Which pistol for home protection?

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Any S&W revolver or 3rd Gen. semiauto in .45 or 9mm (i.e. 3913, 3953, 4586, etc.)

Edit: I have owned two different factory refurbished Glock 19's (2nd Gen.), purchased at local gun shops. Neither G19 was 100% reliable. My Smith & Wessons have been 100% reliable. YMMV.
 
Since you didn't say anything about it being concealable I would go with a Glock 17. Truth is there are plenty of handguns out there that would work especially if you were willing to buy used.
 
Remember, this for home defense, which for most people is going to mean *inside* the house. For that purpose, other than my current fascination with the Taurus 4510TKR-3MAG, I'd have to say an all-stainless steel medium frame .357 Magnum 4" or less DA revolver loaded with .38 Special low flash rounds. Either a Smith & Wesson 686 or Ruger GP-100 will do the trick, or similar.

1. The medium frame gives you more weight, which will stabilize your aim in a stressful situation, and less recoil, compared to a smaller frame. Only use the smaller frames if your hands don't fit the medium. Remember, this isn't a CCW gun.

2. A revolver can be kept loaded with all springs at rest indefinitely.

3. A 4" or less barrel is more than accurate enough for short ranges, is more maneuverable in tight spaces, and gives less for someone to grab onto.

4. .38 Special, especially if low flash type, is going to have less recoil, less flash, less unintended penetration. Less blinding, less deafening, faster to retrain on target, and safer indoors than heavier loads. A person with less strength than you in your family may need to use the weapon.

5. Stainless generally requires less maintenance.

6. Revolvers are still more reliable than semi-autos.

7. Six or seven shots is more than enough unless you need to take on a group of BGs.
 
Remember, this for home defense, which for most people is going to mean *inside* the house. For that purpose, other than my current fascination with the Taurus 4510TKR-3MAG, I'd have to say an all-stainless steel medium frame .357 Magnum 4" or less DA revolver loaded with .38 Special low flash rounds. Either a Smith & Wesson 686 or Ruger GP-100 will do the trick, or similar.

1. The medium frame gives you more weight, which will stabilize your aim in a stressful situation, and less recoil, compared to a smaller frame. Only use the smaller frames if your hands don't fit the medium. Remember, this isn't a CCW gun.

2. A revolver can be kept loaded with all springs at rest indefinitely.

3. A 4" or less barrel is more than accurate enough for short ranges, is more maneuverable in tight spaces, and gives less for someone to grab onto.

4. .38 Special, especially if low flash type, is going to have less recoil, less flash, less unintended penetration. Less blinding, less deafening, faster to retrain on target, and safer indoors than heavier loads. A person with less strength than you in your family may need to use the weapon.

5. Stainless generally requires less maintenance.

6. Revolvers are still more reliable than semi-autos.

7. Six or seven shots is more than enough unless you need to take on a group of BGs.
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This is the best advice given so far, besides getting competant instruction from a qualified Instructor.

Come on guys, chances are Dad is going to load the gun and stick it in a drawer and infrequently practice, if at all. Chances are Dad is not going to become a "gunny" and if he does he will select another gun when he's ready. I highly doubt that Dad will be able to do a "Tap Rack Bang Drill" sunconsciously, and that's what you need to be able to do if you are planning on using an autoloader for Home Defense or CCW. See Point #2, there is no need for me to repeat it.

There's nothing wrong with a good revolver. I carry a pair of them daily Off-Duty. :)

Biker
 
Glock 19 $450-$550
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Shave $100 off of that for a good used Glock 19 from some place like Summit Gun Broker. I bought a used VA Beach Sheriff's Dept. gun from them last year for even less. It's 100% reliable, very accurate and now one of my favorite guns.
 
Revolver: S & W Revolver, .357 Mag, 4" barrel ... several to choose from.

Semi-Auto: Colt 1911 with spare mags

Lots of other fine choices out there (and I have most of them), but these would be my top picks.

Let us know what you go with?

Rusty
 
Those folks recommending used S&W revolvers chambered in .38 and .357 magnum are giving awefully good advice. Especially those pointing out that newer shooters are recommended to shoot .30 special ammunition through them. :)
 
If your serious about home defense, you should start with a serious weapon.
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modded Rem 870pm, backed up by a DA revolver of your choice, if you can handle the recoil, bigger is better.
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Training and practice can not be over stated.
 
line of defense

First line of "home" defense: Shotgun: second line of "home" defense
revolver.
Remington 870
Ruger GP 100
 
Unless you are talking about a barricade position ,...as in behind cover with a door closed and all you need to do is shoot through that door when it opens

Then any long gun is at a disadvantage for HD

If you need to manuever through your house ....like to get kids to that safe place...a handgun is better

If you need to open/close doors, switch lights on and off or use a flashlight

a handgun is better

And please don't start in about the racking sound scaring away the bad guys or the "you don't need to aim" with a shotgun...(I said please)

"Come on guys, chances are Dad is going to load the gun and stick it in a drawer and infrequently practice, if at all"

Then Dad should stick with a louisville slugger:D
 
If you need to manuever through your house ....like to get kids to that safe place...a handgun is better
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+1

Any long gun is a spectacularly bad choice of a primary defensive firearm in my home. The only thing worse would be a longbow or a cavalry lance.

A shotgun is OFTEN a good HD firearm, but not ALWAYS.
 
I'd say Glock19. You can use it for HD, for walking around on the property, as a car gun, or a CCW pistol.
 
PLR-16?

Seriously. It's a pistol by law, takes AR mags and whatever weird sights you want to mount. It sounds like the end of the world when it's fired, which it probably will be.

For cheapest ammo... 9mm or .38 Special take the cake. A revolver's always nice. A 4" barrel or longer would be my suggestion. Ruger and S&W have very low-priced used models around.
If semis are more to your liking, there's many, many good 9mms to chose from.
 
As They Say ~ Theirs A New Sheriff In Town ~

_____________________________________________________________________________
1) Hanging "THE JUDGE" on a wall
Picture INFO: "THE JUDGE" & Thunder 5 Holster, with the The Ribber Grip Mod...
http://tinyurl.com/3csmp7
________________________________________________________________________________________
2) "THE JUDGE" has a Holster (full set of Pics)
WooHoo,... I bought the "Thunder 5 Holster" for The Judge, and it fits Perfect...<:))
http://tinyurl.com/yt4dpp
________________________________________________________________________________________
3) Range Report~"THE JUDGE"
This Gun has a Medium Frame ~ It's just a Puppy ~ hehehe...<:))
Ahhhhhh, the Smell of Black Powder Burning in the Morning... "S W E E T" ...<:)) See Pics...
http://tinyurl.com/23le8h
________________________________________________________________________________________
4) Gun Cleaning "THE JUDGE" 101
After a Day at the Range, and a "PILE OF EMPTY CASES" We Gunner's know what happens when We get Home...<:-((
http://tinyurl.com/2qwx6v
________________________________________________________________________________________
5) MY Taurus Ribber Grip MOD...<:))
Another follow on Report to a Day at the Range, with "THE JUDGE"
"RIBS"~You Say Ribs~I Don't Need No "S T I N K I N G" Middle Finger Ribs...!!!
http://tinyurl.com/yrfncj
________________________________________________________________________________________
6) Gunner's~See My Front Door...!!!
But,... I thought this to be Pertinent Information on a GUN Forum...<:))
http://tinyurl.com/3yspv9
________________________________________________________________________________________
7) "S W E E T S T E E L"
Gunner's,... Here is My HOME case for "THE JUDGE"...<:))
http://tinyurl.com/yvrpjq
________________________________________________________________________________________
8) As They Say ~ Theirs A New Sheriff In Town ~

"Theirs A New Frontline Self Defense Gun To Consider"
Tell Me at the end of this Clip, that the First Shot doesn't Lead to Total Incapacitation...!!! The other 4 shots are for Good Measure... Because Dead Men Tell No Tales...!!!...<:))
The Judge infomercial
The Flick Has A Deadly Ending...!!! Range Action...!!!
A little Info, with some Range BLAST...!!!...<:))
Please stand to the side, But Never In Front Of "THE JUDGE"
http://tinyurl.com/ypms4e

Personal Note: After taking My Judge to the range and shooting #4 Shot... I can say that 4's are devastating at a close range BLAST...!!! Just like in the Clip...

Also I think were talking Self-Defense here... So Don't Shoot anybody in the Back, or more than 25 Feet away from your Front... OR You May Have Trouble Explaining It To A JUDGE...!!!...<:))

Good Target Pattern Report on different Loads...
http://tinyurl.com/2s27rs

How would you like having "THE JUDGE" pointed at you and seeing all them Red Winchester Ball Cartrages In That Wheel Looking Back At You... Just seeing a barrel with a 45 Cal. Hole, would normally have everybody running for cover...hehehe...<:))
bucks.GIF

That "little .410" round in OOO Buckshot (3 balls) is roughly equivalent to three rounds of 9mm - simultaneously delivered... The .9mm pistol may be criticized for a lack of stopping power, but there's no doubt that three .360 caliber balls delivered simultaneously packs a serious wallop...<:))
 
I have three, one revolver and two pistols. The revolver is a 6-shot Ruger Speed Six .357 magnum with 2 3/4" barrel, and it is loaded with .38 special +P 125 gr. JHP's. One pistol is an 8-shot Springfield Armory .45 ACP with 5" barrel, and it is loaded with Federal Hydra-Shok 230 gr. JHP's. The other pistol is a 16-shot CZ 75 double action only 9mm, and it is loaded with Speer Gold Dot 124 gr. JHP +P. I like all 3. The revolver is for my wife. If it was for just me, then I would load it with more powerful ammunition. Which one would I grab to defend my life? Probably the .45 ACP.
 
Gotta be a revolver....

Any .357 mag in stainless steel with a capacity of 6 shots and a barrel length of at least 3 to 4 inches.

* Easy to handle, shoot, and maintain.
* Can shoot .38 spcls for practice and fun
* Good gun for the outdoors
* Anyone can pick it up, aim it at center of mass, and pull da trigger.
* .357 mag ammo is plentiful and about as effective a man-stopper there is

Sorry to respectfully disagree with all of you who are recommending semi-autos in this situation. :evil::fire:
 
Beretta Px4

Quote: The budget is under $600.
------------
...

They cost NIB 450 - 550 bucks..

They come in either 9mm or 40cal, same gun, as in pics below..

One of the easiest guns to disassemble, inspect, clean, and reassemble out there, bar none.

Reliability, dependability, accurate, unquestionable..

5300 rounds thru my 40cal, without one problem, just 100%

Forgiving gun, as "rotating barrel" absorbs recoil making it, if needed, a good one-hand shooter, making it a very forgiving shooter IMO.

Depending on your State Laws, can carry 10, 14, 17 rounds per magazine.

Mid-full-length gun in length, very narrow in width, and very balanced, comfy, in point to aim..

Comes with 3 back straps that one can change to fit grip to hands..



Only thing I would suggest adding is a Hogue Rubber-fingered slip-on sleeve (14 bucks) for secure grip, with plastic grips, and especially with wet conditions, as shown in pic 2.. Along with, F-models come with Safety-decocker, in-one, and many are coming with real Night Sights, a bonus to have on a new gun, out of the box.

Good luck,


LS


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A couple questions need to be answered first. 1. How proficient is your dad with a pistol? 2. What is the threat in your rural area? Predators (animals or people?).

If your dad is not real proficient with a handgun but refuses to use something like a shotgun I would compromise and seriously consider the new Taurus "judge". A .410/45colt pistol. It is kind of the best of both worlds. I would not want to face as a home intruder a person armed with buckshot in a 410 since suddenly 5 rounds the really do not need accurate shot placement comes into play.

Any handgun 40,45,9mm,380,38,10mm etc are useless in the hands of a person who cannot fire accurately.

So consider what you are defending yourself from. Maybe a shotgun is the right choice.. Maybe not.
 
There's been a plethora of excellent recommendations. Do agree with getting the dad to classes first and then go form there.

Revolvers do have simplicity of manual of arms and the ammo that can be tailored to the shooter going for them. Nothing to take apart, no safties to engage, and no levers except the cylinder latch release to manipulate.

Midsize or full size pistols have a lot going for them, too. Caliber may be an issue if this is an older gent. Racking a slide on .45ACP takes more effort than the smaller calibers. Heavier springs to overcome. 9mm. or lesser caliber may be need to be considered.

Granted the .380ACP is weaker than the other major calibers, but may be the compromise caliber for those with strength troubles to consider.

At least the Beretta Tomcat,a .32ACP caliber pistol, has a tip up barrel for easy loading and unloading.
Beretta made a almost full size.380ACP model 86 that has the tip up barrel as well, but this is a used gun guise as of now. Though the on-line auction gun sellers probably have them come through quite often.
 
First find out what fits him. His learning curve on using it won't be as steep then.
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Amen to what fits him. Last year when I decided to take a CHL course, I went out and bought a S&W 910 9mm to practice before taking the course and found that it really didnt fit my hand. I have since bought a Browning 9mm that fits like a glove and I shoot 100% better. That was $350 I could have put toward the Browning. Then I found out that at a nearby firing range, I could have tried out several pistols to see how they fit.
 
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