If you are that good to rely on a head shot for a home intruder, then why worry about going through a wall?
#8 shot on a badguy wearing heavy clothing shot in the chest will not make hamburger meat, or knock him off his feet. More than likely unless you follow up with a heavier shot at close range, he will walk out to his friends, and get to consult with his lawyer.
People who arm themselves with the intention of missing shouldn’t be armed.
If you are that good to rely on a head shot for a home intruder, then why worry about going through a wall?
#8 shot on a badguy wearing heavy clothing shot in the chest will not make hamburger meat, or knock him off his feet. More than likely unless you follow up with a heavier shot at close range, he will walk out to his friends, and get to consult with his lawyer.
People who arm themselves with the intention of missing shouldn’t be armed.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
What is my scenario? I would put money on it that the minute most intruders figure out you are awake that they are out of the nearest exit. Granted, that is just a guess. But, if I know my home better than he does and I hear some banging around, I am not going to announce my presence. I won't miss a head shot with a shotgun at 15 feet.
The truth is, none of us would know how it would play out, but I think it is fictitious to say that you can’t defend yourself with some #8. Granted, I probably will have buckshot in my gun, but if #8 was the only thing within reach, I would be more than willing to take those chances. Oh, and if I do knock them down on the first shot, you can be sure that I will be closing the range and finishing the job before they figure out what happened.
Is #8 the ideal load to take a criminal and mount their head on a wall? Probably not. But to say, you can’t defend your home with a shotgun blast, is stretching it. Given the right circumstances, someone can defend themselves with a pair of fists.
Like to dispel some myths being spread on here. No 8 shot will not kill or stop anyone. No 6 won’t even.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
You should talk to the sow I killed with No.6 Tungsten Matrix or maybe it was Heavishot, either way. At 15’ it was like I shot her with a slug, she be leakin’ and dead. Pole axed.
If criminals are like me, they don’t want to get shot with anything but putting 2-400 little lead balls in him will ruin his day. Hell I’ve been peppered pretty good at 50yds with No.8 and had the skin broken.
The distances being covered in a home are feet, not yards, most anything can be used. Even #4 buckshot just has too much penetration IMO, BB’s or a No.5 High Brass are better.
As for a handgun, personal defense and a last/only resort. If you can get to a long gun, do so. In a fight, a handgun should be used as long as it takes to get back to a long gun.
Quite honestly my first goal is to secure and protect my family, not seek out the threat. Secure your loved ones and call the police, if the threat comes to you, take it out. Property can be replaced, your life and loved ones cannot.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
I am confused. Is this gun for your wife or yourself? Is it going to be for home defense only or are you also looking for concealed carry?
For home defense: Shotgun. 90% of law enforcement use the Remington 870 shotgun with 00 buck. If that is what law enforcement uses maybe there is a reason why. NO.6 or NO.8 can kill somebody, but if you think cause you can shoot a duck, turkey, or deer that you will be able to make head shot think again. Your adrenaline will be going fast than you can imagine when you are placed in that situation. Center mass in a bigger target and the waist/groin area is also a bigger area than the head that will stop anyone very quickly.
If this weapon is for you wife take here to palmetto state armory in columbia. They have more rental guns than any range I know in SC. Let her shoot what ever she wants till she finds a gun that is comfortable. Then have her practice with that gun often. Just remeber just cause you can hit a paper target at the range at 7 yards does not mean you can take out a threat that is moving and coming toward you very different experience that hopefully no one here will have to find out. Also at 7 yard if your target looks like you shoot it with a shotgun you may want to practice more cause when “it” hits the fan you are sure to miss.
#8 shot on a badguy wearing heavy clothing shot in the chest will not make hamburger meat, or knock him off his feet. More than likely unless you follow up with a heavier shot at close range, he will walk out to his friends, and get to consult with his lawyer.
\Been through that test at 10 yards. High Brass #8 will go through a quilt and destroy a london broil. Disclaimer… London Broil was spoiled. No good meat was destroyed in this test. I’ve killed a couple of deer with BB shot in the 20-25 yard range when I was a kid.
NO doubt on the shot gun for home defense, it will also work as a wonderful blunt instrument if it is needed to bash in an intruders head.
On hand guns, I like the glock for ease of use and just picked up a Springfield XD 40 compact that I am liking. I came with an 11 shot clip but you can use the 16 shot clip and give your pinky finger somewhere to hold on to.
For super easy of use my wife has a .38 S&W airweight lady pink. It does slap a bit with +p’s.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
wifes side of the bed: .380 revolver for concealed carry
my side of the bed: .44 magnum hand cannon
at least in my scenario theres no kids in the house and in the line of fire past the bedroom door is 2 walls, a solid wooden fence, then a swamp so no huge worry about blasting a wall. handguns are until i can get to the safe, then its out with the scatter gun (15 count 00). if you want a handgun theres nothing wrong with revolvers if you dont like a clip, however the shotgun is easier to hit your mark with and with 15 pellets .33" in diameter each thats like emptying a whole clip of 9mm in 1 shot. you can also find a decent shotgun for the same or less price as a good handgun too and will be able to find shotgun ammo much better than handgun ammo.
Cobia…originally bought the 380 for both of us, more for her to be comfortable with something if I wasn’t there. However when asked if she would actually shoot someone she hesitated. So im guessing its up to my preference. Thanks everyone, lots of ideas.
Cobia…originally bought the 380 for both of us, more for her to be comfortable with something if I wasn’t there. However when asked if she would actually shoot someone she hesitated. So im guessing its up to my preference. Thanks everyone, lots of ideas.
Got ya. As much as I can’t stand the place ATP has a women’s shooting night. My wife was the same way and took her to it. She got to taking with the other ladies there and now she carries everywhere it is legal to and is always wanting to go shooting.
I would also recommend you rent a as many guns as you can till you find the one you like best. Remember any size gun is concealable with the right training. Oh and with the new rounds that are coming out these day and the right training any caliber gun is deadly . Look at the glock 19. It is 9mm and what a lot of law enforcement carry off duty. Match it with the hornady critical defense 9mm round and it will take care of any threat.