shotgun is good for holding down the fort in one spot...i like the option of holding down the fort and waiting for LE...but if i have to move around the home IMO would like a handgun..... look at sp101 3' by ruger or a judge by taurus if its just for home defense....i can think of others i like but these are good and cheap around here
Best handgun for home defense
- Thread starter bigjhomerun
- Start date
- Status
Deanimator
Member
A shotgun is good if you have room to effectively employ it. I don't.
I'm not going to barricade my bedroom door and call the cops every time I hear a noise in the living room. Eventually, their response time will be calculable in hours, if not days, nevermind that they'd have to kick the door in EVERY time they came.
David E
Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2008
- Messages
- 7,459
A shotgun is a good firearm for the "safe room," when you KNOW there are badguys in the house.
But we all hear noises that don't sound "right," but it's not enough to call the cops for. Still.........we can't fully relax until we check it out.
For that task, a reliable handgun that you are skilled with, .38/9mm or larger is the weapon of choice.
But we all hear noises that don't sound "right," but it's not enough to call the cops for. Still.........we can't fully relax until we check it out.
For that task, a reliable handgun that you are skilled with, .38/9mm or larger is the weapon of choice.
Right now my home defense gun is a Glock 19 because both the caliber and the size of the gun is easily controllable by my wife's hands but enough for me to feel like I have enough gun.
Find a caliber and gun model you are both comfortable with. And don't go with a revolver just because it is simple. Revolvers also have some the heaviest and often longest trigger pulls and often take years of practice to master. Not to mention crappy sights.
Get a simple striker fired automatic like a Glock, M&P and XD without a manual safety and not only will it be simple like a revolver, but easier to shoot and with more firepower. More rounds in the mag= larger margain of error.
Find a caliber and gun model you are both comfortable with. And don't go with a revolver just because it is simple. Revolvers also have some the heaviest and often longest trigger pulls and often take years of practice to master. Not to mention crappy sights.
Get a simple striker fired automatic like a Glock, M&P and XD without a manual safety and not only will it be simple like a revolver, but easier to shoot and with more firepower. More rounds in the mag= larger margain of error.
The best kept secret is the .44 Special in a S&W N-frame. It shoots incredibly soft and has the same stopping power as the .45 ACP
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone for home defense.........I think a DA revolver is ideal in a home defense handgun, especially for someone who doesn't shoot a lot.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone for home defense.........I think a DA revolver is ideal in a home defense handgun, especially for someone who doesn't shoot a lot.
Exactly.
One has to understand that there are handguns made for shooting sports, that can be really expensive. Their expensive features can actually be detrimental to defensive use in many ways.
There are also handguns made as ornaments, and then you pay for something pretty that doesn't work any better than the plain version -- in fact, it may require much more careful handling.
You only "get what you pay for" when you're comparing apples to apples, and that's not always easy, even for the well-versed.
And if you handload, you might even be able to stoke it with ammo...
That's the real secret: where all the .44 Special ammo is.
Lots of good points by previous posters.
I agree that a shotgun is the best home defense gun, but sometimes it is not as "handy" has a handgun. For example, a handgun is easier to keep in a quick access safe like the gunvault or DAC sportsafe.
Assuming that the OP knows that he wants a pistol instead of (or in addition to) a shotgun, here is what I would pay attention to (regardless of whether or not you choose a revolver or semiauto):
Reliability - S&W or Ruger for revolver. Sig, Glock, HK, S&W, SA, for semiauto
Ergonomics - a grip that fits you and controls that are intuitive and simple
Shootability - assuming it is not too heavy, a large frame gun will most likely be easier to shoot well and will help to manage recoil
Accessories - either night sights or a rail for a light/laser would be nice options for a home gun
I agree that a shotgun is the best home defense gun, but sometimes it is not as "handy" has a handgun. For example, a handgun is easier to keep in a quick access safe like the gunvault or DAC sportsafe.
Assuming that the OP knows that he wants a pistol instead of (or in addition to) a shotgun, here is what I would pay attention to (regardless of whether or not you choose a revolver or semiauto):
Reliability - S&W or Ruger for revolver. Sig, Glock, HK, S&W, SA, for semiauto
Ergonomics - a grip that fits you and controls that are intuitive and simple
Shootability - assuming it is not too heavy, a large frame gun will most likely be easier to shoot well and will help to manage recoil
Accessories - either night sights or a rail for a light/laser would be nice options for a home gun
I have night sights on my "home gun." But I am not sure why I need them. I'd hate to shoot someone if it's too dark to see anything. That's how friends, neighbors, relatives and roommates get shot.
I think I'd spend the money on a really good high-end flashlight to keep with the gun, before I bought night sights.
I did a little hip-shooting yesterday when I was testing some handloads and wanted to shoot out some that I didn't want to keep anyway. At in-home distances, I'd use sights, but I wouldn't worry if I didn't see them too well, given that I could hit a human attacker without lifting the gun past my waist.
I think I'd spend the money on a really good high-end flashlight to keep with the gun, before I bought night sights.
I did a little hip-shooting yesterday when I was testing some handloads and wanted to shoot out some that I didn't want to keep anyway. At in-home distances, I'd use sights, but I wouldn't worry if I didn't see them too well, given that I could hit a human attacker without lifting the gun past my waist.
JImbothefiveth
Member
Let your mom pick the gun. Just make sure it's reliable, and in a good caliber. I myself think glock is a good brand, however, your mom might not like them.
Also, even though you probably already know the rules of gun safety, here they are:
Rule 1: Always treat all guns as if they are loaded, always, even when they are empty.
second rule: never let a gun point at or close to anything you don't want destroyed
rule 3: finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
4th rule: always know your target and what's behind it. Make sure little Johnny isn't behing that bullseye, and that that deer isn't someone in a deer costume.
Also, even though you probably already know the rules of gun safety, here they are:
Rule 1: Always treat all guns as if they are loaded, always, even when they are empty.
second rule: never let a gun point at or close to anything you don't want destroyed
rule 3: finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
4th rule: always know your target and what's behind it. Make sure little Johnny isn't behing that bullseye, and that that deer isn't someone in a deer costume.
There are some times when you can see the target and not the sights, or, if someone breaks in and you and everyone in your house is in a safe room.
I like glocks. Especially subcompact glocks. First handgun I ever shot. However, I'm not sure this would be the best option. The grip is small, I don't think I can get more than 3 fingers on it. It will often, especially with the grip extension, "bite" my hand. The recoil doesn't hurt too bad, however, the rise is terrible. Follw-up shots are not going to be fast until you get in some good practice.
Last edited:
I have mixed feelings about that.
As a hunter (not The Great White Hunter, but someone who does hunt ), I think of a scope. It is both poor practice as well as potentially illegal to use a scope to glass around for game. It can be illegal if you find another hunter in the brush, and you're pointing the gun at him to look and see whether he's a deer. In Idaho, aiming a firearm at someone "without malice" is a misdemeanor, even if you're "just using the scope to look around."
If the weapon-mounted light is the first time you see who your target is, that probably means you have your finger on the trigger and you're ready to fire before you know who you're about to shoot.
That's not good.
However, having a bunch of crap in your hands when you might need a gun to defend yourself against one or more armed attackers in the dark, in a confined space, sounds like a very bad idea.
So a separate flashlight might be the last thing you want to be fiddling with.
I wish I knew a great answer to this dilemma.
As a hunter (not The Great White Hunter, but someone who does hunt
), I think of a scope. It is both poor practice as well as potentially illegal to use a scope to glass around for game. It can be illegal if you find another hunter in the brush, and you're pointing the gun at him to look and see whether he's a deer. In Idaho, aiming a firearm at someone "without malice" is a misdemeanor, even if you're "just using the scope to look around."If the weapon-mounted light is the first time you see who your target is, that probably means you have your finger on the trigger and you're ready to fire before you know who you're about to shoot.
That's not good.
However, having a bunch of crap in your hands when you might need a gun to defend yourself against one or more armed attackers in the dark, in a confined space, sounds like a very bad idea.
So a separate flashlight might be the last thing you want to be fiddling with.
I wish I knew a great answer to this dilemma.
I disagree. If someone is going through my house in the dead of night and it's just me and my wife in the house, I know that whoever this other person is doesn't belong. I'm not going to hope that my flashlight is going to stop them. I know that Mr. 1911 will have a better chance of doing that.
Exactly.
A 4" 38 or 357 revolver is ideal for a house gun. Easy manual of arms and you can load it with whatever the person can handle from wadcutters to full bore magnums.
Revolvers are better for someone that doesn't handle guns a lot. Shotguns are good but there is a recoil factor that someone who doesn't shoot them often won't get used to.
A pistol caliber carbine is another possibility as recoil is nil. That would have to be a semi-auto as you wopuld just want to pull the trigger and not worry about manipulating a slide or lever.
Revolvers are better for someone that doesn't handle guns a lot. Shotguns are good but there is a recoil factor that someone who doesn't shoot them often won't get used to.
A pistol caliber carbine is another possibility as recoil is nil. That would have to be a semi-auto as you wopuld just want to pull the trigger and not worry about manipulating a slide or lever.
I'd suggest a used Glock 17 with the factory 32 round magazine. That will give you:
1. Reliable
2. Cheap
3. Plenty of firepower
4. accurate
There is no handgun that will reliably and consistently "stop somebody in their tracks." There are few rifle rounds that will do that on a reliable and consistent basis.
1. Reliable
2. Cheap
3. Plenty of firepower
4. accurate
There is no handgun that will reliably and consistently "stop somebody in their tracks." There are few rifle rounds that will do that on a reliable and consistent basis.
aderden
Member
i recommend a mossberg 500. bought mine for 150 dollars at a gun show, and is easy to maintain and operate. the safety is located at the top, like a hammer would be on a revolver, granting easy access, and with a pistol grip and short barrel (mines 18.5 inches) you should have no problems maneuvering around your home (which should never be a problem unless your junk piles are large enough to fall on the intruder. know and maintain your perimeter.) and a light can be mounted w no problems. i imagine 6 rounds of birdshot should serve you well (yeah holes in the wall, but if live in close quarters like i do, in a townhome, you have to worry about shooting your neighbors through the walls. shotshell won't go too far).
Who said anything like that?
If you're in a situation where you can safely assume that anyone in your house can be shot, then why give away your position, looking around with a flashlight, including a gun-mounted flashlight?
Until you point the light directly at the attacker, the light allows him to know where you are in the dark, but doesn't let you know where he is.
It would seem to me that the best option is to have the gun up and ready, and turn on the light switch.
jdub102003
Member
I would consider a .380 or a 9mm for caliber. But what ever you 2 choose if it is going to be a home defense gun i can't express the importance of pratice enough....Shoot the gun and learn to know it inside out because when and if a situation was ever to arise the weapon you choose is your only friend...just know 9mm ammo is cheaper and found alot easier.
Deanimator
Member
I'll never have a light mounted on a handgun.
1. I don't want to be using a light which also requires me to point a loaded firearm at somebody if I want to use it AT ALL. Mistake, bad report, malfeasance, for whatever reason it might be the cops in my house. Point a gun at them, right or wrong, and you pretty much guarantee a gunfight.
2. I don't need or want to provide an intruder with an aiming point. If "tracers work both ways", that's DEFINITELY the case with a flashlight.
Just One Shot
Member
One that goes bang when you pull the trigger!
Wildyams
Member
If you want something inexpensive.. just take a tape recorder to your local gun shop and record the sound of someone cocking a remington 870... and if that doesn't scare them away, I would recommend a revolver because if your mother isn't experienced with guns, there is so much less that could go wrong with a revolver compared to an auto. A 357 would be nice so you can also shoot lighter cheaper 38's at the range
kmrcstintn
Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2006
- Messages
- 1,236
when I don't keep active with training, I feel that a .357 magnum steel framed revolver loaded with Remington Express 158gr lead semiwadcutter hollowpoint .38 spl +p to be a hard combination to beat...
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked