Alternatives to AR-15 for Home Defense

[JShirley]

And some more info

Some of this video is useful, except he chooses the only effective 12 gauge load with minimal penetration (#4 Buck) to compare to an unknown 5.56 or .223 load (almost certainly M193 FMJ). So, he deliberately stacks the deck in favor of what he's trying to prove, that shotguns can be better than carbines. Even then, he's at least honest enough to admit the .223 projectiles are tumbling after hitting the first wall. Had they been a LW expanding load, they might have already been fragmenting.

Yes, shotguns can be effective for home defense, just like almost any other firearm. No, they are not inherently better, and, loaded with what most people will load them with, they are not as good as some other choices.

 

[Old Hobo]

Penetration of interior walls is in discussion here, so what if one had a specialized interior wall that would stop all handgun rounds. In the following video, this Texas veterinarian tests out such a wall.

For those who don't like this young guy or who don't want to plod through the video, here's the spoiler: the wall stopped all handgun rounds (to include the .357 magnum) and even a 12 ga. shotgun slug. However the 5.56x45 and the 7.62x39 go right through the "bullet proof" wall. The wall likely wasn't spec.ed to stop rifle rounds, even the small caliber rounds.

The first 1 min 40 seconds of this video is this guy jabbering. I kind'a like him, but he is often a bit too silly. Therefore, fast-forward 1 min 40 sec.

"Bulletproof Drywall Panels for your HOME!!!"

 

[Demi-human]

Ha! Matt looks so young!
Hint, Mare definitely knows by now!

However the 5.56x45 and the 7.62x39 go right through the "bullet proof" wall.

You are consistently hung up on the wall penetration thing, while completely putting out of mind that there are other bullets than FMJ.
We are not the military. We can choose better ammunition. Why not look into what Law Enforcement loads their ARs with. That would be more analogous to civilian life.
Why be so attached to one bullet?
It’s literally the easiest thing to change of the round.

Speaking of beating horses, both would be extraordinarily dead shot with a 5.56 FMJ and a 50 grain VMax, in the head. Why use the bullet that would keep going through?

Why use a sledge hammer for a sixteen penny nail when a claw hammer would do?

 

[Old Hobo]

There certainly could be some bullets/loads available out there that could provide frangibility, lower report, and low flash. What are they?

Me, I don't know. It's just too easy to use a pump shotgun with a buttstock bandoleer to get the job done. For a battle rifle, I go with the .30 calibers, because in those situations I WANT to shoot through ANYTHING that the other guy (who is trying to kill me) is attempting to use as cover, i.e. a tree, a telephone pole, a truck, a building wall, whatever, ... . In that world, I will need over-penetration big time. Indoors however, I need a massive dump of energy right then-'n-there. Next, I want my weapon's projectiles to stop their forward momentum instantly or as quickly as possible.

If I lived alone and had an AR-15, I'd go with that rifle for home defense. I've no problems with that weapon. But, we have a disabled adult son. When my wife and I were young, we had three children sleeping in two other rooms. MANY people have a bunch of family members in their homes. If one can guarantee that all of those people can get into a safe room before it hits the fan, then Hurrah!, go with a battle rifle.

"Choosing 5.56 NATO Ammo for Home-Defense Use"

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/choosing-5-56-nato-ammo-for-home-defense-use/

... "But before selecting 5.56 NATO ammo, you have to consider your unique environment. A house full of family members requires different planning than an empty-nester pad. Rural dwellers have more flexibility than those who share common walls with neighbors. Residential interior construction is not well-suited to stop bullets. We have to assume that any shot that misses or passes through its intended target with little upset can harm someone or something we want to protect. This is a good time to point out that proper shot placement is as critical here as it is for any distant shooting pursuit. The fact is that even well-placed shots can penetrate through the human body in spite of our best efforts to prevent it.

"Today’s frangible-ammo options are much better and tend to stay together until they make impact. Unfortunately, I know a couple guys that learned the hard way how even frangible ammunition can penetrate thin, interior walls and hurt good people on the other side. Like any other new ammunition you try, you should ensure frangible ammunition functions correctly in your rifle and that projectiles go where you aim them before relying on them for defense purposes.

"Bullet performance is not the only indoor concern. Muzzle flash is a huge problem during the hours of darkness. Not only does it make your location clear to anyone not dispatched by the flash’s source, it tends to temporarily make things difficult for your own eyes. In a life-or-death situation, you need to be focused on assessing threats, not a huge bright spot imprinted on your retinas. I build guns for other people for a living. [emphasis Old Hobo] Most of those gun owners intend to use their arms for self-defense shooting, among other pursuits.

"The heavily increased demand for short-barrel rifles (SBRs) and rifle-caliber, semi-auto pistols tells me this is a trend that is not going away. Short barrels are notorious for belching bright balls of flame, or secondary muzzle flash, as hot gasses and unburnt powder crash into the atmosphere outside a gun’s muzzle. Thankfully, today we can all benefit from low-flash propellant technology that was once reserved for specialized military and law-enforcement elements.

"The concussion that is produced by firing full-power 5.56 NATO ammunition in tight confines can be deafening and disorienting to unprotected ears. Unless you sleep with ear protection in place, there is a fair chance you are going to have to deal with immediate threats with ears wide open. I recommend trying to reduce the blast you have to deal with indoors. Conventional muzzle-brake equipped rifles or carbines amplify the problem through side ports and baffles. Directional muzzle brakes help to a small degree by pushing everything out to the front. But a good, prong-style flash hider is better in this environment. Sound suppressors deal with both muzzle blast and flash and although they add length in most common rifle configurations, are great tools for indoor use. I used a sound suppressor for CQB operations whenever possible while in the Army and was always very happy to have them indoors and out."
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[The_Quartermaster]

I prefer the AR15 if there's time but would go for my G45 with RMR instead that's already there on my nightstand.

Worrying about what some other guy thinks or wants to use that's different from me is just silly. Discussing is one thing, trying to control the conversation is entirely another. Plus this isn't arfcom; it's okay to like something else that isn't echo chamber approved.

 

[MikeInOr]

How often do you answer your front door with a AR, Mini 14, or shotgun in your hand? I always have my XD mod 2 3.3" in 45acp on me when I answer my front door. I also have it on me when I take out the trash or take the cans to the street. This is what I consider a home defence weapon to be. I also find a pistol MUCH more maneuverable when walking through the house or grabbing it while in bed.

Long guns for home defence never made sense to me... but maybe that is just me?

Everyone needs to use what works for them and I have no interest in arguing about what that may be for someone else. But I do wonder what leads people to conclude that a long gun is more practical than a pistol for home defence? Is it just people that own a long gun but don't own a pistol? I was in that situation when I was young and it is completely understandable to me.

 

[Robert]

We've beaten this one to death and then some. What to use in a home defense situation is a personal choice that should be based on the circumstances of where you live, your level of proficiency, and what you have available to you. It will not be the same for everyone. That being said, use what works best for you and allow others to do the same.