Dedicated HD pistol - Opinions
- Thread starter malakili
- Start date
- Status
Willie Sutton
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2013
- Messages
- 2,025
A big, powerful gun with a light on it is ideal for the second role.
This.
Both at home and aboard the boat that I cruise on winters, I use a Beretta 92 (home) and a stainless steel Taurus Beretta clone (boat) with a light on the rail. Put 'em in the center of the light and if they don't comply, pull the trigger. Nothing works as well in close quarters as a big old handgun.
Any of the full sized duty pistols with a light attached would work as well, likely.
Willie
.
This.
Both at home and aboard the boat that I cruise on winters, I use a Beretta 92 (home) and a stainless steel Taurus Beretta clone (boat) with a light on the rail. Put 'em in the center of the light and if they don't comply, pull the trigger. Nothing works as well in close quarters as a big old handgun.
Any of the full sized duty pistols with a light attached would work as well, likely.
Willie
.
TRX
Member
For a dedicated home defense handgun... I'd look hard at one of the Taurus Judges that takes .410 and .45LC. That would give me a wide range of options for less-lethal or less-penetrating loads depending on circumstances and wall construction.
I'd also mount a light on it. Though I prefer a separate handheld light, if that hand is busy with something else, it would be nice to still have light, even if it's on the gun.
I'd also mount a light on it. Though I prefer a separate handheld light, if that hand is busy with something else, it would be nice to still have light, even if it's on the gun.
I agree the Judge isn't a bad choice (4 or 5 000-buck pellets will do sufficient damage), but I disagree with the premise of using less lethal or less penetrating loads. If the goal is to stop an attacker, you don't want to do LESS damage, you want to make sure you put the attacker down. Cops use less lethal when they have a bunch of guys with lethal rounds backing them up.
The only time I've seen a light mounted on a Judge the guy pretty much ruined any chance of resale value in the process.
Post #51 is a good idea, or any full size, reliable, high capacity handgun 9mm or better would be great. Judge or governor would also be good. Other than that a 12g shotgun is a HD best friend. Get a light that mounts on your shotgun and a comfortable stock and you could have money to spare for let's say a $300 canik tp9 to keep on the nightstand.
Chuck R.
Member
My solution to your "problem"; S&W M&P-9 5" Pro with dedicated Surefire X400 light/laser (I've since added the DSG switch). 17 rounds of 147 Speer GDHP, spare mag and Surefire HH light which all resides in a V-Line vault in the nightstand:
One big thing that influenced my choice in caliber is the fact that my wife may have to use the HD pistol, so I needed a caliber she could shoot well and practice with. She didn't like my 1911, nor would she practice the DA to SA conversion with my SIG 220. The M&P she shoots pretty well.
Chuck
One big thing that influenced my choice in caliber is the fact that my wife may have to use the HD pistol, so I needed a caliber she could shoot well and practice with. She didn't like my 1911, nor would she practice the DA to SA conversion with my SIG 220. The M&P she shoots pretty well.
Chuck
Depending on the situation, getting help there sooner rather than later might be worth having a handgun in my hand. Even with the phone on the floor, I still need a hand to make the call initially.
I also might, depending on the situation, want to move my daughter from one location in the house to another. I can more readily do that with a handgun than a carbine or shotgun. Maybe you are better using a shotgun one handed than myself, if so, more power to you.
sauer1911
Member
I currently have 2 .40 cal pistols with hollow points. One at each end of the house.
A Sig sp2022, and an XD40. both with led lights, both less than $500, in finger touch safes.
I'm not going to stop and make a call first, then wait for back up.
be safe
A Sig sp2022, and an XD40. both with led lights, both less than $500, in finger touch safes.
I'm not going to stop and make a call first, then wait for back up.
be safe
xjsnake
Member
Grab a police trade in Glock 21 or 22. Under or at $400 and it fills the role you want perfectly.
FAS1
Member
You can go a different route, although I guess it's still a pistol? A guy I know has a PAP M92PV AK Style Pistol on order for around $400. He and his wife both use AK pistols for HD.
Here's a link to one similar that I just found real quick online: http://www.jgsales.com/yugo-zastava-pap-m92pv-ak-style-pistol,-krinkov-pattern,-7.62x39,-wood-stock,-new.-p-57965.html
He currently uses an Arsenal for himself and this is a couple pics of his wife's Draco set up. He says she is sensitive to recoil and likes this weapon for HD. Might be something to consider. I never really thought about keeping one handy before, but for $400.00, it might be something to look into. Might even be pretty fun at the range!
Here's a link to one similar that I just found real quick online: http://www.jgsales.com/yugo-zastava-pap-m92pv-ak-style-pistol,-krinkov-pattern,-7.62x39,-wood-stock,-new.-p-57965.html
He currently uses an Arsenal for himself and this is a couple pics of his wife's Draco set up. He says she is sensitive to recoil and likes this weapon for HD. Might be something to consider. I never really thought about keeping one handy before, but for $400.00, it might be something to look into. Might even be pretty fun at the range!
It doesn't have to be "either/or" with the handgun vs. long gun for HD. Most people (including the OP) already own both.
You can have a pistol and light beside the bed with the pistol in a Gunvault type mini-safe. Hear bump in the night, grab handgun and light-make decision to call police. If there is an immediate threat, get ready to engage. If there is a threat, but they are still trying to get in, step 2 take a few seconds to toss on armor under the bed and grab a long gun with sling. Armor can have an empty holster for the pistol, spare mag, spare light and flex cuffs.
Though the price of armor is very reasonable now days, this concept can be accomplished with a Molle belt. Grab handgun/light 1st, then time permitting, snap on a Molle belt with an empty holster, mag, light etc. You can then grab the long gun and holster the pistol. Or the opposite, grab long gun first, then snap on the belt with pistol already in it. Limitations are really just your secure storage ability.
This concept nullifies the notion of not having time to get on the gear. You grab whatever you decide your primary HD weapon is first (and light), then you are either engaging, about to engage, or you have time to grab the rest (or most likely, by now confirmed it is a non-event and try to go back to sleep).
With 2 trained people, 1 can cover while the other puts on a vest, grabs a long gun etc. I'm working on getting my wife trained, I got her to agree to attend a 2 day defensive pistol course in the fall so that is a start. Provided I'm home, things would work best if I focused on protecting while she focused on the kids and 911 with her pistol for defense if they get through me.
As far as handguns for the OP, I'd get a G21 since you already are familiar with the G26. .45 ACP, rail and will be under the $650 no problem.
You can have a pistol and light beside the bed with the pistol in a Gunvault type mini-safe. Hear bump in the night, grab handgun and light-make decision to call police. If there is an immediate threat, get ready to engage. If there is a threat, but they are still trying to get in, step 2 take a few seconds to toss on armor under the bed and grab a long gun with sling. Armor can have an empty holster for the pistol, spare mag, spare light and flex cuffs.
Though the price of armor is very reasonable now days, this concept can be accomplished with a Molle belt. Grab handgun/light 1st, then time permitting, snap on a Molle belt with an empty holster, mag, light etc. You can then grab the long gun and holster the pistol. Or the opposite, grab long gun first, then snap on the belt with pistol already in it. Limitations are really just your secure storage ability.
This concept nullifies the notion of not having time to get on the gear. You grab whatever you decide your primary HD weapon is first (and light), then you are either engaging, about to engage, or you have time to grab the rest (or most likely, by now confirmed it is a non-event and try to go back to sleep).
With 2 trained people, 1 can cover while the other puts on a vest, grabs a long gun etc. I'm working on getting my wife trained, I got her to agree to attend a 2 day defensive pistol course in the fall so that is a start. Provided I'm home, things would work best if I focused on protecting while she focused on the kids and 911 with her pistol for defense if they get through me.
As far as handguns for the OP, I'd get a G21 since you already are familiar with the G26. .45 ACP, rail and will be under the $650 no problem.
I like the way you think.
justice06rr
Member
M&P40, Glock23/22, or XDM40-4.3"
IMO that should be sufficient for sole HD use with the 15+1 capacity. I don't feel you really need a 45 for this purpose because you don't get a significant gain (vs coming from a 9mm) and lose capacity also.
IMO that should be sufficient for sole HD use with the 15+1 capacity. I don't feel you really need a 45 for this purpose because you don't get a significant gain (vs coming from a 9mm) and lose capacity also.
I'd stay away from the pre-frang rounds. Reliability is questionable in an auto, price is crazy high to test for POI and reliability and many question how effective they truly are given minimal penetration. I'd rather have ball ammo than a glaser or magsafe, personally.
- Status
