Home Defense Menu...your opinions wanted

[Fishman777]

All would be fine, for you...

Any of the guns that you mentioned would be excellent choices. If your wife shoots, then autoloaders would be a good choice, but if she doesn't, stick with a revolver. I don't mean to sounds sexist, but I really think that revolvers are the best choice for anyone that doesn't shoot much.

Regardless of whether the gun is a revolver or an autoloader, you should make sure that the grips aren't too big for your wife. Some of the guns that you mentioned might be a little big for her. Of the guns you mentioned, I'd go with the model 66 or a Beretta 92 vertec (or a 90two with the slim vertec-like grip).

 

[md7]

My wife does not have the will to be proficient, just "able" to shoot. She is very small-framed, so the 66 is about all she can get her hands wrapped around.

Revolver. Easier to use IMHO for a person that is not willing to learn how to use an auto.

 

[chieftain]

She is very small-framed

My youngest daughter stands 4'11" about 100 lbs. She shoots one of my Government model (full size) 1911's in 45acp.

I am setting up a Colt government just for her small hands.

Narrow grips, and short trigger. And some other neat stuff.

Now with the Springfield EMP pistols, you have an even shorter reach, in 9mm or 40 S&W. My youngest likes the 45acp caliber specifically. Just for the record, my oldest is 5'6" about 150 lbs, and prefers a Glock 30.

I would suggest an EMP Springfield in 9mm for your petite lady.

Good luck

Fred

 

[DevilDog0402]

Springfield XD .45 ACP with Tactical HST 230gr. +P HP Ammo.

That's my bedside gun w/ a taclight attached.

My 12 ga is closeby too.

 

[Cosmoline]

S&W M29 .44mag 6" revolver

This trumps the other choices. Load with lighter weight and easy expanding rounds (not hunting or hardcast rounds). These are much more devestating than the .45 ACP or 9x19 and stand a better chance of stopping the threat sooner rather than later. You will have "overpenetration" problems with any firearm in a modern building, but the higher velocity of a .44 Mag helps ensure maximum expansion and fragmentation if you select the appropriate load.

Believe me, if some loonatic is actually breaking into your house to kill you and yours, there is NO SUCH THING as "too much gun." The goal is not a fair fight, but to stop the threat immediately. If the mere sight of the magnum doesn't do that, the impact of the round will. It's a powerful enough round to generate a temporary cavity and hit with some measure of explosive force. It's not a rifle, but it's better than any standard handgun round.

I'm not getting into the question of long guns as the OP stated he didn't want that.

 

[Shawnee]

Springfield .45 first

S&W .44 Special second.

If Trouble does come - don't leave either behind.

 

[19-3Ben]

Chances of home invasion by a dozen ninja's, or zombies currently seems pretty low.

See, that's where you're gonna get into trouble. You only think that the likelihood of a zombie attack is low because the media is so busy covering up their activity. But they are becoming more and more active.
Soon, it'll be like "I Am Legend."

(yes, I'm kidding. but a lot of you are going to be caught off guard during the zombie uprising.)

 

[give]

agree with post #5,any hand gun would work,now remember ,its all about shot placement

 

[Catherine]

Quote:

I have the following handguns (and would limit this discussion to handguns) available for home defense. I shoot each of these with relatively equal proficiency, and all have proven reliable. Your opinions on each, along with recommended load, would be appreciated. My opinion about home defense is to stop the threat, period (i.e if its time to use deadly force, it should be deadly). I am in a single family, one room occupied dwelling without immediate neighbors. Here's the selection: Beretta 92FS 9mm 15+1; S&W 66 4" .357 revolver; S&W M29 .44mag 6" revolver (w/ .44spec?), and Springfield XD 45 .45ACP 13+1. Again, your opinion and the associated load rec. appreciated....

~~~~~

Smith and Wesson Model 66
Smith and Wesson Model 29

I would go with one for you and one for your wife.

Even if your wife has smaller hands and MAY or May Not be weaker - I bet that she could use that Model 66 in 38 Specials or Plus P even though it only has a 4 inch long barrel. For that type of protection I would want a 6 inch barrel myself even if it had more weight to it but you are talking about what YOU already OWN and have on HAND!

I am 5'3" tall, small but not tiny hands, average for my height, have a weak left arm/hand due to a bad accident plus some arthritis @ almost 58 years old.

I can shoot 38Special Plus P and prefer them over 357Magnums but for home defense... I would go with 38Specials for HER in this case. If she can practice and SHOOT well with 357Magnum... let HER do it! If not... 38Special or Plus P! She has to KNOW and shoot HER GUN well no matter what she chooses! Practice with it often and so forth - both of you! For me... if I owned YOUR GUN... I would use 357Magnum in Hollow Points. (Since I already own this - S&W Model 686 - I would USE 357Magnum hollow points! Mine has a 6 inch barrel. That or my RUGER 45Colt aka long colt.)

I have previously owned and shot (Gift to me.) 2 - S&W Model 29's. The 29-2 and 29-3 in the past. Six inch barrels like my S&W Model 686 in 357Magnum. I could shoot them VERY well and preferred 44Specials but if NEED be... 44Magnums too. I rented a Model 629 once at my old gun store back east.

I suggest that the wife shoot 38Specials or 38Special Plus P (357Magnums if she can shoot this WELL!) for that Model 66.

I suggest that you use the Model 29 and if you want to use 44Specials instead of 44Magnums - I would do that.

I don't know anything about your other guns that you listed although I did own, love and shoot tons out of my former Glock Model 19C - 9mm. My late husband shot it too. NEVER one jam or problem with that gun. It was my very first gun that I bought. Previously I used my late husband's 357Magnum revolver with a 6 inch barrel. I saw the Springfield's up at Camp Perry years ago but I have never owned or shot one. I have never shot a Beretta - seen them though. I heard that both companies make nice guns though!

I would NOT have someone with smaller or weaker hands shoot some super BIG caliber gun with a SUPER, super short barrel but that is just MY OWN opinion and experience of what I have shot with other people's guns. You did not mention this though. The LONGER barrel makes it so much easier in my NOT so humble opinion! Grin. Three inch barrel Minimum for a 38Special Plus P - Model 60 - S&W. Four inch and UP for 38Special and up in others - my opinion. The S&W Model 60 is NICE in a 38Special Plus P but I prefer a longer barrel.

Best wishes to you in using what YOU already own, love and shoot WELL. Have your wife practice often IF you can get her to do this or even once a month or so. I would keep those OTHER 2 guns loaded and ready to go 24/7 if you feel the need to do this. One or two on each floor of your two story house. ALL with you when you go to bed at night if you feel safer that way. Speed loaders work well for some people with their revolvers too.

Contrary to popular opinion... some ladies can and DO shoot bigger calibers very well even if they are smaller, have some arthritis and/or have weaker arms/hands due to old injuries.

Best wishes!

Catherine

 

[Catherine]

My husband said that he would do this if he was YOU:

He would use the .45 ACP Caliber gun (230 grain hardball or full metal jacket.) and carry the 44Magnum as a back up gun loaded with full power (240 grain hollow points.)

That is HIS advice to you.

He thinks that your wife should take the choice in the other guns but you should have all 4 of them ready to go. Have her KNOW HER gun! My advice and his too.

Best wishes.

Catherine

 

[tenbears]

Well, let's look at this from another angle. If you live in an apartment or similar community, having neighbors that close, you may want to consider a shotgun for defense using a BB size shot or a little smaller to avoid over penetration by a large bore caliber handgun or rifle even that may hit someone else other than your intruder.
If you live outside city limits or on a larger lot of land then it's really just a matter of what you shoot well with. Just wanted to share that with ya.

 

[Spenser]

I'd agree with the .45. You might consider Powerball or EFMJ ammo if you're worried about a stray sailing through walls into the neighbor's house.

 

[Hook686]

I do not see the point in limiting your selection to one if you are proficient in all 4.

Personally I do not have a .45 ... I have a 9mm, a .357 magnum and a .44 magnum though. I practice with the following regularly:

9mm ..........147 grain PFP
.357 magnum ..158 grain PHP
.44 magnum ...200 grain JSP

 

[oneounceload]

All are good, as has been said, but IMO, the one you can grab, in the dark, with adrenaline pumping, and get it on target the fastest, should be your primary one, with another nearby if necessary....you need to be able to operate it without thinking abut anything except the threat - if you're fumbling for a safety, magazine, speedloader, etc., those could be precious seconds lost with terrible consequences......

 

[macadore]

Any of them would be a fine home defense pistol, though my own last choice would be the .44 mag in a 6-inch revolver. Even with .44 Spc loads, it's too much of a horse pistol for a single dwelling home.

I’m curious. What do you mean by, “It’s too much of a horse pistol for a single dwelling home”?

The only downside I see to the 629 with specials is the weight. If you don’t have to wear it all day, that’s not a problem. If you run out of ammo, it would be great for pistol whipping someone. IMO, it’s a matter of personal opinion. Any of the choices would work well.

 

[Jeff F]

My .357 will at least let me fight my way to one of the 870's here.

 

[Houston Tom]

I have a 357 rev and an XD 45. THe 357 is in the wifes night stand and I have the XD in mine with the hydra shocks.

 

[FLoppyTOE]

Springfield XD .45 ACP with 230 grain Federal Hydra-Shok's or Speer GD-JHP's

Pretty much ended the discusion in my opinion.

 

[sdj]

XD

Another vote for the .45ACP XD.

 

[Defensory]

.45 ACP XD all the way!

 

[AWMP]

XD45 my choice as well

 

[machinisttx]

I keep a S&W 686 .357 with 158gr, with the first chamber unloaded, along with a Surefire flashlight

Why? Any S&W revolver made since WW2(actually might have been WW1, I can't remember right now) has a hammer block that makes it virtually impossible for one to fire without manipulating the action. Incidentally, this came about as a result of a S&W being dropped on the deck of a navy ship and killing a crewman.

The hammer block is outlined in red in the pic below. Unless the trigger is held to the rear, it won't allow the hammer to fall enough to set off a round.




Anyway, as for the original question.. Whatever you feel most comfortable with using to supplement a long gun.

 

[MozambiqueTechnique]

My vote goes to the Beretta 92FS. I would load the aforementioned handgun with 124 grain +P Bonded Golden Sabers.

This is my current night-stand gun and if it means anything to you, Massad Ayoub also keeps the Beretta 92FS as his nightstand sidearm.

Keep safe...

 

[WVMountainBoy]

You've stated that you're equally proficient with all the weapons so this is more an exercise in gun placement and such. The .44 Magnum is the powerhouse of the bunch, but its got its issues, such as recoil (!) and the amount of flash its going to put out. I would recommend the bedside gun be the XD45, loaded with one of Hornady's TAP selections. Place the .44 somewhere accessible to you near an entrance to the home, as it may be needed more outside than in. The .357 is a great choice, but again the muzzle flash is very harsh at night. The Beretta will have no issues serving as a primary weapon, but I trust .45 over 9mm as a man stopper. Load the .44 with some Win SilverTips...that way if you have to work outside and oh say a car door is in your way there is no question.