I hardly know where to start in defending my previous post. However, while I agree with some of what you said, let me explain. If the OP is like we have to assume, a regular law abiding homeowner, or dweller with a family, I don't think he is in too much danger from the organized military might of a well trained and armed group.
The most likely perps to make a home invasion is one to three looking for a few portable items to sell as soon as possible. The only thing these guys hate worse than working to get funds for their desires is to be seriously hurt. You shoot one of them, and more than likely the rest will beat feet to escape, leaving the one behind. If they are armed, it usually is with something they have picked up, and more than likely do not know if it will fire or not. I several years ago acquired a collectable .32 auto for less than a song, it would not fire for him because the perp had loaded it with .32 rimmed revolver rounds rather than the .32 ACP.
Abnormallities exist in most siturations, and I have to believe there was a reason for the mentioned man who took a shot to the chest and later walked to the ambulance. Either the shells were older than he was, or possibly fired from a very shortened barrel to not allow much velocity gain. On this same theme, I have personally seen a person shot in the head with a 160 grain .30 caliber from an M1 Garand, and he survived for well over two hours, with a hole from side to side, THROUGH the skull. After being taken off to an aid station, I have no idea if he lived or died, or any other particulars. Unusual for sure, but not enough evidence for the U. S. Military to abandon that round.
Zenhertic: You are absolutely correct, bird shot will penetrate normal sheet rock walls, but will be slowed enough to be less than fatel in most cases. If the shot is fired at a 90 degree to the wall, it has a much better chance of penetration, but will often ricochet if it impacts at more of an angle.
Now again, if I was detailed to guard a large valuable and desireable item, yes I'd have at least buckshot in my shotgun, plus mixes of slugs as well, if I could not lay my hands on something even more lethal, but not my home.
Again if there was a cache of illegal substances, maybe a point of manufacture of such, lots of cash money, then orgainized attacks might result, but so far I have not seen indications of such for home invasions.
I am 75 years old, served in Korea whle the armed conflict was taking place, and with extremely short exceptions, have carried some sort of concealed firearm every since. I have not been forced to fire a shot in anger, as usually the sight of a person capable of offering armed resistance is sufficient for the perps to leave rapidly. For many of those years, I carried a 2 shot derringer, and while I would not feel comfortable with such today, it served me well. I have to laugh at the ordinary citizens who feel they have to have two or more pistols, with reloads to go into the local store for a paper or such. I have been told by several well meaning folks that I am seriously undergunned with a five shot .44 Special revolver and one speed loader, as they feel like they need a fifteen shot capacity pistol with multiple magazines.
Now if I was over there in the Sand Box, I would be so loaded down with various firearms and ammo I would clank when I walked, or maybe worked as an armored car guard, etc. That is not yet necessary for the average citizen, as the perps are not willing to stick around once the sounds of gunfire alert others. That is another thing, has anyone suffered from the sounds of a shotgun or large caliber pistol fired in an enclosed room? Everyone, including the one doing the shooting will not soon forget that.
Today, a person using any means of protecting what he considers worth protecting has more to worry about than the Prosecuting Attorney. Usually if cleared form criminal court proceedings, some family member will bring suit against you for having killed their Son, Husband, etc. Now which would you rather have, the family's sleazy lawyer showing off a regular 870 pump gun, loaded with large bird shot, or a fancy combat modified unit, extended magazine tube, filled to the limit with 00 or 000 buck and slugs. Is it a far fetched thought to think such a "specialized" weapon, loaded with the most lethal rounds available might have impact on the 12 folks who are deciding how many hundreds of thousands of your dollars they should award the poor greiving survivor? I've seen it happen, and most of you have as well. I used to own a Scatter Gun Technology Border Patrol modified 870, and to my way of thinking, I believe it was and probably still is the finest combat shotgun available, but I got rid of it, after seeing how easy a jury was swayed by the very evident combat appearance of even less modified shotguns.
OK, I'm done posting on this subject, and as previous stated "YMMV.
, but maybe I can crystallize things a bit.
