S&W SD40 Ammo Recommendations

XxJakexX · Feb 18, 2013

Hello all. I'll be making my first firearm purchase very soon and I'm scouring for information. I narrowed my purchase to the SD40 Defense Kit. I have a few concerns to consider with the purchase of ammo. As I'm set up now, to defend against an intruder that makes it to my bedroom, which is absolute worst case, my childrens room is directly on the other side of the wall from my bedroom doorway. My 1st and foremost concern is overpen. I'm looking for some recoomendations on ammo that has:
a. Stopping Power
b. Isn't going to go through the intruder and into my kid on the other side of the wall.

I've thought about basic prep ideas like running sheet metal on the back of my door as well as across my wall to add extra barrier. I'll do whatever I have to do, but I want to start with this first. Also, can you guys recommend cost effective range ammo that is not reload? Ammo for defensive stopping power? I appreciate any help guys and thanks in advance!!

J Rich · Feb 18, 2013

What about a shotgun? The SD is a great defense gun don't get me wrong. Federal "Guard Dog" ammo is designed for home defense for handguns. However a shotgun with bird shot would be better for your concerns of wall penetration.

XxJakexX · Feb 18, 2013

My Wife is already petrified at the idea of me owning a small, compact handgun like the SD40. A shotgun would send her into full panic mode. She worries about my children getting ahold of it or someone elses child. Her concerns are valid but she hasn't educated herself enough to understand a responsible, safe gun ownership. Or the concept of standing gun safes. So for right now, my handgun will have to do. I'll take a look at Federal Guard Dog ammo for Home Defense. Appreciate the help.

ADP3 · Feb 18, 2013

The SD 40 Defense Kit has been discontinued. The SD40 has been replaced by the SD40 VE. You may still find the kit at a shop but you'll have to buy the components individually if you don't luck up on one.

+1 for J Rich's recommendation. The new Federal Guard Dog ammo (135gr.) would be my first choice. It is designed for indoor defense and not to penetrate drywall. Frangible ammunition would be next in line. It will usually stay in the body cavity without exiting. Allegiance and Fiocchi make Frangible 40 S&W ammo. If you miss there is a risk of penetration through drywall. These are light bullets (110gr. and 125gr.). For practice ammo I would shoot whatever range ammo I could find approaching these weights.

I see that you are from Massachusetts. That puts you at a disadvantage to the rest of the country because of the compliance requirements like 10# minimum trigger pulls on a handgun . I don't know what your legislature was thinking but that requirement makes it difficult to shoot accurately and makes missing your intended target more likely. I don't know if older handguns were grandfathered in with the 10# law, but if they were I'd look for a good used handgun.

J Rich's shotgun recommendation is something to think about but keep in mind that at extreme close range (arm's length) long guns are difficult to bring on target. More than one shotgun has been wrestled away from a homeowner when a bad guy was waiting around the corner.

Best Regards,
ADP3

J Rich · Feb 18, 2013

I'm not talking about a hunting shotgun. A pistol grip HD shot gun can be had for less than the price of a SD. A good HD shotgun has straps that make it harder to be taken way. A shotgun is simple to operate and easy to hit an intruder in high stress. Any burgler knows the sound of racking a shotgun and is likely to leave when he hears it. I would suggest taking your wife out shooting with some friends that own or to a range that rents. Whatever you buy she will need to know how to use. Most women prefer shotguns over pistols for HD. I know mine does and she's an avid shooter.

As for keeping the guns safe and out of reach of children that is up to you and your wife. It is now up to you to educate your whole family. Remember police are minutes away when second count.

BTCat · Feb 18, 2013

tnoutdoors Youtube Guard Dog review

For what it's worth, here is a TNOutdoors9 review of Guard Dog in 9mm. Seems like it is a fine line between over penetration and under.

Federal Guard Dog 9mm 105 gr EFMJ AMMO TEST - YouTube

Zjnovak · Feb 18, 2013

My vote goes to the Guard Dog. Hands down. They tested it, and it will not penetrate more than an inch or two of drywall.

BigKenNc · Feb 19, 2013

Check out the frangible ammo would be a safe bet, but hard to beat a shotty for home defense. 2 birdshot followed by buck or slug.

~BK

S&W SD40 Ammo Recommendations

XxJakexX

J Rich

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XxJakexX

ADP3

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J Rich

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Zjnovak

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