Help Me Pick a Caliber

[Nutbustd]

When I teaching Personnel protection school for the local range as a NRA instructor this question came up a lot. I always replied in this order 1: 870 shotgun 2: revolver 3: semi-auto Why? simple 1:shotgun is very easy to use, has large target area, difficult to miss intruder, training is minimal 2: Revolver is simple to use, but more training and discipline is required. When adrenaline is pumping you always fall back to your most basic training and instint. hence more training 3:Semi-auto most difficult to use and the most training is needed. I had one student actually tell me that a .44 mag was his choice! I merely replied How many walls do you want it to go through? You have kids? He said, yes. I replied to him think about it. After class he told me that maybe that was maybe a bit much. I said you think! Personel carry .357 is tough to beat. Ask around from some of your buddies at the range what they carry. For home I like my 870 rock reliable,easy to use and scary Good luck and be safe

 

[pazz]

I would go .38 special +p

 

[Armored farmer]

Man, I just about bought a really nice stainless Ruger Blackhawk with 5.5" barrel in .45acp/.45colt convertable. Maybe something for you to consider too!

 

[BCRider]

With adrenaline running I agree with those that say you won't notice the noise. But noticed or not the noise of a .357 will certainly ruin your hearing for a little while when you would most like to be able to listen for any other intruders. While a subsonic big bore pushed by a soft charge will still be loud it should not affect the defender's hearing as much.

Someone mentioned ruining theirs and the family's hearing. Unless you have weekly breakins that require you to shoot them the long term effects of shooting indoors will not ruin your hearing. We're talking about a once or twice in a lifetime event, if that. Taking a shot or three with an indoor gun isn't any worse over the long term than a couple of rock concerts or working in a loud environment on the edge of the need for ear muffs for a couple of days.

Another option would be to locate some nice 180gn bullets and reload up some stout but still subsonic loads for your HD needs. Check the penetration in some gel or through some pine boards to see how they compare to regular 124 or 158gn .38Spl. Note I didn't say +P as I'm pretty sure the +P are still supersonic.

 

[tubeshooter]

Sounds like a .44 Special, if you're not interested in .38 +p.

 

[ugaarguy]

If you don't want to get a sound suppressor (aka "silencer"), Surefire or EAR valved ear plugs, or electronic ear muffs close at hand are your best options. Even a .25 ACP fired indoors is well beyond pain threshold, and more than enough to permanently damage your hearing according to testing by professional audiologists - http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_gunfirenoise.shtml .

 

[Lawdawg45]

In cold weather when I'm wearing a light jacket, yes, I can conceal it and do sometimes. But it isn't exactly the most concealable handgun so I'm usually stuck with carrying my detective special.

And yup, it sounds like .44 Special and .45 Colt are the two main contenders, with a possibility of .45 ACP. Do you have a Double Action .45 Colt revolver and if so, what is it?

I sure do, I traded my S&W 28 for a model 25. The Ruger Redhawk also comes in a 4 inch .45 Colt, but my personal favorite is my SA Sheriff's model with Birds head grips!

LD

 

[Lawdawg45]

Nobody has addressed the issue that if you actually use your firearm in a situation where the police get involved the firearm will be confiscated for evidence until the case is cleared; hence do not use a rare or valuable firearm for SD.

Great point. My son eliminated a career criminal from this earth and it was over a year before he got his service weapon back. They even took his BUG that wasn't used!

LD

 

[altitude_19]

In similar discussions, I remember having likened this to a car wreck. Thinking you will notice the difference between the two calibers in the heat of the moment is like thinking you'll have the presence of mind to reflect on just how comfortable your seatbelt is in the middle of a car accident.
And the probability of hearing loss from the volume of fire typical of home-defense shootings is negligable at best. There certainly isn't any data to suggest the hazard is significantly lower for subsonic cartridges (that I'm aware of). At any rate, I left Afghanistan with better hearing than most civilians. Pretty sure you'll be okay popping off a couple rounds to address a bump in the night.

 

[LouisianaGunslinger]

In similar discussions, I remember having likened this to a car wreck. Thinking you will notice the difference between the two calibers in the heat of the moment is like thinking you'll have the presence of mind to reflect on just how comfortable your seatbelt is in the middle of a car accident.
And the probability of hearing loss from the volume of fire typical of home-defense shootings is negligable at best. There certainly isn't any data to suggest the hazard is significantly lower for subsonic cartridges (that I'm aware of). At any rate, I left Afghanistan with better hearing than most civilians. Pretty sure you'll be okay popping off a couple rounds to address a bump in the night.

It's not the after-the-fact hearing damage I'm worried about. It's during the situation. That gun was so loud that I think it might cause a slight disorientation if I wake up in the middle of the night, half asleep, and take the first shot. Not sure the second shot would be as quick as I'd like it to be after having the sensation of metal pans slamming against my ears.

 

[lopaka]

Buffalo Bore has a selection of low flash, reduced recoil, reduced report ammo,
Example:
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=105

or

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=111

The flash indoors at night might be disorienting --- low flash could help.

Someone (here?) once said (think they were referring to the use of a 22 mag for HD) --- no need to actually hit the intruder, just search later for some guy blind, deaf, and with eyebrows burned off.

 

[altitude_19]

Not sure the second shot would be as quick as I'd like it to be after having the sensation of metal pans slamming against my ears.

You will not notice the difference. Believe it. If you did, you are too cool under pressure and need to start your new job as a Green Beret...ASAP.

 

[SEE IT LIKE A NATIVE]

If you want a new revolver ?

I think I would get one of the new S&W .45 acp/.410 revolvers ! i saw one at a gun show last year and I liked the feel of it ! I know its a copy of a Taurus Judge ,but I am not a big Taurus fan ! Kevin