Am I being foolish?

[MikeJ]

Hello all,
Over the last several years I have been alternating my home defense guns between a Glock 23 loaded with 165 grain Remington Golden Saber and a S&W 2 1/2" 66 currently loaded with 125 grain Speer Gold Dot .38+P. My question is, am I being foolish to use the S&W 66 when I have the Glock as an available option? You see, I really like the 66 and in many ways prefer it, but sometimes I think that the Glock has a much greater tactical advantage over it and that I should put the 66 in the safe and stick with the Glock for home defense. BTW, I am proficient enough with either gun so its a caliber/capacity issue. Opinions please. Mike

 

[GSMD Fan]

I do not think you are being foolish at all.
Both are a viable choice.
If you shoot/handle both equaly well flip a coin

Many folks have selected each weapon you have to chose from, consider yourself lucky to have two.
Some have none.

 

[Preacherman]

Congratulations - you've duplicated my current rotation of home defence handguns (although I load my Model 66 with 125gr. .357 Magnum JHP's, rather than the .38 Special loads you use). I wouldn't feel poorly or inadequately armed with a Model 66 full up with decent hollowpoints... not in the least! Of course, my HD handguns serve as backup to a Remington 870 loaded with buckshot - so any BG's breaking in might not get to experience the handgun at all!

 

[Triad]

You're not being foolish. I don't see the need to pick one if you are comfortable with both of them. If you feel the need to choose a single gun as a primary home defense gun, I would get a shotgun and use the pistols as a back up.

 

[popbang]

Either of the two firearms you have are good choices, but I have an opinion on rotating firearms as concealed carry weapons. I am a believer in picking one weapon platform and practicing/handling it to the point where any other firearm just doesn’t feel right. This is not to say only practice with one weapon, but rather practice predominately with one chosen platform. To me in a stressful time I want my firearm to be my old friend that I can depend upon and I want it to feel like an extension of me.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Both guns good choices if you good with them.

Like PopBang...I prefer my combat handguns to have the same manual of arms.

Sam

 

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

The two guns go bang when you pull the trigger and have no safety levers. Close enough, manual of arms wise.

Unless you live somewhere really crummy, your chance of a home invasion is pretty darn small. Add to that the chance that 6 rounds of .38 +P isn't going to be enough and I think the risk that you will be in danger due to your gun choice is nil.

It's fun to argue about, but really, you're well armed with either gun.

 

[RandyB]

Dang rotating your firearms choice is bad?????

I seem to always be bouncing around my handguns from a
6906 S&W with 115 JHP
Ruger GP 100 with .38+P 158 LHP/ 125 JHP .357 mag.
Kimber Eclipse II .45 ACP with 230 JHP

I like all three for different reasons and enjoy shooting them and feel reasonable well protected with any of the three (of course my Remington 870 is in the bedroom)....

I think that if you can shoot it well and have faith in your ability to use the weapon, "your doing good."

 

[Standing Wolf]

I believe every room in the house needs a gun.

 

[pbman]

NO.

I have lots of hanguns and use a super blackhawk as my main house gun.

And its an old model, so i only load 5 rounds. But its rare i have to shoot somone more than 5 times with a .44

 

[Marko Kloos]

All my carry guns are safety-less, pull-and-bang type affairs...two SIGs, a HK P7, and a S&W M65.

I never feel underarmed when I tote the K-frame. Tactical, schmactical...a Model 65 or 66 loaded with a premium HP load is just about as good as it gets when it comes to carry guns.

 

[wunderkind]

Not foolish, you're enjoying your guns

Know where you're coming from. For me, most nights there is a G17 loaded with 18 rounds of Gold Dot at the ready.

Some nights, it's an old, cosmetically 'wanting' airweight with 5 rounds of 110 gr. Hydrashok (not plus-p)

No rhyme or reason, no scientific analysis. Just different moods.

I NEVER feel underarmed with the 5-shot snub. I practice once every 4-6 weeks with it and it's actually more 'fun' to shoot than the Glock.

(although the Glock could just about lay down cover fire with the 2 extra 17 rounders closeby!)

 

[10-Ring]

The revolver is a good choice for a house gun Especially if you feel more comfortable using it vs. the 23.

 

[MikeJ]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Its nice to see that the revolver is still considered alive and well in the role of the home defense handgun. I'm sure that over the years I will continue to swap out various guns for that purpose. I have also decided to get a 12 gauge shotgun for home defense so that will provide an even greater degree of security. Best to all, Mike

 

[tbeb]

Is your Glock 23 100% reliable with your load of choice? If it is, then I would choose the Glock because .40 caliber is much better than .38 special +P. At night, when you are sleeping, I would keep the Glock in condition 3 (full magazine, empty chamber), unless you are wide awake when you first wake up.