household protection gun....suggestions?

[mod700]

i am thinking about purchasing a "just incase" gun for the house. i need a pistol that is easy to operate (since everyone in the house could use it), reliable, and has knockdown power but wont break your wrist. im thinking about a 9mm or a 38 semi auto. any suggestions?

 

[4v50 Gary]

Cheapest most reliable gun you can find. Preferably something second hand. Why? Because, you shoot someone, your gun is confiscated as evidence until you're cleared by the Police & District Attorney of wrong doing. Why have the queen of your collection get scratched and abused while being examined when you can have a functional junker?

 

[Leanwolf]

A good, used S&W Model 15 in .38 Special, or a Model 10.

Used Ruger Security Six in .357 Mag., but use .38 Spec. for practice.

Main thing is for everyone who might use it to practice.

If you are not that familiar with handguns, nor are the people in your household, don't let anyone talk you into buying a semi-auto. A good revolver with .38 Spec. hollow points will handle the job if some cretin breaks into your home.

Simple to learn on and simple to operate.

Good luck.

L.W.

 

[2RCO]

Mod-I am a big 1911 fan but they aren't always best. What do you mean by everyone? What is their firearms proficiency. I agree with it not being the queen of your collection--But it should be a highly dependable firearm the las thing you want in a home defense gun is one that fails. I like revolvers for the home such as the S&W airweight make sure the darn safety lock is disengaged though no one needs to be fumbling with an allen wrench gizmo in a critical event. Pump shotguns are a good call as well just the sound will scare the heck out of most intruders.

 

[mnrivrat]

If you have decided to do this with a pistol then I suggest you involve whoever else in the household that will have access and who needs to learn to use it.

In an auto the 9mm is fine and recoil is not heavy in most guns. Don't worry about having a large capacity - a single stack magazine has a slimmer grip and can make a big difference if a person with small hands is in the mix of users.

Don't forget to look at revolvers as well. A .38 Spl is a classic for defense usage and the simple ergonomics of the revolver can sometimes be of benifit to some users.

Go to a reasonably well stocked gunshop and start by looking and handling a variety of different guns. (remember to bring the others involved)

 

[B yond]

This works for me, except mine's got a stainless slide. You can find one for under $500 if you shop around.

-the grip is thin and textured, so it's easy for people with small hands (the wife) to handle, and easy to keep ahold of.
-It has a recoil-reducing second spring around the guide rod that really makes a difference on follow-up shots.
-It's DA/SA with an 8lb. stacking trigger pull, so the first shot doesn't go off unless you really want it to (not everyone remembers to keep their finger off the trigger under stress). Follow-up shots are much lighter.
-Visible loaded chamber indicator that can be felt in the dark, so you know your weapon is ready.
-The slide is easy to operate (great for women/children).
-The accessory rail allows attachment of a light (much better than trying to carry a flashlight when you need to open a door) or a laser (for family members who aren't necessarily good shots).
-It's thin enough (about 1") to CCW, should you decide later on that that's of interest to you.

Remember: a 9mm or .380 might expand on impact, but a .45 sure as heck ain't gonna get any smaller.

Good luck in choosing the right weapon to protect your family. May you never have to use it.

 

[JKimball]

If you want to go with an auto, I'd recommend a CZ-75 with a decocker (so nobody tries to shoot the bad guy with the safety on.) I've been really happy with my P-01, and I've taken 3 girls shooting and they all liked it, though sometimes racking the slide can be difficult for them if they don't have the technique down. Can't go wrong with a Glock or XD either.

I guess the main thing would be to make sure everybody that might use it gets enough practice time to be comfortable with it.

 

[kiwibird1]

Get a Glock or XD in .40 w/ a laser sight. Chances are that once the laser is on bad guy runs like hell.

 

[Torghn]

I use a ruger GP100 loaded with 38 special personal defense rounds as my home defense gun. The reliability and ease of use of a revolver is hard to beat. A good 38 special as plenty of take down power, while the GP100 easily absorbs the recoil makes it easy if not present to shoot.

 

[DogBonz]

Ruger GP100

If you are not that familiar with handguns, nor are the people in your household, don't let anyone talk you into buying a semi-auto. A good revolver with .38 Spec. hollow points will handle the job if some cretin breaks into your home.

Simple to learn on and simple to operate.

I couldn't agree more. But, the most imoprtant thing is the they are easy to determine if they are loaded or not.

If you look around you can find a used GP100 for pretty cheap. They are good solid guns that are easy to use.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Depends on your preference. For a wheelgun a .357 would be an ideal choice; you can practice with .38 until you feel 'up' to the .357 (which in reality is not that much unless you're shooting an extremely light gun). A friend of mine swears by the GP-100 so that's a safe bet to me.

If you like autos, I'd recommend a 1911 chambered for .45 ACP. It's a simple and reliable platform. There would be absolutely no worries about overpenetration, which would be a chief concern if you live in surburbia or have loved ones.

I have not handled enough Glocks or XDs (Have yet to do so on that) to tell you about them. I'm sure they are fine guns, as are the Sig P226s and 229s I've fired. You might be able to find a good deal on them but a good mil-spec 1911 will only run you about $500.

 

[benEzra]

Cheapest most reliable gun you can find. Preferably something second hand. Why? Because, you shoot someone, your gun is confiscated as evidence until you're cleared by the Police & District Attorney of wrong doing. Why have the queen of your collection get scratched and abused while being examined when you can have a functional junker?

I understand the thought, but I would disagree with it.

It is unlikely that you will ever have to use a gun defensively. If you do, your life and the lives of your family will presumably be riding on the outcome. For that reason, cheapest possible cost would not be high on my list of criteria unless it was all I could afford.

Having said that, you can buy a very good defensive handgun for under $500, probably less. But I personally wouldn't chose a $200 handgun over a better $500 handgun for HD if I could afford the better one.

 

[slow944]

Any brand of revolver will work much easier in a stressful situation. I keep either a Ruger Security-Six or a S&W M66-2. Both are stainless or brushed as to being blued guns, less chance of scratching them up, also a stainless gun is easier to point in the dark. But I also have a full size 9mm with 2 17rd mags that I'll switch out occasionally. But with a lot of people in the same house I'd go with a good revolver in 357 and get some 38 SD ammo for it. You just have to make sure everyone knows hot to use it.

 

[MechAg94]

I bought a couple of old S&W .357 Mag revolvers at pawn shops for not a lot of money. Rugers are available and likely a little cheaper. They won't kick much if you shoot .38 special either.

I got those two pistols simply because I can appreciate the ease of maintenance and simplicity of operation of a revolver. For a home defense situation, you may only need a few shots to end the situation or win you time to pull out the shotgun or other weapon. I like shooting autos better, but revolvers are great for that gun you want ready at a moments notice.

 

[SSN Vet]

one that reliably goes bang and can be safely stowed in a "ready to use" condition.

for me it's a loaded .357 revolver in a gun vault (touch pad operated lock box)

 

[JamisJockey]

Lorcin. Or maybe a Hi-Point.

 

[toms92gp]

i got a .38 special police 6 revolver. Dependable, reliable, and fairly inexpensive for a pistol. If you can't hit them in 6 shots you need to training.

 

[Dannavyret]

S&W 9VE with a mix of 115 ball and 145 JHP.

12 Gauge Mossberg 500 with mixed number 8 and 00 buck.

 

[Taurus92 in KyleTX]

If you are settled on a semi-auto, be sure that everyone involved is willing to learn and retain the knowledge of how to use it.

While very supportive of having a handgun (or two) for home defense, my wife can't be bothered with _remembering_ how to use her* gun. "Up means it's ready to shoot, right?"

Sheesh.

*BTW, "her" gun is really _my_ Walther P-22, but since it fits her hands, it's "hers"

 

[40SW]

The above are excellent suggestions, but also keep in mind that a firearm by itself is insufficient. Please also consider a fully charged cell phone by your bed ( land lines can be cut, cell phones, not so much), a good tactical flashlight, (Surefire G2 Nitrolon is excellent, about $30, battery lasts years).
also consider spare magazines and/or speedloaders. A protracted and lengthy tactical engagement is unlikely, but is a possibility and better to be ready than not. Practice with your gun as much as you can and become proficient. Consider the posibility of overpenetration and what is beyond your target and tailor your ammunition type/choice accordingly. Survey your home for weak points and adapt. A handgun in itself is insufficient, a mindset must accompany it, along with other accessories.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Any 3" or greater 38/or 357 from Ruger or S&W. .38 spl + p's will work well out of either. Only real caveat--avoid aluminum frames and stick with steel or stanless steel. Get one that is in safe condition. You can teach a non-shooter to safely load and handle a revolver in short order on a quiet afternoon.

 

[Average Joe]

.38 spl revolver.

 

[glockman19]

IMHO the BEST Home Defense Combo is:

Shotgun: Remington 870 Express 12 gauge 18" barrel
Pistol: Glock 19 9mm
Revolver: S&W 686+ .357 or Ruger GP100 or SP101 4"

 

[sansone]

.357 recoil can be heavy for some people, nobody cries after shooting a .38 // likewise .380 auto's never hurt anyone(on the correct side of the brrl).. 9mm is the most popular now overtaking 38spl in overall popularity.

 

[66912]

+1 for any S&W or Ruger .357 magnum revolver. Simple, easy to use, rugged, relatively inexpensive and lastly, you can practice with .38 special or load it with +P ammunition. My first handgun was a Ruger security six. The second revolver I ever owned (and still do) is a 2.5" S&W 686+ (It holds seven rounds!) this is my primary home security handgun. Good luck with your choice.