The absolutely best handgun for home defense

[standingbear]

sig p226

i saw a light attachment yesterday(i wasnt curious enough to ask who made it) on a p226.it looked like it attached to a rail but no rail(it covered up the entire bottom front of the gun).it attached via the triggerguard-great for dark confrontations.the decock lever is very easy to reach(it doesnt just let the hammer slam home on the rotating "bar" like the beretta models)seems much more safe.i like this decock lever because i can lower the hammer slowly and safly should i not need to fire- without changing my grip to reach the lever on other guns.its very accurate too.

 

[ruger357]

S&W 649.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

There is no absolute best handgun for HD. Aside from the obvious aspects that handguns are far from ideal for HD, what determines whether one is more ideal or not will depend very specifically on the HD conditions, ability of the HD shooter to handle the given gun, type and number of the threat, structure of the home (for over penetration issues), etc.

Obviously what is the more ideal gun for HD in one home would not be the same in another.

 

[longeyes]

There are many good ways to go. My preferred handgun for HD is my Glock 30, with Trijicon night sights, full-up with Cor-Bon .45acp Pow'RBall. In the vicinity is my old Colt Lawman Mk III with six 158g LSWHPs in .38spl.

 

[MikeJ]

First of all, thanks for the responses but I have to say that I was really hoping for more of your own individual rationales as to why you chose whatever gun it is for your home protection. I know that each and everyone one of us has had to put some thought into why we decided one gun would suit our needs better than another. Sorry if I didn't make that clearer. I really enjoy hearing about these reasons and the thought process behind the decision and figured others would enjoy this as well. Best regards, Mike

 

[Schuey2002]

Glock 18.

... with a pile of loaded 32 round mags and a Surefire Flashlight.

 

[curt]

if i had my druthers it'd be my AR15,but since i got 3 young kids i don't have any druthers any more

Mine used to be a Sig P228 with 15 rd 226 mags, mainly because i liked the decocker and the long first trigger squeeze cause i thought i needed them for safety.

Later after i got more comfortable with it i switched to a Glock 35 .40 with extensions on the mags bringing capacity up to 20, MMC night sights and an attached IT M3 light. Rationale:
-Simple operation means less to fumble with while dealing with sleepy kids and massive overdoses of adrenaline
-.40 is for me just as quick for followup shots as a 9 but more potent
-grip fits my hand very well, no problem with retention or shooting one handed
-integral light means i can illuminate, hold gun and hold kids with only 2 hands.

I'm considering a glock 21 .45 with heinie straight8 night sights that i have had a grip reduction done on however, not as quick on the followup, even with the grip reduction i still like the 35's grip better, its an older model with no light rail so there would be some cost to put my light on it.

 

[Blackhawk]

I agree with re1973. I want to be as familiar as possible with my tools in a HD situation, and they are my CCWs.

 

[aerod1]

I like a 357 mag, of the likes of a 4 or 6 inch Ruger DA revolver because of the simple operation and dependability.
Jim Hall

 

[Sam]

The ideal home defense handgun for me would be the Ithica Auto & Burglar. Plenty of power, easy hittability, little in the way of overpenetration problems.

Sam

 

[tetchaje1]

The best HD weapon would be a DSA SA-58 Carbine (.308) with 155gr AMAX rounds...

...just be sure to have electronic ear protection...

The best handgun for HD is very subjective, but I would have to say anything that you can control well and everybody in your family can handle.

Personally, I have a SIG 220, a SIG 239, and an HK USP Compact all at the ready for unforseen events...

 

[Longbow]

Taurus 608! It's what I'm considering for an HD weapon. I currently have a S&W model 10 for that purpose, but the thought of an 8 round revolver is tempting.

 

[Kahr carrier]

G21 -High Capacity and 45Acp.

 

[twoblink]

For Home D, I like Revolvers. Simple. You hear a click? Pull the trigger again!

But that said, whatever you shoot best with is the best gun.

My home D was a Ruger SP101 2" Snubbie loaded with 125 Grain 357 JHP's.

 

[sanchezero]

Either the glock 18 with 30 rnders and an attached light or the MP5 PDW with 30 rnders and an attached light.

 

[tlhelmer]

Glock 35

Loaded with 15 rounds of 180 gr. Winchester Ranger T-series

 

[hawk0484]

read something that applies here

Thursday night a 67 year old widow shot an intruder. Her husband had been a SEAL, and had trained her well. Her weapon of choice was her .357. She didn't use her shotgun because "he was in the kitchen and I didn't want to ruin my new countertops when I shot him". She didn't kill him, as her intent was only to stop him (unfortunately, as local taxpayers are paying for his stay in Intensive Care). I guess the ideal weapon depends on your situation.

 

[Flying V]

My ideal home defense handgun/ammo combination doesn't exist:
Gun: 5" Super Redhawk .480
Load: 400 grain dead soft pure lead HP at 850 fps.

Reasoning: The size and appearance of this revolver maximize its deterrent effect. Should deterrence fail, that load should have massive stopping power.

 

[COK]

For me, a .357 revolver ( GP-331) backed up by a trusty Remington 1100 12 GA.

 

[caz223]

My favorite posterior-at-home gun would be the H&K usp compact .45 with night sights.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I've used revolvers and autos and I've found one thing comforting about choosing a revolver. If it's sitting around loaded there is no pressure on any springs, unlike your average SA autoloader. I don't really like DA/SA autos (only have one and its a .380... ) but they do share the ability to stay 'relaxed' well, except for the magazine springs.

If you use an auto: make sure you rotate your mags once in a while, watch for bullet set-back as you load and unload. And even if you choose a revolver, make sure you shoot the ammo you stoke it with and know its point of impact and flash in low light.

I've used a snub nosed 357, a 1911, that DA/SA 380 and an FEG Hi-Power for nightstand duty over the years, and I lean more towards the HP because I shoot it more than the others. It's my competition pistol, and I shoot it a LOT. I know I can trust it to go bang every time and I trust the 9mm to be enough gun if the need should arise, especially when stoked with 115gr PMC starfires or winchester silvertips. I beleive in a minimum of doo-dads. Night sights? Not a bad idea. A flashlight on the pistol? Not for me. I keep a flashlight on the nightstand with my cell phone.

 

[stevelyn]

The best HD handgun?

It is the one that will be within reach when you need it. The one you are most proficient with. And the one that you will be able to operate instinctively while under stress, juggling a cell phone, a flashlight, and controlling an adrenaline dump.
Now, go forth and seek the one you and others in your household can be comfortable with and practice, drill, drill, practice......

Oh I might add that a HD gun is specifically dedicated to the task and as a rule should be stored in the same location all the time.
Nothing worse than being woke up in the middle of the night by gremlins and stumbling in the dark trying to remember with a foggy brain where the house boarder-repellent is located.

 

[Nick96]

Home Defence -

.357 DA revolver (preferably S&W or Ruger), loaded with .38 Spl. Why:
1. Revolver reliability - In my experience, every Auto I've shot extensivly has jammed at one time or another. No revolver has ever failed me. Just one less thing to worry about with a revolver.
2. .38 rather than .357 - .357 has too much blast and flash in a confined area. Penatration is also a factor (something too to consider with 9mm). Not to mention brisk recoil depending on the weight and frame size of the revolver.
3. Simple to use - You may be familiar with the operation of an Auto under stress. But what if you are incapactated? Your S.O. or whom ever could pick up a revolver and figure out how it works in about 2/10's of a second.
4. Statistically, 5 or 6 rounds is going to be more than enough to save your bacon ( in a HD or any other likely SD situation).
5. .357 rather than .38Spl only revolver - A .357 will shoot any .38 Spl - not visa versa. You might want to shoot .357 some time - so why not have the platform for it?