Personal/Home Defense Ammo

[tbst]

This maybe surprising to some of you, but I like guns, in their time and place.

Regarding home defense, I think a long barrel gun, a shotgun is by far the way to go for the novice gun owner, like myself. Sure, you can have a .45 magnum under your pillow, but if you can't hit the broad side of a barn it is worthless as t!ts on a nun.

With a shotgun, hitting to kill shouldn't.

I plan on buying a Springfield XDm 9mm in the next few weeks. However, I'd much rather use my 10/22 on an intruder than a handgun I am not proficient with.

As far as keeping one chambered, without a doubt this is the more fail safe way regarding home defense. However, I think it is far more likely that a kid/family member/friend is likely to come in contact with your weapon than a burglar/zombie, which is why I think it is much safer not to keep one chambered. I think that concept deserves some merit. But that is just me.

Regarding liability, obviously the not chambered is decreasing your liability. The neighborhood kid who breaks into your house and finds your gun can pull the trigger all day and never kill his counterpart without one being chambered. Also regarding the liability issue, killing the intruder is definitely the way to go, unfortunately, as others have pointed out.

In a two story house there is no way I would go downstairs to confront the burglar. Very rarely do wannabe heroes end up heroes, but than again, that is just me... TV is replaceable. Come up the stairs though...

To answer the OP, Federal for handgun and some cheap stuff for long barrel. If the gun/ammo malfunctions it wasn't meant to be my day.

Not trying to start a debate war. Just adding to the conversation.

 

[ElGringoLoco]

From the CCW class that I took, the instructor said the most prudent thing to do is empty your clip into the attacker. Then there can be no doubt that you were shooting in self defense.

Your instructor called it a clip? I'd ask for your money back. Myself personally, I've got a .40S&W chambered Sigma in the nightstand. I have 2 magazines chambered with 180gr Winchester Ranger.

 

[shadow247]

Your instructor called it a clip? I'd ask for your money back. Myself personally, I've got a .40S&W chambered Sigma in the nightstand. I have 2 magazines chambered with 180gr Winchester Ranger.

Clip/magazine, it's all the same unless you are a total stickler for terminology! He may have said magazine but it's been about 6 months since I took the class! Now all I need is the time to drag my butt to the courthouse and actually apply for my carry permit!

 

[Gerdo]

One gun shop recommended the Hi-point 9mm Hi-Point Firearms: 9mm Handgun

 

[calikev]

Sorry to flame this option, but I remember being 19 buying my first gun. It was a Highpoint. It shot 1 out of every 3-4 times I pulled the trigger and it weighed like 5 lbs. That thing stayed jammed and was so unsafe. It was the worst gun I have ever owned to this date. Granted, that was 20 yrs ago, but they can't be that different.

If you can not afford to buy something dependable, reliable and established...SAVE until you can my friend. THIS IS YOUR LIFE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT! Buy a good one and train with it knowing it will save your life and the things most precious to you. There is nothing more important than reliability regarding guns. NOTHING!

A great shooter with a suck-as_ gun = the same as a great gun with a suck-as_ shooter...a dead man with relatives trying to figure out what happened.

Sorry to be so brutally honest, but this topic is something I am very passionate about and believe is worth the extra cash.

Save for something worthy of protecting your life with.

 

[02SE]

I didn't answer the OP's question. For self defense I load the 230 gr Golden Saber in .45 ACP

 

[Supra725]

One gun shop recommended the Hi-point 9mm Hi-Point Firearms: 9mm Handgun

seriously? which shop is that?

I personally have 2 P226's.. this is your life you are talking here.. I don't want some firearm that won't fire when my life depends on it..

 

[BrianSD_42]

I don't own a gun right now, mainly because I have no one to protect since my GF lives in a different apartment and I live in a crime free area.

In the Navy (.. chorus ..) I learned how to shoot the military issued 9mm Beretta, M14, 50-cal and a shotgun. Not very impressive to a GM__(SW), I understand ...

That said I was never very impressed with the Beretta but I shot the mounted 50-cal and was part of the SCAT (small craft attack team) for a deployment in 03. That gun is a lot of fun to shoot.

My uncle has an original M1911 that was his fathers from WWII and I although I have never shot it, just handling it and looking it over I was very very impressed.

I plan to get a gun in the next year and will check out the models at shooting ranges as was suggested above. I am leaning towards a mil-spec Springfield M1911 reproduction but I will have to shoot one first (a bunch) to make up my mind fully. There are a lot of different M1911's out there but if it isn't original or mil-spec then I don't even consider it an M1911. They should call those modified ones something else.

:thumb3:

 

[Supra725]

Brian,

the only downside of the 1911 is ammo prices.. the cheapest I seen .45 acp for an case is about $325 an case.. I would love to own an 1911 but the ammo prices are what's keeping me away from it.. maybe is time for an press and reload my own..

on the 1911,

there are just so many makers of it. .I shoot Springfield GI, TRP, operator, Para's , Colt's, Kimber's, sig's .. and is just crazy.. I personally would love an railed 1911..

 

[BrianSD_42]

that is a really good point.

So how many bullets do you get for $325?

 

[Supra725]

you get 20 boxes of 50..

I though about buying reloads.. but I'm not too sure.. cause sometimes the reloads could be an bad one.. I rather pay an few extra dollars and get factory new ammo..

that's why I purchase an 9mm instead of an .45 acp.. I currently have 2 p226's.. one chamber in 9mm and one in .40sw.. but I'm selling the .40.. ammo prices are just crazy.. and this year with the whole election thing.. ammo might have an drought again like in 08.. people will be buying whatever they can get their hands on.. and shops would love to take you money.. I seen people from the range going to wallyworld picking up ammo and then jack the prices up on their ranges...

with 9mm, I can get an case for $190-$200.. I remember days when you get an case of 7.62x39 for about $100.. a few months back was less than $200 and now is about $240 an case.. an brick of .22lr was about $9 dollars, now is about $18-$20..

I would love the practice some more but ammo prices are holding me back.. figure if you shoot about 150-200 rounds.. that's over $40 dollars without your range fees. and is only 1 caliber but not the others..

be wise with what you want.... everyone can shoot an .45 or an .50 ae.. but is not always the biggest caliber.. is how you control it.... if you can't hit an thing with the .45 or .50 ae.. what good would it serve you... some guy at the range brought out an Smith and Wesson 500

Smith & Wesson Model 500 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

but he couldn't hit anything..

 

[RunninInGA]

Smith & Wesson Sigma

I thought I read someone's post last night about a Smith & Wesson Sigma chambered in .40 cal, but can't find it. I own the same model chambered in .40cal as well as one in 9mm. Triggers are heavy on these and I was wondering if the poster had done any trigger work yet. I've read about swapping out a spring and was curious.

 

[puppetz007]

you get 20 boxes of 50..

I though about buying reloads.. but I'm not too sure.. cause sometimes the reloads could be an bad one.. I rather pay an few extra dollars and get factory new ammo..

that's why I purchase an 9mm instead of an .45 acp..

with 9mm, I can get an case for $190-$200.. .



be wise with what you want.... everyone can shoot an .45 or an .50 ae.. but is not always the biggest caliber.. is how you control it.... if you can't hit an thing with the .45 or .50 ae.. what good would it serve you...

These are the reasons why I got my PPQ 9mm. Has anyone used Federal Hydra-shok JHP?

 

[tbst]

Since we are off topic...

Remington 870 Police Magnum. : Pump Action Shotguns at GunBroker.com

Good deal?

I have read the "Police" model is better built? Truth? Worth it?

 

[4runnerBrett]

Hi point guns are garbage. They are cheap and i would never depend on my life with one.

 

[Supra725]

I have hydra shok in 135gr.. I ran an box through mine p226 and it worked but at about $25 dollar an box of 20.. I switched over to hst 147gr.. I paid about $20 for an box of 50..

Puppetz ,

Go try an box and see how your gun handles it..

Tbst,

The 870 police magnums has more heavy duty parts than the traditional 870 express.. At one point, my local shops had an trade in on 870P for $299.. Is this for your home defense?

 

[calikev]

Since we are off topic...

Remington 870 Police Magnum. : Pump Action Shotguns at GunBroker.com

Good deal?

I have read the "Police" model is better built? Truth? Worth it?

Hey tbst

The police version has a heavier barrel---it's just thicker so it can handle heavier loads of slugs for a longer period of time---I have the tactical version of this gun, it's model #81198 or #81178 I think---it is awesome! has the removable glass breaker/door breecher on the end. I added a heat shield, CAI grip to rack it with better grip and to add my light and then the recoil reducing pistol grip by Blackhawk with the spring in it----

The Blackhawk pistol grip REALLY cuts the recoil down---they say 45-50% and I have to agree it does cut it that much

Check it out on GB It really is nice

 

[ElGringoLoco]

I thought I read someone's post last night about a Smith & Wesson Sigma chambered in .40 cal, but can't find it. I own the same model chambered in .40cal as well as one in 9mm. Triggers are heavy on these and I was wondering if the poster had done any trigger work yet. I've read about swapping out a spring and was curious.

That'd be me. Personally, I like the heavy trigger. A buddy of mine has the identical gun with something ridiculous like a 4oz pull. It just feels too sensitive.

 

[RunninInGA]

Hey tbst

The police version has a heavier barrel---it's just thicker so it can handle heavier loads of slugs for a longer period of time---I have the tactical version of this gun, it's model #81198 or #81178 I think---it is awesome! has the removable glass breaker/door breecher on the end. I added a heat shield, CAI grip to rack it with better grip and to add my light and then the recoil reducing pistol grip by Blackhawk with the spring in it----

The Blackhawk pistol grip REALLY cuts the recoil down---they say 45-50% and I have to agree it does cut it that much

Check it out on GB It really is nice

I've got the tactical version of the 870 as well, but with original stock and I added a light. LOVE this gun as well as my 1100 youth model, which I use for skeet and trap as well as pheasant and quail hunts.

That'd be me. Personally, I like the heavy trigger. A buddy of mine has the identical gun with something ridiculous like a 4oz pull. It just feels too sensitive.

That's too light. I liked the heavier pull until I started carrying/shooting my Walter PPS. I don't dislike the sigmas trigger, but like the walthers slightly better.

As far as revolvers, if anyone is looking to go that route, I'd like to suggest the Ruger Security Six as an excellent example. Mine is chambered in 38 special/357 magnum.

 

[limamike]

That'd be me. Personally, I like the heavy trigger. A buddy of mine has the identical gun with something ridiculous like a 4oz pull. It just feels too sensitive.

4 oz is dangerous, not sensitive.