CCI is now making shotshells in pistol carts. I think they come in 9mm, .40, and .38. Maybe more. Cheaper than Dirt! sells them. The shot size might be a little small for home defense if used alone, but I think a mixed load of the shotshells and hollowpoints would make things interesting.

To Nchawkeye, I do not consider your comments as stupid. And I also believe what you say about an officer going into a bad place. However it is my opinion that in your own house there are normally more friendly's than enemies. You can figure when an officer is going into a bad place there are not alot of friendly's inside. High powered 12 gauge buckshot loads will penetrate several walls, so I would be careful with such loads. Again IMO I could be less concerned with a light 20 gauge load, and I feel this load is effective on intruder's. Considerably more effective than most, if not all pistol loads. Tom.

I've shot one of those Taurus 410/.45and I didn;t think it was much fun. If I have my way, i will never shoot one again.

Go with a shotgun.

Same thing they taught us in our concealed weapons class. The type of ammo you shoot will also come up if you go to court!

BA, this not about grammer, its about learning and helping each other and just plain 'ol fun. Why don't you go lay in the yard with the rest of the turds!

Agreed. No need for confrontation just to be a jerk.

Anyway, I'd recommend a .40 XD. A great pistol; more reliable, cheaper, and compact than the glock.

I agree wth the sentiment about not bringing a pistol to a gunsfight- a pistol is only for use when a longgun is not convenient or practicala nd I can't see where in a house a shotgun,carbine, or rifle is inconvenient.

An armed intruder is likely to be armed with a pistol- its easy for him to carry, and its not an encumbrance as he''s carrying your valuables out. Why would you fight on the same level and use a handgun when a shotgun is far superior?

As far as penetration goes, a handhun 9mm and up is going to penetrate more walls and is more likely to intrude intoyor neghbor's home than a shotgun loaded with birdshot. For that matter, an AR-15 carbine loaded with lightweight hollowpoints or even frangible bullets is going to penetrate less building materials and be a mch better manstoper than any handgun.

just a couple of thoughts:

Many citizens tend to walk around their home looking for the intruder. It is much easier in that case for the perpetratorto disarm someone that is holding a shotgun. (think someone walking around with the barrel out in front of them as they reach a corner)
Also if it ever comes down to getting real close maybe even a hand to hand situation a handgun is much more effective as all you need is a little room to be able to get off a shot.

However, If we are talking about retreating to the farthest room, turning on all lights and wating for someone to enter that locked room while you are behind some cover then I'll certainly take the shotgun.

If you are doing it right, its not a problem. You want to pie a corner or room before sticking any part of you or your weapon beyond what you can see. At any rate, get your family safe in one room, and let the police clear your residence- its a very dangerous process even for people who are working in teams and have a lot of training and experience let alone a single person with absolutely no training to do.

NO doubt Briman,
My plan, and we as a family have practiced it, is to retreat to my bedroom. We stay there and let whatever is happening in the house happen while calling the police and waiting for them to take care of whoever has entered.
Lord help anyone walking through that door that has not been identified.

However I will say that the average person will be walking through the house looking for whoever has come in. That is not a good situation.