ammo for defense in dwellings

[B.A.]

Hey all, was wondering what you guys carry in your homes. I live in an apartment building and probably will be for a another 2 years, so one of my concerns is over penetration. I carry a xd sub compact in .40 s&w usually with 180gr hollow points which i'm pretty sure will cut through dry wall with out an issue.

so whats your suggestion?

[bac0nfat]

http://www.theboxotruth.com/

Worry less about over-penetration and more about what will stop the bad guy. The website above demonstrates that any ammo that will not penetrate multiple sheets of sheetrock will also not be effective at stopping a threat.

The best thing you can do is to know what directions should you absolutely avoid shooting towards. For example, if you have kids I would have them sleep in the room further from the front door than your bedroom, which would reduce the possibility of having your kids between the bad guy and your gun. Obviously you can't account for every scenario, but you can put yourself in a better position, literally and tactically.

To answer your question directly, 00 buck.

[joseywales]

You might consider 20 gauge, # 3 shot. Massad wrote a good article stating that the 20 Gauge offers 62% of the effecetiveness of the 12 gauge, with 55% of the recoil. Terminal ballistics and tight shooting quarters make the 20 a good choice for you. BTW, most people can't tell if they've been hit by a 12 or a 20

[longcall911]

Worry less about over-penetration and more about what will stop the bad guy.

^^^^^^^this

.45 winchester ranger in the 1911 and 00 buck for the 12 gauge. I am also in an apartment.

[ehidle]

I have my Home Defense mag loaded with Winchester Ranger 124gr 9mm +P, and my revolver loaded with Remington .357 Magnum JHP.

[coppery]

In an apt too. I have 230 grain .45acp jhp, and 12 gauge 00buck.

[Gun]

Hey all, was wondering what you guys carry in your homes. I live in an apartment building and probably will be for a another 2 years, so one of my concerns is over penetration. I carry a xd sub compact in .40 s&w usually with 180gr hollow points which i'm pretty sure will cut through dry wall with out an issue.

so whats your suggestion?

Don't miss.

[Black Sheep]

As others have said, anything that will reliably stop a BG is likely to drive straight through sheetrock, so think through your possible shooting lanes beforehand (which you should do anyway).

However, from what I've read No. 7 1/2 or 8 shot out of a 12 ga. will stop someone at across-the-room distances, and risk overpenetrating less than 00 buck (which BTW penetrates like crazy - heavy and slow just keeps going and going, whereas light and fast tends to break up and penetrate less). In our old place I used to keep an 870 loaded with birdshot and never felt undergunned (though a .45 was nearby as well).

[MicroMonkey]

I have as follows
44 mag with 240gr JHP
45 acp with 230gr JHP
AK 47 with 30 rounds of.......

I wouldnt worry too much about over penetration. If you have to fire, you want it to be over in the least amount of shots possible, preferably 1, just dont miss if you can help it.

But im sure if you hit someone even with birdshot from a 12 guage, they would stop doing whatever they are doing. I know I would

[JasonK007]

I have my Glock 27 loaded with Federal Premium Guard Dog Home Defense ammo. I also have a Mossberg 590 loaded near by while I sleep. And most importantly, I sleep with a flashlight next to me. I need to be able to identify the threat prior to shooting.