Best choice for home defense?

[Rykkaru]

Well, hello. I'm new here and want a suggestion for a caliber and weapon (pistol, revolver or shotgun). The firearm would be for home defense only. Most calibers are illegal here for civilian use (Brazil). These are the options I have:

.22 LR pistol
.380 ACP pistol
.38 Special revolver
12 Gauge shotgun with a 24" barrel or bigger

I can use FMJs, Soft Points or Hollow Points
I can use +P and +P+ ammunition

Range is not an issue, I live in a small place. I think that overpenetration is not an issue either, I don't think that any of those calibers can pass through brick walls (can they?). I appreciate any suggestions

 

[Skribs]

I'd say the .38 or the 12-gauge. That's going to be a longer shotgun (compared to the 18.5" I have in the US), but if you're bunkered down in a safe room, that shouldn't make too much difference.

 

[gunsablazin]

I'm assuming that you can not legally carry a pistol. If that is the case I would go with the shotgun.

 

[mdauben]

I would probably pick the 12ga shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot first, followed by a full-sized .38spl service revolver loaded with +P JHPs.

 

[Rykkaru]

I'm assuming that you can not legally carry a pistol. If that is the case I would go with the shotgun.

Do you mean concealed carry? If you do, yes, it's illegal. The firearm would stay at home at all times

 

[Rykkaru]

Is the .38 Special a more effective round than the .380 ACP?
What's better with those cartridges: FMJ or HP?
My concern with the 12 gauge shotgun is it's size and sound (probably a lot louder than the pistols, right?)

 

[Lawdawg45]

First let me say welcome! A shotgun is a good choice for a novice, but your country's barrel length is an issue, especially if you'll have to move around corners and such, plus it takes 2 hands to operate and at night you'll want a light along with your weapon. Weapon mounted lights are very expensive compared to a revolver with a $10 flashlight. The .38/.357 is a great choice and multi-tasker, and a good JHP is a proven man stopper. Good luck with your selection.

LD

 

[ArchAngelCD]

12ga shotgun loaded with #4 Buckshot. My shotgun sports an 18.5" barrel... As a backup I have a 4" M10 .38 Special loaded with the FBI Load.

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

a 38 special to get you to the shotgun

 

[Rykkaru]

Ok guys, I'm starting to think a .38 revolver with hollow points is the way to go. The shotgun appears to be way too big. Just a question: is a .38 special HP a reliable "stopper"? Is it an effective round?

 

[MtnCreek]

Is the .38 Special a more effective round than the .380 ACP?

.38 is a more powerful cartridge.

What's better with those cartridges: FMJ or HP?

HP

My concern with the 12 gauge shotgun is it's size and sound (probably a lot louder than the pistols, right?)

24" barrel isn't too bad (28 / 30" is too much IMHO). If I were to choose one, it would be a 12 ga pump w/ a 24" barrel. .38 relover would be my second choice. If you decide to go with a .380, get a quality pistol; there's a lot of junk 380's around that I would rather not trust my life to. .22lr ammo seems to have a lot of misfires compaired to centerfire ammo; given other options, I would not choose a rimfire for protection.

 

[antiquus]

We have a manufacturer here (Buffalo Bore) that makes .38 +P ammo good for 393 ft/lbs (533 J) energy out of a 2.5" (64mm) barrel. That much power in a handgun is enough for anything walking on two legs. Standard .38 spl loading, non +P, is very similar to .380 for energy delivered, but penetrates a little more due to the heavier bullet - the energies are around 200ft/lbs (270 J). Both .380 and .38 spl are considered adequate for personal defense.

 

[MtnCreek]

Ok guys, I'm starting to think a .38 revolver with hollow points is the way to go. The shotgun is definitely way too big. Just a question: is a .38 special HP a reliable "stopper"? Is it an effective round?

It's about the same as a 9mm. I would assume it is, at the least, enough to make someone stop what they're doing...

 

[Telekinesis]

While a .38 wouldn't be my first choice, it would definitely work. Especially if loaded with +P JHPs. Working within your country's requirements, I think it will be hard to beat. Something you might want to look at also is a Glock in .380. I'm not sure if it is available in your area (it isn't in the US...) but it would give you more ammo capacity, but with a slightly less powerful round (when compared to .38 +Ps)

 

[Kachok]

Humm If legal I would get a 357/38 Special and just roll some serious +P+ .38 Special loads for it. While I am not a huge fan of the .380 with a high capasity mag it might be usefull. The Shotgun clearly has more stopping power then the handguns, but a 24" barrel is a tad long for close quarters combat.

 

[Rykkaru]

We have a manufacturer here (Buffalo Bore) that makes .38 +P ammo good for 393 ft/lbs (533 J) energy out of a 2.5" (64mm) barrel. That much power in a handgun is enough for anything walking on two legs. Standard .38 spl loading, non +P, is very similar to .380 for energy delivered, but penetrates a little more due to the heavier bullet - the energies are around 200ft/lbs (270 J). Both .380 and .38 spl are considered adequate for personal defense.

The limit by law is 407 J of energy for a civilian when using a handgun

Also, guys, how much more effective would the 12 gauge be instead of a .38 HP at close range?
Also, with a 24" barrel, what would the length of the whole shotgun be like? Maybe 40"? Or more?
And just one more thing, pump-action or semi-auto. Which one is better for a shotgun and why?
Oh, I forgot to ask: no overpenetration issues on brick walls right? (either with a shotgun or revolver)

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I consider this an important issue...

 

[Skribs]

A .38 hollowpoint should expand to roughly 0.6-0.7 inches. So you'll have 1 hole that is about 2/3 of an inch wide.
9 pellets of 00-buckshot will create 9 holes that are about a third of an inch wide.

A long gun is definitely going to be easier to shoot accurately at your target, but a handgun is going to be better for those really small spaces in your house.

I bought a pump action, but if I could go back, I'd have gotten a semi-auto. Semi-auto is going to be a bit pricier for a decent one (Saigas are kinda cheap and said to be reliable), but is going to have less felt recoil and you don't have to manually cycle the slide. The big advantage of a pump-action is versatility, but a semi-auto should handle normal buckshot loads just fine.

 

[MtnCreek]

Also, guys, how much more effective would the 12 gauge be instead of a .38 HP at close range?

Like night and day!

Also, with a 24" barrel, what would the length of the whole shotgun be like? Maybe 40"? Or more?

Check out manufacturers spec's on their sites. They'll probably give overall dem's, weights, ...

And just one more thing, pump-action or semi-auto. Which one is better for a shotgun and why?

The only advantage to a semi-auto is if one arm is disabled.

Oh, I forgot to ask: no overpenetration issues on brick walls right? (either with a shotgun or revolver)

The 12 ga is probably the only listed option that would penetrate brick. If using a small buckshot like #4 Buck, I don't think it would have much energy left after passing through brick.

 

[gunsablazin]

The .38 is more powerful than the .380, but they both pale in comparison to the 12 gauge. For what it's worth, I own both a .38 and a 12 gauge, and use the .38 for home defense. If I were forced to choose one gun, it would be the 12 gauge. I use the .38 because I have children in my home, and will not leave a long gun out of the safe, the .38 is my carry gun, and transitions to home defense gun when I go to bed. If you can own more than one gun, the .38/12 gauge combo would be hard to beat. The .380 is an OK carry gun, but not the best choice for a dedicated home defense weapon. IMHO

 

[Rykkaru]

Ok, I've found some shotguns sizes (length). They are usually between 42" and 48".
That doesn't sound THAT big... I'm starting to think about getting a shotgun.

 

[Mike1234567]

A 12ga with #00 buckshot would be my choice. It's too bad about the minimum barrel length of 24 inches though. I want 20 inches or shorter for home defense.

 

[Inebriated]

12 gauge get's my vote.

 

[Onward Allusion]

+P .380 in a Glock 25. Capacity + ballistics close to standard pressure 38 Spl.

A shotgun is unwieldy in a 18.5" configuration. I can't imagine trying to use one with a 24" barrel in a confined space. A 38 Special revolver is nice and dependable, but sometimes you want/need more than 5, 6, 7, or 8 rounds without having to reload.

 

[Mr.Blue]

Here in America I favor a handgun over a shotgun for home defense, but my handgun is loaded with 14 rounds of .45acp +P 230s. I prefer to have a free hand and carrying a long gun does not afford me that opportunity. In your situation, I think I'd rather go with the 12 gauge. I wouldn't trust 5 or 6 shots of .38 against a gang home invasion. The 12 gauge, although unwieldy will put the fear of god into invaders.

If you can afford two guns, get the .38 for backup. Forget the .380 and .22. Btw, pass on Taurus revolvers and get a Smith and Wesson or Ruger. Your great grand kids will inherit these bulletproof revolvers.

 

[Rykkaru]

Ok, I think I'll go with the Shotgun (IF I buy a firearm, but I think I will). Just a question, what's the best type of buckshot to use? Is it better to use one with lots of smaller pellets and big spread or fewer bigger pellets and tighter spread?

Mr. Blue, that's exactly my problem with the revolver. I have a friend with a 13+1-shot .40 S&W pistol (He is a police officer, so he has access to restricted cartridges stronger than .380). Two robbers invaded his home (both armed). Long story short, seconds later he got into a firefight with the robbers. He said that he had to use 12 rounds to get himself out of the situation. Now, that's probably not going to happen to me, but better safe than sorry. If it was a revolver, he would be dead today.