Best low-penetration home defense round for a 1911?

[Zaydok Allen]

I use 185 grain Hornady CD in my home since they have a bit lower penetration as compared to some other .45 rounds. They would still over penetrate though, just hopefully less. I just won't trust frangibles.

 

[Mitlov]

Wow, everyone has an opinion and after reading all the reply's I still wonder if a 12g with a taser round is not the right choice at least for the first two then 00buckshot.

My shotgun is set up for the trap range--28" barrel, Monte Carlo stock with a longer length of pull. It's so long that it's not really maneuverable around my house. My house has narrow hallways with tight corners. One reason why I look at the 1911 and not the BPS as the primary home defense firearm.

 

[What Would You Say]

IMO the 12 gauge is the HD tool. I've grown up around guns and have my share of shooting experience. However, I've rubbed my two brain cells together and called it a think tank session about what will likely happen if my home is invaded. Adrenalin -nerves- uncontrollable fine motor skills . I don't want to depend on accuracy, but like many others have stated ..hopefully utilize a safe shooting direction. Imagining shooting any gun in confines of a house, first shot will institute a deafening ringing I'm imagining. so if you don't get him first volley..you ain't gonna hear him breathing around the corner like in the movies. Secondly, if at night, I'm imagining a flash or flashes from either or both sides that causes the eyes not to be honing in the ten ring exactly after the first flash from any barrel.
So I've decided my best advantage is sticking with a Stevens pump 12 gauge. They make a Ithaca copy that bottom ejects, so empty shells won't be deflecting off my walls back in my face. It's short and can be managed in hallways IMO. It's heavy with a real metal reciever (not aluminum) so it's a hell of a club if it came to that. Sling swivel mounts standard. It's low cost. I'm a revolver/handgun collector, and in my home the pistols are for backup..because in a true gunfight, as somebody already said... Handguns suck. They knew this in the old west. Two guys can shoot each other to death inside a house giving and taking rounds, but not as likely handgun to shotgun. A handgun shot that comes so close to put holes in clothing but miss.. Well.. It ain't horse shoes..close don't count. I want something covering a pie plate sized target minimum at rooms length. A shotgun has the capability of eliminating two threats stand close to each other where it would require two skilled/well placed shots from a handgun. Watch the youtube video of the shoutout between the two pair of experienced pistol guys teamed one pair against the other, shooting laser equipped guns/ wearing sensors in a roped off close quarters "western gunfight". When someone is shooting back and the human reactions in the body take over while trying to aim..well .. The floor is about the only thing most of us could hit accurately. Accurate aiming becomes a sad function. . But I digress. When they make a handgun round that penetrates through a perp, and a little parachute deploys bringing the round safely to a halt, that will be the ticket for close quarters home defense when the smiley good guys are my kids. Just my two cents before taxes.. But hey. Im telling ya.

 

[RustyShackelford]

12ga shells & a .45acp....

The forum member has stated twice that he's interested in a .45acp defense round since he stated he owns a 1911a1 .45acp pistol.
12ga shotguns or home defense loads are not really going to answer his posted topic question.

 

[Jim K]

"Safety first" sounds good and as a general practice is good. But in a home defense situation, when it is a matter of "kill or be killed" and protecting myself and my family, safety definitely takes second place. The whole situation is unsafe, not because of my actions, but because of the illegal actions of an intruder. Once I make sure the intended target is not a family member or guest, all bets are off and it is "safety second."

As to over-penetration, the .45 ACP is about the least penetrating of effective handgun rounds; the idea of it "going and going and going through walls" is almost ludicrous and whoever suggested that is quite ignorant about handgun capabililties.

Jim

 

[Robert101]

Many have said penetration is vital including the FBI in many other tests. Don't believe the authorities in the know. So to those that still want the least penetrating 45 Automatic round simply use a soft lead, flat meplat bullet of 185 grains. Rainier makes a plated bullet in hollow point that flattens out very easily (if you hand load). Glazer makes a fragmentation round that limits penetration as well.

 

[Theohazard]

As to over-penetration, the .45 ACP is about the least penetrating of effective handgun rounds; the idea of it "going and going and going through walls" is almost ludicrous and whoever suggested that is quite ignorant about handgun capabililties.

I suppose it all depends on what your definition of "going and going and going" is: A 230 gr. .45 ACP hollow-point can easily penetrate three walls or more, as can many other self-defense calibers.

 

[Mitlov]

As to over-penetration, the .45 ACP is about the least penetrating of effective handgun rounds; the idea of it "going and going and going through walls" is almost ludicrous and whoever suggested that is quite ignorant about handgun capabililties.

Read post #1 again...that comment was specifically about 45 ACP FMJ, not JHP. And .45 ACP FMJ does have very significant penetration.