"Broke into the wrong gal dern rec room, didn't you!" Burt Gummer
Posted on 02/27/2013 8:30:21 AM PST by EXCH54FE
decisions… it seems like when it comes to defending your family there is a lot of them. Caliber, type, make, model, ammunition, stopping power, capacity, training, and the omnipresent legal repercussions—self-defense is a hailstorm of life or death choices and another one of these (and one often neglected) is over-penetration.
Shooting Through Walls
Situation and terrain determine tactics and nowhere is this more evident than when firing a gun inside a closed environment like your home. Accordingly, a self-defense minded gun owner needs to first take into account where he lives (a suburban house, a farm, a studio apartment etc.) and then assess the location and materials used in its construction. These factors will determine your choice of gun and round.
Factoring in location and terrain means knowing where targets will appear, potential backstops and beyond. Since most inner walls in homes in western societies are made of sheet rock and many outer walls made of brick or siding, it’s important to realize rounds could leave your home and keep traveling. That said, thinner than usual walls, glass windows or close neighbors should all play a part in your assessment of your home as should the sometimes strange angles and backstops inherent to ranch style or multi-level homes.
Remember, firefights are dynamic with people moving about helter skelter and this may include your children, so it is important to be aware of the location of spots where over-penetration can: a) occur and b) injure a friendly target. Practice identifying these places with your family with both the lights on and off; most home invasions occur during the daytime, but they also happen in the early morning and evening too. This underlines the importance of knowing and remembering your backstops and beyond.
(Excerpt) Read more at guns.com ...
I use Glaser safety slugs in my 44 Special and a combination 2- #4 shot Turkey Loads then 3- 00 buck in the 12 gauge.
The main thing that we teach in my class is that you can practice practice practce but you will never know what the scenario will be when faced with a life or death choice.
You won’t know where you’ll be’ you won’t know what you will be doing when it happens and it will happen when you are least prepared.
Of all the big caliber pistols I have and all the expensive rifle calibers from 5.56 up to 338 I have... if faced with an intruder in my hallway, I would skip all the $2000plus guns and grab my $450 mossberg 500 tactical 12ga.
Of course, I will never know what or when or where it will happen. But given a choice, in close quarters, the 12ga will always be the choice.
9 times out of 10 I am not even going to have a choice, but given a choice....
If this is a concern I highly recommend this manufacturer, I bought the 10mm 46 grain at 2400 fps. I tried it out and it works just fine on a gallon jug of water, feeds good too.
http://magsafeonline.com/prices_specs.php
It’s worse form to injure your child in the next room
True, but a light hollow point would still be better than a FMJ though.
I use polymer filled jackets, they really seem to do a good job from what I’ve tried so far.
Thanks, I’ll look into it.
Anyone have experience with Glaser ammo?
Yep - that’s a definite no-no.
I live alone. A sawed off shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot should pretty much cover the hallway.
Yes I also oppose laws dictating barrel length in the home.
I just noted that you posted a related subject on the same subject as I did. Please note them and we can compare notes.
ALSO - If we can bring others into the coversation (not just to talk) but TO PREPARE (SERIOUSLY PREPARE)>
Based on your ego, I expect you have more effect on the walls than the floor. ;o)
That isn’t what she said.
Defenders tend to stand behind door openings..... Shoot waist high about 4 plus inches beyond the door frame. Shooters may be either standing or crouched behind the door opening. This way (4 plus inches) will get the best chance of hitting them.
If you aim higher and they are crouched over you will miss.
If they are either crouched over OR standing you have a MUCH greater chance of hitting them. A shot to the head or a shot to the gut is going to stop them.
Have your children and wife (yes, and even you) laying flat on the floor so that bullets fly over your head.
Also have an escape route planned The second you enter the room. Including jumping through a widow.
To jump through a window you will probably get cut but you can survive. Better yet - insure that your body impacts the glass FLAT that will push most of the glass out of the frame and minimize the cuts your will receive.
A glass cut is better than a bullet in the back or in the head.
Yes I also oppose laws dictating barrel length in the home.
You last point is important. Because most people, FReepers included, watch movies (and play games) and tend to think a short barrelled shotty is "can't miss" in close quarters. Truth is, the shortest commercially and legal barrelled shotgun has about a 4" to 5" AT BEST pattern at 20' loaded with 00 buckshot.
Don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of the tactical (if not modified) 12 guage home defense shotty with 00 buckshot. But I don't rely on a "pray and spray" tactic to employ its potential.
I'd recommend 8" from door opening. You have a double stud (sometimes more for outdoor lights, outlets, switches, etc. Your studs are typically 16" apart. If you aim between 8" and 12" you are more likely to find a hollow wall spot.
Of course this assumes worst case scenario in a load bearing wall. I know I'm splitting hairs, but trying to just barely miss the studs is not advisable. Fire 3 between them. Stop, listen, repeat, reload.
I agree. I am a terrible aim no matter how much I practise, although I’ve had no formal training. Having said that, I rely on a 12guage with 20” bl to defend my home.
Great point....
That is the VERY type of feedback I am looking for and your should provide.
Keep me apprised of any other such insights.\
THANKS
Got a decent hacksaw? Lol. You should be able to get more out of that weapon depending on how long the feeder tube is. ;o)
TheBoxOTruth.com did tests on this, nicely documented. 55gr .223 had least penetration.
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