Home Defense Questions...Perplexed

Video game fantasy world???
What gives you that impression?
I'm concerned for my neighbors safety and you quote something about crazy druggies and fantasy video games...
 
apartment dweller here, too..

Putting things in perspective, if you knew that there is a person in a room behind the bad guy and you're only separated by drywall, would you really risk taking a shot and rely solely on the bullet to not hurt or kill someone in case of a miss?

Please read THIS


This is called a "sig" ↓ it has nothing to do with the thread topic
 
If the alternative is watching my family get harmed/killed I would take the risk.
Unfortunately we have no idea what someone's intentions are. But if you bust in my door I'm assuming the worst.
 
Look I've been there when they wheel some of these idiots in to the ER. Most are pretty sorry souls.
We talk about waving a gun and seeing them run away right here on TFL. Some talk about the drug crazed that will kill after they are dead it feeds an industry, they want you confused. Think about risk mitigation don't make yourself the target. Think about how you would react stop watching the horror shows.
This is real life your chances are good to not have a problem. If the idea of getting shot with bird shot doesn't scare you fine. I don't care for the idea myself. Load up some rock salt that ought to add a little more to the encouragement to leave. When I suggested the snake load its more of a warning if thats not enough than go bigger.
Remember these experts that want you to buy a hand cannon are working in the very industry that they want you to spend more money in. That makes them SALESMEN in my book.
With a dash of reason I think I can stop anything that might be a real problem. But remember that a guy with a knife can kill you even if you are armed. He might need a little luck but the gun does not make you safe. The training and you clear head in that moment is what makes all the difference. IMHO.
 
In fact I have 2 mock interior walls made to test my Glaser Safety Slugs. Waiting on some siding and insulation to add to it. Would like to see how shotshells perform, but I'm hesitant to get so much shot if it's not to my liking. I don't know of anyone who loads for a shotgun.
 
Currently I own a 44 mag and have a reloading bench. I've been considering loading shotshells with #2-4, but I'm uncertain as to how effective it would be and what kind of spread it would have at 10 yds.
Click to expand...

I think we jumped the track here a little bit. The OP wants to use shot shells from his 44 mag. - That aint gonna work. I couldn't kill ground squirrels with those things at 20 feet.

Are you kidding? Do you want to try it so you'll know what your talking about?.......I think a really good sting would make me think about leaving in a big hurry.
Click to expand...

You are wrong. Snake shot out of a pistol won't do a thing. Your idea of "discouraging shots" is insane.

He didn't mention a shotgun - that would be a solution - with bird shot. But not a 44.

I DO know that even the lowly 45 ACP, from a 2 1/2" Officers Model, will go across a living room, through that hideous 70's wood paneling, dry wall, insulation, tar/fiber board, plywood, aluminum siding, across a 30 foot driveway and embed the 230 gr slug in the siding of the neighbors house. You DO have to think about over penetration in ANY environment.
 
Last edited:
Handgun snake loads are not effective home or self-defense loads. Period. Anyone who suggests otherwise is incorrect, and has no experience understanding the terminal ballistics of those WIMPY, unsuitable loads

I listed suitable .44 Special loads for HD and a link that will answer all of your questions


I'm outta here...............!
 
jgl : So you don't believe a 44 shotshell loaded with #2-4 would suffice?
I figured it would be equivelant to a 410 or so, but with larger shot.
 
Gary L. Griffiths

Can anyone here cite a felon being shot COM with even a skeet load of #9 shot at a distance of < 20' and surviving, or, more to the point, not being stopped?
Click to expand...

My uncle was shot at about 4 feet with a .410 deringer loaded with bird shot. It hit him in the cheek and neck. The scar looks like he had bad acne as a teen. There was no long term damage.

He actually wasn't stopped. He returned fire and shot the attacker four times with his .32. I don't know if it was because he was seriously injured, or it was the fact that the guy was out of ammo, but the atacker ran off.

It was a self defense scenario and not exactly like you asked. However it was a case of some one being shot with bird shot at close range.

Here is a case of a principal shot in the face with a shotgun. He was shot at a distance of less than eight feet and survived. He actually drove another 10 miles for help.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6901541

A second report says that he took 17 pellets to the face. I'm not sure what load that is. I guess it depends on the shotgun's size. No report I've read gives a definite "gauge."

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6752915

Still not a felon, but you get my point.
 
Last edited:
jgl : So you don't believe a 44 shotshell loaded with #2-4 would suffice?
I figured it would be equivelant to a 410 or so, but with larger shot.
Click to expand...

Absolutely NOT, I set up exactly what you are talking about to kill ground squirrels around the house - out of my 6" Model 29, useless. #6 would bounce off of the plastic drain pipes. #4 - not enough pellets - still no penetration.

How many pellets are you getting in a 44 shell with buckshot? - Not enough!!

44 Special loads are an option, but I think you will be surprised how ****** far they will penetrate.
 
Last edited:
I haven't tried. But it couldn't be any more than with a 410, which I believe holds 3 [not sure of size] if I'm not mistaken.
I read an account of a police officer shot in the face with a shotgun a carlength away, and he continued the gunfight with the BG, who took several solid shots from a 45.
 
Rampant Colt's posted remarks, .44spl loads...

+1 for Rampant Colt's .44spl ammunition picks. A well made factory .44spl round in a JHP design will do just as good as a Glaser Magsafe ExtremeShockUSA etc.
Buffalo Bore makes some great .44spl loads. I think Double Tap Ammo does too but I'd check the main website.

If you want a semi auto pistol, check the .357sig. It feeds great and has .357magnum type firepower. ;)
 
Most of the time an intruder comes into your home it is not to kill you! He is looking for a grab and go. I live in a house with GLASS doors so to say that they would stop anything is a lie. A small rock would get you in. That said, I've had someone come to the door late at night he saw me turn and head up the stairs for a gun. When I came back down stairs he was long gone. He never saw the gun I didn't bother to ask him if it was OK to go get it either. He must have come down of that drug crazed high long enough to turn and run. I also forgot to ask bird shot or just jacketed?

I did not panic I knew what I was going to do. I called the LEO's to tell them that someone was here that did not belong in my neighborhood. I did that while I got the gun 911 does not take that long and the phone is portable. These people are nervous just like you and when you screw up their plans the want out and fast. I cleared my property and kept a watch for a while and he has never returned.

Remember that the OP lives in an apartment. Do you want to be in the room next door?

If your worried about being shot look out for your family they are the ones most likely to do it IMHO. And you may be the one that arms them!

The following is part of what was linked in this thread:
Obviously you should never take the shot if you're not sure of what's beyond your target and rely on your ammunition to do your job of being prudent.

Again the line above is not mine I wish it was but its not!
 
Last edited:
My view is this: handguns are sort of under powered to start with- compared to a point blank load of buckshot or a rifle. While it's true a bullet could pass through a wall and hit a neighbor- I'm sort of wondering if that's a lame theory thought up by anti-gun folks. A full power 44 magnum in a house is going to bust your ear drums but I would side on a round capable of taking out the bad guy as fast as possible.
The other point is you ought to have a plan- if there are bad guys in your apartment- don't rush out to confront them cause its a good way to get killed. Leave your hall lights on at night. Have a phone near your bed and get behind the bed as it will afford a little bit of protection and CALL THE COPS. Turn out the bedroom lights so the bad guys can't see you but they're silhouetted by the hall light. Shoot only to save your hide. Your insurance ought to cover any lost of theft. I think going with an under powered cartridge is a mistake.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top