Some 20ga shotguns have a smaller/lighter frame than the 12ga of the same model, so with a lighter load the felt recoil can still be similar to a 12 or even more with equivilant loads. So while a 20ga might fit better, it won't necessarily kick less.
Gun recommendation for home defense? (Canada)
- Thread starter Lishy
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Some 20ga shotguns have a smaller/lighter frame than the 12ga of the same model, so with a lighter load the felt recoil can still be similar to a 12 or even more with equivilant loads. So while a 20ga might fit better, it won't necessarily kick less.
wow some of the comments here, tell me some of u don't even own guns. anyways just get a handgun with hollow tip bullets or frangible bullet. it shouldn't punch though to your neighbor.
honestly though, the best "thing" for your neighbor is training. its not like video games where you shoot it and it goes there. accuracy is extremely hard with real life hand guns, your hands might be shaking, your might be breathing hard, etc.. of course if this is close range its really don't matter but still, at a training/class they will teach you how to hold a gun and think about the environment around you.
honestly though, the best "thing" for your neighbor is training. its not like video games where you shoot it and it goes there. accuracy is extremely hard with real life hand guns, your hands might be shaking, your might be breathing hard, etc.. of course if this is close range its really don't matter but still, at a training/class they will teach you how to hold a gun and think about the environment around you.
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Justinfrom1776
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Michael Moore told us that you guys all live with your doors unlocked and nobody robs anyone in Canada.
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tod evans
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I chuckled when I read this.....
There was no such thing as a video game when I was a kid and all of us learned to shoot with our parents and family.
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I'm trying to learn video game shooting to play with my son and to me it's much more difficult than hitting what I aim at in real life.
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your playing on a console, if you played on a keyboard and mouse you would rape your son and his friend.
honestly it was a wake up call for me when i bought my first AR-15. I shot 90-100 bullets at a 2 foot by 2 foot paper, at range of 250-300 yards. I only hit it 3 times.
i'm getting better but practicing is a bitch since i cost me and arm and a leg to use my AR-15, Oh yea OP get a 9mm
9mm is the cheapest best size ammo.
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tod evans
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Cross bow will work too but drywall isn't going to stop a dart with a broadhead pulled at 300#
brushfire
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Less chance, yes ... But when the stress of life or death is facing you, very few will remain calm.
That's why you can read stories about a LEO shooting 20 rounds and not hitting the one who is shooting back at them.
typically,
Stress causes the body to react before the mind can be engaged.
But you are absolutely correct about training lowering the chance of a mishap ... When the mind takes control of the body, and muscle memory kicks in amazing things can happen ... But when that scared $hitless, shaking in the boots, uncontrolled reaction is controlling things ... No one knows what might happen.
Oh,
And,
You never shoot to defend ... You shoot to stop a threat that you feel will end your or a family members life ... Then you take responsibility for your decision.
Gotta read more thread, before I comment to the OP.
Birdshot is for birds ... Period.
Lishy,
Post #8 is very hard to argue with ... Very solid advice !!!
If that's your house in post #4 ... Find out what the barrier is between your dwelling and the neighbor ... Just for some peace of mind.
Many of them have very solid construction, so you are not able to break into the neighbors area from your area ... You might even find out that there is brick/block between each area, and f that's the case, you should have absolutely no worries.
Keep in mind that any projectile is going to penetrate something, or it is not an effective defensive projectile.
My recommendation is as follows,
If you intend to practice regularly, get a pump action shotgun, or a semi-auto handgun.
If you do not plan on practicing much, get a double action revolver ... They are the most reliable, and with proper ammo, all of the above will suit your purpose.
The real key for your situation is going to be ammo selection, and determining what is between you and your neighbor.
If it's brick/block ... Pretty much any ammo choice will be fine, but if it is just a double layer of drywall, your choices will be more limited.
The #4 buckshot (not birdshot) or any modern hollowpoint will be a good choice ... But in all honesty, if you do not practice until you feel comfortable with the firearm you ultimately choose ... Just get a baseball bat.
Seriously !!!!
You will need to practice until you are comfortable ... Not only shooting, but also clearing a jam ... If you don't want to do this ... Get a double action revolver.
They are pretty much idiot proof from a jam perspective, and if the gun doesn't go bang ... Pull the trigger again.
They really are that simple to operate.
Best of luck in your choice !!
Keep us posted, and ask more questions, if needed.
NikolayaRadchenkova
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In a defensive sitituation your more than likely going to be in a hall or small room. Probably less than 7 yards. The birdshot has plenty of power to get the job done. You don't have to worry about over penetration like you do with buckshot. This is really great, especially if you live in an apartment or have a wife and kids in the next room.
r3volution
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tazer gun , bear pepper spray , rubber bullet or bean bag gun . only things i can think of that would actually work but not go through a wall .
Canada , hmmm , recurve bow and target points , war club , machete , tomahawk ,Bulwinkle , Rocky the Flying Squirrel ( Canadian Air Force ) , seriously , depending on the laws ,if , they are as I suspect ,I would get a new , reproduction Lemat Cav revolver in he 44 cal with the twenty guage shotgun barrel below it . Then a 12 guage and a rfle .
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You can take out 10 people with a Lemat and then it is empty ( makes an effective club) , nine shot , black powder cap & ball and then the shotgun barrel. Where I live it is not considered a weapon and you can put it anywhere you want with no permit . The ball will not penetrate through walls as well as modern ammo . At close range it is a deadly weapon ( less than forty yards ) . Probably , start new at Cabelas for $950, look around for a used one.
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Believe it or not, the only conventional firearm that has a measurably lower chance of penetrating a barrier and harming another human being is a rifle. The high velocities and light weights of the bullets create an unstable situation when they hit a harder material, or break up and fragment entirely, which greatly reduces any possible penetration in a fleshy target.
A shotgun is one of the most devastating weapons you can wield within approx. 50 yards, however it shares the same disadvantage as a rifle: length. As others have stated already, cornering in your home can be challenging if you don't know what you're doing, and can become a liability if the intruder in your home is not completely incompetent. The whole *chik chik* of the pump shotgun sounds cool and all, but the only thing an intruder should hear if you fear for the life of your family or yourself is the sound of their last breath.
The most practical, even if not the most safe, would be a handgun you are well trained in its use. If you can hit what you're aiming at, and provided you're using proper self-defense ammunition, there are few better options.
Beyond choosing the firearm you will be relying on, you must also realize that this is serious business. You MUST take into account that what you are thinking of is the possible, if not probable, death of another human being. This is NOT an area where you joke or make passing generalizations. IF you are forced to defend the lives of your family or your property with DEADLY FORCE, it is YOUR BURDEN, and YOURS ALONE, to make sure that you have properly identified your target, their intent and what may be beyond them.
Beyond that, you're on your own.
A shotgun is one of the most devastating weapons you can wield within approx. 50 yards, however it shares the same disadvantage as a rifle: length. As others have stated already, cornering in your home can be challenging if you don't know what you're doing, and can become a liability if the intruder in your home is not completely incompetent. The whole *chik chik* of the pump shotgun sounds cool and all, but the only thing an intruder should hear if you fear for the life of your family or yourself is the sound of their last breath.
The most practical, even if not the most safe, would be a handgun you are well trained in its use. If you can hit what you're aiming at, and provided you're using proper self-defense ammunition, there are few better options.
Beyond choosing the firearm you will be relying on, you must also realize that this is serious business. You MUST take into account that what you are thinking of is the possible, if not probable, death of another human being. This is NOT an area where you joke or make passing generalizations. IF you are forced to defend the lives of your family or your property with DEADLY FORCE, it is YOUR BURDEN, and YOURS ALONE, to make sure that you have properly identified your target, their intent and what may be beyond them.
Beyond that, you're on your own.
Please don't spread myths when someone is asking for suggestions about defensive firearms use ... Go with the experts, and/or perform your own tests.
I have and you'll not change my mind with the occasional fluke ... Got a friend in LE who shot a perp with his 38, years ago ... The man fell down instantly.
When they got to him, and proceeded to cuff him, the bullet fell out of his leather jacket ... NO blood, because there was ZERO penetration.
Penetration is what is needed to stop a threat, and in an area like where the OP lives, it will be very common for people to be wearing layers and/or heavy jackets.
Factor in meanness, or drugs, and your recommendation will only get someone beat to death with their own shotgun.
Besides,
The FBI requirements assume the bullet has to get through a bicep and/or half the width of the other guy's torso before it'll hit something important ... Rarely will one be afforded the perfect target, and 12 inches is the FBI recommended penetration level to reach things that stop a threat.
Obviously a face shot will stop most anyone, but people won't be posing so you can do such a thing.
And Dick Cheney shot his friend in the face with birdshot, and the man walked to the ambulance.
Look at this chart ... #4 Buckshot is about the same size as a 22 bullet, and therefore has the mass to obtain an adequate level of penetration IF suffieient energy is imparted against it.
Birdshot lacks enough mass to carry it's energy on more than thin skinned animals.
Hmm ... I guess if the bad guy is naked, it might work.
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If only drywall is between you and your neighbors, get a 12ga shotgun loaded with birdshot. A .45 will penetrate through about four or five walls constructed of drywall. If the walls between you are construction blocks, then most anything except high caliber rifles should be safe.
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