What is your preference for personal defense ammunition?

Jory

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Right now, I have Jacketed Hollow-Point .38 Special and .357 cartridges (Winchester, if that matters), and just bought some 9mm BVAC Frangible Reduced Recoil cartridges.

I want something that, if I have to shoot, won't go through my target or a wall and remain dangerous. But, when I ask about this at the shooting range or gun shop, I get a story about shooting through an engine block with a .45 ACP

I know. That's what I'm trying to avoid. Idiot.


What are your suggestions/preferences?

I figure Law Enforcement or hunters would be the most informed regarding commercial ballistic qualities, but anyone whose done a little research should contribute.
 
Usually i would say #4 Birdshot in my 12gauge Pump.....and no i'm not entering another Buck vs Bird for homedefence arguments. In a house #4 birdshot will kill you dead at hallway range but has very little penetration power(will not kill your kids and neigbours). However i was just checking out a thread on Canadian Gun Nutz that says we get rubber buckshot in Canada now. It's expensive $21/box, but is listed as "less" lethal than regular buckshot. I would imagine using this would stop an intruder cold and help you in the legalities department. I need to buys some and check it out. As for handgun ammo, i'm no expert but i would suggest lower velocity hollow points, no FMJ. Something that will fragment easy in walls or resistance and something that doesn't have the velocity to pass through 4 walls.
 
I have a .40 S&W with hollow points. That is my duty weapon and ammo. I think the rounds are federal brand. I also have .40 beretta storm cx-4 carbine for longer shots if needed. That is my personal weapon, and I wanted to pick something that used the same ammo. And finally, I have an m-16, fully auto, which is dept issued. Not sure about ammo for that.

For home defense, if someone asks, I usually reccomend a shotgun for primary, and maybe a .38 or 1911, along with a rifle of some sort. I have a wish list, like everyone else, but I know I don't need anything else to defend my home and family.

I really don't know much about munitions, brands, types to be able to reccomend anything. I know my guns, but I have always been a self defense person, and that is my area of specialty, along with taser instructor since 2007.
 
Usually i would say #4 Birdshot in my 12gauge Pump.....and no i'm not entering another Buck vs Bird for homedefence arguments. In a house #4 birdshot will kill you dead at hallway range but has very little penetration power(will not kill your kids and neigbours). However i was just checking out a thread on Canadian Gun Nutz that says we get rubber buckshot in Canada now. It's expensive $21/box, but is listed as "less" lethal than regular buckshot. I would imagine using this would stop an intruder cold and help you in the legalities department. I need to buys some and check it out. As for handgun ammo, i'm no expert but i would suggest lower velocity hollow points, no FMJ. Something that will fragment easy in walls or resistance and something that doesn't have the velocity to pass through 4 walls.

I'm only going to shoot someone in my house, and if I shoot him, I want him to die so he can't sue me.

I don't like the idea of a shotgun for home defense. I have snake shot rounds for my .357, and at 10ft they spread and hit every inch of a 36"x30" target.

I'm confident enough in my ability to hit my target close to center of mass inside of 25ft with a pistol round 100% of the time, but have nightmares about the bullet going through my target and the wall, or the freak "what if" miss.

Thought about a .22 pistol, but the necessity of a headshot to ensure my target goes down would send the odds of missing way up.
 
I have a .40 S&W with hollow points. That is my duty weapon and ammo. I think the rounds are federal brand. I also have .40 beretta storm cx-4 carbine for longer shots if needed. That is my personal weapon, and I wanted to pick something that used the same ammo. And finally, I have an m-16, fully auto, which is dept issued. Not sure about ammo for that.

For home defense, if someone asks, I usually reccomend a shotgun for primary, and maybe a .38 or 1911, along with a rifle of some sort. I have a wish list, like everyone else, but I know I don't need anything else to defend my home and family.

I really don't know much about munitions, brands, types to be able to reccomend anything. I know my guns, but I have always been a self defense person, and that is my area of specialty, along with taser instructor since 2007.

Don't take this the wrong way, but have you ever had to shoot someone?

If so, did the bullet go clean through?
 
Thought about a .22 pistol, but the necessity of a headshot to ensure my target goes down would send the odds of missing way up.

Another Debate i don't really want to touch. IMO it is feasible to have a .22 for home defence if the proper ammunition is chosen. Something reliable and that will cause maximum damage but minimize risk for others. Here is a ballistic video for .22ammo i think would be an ideal choice. I also would recommend a tactical .22 pistol like the new Smith and Wesson M&P .22, same dimension as the rest of the family and can use attachements such as tac-light. I would say CCI Mini Mag, or my favorite the Stinger. Very reliable and packs a punch.




 
Another Debate i don't really want to touch. IMO it is feasible to have a .22 for home defence if the proper ammunition is chosen. Something reliable and that will cause maximum damage but minimize risk for others. Here is a ballistic video for .22ammo i think would be an ideal choice. I also would recommend a tactical .22 pistol like the new Smith and Wesson M&P .22, same dimension as the rest of the family and can use attachements such as tac-light. I would say CCI Mini Mag, or my favorite the Stinger. Very reliable and packs a punch.






I have a Walther P99 softair pistol, was thinking of getting a P22 with a laser. The advantage is my familiarity with the piece, the disadvantage is that was the soft air gun I shot a friend with on accident--no hammer, squeezed the trigger like a dumbass to check the readiness of the pistol.

The other 22 pistol I've been considering is the Ruger SR22. Not a big priority for me at the moment, but will probably start shopping hard for a 22 rifle next summer, and will pick up a pistol too if I can afford it.
 
I have a Walther P99 softair pistol, was thinking of getting a P22 with a laser. The advantage is my familiarity with the piece, the disadvantage is that was the soft air gun I shot a friend with on accident--no hammer, squeezed the trigger like a dumbass to check the readiness of the pistol.

The other 22 pistol I've been considering is the Ruger SR22. Not a big priority for me at the moment, but will probably start shopping hard for a 22 rifle next summer, and will pick up a pistol too if I can afford it.

I really wanted the Ruger SR22, however due to stupid Canadian Firearm laws the barrel is too short. I used to own the SR9 and loved it. Fortunately the M&P .22 just meets barrel length requirements here and after hearing many good reviews i think that will be my xmas gift this year lol. Problem is it's already backordered up here pretty heavy.
 
I really wanted the Ruger SR22, however due to stupid Canadian Firearm laws the barrel is too short. I used to own the SR9 and loved it. Fortunately the M&P .22 just meets barrel length requirements here and after hearing many good reviews i think that will be my xmas gift this year lol. Problem is it's already backordered up here pretty heavy.

bummer.

You know, if you like warm weather, Louisiana has very loose gun laws.

No waiting period for handguns, no restrictions on the types of guns you can own, you can have guns and ammo shipped form other states and countries.

I was told yesterday that if I had a loaded handgun in my glove compartment it would not be unlawfully concealed unless: a) I did not tell police about it when they stopped me, or b) if I was carrying it "with the intent to harm another person."
 
bummer.

You know, if you like warm weather, Louisiana has very loose gun laws.

No waiting period for handguns, no restrictions on the types of guns you can own, you can have guns and ammo shipped form other states and countries.

I was told yesterday that if I had a loaded handgun in my glove compartment it would not be unlawfully concealed unless: a) I did not tell police about it when they stopped me, or b) if I was carrying it "with the intent to harm another person."

Lucky Jerks lol! In the last few months they scrapped the long gun registry here, which is good. Basically meaning any long barreled rifles can be bought without registry, just have to have a PAL.(possesion and aquisition licence). However handguns are still regulated very heavily. Their is no CC here or anything of the sort. If you want to transport them outside going to the gun club then you need to call a CFO and get an authorization to transport. It's such a pain in the ass. I wish so bad i could get some of that guns you guys have, i'm stuck staring at gun porn at wallmart...we get the US gun mags but we can't buy anything in them lol. Anyway, only good side is, most ppl won't jump through the hoops of getting a PAL so if you are a gun owner you are in the extreme minority and are the go to guy when shit hits the fan aka zombie apocalypse :D
 
First shotguns suck for killing people, no matter the load

Second, get good jacketed hollow points. Google Dr Roberts he has testing on good defense rounds.
 
First shotguns suck for killing people, no matter the load

Second, get good jacketed hollow points. Google Dr Roberts he has testing on good defense rounds.

Yeah, I've read his stuff.

Nothing I've read has reassured me that my bullets won't exit my target as dangerous projectiles.

12"-15" of penetration is too much.
 
First shotguns suck for killing people, no matter the load
And this is based off of....what exactly? Shotguns have been a mainstay of military and police usage for decades. Centuries even. They have put A LOT of people into the ground. I'm wondering what world you live in where a 3" buckshot shell at 20 feet will not completely ruin a persons shiat.

I've never had occasion to shoot a person in my home, but I HAVE killed many many Deer and hogs with my MP-153 and if a 250lb hog goes tits up from a magnum load there is little outside of some nice body armor thats gonna save some goblin in my hallway from it.
 
black talons or equal in .45 acp

schach3.45_Black_Talon.02.01.jpg
 
And this is based off of....what exactly? Shotguns have been a mainstay of military and police usage for decades. Centuries even. They have put A LOT of people into the ground. I'm wondering what world you live in where a 3" buckshot shell at 20 feet will not completely ruin a persons shiat.

I've never had occasion to shoot a person in my home, but I HAVE killed many many Deer and hogs with my MP-153 and if a 250lb hog goes tits up from a magnum load there is little outside of some nice body armor thats gonna save some goblin in my hallway from it.

Amen Brother :icon_chee

I'll stand in front of a 9mm long before i'll stand in front of a Slug or some Buckshot

 
I use Speer Gold Dot in .40sw.

I've been looking into 7.62 x 25 hollow points though (now that they exist) for my Tokarev. The 7.62 x 25 round is insanely overpowered for a pistol in its military form (able to punch through class III kevlar and still get 11 inches of penetration) but in a hollow point, that should translate into some serious ballistic potential if expansion tests prove favorable.
 
I keep a G19 with 147gr Ranger Talons. But with my old creaky twisty stairs, long multibranched hallway and silent alarm (makes my phone vibrate right next to me) I prefer 30 inches of razor sharp tamahagane made in 1581:



 
The shotgun is an excellent man stopper. Recheck your sources, as grape shot/buck shot is historically very effective. 00 buck is a proven anti-personnel load, been used for well over 100 years. Reduced velocity loads are available too.

I use HP in my hand guns, as the hollowpoint loads were designed to stop in the bad guy. Think of the expansion as a parachute, stopping the round before exit. I use Remington Golden Saber in 9mm, but any premium HP load ought to do the job.

edit: heres a nice little site that lists all the velocities and bullet weights of the loads offered by the major manufacturers, and their muzzle energy. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the caliber selection.

Ballistics 101 | All the ballistic charts. Finally, in one place
 
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The shotgun is an excellent man stopper. Recheck your sources, as grape shot/buck shot is historically very effective. 00 buck is a proven anti-personnel load, been used for well over 100 years. Reduced velocity loads are available too.

I use HP in my hand guns, as the hollowpoint loads were designed to stop in the bad guy. Think of the expansion as a parachute, stopping the round before exit. I use Remington Golden Saber in 9mm, but any premium HP load ought to do the job.

edit: heres a nice little site that lists all the velocities and bullet weights of the loads offered by the major manufacturers, and their muzzle energy. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the caliber selection.

Ballistics 101 | All the ballistic charts. Finally, in one place

I don't know too much about various loads, is the Golden Saber better than my Ranger Talons w/147gr? If so why?
 
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