Best type of ammo for Home Defense?

Strykaar

Strykaar

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Hey Guys

Hope this is the right section for this question. I am a first time gun owner(22lr) so my questions might sound very noob, feel free to correct me. I have specific requirements for the ammo and not sure if a 9mm or 223/556 or 12G is ideal. I mention these 3 because these are the only one's i've seen having several variants in the market and hoping someone with experience might give me some pointers.

I live in a suburban cookie cutter type community and in a home defense scenario I ideally want an ammo that provides the shock factor but also doesn't over penetrate. I have good neighbors and don't want any stray bullets to go into their homes.

I read somewhere that a Hollow Point with high velocity and low weight is ideal (the context was a discussion on 9mm). After I figure out which caliber is best, I will then look for the firearm.

Also in a HD scenario, what about ear protection in a closed environment? One time exposure to such sounds not harm the ears?

Feel free to suggest any brands..thanks
 
Don't sweat the ear protection, will be least of your worries. As far as caliber, this is a big debate. Out of the calibers you listed, current research recommends a varmint round of 223 (like Hornady Vmax) or [I believe but might not remember correctly] #6 birdshot if you choose a shotgun. Something about p=mv so the % difference in mass is larger than the difference in velocity between 9mm and 223. I forget all the science behind the 12g since all my shotguns are too long and I use an AR pistol.

I think the best advice I've heard on this was to use what you are most comfortable with. You could always get frangible HD 9mm.

I prioritized short barrel, light accessories, and bigger magazine.
 
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Do not announce your position to a BP (bad person).

Just don’t.

Shoot them, or don’t.

Ear Pro if you are armed with an AR.

Only because that ringing in your ears will piss you off after a couple of weeks.
 
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Sammy Prasad said:
Hey Guys

Hope this is the right section for this question. I am a first time gun owner(22lr) so my questions might sound very noob, feel free to correct me. I have specific requirements for the ammo and not sure if a 9mm or 223/556 or 12G is ideal. I mention these 3 because these are the only one's i've seen having several variants in the market and hoping someone with experience might give me some pointers.

I live in a suburban cookie cutter type community and in a home defense scenario I ideally want an ammo that provides the shock factor but also doesn't over penetrate. I have good neighbors and don't want any stray bullets to go into their homes.

I read somewhere that a Hollow Point with high velocity and low weight is ideal (the context was a discussion on 9mm). After I figure out which caliber is best, I will then look for the firearm.

Also in a HD scenario, what about ear protection in a closed environment? One time exposure to such sounds not harm the ears?

Feel free to suggest any brands..thanks
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Welcome Sammy.

You are asking the right questions. As @wsfiredude quoted above, let’s start with what you own now and work our way from there.
 
Usually if awoken in the middle of the night then everyone will be laying down. I say this because you shouldn't worry about bullets and wall penetration. If you aim at their head then you should be OK. All bullets will go through 2 layers of sheetrock. Keep in mind where loved ones are and as I said...aim high. I would get a 9mm handgun like a Glock 19 and some defensive ammo. Also don't worry about hearing protection as usually you won't have time to use it. ..IMO
 
Do you have kid(s), dog and alarm system, central station or stand alone? If the alarm goes off you can toss on a pair of electronic muffs, lets you hear lots of things and will give you ear protection. One or two story home? Reliable LED flashlight is good to have for each family member. Train the kids to hide in the closet or under the bed.
 
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You're going to hear a lot of things here. Some of it good, some of it not so good and much of it conflicting. I suggest you invest in some reputable training to understand the ramifications and physics of defensive shooting. This will help you understand what needs to be done and how to do it, as well as the legal aspects.
I believe there are some trainers here that are up your way. @Miss Lily Other's might chime in on recommendations. It's well worth the investment.

Just my opinion.
 
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NCGUY said:
Usually if awoken in the middle of the night then everyone will be laying down. I say this because you shouldn't worry about bullets and wall penetration. If you aim at their head then you should be OK. All bullets will go through 2 layers of sheetrock. Keep in mind where loved ones are and as I said...aim high. I would get a 9mm handgun like a Glock 19 and some defensive ammo. Also don't worry about hearing protection as usually you won't have time to use it. ..IMO
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2CB49FB2-AC35-4ED8-B154-721E62AF6A54.gif
 
What are the houses made from? Brick or vinyl?
Penetration is a problem for any firearm if you live in a vinyl village or apartment.

This guy has done a lot of practical testing that might help inform your decision:
https://www.theboxotruth.com/
And
“Birdshot is for little birdies”
- TBOT
 
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You may want to consider, until you become more familiar/proficient with a more complicated platform (like an ar or a semi auto pistol) keeping it simple. A pump shotgun (in my opinion) is something that is easy to become quickly familiar with yet is devastating at close range. As you spend more time around guns/weapons you may migrate to a different platform comfortably. As for 12 GA reduced recoil 00 buck is my “go to”
 
NCGUY said:
Usually if awoken in the middle of the night then everyone will be laying down. I say this because you shouldn't worry about bullets and wall penetration. If you aim at their head then you should be OK. All bullets will go through 2 layers of sheetrock. Keep in mind where loved ones are and as I said...aim high. I would get a 9mm handgun like a Glock 19 and some defensive ammo. Also don't worry about hearing protection as usually you won't have time to use it. ..IMO
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Have to respectfully disagree with you.As stated in the OP he is a new shooter so there isn't a chance he is going to hit a head shot after being woke up in the middle of the nite by a BG(bad guy) not sure as an experienced shooter that I could hit that shot with a rifle or pistol, I myself have a shotgun with an extended mag tube for home protection loaded with # 4 birdshot.
 
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NCGUY said:
Usually if awoken in the middle of the night then everyone will be laying down. I say this because you shouldn't worry about bullets and wall penetration. If you aim at their head then you should be OK. All bullets will go through 2 layers of sheetrock. Keep in mind where loved ones are and as I said...aim high. I would get a 9mm handgun like a Glock 19 and some defensive ammo. Also don't worry about hearing protection as usually you won't have time to use it. ..IMO
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Trolling newbies is not cool man.
Don’t listen to this guy he’s trying to be funny. I hope.
 
Sevenshot said:
Don't sweat the ear protection, will be least of your worries. As far as caliber, this is a big debate. Out of the calibers you listed, current research recommends a varmint round of 223 (like Hornady Vmax) or [I believe but might not remember correctly] #6 birdshot if you choose a shotgun. Something about p=mv so the % difference in mass is larger than the difference in velocity between 9mm and 223. I forget all the science behind the 12g since all my shotguns are too long and I use an AR pistol.

I think the best advice I've heard on this was to use what you are most comfortable with. You could always get frangible HD 9mm.

I prioritized short barrel, light accessories, and bigger magazine.
Click to expand...

Thanks will check out the frangible 9mm


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Look...here is what I told my wife...we got a shotgun. We got us a double barrel shotgun. Thats all we need. If we hear something in the night we just go out on our balcony and fire two blasts up in the air. That will solve any problem. So, get yourself a double barrel shotgun.

Ammo? Just cut the plastic off of the tip of a shell and dump out the bullets inside. You dont need em. The sound will be enough. Trust me. And those bullets could travel through a train and knock down an airplane.
 
Button Pusher said:
Do you have kid(s), dog and alarm system, central station or stand alone? If the alarm goes off you can toss on a pair of electronic muffs, lets you hear lots of things and will give you ear protection. One or two story home? Reliable LED flashlight is good to have for each family member. Train the kids to hide in the closet or under the bed.
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Nice tips. I got kids and LED flashlights, no dog though. It’s a two story house. I figured I will have enough time to grab the rifle, hustle the family inside a closet , call cops and wait.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I recommend finding a place close to you that has pistol and rifle training. Go there and take some classes. They should have range guns you can borrow. Get some training. You may have to travel but i am sure you can find something somewhere about every weekend. If you have the money call them for a private class.
 
fieldgrade said:
Do not announce your position to a BP (bad person).

Just don’t.

Shoot them, or don’t.

Ear Pro if you are armed with an AR.

Only because that ringing in your ears will piss you off after a couple of weeks.
Click to expand...

I always thought it’s better to announce (after calling cops from a safe location inside the house) hoping they would scare away and sparing me from using my firearm and there by surrendering it to cops as evidence and never seeing it again [emoji4].

But I see your point as well. Considering our home layout, our bedroom is located very far from the entrance , with many rooms in between. keeping the BP guessing as to which room we r in might work to my advantage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Sammy Prasad said:
I always thought it’s better to announce (after calling cops from a safe location inside the house) hoping they would scare away and sparing me from using my firearm and there by surrendering it to cops as evidence and never seeing it again [emoji4].

But I see your point as well. Considering our home layout, our bedroom is located very far from the entrance , with many rooms in between. keeping the BP guessing as to which room we r in might work to my advantage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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In all seriousness, no. Absolutely no. Once they break into your home you are already 100% on the defensive. You are taken off guard, off balance, and have lost the initiative. The only thing you have in your favor is the fact that they do not know exactly where you are. >IF< you can barricade yourself in, be well hidden and armed then, perhaps, warn them that entering your barricaded room or any attempt to do so will be met with force. You do this only after you have taken a favorable position to defend yourself and your loved ones. Announcing where you are prior to this helps the bad guy orient themselves to the threat they have to neutralize.

Will they flee at the sound of someone in the house? Maybe. But also maybe not. Is possibly losing the only advantage you have in preserving your life worth putting in the hands of a criminal who has already violated you, your property, and your family? His decision making skills and motives have already hedged towards not considering your well being very highly.
 
Sammy Prasad said:
I always thought it’s better to announce (after calling cops from a safe location inside the house) hoping they would scare away and sparing me from using my firearm and there by surrendering it to cops as evidence and never seeing it again [emoji4].

But I see your point as well. Considering our home layout, our bedroom is located very far from the entrance , with many rooms in between. keeping the BP guessing as to which room we r in might work to my advantage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Heard this from mrgunsngear. Ambush is always best but you have kids so do what you gotta do.

Do not announce once inside. I took a class where they recommend you announce loudly while BG is still outside trying to get in. But once inside, it's go time. I personally would do everything I could not to shoot somebody. Not just the mess in the house, there's the psych aspect of life, etc. Also, I doubt you could continue living there and keep your sanity. Would always have to worry about retaliation from a family member of friend of the BG.
 
Sammy Prasad said:
I sparing me from using my firearm and there by surrendering it to cops as evidence and never seeing it again.
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I have little to contribute here so have resisted. But, surrendering a firearm is a topic I’ve pondered.

I own “several” firearms and they vary broadly in value. I wouldn’t like to give away any of them. But, if I ever have the unfortunate experience of having to use one in self defense, and if the result is losing my gun, it’ll be a day of celebration for me. The alternative isn’t something I find attractive. :cool:
 
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NCGUY said:
Usually if awoken in the middle of the night then everyone will be laying down. I say this because you shouldn't worry about bullets and wall penetration. If you aim at their head then you should be OK. All bullets will go through 2 layers of sheetrock. Keep in mind where loved ones are and as I said...aim high. I would get a 9mm handgun like a Glock 19 and some defensive ammo. Also don't worry about hearing protection as usually you won't have time to use it. ..IMO
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thank you. Waiting for my PPP from wake county, will get a hand gun soon.
 
Sammy Prasad said:
It’s a rifle
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Excellent!

If you took a poll on here, I’d venture a guess the majority of our folks would state they cut their “firearm” teeth on a .22 rifle.

For a “first gun”, you made the ideal choice, in my opinion (which ain’t worth a whole lot:)). Although it’s gotten a bit more expensive recently, .22LR ammunition is relatively cheap to shoot and you can shoot a lot of it without taking out a 2nd mortgage or selling your firstborn. A good number of indoor ranges will allow .22 rimfire rifles, so there’s a good chance you’ve got a spot somewhere nearby to practice.

In addition to live-fire range time, you can put a target paster/dot on the wall and do dry-fire practice...great things about dry-fire is it’s cheap (time is the only cost) and it pays huge dividends. That said, a rimfire is a bit unique in that you DO NOT want to dry-fire it on an empty chamber (possibility of damage to the breech face). You can buy snap-caps for dry-fire, but a cheaper route is to pick up some 4-6-8 x 7/8” drywall anchors...

527C674B-2BBC-4D85-B20D-0EBDA508948A.jpeg
You can get a bunch of em for relatively little costs. They’ll chamber and extract just like a .22 LR cartridge. I can usually get 15-20 dry-fires from one anchor.

Finally, check out https://appleseedinfo.org/. They are a good organization, provide great instruction and as an added bonus, you’ll get some excellent history lessons.

Although a .22 rimfire may not be the ideal choice for defense of hearth and home, it’s what you can lay your hands on right now. Practice, practice, practice. Get as proficient with the rifle as you possibly can. I assure you the time you spend learning/training with the .22 and the skills you pick up will carry over.
 
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wsfiredude said:
In addition to live-fire range time, you can put a target paster/dot on the wall and do dry-fire practice...great things about dry-fire is it’s cheap (time is the only cost) and it pays huge dividends....Although a .22 rimfire may not be the ideal choice for defense if hearth and home, it’s what you can lay your hands on right now. Practice, practice, practice. Get as proficient with the rifle as you possibly can. I assure you the time you spend learning/training with the .22 and the skills you pick up will carry over.
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Thanks for the advice. Yeah I did start off with snapcaps and they definitely helped. Its a good thing I am currently stocked up on 22lr ammo so will hit the range few more times. Will check out appleseedinfo, first time came across this site.
 
nc-by-the-c said:
You may want to consider, until you become more familiar/proficient with a more complicated platform (like an ar or a semi auto pistol) keeping it simple. A pump shotgun (in my opinion) is something that is easy to become quickly familiar with yet is devastating at close range. As you spend more time around guns/weapons you may migrate to a different platform comfortably. As for 12 GA reduced recoil 00 buck is my “go to”
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For now I already have Smith & Wesson M&P15-22. Before I buy another rifle/handgun wanted to short list what kind of ammo would be more suited for my needs.
 
Sammy Prasad said:
Thanks for the advice.
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Anytime.

If you need some solid advice on training, firearm selection, what’s good/not so good or what works/doesn’t work, you came to the right place.

There’s a good bunch of folks on here that have forgotten a hell of a lot more than I’ll ever learn...this place is a gold mine.
 
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Variable said:
I recommend finding a place close to you that has pistol and rifle training. Go there and take some classes. They should have range guns you can borrow. Get some training. You may have to travel but i am sure you can find something somewhere about every weekend. If you have the money call them for a private class.
Click to expand...
For sure I will go for practice more often, I am comfortable using my rifle. I was trying to see what's the thinking process of others is when it comes to Home defense, like over-penetration or ear protection in a closed room etc..
 
Sammy Prasad said:
For now I already have Smith & Wesson M&P15-22. Before I buy another rifle/handgun wanted to short list what kind of ammo would be more suited for my needs.
Click to expand...

For .22LR, I’m partial to CCI Mini Mags. They seem to be pretty consistent from lot to lot, shoot relatively clean and I haven’t had any issues with them functioning properly in a semi-automatic firearm.
 
I'll go against the grain and recommend against a shotgun.

A shotgun is often touted as a good choice for a beginner, but that's built on very faulty logic and quite a bit of myth. How many times have you heard "you can't miss with a shotgun?" Well, yeah you can. Just as easily as you can with anything else....

Here are the negatives (in no particular order...):

  • Most shotguns require you to load one round at a time into a fixed magazine. The ammo is heavy, and large and not conducive to carrying much on your person or on the gun and usually if you find yourself in a fight with a shotgun, what is on it or in it is what you have. You'll be limited to a capacity of six or seven rounds in the gun with maybe another 4-7 on the gun in a sidesaddle.
  • Reloading a shotgun under stress is an art. There are some that are truly very good at it, but it takes a lot of practice and investment in time. A gunfight is not a video game, there's no pause button or reload button....
  • Shotguns have quite a bit of recoil for a new shooter to manage. That slows follow up shots. Predators often travel in packs. Those packs are getting larger these days.
  • Shotguns are often touted for their versatility with a wide range of ammunition available for different uses and ranges. This is truly a benefit, but it also requires a good bit of time and effort to understand what each of those ammunition types do at each range. Some have effective ranges measured in tens of yards. Some have effective ranges measured in feet. And you need to know what each type of shell does at each range from YOUR gun. Again, big investment of time and resources to gain that knowledge. To quote a trainer I know "Shotguns really are an expert's weapon."

I'd recommend 5.56. Light for caliber ammunition (50-55 grain). HP or VMAX bullet traveling fast. Will it meet the FBI minimum penetration depth? Probably not. Will the person being shot with it care whether it did? Probably not. Will your ears ring like hell? Yes they will, but they will from anything you shoot indoors. Tinnitus beats death.

That ^ all being said, there are two guns typically with easy reach when I wake up. One is an AR (not loaded with frangible ammo, because I don't live where you live), the other is a Remington 1100 Competition Master.
 
Sammy Prasad said:
I was trying to see what's the thinking process of others is when it comes to Home defense, like over-penetration or ear protection in a closed room etc..
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This is only MY opinion...I’m no expert or Jedi gunslinger:

For home defense, my first choice of weapon to grab is going to be my braced AR pistol. It is short (10.3 barrel), equipped with a light and I feel really comfortable with it. My cartridge of choice is heavier grain (75) soft points. With all the research I have done, there is less likelihood of over-penetration with the 5.56 when compared with say, a 9mm projectile. The 5.56 round is half the weight and moving at twice the speed of the 9mm. When it confronts objects, especially at ‘across the room’ distances, it has a high probability of fragmenting. There is a lower likelihood of the 5.56 projectile penetrating my interior/exterior wall, the neighbor’s exterior/interior wall and still retaining enough mass/energy to do the damage of a 124/147 gr hollow cavity 9mm round.

As for hearing protection, active devices that amplify low sounds and shut-off louder sounds have gotten less expensive and are a good choice.

As I said, just my opinion. I will not say, “this is what works for me”, because I have not been placed in a home defense/home invasion situation and with any luck at all, never will be.

What I posted here is not “what works”, but “what I choose to use”, based upon the research I have done.
 
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NCGUY said:
Usually if awoken in the middle of the night then everyone will be laying down. I say this because you shouldn't worry about bullets and wall penetration. If you aim at their head then you should be OK. All bullets will go through 2 layers of sheetrock. Keep in mind where loved ones are and as I said...aim high. I would get a 9mm handgun like a Glock 19 and some defensive ammo. Also don't worry about hearing protection as usually you won't have time to use it. ..IMO
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Wasn't trying to troll ...so let me explain;
Of course I believe OP should be confident in his ability to place shots accurately (training). I can hit someone indoors in the head with my son's nerf gun. 5-10 yds, Just sayin.
As far as hearing protection. Get a set of noise cancelling muffs or something if you wish. I just don't consider it a necessity when trying to protect my family and half asleep.
As far as aiming at throat/head area... that's where I would aim. It really does keep bullet on a higher plane. Awareness is key also. Like where can and can't I shoot. I don't believe in bullets that do the job but will stop at wall sections.
If OP is only going to have a couple guns then I would have a common gun in a common caliber for SHTF prepping.
 
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