TheDomFather
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Here are some good choices for home defense pistols. I just got back from shooting all 4 at the range and wanted to share some choices and the pros and cons of each. Let me know what you think.
4 Home defense pistol options
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TheDomFather
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It's a great gun!
Zaydok Allen
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I'll take ANY Sig over any Glock, any day of the week.
chaim
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Out of your guns that you talk about in the video, I'd go with one of the P227s for home defense, probably the Equinox (as configured) or the Tac Ops without the light.
I don't like gun mounted lights. A tactical light is a good addition to your home defense kit. They are bright and will destroy a home invader's night vision which will give you an advantage. Also, you want to see what you are aiming at as clearly as possible, be sure it is an invader and not a family member getting up for a late night snack. That last part is why I don't want a weapon mounted light. To use those, you need to have your gun aimed at whatever you are identifying, I don't want my gun pointed at a visiting friend or family member. A good handheld light can be pointed at a possible intruder to identify them with the gun held at low ready in case it is someone you don't want to point your gun at, and if it is an intruder, if the gun is at low ready you can get it into action quite quickly. Little downside, much safer.
So, that explains the Equinox over your 2nd 227, why not the Glock? I prefer SIGs over Glock, so that is part of it. I like the heavy DA/SA trigger for a home defense gun over the lighter striker fired trigger. However, the main reason is caliber. I'm a big fan of 9mm, .40 and .45, and see them all as having their own set of advantages for different situations. For .45, it is at its best for home defense. 9mm and .40 get much of their power from velocity. One downside of this is potential over penetration. With .45, it is slow and heavy and gets its power from its mass. It is more likely to stay in an attacker if you have to shoot and less likely than the higher velocity rounds to go through your attacker and put others at risk. I might pick the Glock for CCW over the P227, but I'd go with the .45ACP SIG for home defense any day.
I don't like gun mounted lights. A tactical light is a good addition to your home defense kit. They are bright and will destroy a home invader's night vision which will give you an advantage. Also, you want to see what you are aiming at as clearly as possible, be sure it is an invader and not a family member getting up for a late night snack. That last part is why I don't want a weapon mounted light. To use those, you need to have your gun aimed at whatever you are identifying, I don't want my gun pointed at a visiting friend or family member. A good handheld light can be pointed at a possible intruder to identify them with the gun held at low ready in case it is someone you don't want to point your gun at, and if it is an intruder, if the gun is at low ready you can get it into action quite quickly. Little downside, much safer.
So, that explains the Equinox over your 2nd 227, why not the Glock? I prefer SIGs over Glock, so that is part of it. I like the heavy DA/SA trigger for a home defense gun over the lighter striker fired trigger. However, the main reason is caliber. I'm a big fan of 9mm, .40 and .45, and see them all as having their own set of advantages for different situations. For .45, it is at its best for home defense. 9mm and .40 get much of their power from velocity. One downside of this is potential over penetration. With .45, it is slow and heavy and gets its power from its mass. It is more likely to stay in an attacker if you have to shoot and less likely than the higher velocity rounds to go through your attacker and put others at risk. I might pick the Glock for CCW over the P227, but I'd go with the .45ACP SIG for home defense any day.
chaim
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Oh, in case you wanted your video critiqued instead of the guns...
Good video, but somewhere about halfway through you throw in the "S-word" meaning excrement. Many of us cuss from time to time when talking to adults in a casual setting so you probably didn't even realize you did. I'd either edit that out or have a warning in case someone is watching at work or with children nearby.
Good video, but somewhere about halfway through you throw in the "S-word" meaning excrement. Many of us cuss from time to time when talking to adults in a casual setting so you probably didn't even realize you did. I'd either edit that out or have a warning in case someone is watching at work or with children nearby.
bannockburn
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TheDomFather
Of the guns shown I would probably go with the P227 Elite Tac-Ops Model. My own home defense gun is a P227R with the SRT, SIG's night sights, and a SIG STL-900L laser/light module.
Of the guns shown I would probably go with the P227 Elite Tac-Ops Model. My own home defense gun is a P227R with the SRT, SIG's night sights, and a SIG STL-900L laser/light module.
jonnyc
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Thanks, but I don't really want any of those. Plenty of us out there don't like Glocks or Sigs. Fortunately there are lots of choices out there.
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TheDomFather
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Understood this is just a review of 4 potential options that I happen to own and shoot not the be all end all.
MTMilitiaman
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I actually sold the one SIG I owned, a P220 SAO, to purchase my second Glock, a Gen III G19. Different strokes I guess.
Zerodefect
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Yep. All my Sigs are gone. And Beretta's, and CZ 75's, and Rugers.
Glock, Glock, Glock, Glock, Dan Wesson, J-frame, Kahr P380(lame), are my serious pistols. It was hitting moving targets and competing that made me make the switch from DA/SA's to Glocks, and 1911's on rare occasions. If I can't compete well in 3 gun with it, then I don't want to be stuck with it for defense.
Glock, Glock, Glock, Glock, Dan Wesson, J-frame, Kahr P380(lame), are my serious pistols. It was hitting moving targets and competing that made me make the switch from DA/SA's to Glocks, and 1911's on rare occasions. If I can't compete well in 3 gun with it, then I don't want to be stuck with it for defense.
JR24
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I traded a P250 for a Gen 4 21, and sold a P220 to finance a CZ, which then became a Gen 4 17. Don't miss the Sigs.
Though, my P229 ain't goin nowhere and me next gun will be s P227 carry.
Zaydok Allen
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Indeed. I'm more of a hammer fired kind of guy, and Glocks feel like I'm hanging onto a door knob in my hand. I can shoot them accurately, but they feel unnatural to me.
The one thing we do seem to consistently agree on...................... 10mm is a good way to go.
MTMilitiaman
Member
Yeah. I was initially skeptical of Glocks. I was looking to supplement a USP Tactical that was having issues and had peaked an interest in the 10mm Auto. It was my interest in the 10mm Auto that persuaded me to test what I considered to be lukewarm Austrian waters and take a dive on the Glock 20. There were things I liked about it initially, but it took a while before I could hit as consistently with it as I could with other designs. The big break came when I figured out there are two wrist lock positions and that while when pushing a 1911 or other auto with a traditional grip angle out, I pointed at the target with my index finger along the frame, while shooting my Glock I had to push out and point with the thumb along the frame. Once this clicked for me I was bouncing a spent 12 gauge shell around at a gravel pit at like 50 feet or so and decided, "You know what? I love my Glock!" The SIG came into my life looking to replace the HK, which I had since given up on. But once I figured out the Glock, a pistol with 8 rounds in the magazine just didn't do it for me. I sold the SIG to a friend and bought a Gen III Glock 19, which I still maintain is one of the best combat/defensive sidearms ever. Unfortunately, the G19 and several other firearms were stolen from the back of my truck last year when I was in the process of moving. Which is why I am not a fan of leaving guns in vehicles--I still get nauseously sick when I think about coming out to my truck and finding the back seat empty. People say that stuff if replaceable. Try it sometime. It SUCKS having your crap stolen, esp crap that represents as much of an investment to you as ANY of your firearms. Bit I digress. Long story short, it was Glocks support of the 10mm Auto that initially brought me to them and they continue to keep my interested by their continued support of the most complete lineup of 10mm Auto pistols by any manufacture. I'm sold on the design, but I understand when others aren't because it took me a while too.
Vern Humphrey
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Why a handgun for home defense? If you're at home, you aren't limited to a handgun -- get a shotgun!
MTMilitiaman
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Ageed. A decent pump is economical and provides devastating close range firepower. If you know you are stuck in a gunfight or that a gunfight is likely imminent and inescapable, you are probably best served with a shotgun or rifle. A handgun is typical viewed as a way to fight your way to a long gun. However, even with a shotgun in the house, one should probably have a handgun as well. A handgun is more discrete and inconspicuous when checking out a random bump in the night and provides ample firepower to address most defensive encounters inside the house when you aren't certain there is a threat in the house. A handgun can be used one-handed, allowing you to keep one hand free to open doors, use a flashlight or cell phone, carry or escort a child, ect. I agree that if a known threat is present that you should probably take a long gun. But most of the time it is an unknown sound or the dog is barking or the motion light at the back of the garage came on, and discretion is the better part of valor. These are the times it's nice to have a handgun.
JR24
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You kinda answered your own question vis a vi needing your hands or overkill.
Guess for me a shotgun (or carbine) won't be what I grab to check random bumps that the dogs aren't too worried about. I'll want a flashlight also for those and it is overwhelmingly likely my cats.
If it is for sure an intruder the ONE concern I would have is securing my son downstairs and I'd need my offhand to grab him, then if at all possible its leave the house or bunker and wait for the cops. Pretty sure intruders arent going to go through a locked bedroom door and two snarling dogs before the cops arrive. And if they do, my CCW 9mm or .45 (I like to keep both options in case I change my mind witn wardrobe) and my wife's. 357 will have to suffice.
I do keep a CQB rigged AK and AR carbine in the downstairs safe, with some mags handy for SHTF scenarios, bit again If I can get my family to that point, I'd rather keep going to thr truck and just let the cops clear the house.
Zerodefect
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If I have the time and opportunity to grab my 12g or my AR, that's nice. But there's a pistol on my hip 1st.
JD Pinardi
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How about any good 1911 with night sites.......too boring?
JD
JD
expat_alaska
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I'm 65, we live in the boontoolies with a 300' driveway, and we have 6 motion detector lights surrounding the house.
We also have security monitor: a 13 lb. Dachshund with a very large bark who sleeps on the bed with us. We had a propane delivery at 0630 today and she was alerting us to that before the truck's backup beeper emitted 3 beeps. We have 4 9W night lights scattered around the house in areas where the intruder(s) can't see me well, which allows enough illumination for me to see the intruder(s) in the event of a home invasion.
I have had the same 1911 as a HD/SD/CC/truck pistol for 25 years. It is a 1984 AMT Hardballer (Covina) .45 that has been well massaged by me including a throated barrel, and it runs with HP and FMJ bullets. Totally trustworthy insofar as function.
My problem with all of the fancy sights and lights on a 1911 .45 is this: if you have used the pistol enough to be comfortable with it, all you need to do at 7 yards or less is to acquire the muzzle, lock the wrist, and put it on the perp's center of mass. It is bigger than a dinner plate. A light on a pistol is only a target for the perp(s), and it is only something more to do when one should be concentrating upon stopping the assailant(s). If you are shooting at more than 7 yards, either you have a huge house, or are pursuing the perp(s) outdoors which will land you in jail these days because you have caused a defensive situation to turn into an offensive situation.
I agree that a shotgun or a carbine is better for HD, but I think it may take more time to get into action than a pistol.
Jim
JD Pinardi
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JD Pinardi
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expat...I agree about too much tech lighting, the only reason I mentioned night sites is I a purchased Springfield Armory 1911 4 1/2" Champion almost 20 yrs ago, I've done many things too the gun, but have never touched the sites.... the nite sites that came on this gun still glow perfectly.....I'm Impressed....and it does help in total darkness.
JD
JD
MTMilitiaman
Member
That's right, all those police and military guys put white lights on their guns because they like being shot at...
expat_alaska
Member
I am not M&P. When those guys go into action with their "white lights" there are many more folks supporting them and they are into CQ combat. They have ballistic vests and helmets, among other things I do not have. Many folks have their six. You are talking apples and oranges. Maybe you have someone taking watch while you are asleep, Militia Man. I don't. I have a security alert dog. Do you want to come here and defend me from the nasty folks? I think not.
I am just talking one on one home defense here. You are talking nonsense in the real world unless you are in a combat situation.
Jim
MTMilitiaman
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Any time bullets are flying in opposite directions, it's combat.
I roll my eyes and chuckle anytime I hear someone say that a purpose built weapon light is just going to give the bad guy something to shoot at. It instantly demonstrates the complete lack of experience they have with weapon lights. If you think someone is just going to shoot at the light, you've obviously never looked into a Surefire. A weapon light is not just any $12 Walmart flashlight. The amount of light a designated weapon light puts out is enough to cause temporary blindness. Trying to look into the light is like looking into the sun--you can feel your retinas sizzling. It's like having a UFO land on you. Even in a well lit store it will make you squint and see spots. In the dark, you will close your eyes and/or turn your head. This response is involuntary and is done to prevent damage to your eyes. If you think you can shoot something with your eyes closed and your head turned to the side, be my guest. In reality, by the time you have a chance to take any voluntary response to the white light, I've already identified you as hostile and have two rounds in the air. A white light is a force multiplier. It gives you the initiative and is almost like a less lethal weapon in and of itself. Seriously. Marines have white lights on their M16A4s in addition to nightvision because most people not looking for a firefight cease all unwanted activity just by hitting them with a few hundred lumens of white light--it's physically painful and disorienting, not pleasant--unless you're a determined adversary looking for violence, most people understand the gig is up when you light them up. Criminals and those with nefarious intent like the dark. Light is the enemy. Surefire is their nemesis. They haven't created a multi-million dollar industry out of making Marines easier to shoot. The things work, regardless of whether you want to admit it.
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