Serious question from someone who knows nothing...lol

[OneGrassRoot]

Can a pellet or BB gun be modified to have more impact for deterrence? Do people sell such things? I don't want anything lethal for several reasons but I would like something for self-defense, in my home, beyond pepper spray, baseball bat, etc.

Thanks

[DemMedic]

1. I doubt this is possible

Due to the pressure involved in actual firearms, even as small as a .22.

[multigraincracker]

2. Pellet weapons can be deadly. Lewis and Clark

used one for medium size game.
Your best most effective and much more safe for home protection might be a 410 shot gun. The sound from it will most likely scare off most. The size of shot can make difference in how deadly. The larger the shot, the more deadly.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. When you say deterrence, do you mean hurting someone?

[OneGrassRoot]

4. Yes. Maybe the term is neutralize, but not kill...

give me time to get away or maybe act as a deterrent. I know any action comes with risk, especially angering the attacker further but I'm trying to think of options.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

6. If you're going to be firing something, you should come to terms with the fact that any shot carries a risk of killing.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Okay, thank you. Honestly, I'm not as concerned about lethality against an attacker...

but concerned about grandchildren if they would somehow find it. I can ensure that doesn't happen though.

Thanks very much.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

5. Any bb or pellet gun that is useful for self defense is going to be lethal, like a hunting air rifle

And hunting air rifles basically cost the same as real guns. Your normal non lethal air guns aren't much useful beyond trying to scare someone off. They will do absolutely nothing to stop a person.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. Thank you all. I appreciate the replies. n/t

[Sneederbunk]

9. My sister was shot through the arm by a pellet gun in the late 1950s.

[OneGrassRoot]

12. Holy shit. n/t

[sarisataka]

10. Unfortunately, your quest is futile due to physics

A gun launches a projectile of x weight at yvelocity with a kinetic energy of z.

It does not matter if the force used to launch the projectile is compressed air, as it a BB gun, or gas from burning gunpowder in a firearm. if you increase either the velocity or weight you get more energy i.e. the potential to cause more damage.

Most BB guns put out only a few foot pounds (ft/lb) of energy, they can break the skin but likely no life threatening injury
Hunting air weapons are more in the 20-30 (ft/lb) range. They can kill if they hit a vulnerable spot.
The .25 ACP, one of the weakest firearm cartridges, has around 65 ft/lb.
For comparison the 9mm has around 320 ft/lb and the .223 from an AR-15 is around 1175 ft/lb.
A .30-06 hunting rifle has 2900 ft/lbs give or take.

The Army considers 58 ft/lbs to be lethal although 53 ft/lbs can penetrate the skull.

You may think it is the velocity that makes firearms more deadly however good air guns can exceed 1000 feet per second which is as fast or greater than many pistols. It is the weight of the projectiles that firearms can push out. BBs weigh near 5gr, air gun pellets about 8gr. Firearm bullets vary for each caliber but for an average, a .25 ACP weighs 45gr and a 9mm 115gr.

That was a lot of words to say anything that has more impact is more likely to be lethal.

Unless you are prepared to risk killing someone in self-defense, I would suggest staying away from any solid projectile weapon.

[multigraincracker]

11. Google or search "Cheap Home Security".

Found the results amazing and just a lot of common sense. Security and motion lights to start. Most break in are in the easiest ones to get in.

[OneGrassRoot]

13. Yes...

Honestly, I'm trying to be prepared for civil unrest. I'm doing the basic prepper stuff but if things get especially gnarly amongst citizens, beyond the typical violence we're accustomed to, I want to do something to prepare. Something I can actually do and, as many have said, that I can live with. (I have the Purge movies in my head, sadly.)

I see there are basic things like tactical flashlights, personal alarms, and taser combos. lol

But I definitely want to get a Ring-style camera too; I'm renting so I can't do much plus I have to be frugal. Fortunately there are motion lights.

[yagotme]

14. For "civil unrest", you should be prepared for a lethal scenario.

If you're using non-lethal, and they're not, you lose the tactical advantage. Shotguns can be loaded with lethal and non-lethal projectiles. A couple of rubber bullets, backed by buckshot for the remainder, would be a "common" defense loadout. A riot type pump shotgun, with full magazine capacity (not plugged for hunting) can be had for a few hundred dollars, used, depending on your area. Check local laws, also. Some types of non-lethal weapons are not allowed in certain areas of the country. If you decide to go with the shotgun, have some dummy rounds made up, and practice loading/unloading. The more competent you are, the safer you are.

[OneGrassRoot]

15. Interesting. Thanks! n/t

[yagotme]

16. YW!

[somsai]

17. I'd recommend being as informed as possible, best protection is based between your ears

I think we are a long long way from any civil unrest you would have to worry about in your home.

Driving to work or commuting on public transport could be an issue if there were things like 2020, many people had problems trying to use the roads during unauthorized disturbances. Recently part of an interstate was closed in CA. Most municipalities or local news orgs have places to keep abreast of current situations as they arise.

The best self defence classes have lots of info about avoiding bad situations. The best fight is the one that doesn't happen.

Worst case bear spray. Shoots 20 ft. No one gets killed. costs maybe $40.

[OneGrassRoot]

18. Thank you for your thoughts...

I definitely am low risk and always have situational awareness. I like to think ahead and try to anticipate. Thx for the bear spray suggestion.