mchasal

Some light reading: The Box O' Truth - The Box O' Truth

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I am not a Lawyer, LEO, or Special Forces Operator.
The writings above are not burdened by trivialities such as research, experience or facts. However, it is on the Internet, so it must be true.

Stetson

I prefer handgun ,less chance of loss control of the muzzle.I also keep a 12gauge pump shotgun.

Paladin132

There are a number of studies showing that pistol calibers go through walls worse than 5.56, which is why most CQB teams have switched - it gives them longer range outside, but doesn't overpenetrate structures nearly as bad b/c the round fragments even with FMJ ammo much easier than pistol rounds do, lessening the threat of leathality.

Now, the 7.62mm is a different monster all together, I woudln't know what to say about it, although to say that it didnt penetrate most structures that I saw hit with them any worse than 5.56 but I haven't seen quality statistics on it.

aus71383

Be sure not to buy ammo that is actually "Frangible" - that stuff is designed for shooting steel plates at close range, and is a horrible choice for HD/SD.

I'm pretty sure vernonator was referring to a standard round, but one that will fragment on impact due to its velocity and construction.

Austin

BAC

Hornady TAP has been getting consistent rave reviews since it came out, and once my upper comes in will be my default defensive ammo. I don't think I'd trust the lighter grain hollow-points; I haven't seen any hard data, but human skin is pretty tough, and combined with clothing and muscle density might seriously hinder a lighter hollowpoint from getting to the good stuff to actually put a person down. It's hard enough to get solid hits under pressure, so hindering one's self with a poor choice of ammunition doesn't strike me as a good idea.

Why? What does the Mini-14 have over the more common rifle, the AR15? It used to be that they were cheaper beater guns available during a time when ARs only came from a few companies, weren't any kind of cheap, and were subject to more legal ball-and-chains, but that's all changed. Mini's are more expensive, there are more quality ARs out there than ever before, and generally-speaking gun laws are moving in a positive direction. I find it extremely hard to justify a Mini-14 for personal defense when there exists at least a few examples of better rifles, unless you really believe the way a rifle looks will somehow change a jury's opinion.


-B

bmcgilvray

Seems a bit ambitious. Any of the bulk stuff I chronographed clocked between 2300 fps and 2450 from an SKS.



I would prefer a light rifle to a handgun or shotgun. The M1 Carbine is one that makes a lot of sense and does duty here. I also still keep the Winchester Model 1907 .351 on hand.

762

perhaps i am off, by a few...hundred feet per second

i am going to check out some shotguns in a few weeks.

I truly wonder what can take 16 rounds of hollow point and still keep aggressing.

then again - my brother was in a firefight in Iraq a few years back and told me his fellow marine pumped 30 rounds of .223 into a terrorist and the guy kept charging. i guess it's possible, esp. if the perp is on something.

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MOΛΩN ΛABÉ

aus71383

Its more mental than physical - at least as long as the threat is concerned. You can "kill" someone with a shot to the heart, but if it doesn't hit the spinal cord they will still have a good 30 seconds of fight left in them, if not more. You can only do your best - then start hoping the guy is scared of getting shot, in which case the reaction to a miss will likely be just as good as a hit - fall down and pass out.

Austin

762

I think a kid is more likely to soil himself if confronted with a gun then an adult. correct me if i am wrong.

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Let's Roll - Todd Beamer

MOΛΩN ΛABÉ

Taxi Driver

I just bought a 9mm Beretta CX4 Storm for home defense. It's light, 5 lbs, short, 30" and uses the same 9mm ammo my pistol uses. It's also very accurate and very easy to shoot.

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Warning: Driver only carries $20 worth of ammunition.