best home defense pistol?
I have a friend who is looking to buy a home defense pistol, but he is unsure of what to buy. He would like a medium framed semi-automatic pistol. He wants good stopping power but not a .45 ACP. He is looking in the 300-400 dollar range. thanks for any help.
Mike Salisbury
Mike Salisbury
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A CZ or IMI Jericho (aka "Baby Eagle") in .40 S&W would be a good buy.
If he's open-minded in his choices, I'd also recommend a S&W 686 or a Ruger GP-100. Both are pretty reasonably priced and .357 Magnum will stop most anything short of the entire Red Army. And if recoil is a problem, he can always load .38 Specials.0 -
He could get a used Glock 17 or 19 in 9mm in that range or a Ruger P89 9mm. There are many other makers of 9mm pistols, but most of the higher quality guns are above his price range such as Sig, and Beretta.
Whatever he decides on he will need to practice with and become familiar with. He will also need to secure the gun so that children cannot get access to it.
I would highly suggest going to a range that rents pistols and trying out several to see what he feels comfortable with and he can shoot accurately.
"Never let school interfere with your education"0 -
I know your friend is looking for a pistol, but I think from your question he's unfamiliar with pistols.
If that's the case, and he won't be carrying it outside his home, he's much better off with a pump shotgun, in 12 or 20 guage.
"The Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised!"
-- Gen. George S. Patton
referring to the M1 Garand0 -
If not a .45acp the next choice would be a .40 S&W. The 10mm is out also if you do not want the .45acp then you will not want a 10mm. The CZ or EAA witness wuld be the way to go. My 2 cents [8D]
Greg
Former Marine
A N G L I C O0 -
I say go with the CZ-75 since it is a solid and reliable pistol and not too large. 9mm is about the minimum you'd want for defensive purposes, high caps are avialble and at under $500 it won't break your friend's piggy bank.
Mark T. Christian0 -
i think the choice of a defensive handgun is one that must be made at the range, youre friend should buy the handgun HE feels most comfortable and confident with, again, there are many good pistols out there but i would suggest a glock 19 with night sights, if he cant spend 600 he will have to buy used, have the pistol checked out by a reputable gunsmith before he buys. however, most importantly, youre friend needs to familiarize himself with the handgun, this is the most important part of selecting a defensive pistol, if at all possible, he should shoot it at night, as most defensive encounters would occur in the middle of the night, he needs to become very well versed in the saftey procedures for the weapon before he trusts his life to its proper operation. 0 -
And here we go again! Looking for a reasonable defensive hand gun for home use, brings up all sorts of ideas, and suggestions as too what is best, and who likes what! And of course I have my personal favorite in that category-the Springfield XD in either 9MM, or 40 S&W would take care of just about any defensive problem that might arise! But the most important thing in any hand gun purchase-go to the range and try out all of the different guns that he might be interested in. If your friend can not comfortably shoot, and control the weapon he has chosen, all the caliber in the world will do him no good!
Practice, practice, practice! And then practice some more!
Good Luck!
BigBarn[:o)]
"Respect the land, and it will respect you"0 -
I had a Ruger KP-89 9mm 10+1
and a Firestorm Mini 40S&W 10+1
that both performed 100%.
I didn't keep them because they didn't fit my hand,
but each was 99.9% condition, and $250.
A heavy gun is good for a novice; the weight will tame the recoil somewhat.
There could be a "Sticky" on this;
the debate will go on until the end of private ownership...[xx(]0 -
You didn't say why he didn't want a .45 (too much recoil, or is it because everybody and thier brother has one?) If it's recoil then the 9mm or .40 will be a little better, if it's the other reason, then I'd opt for the 10mm in a Tangfolio Witness (imported by E.A.A.)
Remember the best home defense gun is quite often a shotgun not a pistol at all, even though I prefer a pistol myself too.0 -
I love my Sig P228 9mm with cor bon 115gr. Probably would have to buy used to get in that price range though. 0 -
For a casual user, I would go with a 4" S&W 686. Fewer possibilities of things going wrong at the worst time. A misfire, just pull the trigger again. Also less chance of a accidental discharge due to the light single action trigger on succeeding shorts.
My personal choice is my 629 in 4" loaded with defensive 44 specials.0 -
hi mike,
although i typically recommend a sw #66 or #686 4" for the new shooter (start them out with .38 specials and let them work up to .357) you specifically said auto. you also said no .45's (my all time favorite handgun is a 1911 springfield) so ill reserve my recommendations there as well. that being the case i would recommend your friend consider a 9mm. while its certainly no magnum, a premium 9mm round (such as a hydrashock) can be just as effective as anything else. although i dont own any (my gun budget is "generous" despite my wifes best efforts to curtail my purchases [:D]) ive never heard of a bad taurus. this taurus 9mm is solid, proven, hi-cap, and cheap (just over $400 around here).
confidence in your handgun is as important as your ability to hit with it (or close anyway) and a new shooter will appreciate the light recoil of the 9mm.
Nathan in
(mouse over for links)0 -
Things you have to remember in the middle of the night when your life is at risk from an intruder:
With a double action semi auto;
Is there a round in the chamber?
Is the magazine in the pistol?
Is the safety on?
With a double action revolver;
Is the gun loaded?
Try to talk your friend into buying a double action revolver. A good choice for a handgun expert who shoots often is not a good choice for a person who has to seek advice as to which gun to buy.0 -
I've got a like new ruger SP101 2.25" barrel 357/38 that is easy to shoot for $385 delivered to his FFL - thanks and good shooting - oh, I also have a Mustang but an auto is the worst for home defense
quote:Originally posted by plane_crazzy
I have a friend who is looking to buy a home defense pistol, but he is unsure of what to buy. He would like a medium framed semi-automatic pistol. He wants good stopping power but not a .45 ACP. He is looking in the 300-400 dollar range. thanks for any help.
Mike Salisbury0 -
As always, I strongly recommend the revolver. If this gun is likely to be left loaded and not shot for long periods a revolver is much less likely to suffer from malfunction than an auto. Automatics are only indicated for people who go to the range on a regular basis. The shotgun is also another option to consider.
Semper Fi
Remember Ruby Ridge.
Experience is the best teacher and usually charges accordingly.
Not a member at the auction? Join Gunbroker at this link!0 -
I am with the revolver guys. Especially for a person who is first-time hand-gunner, used for home defense, not a regular shooter.
Safe (as mentioned, is it loaded or not? This is easily seen by looking at the cylinder - even across a room!), economical, and MORE reliable than most anything else available. Get a medium framed S&W 357 with a 4 inch barrel. You will not regret it.
A Colt revolver can be expensive these days. A Ruger is nice but there is a growing sentiment against Ruger products, Taurus is OK but more difficult for a first-timer because of stiff/rough trigger on most models.
"They're in front of us, they're behind us, they're to our left and to our right...they can't get away now." Chesty Puller
SEMPER FI0 -
Forget the hand gun, get a 20 guage pump shotgun. If your friend is not experienced, panic will take over in a situation and they won't be able safely use their weapon let alone hit what they are aiming at.
Stray rounds flying aroung a dark room can endanger any one even sleeping in the next room (rounds flying through plaster board).
Shotgun still has risks, however, just the sound of a shell being "jacked" into the breach is a determent. And the spray pattern of a shotgun is a bit more forgiving for someone who may not practice on a regular basis.0
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