Which Gun for home defense

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MinHyuk1983

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I am trying to determine what would be a better gun to keep in my nightstand for self defense. I could really use you opinions. I am trying to determine what would be a more reliable and safe. A Springfield 1911 TRP operator in condition 1 with safety on or a S&W M&P .40 with one in the chamber and a full mag.

Thanks for your input.
 
Welcome to THR!

Your question gets asked several times a week and gets as many different answers. It is like asking: "what's better, Karate or Kung Fu?"

The only correct answer is: "Use whatever feels most comfortable for you". This varies for everyone in the world. You need to figure out which one you shoot better, because pistols and bullets all do about the same damage -no matter what the marketing says. The efficiency of any weapon depends on the training/practice of the operator.

Really, that's the answer.
 
I'd go with the M&P. If you have to defend yourself, you will be in a high stress situation, and that heavy double action pull may keep you from having a ND. With the 1911 you will have to remember to push the thumb safety off. Again, in a high stress situation, you may forget to take that thumb safety off. The old saying KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) is a very good saying. The less complicated your defense gun the better.

With the premium ammo on the market now, it won't matter that the bullet is a little smaller than the .45 ACP, the terminal effect will be about the same.
 
My comments

I have numerous guns, but for defense I would go with a 1911 pistol, mine is a Colt.

Here are my reasons.

1. I actually shoot fairly consistent rapid fire with the 45ACP.

2. I keep my gun cocked and locked. I have muscle memory that when I grab the gun, my reflexes take off the saftey.

3. I view handguns as short range weapons that I may discharge alot of rounds real fast. I would prefer lower velocity rounds to reduce how far bullets that miss travel.

4. Premium ammo increases stopping power, but it is nice to know that a 45ACP FMJ round nose still has knockdown power so that even if the bullet fails to expand, the bullet still packs a punch.

5. The Colt fits my hand best out of all my guns due to size.

6. My magazines carry 8 rounds, I figure if I want more, I just buy magazines that stick out of the bottom of the gun a few inches. I'm limited to 10 rounds since I live in California.

Nicki
 
Shooting them before you buy will definitely help you make your decision. See which one you shoot better with and which one fits your hand better. They are both reliable but safety is up to you, not the gun! Make sure you take winner out to the range to celebrate, don't just stick it in the nightstand and call it good.
 
More reliable: Only you know reliability based on their function for you. Same with accuracy - a .40 vs. .45 might make a difference, as will an all-steel 1911 vs. poly M&P.

Safer: Comes down to which you are more comfortable with. The external safety has both positives and negatives as does the lack of an external safety. Again, it will come down to which you are more comfortable with.

If the thought of a "cocked and locked" M&P with no safety bothers you, then I would second the revolver idea - maybe a Smith model 10 or 28, if you want to go Magnum.

Q
 
I keep two .357's for home defense. A revolver has never had a FTFeed. You always know they are loaded, easy to unload, the round has a great history (both the .38 and the .357) as a man stopper.
 
A nice .38sp revolver....Waking from a hard-sleep, don't want to fumble with a safety. Just want a nice grasp & ready to pull the trigger...My .02cents..:)
 
not sure now

not sure now, for after I visited the Taurus booth at the NRA show and seen their latest introduction of the "judge"
3" chamber, all stainless. This gun is to me the ultimate home defense gun. with the 3" 410 )) buckshot, you have one hell of a lethal weapon, with more than one projectile leaving the barrel. Never was a fan of their 2.5" chambered judge, as it was to limited for ammo choices and also power but this 3" chambered vbersion "bends my crank". MSRP $608 supposed to be out in a few months.
 
I have to say that revolvers do, indeed, have Failure to Feed problems. It is usually when the cylinder becomes out of line with the handgun frams and the cylinder will simply "stick" when you pull the trigger thinking it wil simply and smoothly move a new round up to the barrel. It is not an uncommon problem-I had a S&W Chiefs special, brand new, that had this problem so bad that the pistol was virtually useless, At most you could get off one, maybe a second shot and then it happens and you could not unlock the cylinder.
 
Welcome!

The Smith MP--.40 --easy Choice.:) One of the Best Guns I own. Accurate, Reliable, Easy to shoot, Best Ergonomics around. Put some 180gr Bonded Winchester LE Ammo in the Gun and you are ready to Rock and Roll. :evil:It has been my Experience when in a Self/Home/Defense/Survival Situation Having 16 Rounds is always better then the 8 or 9 you will get from any 1911. And that is coming from a me, a real .45 ACP Fan that has learned that the .40 is also another Excellent Defensive Caliber!

http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php?page=2&sort=2a&cName=40-sw-hollow-point-ammo

The Best to You and Yours!

Frank
 
Since you mention a TRP Operator (a light rail model 1911), I would bet a dollar you are planning on putting a light on the gun. If you are new to guns/have little to no training, I would not put a light on the gun. For a novice I think a flashlight that is seperate of the gun is a better way to go. In a high stress, dark situation I wouldn't want you to go waving a gun/light around. I wouldn't want someone/something to startle you, and you respond with gunfire.
 
Well,

As much as I love my Hi Powers, and other semi-auto's, my Springfield XD-40 service model sits on my night stand. The simplicity of point and shoot is a nice feeling after being woken up from a dead sleep. The Trijicon Nite Sights are nice to have as well. OK, you got me, my Model 13 .357 Mag Heavy Barrel takes the stand upon occasion too.

Between the two you mentioned, I vote for the M&P. :)
 
Welcome to to THR.

Just moving a few pistols around,I placed the XD-45 and the my XD-40 subcompact in the nightstand,just as an idea.The 1911 designs offer a 'already 1 in the chamber' and (usually) an easier time pulling,aiming and firing (just IMO,but I am NO expert).

Normally,we have our CCW carry guns also near us,a Paraord Slimhawg and Kimber Ultra carry 2...
 
I would say your M&P due to no safety and ease of use. I have my M&P 9mm for home defense as well. practice and see what you like. and get quality ammo regardless
 
The MP 40 is the better choice between the two.

If you allow a 3rd choice, the 4inch Smith is the best. It is the original point and click interface
 
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