Revolver or semi-automatic for home defense

Which is your go to firearm for inside defense of your home. Do you prefer a revolver or semi-automatic? Not talking about for concealed carry although I realize it can be the same gun.

I have a revolver. 357

No hunting the safty, just pull the trigger.

12 gage,no plug,short barrel.
And a dog to wake me up.

A 12 gauge shot gun with bird shot is safer to use inside your home, for self defense, if you have family members in other rooms. You are less likely to shoot through the walls and have collateral damage.

It's also easier to hit your target in low light, high stress situations, with a shotgun, with a decent spread.

Keith

Shoot for the feet.Blow his feet off so he cant get away.

What Keith said. I also have a pistol on my side and a reveliver on the wife’s side. Most pistols don’t have a true safety now days. Just aim and squeeze.

Most of my autos don't have a safety.

Doesn't matter though. Whatever you are comfortable with and can get to in an instant. In a safe isn't going to do you any good....which can be a real issue for those with kids.

X 2

Plus a semi-auto with a 17 round mag in case I have to fight my way to the shotgun.

so ive never shot a shotgun that had a decent spread at "inside your home distance"...10ft? Shotguns are fine for home defense, i have one by my bed too but realize you still have to aim that thing and you wont have any spread at close range. buckshot or birdshot and the wad is all going in the same big hole at those distances. As far as pistols, i prefer a semi auto. More magazine capacity (generally) than a revolver and alot easier to reload. My carry pistol doesnt have a mechanical safety to dicker with either, its on the trigger itself. So all the benefits of a double action revolver with twice the ammo capacity easily and night sights to boot. None of this matters if you dont actually practice with any of it though.

i thought in canada you were suppose to help them carry your stuff to their get away vehicle. Isnt it against the law to fight back? god save the queen.

you really need to build you a practice wall and shoot it even with birdshot at inside the home distances. get back to me on penetration once you have done it. I have cut down many trees in my youth with a shotgun and birdshot at close range.

good thinking!! Gives you time to finish them off however you want.

I agree with everything you said up to a point. At home defense ranges of 15-20 feet, bird shot should still be in a small enough spread to be effective. But several studies have shown that a leather jacket can help reduce its effective stopping power.

The problem with large (00 & 000) buck shot is that it can punch through sheetrock and harm innocents... IIRC, #3 or #4 buck was a good compromise between knockdown and overpenetration.

Mike

Not if you get rid of the body possumman.

It'd be a shame if I was so freaked and shaky that I couldn't dial 911 on my cell... Poor guy might bleed out.

Mike

touche' well played sir

I have shot drywall, plywood, glass, brick and many cars, back when I was in the police academy. As I stated, you are less likely to shoot through the wall with bird shot. I did not state that the wall would stop all the pellets. It does stop a lot of the pellets and the pellets that do make it through are traveling slower and will do less damage. Single bullets will almost always go though and they lose little energy passing through the wall.

The spread of birdshot at 10 feet is many times the spread of a single bullet.

Keith

X2, safer for innocent bystanders, and most people are more likely to hit their intended target than with a handgun.

4" .38 special or .357 magnum revolver. Good natural pointing length and plenty of stopping power. No safety needed and no stovepipes in the dark when you're not holding it right. 6 reliable shots every time...if needed.

A 12 might go through a wall but a bullet will for sure and under stress a shotgun makes up for all of the shaking!

Full sized pistol with a mounted weapon light. Long gun is long for close quarters and a revolver will not let you mount a light. Its probably gonna be dark....only one thing to grab and operate. At close quarters shoot low into the pelvis to mitigate background issues..the bullet will not travel that far as compared to shooting level..

But, there are a lot of very good different opinions in this thread.

I keep a small bright flashlight on the nightstand, not sure why...

My house is on the smallish side, never completely dark, and has hardwood floors throughout. I can tell where people are in the house by which boards creak or groan.

Mike

Yep. Ya probably wont miss. The guy will go down. And you are less likely to shoot through a wall and kill a family member.
Only difference is my choice is a side by side.

It does not need to be completely dark for a very bright weapon light to blind someone...

I love my judge with the defense rounds

I beg to differ on that. By the time my kids were 3 they have been shooting. Told them countless times that if they would like to see or hold a gun all they have to do is ask and bad things will happen if they do not ask. It didn't hurt that I blew up a few milk jugs for them.

Don't get me wrong, I don't leave them laying everywhere but I don't have to worry about them looking for them. They know where they are and all they have to do is ask and they can see them or even go out shooting. I will drop just about anything to do so.

Raise them around them and don't hide them from them and they are just another tool.

Heck, one of the first things I do when my kids have friends over is show them the guns and spend a bit of time taking guns out and show them till they are happy. Take the mystery away.

Not a one size fits all but it is what has worked for me. Just things that I had picked up from those that I have been around growing up and starting a family.

Jerry Jr.

What your the most comfortable with. Need to be able to act without thinking about the gun.

Semi

I agree with wstrnPA,whatever you're comfortable/proficient with.

Here ya go Boco,

Like a muzzle flash?

Mike

You said it best sir.

Mike

Im not old enough to need a firearm to defend myself, but that day is coming up. A person is more likely to have a conflict on the road than in the home. I come up with that because I have never had an intruder, but 1-2 times a year, outside the home, I do. So far I havent had trouble taking care of it. But just in case, I keep a can of wasp spray in the seat next to me. Got a range of 20 ft. If you have ever got that crap in your eye, you know what I mean. No calling the police, no reports or getting sued. Just hose em down and drive away. I haven't had to use it yet, but that day is coming too I'm sure

Revolver just start yankin. No safety to forget, no feeding issues,

Shotgun

very true I think I could take mine apart and put it back together blind folded

we used to do that in college with an AK , I lived off campus.

A woman named Sally Mcniel was a friend of mine, and asked the same advice. I told her a shotgun. A month later she shot her husband and I had to testify at her murder trial. She should be getting out of prison about now. Happened in 1995. I wont give that advice again.

That's what hogs are for

So you would feel better if she shot him with a 9mm

Its not your fault if someone takes your advice or instruction and uses it in ways that are wrong

This guy has some good videos,hickok45

I dont care who kills who as long as its not one of my loved ones. I spent ALL DAY in court waiting to testify. Ill never get that day back. Both her and her old man were juiced up on steroids being body builders showing their beach muscles. She seemed to be a nice girl, knew her for years and never saw her snap.I dont feel guilty for the tip, but thanks for saying that.
Personally, I wouldnt want a weapon in my hand because it would make it harder to choke someone out. A guy needs to be able to use his hands.

Home defense and conceal carry are two different animals.

I have a number of stashed weapons for home defense. Shotguns, take center stage. That's what I have within reach of the bed.

Near the doors I have .45ACP.

As others have noted: A shotgun is not really a "scattergun" at home defense range. Buckshot patterns at about the size of a softball. Yep, better than a single bullet; but, still requires more aiming than pointing.

Plinking with a revolver also works. Especially if you happen to live in the year 1860.

I shot a raccoon with a 20ga #6 shot at 20-25 feet after running it out of a corn crib , then I shot it again , and again I could see the shot hitting it the fur moving with each shoot , but it kept standing back up an walking then I shot it with a slug and got the results I wanted the first time.

I am not advocating slugs in the house but there will be no bird shot for me.

I agree that the hunting variety of slugs don't make any sense in the home. However, load them down with about 18-20 grains of a faster burning powder under a 7/8-1oz slug, and you have something that will penetrate an invader's jacket, and not so very much beyond your walls.

Not to sound like a smart guy but....The one I'm closest to is my preferred defense gun. I have guns throughout the house. Usually my 45 is closest but that's not always the case.

....revolvers and lever action rifles....anything else is for scared women and Yankees lol

Don't know about y'all Savell... But we whipped the Comanches a while back.

And not all of us can "slap tame" everything.

Mike

....I hear you about the dadgum Comanches Mike....had a rouge band ride through here last week...I poured a little old crow fire water in an 81 ford hubcap ...had their heads so bunched up together that a shotgun just wouldn't have been sportin enough lol


...I'm sorry the devil made me say that lol

Revolvers don't jam. Semi's hold more bullets. Any centerfire gun or buckshot or slug is going to penetrate walls. Evil doer high on dope may not even know you just shot him with a 22.

This is a 100% certainty. ANY GUN IS BETTER THAN NO GUN IF THE BOOGEY MAN SHOWS UP. Arm yourself. Shoot and shoot often the firearm you choose to protect your family with. Practice shooting in the dark.

Revolvers for me...and a couple shotguns

Revolvers are pretty much panic proof. Another option might be a glazer safety round or two then conventional rounds for follow up. I believe the glazer safety rounds where originally designed for air marshals to reduce the likelihood of putting a hole in a plane while in flight. That being said a glock 21 with night sights and 200gr XTPs keep the boogie man out of mind. Oh and a couple of very protective lionhounds.
I agree with the post above about shooting low I wouldn't want to penetrate an exterior wall. A .45 in the knee or thigh especially a pelvic hit would definitely slow anyone down.

I have a friend who runs a ranges for law enforcement and has done so for 20+ years. He always talks about semi-autos malfunctioning on the range, but only remembers once in that time a revolver had an mechanical problem.

This isn't my thing, but I understand that there are home defense rounds that are designed to expand rapidly and dissipate energy when making contact with sheetrock.

How about Tracer loads, Shellcrackers, or Pyrotechnic loads alternating between some HyShok loads just to keep the bad guys attention?

I live out in the country, and late at night I answer the door with a very bright light and a Ruger Super Redhawk. Recently, a deputy came to the door around midnight looking for information about an auto accident. He was quite surprised but understanding. I invited him in and turned off the light and put down the gun and all was fine.

I only know that if an intruder enters my house and threatens my family I am shooting for a kill shot and don't care if my walls have a hole in them. I don't want to get his attention or try to scare them off... I am talking dead. I was always taught if you point a gun at a person you had better plan on killing them. Any other tactics would be like hunting and not trying to ruin ANY meat with a shot. Most will get away and someone else will have to deal with them... JMO

I have one gun that stays with me all the time,it's a semi auto in 9mm. cc, truck, house, woods , everywhere. I am so comfortable shooting it i can just look at the target and bullets will hit it. All the rest of the guns stay in the safe, I got kids.

Grandpa has new hand gun fever.
Record high temps here yesterday.

A gunsmith from Valencia, who testified at a LOT of trials,
advised against any and all hand loads or combo stacking the mag for self defense.

He had seen lawyers successfully twist that into premeditated.

If the lawyer successfully twist that around of hand loads or combo staking the mag for self defense,how will they be for factory ammo that can worst then some hand loads,beside the law officers use also.This was brought up on another site and it was said they need to prove that the hand load was for what they call. I am not saying that it can not be done.like you stated Wright Brothers that some can do it. I think it also have to do how it was used also.For how some stated on here will be said for if they did had to use it will be call premeditated for how they would use what ever they have.Just for what I see. Like shoot in the feet and then finish them off . Also for what Biden said about shotgun use. Too many end up behind bars for it.They said well VP Biden said to use it that way.

That's exactly what I do with my boys, Jerry. Anytime they want, I will get out the guns and let them look at them and handle them all they want. I make sure any time they feel like looking at the guns that I drop whatever I am doing and give them the opportunity. But, every time we get out the guns I make double sure they know the consequences if they ever touch one of my guns if their mom or dad is not around. We always go over gun safety rules while we are looking at the guns, too. I've been really pleased with how this policy has worked. My sons aren't afraid of the guns and are accustomed to them to the point where they hold no fascination or interest for them. They just don't have any motivation to handle them when I'm not looking. The guns are really no different than a pipe wrench to them. The guns are just something that has always been there and aren't that interesting.

Still, they are just boys and I don't trust them much. I was a kid before and I know just how dumb kids can be. I keep ammo separate from all but one shotgun at the ready and out of easy reach from a 10 year old, and two carry pistols that I keep loaded and in a quick access gun safe on the dresser drawer.

I have a 20 ga. Rem 870 jr. loaded with #2 buckshot. It is very short - something like 36" overall with an 18.5" barrel. has screw-in choke tubes. It serves as primary home defense gun, canoe and camping gun, and will soon be a good hunting gun for a boy.

I feel like small buckshot is a good compromise between stopping power and birdshot which lacks penetration. I am most comfortable shooting a pump shotgun and like the fact that it is properly pointed rather than aimed. In a panic it seems it would be easier to focus on the target rather than focusing on the front sigth. In any case, a shotgun throws A LOT of lead! If trying to put down a threat to hearth and home, I don't think there's anything more effective than sending out large masses of lead. Perhaps only a Tommy gun would send out more lead in a short time than a shotgun.

Staying in the big city with my girlfriend when the back door got kicked in. I jumped up like a bitin sow and went runnin and hollerin down stairs in my fruit of the looms ready to do battle. They split before I got there, which was a matter of seconds. Point being I didn't grab anything, just went on a rampage to get downstairs. I don't know that if I had a gun I would have done everything correctly. One in the chamber, safety off etc. It was a dead sleep to full adrenaline. A revolver is simple. Yes you could practice and train and do everything correctly but I'm tellin ya when it happens your not in training mode. In the end they didn't get anything. The worst part is my stomping and hollering is what woke my girl and her roommate not the back door getting kicked in. Cops showed up, wasn't much they could do, took report and left. This is the part no one tells you about, now it's 3am, you just got broke into to and the back door is kicked in and won't shut, let alone lock...we didn't get any more sleep.

9 Shot .22 revolver. I shot it 100's of times. Very comfortable with it.

Will

AR15. Don't even have to get out of bed. It already knows what to do. That's what they say its designed to do.

X2

I like them all, a judge in the night stand, semi-auto in the cupboard at the front door, shotgun at the back door, semi-auto in the fur shed, revolver in one truck and semi-auto in the other truck.

Wow you guys must live In some bad areas.

I don't lock the doors and I don't have a loaded gun In the house. But I do have a few Marine corps emblems on my windows. And a laser cut 12" Eagle Globe and Anchor on my fur shed door. Never had a sleepless night yet. Or a break In.
But If I were to need a home defense weapon It would be a sawed off 12 gauge.

LOL you need to remember , shot off a 12 gauge inside and see what happens. I have never shot anyone but I did shoot a fox in my back yard one time by just cracking the door and not getting the muzzle all the way out of the door. OH NO!!!!!!! MY WIFE screamed from the other end of the house. Dry wall dust fell off the ceiling. The windows rattled and I'm surprised they didn't bust out. LOL Couldn't hear a sound for about 4 hrs.

As for guns got my wife a 380 revolver double action. Point and pull. Low recoil. Idiot proof..............

For pure home defense I have a Mossberg Tactical 590 shotgun.

.45 for a home defense weapons, with a 9 readily available should it go into round 2. I have a long, and rather open floor plan, using an SG would cause a lot of damage, and I would never advise bird shot for defense past 15-20 feet. Heck a little dove can take a load at 50 feet and keep rolling. I have seen a rib cage that was hit at close range with a load of 7.5. It obliterated his ribs, but his heart and lungs were pretty much untouched. The boy lived.

Double barrel/side by side couch gun...12ga

You are only required to help them carry your stuff to their get away vehicle IF you blew their feet away.

Yes I have read the same advice and was told by the certified cwp trainer I worked with in TX.
He said they would try to make the argument that I had built more deadly ammo with the intention of killing the invader. Lol.
I asked him how they were going to come up with the method of mind control I used to convince the perpetrator to unlawfully break into my house in the first place? And why All of the ammo in my possession from .223
to 10ga. And multiple calibre of rifle and pistol in between are all handloads? He said I see your point. I live in a part of the country were criminals are not successfully portrayed as victims. And I don't live in fear of any kind, especially fear of being sued.

I use revolvers for two reasons:

#1. I own mostly revolvers.
#2. "Clips" or magazines, if loaded full their springs will weaken and they will not feed. Yes this may take 20 years to happen, but it has happened to mine.

I agree with springs taking a set. I used the same argument against leaving bodygrip springs set in the off season and was basically told to pound sand, very funny. I also believe in relaxing tension on hammer/striker mainspring when possible.

I prefer revolvers because I've read where they are more dependable than semi-autos. I've never had a misfire or jam with a revolver. I have a Colt King Cobra 357 which is an awesome handgun.

got me a 40 s&w sd40 and an m&p 45 compact. Would love to get myself some 45 lc revolvers sometime.

there is no scarier sound then a pump shot gun being racked in the dead of night when all is quiet. cha..chunk.

X2

new springs take a long time to stop working from compression , you could always have extra mags and every month you unload one in practice and put the next magazine in

new mag springs are 8 dollars , a new mag is 20 so maybe you buy a new magazine every few years

you can also download magazines put 25 in a 30

downloading by 1 round does help with possible feeding issues when loading the first round some mags are worse than others 10 rounders are the worst
you should be able to almost get 1 more round in than the mag holds but not every mag is made that way

if you are a revolver guy , a "new york reload" is the way to go meaning drop the empty gun and draw the next full one the fastest way to carry ammo for a revolver is in another revolver

we had a guy at action pistol one night , he was a bulls eye shooter and a darn fine shot even fast from all those rapid fire relays he found our great big targets at relatively close distances very easy to score perfectly on , but when your on a 32 round stage even with all hits that is a full gun and 5 reloads those reloads are just painfully slow.

handguns are not death-rays and 6 rounds is not very many , hits or not it's 3 seconds shooting and a lot more than that reloading

this isn't tv people don't flop over instantly limp when shot more often they ask if they are shot when they have 2 holes in them then walk into the ER

AR-15

Downloading one or two rounds of ammo in a mag will make it easier to seat if its in battery....closed bolt/slide.

There is a definite difference between 28 and 30 when seating an ar-15 magazine on a closed bolt.

Doesn't anyone have dogs any more? My neighbor has 2 yappy dogs that bark every time anyone is within 100 yards of them. Sure its irritating, but I know for a fact it really helps keep my home safe as well so I will never complain. A barking dog saves ammo and keeps me out of prison.
I almost got locked up for beating the tar out of a window peeper in San Diego. Turns out, if you rent its not yours to protect. I could have paid dearly had my wife at the time not jumped on my back and let him get away before the police arrived.

Some of you guys sound like you think its just another day in the life if you wack someone. Its really not. Its kind of scary. I would much rather go non lethal than put a guy in a box any day.

my dog goes insane over the mailman. But has yet to alert me to anyone that showed up unexpectedly. He is usually too busy napping or lickin his nads. Useless little critter. lol

Might work where you live! Knock on my Door there is no Dog!

A 30 cal m-1 carbine is a handy little gun in close quarters,only thing the slug will go thru 4 walls.

Forgot to mention.

I live in a 40' Motor Home. Basically one way in, bedroom in back. No way out.

And little dog gets nervous of bears and other such critters around.

Not to mention anyone coming in!

Will

ESPECIALLY when they are .41 magnums !......5" Redhawks.

Shotgun with buckshot. At close range bird shot is just as lethal, but I've learned that often you can't anticipate the conditions you face in an emergency. You imagine a certain scenario, but it may be circumstance far different than you imagine. I want maximum flexibility that covers every possibility I can think of. I may need penetration, to shoot through a sheetrock wall, a wooden door. I may need to shoot someone outside the house, not 10 feet away inside. At fifty yards you might disable someone with birdshot. With buckshot you WILL disable them, most likely permanently.

Using any pistol in the dark is difficult, especially if you haven't practiced shooting in the dark. My neighbor, who was a good shot with a pistol, tried to shoot a gallon paint can on the lawn about 8 feet away in the dark. The only light was stars and distant lights. He could see the can, but not his sights. He emptied a six shot revolver at it twice and didn't hit it. 2 or 3 shots hit as much as six feet from it. Try it.

Any gun is better than nothing. Had a friend drunk one night show up to borrow a jack to change tire from the shop. Still tells the story about being more afraid of the next to naked man than the shotgun that was pointed at him. A naked man with a gun means biz lol

A friend of mine was telling me about a guy he worked with, apparently three guys busted into his house and he got into a shoot out with them... with a pistol. I know we all like to think that we are good shots with a pistol, but it was the homeowner who lost his life in the shoot out. I'm not saying that he wouldn't have been shot if he had used a shotgun, but with a shotgun the level of accuracy needed to be lethal is way lower. A cylinder bore with buckshot puts out a decent spread and you don't have to worry as much about aiming perfectly, just rack it back and let the big dog eat!!

With my shotgun using #8 shot, the biggest pattern I can muster is still only 8" at 20 feet. A little bit of accuracy would still be needed to hit the target in a SHTF moment with the heart racing. Now if I'm only hoping to scare the bejesus out of the intruder. That mission would be easily accomplished.

I live out in the country. I have had a lot of people stop in the middle of the night asking for help over the years, including a blonde lady in a two piece bikini...but that is another story! Anyway about 5 years ago I woke up at 2am, I went to the kitchen sink to get a drink of water. Looked out the window and there were 3 guys looking under the hood of a el camino with lighters. I went out to see if they needed something, as soon as I came around the corner I had a bad feeling the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Anyway they were somewhat rude, and told me they needed oil. I said just a minute and I will go back in the house and get some. I walked into the house I have a Glock 23 .40 ready to rock right inside the house, but I grabbed my semi auto 12 gauge. When I went back out I slid the action shut as I came around the corner, that was enough to get them to decide to leave quickly. So I guess when it came down to it I felt better armed with that shotgun than the Glock.

I know some of you guys will say I over reacted, but I will always trust my gut and it said they were up to no good.

I always have the glock on my console when i'm checking traps in the fall and winter. I'm usually doing that 3am-6am, and i'm afraid one of these days i'm going to stumble onto tweakers making meth.

I was next to naked too Flint Hill fur when I went out to see what those guys wanted. LOL

I always like to help people if I can, but am not near as egar as I used to be. Things have changed so much in the last 10 years, I've picked up a hitchhiker once or twice in my lifetime, can't make myself do that anymore. It is hard to ignore that gut feeling.

if you get any benefit from a shotgun it is power and your familiarity with it.

many of you have held a shotgun since you were years from your first shave you are familiar with bringing it to your shoulder looking down your barrel and firing on game and target , you likely have thousands of rounds and it is likely the only thing you ever shot at a moving target.


at 20 feet your likely to have a pattern no larger than your closed fist

but the real answer is everyone should try several and test your ability with them in the best test scenario you can build with your available range.

maybe take some classes in defensive pistol , carbine and shotgun

put in the time getting familiar and you can decide for yourself.

far to often people look at something from only one angle they say what is the best lets say trap rather than gun

what is the best trap, I think you can all agree it depends what your trying to catch

maybe not the best example but

say all you know is that you have to catch it tonight your mother called something is getting into her hen house and you have to do it tonight and she provided almost no detail on what or how just get over there now and it is an hour to sun down and a 20 minute drive.

probably not to many blindly answer that question a duke 1 1/2 without asking any other question.

If I couldn't ask any questions , I would say whatever you have ready to go right now and get them in the ground.

this isn't the time to try a brand new trap it is the time to go with what you are most familiar with.

like I said maybe not the best example but it changes your thinking a little bit.

Yes I try to help people also, and have helped a bunch of people that have stopped over the years. I think these guys were casing my place to either rob it that night or a later night. Now they know a crazy guy in boxers will come out with a shotgun!! LOL

I would like to see the shot pattern S&W Judge with the 410 shell. There are a lot of thing you have to consider when buying a weapon. Do you want the weapon for home defense, concealed carry etc.
In Michigan you can get yourself in deep do-do real fast carrying a pistol even with a permit. All I can say is choose wisely before you buy. 38 spl ammo is real costly. You need to practice a lot so that is a consideration. JMO

Shotgun and #4 buck

You need to get yourself one of them Canadian assault rifles.

God save the Queen!

I knew a guy that was a Bounty Hunter.....he had no gun...but he did have a case of Foam Hornet Spray. He said “ Takes them down real quick “.

I like revolver 38 special body guard

Small
Will kill
Hammerless for less chance of malfunctioning when being fired from inside clothes, purse, etc...

Folks know that you have been known to shoot through a critter, your fur shed, picture window and bedroom all at once. That is why they stay shy of ya.

Zim

In reference to the bold above: I have been through a couple of classes at Gunsite Academy in AZ. I highly recommend these classes. Their simulators and one on one instruction is eye-opening and life-changing. If you can find a way to afford it, it is the best training available ...IMO

Exactly!

^^^^^^^^^

A shotgun has a low capacity compared to most any full size semi-auto, about the same as a revolver. Most homes wont have a straight shot of 20 feet, usually a lot less. Any size shot at that distance will be traveling in a pattern about the size of a fist. 4" across maybe. Bigger than a bullet, sure, but certainly not a "don't have to aim" pattern size. Also, shot that tight almost acts as a slug, and not individual pellets. Many tests have proven that .223 penetrates less than most pistol bullets, but a rifle/carbine has the same issue as a shotgun, which is size and two hands of operation. For me, a semi-auto is the way to go. What works for you is what works for you, but be realistic about what it's going to do. Shoot it at realistic distances, see what it does. Practice moving through your home with it, both strong hand, weak hand, one hand, and two hands. Try shooting it in the dark.

Still waiting on the AR guys to chime in . You know the ones that say they "need " them to defend their homes... lol

Yep shot a starling off my bluebird house the same way. My wife didn't speak to me for 2 days. Or I don't think she did I could not hear.

That's what .22's are for.