.45 ACP shotshells

[pdruffin]

Given the caveat regarding leading in Glock barrels, dare I shoot shotshells in my 30? I assume that the plastic sleeve would prevent direct contact of lead on the barrel, but I don't want to take a chance. Any experience or notions out there? BD 990

[GlocksRock]

I have never shot any shotshells out of my g30, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so. I can't see how it would hurt anything. The reason you shouldn't shoot lead ammo in glocks is because of the rifling. It grips the bullet so tightly that lead fouls up the barrel quickly. I don't see shotshells doing this.

[CBoltz99]

Just curious...what would you shoot the shotshells at? Are you considering them for targets, home/self defense or something else?

I agree with GlocksRock, probably wouldn't hurt your Glock, but I'd definitely clean it well after shooting any kind of lead, but maybe I'm just paranoid after all the talk of leading causing most KB's.

[GlocksRock]

They would work well agains snakes.

[CBoltz99]

Good point, GR. I haven't had to deal with snakes since moving from AZ to AK and didn't think about that.

[PACKIN' PLASTIC]

I feel the have merit for survival use.

Like on small game up close, were hitting with a solid bullet would be hard.


PP

[CarlosDJackal]

Shotshells shoudn't hurt your Glock. But don't expect it to cycle though. I would, however, recommend cleaning all teh lead out when you can.

Good Luck!!

[plastic]

BE VERY CAREFULL MIXING ANY SHOTSHELLS WITH A DANGEROUS SNAKE !!! I have years of experience in this area and I have seen some mad vipers wanting revenge for being shot at. Remember long sticks and big stones will break their bones but pistol shotshells may not hurt them. my .02 worth.

[Bullwinkle J Moose]

Originally posted by CBoltz99
Just curious...what would you shoot the shotshells at? Are you considering them for targets, home/self defense or something else?
I have heard some discussion about their possible merits as defense ammo in close quarters, say at an ATM. The line of thought surmised that if the first round in a weapon was shotshell and the rest were solid defense ammo, the first round could quite possibly take out the sight of a nearby attacker allowing escape and/or follow-up shots as needed. Said BG might have a tough time plying his trade if he has to find his next victim with a white cane.

[VegasGlocker]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but shooting an attacker in the face with a shotshell and maiming/disfiguring/blinding them is a sure way to end up being financially ruined after a hefty civil lawsuit. Even if you aimed center of mass with a shotshell you will only succeed in angering and disfiguring the attacker. Those little pellets will not penetrate very far.

I haven't fired .45 ACP shotshells but the 9mm version did not impress me in the least. It looks like they would work okay if you were within 10 feet or so of a snake but even so they seem to be weak. FWIW, when I am out in about in the outdoors I typically carry a shotshell in the chamber and JHPs in the mag with FMJs in a spare mag.


--VegasGlocker

[Bullwinkle J Moose]

Originally posted by VegasGlocker
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but shooting an attacker in the face with a shotshell and maiming/disfiguring/blinding them is a sure way to end up being financially ruined after a hefty civil lawsuit.
--VegasGlocker
Hmmmmm. With what ammo and where do you suggest shooting a BG in self-defense that is totally risk-free and politically correct? If avoiding lawsuits is one's main concern, then by all means leave your weapon at home and carry a cell phone. You can call Sarah Brady in an emergency. :-) Some people believe there are worse things than being sued, like being murdered.

[PACKIN' PLASTIC]

People get caught up in this lawsuit stuff, which is BS unless you live in Caliban country.

I wouldn't use birdshot in an auto loader for defense, but nothing much wrong with it.


PP

[FotoTomas]

As a side note I many years ago loaded up some shotshells with a Die set that allowed me to cut down .308 brass. With the brass cut down, powder loaded, small wad inserted and tamped. Shot fed into casing and case inserted into forming die. The forming die swaged the brass case into an approximation of the .45 230 grain bullet. A small wad was placed on top and sealed with lacquer.

This was a time consuming process however it allowed for reliable functioning in a Military surplus .45 1911. When dispatching snakes a hail of #12's from a functioning .45 worked wonders. It did often take a magazine to completely finish of the snake.

I imagine this would be a viable option for the G30. I will research if the dies are still available.

How about a new twist?
Ever try using shotshells for skeet shooting?

[FotoTomas]

Not with my pistol. :)

[pdruffin]

It beats me why anyone would assume that my question about shooting shotshells in the 30 had anything to do with self-defense.

[Bullwinkle J Moose]

Originally posted by PACKIN' PLASTIC

I wouldn't use birdshot in an auto loader for defense
PP
I wouldn't either. In fact I've only tried them in a 38 wheelgun once and most of the shells from that package have been in my ammo drawer for probably 25 years. Then again, I'm not phobic about snakes. I think they are fascinating and beautiful creatures and do not feel obligated to kill them unless they are poisonous and are found near where children play. I've encountered many snakes in the wild including water mocs with nasty attitudes that have actually chased me on land and attacked my boat on water. I find that watching where you step, being aware of one's surroundings and walking (or running) away from any whose home you happen to intrude upon works for me. Two legged varmints are much more dangerous and unpredictable.

Not to change the subject, but my ex-bro-in-law could actually SMELL snakes. I never believed him until I witnessed it several times. Each time, while trudging through the swamp, he would stop and say "I smell a snake". We'd stop and look around and, sure enough, we'd shortly locate it nearby. That was a handy talent!

[dave1]

If it doesn't have shoulders.....it doesn't belong on this earth;L

[pangris]

I have fired CCI shotshell through my 21. It patterns nicely at 25 feet, cycles, and has taken care of a cotton mouth with no problems. Not wories about a FEW rounds damaging the barrel. I wouldn't make a practice of it.

[briantf]

Did a test Saturday, 38 spl from 7 paces, 45 acp from 10 paces (different target stands). I'd not carry a 38spl with the cci shotshells for snakes based on this comparison.

I put two rounds of 45 in a 1911, they cycled fine.

Two rounds of 45 at 10 paces had a LOT more shot than 5 rds of 38spl at 7 paces.

The difference was plain and dramatic, and disappointing. I was planning on keeping a 357 loaded up with those shotshells for rattlers. Now I guess I'll keep a mag of the 45's available.

As for harming your barrel, are you kidding??

Brian in CA

PS Non-poisonous snakes are quite nice; I don't understand a live & let live attitude in situations such as this:
>>>
water mocs with nasty attitudes that have actually chased me on land and attacked my boat on water
>>>

What does a snake have to do to warrent some birdshot?

[Bullwinkle J Moose]

Originally posted by briantf
>>>
water mocs with nasty attitudes that have actually chased me on land and attacked my boat on water
>>>

What does a snake have to do to warrent some birdshot?

Invade MY home.

I saw a very interesting National Geographic Special about water mocs the other day. They had a crew of 3 people and a photog tromping around the swamp in my homestate and every moc that found they would test it by first putting their foot right beside it. Then they would put their foot on it and finally they would pick it up with their hand. (they wore protection.) During these tests they were filming. In every of about 6 cases the moc would not bite until it was picked up and held for a while. It would show its white mouth as a warning well before biting and most did not deliver a full dose of venom when they bit. It seems they can control the amount of poison they inject and only "dry bit" those lunatics to make them put them down. The snake expert/fool said that mocs had a milder temperament than most other poisonous snakes. That was news to me. But when they tested copperheads, those rascals bit as soon as they put their foot beside them. Oh well...