Choose your HD weapon (out of 3)

[inSight-NEO]

Yes...I know this has been done to death, but at least its comparing 3 specific weapon types vs. more general comparisons. Think of this as a "posterity" type survey.

Which weapon (in the poll) would you choose for HD if you could only have access to one and one only? Why? Please, no substitutes...pick from these three choices only.

Keep in mind the idea of accessibility/practicality concerning close quarters situations.

.357 Magnum- Less capacity, very powerful but LOUD...requires little maintenance, minimal ammo compatability issues (if any), more apt to function reliably when dirty, no need for swapping ammo/mags, not affected by "setback" as no round needs chambering, will fire regardless of hold/angle (not inertia dependent), offers the advantage of "point and shoot" w/o the need for "chambering," (thus, quick engagement)

.45 ACP- Greater capacity, very effective, requires maintenance, can be affected by ammo (must be "proven"), more apt to malfunction when dirty, possible need for swapping ammo and/or mags (debatable), can malfunction if "limp wristed" or if slide comes in contact with another object, must decide if round is to be chambered or all rounds left in mag (either option can affect speed), if round is chambered enough...it may encounter setback

12 ga. shotgun- very, very effective, heavy, cumbersome, great for open quarters...not so great given tight quarters, requires actuation of pump to load round (unless stored with round in chamber), safety needs to be disengaged (unless stored with safety off), spring loaded feeding mechanism (unless directly dropping one round in the chamber) can malfunction, limited capacity, generally requires regular ammo swapping due to the affects of spring compression on the ammo itself

These points are just generalities and keep in mind that I love and use them all. Personally, I prefer the .45 ACP or shotgun (due to their power...and heck, they are fun to shoot), but the .357 Magnum just seems more "practical" when speed/quick attainment/mobility/ease of use/more forgiving maintenance requirements concerning ammo/weapon becomes the primary focus. Hence, for most occasions, the .357 Magnum revolver (stainless finish, 4" barrel) is my HD weapon of choice.

 

[jpwilly]

It's a 45.

 

[Clifford]

I use a .45 myself but no burglar in his right mind will argue with the mere sound of a pump shotgun chambering a round.

 

[wrs840]

no burglar in his right mind will argue with the mere sound of a pump shotgun chambering a round.

Well maybe... But if you think someone's already in your domicile, I think, at that moment, you'll really regret having to make a sh*tload of noise to begin your readiness to defend...

Les

 

[conw]

Assuming this isn't a "what ONE weapon do you choose, evar" thread (in which case it'd be the 357 for reasons of maintenance, ammo availability, reliability, and overall versatility and power), I don't see any argument that could place the pump someplace other than #1 for at-home purposes. Especially if you do the prudent thing and sit tight with it pointed at your bedroom door if you hear the glass crash.

 

[springmom]

inSight summed up the issues well. Mine is a .45, the same one I often carry. Given that I have to wear double "ears" to shoot at the range, I can't quite imagine what it would be like to discharge a .357 in my bedroom but I've decided I never want to find out. Of course I sort of cheat on this one, because Archerandshooter's is a 12 ga., so it *is* a home defense weapon in our house, but just not *mine*. Still there in play, though.

Jan

 

[Clifford]

I would think the s@&t load of pump-action noise would make the burglar regret breaking into my house. He may even consider leaving after that kind of greeting.

 

[wrs840]

Cool with me, if it works for you.

"Burglar in his right mind" might be the pivot-point in this small lack of concurrence...

Les

 

[crazy-mp]

Should have been a 4th option for the .38 I know another .38 Vs. .357 but the .357 is a little to much for inside a house (personal opinion) and I shoot my .38's quite a bit more, I am faster and a better shot, but thats just me.

I did vote for the .45 the extra rounds would be nice, S&W M&P45 all the way

 

[Kind of Blued]

12 gauge is the most powerful, most versatile, most affordable, and most accurate (as in easy to shoot).

Handguns are tools of convenience, and if I couldn't use a shotgun (due to space restrictions), a handgun would do. Either of those calibers are great, but I'd probably prefer the .45.

 

[Dimis]

i went with the pump action 12 gauge it may be more cumbersome in tight quarters but my home is easier to navigate than most and i have more faith in my abilities under stress with my 12 gauge
i cant trust myself with an automatic to not jam and have the coherence to sort out the problem and the 357 is just way to much overpenitration to chance hurting or killing other members of the family

 

[Prepster]

I would choose the 12 gauge for what I would do: hole up in my room behind cover and call the police. If you should need to go collect your kids, roommates, parents, whatever, either handgun would do unless you feel more comfortable with a long gun in that situation. Of course, I can't answer the comfort question for you.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Well, Somebody Has To . . .

Figure you need at least one vote for the .357 mag.

I have a little four-inch 586-7 in blue & walnut. Heavy sucker, but well balanced.

If I'm feeling noise-timid, I can use "low recoil" loads (basically .38 +p in a long case).

Got a carbine that eats the same food, just in case "home" has to include the yard out to the far corner.

Once I've had a chance to own a 1911, I might see it differently, but for now I'll take the "huntin' pistol."

 

[sm]

.357
Loaded with standard pressure , .38spl, 158 grain, Lead Semi Wadcutter.

Why:
- I prefer and suggest , low pressure rounds for inside structure use, (home, office and vehicle) such as .38spl, .44 Special, and 45ACP.

Not only for auditory concerns, also vision concerns (muzzle blast) in low light, and no light conditions.

-My concerns are entering, exiting, and answering the door.
A handgun affords me the ability to have a gun on person, as I am not able to go around with a long gun slung, such as a shotgun.
Handgun concealed on person allows for coming and going, from home, or working in the yard, or taking the trash out, or going across the street to get mail, or...

-Original Post said one gun.
So why not the 45ACP?
Because most folks are thinking of Semi Auto platforms, and the OP did mention "ammo capacity" so a revolver in 45ACP sorta negates the "capacity" bit.
Revolvers in 45ACP make darn good Home/Business tools.

Oh I like 1911s, make mine a Gov't Model if you please.

Just one gun, means I may get hurt again, and cannot use one, or both hands very well again.
So a revolver allows me to have something I can operate better one handed, and for sure anyone that is taking care of me, can run a revolver.

Worse comes to worse, I get shot, and someone with me, can more likely use a revolver to continue the fight, or watch bad guys, as I am being attended to.

-It is more difficult to get a revolver out of battery, and if a snub nose, more difficult for a bad guy to wrestle away if matters go rodeo.

-Loading, Unloading, Reloading.

I can run a 1911 one handed, weak handed, in low light, or no light.
I can a number of shotguns the same way.
However, back to one gun only...

I have been seriously hurt, and once I had did not have use of either hand, so I was dependent on someone else.
I have also assisted others that have been hurt, with busted fingers, broken fingers, wrist, arm, knife cuts, stabs, etc.

I want a revolver, in the event that not only I can run a gun, also anyone else, can run a gun.
No matter if the other person is a kid, teenager, someone with little experience, or someone with lots of experience.

Anyone can open a cylinder to see if it is loaded, and make it safe. It does not take much to smack a ejection rod to eject spent ctgs and to reload the revolver.

Load 4 and run the gun.

I was mentored, to have Four, standard pressure, .38spl ctgs in a Speed Strip.
Get Four in the gun now, and run it.

It does not matter if the revolver is dedicated .38spl, or .357. It makes no difference of brand, how many charge holes, from five to more, which way the cylinder turns, just get four rounds in the gun now and run the damn thing!

One trips trigger on a empty charge hole, pull the trigger again.

This is not that difficult for someone pick up on, that may be in the home, or has come to your aid.

When serious hits, gross motor skill erode.
When one is hurt, motor skills can be affected.

So a revolver, and in this thread with choices, I want the .357, with the loadings I mentioned, and four of these in Speed Strips.

 

[NELSONs02]

Well my house is my home, don't really have any land so If I do encounter a problem it'll be inside my house. Therefore, I don't want a shotgun that can be easily taken away from me or manipulated by an attacker.

I chose the .45 cuz it compensates between power and capacity, unless you have one of those kick butt 8 shot revolvers from S&W.

 

[wrs840]

357
Loaded with standard pressure...

** snip **

...and if a snub nose, more difficult for a bad guy to wrestle away if matters go rodeo...

** snip **

...So a revolver, and in this thread with choices, I want the .357, with the loadings I mentioned, and four of these in Speed Strips.

Great post... Good thoughts that, IMO, match needs in a majority of actual home-invasion scenarios.

Les

 

[inSight-NEO]

Thanks for the replies all...keep them coming! Also, thanks for the .357 Magnum vote ArfinGreebly...

Now, I will admit, I prefer the 12 ga. shotgun over all the others...but, unless I have time to grab the thing and render it useful, its just a large, useless paperweight at that point. In addition, I do not store my .45 ACP "cocked and locked," therefore additional time would be necessary in order to rack the slide, thus rendering it useful. With the .357 Mag...no such worries as its good to go from the start. Also, I do acknowledge that, say, .38 Special +P ammo might be a better choice (for saving ears) when dealing with the .357 Mag.

Having said all of this, given the way I store my HD weapon(s), I cant help but think of a scenario in which the BG is already in my home and breaches the threshold of my bedroom. At that point, the shotgun is of no use to me...and the .45 ACP w/out a chambered round is of no use either...particularly considering the time it takes to "wake up," recognize the threat, think of a way to deal with such a threat, and then act. However, if I have a loaded .357 Mag, I have instant access to a useable, fireable weapon which has no reliance on magazines, mag tubes or "racking" of any kind. Grab, point, shoot...

I guess it all depends on how you ready/store your HD weapon of choice. Since I dont go "cocked and locked," I really do think the revolver goes a long way when mere seconds are at stake. Now, given the appropriate amount of time, Id certainly rather go for the .45 ACP and better still, the shotgun.

But, unfortunately, time is not always a luxury I can count on when it comes to personal defense.

 

[altitude_19]

Think outside the box, maaaaan!

45 ACP doesn't have to be an autoloader. I pack a Smith 325 PD. My favorite cartridge (45 ACP) with the reliability of a revolver. I agree the 12 ga is hard to beat, but it still has a spring loaded mag, which I don't trust in brief engagements. I use standard-cap/spring loaded mags when I need MORE AMMO, but most home invasions are over in less than 3 rounds, so my wheel gun is still packing more than double the ammo I should require. If I happen to have a spare minute however, I do believe I'd load the 12 gauge howitzer awfully quick.

 

[Ignition Override]

Do most guys on gun bulletin boards assume that:
A) in the absence of any loud sound or absence of a security alarm, a strange muffled sound in a very dark house is probably an intruder?

Or that:
B) At least one hall light must be switched on to verify that it is not a family member/other relative returning home one or two nights early?

These topics always appear very cut and dried, but other than loud sounds or security alarms and the decisionis not 'black and white', is the decision to put the finger on the trigger guard made so easily?
Burglars almost always break in late morning or even afternoon etc when people are gone to school/work.
They want you to be away. That is why a lookout is normally the other half of the team, as with the thousands of Memphis car break-ins.

My parents have old friends in Jackson, MS who have a few children. One of them was born with some physiological/mental issues, and back in about '68 some of their neighbors returned home in the day time and young "P" somehow got in and was taking a shower in their master bathroom.

Maybe none of this should be brought up, and the choice of caliber is the only thinking required.
Such situations do not include various "shades of gray".

 

[txgolfer45]

12 ga then .45ACP Glock

 

[czarjl]

12ga for now.... but growing up all 3 have served there duty for me before.

 

[Just One Shot]

Living in a city environment I would have to say the 12 ga. because there is less of a chance of a round going through a wall and injuring a neighbor or passer by, not to mention a family member.

 

[BigGuy52]

Although my .357mag is a 8 round, I still consider my 12ga sawed off pump the best for HD. I can stay in my safe room and know that anything that comes through the door will be met by Mr. 00 buck.

I live in a contempory home, large spaces, no tight quarters, so the length isn't a factor.

 

[CoRoMo]

Strangely enough, I have all three in the bedroom waiting and ready. Two nighstand guns and a 12ga, along with another few other treats.

 

[rogertc1]

I have a single shot 12GA under my bed and a dog named Izzie in the house.
I feel very secure.