Best Glock caliber for home defense

[Yehen]

Hey Guys, gonna be getting a Glock soon for home defense and I'm looking for suggestions on caliber. I live in a residential neighbourhood with houses on all 4 sides. Not really worried about overpenetration inside the house since the youngest person here is 23 (myself) but I don't want something too powerful (like a 10mm) that's gonna blow through walls and be a liability

My top two choices are 9mm (most probably 124gr +P JHP) and 45 G.A.P. (most probably 180gr JHP). I like to 9mm because though it offers fast follow up shots, it's cheap to practice with and with +P loadings is pretty comparable to a 40S&W. The 45 G.A.P. has way better stopping power but is slightly pricier ammo/practice wise. I like the fact that the Glock 37 still has the standard frame though. Maximum mag capacity is 10 rounds here too and the 37 has that.

Suggestions/Opinions please =)

 

[1KPerDay]

Any modern defense round will blow through plywood/sheetrock just fine. You might consider frangible ammo if you're concerned about your neighbors. When I lived in an apartment I kept my 1911 stuffed with Glaser Blue.

 

[Snowdog]

I would focus more on improving your aim and proficiency (including while "under stress") than worrying about "overpenetration". A couple solid hits with a 10mm would be far less of a liability on your part than several stray shots from a 9mm plowing through your walls.

I have a fondness for the .45acp for defense, though the 9mm or .40S&W will work just fine. I've kept a 1911 by the bedstand for years now and doubt I'd have to expend more than a couple rounds if ever pressed to use it for defense; you won't find me firing wildly. The key isn't caliber, it's proficiency through practice. It doesn't hurt to have a wife close behind with an M1 carbine either.

 

[euclid]

A pistol loaded with quality 9mm ammo is as good as any.

cheers

 

[.cheese.]

I chose .40SW

the way I see it, it doesn't really matter all that much. Pick whatever round you like and are comfortable with. As far as safety indoors - check out frangible ammo as mentioned. Corbon makes some good ones.

 

[MikePGS]

I'd hate to say it but if its strictly for home defense purposes, you'd probably be better off with a shotgun or even a .223 rifle.

 

[CountGlockula]

If you're stuck in 9mm, a G19.

But I personally am satisfied with the .40S&W Glocks. I have both a G35 and G23 for home defense stationed at different locations in the home for accessibility. The .40S&W round will do the job, EVEN with nice shot placement.

 

[CWL]

Hey Yehen,

You should choose a caliber based on whether you can handle it comfortably so that you have the best chance of controlling the pistol during times of stress.

Because of this, don't go asking us to recommend a caliber. I am comfortable with my caliber because I've been shooting it for almost 20 years. This has zero relevance to how you may like it.

Most people start with 9mm and then try .40SW, .357Sig, .45ACP etc. Try renting or borrowing all of these calibers and decide for yourself how each feels in your hand in comfort & control when you fire it.

Lastly, Don't really know anything about the .45GAP, but my feelings are that you shouldn't go throwing your money into a caliber that may be discontinued due to poor sales.

 

[hrgrisso]

.380ACP....

 

[hexidismal]

I'm curious, why might you consider the .45 GAP over the more standard .45 Auto ? The 45 GAP is kind of an odd choice I think. First off, like a previous poster mentioned, a lot of people think The GAP is on its way out. Sales aren't very good, and it's only a matter of time. Honestly I've always felt it was quite pompous of Glock to make it's own new fangled answer to a problem that didn't exist. The GAP produces pressures similar to a .45 auto +P, while achieving the ballistics of a standard non +p .45acp round. It would allow a gun's frame to be a little smaller, but on the other hand it has to stand up to even higher pressures. And plenty of guns chambered in .45acp are small enough already. Beyond that , I'd think in this particular case if the gun is meant for home defense.. why should it need to be smaller ? Thats all just my thinking anyway. So why the 45 GAP ?

 

[High Planes Drifter]

I'd hate to say it but if its strictly for home defense purposes, you'd probably be better off with a shotgun or even a .223 rifle.

+1. Home defense only, there's no reason not to pick a long gun. Now, if you were going to pick one gun to cover both carry and HD assignments, I think I'd go with a Glock model 19, 9mm.

 

[RNB65]

Whichever one you have the best chance of hitting something with when both hands are shaking in fear.
.

 

[easyg]

First and foremost, you have to pick one that you can shoot well.
Caliber doesn't matter if you can't control the pistol and hit what you aim at.

Now, provided that you can accurately shoot any of them, I would go with one of these:
G22 (.40S&W)
G31 (.357Sig)
G37 (.40GAP)

Any of these would be outstanding.

I'm not a huge fan of the 9mm and I prefer a sightly more powerful round.

So why not the .45APC?

Well, the G21 is not for everyone.
I find it to be too fat in the handle to get a comfortable grip.
But if you have big hands then it would be fine as well.
The Slimline .45ACP G36 is interesting, but it only gives you 6 rounds in the magazine.
10 rounds is bad enough, but 6???
Heck, you may as well get a revolver.

 

[sm]

9mm

Glocks in 9mm are more reliable, and have a higher round count of proven reliability.

9mm has less felt recoil, therefore affording one to better instill correct basic fundamentals in shooting - and - better quick effective hits once correct basics are learned, instilled with quality lessons and practice.

Ammo is more readily available, and more economic to shoot.
One downside to Glocks is the rifling used, which if one were to consider reloading lead, they would have to buy another barrel allowing them to doso safely.

Ammo being what it is now, and concerns of what it may come to, have lots of folks stockpiling reloading supplies, including lead bullets and means to make lead bullets from wheel weights for instance.

 

[Yehen]

Couple things I forgot to mention. I live in Canada so law's are a bit different here. Minimum barrel lenth of any handgun here is 106mm which is about 4.25 inches. Only the standard frame Glocks will work. Also mags are limited to 10 rounds. I was thinking about the 45 GAP cause of the smaller frame. Haven't shot a Glock 21 before but I've held it and it's a little bulky. I'm worried how the larger frame would adapt to my hands.

I was thinking about the 45 cause it's a slower moving round and I figure it won't overpenetrate as much as a 9mm +P.

I figure when the poop hits the fan, I'm only gonna have time to let off a couple maybe 3 rounds under pressure. Then again. 9mm is also really cheap to practice with so that those couple rounds would actually be aimed.

There's a lotta corridors and smaller spaces I think might be a little tight for a shottie and a 223 would probably overpenetrate a little too much.

 

[WeedWhacker]

9mm is "slightly less pricey" than .45 GAP??

Most people practice with rounds such as Winchester White Box 115gr FMJs. At self-defense differences, I honestly can feel no difference between those and Speer 124gr JHPs. My wallet can sure tell the difference, though: fifteen cents per round versus up to a DOLLAR. That's be ninty-five cents for you Canucks.

 

[Javelin]

I chose a G23 (40 cal). BUT if you really are concerned with over penetration and exterior walls please consider a Glock .45. The fact is that .45 does not do well in penetrating exterior walls at all. It is a slow heavy hitter that puts down everything 2 legged-like. But its lack of velocity makes it perfect for home defense.

 

[DENALI]

I happen to agree with whoever said "why the .45 GAP" as to my mind it accomplishes nothing. You seem to have already selected ammo for a pistol you haven't shot it through, not unheard of but still ahead of yourself a bit.
regarding penetration and power, that +P 9mm load you've warmed up to will zip through plenty of walls to, so keep in mind that in order to minimise liability you'll want to be able to hit what your shooting at, that means range time and the further expense of practice. You've not really touched on your level of experience, even if you have any at all. Within these limitations, and keeping in mind your 10-shot mag restriction, I'd rather see you start off with a good 6-7 shot .357 magnum revolver and stoke it with a good .38 special hollow point. You'll find it much simpler to master and much less expensive to feed.........Good luck.......................................

 

[easyg]

I figure when the poop hits the fan, I'm only gonna have time to let off a couple maybe 3 rounds under pressure. Then again. 9mm is also really cheap to practice with so that those couple rounds would actually be aimed.

Keep in mind that your pistol might have a malfunction after the first round has been fired (yes, even Glocks have malfunctions) and you might only get one round off.

Now, would you rather that one round be a 9mm or something more powerful?


BTW, all of these calibers are well capable of pentrating your home's walls....and your neighbors home's walls as well.

 

[hexidismal]

I was thinking about the 45 GAP cause of the smaller frame. Haven't shot a Glock 21 before but I've held it and it's a little bulky. I'm worried how the larger frame would adapt to my hands.

Well there are of course plenty of 45s with far superior ergonomics to a glock. I personally can't stand the things.

 

[Jason_G]

Unless you plan to carry the gun with a CCW permit or you want to get into pistol shooting as a sport/hobby, you would be much wiser to spend your $$ on a good 12 gauge.
If you DO want to get a pistol, I would steer clear of the .45 GAP. I'm not knocking the caliber's capability, but IMO the very small difference in gun size between the .45 ACP and the .45 GAP is not worth the hassle. In standard pressure rounds, the GAP is similar in performance, but the ACP +P is a little more potent than the GAP self defense rounds. I would suggest going to a range that rents some of the calibers you are considering and try them out to see which you shoot most accurately. Pick the biggest round you can shoot accurately and suits your most likely home defense situation.

Jason

 

[stevereno1]

I own Glocks in differant calibers. My "nightstand" Glock is the G-17, loaded with 17 rounds of 147gr. Winchester rangers, My ccw is a G-27 with the factory +1 extention. My hunting companion is the G-20, it stays in the safe most of the time cause I rarely carry it. I like the high capacity of the 17, and I feel that the noise level of a .40 or a 10mm would damage my hearing if shot indoors.

 

[Dgreno]

Go for the GAP!

.45GAP is nowhere near being on its way out. With 4 state police agencies so far, and a few more still testing, as well as many local agencies using the GAP and trusting their life to it every single day, then it is fine for a HD/carry round. That should tell you all you need about the GAP right there.
If it were me and I was set on one of the 3, It would be the .45GAP. It is a little harder to find but its definitely worth it.

 

[W.E.G.]

It matters not in the slightest what caliber you select for a Glock used for home defense.

With premium ammo, all that is left to fate is your ability to deliver the projectile on target and on time.

One hit with a Hi-Point is better than two misses with Kimber.

 

[hexidismal]

With 4 state police agencies so far, and a few more still testing, as well as many local agencies using the GAP and trusting their life to it every single day, then it is fine for a HD/carry round. That should tell you all you need about the GAP right there. If it were me and I was set on one of the 3, It would be the .45GAP. It is a little harder to find but its definitely worth it.

Dgreno: Can you explain why it's worth it ? I'm not trying to "flame" you here, I'm genuinely asking for a good explanation. You say it's harder to find but worth it. Worth it for what reasons ?
The fact that a few state agencies are using it .. well, that's hardly any explanation for the cartridges actual benefits. In fact that doesn't tell me much about anything other than someone made the best bids, someone is making money off some contracts, and someone is getting some advertising for their product.