Best Home Protection Handgun

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

Wow, what a surprise, more people thinking that various sounds and lasers will scare criminals. It's funny how so many people cite that guns should be widely available to the citizenry because these vicious, violent criminals have them anyway, but in all their imagined HD/SD scenarios the criminals are always unarmed fools like Marv and Harry from Home Alone.

 

[mljdeckard]

Yes, I say shotgun first. My backup is an M-1 carbine.

Having said that, the main distinction about a HD pistol is, you don't much have to worry about size or weight, because you aren't going to carry it for a long time anyway. You don't have to worry about fitting rails and lights into your waistband. To me, this means a steel-framed pistol or revolver in a heavy caliber. Since it's heavier, you will have less felt recoil. I'm thinking .45 auto, and .357 or even .44 mag. If you are into lights and rails, this is the gun to put it on.

 

[kmrcstintn]

since this is a HANDGUN THREAD I am going to compose my response within the parameters of that criteria... (aka...not argue a point about long arms in a handgun forum)

there are several that get rotated for HD use, but I always have my CCW revolver loaded and on standby; it is NOT the PERFECT tool for the job, but it is AVAILABLE without having to unlock a safe, go into another stroage box and find a speedloader or magazine to load it with; with that stated...my CCW is a lightweight S&W 642 .38 spl +p snubby loaded with either Winchester WWB Personal Defense 125gr jhp's or Remington 158gr lswchp's

 

[Prosser]

If you want a rifle in a handgun fight, why not pick a handgun that provides rifle like ballistics? We have those now.

First one that comes to mind is the Hornady 200 grain HP at 2300 fps, out of the .460 S&W.

Others: .500 JRH, .500 S&W, .500 Linebaugh, .475 Linebaugh, etc. All provide 50-110 type ballistics out of a handgun.

 

[sig228]

Holy crap, why is this so difficult to answer for the poor OP?

ANSWER: S & W 686P in a 4" barrel. 7 rounds of .38 special, you can always put a few rounds of .357 magnum in there to light up the room or "just for fun".

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

Not to mention, a handgun is good for HD because you've got the gun in one hand, and a cell phone to 911 in the other. My HD gun is a 12 gauge (Mossberg 590) but I've got a .357 (S&W 686) readily available also.

If you want a rifle in a handgun fight, why not pick a handgun that provides rifle like ballistics? We have those now.

First one that comes to mind is the Hornady 200 grain HP at 2300 fps, out of the .460 S&W.

Others: .500 JRH, .500 S&W, .500 Linebaugh, .475 Linebaugh, etc. All provide 50-110 type ballistics out of a handgun

Yikes! May stop the badguy but you'll be deaf and blind for life lol! "Hey guys look, here's my best Moses impression!"

 

[kmrcstintn]

Holy crap, why is this so difficult to answer for the poor OP?

good point...my 'primary' HD handgun most of the time is a Ruger GP100 w/ 4" barrel loaded with either Winchester WWB Personal Defense 125gr sjhp .38 spl +p or Remington 158gr lswchp .38 spl +p; simplicity in a DA revolver ranks high on my list; I have other DA revolvers that rotate in and out, but it is hard to beat the mild recoil of a proven .38 spl +p load from a steel-framed, duty size revolver;

on a related note...I just bought a Springfield Armory 1911 Mil-Spec in .45 acp (haven't owned a 1911 in @ 5 or 6 years) and I am 'retraining' myself to deal with a thumb safety and grip safety before I consider using it for HD;

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

The gun you prefer in the largest caliber you can shoot comfortably, quickly, and reliably. Sorry, that answer isn't fun. Maybe this one is, Glock 19!

 

[MrCleanOK]

The biggest one you can handle reliably when you are foggy and half awake. Preferably one you can hang a light on.

 

[purebred]

The biggest one you can handle reliably when you are foggy and half awake. Preferably one you can hang a light on.

this is true!

 

[mljdeckard]

Prosser- Have you ever FIRED one of those guns indoors, with OR without hearing protection? Most people can't even get through a box of those things without giving up. Shooting them enough to be proficient for HD is another matter entirely.

 

[Hawk]

Holy crap, why is this so difficult to answer for the poor OP?

Because he used the word "best".

There is no "best". If there was the answer would be obvious and there would be no point to the question.

In general, when a product manifests itself as "best" the market will single it out. It will, for a brief time, be the only perceived viable choice then spawn a host of imitators. Its trade name will become a generic descriptor for the product.

Think stuff like "Aspirin", "Xerox" and "Kleenex".

If that ever happened with handguns you'd hear such questions as "what's the best Centennial for home defense?" which would include the trademarked Centennial along with all the copies. But handguns are compromises that launch pellets and everyone's priorities and anatomies are a bit different - hence, we have dozens if not hundreds of available choices any of which might be "best" in one or more categories but possibly suck in others.

It's like automobiles - nothing has bubbled up to be a "best" compromise. The Maybach may be best in one or another category but it sucks at "cost of ownership".

Handguns will be a dog's dinner of compromises between size, capacity, weight, reliability (perhaps perceived reliability), capacity, aesthetics, balance, general ergonomics, cost of purchase, usable ammo, trigger quality, magazine vs cylinder, striker vs hammer, etc. ad darn near infinitum.

The rabid beagle seems viable, to which I would add "balled up cat, claws first".

Snarky comments on "best" threads is something I do only rarely - I will now allow the next 99 "best" threads to go by unmolested without pointing out the obvious.

 

[skwab]

As you can already gather this is a very personal decision. So many factors go into it it's hard to casually discuss it, especially with a group of people who take it very seriously.

For me - I have a S&W M&P .40 with a light and a spare mag. For me, I shoot it well, I shoot it often and it's been 100% reliable.

For you? - could be different. If you're not a range junkie like so many of us here are, keep it as simple as possible - I'd go with a revolver. If it's something you're going to get and plan to practice with often, then the sky is the limit - just make sure it's reliable and that in your hands, it shoots well. For you - an M&P .40 might not be a good choice, that's for you to figure out - go to a range with rentals and try out a few, see which works best - good luck!

 

[Dogbite]

My choice, Smith 686 357 mag, 6" barrel.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As you can see from all the posts already there are many opinions on what is best. That question can only be answered buy you. IMO shoot the most powerful handgun you can shoot well and hit what you shoot at. Nothing wrong with a 4" revolver or a 1911 IMO.

My personal choice for a HD handgun is a 4" S&W M686 loaded with Remington/Federal/Winchester 158gr LSWC/HP ammo, the FBI Load. Don't forget a good light...

 

[noskilz]

A non-NFA long gun is about as useless as a naginata . . .

Wow, I learned a new word today.

 

[noskilz]

If you want a rifle in a handgun fight, why not pick a handgun that provides rifle like ballistics? We have those now.

First one that comes to mind is the Hornady 200 grain HP at 2300 fps, out of the .460 S&W.

Others: .500 JRH, .500 S&W, .500 Linebaugh, .475 Linebaugh, etc. All provide 50-110 type ballistics out of a handgun.

Surely you jest, Prosser. What a joy that would be to shoot in the confines of your house. Please accept my apologies if your home is a mountain top cave in bear country.

 

[Erik M]

personally a model 66 .38spl loaded with +p ammo suits my needs. Like almost everyone else there is also a 12ga mossy close by but I would go for the pistol first.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Mine kind of alternates between what mood I'm in.
Anywhere from a .380 Auto to a 500 Magnum to a 12 guage to a .223 (or all of the above).

One of my cats, thrown into the subject's face would be a sight (sic).

 

[Southern Shooter]

BEST???? Good question...

I don't know if there IS a best handgun for home protection. My HD gun is a Ruger Speed-Six, .357 Magnum, 2.75" barrel, loaded with Remington .357 Magnum 125 grain SJHP.

Each of my children, at their homes, keep a service size (4" barrel) .38 Special loaded with Remington 125 grain Golden Sabers.

And, we practice a lot with them.

I don't think any of us are lacking in the self-defense department.

 

[drjoker]

I second RckyMtnTactical

Yes, go to a gun store and try several. Then, buy the one you can most comfortably fire accurately. I know, lots of you guys think that only a shotgun/rifle is good for home defense, but lots of people cannot afford more than one gun. If you need a gun for concealed carry and home defense, I suggest a Glock 19 because that is the most reliable gun that is small enough for you to carry and has the least powerful caliber that has over a 90% one shot stop statistic (I know, those stats are suspect, but they do sound plausible as these stats say larger calibers are more effective than smaller calibers, duh!). More powerful calibers will be more difficult to shoot. Therefore, IMHO a Glock 19 is ideal for a home defense pistol. There are smaller 9mm pistols out there, but they have never seen extensive millitary service and therefore are not as reliable. There are more powerful calibers, but they are more harder to shoot. There are less powerful calibers but they have less than 90% one shot stop statistics. There are bigger 9mm guns but they are impossible to conceal. It is also more reliable than the Glock 26 (baby Glock) because to preserve the operational reliability of the short recoil system, the mass of the slide remains the same in the Glock 19 as in the Glock 17 from which it is derived. However, keep in mind that semi-auto pistols require maintenance. To avoid magazine compression and damage, you have to swap mags every once in awhile.


Therefore, if you are not a gun hobbyist who will enjoy swapping mags and practicing regularly, then I recommend a snub nosed 38 special revolver as your only gun. A revolver can be put into a nightstand and forgotten. It is almost just as deadly at close range.

 

[atomd]

This is a widespread misconception. The racking sound and laser will most likely help the BG know where you are and give him a heads up that you are armed and he needs to deal with you.

Yeah, because every person trying to steal a stereo system to sell for crack is just dying to confront a homeowner with a shotgun. I think the presence of any type of gun (or a dog) is enough to deter most people. Heck, even yelling can deter a lot of crimes. I don't agree that the sound of a shotgun being racked is the be all end all...but I don't think it hurts either. If they know you are in a bedroom with a loaded shotgun, I think there's a very good chance the situation won't escalate. If you snuck out of that room and tried to catch them by surprise, I think the chance of the situation escalating increases dramatically. I'd rather stay in the room with the shotgun and call the police. If they tried to come into that room, I would use the shotgun to stop them. I think I would have the advantage. One door...one way in....and I would be ready. If I had children in another room or something like that, it would be a different story of course.

 

[trigun87]

I would say a glock, no strange safety's to deal with when your awaken all of sudden by intruders. Very reliable, If you get a subcompact glock in can be hd and carry.

 

[BushyGuy]

my favorite defense gun is my trusty Ruger SR9 with 17+1 124 gr Hornady CQ TAP JHP sitting in my night stand.

i would use my Bushmaster AR15 if i can get to it fast enough, otherwise i will just grab my lil 115 lumen flashlight and my SR9 during a break in or if someone is tresspassin in my back yard at night.

 

[Bluenote]

The sound of racking round and a laser flying around will make just about everbody leave.

This is a widespread misconception. The racking sound and laser will most likely help the BG know where you are and give him a heads up that you are armed and he needs to deal with you.

My choice for a HD gun is a revolver, at least 38 spl and 4" barrel. The manual of arms is simple for everyone to learn

Exactly , and to explore that further , when you rack that action in a stress situation ,regardless of the weapon involved you produce a sound signature that can give away your exact location to the potential assailant , if said assailant is armed and a bit of a lunatic they might just open up and start spraying.

I really don't think there is one "best" in this scenario , me ? Well my "bedtime gun' is a three inch model 24 Smith that I've had forever . loaded with mild loads of either 180 jhps or hollow base wadcutters loaded base out that I cast myself , if I need more than that I'm going for the 12 gauge .

I have been know to just load the .357 with some zinging little 110s or 125s that are lightly jacketed too , but all in all I'm kind of stuck on the larger caliber " flying ashtray" concept. And I live pretty far out in the boonies where LEO response times can be fairly extended , might be quite a while until they get here so I can really depend on 'em to save my bacon in a stress situation.

And in the most basic sense , doesn't the question of " What's the best home defense handgun?" beg the answer of " the one you've got in your hand when you have to defend yourself."

A .25 in the hand is better than a .45 in a drawer. ( Jeff Cooper)