[MikeJ]

I know this is a common quandry for many gun nuts and that is which gun should I pick for this purpose or that purpose, etc. I am going through this now on my home defense handgun.

Here are the options I have narrrowed it down to so please limit your comments to these guns and not suggest I go buy something else. I will list what I feel are the pros and cons to each and welcome your input on each.
I do have a S&W 442 loaded with 135 grain .38+P Gold Dots as backup.

1. S&W 3" 65 loaded with Speer 135 grain .38+P Gold Dots

Pros: simplicity, reliability, can remain loaded with no ill effects and I am very proficient with it.

Cons: only six rounds and possibly not the most effective caliber.

2. Beretta Centurion 92D 9mm (DAO) haven't selected a round but probably 124 grain Gold Dot or Golden Saber.

Pros: simplicity, has always been reliable*, 15 rounds of a more potent round

Cons: *concerned about reliability after leaving it loaded for long periods of time and in a high stress situation is it easier to cause a malfunction with a pistol vs. revolver.

3. Beretta Centurion 96D .40 (DAO) 165 grain Golden Saber

Pros: same as 92D but probably a more potent round

Cons: same as 92D and only 2/3 of bullet capacity of 92D

Which of these would you choose and why?

[WT]

A revolver is just fine.

Hits count. Good hits count more.

[Freeze N]

Any one on the list you have is fine. Pick the one you like the best and go from there. I tend to go with a high capacity bottom feeder, but do carry a Smith 686 2" also.

[1 old 0311]

Wheel gun. Size doesn't matter for home defense. Reliability, and ease does.

Kevin

[thorazine]

2. Beretta Centurion 92D 9mm (DAO)

The nine gets the job done and the extra capacity gives you a lot more room for error.

I believe you can get 17 and 20 round magazines for the beretta. Check Mec-Gar.

[Ford]

the auto should hold up just fine. I have a Kimber TLE/RL with an M6 attached. I leave it loaded. Change out mags every 6 to 12 mos. No problems over the last....what...2 -3 years

[461]

I'd go with the revolver as you said you are very proficcient with it. In a stress situation you want something in your hand that you know inside and out and the .38+P is by no means a questionable round to use.

[geekWithA.45]

What I'd do is first sort out the 9mm vs .40 issue. You'll need to borrow or rent those guns, and actually fire them, to see if you can shoot them with comfort and accuracy. The .40's got a snappy impulse, but the recoil's perfectly manageable. The 9mm purrs like a kitten.

Once you've squared that away in your mind, it's down to autoshucker vs wheelgun, which is entirely a personal choice.

Me, I alway reach for the autoshucker when things go bump in the night. YMMV.

[MikeJ]

I currently own all three of these guns and I am able to handle all of them without any difficulty. I find that both Berettas are quite accurate so that is not an issue. These are the guns I narrowed it down to from the ones in my collecton.

[Black Majik]

Pick the one YOU shoot best with. You said that all are reliable. Storing the mags for long periods of time will not have any adverse effects. All are good defense calibers. Capacity shouldn't be that big of an issue.

[Jim PHL]

Your 3" M65 is an excellent gun for your stated purpose. If you doubt the effectiveness of the .38 round you are using, well, it IS a .357!

[MachIVshooter]

At least two of them. If it were me, I'd keep the M65 loaded with 158 gr. JHP's on top of the nightstand and the 96D somewhere nearby and easily accessible. If you have a wife, put the other two on her side.

As uncommon as it is, sometimes the home invader wants to torture or molest their victims, which requires keeping them alive and under control. If the invader has planned his attack, he will first secure your firearms. This means that if he has cased your place he will try to get the gun on your nightstand before you do. Then he will be in control. But if you have a backup gun he is unaware of, all you need is for him to be distracted or otherwise innattentive/complacent for a moment and the ball is back in your court.

I will not divulge specifics on my HD schematics, but suffice it to say there is more than one contingency plan should alert systems fail.

[MikeJ]

Thanks to all who responded. I actually bought the 96D Centurion strictly for home defense as I wanted to keep the 92D pristine and use only for range use. I figured that the .40 would give me a bit of an edge over the 9mm and certainly more over the .38. I also felt that 10 rounds should be adequate for the intended purpose, if I need more than 10 I am in a serious gun battle.:uhoh: I still haven't totally made up my mind but at least I am armed.