2aHawaii

General Topics => Strategies and Tactics => Topic started by: TwinTurbys on March 25, 2012, 08:45:59 PM

Title: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: TwinTurbys on March 25, 2012, 08:45:59 PM
I have a home built with cinder block, and I'm curious to know if my ammo from my 12 gauge or M4 will penetrate my bedroom walls if I'm in a situation where I need to defend my home?  Common sense tells me yes, but will my buckshot penetrate through cinder block if at an angle, not straight ahead?  I'm asking this because if somebody tries to rob me, and I need to defend my bedroom, if I shoot at my door, it leads to another adjacent bedroom.  My m4 probably has more penetrating power, I think, but I think about this situation all the time, and I don't want to hurt anybody in my family trying To defend them.  M4 and my shotty are my only 2 options now that my mp15-22 is gone.  What are your thoughts on my situation?  And what types of rounds would I need to worry about penetrating my walls outside my home?  I feel safer in this cement home, but just a little bit...
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Kingkeoni on March 25, 2012, 09:14:45 PM
I have a home built with cinder block, and I'm curious to know if my ammo from my 12 gauge or M4 will penetrate my bedroom walls if I'm in a situation where I need to defend my home?  Common sense tells me yes, but will my buckshot penetrate through cinder block if at an angle, not straight ahead?  I'm asking this because if somebody tries to rob me, and I need to defend my bedroom, if I shoot at my door, it leads to another adjacent bedroom.  My m4 probably has more penetrating power, I think, but I think about this situation all the time, and I don't want to hurt anybody in my family trying To defend them.  M4 and my shotty are my only 2 options now that my mp15-22 is gone.  What are your thoughts on my situation?  And what types of rounds would I need to worry about penetrating my walls outside my home?  I feel safer in this cement home, but just a little bit...

Shotgun is a better option than a M4.

#4 buck or larger is ideal.

I too live in a cinder block home and have 00 buck loaded in my shotgun.

Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: gotblika on March 25, 2012, 09:33:39 PM
Look thru here they did some penetration test.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/ (http://www.theboxotruth.com/)
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: TwinTurbys on March 25, 2012, 10:30:42 PM
Thanks for the info!  Very informative website and I like it, but I couldn't find any information about penetrating cinder block.  If u find any link to that info, can u please post it in here... 

Mahalos,
Daniel
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: TwinTurbys on March 26, 2012, 01:41:16 AM
Found it.  http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot2_3.htm (http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot2_3.htm)
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Colt808 on March 26, 2012, 02:31:16 AM
Blocks that have been built into a wall have a different strength than one sitting on a table, so (while informative) the test results might not be 100% applicable. Also if you're in an apartment, the blocks have rebar/concrete fill...pretty solid, but even if that's the case I wouldn't risk it. Take KK's advice, put away the M4 and use #4 buck.

Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Inspector on March 26, 2012, 08:04:54 AM
Chances are your walls that are on the exterior of your house are block. But chances are the walls that are interior only walls are not block. So if you are worried about hitting a neighbor, unless the round goes out a window I would not worry too much. But if you are worried about hitting others inside your house you will need to keep that under consideration as the interior walls of your house are probably not block walls and are made of framing and drywall. Much easier to penetrate than block walls.

There is ammunition on the market designed not to penetrate walls such as the Glaser Safety Slug, etc. Also, Federal has some new interesting ammo on the market called Bulldog (I think). It might cut down on penetration through walls as well.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: GZire on March 26, 2012, 10:17:41 AM
Blocks that have been built into a wall have a different strength than one sitting on a table, so (while informative) the test results might not be 100% applicable. Also if you're in an apartment, the blocks have rebar/concrete fill...pretty solid, but even if that's the case I wouldn't risk it. Take KK's advice, put away the M4 and use #4 buck.

I agree.  If the blocks are grout filled then they will be very solid.  I highly doubt a .223/5/56 round will penetrate a grout filled cell. Even multiple rounds. 

A hollow tile that is not filled regardless of it being in a wall or on a table is another matter entirely and I can see it being penetrated after a couple of rounds.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: buckjay on March 26, 2012, 02:44:08 PM
Contrary to popular belief, 12 gauge has more penetration then M4 (5.56).

Take a look at this:

(http://www.box.net/shared/static/zh2fk6nh50.jpg)
Courtesy of docgkr.

5.56 OTM/BTHP ammo generally offers little penetration through an intermediate barrier unless you're talking about bonded barrier blind loads. (Which makes it a great home defense round).
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Kingkeoni on March 26, 2012, 02:51:56 PM
Contrary to popular belief, 12 gauge has more penetration then M4 (5.56).

Take a look at this:


5.56 OTM/BTHP ammo generally offers little penetration through an intermediate barrier unless you're talking about bonded barrier blind loads. (Which makes it a great home defense round).

Take a look at this:

You  ???

Me  :geekdanc:

Contrary to popular belief, you dont know what youre talking about.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: buckjay on March 26, 2012, 04:10:13 PM
Take a look at this:

You  ???

Me  :geekdanc:

Contrary to popular belief, you dont know what youre talking about.

Good thing you posted an emoticon titled 'geekdance' to back up your argument. Without it, I'd start to think you were just making unsubstantiated claims. Oh wait, you are.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: TwinTurbys on March 26, 2012, 04:38:27 PM
LoL..!  U guys are too much haha...  But I didn't realize that about the buckshot,
And it does kind of make sense being that there is a lot more powder behind the projectiles.  If I am correct about the powder..?  But I don't want to give to much information before I can back it up.  But thanks u guys!!  U have no idea how much this information helps me...  Hmm..  Or maybe u do know? :wtf:
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: buckjay on March 26, 2012, 04:46:58 PM
LoL..!  U guys are too much haha...  But I didn't realize that about the buckshot,
And it does kind of make sense being that there is a lot more powder behind the projectiles.  If I am correct about the powder..?  But I don't want to give to much information before I can back it up.  But thanks u guys!!  U have no idea how much this information helps me...  Hmm..  Or maybe u do know? :wtf:

The other thing to consider is the spread of the buckshot. How far away do you think the person could possibly be inside your house? In my house most areas would be a max of 10 yards or so. I believe the spread to only be a couple inches at that distance which means you'll still have to aim (dispelling another misconception I often hear when arguing in favor of a shotgun.. being able to just point it in the direction of your threat in middle of the night.. unfortunately is not the case).

Obviously if you train with your shotgun and shoot it a lot this is besides the point.. however if you shoot your M4 a lot and just leave your shotgun beside your bed I would suggest rethinking it all especially if you have a red dot optic on your M4 and none on your shotgun.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Kingkeoni on March 26, 2012, 05:45:32 PM
Good thing you posted an emoticon titled 'geekdance' to back up your argument. Without it, I'd start to think you were just making unsubstantiated claims. Oh wait, you are.

Ok, ok. I'll post a cartoon graph drawn by a second grader to substantiate my allegations.

Oh wait, you already did that.  :rofl:
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: buckjay on March 26, 2012, 05:59:16 PM
Ok, ok. I'll post a cartoon graph drawn by a second grader to substantiate my allegations.

Oh wait, you already did that.  :rofl:

Oh look, more ignorance and more emoticons from Keoni. It's good to see nothing has changed around here.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Kingkeoni on March 26, 2012, 06:21:30 PM
Oh look, more ignorance and more emoticons from Keoni. It's good to see nothing has changed around here.

Ignorance?

Son, 200 years of research has PROVEN that a 12 gauge shotgun is your ideal weapon for home defense.

You keep your M4 if you want, but don't spew your ignorance, under the guise of good advise to people looking for legitimate advise.

Do a little research before you post bad advise.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: buckjay on March 26, 2012, 07:02:45 PM
Ignorance?

Son, 200 years of research has PROVEN that a 12 gauge shotgun is your ideal weapon for home defense.

You keep your M4 if you want, but don't spew your ignorance, under the guise of good advise to people looking for legitimate advise.

Do a little research before you post bad advise.

Still just talk, talk, talk with nothing to back up the talk.

I'm the only one of us to have posted anything fact based so far, yours is just talk.

200 years of research? You mean the same kind of 'research' that says cocking a shotgun is the only deterrent you need?  ::) (Look an emoticon)

The OP asked about penetration. You did what you do best, talk, and provided him with some incorrect information and then got a 10 ton sand enema when I posted some evidence which shone a light on your misinformation.

To the OP: Apologies for the derail. There's a lot of information (with studies done) speaking highly of the 5.56 round in home defense situations. There are many articles on the net by DocGKR (Dr Gary Roberts, who did the chart I posted above) detailing the terminal ballistics of the many different calibers available to you. My advice would be to take a look with an open mind and make your own decision (something Keoni could also benefit from).

I'm done with this thread as there's no point going back and forth with Keoni for the next week. If Keoni had any real fact based information, he would have posted it already.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: TwinTurbys on March 26, 2012, 07:34:33 PM
Damm, my bad.. I didn't think anybody was gonna go at each others throats.  I actually thought u 2 were just messing around.  But I take all advice shared in with consideration, and I agree that it will be ultimately my final choice. I got the 12 gauge only for home defense, but was really worried about the power of that firearm in close quarters at home.  M4 would have better control and aim, but for some reason I thought those 5.56 rounds would put holes through my brick walls and possibly hit my family member.  I always believe advice from others will help me make the correct decision, and I love taking in input and putting everything together.  If I have enough time I'll probably grab my shotty, but if it's a split second move, I have my M4 loaded with a full mag next to my bed.  It may seem that I'm weird or paranoid, but I've had a gun pointed at me twice, and shot at once.  And I caught somebody snooping around my house when I came home and my girlfriend was the only person home.  I just want to be prepared for the worst, but I always hope for the best.  I run through different scenarios in my head daily and try to figure out what my best moves would be in different positions and the conclusions they could possibly end In.  I am deffinately not scared to get hurt and I'm very protective with family and my CAR!  I guess I'm probably Legally retarded but all these preplans in my head help me get by looking normal LoL.

I honestly appreciate all of your guys advice, and I'm fortunate I get to gather knowledge from u folks.  Even though u 2 were going at it, u both shared a lot of knowledge by debating and that's actually how me and my friends are.  Lots of arguing, but we all learned something new at the end of the night.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: pj_benn on March 27, 2012, 04:51:38 AM
X2 what gzire said. I think it pretty comical that some of you think either would penetrate
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: GZire on March 27, 2012, 08:11:02 AM
Damm, my bad.. I didn't think anybody was gonna go at each others throats.  I actually thought u 2 were just messing around.  But I take all advice shared in with consideration, and I agree that it will be ultimately my final choice. I got the 12 gauge only for home defense, but was really worried about the power of that firearm in close quarters at home.  M4 would have better control and aim, but for some reason I thought those 5.56 rounds would put holes through my brick walls and possibly hit my family member.  I always believe advice from others will help me make the correct decision, and I love taking in input and putting everything together.  If I have enough time I'll probably grab my shotty, but if it's a split second move, I have my M4 loaded with a full mag next to my bed.  It may seem that I'm weird or paranoid, but I've had a gun pointed at me twice, and shot at once.  And I caught somebody snooping around my house when I came home and my girlfriend was the only person home.  I just want to be prepared for the worst, but I always hope for the best.  I run through different scenarios in my head daily and try to figure out what my best moves would be in different positions and the conclusions they could possibly end In.  I am deffinately not scared to get hurt and I'm very protective with family and my CAR!  I guess I'm probably Legally retarded but all these preplans in my head help me get by looking normal LoL.

I honestly appreciate all of your guys advice, and I'm fortunate I get to gather knowledge from u folks.  Even though u 2 were going at it, u both shared a lot of knowledge by debating and that's actually how me and my friends are.  Lots of arguing, but we all learned something new at the end of the night.

OK............we talking brick, CMU (concrete masonry unit), grouted CMU, other?  CMU only IMHO isn't that tough.  Grouted CMU as I had stated above is pretty good considering it's probably at least 2,500 psi or better concrete/grout.  Brick I dunno man.  There could be a very wide variety and strengths, but my guess is it's probably better than ungrouted CMU.

As for knowledge..........I highly doubt anyone here has actually performed any actual tests.  Box O Truth is pretty neat.  I think that guy does some pretty nice tests.  Sometimes they are applicable to us, sometimes not.  One thing to consider though is we have gyp board down here usually instead of a cement/sheetrock board.  Gyp board IMHO is not near the strength of the cement/sheetrock, so when you consider penetration I feel they will be very different.

Anyhow............I'm wondering if the HRA or HDF guys might be talked into performing such a test at one of their meetings and posting the results.  It would be nice to get an actual field test done rather than playing keyboard warrior (brick, CMU, grouted CMU, gyp board, cement/sheetrock, single wall).


One more thing to consider.  Your AR15 is going to have a much better ammo capacity than the shotgun.  As with most things firearms related, there is no one best answer that fits all situations.  You're going to have to make a decision on what best fits your situation.  It will be a compromise.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: drck1000 on March 27, 2012, 09:30:43 AM
Agreeing and expanding on feedback from Gzire.  There is a pretty big difference between brick (mostly unreinforced) and CMU and grouted CMU (cells filled with grout, which is basically the same as concrete for the purpose of this topic).  I would have to check, but I believe fully grouted CMU meets the requirements for structures requiring ballistic protection.    I am not sure if ungrouted CMU qualified.  In the case of ungrouted CMU, most times only certain cells are filled with grout. 

In any case, I would doubt that most homes have ALL of the interior partitions that are constructed out of fully grouted CMU.  Some of the load bearing walls might, but that is usually not required or cost effective for single family residences.  For highrises, the vast majority of interior partitions are drywall/gyp board.  Those pretty much do nothing against most rifle and pistol rounds, even when doubled up for sound attenuation. 

The typical CMU construction locally consists of the main blocks with a minimum compressive strength of about 1500 psi with grout with a minimum strength of 2000 psi.  When constructed and tested, the combined assembly will often test out to beyond 3000 psi compressive strength, which would equivalent to most basic concrete walls.  Just something to consider.  However, that is from a strength of materials perspective and not ballistics. 

I would love to see how an M4 does against a shotgun with 00 buck though.  I would think that both would damage the surface of the CMU, but nothing beyond an inch or so. 
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Jl808 on March 27, 2012, 10:25:49 AM
This is becoming a very interesting thread...

Found this on Youtube.

US Marines Ammo penetration tests on Youtube.
U.S. Marines Ammo penetration tests (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lprGoEpDXJQ#)

Tested material were against sheet rock, plywood, cinder block and bricks.  Angles at 0 and 45 degrees.   Tested weapons were AK47, M16, M249 SAW, M40A1 sniper rifle, M240G MG, M2HB 50 and M82.


VeryLowBudget also has a bunch of penetration tests against a wall and an old refrigerator.
http://www.youtube.com/user/VeryLowBudget (http://www.youtube.com/user/VeryLowBudget)

1. 9mm vs wall and fridge
Bulletproofing Your House - 9mm Vs. Wall and Fridge. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcZYVZsYmUw#)

2. M4 vs wall and fridge
Bulletproofing Your House - M4 Vs. Wall and Fridge. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuAmY9Fo-H0#)

3. 12 ga slug vs wall and fridge
Bulletproofing Your House - 12 Gauge Buckshot Vs. Wall and Fridge. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtuX9JdfL7Q#)

4. 12 ga buckshot vs wall vs fridge
Bulletproofing Your House - 12 Gauge Slug Vs. Wall and Fridge. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emH74QpJX34#)

5. M4 223 vs Cinderblocks and wall
Bulletproofing Your House - M4 Vs. Cinder Blocks and Wall. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJTD0rbHiRU#)

A few more videos on his channel including bullets against his old car.

Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Dregs on March 27, 2012, 10:58:27 AM
I have a solution that will fix all the potential problems of the topic.

















 :geekdanc: Don't miss  :geekdanc:







(http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/106/887/backpain-1292835351.jpg)
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Inspector on March 27, 2012, 11:52:32 AM
....would put holes through my brick walls and possibly hit my family member.
My question is this. Do you know for sure that the wall(s) between your bedroom and your family's rooms are CMU? My guess would be drywall and stud. Do you know?
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Kingkeoni on March 27, 2012, 01:45:21 PM
This is becoming a very interesting thread...

Found this on Youtube.

US Marines Ammo penetration tests on Youtube.

Tested material were against sheet rock, plywood, cinder block and bricks.  Angles at 0 and 45 degrees.   Tested weapons were AK47, M16, M249 SAW, M40A1 sniper rifle, M240G MG, M2HB

Wow, so a ballistics EXPERT and the United States Marines Corps both agree that .223 rounds penetrate walls.

Interesting. Maybe Buckjay should call them and tell them that they're mistaken.

He can show him his hand drawn graph to refute their tests. That'll sway em.    :rofl:
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: TwinTurbys on March 27, 2012, 05:24:27 PM
My question is this. Do you know for sure that the wall(s) between your bedroom and your family's rooms are CMU? My guess would be drywall and stud. Do you know?

Cinder block, not brick...  My apologies.  I thought they were the same, but it's definately cinder block.  I tried to hang my flatscreen on my wall but thats when I learned all my interior walls are cinder block as well. 
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Inspector on March 27, 2012, 07:40:47 PM
Cinder block, not brick...  My apologies.  I thought they were the same, but it's definately cinder block.  I tried to hang my flatscreen on my wall but thats when I learned all my interior walls are cinder block as well.
Cinder block is another way of saying CMU or Cement Masonry Unit. Here in Hawaii the common term for CMU is Hollow Tile. Anyway, if you are really and truly concerned the next step would be to find out if the CMU is hollow or solid grouted. The easiest way to find out would be to use a small masonry drill and if you continue to drill into hard material in say 4"-6" I would say it is solid grouted. I know this is not an optimal method as it is slightly destructive. But it is important to know. Because a hollow CMU will probably NOT stop a .223. But a solid grouted CMU probably WILL stop a .223. And this is the answer to your question is it not?
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: TwinTurbys on March 27, 2012, 07:44:22 PM
WTF!!  I would not bullshit about this kind of stuff on here, and i swear on my family's, and my own life... I  Was taking a sh*t, and i can hear my neighbors (guy and girl) yelling at each other and just going at it.  It sounded like he was beating somebody up and yelling, and i could hear the female screaming to stop.  Then all i hear is BOOM!!!  sounded like a shotgun or a big caliber firearm.  Then all i hear is, "i going fuken kill you, i going fuken kill you!"  i ran out of my bathroom and my girls parents were thinking it was a firecracker.  Until they saw me run into my bedroom and bring out my M4.  My adrenalin was pumping boy!!  I swear to god the first thing i thought about was 12 gauge or M4!!  This is so ironic, i am going to save this thread and show my friends and family that i'm not being paranoid!  They were yelling at each other for a few minutes, but nobody wanted to call the cops in my house, because you can easily hear us talking on the phone next door, and we didn't want any trouble.  My girls mom went in her room to call the cops, but she ended up coming out and saying she was scared, and somebody else will call.  It's been about 20 minutes since the BOOM, and still no police next door!  There was one point where it sounded like the female was crying for her life, like he was pointing a weapon at her, then i heard their baby start screaming and crying.  I was just waiting for another BOOM!  But i was praying i wouldn't.  I am about to leave my house right now and go to the wahiawa police station, but i'm tripping out about this right now, and i had to write about this while it's still fresh...  F*ck man, this is like the 3rd time i heard gun shots from that house and only seen police there once.  This is the kind of sh*t i need to live with, and now you can kind of see why i am the way i am...  I just hope he's one of those guys that will just shot off rounds in the air, and not at family... 

And it's confirmed that it was a gun, because my girl could hear the female screaming about putting the gun away, and i could hear the guy threatening to kill somebody... 

*I'll update you what happens after i get back from police station...  *anybody else here from wahiawa?? anybody heard the shot??
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: sirkaiks on March 27, 2012, 09:02:36 PM
holy shit man! i hope someone called the cops
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: TwinTurbys on March 27, 2012, 09:03:32 PM
no other 911 calls about this! didn't make an official report.  I don't think i should have wrote what i did publicly on here for my safety, but i want people to know that this thread actually was worth something...  it made me feel comfortable that we discussed about potential projectile penetration of my type of building construction, and i felt like i was prepared and knew what to expect if rounds came towards my walls.  i took some pictures of the doorway and window of my home to see if you can tell what kind of construction it is...  it looks like it's cinder block filled with something. 

(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i101/psfknr_hfdfreakenrican/IMG_1814.jpg)
(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i101/psfknr_hfdfreakenrican/IMG_1816.jpg)
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Cougar8045 on March 27, 2012, 09:07:45 PM
I think you're pretty much good to go with that.  You're not going to find sturdier walls outside of Mexico or (I'm told) the Phillipines.  My ex father-in-law's house in Mexico had no shit 12" of poured concrete for INTERIOR walls, and all the exterior walls were at least 18" thick.  And for the love of God, keep your rifle close at hand!  You've got some crazy-ass neighbors!
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: TwinTurbys on March 27, 2012, 09:24:11 PM
I think you're pretty much good to go with that.  You're not going to find sturdier walls outside of Mexico or (I'm told) the Phillipines.  My ex father-in-law's house in Mexico had no shit 12" of poured concrete for INTERIOR walls, and all the exterior walls were at least 18" thick.  And for the love of God, keep your rifle close at hand!  You've got some crazy-ass neighbors!

18" thick??  wow...  the only thing i would be worried about in a fortress like that is earthquakes.  But i'd feel safe as hell in there.  So far my neighbors keep to themselves, and never give me any problems when i drive by or when i'm yelling and fighting with my GF at home..  nearly every weekend i can hear fighting, and yelling, but they never bothered me.  I always end up living in f*cked up places for some reason, but always find out months after.  I lived in the plantation housing in waialua (Mill Camp) for about 7 years, and i could hear my samoan neighbors shooting their guns all the time, but they were a cool family and never started trouble with anybody around our area.  And i shit u not, there were multiple fights around my house in waialua every month, and i've seen knives, spear guns, pellet guns, bats, u name it, they fought with it down there.  I even have a video with 2 chronics fighting outside my house: one with a spear gun, and the other guy was just throwing big ass rocks at him from a distance. what's going on now days? 

Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: Inspector on March 28, 2012, 06:27:23 AM
no other 911 calls about this! didn't make an official report.  I don't think i should have wrote what i did publicly on here for my safety, but i want people to know that this thread actually was worth something...  it made me feel comfortable that we discussed about potential projectile penetration of my type of building construction, and i felt like i was prepared and knew what to expect if rounds came towards my walls.  i took some pictures of the doorway and window of my home to see if you can tell what kind of construction it is...  it looks like it's cinder block filled with something. 

(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i101/psfknr_hfdfreakenrican/IMG_1814.jpg)
(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i101/psfknr_hfdfreakenrican/IMG_1816.jpg)
While you might feel safer from your neighbor I would still stay away from the windows when they are arguing.

So now that we know your walls are solidly grouted your walls are pretty much bullet proof with the exception of maybe a 50 cal or 20mm. But now you have another problem. That problem is with ricochets. You fire off that 223 inside your house you have a chance of getting hit with your own round. And anyone within the range of your ricochet has a chance of getting hit. Under the circumstances I would say that a shotgun is probably the best SD gun for your particular circumstances. The reasoning is that 00 shot will lose energy quicker (due to lighter weight per projectile) when it strikes your walls. This will limit the amount of ricochets and the power they have to do damage to someone after they ricochet. In your particular case good aim is probably the best defense with a lesser chance of collateral damage.

Hopefully, this will help you in making your decision in what firearm to use for self defense.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: drck1000 on March 28, 2012, 06:44:41 AM
Twin - In the first of the two photos that you posted, was that opening cut into that wall for the door (at least it looks like it was a door)?  Or was it constructed like that? 

The reason why I ask is that for typical headers (the horizontal section of the wall over the door) it is usually easier to build that section with a different block where the bottom is solid, like the side walls of the typical units.  However, that is what I've seen mostly commercial construction and I haven't done single family residences in Hawaii in a long time. 

Anyways, the areas around the openings are typically grouted since they are reinforced (have steel reinforcing bars in the cells) around the openings.  You may very well have solidly grouted walls, but I can't tell from the pictures.  Sometimes you can tell if you have any electrical outlets or switched embedded in the wall.  It is usually pretty easy to tell by looking if there are voids behind the outlet box.  Another way to test that doesn't require drilling is to sound the wall with a hammer.  But the difference in sound from solid grout to partially grouted (where only the cells with reinforcing, usually at around 24", 32", 48" spacing).

Yeah, what's up with all this craziness?  I guess bad economy putting pressures on everyone.  Be careful and definitely stay away from your windows when the neighbors start going nuts! 
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: GZire on March 28, 2012, 08:56:36 AM
Twin;
1.  I'm glad no one is hurt
2. You need to move.
3. The cells look to be grouted in the CMU, but that's rather common around openings.
4. Sometimes the engineer may call for grouting every other cell.  Inspector's got a good idea about drilling into the wall to see if all the cells are grouted.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: hvybarrels on March 30, 2012, 11:07:19 PM
you should be able to tap on it with a hammer in different spots to hear if it's hollow or not
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: eyeeatingfish on April 05, 2012, 10:57:38 PM
I am no expert but if you want to use the shotgun you could always go for a reduced power load. The tactical loads come out of the barrel a little slower than the regular loads. So if you find a load with a lower FPS rating then penetration will be less.  I think a hollow tile wall filled with concrete would stop most rounds. If they are left unfilled then not so sure.

Ideally a pistol is probably better for home defense. I do believe 00 buck has always been considered a good self defense round though. You might be able to find a manufacturer making a round specifically to prevent over penetration.


One might consider the stance when firing. If you are in a single story home you could squat so that a torso shot would continue upwards above anyone else head if it over penetrated.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: TwinTurbys on April 09, 2012, 12:04:40 AM
I am no expert but if you want to use the shotgun you could always go for a reduced power load. The tactical loads come out of the barrel a little slower than the regular loads. So if you find a load with a lower FPS rating then penetration will be less.  I think a hollow tile wall filled with concrete would stop most rounds. If they are left unfilled then not so sure.

Ideally a pistol is probably better for home defense. I do believe 00 buck has always been considered a good self defense round though. You might be able to find a manufacturer making a round specifically to prevent over penetration.


One might consider the stance when firing. If you are in a single story home you could squat so that a torso shot would continue upwards above anyone else head if it over penetrated.

I always think about my stance LOL..  i always think if i should stand on my bed and shoot downwards, or crouch down/ lay down and shoot upwards...  standing on the bed is just asking for it, so i'm always considering crouching on the ground.  I have landlords that live upstairs, but i don't think they'll mind stray bullets flying upwards near their feet.
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: hvybarrels on April 18, 2012, 08:32:54 PM
Project Metropolis huh? Looks an awful lot like an American-stylle mock city they are practicing on.

http://youtu.be/dKhMOfaYwvE (http://youtu.be/dKhMOfaYwvE)

http://youtu.be/w22M1DAQ59I (http://youtu.be/w22M1DAQ59I)
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: kong on April 18, 2012, 08:34:22 PM
From a well made AR manufacturer (cough cough):  http://www.olyarms.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=26 (http://www.olyarms.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=26) first article that talks about penetration though in my mind not enough data to properly extrapolate anything.  Twist rate of the AR barrel, etc.  Any round will penetrate a simple stud drywall though what happens after is what counts.  From what extrapolating that data it seems that the heavier rounds have more penetration vice the lighter rounds fragmenting faster.  Either way in a concrete structure thats alot of lead bouncing around and putting up drywall, bookcases would help in minimizing ricochets unless those ricochets are all headed towards the bad guy.

Gulf seafood??
Title: Re: Bedroom walls penetrated from ammo?
Post by: hvybarrels on April 18, 2012, 08:45:40 PM
oops posted wrong video link and corrected it. but yeah that gulf seafood will kill ya just as dead now.