Home defense, .357 vs. 12 gauge?

Status
Not open for further replies.
V

Vacavillains

Inactive
I have another thread going about .38 special vs. .44 special for home defense handgun but it keeps popping up that a hand gun is just a stop gap to get you to your shotgun/rifle.

At the same time on other threads I see posts that .357 isn't a good home defense round because it'll give you hearing damage when shot in a small area like a bedroom or hallway.

If that's true why does almost everyone say to use a 12 gauge with various loads instead of a pistol. I have a 1911 .45 and a 16 gauge pump and I know which one is louder, is it the increased velocity on a .357 round or is it all BS?

***Please no "practice is the only thing you need to worry about" responses, I use the 1911 at USPSA events monthly so that's not an issue.

Thanks
 
Both !
The handgun is only used to get you to that shotgun.
But if I could only have one it would be the shotgun.

Forget the noise, that .357 can travel two houses over if you miss and kill your neighbor. But the drywall will stop the average buck-shot. You hear that bump in the night and start blasting away with a handgun, make sure it's not pointed towards your kids bedroom. Provided of course you've have awaken enough to get your barrings, just might shoot yourself.
 
Last edited:
For me, it's easier and more convenient to keep a handgun in close reach than a long gun. I get young visitors so keeping a shotgun put away yet easily reached isn't in the cards. But my accessible handgun right now is a .45.
 
It is all BS.

1. Laying down fire to get to your rifle? Better to hit things with your handgun than spraying and praying on the run. Sounds good in a gun rag.

2. If you are skilled with a 1911, I see no advantage in a lesser capacity, harder to shoot gun. Stopping power differences do border on the mythological nowadays for modern rounds.

Unless there is some specific reason to go to a revolver, why?
 
Last year I read an article in AR-15 (hint, consider the slant) that conversed the shotgun against an AR for home defense. The net of the argument was not penetration and stopping power, rather quantity of rounds available to "protect and defend." So you know where this article ended.

Obviously anyone can argue any subject according to their perception. Personally, I have 9mm, 357 and AR available and pray I will never touch them for said purpose. I do like the theory though that the infamous sound of a shotgun round being chambered is all it takes to convince the bad guy he's made a really bad decision.

As an aside, I was on the range a few weeks back and two guys were working with a shotgun, firing slugs. Forget the sound of the beast. One look at the target after a single round, I would never want to be looking at the business end of that thing........

Peace.
 
Here's a good analysis of the old shotgun vs AR debate which cuts through the posturing and mythology.

I have taken shotgun and AR classes at KRtraining and other shotgun classes. I think the shotgun is a fine weapon but given a choice - a modern semi handgun that is immediately available and an AR is an optimal package.

As I said before running for rifle sounds good but it's better to have a handgun that you can competently use at hand.
 
There is something to be said for the noise. The .357 is particularly loud. I've thought about it I think and the "crack vs boom" has something to do with it. It's a sharper, more abrupt sound. That's not to say that shooting any gun without protection, especially indoors, isn't going to hurt. It's just that there is a legitimate difference and more damage is conducive to more permanent hearing loss. Yeah, I know protecting life is more important. However, you want to protect what you enjoy about it too.

Lots of stuff will work for home defense. A lot of it is how well you use whatever it is. I like the idea of a shotgun. A .45acp will work just fine. So will 9mm or even .38 special. Just pick what you are best at using.
 
Apples and oranges , both are great for home defence and I use both . As much as I have posted about wearing hearing protection its not for defencive situation or hunting for me . My only concern about that is when on the range .
 
At the same time on other threads I see posts that .357 isn't a good home defense round because it'll give you hearing damage when shot in a small area like a bedroom or hallway.

If that's true why does almost everyone say to use a 12 gauge with various loads instead of a pistol.
Click to expand...

Both are very loud rounds, but even so the .357 is a bit louder. With that said any round will damage your hearing, but some have the potential to cause more damage.

12g
26" barrel 156.10dB
18 _" barrel 161.50dB

.357 Magnum 164.3 dB

A 3db increase may not seem like alot but just 3db's equates to twice the sound pressure and a greater potential for more damage to ones ears.

Also the muzzle of a 12g will be further away from the shooter than a .357 revolver, plus the waves coming out of the cylinder gap of a revolver will bounce off any barriers to your left or right and come right back to the shooter.

Given the choice, a 12g shotgun will be far more effective than any handgun round.
 
I use 00 buck , but when it comes home defence #8 bird shot is devastating at room distance or to get the bg away from your doorway or porch . With small game shot field loads over penatration would not be a top concern .
 
Shotguns are overrated as home defense weapons in my view...as is most any long gun / because in general they are clumsy.

A good revolver in .357 mag is a better choice than a shotgun / but the best choice is a semi-auto handgun that you are experienced and skilled in shooting ( and whether its a 1911 in 9mm or .45 acp usually ...or any number of other handgun options even in 9m, .40S&W, .45acp, etc....) pick what fits your hands the best...

the last thing you should ever worry about is the noise.../ think about your capability with whatever weapon you choose...not the noise... ( and I know you said not to ............but practice with the darn thing ! )....
 
I would think that sore ears would be the least of someone's concern if they had to use a firearm in self defense in their house.
 
I would think that sore ears would be the least of someone's concern if they had to use a firearm in self defense in their house.
Click to expand...

It's not sore ears you have to worry about, it's the hearing loss and permanent ringing. Until you have to constantly ask people to repeat themselves or will never be able to enjoy complete silence again because all you hear is a high pitched ringing than you might change your tune. For this reason I use a full size 9mm for my bedside gun compared to say something like a .357.
 
It's not sore ears you have to worry about, it's the hearing loss and permanent ringing. Until you have to constantly ask people to repeat themselves or will never be able to enjoy complete silence again because all you hear is a high pitched ringing than you might change your
Click to expand...

Any of the firearms listed could leave you with the symptoms you describe. If a sound reaches 85 dB or stronger, it can cause permanent damage to your hearing. So your choices are wear hearing protection, use a sound moderator, or don't shoot. The type or calibre won't make much difference .

25 ACP 155.0 dB
.32 LONG 152.4 dB
.32 ACP 153.5 dB
.380 157.7 dB
9mm 159.8 dB
.38 S&W 153.5 dB
.38 Spl 156.3 dB
.357 Magnum 164.3 dB
Click to expand...
18 _" barrel 156.30dB
20 Gauge 28" barrel 152.50dB
22" barrel 154.75dB
12 Gauge 28" barrel 151.50dB
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Trust me, a 9mm will ring your chimes, as will a 380 or even a 22.
9mm with no hearing pro is pretty loud and sharp.
 
In my opinion the biggest problem with any long gun being it a shotgun, AR-15 or your favorite hunting rifle is maneuverability inside your home. I'd much rather have a handgun in a 3' wide hallway especially if I am trying to communicate with the police on my cell phone. You are also less likely to get into a grappling scenario because you can keep and shoot a handgun closer to your body. What if the person trying to defend their home is a mother or father with an infant in their arms and are trying to get out of the house safely? How is that pump action shotgun working for you now?
I also favor revolvers over semi-auto pistols because of the ease of use in a panic situation. The fact is that most citizens who have a firearm in the house for self defense really do not practice all that much. There is no safety, slide racking or accidental ejection of the magazine to worry about. If you want more capacity, there are seven and 8 round revolvers you can purchase.
 
No BS here. I don't evaluate things to death concerning hearing loss or ballistics. Especially, what is best suited to shoot someone with depending how it handles in the hall. Way to much S.W.A.T. mentality goes into the simple act of home defense. Crooks aren't ex Navy Seals. They are thugs that likely have a .10 of the actual trigger time as any responsible gun owner has.

Look at the layout of your home. Where non intended victims of a pass through shot will be sleeping versus where the threat will be coming from. If your kids are on the other side of the area a confrontation is likely to happen, shoot high number shot shells in a 12 gauge. They'll kill anything inside your house DRT. If your kids are behind this area, load up with the big boy, bear stopping double and triple ought buck. It'll kill anything on the continent. Something like 12-15, .36 caliber lead balls with roughly 4000 lbs of muzzle energy. It is SERIOUS HD medicine.

357. Good round. It is Loud as HE double hockey sticks. Use the same criteria of house layout to determine if it proceeds the shot gun in first choice.

I have both a 357 and a 12 gauge within reach. Everything that means anything to me is behind where the danger would appear. My first choice would be the 12 gauge with big boy loads. I intend to win and win quickly. No follow ups needed. God Bless
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top