Home Defense Question

[Taranwanderer]

OK, so after having the M&P for 3 weeks now and a few trips to the range, I find myself torn: as in, which gun would I grab if someone broke into my home and I wanted to make sure they left in a horizontal orientation? I've always been a "grab the tactical shotgun and blast" kind of guy, but now I'm not so sure that 20 or so 22 cal holes might not be a bad route to go either. I know there's a wealth of shooting, military, and LE experience on this forum, so I figured I'd see what you all think. The shotgun is a Hatsan Arms "Escort" model, 12 ga pump with 6 shot capacity and the shortest barrel you can legally have in PA. Let's hear your thoughts!

 

[thacheese]

not again. there are already 2 separate threads on this topic, and you won't get a definitive answer. best answer.. whatever is handy.

 

[J. W.]

Since this is the M&P15-22 forum, I'm assuimg your M&P is a .22LR, not a 5.56mm?


That being the case, shotgun all the way. If your rifle is a 5.56 then it really boils down to which you prefer. Personally, its my opinion that the 12ga shotgun is the king of close quarters fights.

 

[Drunk3n Snip3R]

you have a shotgun, use that. hands down.

 

[amazingflapjack]

What I would suggest is that you consentrate on securing your home, and presenting an image of it so that someone looking at it will want to go somewhere else to commit the crime that they have in mind. Train your family-communicate. Don't ever open the door for anyone-this is easier to do than you think-but you have to think-and think like a perpetrator. The last thing you want to have to do is kill another human being. Unless you have strong sociopathic tendencies in your personality, you will never forget it, probably even for a day, nor will anyone else present. Good security is making as sure as you can that a deadly force confrontation won't present itself, in my view. Flapjack.

 

[Taranwanderer]

What I would suggest is that you consentrate on securing your home, and presenting an image of it so that someone looking at it will want to go somewhere else to commit the crime that they have in mind. Train your family-communicate. Don't ever open the door for anyone-this is easier to do than you think-but you have to think-and think like a perpetrator. The last thing you want to have to do is kill another human being. Unless you have strong sociopathic tendencies in your personality, you will never forget it, probably even for a day, nor will anyone else present. Good security is making as sure as you can that a deadly force confrontation won't present itself, in my view. Flapjack.

Good points, to be sure. Yes, it is the 22lr. Fortunately, it's just my wife and I, and she's confident with either of her pistols (both 22lr). I just read the thread from earlier in the year, and it looks like the 12 ga is the hands-down winner. I guess I knew the answer already but I figured I'd ask. Thanks guys.

 

[off road]

I would not feel poorly armed with a reliable .22 semi-auto, where I could pump someone full of 10 rounds in a couple seconds.

While shotguns are superb combat weapons, they can be very clumsy in the confines of a structure. If the confrontation gets very close quarters or God forbid hand to hand, you are at a huge disadvantage with any long gun! Your M&P is an improvement, but if you use a long gun, back it up with a handgun!

 

[Drunk3n Snip3R]

I would not feel poorly armed with a reliable .22 semi-auto, where I could pump someone full of 10 rounds in a couple seconds.

While shotguns are superb combat weapons, they can be very clumsy in the confines of a structure. If the confrontation gets very close quarters or God forbid hand to hand, you are at a huge disadvantage with any long gun! Your M&P is an improvement, but if you use a long gun, back it up with a handgun!

I hear what your saying, but remember most places consider it manslaughter if you shoot them more then once thats why I rather have the one shot from a shotgun knowing they wont get back up vs. a .22

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Benelli M2 with extended tube, straight choke, 12 ga 000 buck. Nuff said!

 

[Benderx4]

Benelli M4 in my home - SHOTGUN all the way!

 

[Neumann]

Anything you can shoot well and is capable of penetrating to a vital organ will do for self-defense. Misses don't count, and there's no second place winner. A lowly .22 LR may do the job, a .45 Colt may not.

Only a shot that disrupts the central nervous system will disable the subject instantly. A shot to the heart, major artery or liver may allow the subject to fight another 15-30 seconds. No bullet from a personal weapon is going to knock anyone down from kinetic energy alone (otherwise, you couldn't shoot it). Finally, there's no way to recall a bullet once it's been fired. If it doesn't stop in the BG, you could be hurting someone else. It's all your responsibility.

The solution? For starters, sign up for a good tactical firearms course, equipped with eye, ear and knee protectors and 1500 rounds of ammunition.

 

[J. W.]

I would not feel poorly armed with a reliable .22 semi-auto, where I could pump someone full of 10 rounds in a couple seconds.

I would. We had a guy shot right in the melon with a .22LR at bar over the weekend. Failed to penetrate the skull. Just passed along the scalp and exited in the rear.

Sure, a .22LR is/can be deadly. However, when it comes to SD the key is to stop the threat now, not have him die an hour later in the OR as they try to patch the leaks.

I personally have no confidence that a .22LR will stop a threat in its tracks. On the other hand I have full confidence in a 12ga load of 00buck.

 

[CrazyFingers]

I hear what your saying, but remember most places consider it manslaughter if you shoot them more then once thats why I rather have the one shot from a shotgun knowing they wont get back up vs. a .22

Can you cite some state laws or actual cases? I've never heard of any laws that consider firing more than one round into an assailant manslaughter.
Generally, self-defense and castle law allow someone to fire until the threat is neutralized. Obviously you can't walk back over to a wounded and non-threatening assailant five minutes later and pump a few more rounds into him for good measure. However, as long as he continues to present a threat, I'll continue to fire.

 

[mn_doggie]

Can you cite some state laws or actual cases? I've never heard of any laws that consider firing more than one round into an assailant manslaughter.
Generally, self-defense and castle law allow someone to fire until the threat is neutralized. Obviously you can't walk back over to a wounded and non-threatening assailant five minutes later and pump a few more rounds into him for good measure. However, as long as he continues to present a threat, I'll continue to fire.

Correct and the law will be on your side.

Maybe he was thinking that one shot won't get you drunk, but many shots will? Different law entirely...

 

[Drunk3n Snip3R]

Can you cite some state laws or actual cases? I've never heard of any laws that consider firing more than one round into an assailant manslaughter.
Generally, self-defense and castle law allow someone to fire until the threat is neutralized. Obviously you can't walk back over to a wounded and non-threatening assailant five minutes later and pump a few more rounds into him for good measure. However, as long as he continues to present a threat, I'll continue to fire.

thats pretty much what I meant, if they are still coming then shoot away, but beware it doesnt look good in court.

 

[CrazyFingers]

I'm glad we have strong Castle Doctrine laws in my state to prevent criminal prosecution and civil penalties for self-defense shootings. I suppose in states without such protections, it's up to local prosecutors to decide what goes to court, and under what charges.

 

[JaPes]

If I had the luxury of choice, I'd grab my Benelli SuperNova Tactical.

If the 15-22 was my only viable option, then I'd use it. While the .22lr round isn't the most powerful, I can fire all 25 rounds in the mag right where I want them to go.

 

[Skeeziks]

thats pretty much what I meant, if they are still coming then shoot away, but beware it doesnt look good in court.

What makes you think the shooter (homeowner) will end up in court?

 

[Shaggs]

45ACP always does the job... shotty isn't bad either. A 22LR is the last thing I would be going for in a home protection situation. Pistol-Grip Mossy is a great candidate.

 

[mn_doggie]

thats pretty much what I meant, if they are still coming then shoot away, but beware it doesnt look good in court.

What state do you live in? They appear to have some unusual laws or perhaps case law?