Ammunition for the self-defense firearm

Status
Not open for further replies.
I've always thought that these would make a really good self defense round for those who prefer a shotgun in that role...
Click to expand...
I agree, at least if you had to use a slug...but honestly at close range, I don't know what it brings to the table that moderate sized buckshot doesn't (which is more readily available and tends to be less costly).

:)
 
I might be in the minority here, but if possible I limit my SD ammo choices to quality ammo that I can buy in 50-rd boxes on ammotogo. The 20rd boxes geared to retail channels aren't worth the price, IMO. I realize we're talking defensive ammo, but I like to put a few boxes through my HD/CCW guns to ensure reliable feeding.

For this reason it's usually speer gold dot or winchester ranger, as these are most often available at reasonable prices per rd at ammunitiontogo.com.

For example my HD gun is a Glock 31. I've put several boxes each of Winchester Ranger and Speer Gold Dot 125gr through my gun and I know it's reliable. I'll happily buy either one when it's time to re-up my stash. The corbon they offer is $27 for 20 rds, it's hard to justify that considering how much it would cost to put 150-200rds through my gun to make sure it feeds reliably, when both the ranger and gold dot are well regarded brands (and I've already tested them in my gun).

My carry autos include a Glock 26 and Kahr PM9, both of which are loaded with 147gr gold dots for similar reasons.

For my carry revolver (642), it's easier to switch since I don't need to worry about reliable feeding. It's loaded with 135gr gold dots at the moment.
 
Last edited:
lebowski writes:
I might be in the minority here, but if possible I limit my SD ammo choices to quality ammo that I can buy in 50-rd boxes on ammotogo. The 20rd boxes geared to retail channels aren't worth the price, IMO.
Click to expand...

BINGO!

If you're purchasing 20rd/25rd boxes of defense ammo you're getting ripped off.
 
If you're purchasing 20rd/25rd boxes of defense ammo you're getting ripped off.
Click to expand...
I agree, but it is a drop in the bucket compared to range ammo. FWIW, the Winchester Ranger T-Series is about as good as it gets (if available in the cartridge you need) and available in 50rnd. boxes. OTOH Cor-Bon really shines out of the small pocket pistols (like a .380ACP) where I like to get as much punch as I can.

:)
 
I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Ayoob, and I even think that the much-disputed Marshall and Sanow data has something to teach us. That said, I disagree that this author's opinions are a fair distillation (as he puts it) of the works of those gentlemen. I disagreed with quite a few of his points. There was some good stuff in the article, but it was heavily outweighed by some particularly bad advice, in my opinion.
 
I take the better maneuverability of a .45 with a rail mounted LED light to an 18.5" 12 Ga with buckshot. I'm pretty good with reflexive firing, and I hate to say this, but at 7 yards (about the longest shot I have inside my house) 00 buck shot only has about a 4-6" pattern. Also, my shotgun only holds 5 rounds and takes 2 hands to cycle whereas I can have 26 rounds of +p 230 .45 (with the extra mag) and only takes one hand to run.
 
I hate to say this, but at 7 yards (about the longest shot I have inside my house) 00 buck shot only has about a 4-6" pattern.
Click to expand...
So you're saying that you'd want more spread? :confused: After all the .45ACP only has a pattern of sub-0.5in. Not trying to say that you should change (my .45ACP is my "bedstand gun" as well), just that a small pattern is a pretty poor excuse to not use a shotgun.

:)
 
Thanks again for the replies. The article I posted got me excited because I've found so few thorough discussions of this issue, but now that I have more resources, I'm looking forward to gaining more knowledge. That's why I joined this forum!

My current HD gun is a sixgun holding .38+P Hydra-Shoks... which I did buy in a 20rd box. Next time I'll look for better deals, without comprimising on quality.
 
Here & here is a good, but short, treatise by one of the most knowledgeable SD experts on the subject of defense caliber (not so much about cartridge selection). For those interested, he has several other videos on the subject, all of which contain valuable information on the subject of defense.

:)
 
Now it is time to impart some crucial information: NEVER use 147 grain ammo in a 9mm pistol! There was a stupid fad for 147 grain hollowpoints a few years ago, and many were suckered into buying these weak, worthless and malfunction-prone rounds. I don't care what you've heard: never use any 9mm hollowpoint heavier than 125 grains. 147 grain hollowpoints often jam in many popular 9mm guns like the Browning Hi-Power, SIG, Beretta 92, S&W and Glock. Ignore the gun magazine hype and stick to what works. If you want to gamble, go to Reno. Don't gamble with your life. 147 grain ammo sucks.
Click to expand...
107.gif
 
So if we start with ammo, then the next question in my mind is which handgun for the caliber/round selected. I know, a can of worms... time to keep reading!
 
I didn't mean that I wanted more spread.

Some people have the mistaken belief that a short barrel (18.5" is as short as I think I can get mine here, legally) shotgun will 'cover a wall at ten feet'. It won't. My point was that I would prefer something that I can easily put in about the same size group with about 5 times the ammo. I'm not saying that a 12 gauge isn't a good, relatively cheap option compared to a mid priced auto (or even revolver). It just isn't what I am relying on. And definitely not based on the not very accurate assessment most people I have known make about the spread of the shotgun. Hell, my father has been shooting a lot longer than I have and even he didn't believe me until we put holes in paper at 7 yards. Now maybe I have a weird gun, but it is a smooth bore. That pattern is what it is. When you get closer to 25 yards it gets a lot bigger. But 25 yards is not a SD situation.

That's the point that I would switch to my SIG556 as well. But now we're talking 'home defense' which hearkens back to the militia thread someone dredged up yesterday.
 
Some people have the mistaken belief that a short barrel (18.5" is as short as I think I can get mine here, legally) shotgun will 'cover a wall at ten feet'. It won't.
Click to expand...
True, and lets be glad it doesn't...if that were the case only a few pellets would even hit the opponent, the remainder sailing off to points unknown.

:)
 
My father-in-law made a comment about the spread of a 12 gauge as we were shooting today. Where do people learn this?

I remember something a few months ago about someone posting a new design for hollowpoints where they used holes drilled into the sides of the hollow that allowed for faster expansion. Did that ever go anywhere?

(...heads off to go look it up...)
 
I remember something a few months ago about someone posting a new design for hollowpoints where they used holes drilled into the sides of the hollow that allowed for faster expansion. Did that ever go anywhere?
Click to expand...
It is plausible, because virtually anything you do to a bullet that degrades its structural integrity will promote expansion or fragmentation. That said, there are so many excellent expanding defense bullets that I doubt that design will be any improvement. .45ACP +P Ranger T-series expands to greater than 1in. out of my HK USP, that's good nuff for me.

:)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top