carbine or rifle for home defense?

Although I'd agree that a .22LR rifle is probably the best a beginner could get for teaching basics, etc., I see it a poor choice for home defense.

Yes, 10+ shots & easy to hit with (+ a lot lower sound signature) & it will most certainly kill. But, it doesn't necessarily stop - right now & that's what you want for defence.

50 yards is a pretty big stretch for any legitimate home defence unless in "repelling all boards" - fairly rare enough situation that I wouldn't even consider it until I already had the bases covered for inside my home. Even shooting someone rattling your door knob from the outside isn't generally cause for lethal force.

.223, .357, .44 - yes, even that l'il .30 cal carbine (anything, really, in this range) would all be good choices as well - lever, semi, or pump.

I prefer an 870 12 ga, but wouldn't feel the lack with a 20.
 
Madmike, believe it, the 5.56 has less penetration than the 9mm when it comes to residential building materials. I am not saying it is not going to be a hazard but I have seen some informal tests that support the claim.
 
I might believe a 16" 9mm out penetrates a 16" 5.56 through sufficient layers of soft material, due to retained velocity.

But I don't think I'd trust my neighbor's life with that. 5.56 won't stop on a light steel brace, or through 2 X 4s

And 9mm pistol vs AR/Mini-14....no.
 
I usually keep the 12 Guage BPS in the closet. I've got an old 16 guage that sits under the bed.

Not as loud, not as much kick (my wife can use it if I'm not around) and for inside the home distances, plenty of stopping power.

Only concern now is that its getting MUCH harder to find ammo.
 
Were I going to use a .223 for home defense, I think I'd load up some 40-grain Hornet bullets to near their maximum tolerable velocity. Those should be as close to a frangible load as one could want, seems to me.

Anybody thought of this, or tried it on simulated walls?

Art
 
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