Home Defense And Collateral Damage

[Broke bass fisherman]

I am looking into purchasing a pistol for home defense and am trying to wrap my brain around all of the potential hazards. The big one that comes up is that if someone was to get into my house and I was to engage them there is no way I wouldn't be firing toward my kids rooms. Unfortunately the layout of my house and entry points make it impossible for me not to.

The question I have then is what caliber is safe rest to minimize the possible of a stray bullet going through drywall and into my girls rooms? From the research I have done I allready know I should be looking at a hollow point but, in terms of the big three ( 9mm, .40, and .45) which would have less possibility of collateral damage?

Thanks!

[slonezp]

Get a Judge and load it with 410.  Attach laser sights to your handgun. Buy a pump shotgun, the sound of someone chambering a shell may be enough to scare off an intruder. Buy a large dog, He will more than likely protect those girls with his life

[Bassn Blvd]

You're number one concern should be RESPONSIBILITY.  9mm doesn't have enough stopping power IMO.  Get a 40.

 

Think of this.Someone breaking into your home knowing it's occupied is probably looking to do harm, or atleast prepared to do harm. The chances of that round hitting the bad guy, exiting the bag guy, going through the wall and hitting your kid is very, very slim.  Could it happen? Yes,  If it's me, I'm shooting. I don't think the bad guy is going to say "excuse me, sir. Go back to sleep. I'm not going to hurt you, your wife or kids. I'm just here to take your wallet."

[tomustang]

Laser sight for any choice.

[00 mod]

Nothing better than a pump shotgun for home defense.  And while your at it, get some #7 1/2 target loads.  If you have ever patterned a shotgun, even at 25 yrds with a cylinder choke, bird shot will only spread to about a basketball size.  That is plenty of damage and won't go through walls.

 

Jeff

[tomustang]

Not really a fan of a shotgun as defense, last thing I want to do is fire off in a hallway and blow my eardrums out.

[endless]

Another great thing about pump shotguns is the recreational fun that comes with it like clay skeet/pigeon shooting. I own several guns and the Remington 870 was my first purchase cause I fell in love with skeet shooting. Also makes for a friendly competition. I also own Tracker 357 mag. and a XDM .40 If someone was to come in my home it would be the shotgun or the .40. From what I was told when purchasing my 357 that they are fast and they travel.

 

What  I like about shotguns is that I feel there's an intimidation factor when it comes to close range like in homes.

 

 

Tomustang- I 'd rather fire off my shotgun than my 357. I just about blow my eardrum the first time I shot my revolver. lol and to think I had ear plugs just didn't have them in.

[00 mod]

Shotguns range in decibles about a decible er inch of barrel between 18" barrel and 28" barrel.

18" = 161.5

28" = 151.5

 

 

Decible rating of standard pistols

9mm  =159.8

40  =   158.3

45  =  157.0

 

All about the same.  150 db is enough to rupture your eardrums.  Remember to always wear proper eye and ear protection when you can.  When you cannot, your life and those you love is more important than your hearing!

 

Jeff

[Glenn]

You're asking a great question.  Many folks just assume they'll hit their target in a gun fight, and don't think about the backstop.

 

9mm has plenty of stopping power and has less of a possibility of going through walls (I said less).  Many 9mm bullets these days have close to the same velocity of 40mm, so that plays a role in collateral damage too. In general, you also have more control with a 9mm vs. larger caliber because there's less of a recoil.  A 9mm paired with the right bullet will be plenty for home defense, and reduce the chances of collateral damage..

 

Flashlight attachments are better than laser sights. You need to see your target first!

 

Final bit of advice: get training with your new handgun, and I mean full-on, multi-day course training ... and do it every year.  Because the moment you pull out a handgun in a confrontation, you're going to get sued, regardless of whether or not you point it at anything, or shoot it.  And if you shoot someone, you'll not only get sued by the "victim", but you'll also be prosecuted by the state. So the more training you have, the better off you'll be in the courts, because you can prove you're not reckless and have proper training.  This goes hand-in-hand with frequent, documented, practice.  The more training and practice you have, the less chance there is for collateral damage.

[nick76]

Glenn makes a great statement here.  If you are concerned about collateral damage you can always look into a round that is frangible.  They are designed not to over penetrate and are thus and ideal round for this situation.  From my point of view a training course  is great.  I took one right after I got my CPL and am glad that I did.  My wife and I also have had scenario training for our children, ages 6, 8, 14, 19.  We have walked them through what to do if the house alarm goes off, what to do if the smoke detector goes off, where to hunker down and how to react.  Yes, maybe I am a little extreme, we have trained them in the middle of the night while they are sleeping to see if they actually do what they are told.  Training in this situation is always your best defense. 

 

I am going to assume that you have looked into some form of gun safe for that pistol you are considering......  More kids die from getting their hands on a gun while not being trained what to do with it than from getting caught in a home invasion cross fire.  I have both a pistol for defense in the house and a shotgun with a strobe flashlight mounted at the barrel.  I can see what I am aiming at and they are disoriented by the strobe while I am aiming.  Both are locked in different safes within my house while not on my person.

[Teal]

Glenn is exactly right!

I am a big fan of shotgun

Nothing better than a pump shotgun for home defense.  And while your at it, get some #7 1/2 target loads.  If you have ever patterned a shotgun, even at 25 yrds with a cylinder choke, bird shot will only spread to about a basketball size.  That is plenty of damage and won't go through walls.

 

Jeff

You can buy what we call squirrel shot #6s. It makes a hell of a mess at close range and shouldn't go through both sides of the wall. I have suggested it to many people. You can also buy flashlight and laser accessories if desired. If you do go the direction of a shotgun, 18 inch barrel. Simply because it is easy to maneuver in tight spaces such as a house.

[Teal]

Other guys have mentioned it but I would absolutely stress when you are saving to buy a firearm that you add In the cost of a locking gun cabinet and costs of ranges and safety courses so that you can get a safe at the same time as the gun. Then you can get properly trained ( as well as your spouse) within a short time of putting the firearm in your house. I would also recommend teaching your children about firearm safety as soon as your gun e ters the home. My son is only 2 but he already know that daddy's gun safes are absolutely off limits.

It is expensive when you add everything together, but we all agree that protecting your loved one is absolutely worth ever penny.

[Broke bass fisherman]

Thanks guys. I have allready started looking at gun safes and the courses needed to be safe. I really appreciate all your feedback it helps a lot.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

.45 ACP with Glaser rounds. They wont go through a second layer of drywall. Its a hollow point filled with shrapnel suspended in Teflon. When impacting a soft target it will leave around a 1/2 in. entry hole and if at close enough range a basketball sized exit hole. Once the hollow point starts to expand and the shrapnel relases it devistates any organs or tissue in its path and causes MASSIVE internal bleeding. They also make it in 9mm and .40 caliber.

Regardless of which handgun you purchase make sure you go to the range and become proficient with said weapon. Also remember there is a huge difference between shooting at a target and shooting at a possibly armed intruder. Adrenaline and nerves play a huge role in facing armed opposition. Letting emotions get in your way and not focusing 100 percent on your target will get hurt or killed. Do NOT shoot to injure your target, your objective is to neutralize the threat, and a wounded target is still a threat. You have as little as two seconds to aim and hit your target, not 10 seconds not five seconds you have at most around two. Unless you can get the drop on them. Hence why a shotgun is one of the most viable home defensese systems available. If I were you I would look more towards a 12 or 20 guage pistol grip shotty over a handgun. You have a much greater chance of hitting your target. Kind of a point and click type thing.

[tbone1993]

Get a Judge and load it with 410.  Attach laser sights to your handgun. Buy a pump shotgun, the sound of someone chambering a shell may be enough to scare off an intruder. Buy a large dog, He will more than likely protect those girls with his life

 

If you want to scare someone get a stereo that plays the sound of a round chambering it is just as effective.  No point in owning a gun( for self defense) if you are not prepared to use it to defend your life. 

 

I am not a gun expert norm but can I suggest watching penetration test videos on youtube? They will shed light on which ammunition penetrates more or less in a home defense scenario.  

[slonezp]

If you want to scare someone get a stereo that plays the sound of a round chambering it is just as effective.  No point in owning a gun( for self defense) if you are not prepared to use it to defend your life. 

 

I am not a gun expert norm but can I suggest watching penetration test videos on youtube? They will shed light on which ammunition penetrates more or less in a home defense scenario.  

Deadly force should be your last resort, not your first. That chambered round is now ready for the last resort. 

[Broke bass fisherman]

All this helps tons and gives me someplace to start. Thanks.

[tstone]

Deadly force should be your last resort, not your first. That chambered round is now ready for the last resort. 

 

 

I'm sure the criminal breaking into your house feels the same way...

[tbone1993]

I'm sure the criminal breaking into your house feels the same way...

 

He didnt knock before kicking in your door why give him the pleasure of hearing the gun rack lol 

[SirSnookalot]

Majority of home burglaries happen in daylight hours when kids are in school and the adults are at work.  An alarm system may be the best deterrent. 

[slonezp]

He didnt knock before kicking in your door why give him the pleasure of hearing the gun rack lol 

Tell that to the judge. I live in the same corrupt state you do. We are not allowed to protect our property which, includes pets. You better be d**n sure you've got your story straight, and have a good lawyer. Remember, laws are there to protect the criminals, not the innocents.

[Brian Needham]

from most of what I have read the most common reason to get a .40 over a 9mm is the availability of sub sonic rounds for the .40

 

meaning once the .40 round hits it is going to slow way down and not penetrate things behind it, where as a 9mm round still can.

 

I cant remember where I read this but I am sure ya'll can speak to the validity of it one way or another because I do not know.

[Brian Needham]

Tell that to the judge. I live in the same corrupt state you do. We are not allowed to protect our property which, includes pets. You better be d**n sure you've got your story straight, and have a good lawyer. Remember, laws are there to protect the criminals, not the innocents.

 

I will have to if I ever did......always better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

[roadwarrior]

This is how it works in Tennessee:  "Make My Day"

 

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/news/ap/politics/2012/Mar/27/tenn__has_stand_your_ground_self_defense_law.html

[Teal]

Castle doctrine went in effect here almost two years ago. God help the man that enters your home now with out being welcome.