Handgun for Home Defense

[Woody_in_MN]

JJJJ -

First thanks to you and all the others that have served.

I'm mainly a pistol guy, but if you don't mind keeping a loaded gun around I'd go used american 12 gauge pump.

If you do worry about keeping a loaded gun around (I do), you may want to look at the Hi-Point, Kel-Tec, or even Berreta Storm carbines. I recently bought the Hi-Point 9mm carbine with this in mind. Truth be told, I don't regrete buying it, but in the "real deal" I'd feel just as comfortable with a 9mm, 40sw, or 45 pistol with 10 round plus mags. Hi-Point also makes a poly 40sw and 45 auto pistol.

If money is no object, then there is a world of options. I'll mention one that may not immediately come to mind. A 2nd or 3rd generation S&W auto. My CCW will be my S&W 469. I have put like 200 rounds thru it, and it has never, ever mis-fed, or jammed on anything I've fed it, includuing Wolf, and aluminum Blazers. (Something that I can not say about the other pistolds I've owned. BTW - I put about 50 rounds thru the hi point carbine - no jams on that one either.) And right now the S&W auto's are not the flavor of the month, and are a bargain used.

Stay safe,

- w

 

[CraigJS]

Something to think about, take it or leave it. A hand gun, any hand gun is going to have more kid apeal than a shot gun! Whats on TV, what's in movies, what are the "gang bangers" holding at 90degrees (never could figure that one out), hand guns.. Being small a hand gun is alot easier to shoot yourself with that even a 36" long full stocked shotgun like a Winchester 1200 Defender. If you don't make it too kid apealing ( pistol grips, light hanging under barrel, extra rounds on side of reciever etc.) that full stock also make a damn nice weapon to butt stroke some BG with if you need to. Perhaps a shotty snap cap last in the mag with chamber MT(first into chamber), rack it twice and you've got bad MOJO for any BG.. Like I said in the first sentence, take it or leave it, just some additional thoughts..
Take care stay safe, CraigJS

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Also you don't need a .357 mag for HD (too much noise, too much muzzel flash, too much recoil) .38 spec. works just fine.

Nothing at all wrong with a .38 special, but I forgot to mention WHY I always recommend a .357: One nice thing about the larger .357 wheelguns like the GP100 is that .38 special rounds are really fun to shoot out of these larger guns. So for a house gun that won't get much or any concealed carry usage, a larger wheelgun is a lot more fun at the range.

A .38 will be cheaper and smaller while still offering a great defensive round.

 

[JJJJ]

Thanks for all the input so far. For those of you who have recommended shotguns, my thought was to go with a handgun for two reasons. It seems like it may be easier to lock up in a safe where children can't access it. Also, while I'm not looking to carry it concealed on a daily basis, there may be isolated times where I want something more portable than a shotgun. I might carry it in a fanny pack where ultracompact size isn't crucial if there is another hurricane, for example.

 

[JJJJ]

I hate to ask such a stupid question, but can someone explain the difference between a .38 special and a 357? I assumed they were different calibers and could not both be used in the same revolver, but I see that 357s can shoot .38 special also. Thanks.

 

[jeremywills]

might find this a bit useful

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38vs357snub.htm comparing the 2 outta a snub nose

38 is just a tad shorter, less powerful, and easier on the wallet, basically the same diameter etc....

its all your preference though

best of luck with your descision

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I should have explained it better. The .38 Special has been a standard Police caliber in the U.S. for almost a century. Its actual dimension is .357, not .38.

In 1935 someone experimented and introduced a more robust version - the .357 magnum. They put more gunpowder in the case and made the case slightly longer so it would not accidently fit into .38 special firearms. .357 magnums have a slightly longer cylinder and are more "beefy" all around to handle the extra pressure.

A .357 magnum round (with the right expanding bullet) is powerful enough to ethically shoot a whitetail deer. A .38 Special is somewhat underpowered for hunting.

The beauty of this design is that a .357 can also safely shoot .38 Special rounds - which are cheaper and kick less.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

One thing you might want to learn about as well is your choice of bullets in the cartridge. Hollow points or any expanding bullet design are the best for your situation. They are designed to expand and slow down on impact - making a bigger hole in the bad guy and not going through him or through walls -- as opposed to the full metal jacket or "ball" ammo you probably shot through your M9. You can tell the difference just by looking at the bullet in the cartridge - ball ammo is a smooth, round, one color "ball" while hollow points are either hollow or two colors with a softer metal in the tip.

(There are also "semi-wadcutters" which are flat at the tip for making nicer holes in paper for competitive shooting)

Ball ammo is designed to penetrate bodies, walls, etc. and not expand - which makes sense for a battlefield, but not for intruders in a home.

Ball ammo is cheaper, so it's great for practice, but changes in ammo will make each gun shoot slightly differently, so you should shoot a bunch of ball ammo for practice, but also practice and keep it loaded with hollowpoint ammo. Also, some autoloaders have problems feeding non-ball ammo, so you shoud try a bunch of brands and then stick to what works best for self-defense.

Once you've chosen your gun, there are many here on THR more skilled than I in recommending specific self-defense ammo. Just realize that it's even more complicated (and fun!) than just choosing a gun.

 

[Cueball]

For someone who is only going to practice once or twice a year, I would suggest either no gun at all or a revolver with a 4" barrel. You need to spend more time than that with a semi auto to stay proficient. In the event that you have to use the weapon, it is most certainly going to be a very high stress moment. In that situation you have no time to refamiliarize yourself with the proper function of the weapon. Stick with a wheel gun. You pull the trigger and it goes bang.

 

[jeremywills]

+1 on the wheel gun for the everynow and then usage

I prefer autoloaders, but again personal preferences

Try and find a range that has rentals, try a few different things out, good luck sir

 

[Bill B.]

A Smith & Wesson M10 with a 4" Heavy Barrel & +P 158 grain HP's should fill the bill nicely and be as cheap; used police trade in, as anything available. If you decide shotgun a used Remignton 870 Express with a 20 inch slug barrel is also a excellent choice. You should be able to find either of these guns for around $200.00 which will not break the bank!

 

[No_Brakes23]

In that situation you have no time to refamiliarize yourself with the proper function of the weapon. Stick with a wheel gun. You pull the trigger and it goes bang.

Yeah, but a wheelgun is not necessarily the answer. This guy might very possibly handle the M9 more often than he would handle his wheelgun, so a large frame auto will be more familiar.

Some folks are just more familiar and comfy with auto-loaders. I am one of those. There were times in the past where months or years would occur between firings of my 1911, but it was easy as pie to get back in the swing of things. I find wheelguns ponderous for a bit, everytime I get around them.

a bedside gun needs nightsights.

Yup, and that is why despite my love for my 1911, I am looking to get another pistol with night sights and a weaponlight, (Not gonna hack up a perfectly good Series 70.)

 

[Woody_in_MN]

JJJJ -

If you are talking a piece you can carry once in awhile - now this takes on a different slant. The Hi-Points are dependable, but too wide, and clunky to carry.

The Makarov 9x18 is a very nice carry piece. Not the bargain that it once was - but can still be had in very nice shape for around $200. One gun you really should look at is the Taurus PT911. I have one. very accurate - very nice trigger and can be had reasonably. I don't beleive I have ever had a mis-feed with it either.

I still promote a used S&W auto. Typicially S&W makes a full size, and compact based off the same design. Look for the compact version in 9mm or 40sw.

Good luck.

- w

 

[mindpilot]

I willl second that!

 

[Ken Rainey]

I agree with Bill B....a good used Smith & Wesson model 10 (blued) .38 special loaded with .38+P ammo is simple, durable, and affordable. The model 15 (also blued) is the same with adjustable sights.

The stainless steel version of the model 10 is the model 64 and may appeal for more ease of maintenance. Also, a model 13 (blued) .357 would widen your ammo selection as would the model 65 or 66 (stainless steel in .357). These are all K-frame revolvers that have been around for a long time and work really well.

The L-frame (681, 686, 581, 586) .357's are beefier = heavier and will shoot the magnum rounds with less "wear" than the K-frames. I prefer the K-frames and .38 special loads for adequate power and ease of use in a "handier" weight gun. Different grips for getting just the right fit to your hand are easy to find..a comfortable and durable grip is the Hogue rubber grip.

If it were me and I wanted a revolver, I'd look for a used S&W model 64, 65, or 66 with a four inch barrel that was in good shape, if I ran across a heavy barrel model 10 first, that'd be ok too. There's a "sticky" in the Revolvers forum that tells how to check out a used revolver.

The Ruger GP 100 is an excellent revolver also by what I hear but I've not had any personal experience with one since I got into Smiths before Rugers....although I did own a Ruger security six (forerunner to the GP 100) for a short time and liked it also.

You can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[Woody_in_MN]

OK. It may be a little more money, but I have a Ruger Security Six 357 4" and love it. I read that Ruger never made money on the gun. Just priced it to beat S&W in that market. I have never shot the newer Ruger revolvers, so can't speak to that.

- w

BTW - Mindpilot - I got my new Hi-Point 40sw. That thing is HEAVY. Hope to shoot it tommorrow.

 

[S&W620]

One can never go wrong with a 12 gauge shotgun. Personally I have a smith and wesson .357 revolver that sits on the nightstand and I feel quite safe.

 

[Nick_90]

In your position I would go for a cheap Mossberg 500 loaded with small pellets to avoid over penetration. It is good and rather cheap and, I would think, rather difficult to manipulate for a young child...

 

[longeyes]

For an interesting perspective look here:

http://www.buildanark.net/argentinean.html

This author recommends a high-capacity pistol for all-around use, concealability and portability being a major reason.

That doesn't preclude a good 12-gauge pump shotgun as a complement, however.

 

[MrAcheson]

Two problems:

1. Shooting twice a year isn't very much. Handgun skills are especially perishable as they require a lot of complex motor control. If you are going to own a handgun, you need to practice with it at least once a month just to maintain proficiency. If you are only shooting twice a year, you should think long gun.
2. Yes a revolver is a good concealment piece, reliable, and something you can always have on you. However handguns, any handgun, is a really crappy weapon when push comes to shove. Effective range is short. Lethality is low. A handgun is the weapon you have either to shoot your way to something bigger or because you can't get away with carrying anything else.

I would go with a 12 gauge. Take it to a clays range and shoot it until you can hit what you aim at. Then load it with buckshot and lock it up where the kids can't get to it. If you want a gun to carry around with you, then think about a good inexpensive revolver.

 

[engineer151515]

Lots of good advise here.

I'd just like to add the advise you to shop for a good concealed carry holster to go with your choice. That may influence which firearm you purchase - as some have better holster options than others.


I said concealable because, as recent Katrina experience noted, you need something you can hide least the local authorities decide that "no civilians in New Orleans will be allowed to carry pistols, shotguns, or other firearms of any kind."

Stay safe.

 

[22luvr]

.357 mag revolver or shotgun

You can buy a Mossberg mod 88 12 ga shotgun at Wally World for about $160 or thereabouts. Probably the world's most versatile firearm. I went to Mossberg and bought an 18" riot barrel and a pistol grip making the whole package scarcely 2 feet long. Use birdshot for less penetration.

OR...get a .357 mag revolver with about a 3-4" barrel. Another extremely versatile handgun. For home defense, get Magsafe or Glaser frangible ammo which will stop the bad guys and will not over penetrate. You should be able to find a used revolver in good shape for a decent price.

Anyway, keep it simple and basic........Either one or both.

 

[magsnubby]

For those of you who have recommended shotguns, my thought was to go with a handgun for two reasons. It seems like it may be easier to lock up in a safe where children can't access it.

There are lots of small handgun safes out there. You could bolt it to your headboard, still have it secure from inquisitive little fingers, and still have immediate access to your HD gun. Pretty hard to do with a shotgun.

...while I'm not looking to carry it concealed on a daily basis, there may be isolated times where I want something more portable than a shotgun. I might carry it in a fanny pack where ultracompact size isn't crucial if there is another hurricane, for example.

Since you are familiar with the Beretta, that would be my first choice. Contrary to popular belief, it isn't that hard to teach a person to shoot using an simi auto. And for a survival type scenario, something that held alot of bulllets and was fast to reload would be a most comforting thing.