Self defense round

[Tater]

I know about Glaser Safety Slugs, but I was wondering if there was any other good self defense-type ammo out there. I live in an apartment so, if I did have to use my gun, I would have to seriously concern myself with missing and the round going through the paper-thin walls. I doubt I'll ever have to use it but I figure it's better to be safe than sorry. Thanks.

[Adam Helmer]

Tater,

FIRST of all: DO NOT MISS! Seriously, you may consider a shotgun with fine shot such as #6 or #7.5 to keep the projectiles inside your dwelling.

I keep a .45 M1911 or a .357 Magnum as my house gun. I live in a very rural area, so the BG is at risk. If I miss, the dogs will "tree" the culprit for my final shot.

What caliber house gun do you now have? I would suggest that you go "center mass" on the Bad Guy (s) and let the exited slugs die in the far apartment walls. BGs tend to decelerate most pistol rounds.

Adam

[TreeDoc]

Aside from the Glazers, I'd strongly second Adam's opinion on the bird shot.

I have a Beretta 1201FP shotgun with the high cap mag tube and that's my "get to" gun. Bird shot is plenty to put the hurt on a BG but it should hang up in the dry wall as long as you are not at or close to point blank range.

[gregarat]

Good post!

Addam,
Would #6 or #7 shot be enough? Sure it wont cut through sheet rock. But would it stop a BG? I personaly use #4.

I actualy tested wall penitration with .45ACP 230Gr. Rem Gold Sabre "bonded" (the only SD ammo I had), at an abandon house on my buds property. It smasher through a thermostat, penetrated a sheetrock wall, richoched off wood molding in a closet, then dented the wall in the room where the closet exited. I want to try a "flying ashtray" in .45ACP to see if it has less penitration.

My guess it that 9mm FMJ is the worst Home defence round.

[Brant Buster]

At normal 'house' ranges if having to shoot a BG, #7 1/2 shot (ex., trap loads) will easily penetrate a trespasser's carotid artery, if aiming for the neck.

I also like a long-gun (shotgun) backed up by a handgun, in that order! One author I read says a handgun is for fighting your way back to your long gun.

[Tater]

I should have specified that I'm looking for a pistol round for either my .357 or my new XD-40

[skeet]

I happen to have a 45 auto for my short gun in the house...but the best house gun in my opinion is a nice short pump shotgun with 7 1/2 shot. I happen to have a Mossberg Stainless 590 riot gun that I got for 50 bucks in a 12 gun deal and it is a great house gun. Makes lots of noise when ya jack one in the chamber and I can tell ya that 7 1/2's at 15 ft aren't gonna let 'em walk away too steady for certain. My wife keeps her snake gun with her in the house. 2 speer shot loads and the rest are 110 gr HP 38 special. I told her to shoot for the eyes with the first 2...especially if it wasn't a snake

[Jack]

I'll vote for a load of 7 1/2's out of a pump shotgun.
For one thing, the distinctive noise of a pump being racked will scare off any sane intruder.
At in house ranges, a load of 7 1/2's will hit like a slug, and leave a bunch of pellets to be picked out of the carcass.
But, Tater wants a recommedation for 357 or what? 40 S&W?
In a handgun, I'd lean towards a light for caliber expanding bullet as something that might not penetrate 3 apartments.
I think Adam's advice (don't miss) is crucial.
One thing to remember: after you fire the first round in the dark, you will be totally blind from the flash, so repeat shots aren't as much use as you think.

[Brant Buster]

Go to the Corbon website and focus on the Glazer Safety slugs or Pow'r Ball loadings.

Admittedly I haven't read about any actual reports on BG's being blasted with a Pow'r Ball load in anything, but they look like they're guarenteed to expand - rapidly!!!!

As for the Glazer Slugs, I've only read of ONE INSTANCE where a BG survived being shot with one. But he will spend the rest of his life with only one lung left in his chest.

Bet his criminal days are over!

[Baylian]

I suggest you obtain and and read Massad Ayoob's "In the Gravest Extreme". It is a great reference to this subject. Then you should go to ChuckHawks.com and read his articles. One article states that the .357 Mag Federal 125grain JHP has the best one shot stop percentage of any firearm period. 96%.

Good Hunting, TJ

[Baylian]

The article is under the "General Firearms and Shooting" page. It is called "Ammunition For The Self-Defense Firearm".

Good Hunting!!! TJ

[jmarriott]

Originally posted by Baylian
I suggest you obtain and and read Massad Ayoob's "In the Gravest Extreme". It is a great reference to this subject. Then you should go to ChuckHawks.com and read his articles. One article states that the .357 Mag Federal 125grain JHP has the best one shot stop percentage of any firearm period. 96%.

Good Hunting, TJ

What a good book and advise.

IN my self defense handgun i carry normally Federal hydroshock rounds. I would ONLY fire when i WAS going to hit the bad guy then EXTRA penetration would be minimum.

[Adam Helmer]

Jack,

Excellent observation about MUZZLE FLASH blinding the home owner. One more thing, as Columbo would say, is the NOISE of firing any gun in a home will make you stone deaf! We ran a few operations in a "fun house" sans ear plugs and the sound of a .357 or 12 gauge will make your ears ring for a week.

One tactic to help is to roll the strong shoulder up to cover the strong side ear (for a two handed pistol grip) just prior to firing so after the shot, even if you are blind, you will have hearing in one ear. Hope this helps.

Adam

[Jack]

Adam, good point about the noise!
If you touch off a firearm inside once, you'll never forget it!
I've heard the bit of advice about closing one eye before shooting at night- supposedly so you'll retain some night vision, but, IME, that doesn't work at all.
Maybe ya gotta paint your eyelids black but, hmmmmm, no, not gonna go there!

[Esox357]

I want to mention that don't have a false sense of security with birdshot in a shotgun. Two reasons for this. #1 is that it can go throw common household materials and injure your family/neighbor ect. #2 there is a reason why they call it bird shot. It is not the best for self defense, thus the reason for 00 or 000 buckshot. Believe it or not the 223 loaded with 55 grain tap rounds have less penetration that some handguns! Not saying that it would be ideal for clearing a house but I would stick with a handgun in 9mm, 40, 45 and find a load that will suit your needs. I would stay away from magsafe and glaser thats just me. Esox357.