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Home Defense Pistol: Auto Vs Revolver

rog007
Hi Guys,

This is the first time I'm asking a question here. Actually I'm new to this site. My question - I want to get a personal defense handgun,
but also want it to be very accurate so I can use it at the range as well, and get impressive groups. I'd like it to be a modern weapon, with good relibility. It should also look and feel good, fire good, and be man stopper, and accurate.

Keeping all this in mind, Im debating between a .357 Mag (Taurus 608, 8 shot/ Smith&Wesson- any/ Ruger GP100) OR the Semi-Auto pistols (Baretta 96F .40 Cal, Sig .40/357 Cal, CZ-75 .40 Cal). {CZ, only because its cheap) Now first I've got to decide between a semi auto or a revolver. And then which brand should I go with? I know its a lot to ask for, and I'm totally in the lost land. But I'm sure there are many others out there who will also be helped with your Expert comments.

Thanks in advance! Rog
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Comments

15 comments

Date Votes
  • rog007
    Best Home defense weapon: Pre-ban AR-15 w/ collapsable stock and baynet (fixed stock and no baynet if post-ban AR-15), 11.5 inch barrel (w/ permanently installed extension to make it 16"), night scope and loaded w/ 30 fragmenting rounds.

    1. You can see the scumbag in your house and he cannot see you. You can also get a positive ID on what you are shooting. The cost is $500.00 for 1st Gen scope.

    2. The high velocity fragmenting rounds from a short barrel do not have the over penetration characteristics of a 9mm or 00 buckshot. They have the velocity to properly fragment up to about 12-15 meters. After that, they will rapidly loose velocity when passing though a sheetrock wall due to the light weight bullets. The fact is, with a night vision device, you will probably not have an over penetration problem.

    Now, the problem is fitting this 34" overall AR-15 w/ a night scope in a place that is easily available, yet inassecible to the children. I can't supply allt he answers. Maybe a custom headboard on your king sized bed!!

    If not, then probably a 12ga riot shotgun or a 9mm glock.
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  • CWatson
    You didn't mention if you had any expereance with firearms.If not I would recommend a revolver.I own both brands you mentioned,Taurus and Ruger.I have not had trouble with either brand,but the Rugers I own seem more robust in construction.For target practice a 6-8 inch barrel is a little more accurate,but in revolvers used for home defence I prefer snubbies-4inched barrel.

    If you are familier with fire arms and want to get a auto,any of the brands you mentioned should fit the bill.I would suggest going to a range and rent the autos you mention plus a few others.Try also Glock,Taurus and Ruger autos and see which one you are most comfortable with.Good Luck,CW

    1.Before I got married I spent half my money on women and guns,THE REST I WASTED!

    2.KILL EM' ALL AND LET ALLAH SORT EM' OUT!
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  • kingjoey
    Revolvers take the jam factor (mostly) out of the equation. They also take the capacity and possibility of reloading quickly out of the equation as well. For home defense, a revolver usually is optimal, reliable, no safeties to disengage. If you are looking for something for the sole duty of home protection (ie not as a carry piece), what about a shotgun? Lower civil liability and a lot more stopping power. Few people will/can take two hits of OO buckshot. [:D]
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  • trsmith5
    Kingjoey has the best advice about the JAM factor, a revolver rarely if ever fails. A shotgun is hard to take to the range though plus if you're married or have a significant other, then they need to be comfortable with it as well. I have ruger autos as well as a sig and they dont have safety issues to worry about in a time of need. The main key is to be comfortable and proficient with your choice.
    In my opinion all the brands you named are good products. Nowadays a gun company has to make a good product to stay alive. Most gun ranges have rentals you can try for almost nothing.

    "UNLESS YOU ENTER THE TIGER'S DEN, YOU'LL NEVER TAKE THE CUBS"
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  • v35
    A handgun for home defense should be a revolver, four inch barrel or less. It's always ready. You don't have to think about whether the clip is in or the safety is on or whether or not the chamber is loaded.
    The down side of course is that there will be a readily accessible loaded gun in the house so safety precautions have to be taken.
    A gun separate from its' ammunition is a mistake because in the crisis
    of an event where a gun is needed, you probably wont have time or opportunity to put the two together.
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  • mballai
    I'd go with a wheelgun: simple, reliable and you can find something with 7 or 8 shots of 38 +P /357 capability which is more than adequate. I really don't think capacity is a concern for home defense;a speedloader or moonclip would solve that issue quite readily.

    If you are willing to make the effort and shoot a lot, an autoloader is not a problem. My experience is that most people prefer a gun that will work with little or no maintenance and the revolver has the edge in that regard.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • sundowner
    .357 Mag revolver, for all the reasons already stated.
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  • andersk
    .357 Mag revolver, for all the reasons already stated ... plus, if you want to mess around at the range with cheaper ammo you can shoot .38 special bullets in it. Right?

    Ken
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  • gap1916
    If there are children involved or safety is an issue than I would go with a semi auto. Most all of these have a safety. The cost of the weapon is not as important as the reliability. If safety is not an issue then go with the revolver. Placement of the round is way more important than caliber. 38/357, 9mm at the very least. .40/357sig or .45 will do well. How the weapon feels in your hand is important.
    Just my 2 cents.

    <br>
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  • bigcountry_75214
    Think about this for just a min. You have just broken into someone's house, pitch black and deadly silent, struggling to see while also keeping very quite. As you sneek around the corner you hear the WRAP of the bossman's 12 guage cycling a round of 00! You crap your pants as you head for the nearest exit, while wondering if you're already in his sights. That sound alone will keep you from having to pull[:0] the trigger 98% of the time.
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  • rsnyder55
    For home defense a four inch 357 magnum is definitely the best choice. No reason to go smaller because you aren't trying to conceal it and a good length for pointablility.

    If there is a problem with firing, pull the trigger again and you get a fresh round. There is no brass flying around to bounce off the wall and hit you, or for you to step on and slip if you have hard wood floors (Learned that on my sailboat one year).

    In most cases a grip to fit your hand can be acquired vs. a semi-auto with a mag in the grip.

    It will function reliably with any defense round.

    Minimum of maintenance while keeping it ready and minimum of training compared to a semi-auto.
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  • Darrell
    Think about this for just a min. You have just broken into someone's house, pitch black and deadly silent, struggling to see while also keeping very quite. As you sneek around the corner you hear the WRAP of the bossman's 12 guage cycling a round of 00! You crap your pants as you head for the nearest exit, while wondering if you're already in his sights. That sound alone will keep you from having to pull the trigger 98% of the time
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    Think about this for just a minute. You have just heard someone enter your house pitch black and deadly silent, struggling to see while also keeping very quite. As you sneak around the corner (which you have no business doing) you hear the WRAp of the THUGS's shotgun cycling a round of 00. You crap YOUR pants. If you WRAP yours you tell Mr. Thug WHERE you are, and tell him you weren't ready, and wondereing if you are already in his sights. May YOU rest in piece.
    If the olde noise of a shotgun worked, as a cop I'd just ride around and rack my shotgun with the PA on and watch the thugs flee out of town.
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  • Ed45+P
    This is an age old topic with as many answers as board participants. For my two cents I offer the following. First, while a revolver is a reliable weapon, it has shortcomings (eventhough my favorite guns are revolvers). Revolvers can in fact fail to fire and jam. However, as has been pointed out, for a gun to sit weeks on end and get pulled out for emergency use, the revolver is the way to go. Reading your inquiry, I got the feeling that you wanted to do more than have a gun available. If you intend to shoot regularly, I would suggest a fine quality 45acp, like a Sig 220 or 245 (smaller version) with night sights. Mastery of double action revolver shooting for accuracy takes a great deal of time and practice. Of course, a 357 revolver just going off will scare the crap out of intruder but brings with it a second problem. High velocity rounds can reach out and touch unintended targets. The Sig loaded with 230 grain "defensive" loads stays better contained in the dwelling, has less report and is a great caliber to reload should your interests ever turn that way. Two color night sights make your weapon's location easy to determine in the dark and finally, like quality automobiles, quality guns retain their value. At the range your first job should be to find an inexpensive practice ammo with the same point of impact as your defensive load. A good way to monitor your progress is to put 3 or 4 colorful, 3x3 Post-It notes on a cardboard backing at 10 yards and shoot 5 rounds at each. Your goal is to get 5/5 on the 3x3" note and you can save your best Post-It from each session to monitor your progress. Put 5 for 5 on the note and your's will be one crib to avoid!!! Good luck, Ed
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  • Horse Plains Drifter
    What sundowner and andersk said.

    Also what bigcountry said. There is nothing quite like the sound of a pump shotgun going to battery!! It is like the sound of a rattlesnake. Even if you've never heard one, the first time you hear it there is NO mistake[}:)][}:)]
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  • DK
    Ditto on the 12ga. pump, theres no sound more intimidating. Plus it's very design makes it pretty safe. You need to chamber a round then theres the safety.
    Beware of the new lightweight .357's there not much "fun" to shoot for more than 50 rounds (for me anyway)
    The semiauto would be my last choice for home defense.

    Personnally I have a .38 S/W 442.
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