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Best Home Defense Handgun?

haak21
I'm wanting to get a gun for my mother for home protection. I want something that will be safe, reliable, and will put them down. At the same time something she can handle and not expensive. Any ideas?

I was thinking of a Semi-Auto 9mm or a .40? Or would a Revolver be best?

I own a Sig Sauer P225 P6 9mm and I love it, but I just think a compact version would be ideal for her.

I appreciate your time!
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • nmyers
    When I was much younger, I had the same thought. After much consideration, a gun purchase, & training, Mom blew a hole through a 4' plate glass window in the bedroom.

    Let me suggest that you buy her a professionally installed perimeter alarm system with monitoring; you'll both sleep better at night.

    Neal
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  • green mile
    A .38 revolver with a 3" to 4" barrel should be the ticket.
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  • Herschel
    I basically agree with Green Mile. I think a 2" barreled J frame Smith and Wesson or Colt Cobra/Detective Special would be ideal. As Neal pointed out, there is some risk to having a gun in the house. I will also suggest there is some risk to having a butcher knife in the kitchen or can of gasoline in the garage.
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  • XXCross
    nmyers hit it right on the head!

    If "mom" isn't familiar with firearms at this point in her life,
    now is not the time to stake her safety on one. My two cents worth.
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  • partisan
    Being an NRA pistol instructor for many years I have been ask this question a 1000 times. The answer isn't as simple as it seems. A semi auto is much more complicated to operate than a revolver for people unfamilar with pistols. Since you are asking about home protection, and NOT carry, there is one good basic answer to your question. Get you Mother a 4' barrel .357. If cost is a factor, go with the Taurus. They have a good initial cost and a lifetime warranty. Keep it loaded with 125gr Federal Hydro-shok's. This round is well documented as having a one shot (torso) kill of 91%. There isn't a round that tops this.
    Before you get the Taurus and load it up with .357 ammo you need to get as many boxes of .38spl that you can afford, and take Mom out to learn to shoot straight and get the feel of the .38spl. You need some .38spl+P's AFTER she feels comforable with the lighter round. After she feels comfortable with the +P's, you need to let her try the .357 mags. DON"T try to slip one in on her for laughs as she may never shoot again. If she absolutely hates the recoil and report of the .357, then go back to the .38spl+P's, and keep her pistol loaded with this round. It isn't as good as the .357, but close enough. Just make sure she gets to practice with whatever she keeps loaded at home.
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  • ra5451
    What Neal Said + a dog
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  • C182Q
    Without knowing Moms physical abilities, age, etc. if you feal she will be capable of safely handing a weapon then. Forget the auto pistol! Your / her best & safest bet is a D/A revolver of the 357 variety. The revolver is either loaded or not with a quick look at the open cylinder. There is no confusion over magazines and or one still being in the chamber. The strength required to rack the slide can be a battle for many women. I say 357 because she can train with 38 wadcutters and load the magnum rds. for defense. Proper training is a must, and alot of it. I would not recomend an auto loading pistol for defense for anyone who does not train constantly with one. Stick with the revolver!
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  • partisan
    I would have never let my Mother life without a pistol in the home! I wouldn't have wanted to know I could have taught her safe firearm handling, but didn't because of her age, and she was murdered in her home.

    remember: The police are just minutes away when seconds count!!!!!!!
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  • litetrigger
    Get a shotgun!!!!!!!!!
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  • beantownshootah
    Given the premise of the question ("best home defense handgun") I agree with the assessment that a .357 revolver with a 4" bbl is really one of the best choices.

    That's what I use myself (and I could choose others).

    Intuitive and easy to use, easy to clean, beginners find it easier to hit with than an auto pistol, as close to 100% reliable as you going to get in a handgun, effectively CANNOT jam, practice ammo is relatively cheap and readily available, .357 magnum ammo is one of the best, if not THE best personal defense round in terms of ballistics.

    But that said, I agree with nmyers.

    A gun isn't for everyone and learning to use one properly isn't trivial. It requires a good bit of determination and practice.

    A good dog is probably the single best home defense system, but barring that, a professional alarm system is probably better than a gun.
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  • William81
    Depends on your Mom's age, health, and how comfortable she is with a firearm. If she has little or no experience, I agree with most of the above posters on a .38 special revolver.

    My Mom had no skills at all and at her age, there was no way she was going to handle a Sig, Glock or any other Semi-Auto with any confidence.
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