Why not .357 for home defense

[corpulent]

Why not keep your muffs right w/ your .357? Two fluid movements and you're ready to rock.

Also, everyone seems real eager to waste the guy. Upon seeing you, your .357, a laser bead on his chest, and your statement of how you'll perforate him if he moves, he may just curl into fetal position until the authorities arrive. Everyone's eardrums survive!

 

[David LaPell]

Using a .357 for personal defense is fine in some locales. I live where my nearest neighbor is 300 yards away. The other is about a mile. To me, I had a 12 gauge shotgun go off indoors once, and that didn't affect my hearing. (an entire box of .357's on the other hand at the range without ear protection was another matter when I was 19). The way my house is laid out, the only other bedroom is right across from mine and it is a tight left. Most people don't realize how thin your drywall really is. A .22 long rifle will penetrate interior and some exterior walls with little difficulty. There was an article printed a few years ago that I still have and used some of it for Hunter Safety courses on how little it takes for a round to go through a wall in case of an accidental discharge. I have seen 7 1/2 birdshot go right through an inch of maple like it was nothing, continue on through a layer of wallboard and keep travelling. One instructor would demonstrate how easy it was for a .22 to zip right through a 4 x 4 pressure treated stud. To be honest, over penetration is a factor with ANY firearm inside of a home. There is where (again not easy in a case of an emergency) shot placement is key.