Handgun for Home Defense

Status
Not open for further replies.
a 45 is a good choice, so is a 357 magnum with hollow points. either would do nicely. whatever you dicide on, you should at least think about a laser and / or a flashlight mounted to the gun. that way, you can see what you are shooting at, and the laser will tell you where you are going to hit. the last thing you want to be doing is walk around your house turning on lights. if you can rig it, and "instant on" switch for both the laser and flashlight would be a nice feature. and remember, walk around corners on the wide side, not the narrow side.
 
Just remember, pistols suck at terminal ballistics. Quality 9mm is just fine, as is 40 and 45 ACP. Choose the caliber that you can shoot fast and accurately. 40 S&W will be a bit snappier than 9mm and 45 ACP, so choosing the correct gun is important. I have noticed, that for me, the S&W M&P 40 and Springfield XDs are a bit easier on the joints and are easier to control under rapid fire. My Browning Hi-Power 40's were a handful, but not as bad as the Glock 22 and 23. The trick is to test fire at least 100 rounds through any guns you are considering.

Regarding the EXTERNAL safety issue: to each his own, but...keep in mind the points mentioned above.

In the panic of the moment, it's very, very possible to fumble the safety. A friend of mine is a 15k a year shooter and was dedicated to the 1911 platform. He fumbled his draw and failed to deactivate the safeties on the 1911 during a Tueller Drill (21' knife wielding maniac charging the shooter). That really threw him for a loop...and that's after a decade of practice. Now he's gone to "fantastic plastic".

Our ancestors knew something when they went to the double action revolver. You may find Ed McGivern's Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting useful in this respect. They had a very similar war of words in the '20's and '30's: single action versus double action revolver! McGivern's reasons for spurning the 1911 are interesting. Additionally, Fairbairn and Sykes in Shooting to Live recommend pinning the 1911's thumb safety...the resulting gun sounds a lot like the Springfield XD.
 
Last edited:
the gun you are looking for is the FNP-45!!!

it carries 14 rounds in the mag +1 in the chamber...and comes standard with 3 mags!

this gun fits all the categories you outlined. give it a serious look. it can also be worn concealed using the proper holster. i carry mine in a blade-tech UCH.

perfect for the home or on your hip, this is the gun you are looking for without question. give it a serious look. i bought mine NIB for $575, stainless bi-tone version.

u can find a full review by jeff quinn here: http://www.gunblast.com/fnp45.htm
 
get a 686...

...you'll probably end up getting one eventually anyways. They are a classic revolver in .357 that can shoot .38's too.

Your family can practice with cowboy rounds until they become proficient at the gun.

There are no safeties to fumble with, the revolver can be shot in single action or double action.

If for some reason, it doesn't go bang, then you don't have to fumble with a magazine or stove pipe. Just pull the trigger again.

If you really want too, you could have a speedloader sitting next to it for 6 or 7 more rounds depending on the model.

Later, you can buy a 617 or k-22 and have the same frame in .22 for plinking, practice, hunting at a fraction of the cost.

Auotmatics are fun...I own several and favor the 1911 - regardless of what an above poster said - a reliable platform that has proven itself through 2 world wars and many other conflicts...but, the manual at arms for ANY auto is intimidating for an infrequent shooting spouse, son, daughter etc. Many times, just changing, loading a magazine starts a 5 minute conversation.
 
All good guns go bang when pull trigger. It's best to get a gun that is as idiot proof as possible. Im not saying my spouse is a idiot, far from it. But if she is alone and there is either the taser or pistol, bang, done. Not too many things to worry about.

I love the shotguns and the cycling, checking safety, loading etc. But the auto reload is quite fast and fun on a auto pistol. That only works as fast as you can pull trigger (To a point.) Best to pull all the way back; hold, ride the recoil then pull again after the weapon settles back down.
 
Did I say Stay away from ANYTHING with a safety?
Click to expand...

I must respectfully disagree. While this may be sound advice for you, I don't think that this is true for everyone. I prefer a gun with a well-designed and easy to use safety. My Steyr M40 has a safety that is disengaged by lifting up on your finger in the trigger guard. Until this gun, I felt the same way but the Steyr changed my mind. I feel much more confident when carrying IWB with the safety on.

As long as you practice with what you carry with the gun in the condition you will carry it in then a WELL DESIGNED safety can be an excellent option.
 
I have a 9mm, a .380, and a .25 in close proximity, hidden but easy to get to in an emergency. I also have a 12-gauge handy as well. Doesn't everybody?
 
Carefully examine your environment.

My home pretty much makes a long gun worthless. It's guaranteed to bang on or get hung up in things. There's no maneuver room AT ALL. Your home might be entirely different.

As far as handguns go, consider your own level of skill. Do you shoot a lot? Have you shot a lot in the past? Have you had training?

I've got a variety of semi-auto handguns for defense, but I've been shooting since the 1970s, and shooting a lot. Glocks are simple, but like the C programming language, they will do whatever you tell them to, no matter how stupid. Trigger discipline is critical with any firearm. It's doubly so with a Glock type gun. Pull the trigger and it's going off. If that bothers you, you might want to consider the Springfield XD series. They have a grip safety like an M1911.

No matter what you get, learn how to use it without fumbling. Learn how to clear stoppages.

If you need it, get training.

And have a simple plan for how to deal with trouble. It's easier to remember a simple plan under stress than it is to think one up cold.
 
5 yards, five shots.

Preface:
I do not recommend folks buy a gun, until they have actually tried a variety of gun to see what fits them.

Private places were I have assisted new shooters, including CCW we felt very strong about gun fit to shooter.
Very strong about gun fit to shooter for tasks and environment.
Yes, one might say we were old school, then again we are right.

Guns? WE had guns.
We started all new folks on .22 revolvers, then went to dedicated .38spl. revolvers.
Then we did .22 semi-auto pistols, and then went to 9mm semi auto.

We feel learning to shoot a revolver in double action, teaches and instills so much of the correct basic fundamentals , which will transition to semi auto.

Gun fit is important! Correct basic fundamentals are important.
Shooting a gun differs from just handling one to see if it fits.
Doing anything when one is Halt, Angry, Lonely, Tired , such as driving a car, or shooting a gun impairs ones ability to do well.
Simply put, add any stress to one's life and they will not perform at their best physically or mentally.
Motor skills erode, the brain gets fuzzy...

Guns?
i.e. Ten Model 10s just alike, except the stocks were different. The same darn gun, shooting the same load and the students actually shot these guns and found out for themselves how important gun fit is.
While they thought those stocks were "pretty", the gun fit was not right and they did not shoot the gun well.
While some guys thought those stocks were "bad-boys", they could not hit the the broad side of a barn standing in it.

Reality is Real.

So the students shot a variety of guns, choosing platform and calibers, and narrowed down selections.

Drill.

Take a piece of typing /printing paper, and fold in half, then fold again (1/4 sheet), and put a dot in the center.

At 5 yards, place this target.

5 rounds only.

From concealment is best, still low ready works. At the buzzer aquire target and shoot 5 rds "quickly".

The paper does not lie.
It will reveal what platform, in what caliber, with what ammo a student shoots best.

i.e. Hands down, most will shoot 185 gr Win STHP in 45ACP out of a 1911 more quickly and effectively than a 230 gr load.
Ditto for standard pressure 158 gr .38spl LSWC, and for sure standard pressure 148 wad cutters.

This drill not only works for new shooters, it also works for those with arthritis, or recovering from surgery.

While one might have shot extremely well a Model 19 using .357 loads as a Cop, add age, and Arthritis and that same cop shooting this drill realizes he needs to back down to 38spl load.
The paper does not lie.

Drill.

WE added to this.
You see my concern has always been entering or exiting a structure and answering the door.

Now honestly, we do not like Buzzers, or timers. Just sometimes "time" is a useful tool in assisting others.

We set up things such as answering the door, and the door was "shoved into" the person answering them and the 5 shots at 5 yards was done.

There is no Buzzer in the Real world. We might signal the "start" with a gun shot, or glass breaking.

i.e. Set it up where a lady is at the front door, with door chain and all of a sudden the shattering of glass to replicated BG #2 breaking the back kitchen door glass...and add a child screaming, crying "Mommie!".
Then BG 1 taking advantage of his accomplish breaking glass to distract, confuse, scare...exerts pressure and that door chain does not hold.

Gun fit, correct basic fundamentals are that important. Because students found out adding some "stress" really does affect how one shoots.

We did things like having folks shoot this drill while lying on the sofa, kicked back in a recliner, standing at the kitchen sink...
Why?
Simple. Kids don't mean to, still they might run out and leave the door open, or answer the door.
A Spouse might get surprised to find Spouse , teenagers, or kids were caught off guard in the driveway, or carport.

Lying in bed, under linens, we replicated that too.

We started with simple, to build a foundation. It is that important to have correct basic fundamentals and is best to have a gun that fits the user.

Investigate & Verify.

Oh, after the "new" wore off so to speak. Students rarely shot a target face on.
Targets were angled, or 3 D, even moving.
In the real world there is no PACT Timer with a buzzer and it is rare a target is going to be flat, face on, and stationary.

We did not want our students to be programmed shooters.

Home Defense...define your home and defense.
One older gentleman practiced from shooting in bed and being in a recliner.
He was going to have hip surgery and wanted to have some Mindset and Skillsets ingrained before he had that surgery.

He chose a Model 10 snub nose revolver with standard pressure 158 gr LSWC.

Same gun and loads he had been carrying concealed , still he wanted to investigate and verify this was still the best gun for him, with the surgery coming up.

We also fixed him up with a Youth, single shot, 20 ga shotgun.
He went through drills with this too.

His wife uses a Model 10 snub nose as well, just her HD shotgun is an 1100 in 20 ga.
She shot skeet back in the day, and knows that shotgun very very well.
 
Greetings All:

Just joined in here and appreciate the answers to the OP's question. A special thanks to SM for his very helpful summary of effective armed defensive training. Your brief posting is excellent, and I will pass it on to those folks I run into seeking information on real-world self-defense.

Best,

Steve A.
 
It may not be for you, but here's one I like a lot for this setting:

Smith & Wesson Model 327 TRR8 with Corbon DPX 110gr. .38 Special +P.

Eight rounds is plenty to either end the situation, or give you enough time to get to a proper long gun. That load has admirable velocity, a great bullet, and isn't likely to over-penetrate. It's also low-pressure, so you won't be deaf once it's over. You've got a rail to dangle a light/laser, which I think is important for home defense. The icing on the cake is that it's a revolver, and personally, I trust a revolver more than an autoloader. Period.
 
possum said:
caliber dosen't matter because all handguns suck regardless of caliber, and the only reason you should use the handgun in hd is to fight your way to the long gun that you should have been using in the first place.
Click to expand...
Give this man a medal! 9 is fine guys, 9 is fine.

That being said, can't go wrong with a glock or XD/XDm!
 
Based on your specifications I think a Glock G21, full size frame, 13rd +1capacity .45 acp, ultra reliable, $600.00 range w/tritium sights, Unfortunately not shiny/cool just an ugly ol black gun.
 
Handgun for Home Defense

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was thinking of a picking up a handgun to compliment my shotgun for home defense but don't know where to begin. In trying to narrow this search down to a few options, here are some of my parameters. Please let me know if there is a make/model that would meet my criteria - I am sure there are many.

1. Caliber - I'd prefer a 40 or a 45 at a minimum, not interested in 9mm for this purpose. So I am not sure which would be better for HD, a 40 vs 45. based on my research, I am leaning towards the .45 to avoid over penetration. PS - should the 50 be considered here? I know nothing about the 50ae
2. Capacity - I guess I would want as much capacity as possible since this will not be carried and weight/size is not an issue
3. Look/Design - I really don't have a bias towards one design over another, ie 1911. I like most pistols. However, I do like Stainless guns and would prefer this one to be stainless and/or polished - something shiny and cool!! Since this won't be carried weight is not an issue.
4. Reliability - Obviously since this scenario would include defending my home & family, reliablity is a top priority.
5. Cost effective - I don't want to sacrifice reliability or performance but I am also not willing to drop 1G on a pistol so I would prefer it to be $750 & under, preferably $600 & under, although I relize I might be strectching.
6. Other Factors? - I would consider adding any other considerations/features that I am missing and/or you think are important to add to my list.

Look fwd to hearing some reccomendations.
PICS WOULD BE A HUGE HELP!!!
Click to expand...

Just my opinion, but I think you're going about this a little backwards. There are an amazing number of good pistols out there. The best way of finding out which one for you is to actually go out and try as many as possible. Try to find a range that will let you rent or a range buddy/instructor that will let you run some of their guns. That should give you a fair idea of what you can handle in terms of caliber and what you want in terms of size, action, features, etc.

I'd look heavily at the Glock, M&P, and XD. Take the $400 you'd save over buying a more expensive gun and spend it on training and ammo. There are very few guns out there that won't shoot better than 95% of shooters are capable of shooting and almost all will deliver totally sufficient accuracy for any self defense situation that's likely to come up. I've seen proficient shooters with inexpensive firearms totally outshoot people with top of the line custom firarms costing 2 or 4 times as much. The difference, practice and experience. Money also doesn't always get your reliability either. The pistols I mentioned above all have a reputation for reliability even when not diligently maintained. On the flip side, I've seen $1,000 and up firearms that wouldn't go through a magazine without stoppages.

As far as caliber, get the biggest major caliber you can handle well. That is going to depend a lot on you. A .45 that you can't shoot quickly and accuratly is a poorer choice than a 9mm that you are competent and accurate with. I've seen more than a few people out there shooting too much gun for them. Pretty much everyone that's able bodied CAN learn to shoot a .45. However, many are not willing TO learn to shoot a .45 well. If you're married and have a family, you might also consider what caliber THEY are able to shoot since a defensive situation may happen when you are not around.

Also, consier the increase in recoil you are going to get when you're using hot defensive rounds. That .45 stoked with light kicking target rounds may be perfectly acceptable, but loaded with 230 grain +P Hollowpoints may be enough to push you past your comfort zone. My tame 9mm Glock 26 turns into a much harder to handle gun once I stoke it with Speer Gold Dot 124gr +p's as opposed to 115gr range fodder.


Another bit of advice, invest in a .22lr similar to your pistol or a conversion kit for your pistol. In my experience, the guys who run a brick of .22 every couple of weeks in addition to some centerfire trigger time shoot much better than the guys who shoot their 50 rounds a month of .45 and then pack it in. A .22 will allow you to practice more and also has a side benefit of making it less likely to develop bad habits like flinching and anticipation of recoil. Another benefit is that it's a perfect gun for breaking in new shooters. Taking buddies out for some informal plinking is a much easier way to get "range buddies" than handing them a gun that's intimidating or uncomfortable to shoot.

I have a light/laser combo on my house gun. One thing to consider about a mounted light though is that you have to point the gun at a target to identify it. If you live alone, you can be pretty assured that anything you point your light at at 2AM is going to be a threat. However, if you share the house with others, the possibility of that "intrudor" ending up being little Johnny getting a glass of milk or Little Jane coming in late from a date. I don't like the idea of pointing a gun at them to determine they are or aren't a threat. I live with my wife who sleeps next to me, so anyone I'm pointing my light at is going to be a threat.
 
I have bad eyes but keep that laser dot down to center mass away from the eyes, It could be my spouse forgetting to challenge me or remember the counter late at night while at the fridge for a hydrate or snack.

If Im with the spouse at night, anything moving inside the house is fair game. That Laser lights up the immediate area in a sort of soft green light enough to make facial recognize at 20 feet or less. If it is a intruder, I hit em with the strobe and sprout words such as HALT! while spouse swings into her 911/alamo drill and getting armed also.
 
A lot of more knowledgeable people than I have given a lot of good advice but I would add a few motre things to think about. Depending on your state's laws I'd suggest thinking about things like the construction of your home and how it's positioned in relation to your neighbors, where other people live in the house and where any bullet you fire, that misses, will end up. In other words will that 40 or 45, regardless of whether you hit the intruder, go on to penetrate interior walls into your child's bedroom? It's a serious consideration.

In my state (Virginia) if I fire a bullet I am responsible for what that bullet does. The odds of me firing a bullet that goes through 8 or 10 layers of drywall and the exterior siding, missing all the studs before winding up in or on something on my neighbor's property may be slim, but I know how bad my luck can be. And even if that doesn't happen the bullet could still penetrate some of the walls and the plumbing, causing a flood, or slice through the wiring to cause a fire. All this means my HD gun has changed from a Beretta 9 to a short barrelled Mossberg 12 gauge. It's effective and easy to maneuver if needed.
 
Mister V is right on the mark, a short HD shotgun with #4 shot will be unlikely to penetrate a 3rd layer of drywall and Dick Chaney's buddy will tell you it will rearrange your schedule.
 
+1 on the XD!!!

My 12ga. and AR15 are supplemented by an XD45 5" Tactical model that I got for $499 out the door. Holds and reliably eats 13+1 of whatever I feel like feeding it.
 
ABOUT THE LASER



I will NOT be without one.

I have a laser grip on my .45, it is my primary home defense gun, together with a Borealis 1050 lumens flashlight.

After the alarm sound...
My tactic is to get to the bedroom door and from there control the passage way and the living room, with the body protected by the frame and with only my half face exposed, one hand holding the pistol and the other hand the Borealis flashlight.

With a laser is not need to line up your face with the pistol, no tunnel vision, no exposing body parts to get into a shooting position.
If you are going to have a gunfight, this is the best way!

This, for me is the most valuable feature of the laser.

The flashlight with the 1050 lumens (two millions candlepower) will cook the eyes of an intruder.

Colt .45 with laser grips and the Borealis 1050 lumens flashlight.

govtlaser.jpg

Cheers
Black Bear


 
I'll toss in a vote for the Glock 21. I keep one by the bedside, with a Glock Line laser on the rail. My home defense ammo of choice is Glaser Pow'RBall.
 
a 1911 guy votes for a revolver

I'm a 1911 guy that has a sw 625 in my bedroom.
 
I have a Glock 21sf with a TLR-1 weapon light.

In addition, I have a variety of revolvers and pistols in various places.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
Which .45ACP for home defense?
2 3
Replies
60
Views
2K
roque5
roque5
3
  • Locked
Best Handgun for Home Defense.
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
Geno
G
J
  • Locked
HD Pistol will accept Light/Laser combo
Replies
18
Views
1K
Magnus1959
M
F
  • Locked
home defense questions
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Market Garden
M
C
  • Locked
The Glock 21 as a Designated Home Defense Handgun
Replies
14
Views
6K
Inebriated
I
Back
Top