I would appreciate some input into what would be the best 5.56/223 ammo for home defense. What has the stopping power without over penetration? It’s for a 16” AR.
Good question. I can’t remember what I settled on, but this article is helpful.
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Speer Gold Dot is quality and what law enforcement uses. However I can’t say an Ar15 / 556 would be my first choice of weapon. I’d go with a revolver for home defense for several reason. First, they almost never jamb/misfire. Two you don’t have to maneuver a long gun. Three, I have children on the other side of the house and I don’t want a high velocity round thats gonna travel through/past soft obstacles.
@Bauber you’re more of a gun nut than I. Thoughts?
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Thanks, that was informative.
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Thanks,
We are empty nesters, but I can understand your concern. Your recommendation matches the recommendation from Chris’s article. I’m going to try and find some.
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Glaser safety slugs. Kills bugs dead!
I’ve heard they’re a little spendy, so would be exclusively for home protection.
That was good and I think it was a fair comparison of AR vs handgun.
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You’re going to get over penetration from most weapons inside of 10 yards (home defense). Whatever you choose, experiment with rounds in your gun. Especially specialty rounds, guns can be finicky. Light loading, odd shapes et cetera. Last thing you want is an inconvenient jam.
I personally keep a 9mm handgun in the nightstand with Hornady critical defense rounds, but have a beretta 1301 Tactical C under the bed. 12 gauge shotgun.
It’s wise to keep strategy in mind imo. If you’re going to go hunting bad guys through the house quick fire with decisive power makes sense but you’re going to have over penetration, no way around it.
In my case as an alternative example, the house is designed with bedrooms essentially down one hall, or at least a wing that constricts to one hall. As long as I can control the hall I’m good. We are on the side of a hill with an artificially high set of windows in the bedrooms and entry points are on the other side of the house. I have plenty of time to grab the shotgun and line up in a way I can run buckshot and literally make mince meat without concern for over penetration should they come to the hall where my wife and daughter are. I’ve personally decided to set up defensively and hold vs going out in to my house looking. If I lose an unnecessary gun fight by popping out of the door and engaging proactively, it leaves my family vulnerable. I’d rather have the surprise advantage and have insurance buy me a new living room tv.
If things go sideways and I do need to move around the pistol gives me some precision if I need it. I keep it holstered to shove it in my undies as a backup.
Anyways, strategy is worth mapping out and will inform choice.
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I agree with that strategy, I thought it would best to stay put in that scenario. For the time being we are maintaining two households. I want to keep a long gun at her place in town. I decided to set up an old AR that was collecting dust. I think the Gold Dot ammo that was recommended might help mitigate over penetration.
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It really doesn’t matter. I’d probably avoid FMJ but at 10ft performance differences in 5.56 will be negligible.
Could slap a 300blk upper on it. That opens up more ammo options and helps with the over penetration issue.
For home defense the biggest thing is to hit what you’re shooting at. A quality reliable light is a good investment.
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100% I ordered a unique mount for an old gun. Anxious for it to be delivered.
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Also @Chris_Shugart ,Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I ordered some boxes of the Gold Dot 75gr ammo. I found some on sale for $15 a box. Premium ammo at that price is fantastic.
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Damn, that’s a good deal!
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Speer Gold Dot is my preferred round for HD. Shooting inside, use a suppressor or hearing protection. It’s really loud
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What’s best? Lots. Lots of 5.56 ammo, and use it to practice lots.
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