The Top 3 Rounds For Self Defense

What should you be defending your home with?

When it comes to defending yourself and your home, you are going to want to choose a caliber that does the job, meaning it effectively eliminates the target with minimal risk to others around you, such as neighbors or bystanders. That being said, there are many risks involved with choosing a caliber that is too weak, or even too fast and strong. That’s right, you can choose a caliber that is too much, as you risk overpenetration and unnecessary casualties. For those looking for a good self defense weapon, we have compiled a list of the top 3 self defense rounds for you to choose from. 

Let’s break it down.

The Top 3 Rounds for Self Defense

We have researched, tested, and really broken down the top three self defense rounds for you to use as your everyday carry gun, or your standard home defense firearms. Here’s the quick list.

• 9MM
• .45 ACP
• 12 Gauge

Now you may be wondering, “where’s the 5.56 and the 7.62?” While these popular rounds that often fit the AR and AK style rifles are great, they may not be the best for home defense as there is a risk of overpenetration, which is something we will cover later. But to begin, let’s dissect why we picked these as the top 3 rounds for self defense.

9mm

9mm is one of the most common rounds that can be found in everything from everyday carry pistols to submachine guns used by military and law enforcement agencies around the world. 9mm comes in different grains, which measures the weight of the projectile. Now, when it comes to choosing a type of 9mm to use for self defense and everyday carry, 124 grain full metal jacket (FMJ) ammo is the gold standard of 9mm. 

This is largely due to the weight and speed of the bullet, as it is a bit heavier and slower, which can prevent overpenetration and minimizes the risks of injuring others. The FBI standard recommendation for penetration is 12-18”, and when you are using a faster and lighter bullet, you risk overpenetration and hitting things that you do not want to hit. Studies have found that the 124 grain 9mm bullet penetrates between 16-17.5”, while the 115 grain will penetrate between 20 and 24 inches, making the 124 grain the ideal bullet for self defense and home defense.

There is also special types of ammunition to use for self defense rounds, not just your range training ammo. Hollow points are also a great choice here, as they have more of a chance of expanding in your target, rather than going straight through.

.45 ACP

Next on the list of the top 3 rounds for self defense, is the .45 ACP, often referred to as “The Lord’s Caliber”. Known for being heavy, but packing a major punch, .45 ammo is one of our favorite calibers for self defense, specifically 230 grain ammo (much heavier than your standard 9mm bullet). 

In similar fashion to the 9mm, with .45 ammo you have the option to choose hollow point ammunition, which makes it an even easier pick for a self defense round. The round is big and heavy to begin with, so when you combine it with ammunition that is meant to expand in the target, you minimize the risk of overpenetration, making it an ideal round for self defense. 

Shotgun Ammo

There are plenty of different types of shotgun shells to choose from; 12 gauge, 20 gauge, buckshot, birdshot, and so on. That being said, these are good options for close quarters, which is how many home defense scenarios will play out. Shotgun shells can pack a punch, and really do some damage. Now the chances are that you will not be carrying a shotgun as your everyday carry, so these rounds are more for home defense. You also need to be wary of maneuvering within close quarters during a high stress situation, especially with a longer gun, so make sure that you are training properly.

That being said, a fan favorite type of shotgun ammo for self defense is the 12 gauge, known for its power and ability to eliminate a target. Many law enforcement agencies still utilize the 12 gauge shotguns. However, not everyone can handle the recoil of a 12 gauge, so a lower gauge may be a better round for self defense. 

What About Rifles for Home Defense?

People often will buy AR and AK style rifles for home defense, and if that is what you have, these will most likely get the job done in a time of need. However, there is a larger risk of overpenetration, as this is a common downside to using lighter and faster rounds, which can be detrimental for neighbors or bystanders. This is the reason that calibers like the .45 and 9mm are popular for self defense.

Now, if you favor the AR and AK style rifles but still want a round that is tried and tested for home defense, then you are easily able to get these style rifles with different calibers. It is not uncommon to have AR pistols chambered in 9mm, and the same goes with AK platforms. Again, these probably aren’t going to be your everyday carry guns, but are good for maneuvering in close quarters and dominating the home defense scenarios.

Aside from the AR and AK platforms, you have other options for rifles that can be used for home defense as well. You have your standard bolt action and lever action rifles, but in reality, these may not be the best for home defense situations. Not only do their calibers often present the risks of overpenetration, but also reduce the speed of your follow up shots (as you have to manually chamber a round after each shot, which can be crucial, whereas a semi automatic rifle or pistol allows for quicker follow up shots. 

Best Rounds for Self Defense Wrap Up

Overall, the best rounds for self defense and home defense do not have to be these high powered, ultra light and fast rounds. You can get the job done with solid pistol calibers and shotgun rounds. 

What is your go to round for self defense?