Phaedrus/69
Member
A while back I started a post discussing the viability of pistol caliber carbines (PPCs) for home defense. Since then I've picked up two PPCs, an HK USC in .45 ACP and a Beretta Storm carbine in 9mm. I love both guns! They're accurate and very reliable. The Storm has 20 round and 30 round mags, too. Big thing is that I can take them to the local indoor range every week to practice. Granted, a pistol round even out of a carbine falls short of the power and lethality of a true rifle round but I've generally accepted this. Many people advocate a handgun for HD, and out of a carbine the same round will have a bit more pop.
But last week I read about a cop that died in a shootout with a couple of bank robbers. While he was engaged with one the other shot him from the rear quarter IIRC. Turns out the first perp took two shots from the LEO's service weapon squarely in the chest but had body armor; he was only bruised.
That of course has me pondering again the best choice for HD. Clearly there's no "death ray" that will get you out of any situation. And the BG could even be wearing plate capable of stopping '05 ball- I mean, such armor does exist.
I have no idea how many home invaders wear armor, nor do I even have a guess as to how I might find a valid number. But if you were ever gonna face an armored BG it would probably be in a home invasion or a bank robbery. After all, the time and place are set and both offer a good chance of armed resistance. Aside from the rare "novelty round" like the five-seven there are no common pistols capable of defeating good soft armor (that I aware of). A PPC won't do so either, nor will a 12 ga with buck or slugs.
So does the chance that the BG might armored enter into the equation when you, the members of THR, choose a gun for home defense? After all, while it's impractical to tote an M4 with all day (unless you live in Faluja) it's certainly possible to have one by the nightstand.
Pistol, shotgun or rifle- do you plan for the possibility of facing armor?
But last week I read about a cop that died in a shootout with a couple of bank robbers. While he was engaged with one the other shot him from the rear quarter IIRC. Turns out the first perp took two shots from the LEO's service weapon squarely in the chest but had body armor; he was only bruised.
That of course has me pondering again the best choice for HD. Clearly there's no "death ray" that will get you out of any situation. And the BG could even be wearing plate capable of stopping '05 ball- I mean, such armor does exist.
I have no idea how many home invaders wear armor, nor do I even have a guess as to how I might find a valid number. But if you were ever gonna face an armored BG it would probably be in a home invasion or a bank robbery. After all, the time and place are set and both offer a good chance of armed resistance. Aside from the rare "novelty round" like the five-seven there are no common pistols capable of defeating good soft armor (that I aware of). A PPC won't do so either, nor will a 12 ga with buck or slugs.
So does the chance that the BG might armored enter into the equation when you, the members of THR, choose a gun for home defense? After all, while it's impractical to tote an M4 with all day (unless you live in Faluja) it's certainly possible to have one by the nightstand.
Pistol, shotgun or rifle- do you plan for the possibility of facing armor?