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one of us |
Not really a hunting Question but here it goes. I want to buy a self defense weapon, for the house. What is your opinion for such a gun for the ultimate stopper. The .40 S&W or the .45 auto. | ||
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| one of us |
A 12 ga shotgun. | |||
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| <stans> |
The best stopper is the caliber that you can shoot the best. Some people can handle 357 Magnums, some can only tolerate .380ACP. If you cannot tolerate the recoil and shoot a given caliber accurately, then it is of little use. If you can, try both, then decide what is best for you. | ||
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| <DOC> |
I agree with all the above. Determine what your needs are and buy the weapon that suits them (and you) best. A hit with a .32 is better than a miss with a .45 (that ultimately goes on to hit something. As far as "stopping power" between the 40 and 45 I'll say it will depend more on the shot placement and ammunition used than the cartridge.
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| One of Us |
My wife likes a S&W 1917 45 acp revolver. | |||
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| <Elliot Viker> |
I agree with the post of the 12ga. For home self defense, the shotgun is the best thier is. With the right load, you do not need to think about over penatration and it is far easy to hit with. If you have ot go with a handgun, shoot both, and get what you can shoot the best. | ||
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| one of us |
Ditto Elliot and Tombo. IMHO, a handgun should only be used in a defensive situation when a better arm is not available. A short barreled shotgun is a much better choice. Besides, the sound of racking the slide crosses all language barriers. Good point about over penetration also. Especially for people who have close neighbors, or for apartments, the best loading is simply skeet loads. At close range, devistating, but looses energy quick. My thoughts. | |||
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| <migra> |
Another 12 guage bird shot fan. Other than that they are very close, a toss up really. | ||
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| one of us |
I chose a witness 10mm. I cannot see any logic in the 40, when the 10 offers everything it does and then some. With the Witness, the 45ACP, 38 super and 10mm use the large frame and its easy to convert between them, so maybe that would give you some options later if you change your mind. | |||
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| <SlimL> |
Either one would be good choices, I have both. The .40 S&W seems to be inherently more accurate from what load developing I have done although how accurate is a semi-auto really. The .45 does have a little better stopping power. I agree, get the best that you can shoot well with. Slim | ||
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| <Paladin> |
The best defensive handgun is the one you can handle most effectively in the dark, under inconvenient conditions. Before considering which cartridge to select, first arrange with friends to shoot their handguns extensively. Suggest you do this at a B-27 silhouette target at distances from five or six feet to fifteen feet --from the waist. This gives experience in intuitive shooting, which is the kind of defense shooting to expect in a home invasion. The awkward handguns quickly will be obvious, and so will those which are too powerful for your convenience. As you train, keep one thing in mind: most homes have walls made of drywall panels. These are thin and easily penetrated by bullets or shot. Our research discovered that most ordinary centerfire handguns can be expected to penetrate at least 14 thicknesses of drywall paneling, when sections are arranged in a baffle a couple of inches apart. In other words, expect a defensive handgun bullet to go through at least three rooms and maybe more. Know what you're doing.... | ||
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| one of us |
Have to go with 45 acp. Corbon has some excellent hollowpoints with balls in them that expand consistently. However, your best bet is to go to the range, and see which one you can shoot best, and, which one is cheapest to shoot. I hate the small rounds, 380 or 9mm, because they are either expensive, or difficult to reload. Glasser and other high energy transfer bullets are avaliable for 45, as well. Keep in mind, that to shoot someone in your house, it's probably going to be at point blank range, or the gun is being used as a deterrent. A gun store owner I know suggests the largest possible caliber, in a stainless gun, so the person can clearly see what he's going to get hit with. He hasn't had to use his, yet. My choice for a hand gun is a 45 long colt revolver. s | |||
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| <gone hunting> |
quote: i'll take a 10mm anyday if a handgun is all i get ------------------ | ||
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