home and most shots would be much closer. Most in home shooting victims I have cared for were shot in the same room as the shooter, generally less than 12 feet, often within a step.
You asked about 12 gauge loads and wall penetration. I suggest you not go larger than #4 shot. I am assuming you know the difference between shot and buckshot, if not ask. There is a site called wall of truth or something like that that has information on penetration, you may want to look it up. Most any 12 ga load will penetrate a couple of sheets of drywall. I have the same concerns in my home.
I will start controversy here with this suggestion. A .410 pump shotgun loaded with #4 shot is my choice for in home defense, 20" barrel, full stock. At in home ranges it has enough power and the limited wall penetration I want. You can also get a .410 revolver now and have both the handgun manuverability and the limited wall penetration in one weapon coupled with the safety and ease of use that comes with a revolver. This also has the benefit of simplicity which is a plus in my opinion, especially if you have others in your home that may use the weapon. I like the idea and may get one myself although I am comfortable with the shotgun. The big concern with a long gun is it is easier to take away from you and be used against you. It is also harder to to check around corners with a long gun than a handgun.
There are speciality loads that can be used from other weapons and I am sure there are many on here that know more about them than I do, hopefully they will make some suggestions.