Realistic AR home defense scenarios--things to think about

[Doc Safari]

If you think the 5.56 hasn't got enough punch to get that done, switch to a .308 or slugs.

But.....isn't the entire purpose of using 5.56 inside your house to not penetrate walls?

Test showing .223 vs. handgun rounds in drywall:

http://how-i-did-it.org/drywall/results.html

(I realize 5.56 is more powerful than .223 so here's a link showing you might actually want to put .223 in your home defense carbine

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...esting-take-1/

It's interesting to note that even in this test only one type of .223 did not penetrate fully.

So maybe run-of-the-mill 55 grain ball is the way to keep from shooting someone in the next room?

[Diamondback]

Just to clarify, I'm not thinking about carrying six loads, just one or two--the context was in *procurement*, in case somehow there's a supply shortage on Fusion or Gold Dot when it's time to buy more ammo. Also, my Immediate Action gun is still my 1911, the Briefcase is just to have a discreet AR ready at the office, or for cases where I have the luxury of time to prepare resistance after finding cover/concealment like the Tacoma Mall or Burlington active-shooter incidents here in Puget Sound. (Since I don't drive, I carry an oversized laptop case that doubles as my Get-Home Kit.)

I mean, if Mk 262 won't do the job you probably need a bigger gun, but at frequently a buck a pop it's a rather expensive choice to make the mainstay of the stockpile... it would be helpful to have a more economical "stablemate" for general use, like how the Air Force uses F-16s for the bulk of the work with A-10s, F-15s and F-22s to supplement when heavy-hitters or specialists are needed.

[26 Inf]

But.....isn't the entire purpose of using 5.56 inside your house to not penetrate walls?

I think you are searching for a silver bullet. The intent of rounds such as Hornady Tap Urban is to prevent the round from exiting the body and penetrating excessively.

If you want to avoid penetration through interior walls 1) don't miss; 2) use 8 birdshot or a BB gun (don't pump the BB gun too much).

[flenna]

If you want to avoid penetration through interior walls 1) don't miss; 2) use 8 birdshot or a BB gun (don't pump the BB gun too much).

Let me wipe off my screen ......

[Outlander Systems]

Real talk dudes.

Why are we running a long gun inside a house in lieu of a pistol?

[Doc Safari]

Real talk dudes.

Why are we running a long gun inside a house in lieu of a pistol?

Frankly, my girlfriend has issues practicing with a pistol. She shines with an AR. That got me thinking: if it takes years for her to become proficient with a pistol what does she do in the meantime? (She doesn't own a shotgun). Ergo, this thread is for her and people like her.

[GTF425]

My wife and I scan them and send them to our phones.

This.

I keep a shrunken copy waterproofed with packing tape in my wallet, too.

[GTF425]

The best home defense is to hunker down, call the police and cover the "funnel" you have created until they get there.

Honestly, this is my plan. Orient to the most likely avenue of approach (bedroom door) while the wife moves to her barricaded position and calls 911. I can fight from a prepared position much more effectively than clearing my house while disoriented and woken up in the middle of the night.

I have no desire to take on 4-5 armed intruders where mobility is on their side.

[Outlander Systems]

What Would Zach Peters Do?

Honestly, this is my plan. Orient to the most likely avenue of approach (bedroom door) while the wife moves to her barricaded position and calls 911. I can fight from a prepared position much more effectively than clearing my house while disoriented and woken up in the middle of the night.

I have no desire to take on 4-5 armed intruders where mobility is on their side.

[JasonB1]

What do you do if you call 911 and the operator instructs you to put your firearm down/away?

That 911 call is recorded and you were instructed to do so on record (both so you don't shoot LE and they don't mistake you for criminal).

If you shoot the bad guy, you are Zimmerman... the family or criminal may have weak grounds to sue.

If you put the gun down/away... you may have well have started unarmed.

Worst thing to do is argue with 911 on phone

I think there might be a bit of difference in being in your own home versus continuing to look for someone in a subdivision if considering that part of a 911 call.