Any handgun round capable of reliably penetrating clothing and the human body to a sufficient depth will also penetrate interior walls of a home. If you have a round that won't penetrate a couple layers of dry wall, then you have a round that is sub optimal for self defense.
Home defense load for 9mm
- Thread starter PGT
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One thing I have not seen mentioned which may be because it just common knowledge. Which I wouldn't know since i'm not commen. Is whatever gun and ammo you go with Provide it with some light. Know your target. Their was a couple in my CCL class that told a story that really drove having a light home. One night their young son came in their room with his pillow over his head. The man thought it was an intruder and went for his gun. Fortunately the child reached him before he reached the gun. He said had he got to the gun sooner he would have shot his own child in his bedroom simply because he was going to shot a shadow.
smalls
Member
I really can't believe this hasn't been said, yet.
This isn't about ammo selection. This is about Home Defense Tactics.
Know your target AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT.
Why the hell would you shoot if your kids room is behind an intruder? That sounds unbelievably stupid to me.
You need to have "lanes of fire" laid out. So that you know if you need to fire, nothing important is getting hit if you miss or an overpenetration occurs.
This isn't about ammo selection. This is about Home Defense Tactics.
Know your target AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT.
Why the hell would you shoot if your kids room is behind an intruder? That sounds unbelievably stupid to me.
You need to have "lanes of fire" laid out. So that you know if you need to fire, nothing important is getting hit if you miss or an overpenetration occurs.
I agree completely. Run through drills for "what if..." situations. Think about strategies to implement depending on the time of day, who is home, where they are, what to do when the police arrive, etc. Coming up with different plans for various situations will make you better prepared. You can even make a mental check list to go through so that it becomes routine if you hear that "bump in the night."
PGT
Member
Its spelled "Hydra-Shok"; I should know...my uncle was president of the company and won the 1986 DOJ competition to become the issue load for Federal LEO's before he and his business partner licensed the design to ATK/Federal (and eventually sold the business and patent). Good stuff, indeed.
I didn't say that....I said "adjacent to the stairwell". Besides...intruders aren't inanimate objects. Its a dynamic situation....I know where my daughter's room is and where her bed is within and the chances of there being an issue are less than 1%.
This IS about ammo selection actually; please allow me to decide the purpose of my post.
smalls
Member
No matter what ammo you choose, it WILL go through a wall.
PedalBiker
Member
Hornady Critical Defense is a good, light weight, lower penetration (still dangerous in the house) load. Federal makes self defense loads that use lighter bullets (High Energy, Low recoil)
I agree with many others, you can't count on walls stopping anything worthy of self defense. And you can't count on using the perp as a backstop either.
I don't have a particular load for "at home" no matter where you are you need to worry about what's behind your target. No matter where you are you want to stop the threat with as few shots as possible (and of course stop the threat).
Nothing that I'm aware of is much safer than standard loads while offering good defensive performance. Although, the 223 using something like 55g hollow points may come close to an ideal indoor load.
Bush Pilot
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I wouldn't want to test your theory about the birdshot, would you?
USAF_Vet
Member
Havent read all the recommendations, but if you are really concerned about overpenetration through bad guys and walls, perhaps consider the 47 & 50 grain lightweight frangible defense rounds. They are expensive, to say the least, about $2 per round at my LGS (but that's all they have on the shelf), but they are the safest bet based on your concern.
dprice3844444
member
still have my black talons
bigfatdave
Member
because you bought into the media hype ... what? 15 years ago? 20?
frank c
Member
I carry 9mm winchester ranger 127 gr.STX +p+ in my smith & wesson M&P 9c compact and can say its very good reliable ammo
Why would they when this is the Handguns:Autoloader section and this is a discussion on 9mm ammunition?
ya see my post. It was not received well. Every home defence trainer I have ever talked to says shotgun at night though.
Inebriated
Member
Why would you use a JHP as a replacement for Rule 4?
It sounds to me like you need a good home defense plan, and good ammo, instead of spitting peas at the intruder.
I keep 147gr HST's in all my defensive 9mm's. If you want a weak penetrating bullet, then look at Federal's 105gr or Hornady Critical Defense (not Critical Duty, which is actually quite hot).
It sounds to me like you need a good home defense plan, and good ammo, instead of spitting peas at the intruder.
I keep 147gr HST's in all my defensive 9mm's. If you want a weak penetrating bullet, then look at Federal's 105gr or Hornady Critical Defense (not Critical Duty, which is actually quite hot).
PGT
Member
Exactly. I had a Mossy and sold it. The pattern it produces at household distances is so tight as to be slightly more useful than a pistol, yet harder to wield in tight spaces. BoT and Hickok45 on Youtube have good demonstrations of this.....4-6" pattern and 20ft out of most short barreled HD shotguns.
loose noose
Member
I like the Hornady Critical Defense load especially at night, as you don't have the blinding muzzle flash, so a follow-up shot if in order is easily accessible. In fact In my class I teach two rounds in rapid succession at an attacking perpetrator to the thoracic cavity. I have grandchildren that some time spend the night with us, however their rooms are not in line with my course of fire. Further I like the testing I've done on that round as far as penetration thru clothing.
Further I like the testing I've done on that round as far as penetration thru clothing.- Status
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