Real Guns

[Joey D]

I would still go the shotgun route to be honest. Last thing you want is to have to actually fire the weapon and miss and a bullet travel through the neighborhood potentially. Bird shot is quite potent and you don't have to worry about it going through your wall and toward the next house. However, this is for the quick fix. For the longer term go with what you want cause you can practice more

Also I like shotguns because of ease, low maintenance compared to other guns and the universal sound of a shotgun being racked ends most situations before they start. Trust me I know and so did the guys on the other side of the door.

Hand gun wise, I'd go Glock over H&K, I'm not a fan of high priced named guns when you can get a gen 4 Glock for less and have a great gun doing the same job. There are others in the market too. There is no doubt the H&K is smooth, but for the prices they usually ask, I'd expect it to be.

I have hollow points loaded for home defense, in theory if my wife or I miss with it the exterior of the house will dissipate the energy so it doesn't end up in my neighbors front room.

I think the biggest problem I ran into with the shotgun was my wife being able to use it properly. She's really short and doesn't feel super comfortable with larger guns. Our hallways are also fairly narrow in our house so mobility could be an issue I suppose. Ideally I wanted a .22 since I know my wife can handle those rounds without any issue since she shoots my .22 Mossberg 142A frequently when we go up to my buddy's cabin. The dealer said .22 handguns though could take several rounds to stop someone depending on their size.

In the end I ended up paying $700 for the gun with the night sights, ammo, and tax on all of it. The Glock would have been about $70 cheaper, but my wife and I both liked the H&K more. In a panic situation I want the gun to feel as natural as it can in either of our hands since it's one less thing to think about.

The plus side to all of this is now my wife is getting more into guns, which means I'll get green lighted to buy more, and that can't possibly be a bad thing. I wouldn't mind adding a shotgun to hunt with since my .30-06 costs about a $1 every time I pull the trigger on it and that gets pricey if I'm trying to gear up for deer season.

 

[GT40 MKII]

I primarily use 2 3/4" 00 Buckshot in the ol' home defender shotgun I have. But I also have a large array of specialty rounds for poops and gigs from door breaching rounds to tear gas rounds. I like to buy weird stuff when it's available for whatever reason lol

Bolo rounds what?

 

[a6m5]

My Remington 870 I think is loaded with 2 3/4 00 Buck also. Still, it doesn't really need to be loaded, as I have a handgun for home defense.

I like to buy weird stuff when it's available for whatever reason lol

If that's wrong, you don't want to be right.

 

[GT40 MKII]

My Remington 870 I think is loaded with 2 3/4 00 Buck also. Still, it doesn't really need to be loaded, as I have a handgun for home defense.

If that's wrong, you don't want to be right.

I kept a box of live rounds on my nightstand ready and had a speed loader ready to go

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I have hollow points loaded for home defense, in theory if my wife or I miss with it the exterior of the house will dissipate the energy so it doesn't end up in my neighbors front room.

I think the biggest problem I ran into with the shotgun was my wife being able to use it properly. She's really short and doesn't feel super comfortable with larger guns. Our hallways are also fairly narrow in our house so mobility could be an issue I suppose. Ideally I wanted a .22 since I know my wife can handle those rounds without any issue since she shoots my .22 Mossberg 142A frequently when we go up to my buddy's cabin. The dealer said .22 handguns though could take several rounds to stop someone depending on their size.

In the end I ended up paying $700 for the gun with the night sights, ammo, and tax on all of it. The Glock would have been about $70 cheaper, but my wife and I both liked the H&K more. In a panic situation I want the gun to feel as natural as it can in either of our hands since it's one less thing to think about.

The plus side to all of this is now my wife is getting more into guns, which means I'll get green lighted to buy more, and that can't possibly be a bad thing. I wouldn't mind adding a shotgun to hunt with since my .30-06 costs about a $1 every time I pull the trigger on it and that gets pricey if I'm trying to gear up for deer season.

Depending on size, and if they're on any sort of substance. You might as well be shooting pees from a sling shot. If you got an H&K for that price good on you, but don't expect it too often if that's a company you plan to continue to buy form. Personally I separate my guns into groups I'll stick with for time to come, and those that have good customer service base for if something goes wrong. H&K had a reputation for a long time being an expensive gun that would fail all to frequently for the price.

Also I'd suggest a revolver to be honest for home use, get a lock, and it's a good gun to actually practice with to train yourself when to fire. What I was taught and noticed is newer users even at the range are a bit nervous with guns and sometime have many little mistakes. Like not keeping their finger off the trigger unless absolutely ready to shoot and so on, but with Revolver the only safety is your mind, and thus you take much more respect in using one.
However, at the same time you don't have the worry of jamming like you would with other weapons. Anyways this is just my suggestions on the many years I've had gun safety and scenarios pounded through my head by the old man. It's something I keep up on as much as possible, good luck to you and I hope you find the right solution.

Also @a6m5 and yourself, the use of hollow points or any round that dissipates energy or even shreds apart on impact is probably a good in home scenario, but no full proof obviously. Glad that many of us think about the safety of others when trying to protect ourselves 👍

 

[Parker]

Picked up my 43 and 200 rounds of 9mm today, I'll be shooting it tomorrow.

 

[Parker]

Went to the range yesterday, here are my first 2 mags (13 rounds) with my 43 at 8 yards.

This little gun shoots great and carries so easy, definitely a great purchase.

 

[Omnis]

Did you guys see the new Glock17M? Looks like the Gen 5 glocks are going to be full ambi. I'm glad. So far I've only seen MAC with the scoop on this new gun. I think his old department in Indiana was the first to get the new pistols.

 

[a6m5]

Did you guys see the new Glock17M? Looks like the Gen 5 glocks are going to be full ambi. I'm glad. So far I've only seen MAC with the scoop on this new gun. I think his old department in Indiana was the first to get the new pistols.

No picture!? I have no idea who MAC is either(youtube?), but Gen 5 Glock sounds awesome. Hopefully they go on sale before President Clinton ban all semi-automatic weapons.

 

[Omnis]

I was hoping for a permanent ambi mag release, but it looks like they're doing the Stryke thing.

 

[a6m5]

Looks just like Gen 4, right? Makes me want to go out & buy a new Glock. I'd rather buy a 23, or 19 though. Probably Gen 3.

P.S. Just noticed your avatar. He just passed away, right?

 

[Omnis]

Yeah. Pancreatic cancer.

 

[Parker]

I believe the Glock 17M or 19M will be my next gun purchase. In the Autumn and Winter, I'll probably carry one of those, the rest of the year I'll have my 43 with me.

 

[Michael88]

So I finally found time to continue with my current project. Cast lead round balls out of a shotgun using brass cases.
I made two rounds with relatively mild charges just to test the concept. Also there is very little information about nitro powder loads with round balls for shotguns so I have to be very careful with the charges. The round balls are also very heavy, 550 grains, thats considerably more than the usual slug that weighs 1oz or 438 grains. The round balls fit snuggly, they just barely roll through the barrel as they're .715 which is very close to bore diameter.
So no shot cups, just wadding and the bare ball. That should result in good accuracy.

Also the round balls are glued into the case because I cant simply, crimp them.-

Can't wait to try them out. I just hope I wont explode and die. But according to my logics this should work out nicely.

 

[Omnis]

How many balls per case? Are you planning to kill superman or something?

 

[Michael88]

How many balls per case? Are you planning to kill superman or something?

You never know when the demonspawn from hell finds it way into our world! *twitches nervously* Then you better have some really fat hot slugs in your lead dispenser.



I've been thinking about using two balls, but thats 1100 grain or nearly 3 ounces. While I could certainly develop a load like that within the pressure limits I think the recoil would break the stock of my shotgun real good.

 

[GT40 MKII]

You have GOT to let us know how this works

So I finally found time to continue with my current project. Cast lead round balls out of a shotgun using brass cases.
I made two rounds with relatively mild charges just to test the concept. Also there is very little information about nitro powder loads with round balls for shotguns so I have to be very careful with the charges. The round balls are also very heavy, 550 grains, thats considerably more than the usual slug that weighs 1oz or 438 grains. The round balls fit snuggly, they just barely roll through the barrel as they're .715 which is very close to bore diameter.
So no shot cups, just wadding and the bare ball. That should result in good accuracy.

Also the round balls are glued into the case because I cant simply, crimp them.-

Can't wait to try them out. I just hope I wont explode and die. But according to my logics this should work out nicely.

 

[Michael88]

You have GOT to let us know how this works

Sure thing. I have tons of more ideas I got to try out. The round ball with three buckshot pellets on top, a 1.5oz 00 shot load (15 pellets) and I have some 730 grain muzzle loader conicals laying around as well.

 

[a6m5]

I know that you'll be really careful, but I hope you be really safe @Michael88

 

[Michael88]

I know that you'll be really careful, but I hope you be really safe @Michael88

I will! I've been reloading for many many years now, I know the physics involved in cartridges. I'm using the minimum powder charge recommended by the powder manufacturer for this kind of weight and will slowly work my way up from there until i get the desired results.

 

[Michael88]

Next step, a very friendly shooting buddy is helping me out with components. 740 grain (about 1 3/4 ounce) slug and a 550 grain round ball in factory new hulls. On the far left a Brenneke factory round for comparison.

And Lyman .725 slugs, weighing 650 grains. ( 1 1/2 oz)

 

[Michael88]

Also, a good home defense load, Buck & Ball.

Which is a 550 grain .715 round ball and three 00 buckshot pellets on top. A very similar load was used in the American civil war in muskets.

 

[Blood Eagle]

It's like your own version of Rhodesian Jungle Ammo.

 

[Michael88]

It's like your own version of Rhodesian Jungle Ammo.

I don't know what Rhodesian Jungle ammo is but I think I'd like it.

 

[a6m5]

I wish they all had clear case like that. Cool.

 

[Blood Eagle]

I don't know what Rhodesian Jungle ammo is but I think I'd like it.

I wish they all had clear case like that. Cool.

I have some clear cased Sellier & Ballot 2 3/4" 00 Buck with clear plastic. Definitely pretty cool to get an idea of what's in there.

 

[Michael88]

I wish they all had clear case like that. Cool.

Its very helpful if you're a reloader. Then you wont go ''WTF did I load in that blue shell?'' ''Wait, what wad column did I use in this red shell? ''I have to cut them open because I don't know if there is shot or slugs in them'' like every 5 minutes.

I have some clear cased Sellier & Ballot 2 3/4" 00 Buck with clear plastic. Definitely pretty cool to get an idea of what's in there.

This is cool. So its basically a shotshell for any situation/encounter? I have plans on doing mixed shot too.
I think I can fit 4 .45 caliber round balls into a shell and the space between them can be filled with No4 shot. Thats my anti-demon load. I'll paint red pentagrams on it so I know which shell to grab when things get nasty.

 

[a6m5]

Went shooting for the first time since the incident. I thought it's been since last summer, but I guess it was actually last May. One year & three months without shooting. This older fella at work's been wanting to go shooting, he texted me yesterday out of blue & I'm glad he did. Got one of my buddies to come along, drove out to our usual spot. This guy had nice S&W .357, which I actually chickened out of shooting. I should've shot it, since Ruger's the only .357 I've shot before & S&W's one of those dream pistols for me. Don't know what kind, but I did shoot his S&W 9mm semi auto. It was alright. 👍

Shot the new HK USP for the first time. It went okay. While I'm convinced that last accident wasn't the gun's fault, I'm not gonna lie, I feel zero confidence in this gun right now. It was bit nerve racking.

Instead of the Bushmaster .308, took the Remington 870 I hadn't shot in more than couple years. Also spent sometime with the .22LRs(Remington 597 semi-auto rifle & Ruger SR22 pistol). I had lot of fun with the .22's.

Spoiler: more pics

Taken w/same camera used to take bigfoot pictures(cropped because I'm a dot in the picture)

SR22

H&K USP(.45ACP)

My buddy w/Remington 597(.22LR)

I've been wanting to shoot out to 100~200 yards & I think we found a spot. I didn't think we had any area to do this, until this clear-cutting literally right behind the very spot we've been coming to shoot:



Next time we come back, I'm wearing boots so we can set up target way out there on the hill. Pretty sure securing 200 yards to shoot safely would be a piece of cake.

 

[Venom800tt]

'Murrica.

^ Bought that M&P 9 from a buddy in law enforcement, as he wanted to upgrade to a Glock 19 identical to his service gun. Might have to take better pics with a non-phone cam later.

And while I didn't take pics or video, I shot it and my AR-15 when I went to visit my mom. Unfortunately my mom was a better shot than me

 

[Michael88]

'Murrica. Unfortunately my mom was a better shot than me

Is she hot too?

Anyway, I tried my new slugs. Had to erase some old data anyway. That thing managed to stop 650 grains of lead going at 1500 fp/s. Barely but still. Quite amazing. To be fair though it was leaning against a really hard old log.
Also the recoil reached safari-rifle-level.