what pistol to purchase for home protection?

[rfuerst911sc]

Today I went to a local gun show to get educated on pistols as I want to purchase one for home protection and range shooting. I am familiar with rifles and shotguns but clueless on pistols. There were so many guns at this show I left dazed and confused . For whatever reason I seem to like semi-auto but several guys at the show said you can beat a revolver for simplicity and durability, so what do you guys think? I'm thinking 9mm,38 or 357 is more than enough for my needs. One thing I did learn is I don't like the feel of the plastic handled guns, just doesn't seem strong in my hand? So to sum it up I'm looking for something that I'll take to a local range to target shoot but I want to be able to put a man down if that unfortunate situation should arise. I have no children living at home it's just me and the wife. Any suggestions on brand,type and caliber is appreciated

[varmint]

different people are suited to different guns. look up your local shooting range. most will let you rent a gun by the hour. good way to test a variety of models. a few offer courses.

if this is your first real weapon, it's a big responsibility, and a steep learning curve.

[pwd72s]

First off, let me say that IMHO a shotgun is probably better for home defense than a pistol.

That said, my choice remains the same...Browning High Power. I still count it as among the finest handguns ever made....

[SlowToady]

I concur. Also, I'd try to get one in .40 instead of 9mm.

Originally Posted by pwd72s

::snip::
That said, my choice remains the same...Browning High Power. I still count it as among the finest handguns ever made....

[Paul K]

Here's what I have on the bedside table... S&W .357 mag, 4" barrel, double action...



Haven't needed it yet- hope I never do!

[rouxroux]

Whatever you feel the most comfortable shooting. I have a .380 on one side, a .40 on the other, but most likely to grab the 870/12. An 870 with a nice folding stock is a great "sweeper". And they're so darned inexpensive as well. Sort of like a good basic hammer (not the prettiest in the tool box, but does a great job).

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

First off, let me say that IMHO a shotgun is probably better for home defense than a pistol.

That said, my choice remains the same...Browning High Power. I still count it as among the finest handguns ever made....

My choice as well, I've had one for a number of years.

[tabs]

A revolver in 357 loaded wt 38 spls is a no brainer for in the heat of the moment, toe to toe combat. With an auto U can fumble, forget there is allready one in the pipe ready to go, it can jam. Not so with a revolver you get 6 quick shots as fast as U can pull the trigger.

Those plastic full of geegaw bells and whistles autos are the flavor of the moment.

[alf]

Get a sword

As many have said, go to the range and check out several to see what suits you best. I prefer Sigs and Walthers...and Japanese swords.

As for revlovers, when they fail, and they do, you pretty much need to get a time out with the BG to clear it. Maybe it is my bad sample set but I have seen more revlovers fail than Autos in IDPA matches.

[Jeff Higgins]

What seldom comes up in these discussions, so I try to make it a point to bring it up, is noise and flash. They vary widely among the common handgun calibers. Additionally, both are influenced by barrel length.

Generally, the amount of noise and flash any given cartridge generates is directly proportional to the amount of gas pressure generated by the burning gunpowder upon ignition. There are industry standards for maximum allowable pressure for any given cartridge. The allowables vary by a factor of about three to one from the low end to the high end.

Examples of low pressure cartridges include most old (late 19th to early 20th century) revolver rounds, such as the .38 and .44 Specials, .45 Colt, and such. These are restricted to somewhere around 14,000-16,000 PSI maximum.

At the other end of the pressure scale, we have the "standard" magnum calibers of .357, .44, and .41. These go over 35,000 PSI. The extreme end of the scale has the likes of the .454 Casull at over 50,000 PSI.

The auto loaders vary as well, just not accross as broad of a range. At the low pressure end is the .45 ACP down in the low 20,000 PSI range. Modern calibers, like the 10mm Auto, .40 S&W, .357 Sig, etc., will go up into the low to mid 30,000 PSI range.

What does all of this have to do with home defense? The higher intensity calibers are much louder, and can produce a far greater muzzle flash, than the lower intensity calibers. Enough so that the concussion and flash from one will temporarily blind and deafen you. All well and good if there is only one guy, and you put him down with that first cannon blast, but really pretty darn inconvenient if there is more than one or if you missed. Then you could be in big trouble.

Not that any handgun (especially if fired indoors) is actually "quiet", but the difference between a low-intensity cartridge, and a high-intensity one, is really very dramatic. Enough to where it should influence your decision on a home defense gun. I mentioned barrel length somewhat in passing earlier; longer barrels produce less noise with any given caliber, and are easier to shoot well. Concealability is moot in a home defense gun. Quite the contrary; you want the bad guy to see it.

This all adds up to a full-sized revolver or auto in a lower intensity caliber. Revolvers are simpler and easier to manage in an emergency, especially for your wife or girlfriend if she is not a shooter. So, with these criteria, it all adds up to a revolver in .38 or .44 Special, or possibly .45 Colt (although that caliber is not nearly as common). Go ahead and get a revolver classified as a "magnum" in .357 or .44 caliber, and feed it the respective "Special" versions. A .357 magnum revolver will shoot .38 Specials; likewise, a .44 magnum revolver will fire .44 Specials. Both "magnum" revolvers should be wearing a 4"-6" barrel; stay awy from the snubbies or the very long barrels. So armed, you will have an easy to shoot, dead reliable, accurate, powerful defensive arm. Plus it will give you great satisfaction at the range when you want to do some plinking or target shooting.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

First off, let me say that IMHO a shotgun is probably better for home defense than a pistol.

That said, my choice remains the same...Browning High Power. I still count it as among the finest handguns ever made....

pump 12 gauge +1

like the airweight S&W for a carry piece shrouded hammer 5 shot, very compact. Can't miss with the Browning, they make as fine a weapon as you can get, IMHO, but I like revolvers

[sammyg2]

My 12 gauge shotgun has a pistol grip, does that count?

Even if it doesn't it will do a heck of a lot better job of household protection that a pistol will andit won't kill the neighbors through a wall.

[avi8torny]

Kahr PM40....Galco Ankle Glove holster

not to heavy, no one knows it's there....'cept you of course

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I agree with the shotgun thing and I will eventually add one for home defense. For now I have a pre-ban Glock 19 with the 17-round clip and hollowpoint ammo. It's reasonably accurate for a sudden "middle-of-the-night" encounter and an overall good-quality gun.

[Jeff Higgins]

Shotguns are great for home defense. No over-penetration, great "stopping power" and huge intimidation factor. No flash, the noise is well out in front of you; all good. The only downside is length. They can be a bit cumbersome in a house when trying to get through a doorway, around a corner, down a hall, or especially turning around in a hall. They are also easier to take away than a handgun. If innoperable for any reason, it does make a far better club than any handgun. They are useless if you have hurt either hand, like in trying to fend off a knife attack. They are equally useless if the bad guy is close enough to touch, and you have to hold him back with one hand and operate the weapon with the other. Many defensive shootings are at arm's length or less, so don't discount the possibility.

In the end, it's all a trade-off. Assess your own situation and decide. Understand the options and the pros and cons of each. If there is a secondary intent for the weapon, that will come into play. Realize that for the most part, these "secondary" uses will be the only use it ever sees anyway, so buy something you can have fun with, too. My personal home defense arms were never purchased with home defense as a criteria; they just kind of fall into that use if they are suitable. Any firearm can be used, really, even if there are better and worse ones for the purpose. The "best" home defense arm? The one that is loaded and at hand when something goes "bump" in the night...

[Seahawk]

I have noodled this issue quite a bit since I live a Tiger Woods three wood from my nearest neighbor and have talked to a wide variety of Army and Navy specops guys and the one law enforcement guy I know.

They seem to be of the same mind: Most bad guys, once engaged want to get away. The last thing most house intruders want is a gunfight. The best house defense is light...put motion sensors in the house leading to where the family sleeps and tie it to a light source that can operate off house power should power be cut.

They then recommended .22 caliber rounds...good noise maker, low flash, very accurate and should have low yield through walls should you miss said bad guy. They had no preference on revolver or semi-auto.

Then, layering your defense, a 20 gauge 870 with a pistol grip is a perfect next option weapon depending on your choice of round. The 870 is cheap, reliable and can be had in any number of configurations.

[on2wheels52]

Some fresh air from Seahawk. We all know a manlyman can shoot any handgun ever made with pinpoint accuracy but now we have a woman in the equation. When a guy comes in the shop wanting to buy a guy for his wife I make him bring her in before any money changes hands. Nothing wrong with starting out with a .22 revolver and working your way up if noise/recoil is manageable.
Jim

[BGCarrera32]

The best thing you can do is get to your local range that will allow you to rent a variety of different handguns and begin to work with them. Find a defense weapon that offers you recoil that you can learn to control, and a weapon that is simple to load in the dark and as easy as possible to clear a jam from.

Another thing that is important is the cost of ammunition, and here's why: I would recommend that if you are concerned enough about your safety to purchase a gun to begin with, that you become proficient with it through training and practice. That is where the difference between .45 and 9mm can make a difference in your wallet. The last time I was at the range, 50 rounds of 9mm was around $11, 50 rounds of .45 was around $17-18. That adds up. Get something you can afford to shoot a coupe times a month and stay proficient. If you aren't willing to commit to good practice, do us all a favor and stick with a baseball bat.

That said, most gunbattles in a house happen within a distance of 6'. Therefore, I am of the opinion that 9mm is more than adequate for home defense, as you can double tap pretty quick or jam it up a guys nose and drop him. Don't get sucked into penis envy 44 magnum talk.

Last point, the wife needs all the same range time and training that you do, especially anything revolving around keeping the perp from gaining control of your weapon.

Good luck-
BG

[Dixie]

Your best choice is a shotgun loaded with dove shot.

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

Your best choice is a shotgun loaded with dove shot.

If I'm going to unload my 870 on someone, it's not going to be to "wound" the perp, and spackle is cheap.