Revolver Vs Automatic
I know this is debatable. Which is the best all around Home Defense weapon, the Revolver or the Auto? I have a Colt 45 Auto and a S&W Model 66. I can breakdown, clean, and shoot both about equal. I load
the 45 with Federal 230 Grain Hydra Shock and the 66 with Federal .38 Special Hydra Shock 147 Grain +p+. I don't shoot many 357's because of recoil. I realize the 45 has more power and energy, but keep in mind this is for Home defense.
the 45 with Federal 230 Grain Hydra Shock and the 66 with Federal .38 Special Hydra Shock 147 Grain +p+. I don't shoot many 357's because of recoil. I realize the 45 has more power and energy, but keep in mind this is for Home defense.
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The shotgun. 0 -
Since you don't shoot the .357 Email me up... I will take it off your hands.. I love recoil 0 -
18" 12GA with 000 buck will clean you hallways [:D] If you rack the slide the intruder will find a door real fast. that sound is unmistakable. you can always put the hunting bbl on during the season [:D] goots agree the shotgun..if you go with the 38spl use 125gr.hp
American used to Roar like Lions for Liberty- Now they Bleat like Sheep for Security.
Always Remember Security without Liberty is called PRISON! -0 -
Shotgun for sure, but I prefer revolvers, limited shot capacity and slower reload times promote more carefully placed shots as opposed to the spray and pray method. Besides I have never had a revolver jam. 0 -
Whatever you have in your hand at 2AM is fine as long as family members know the drill.
What men call a hero...is merely a man who is seen doing what a brave man does as a matter of course.
A man who is in love with learning is a man who is never without a bride, for there is always more. L'Amour0 -
.38/.357.
God Bless America and...
NEVER Forget WACO
NEVER, EVER Forget 9110 -
The answer is................YES
AN ARMED SOCIETY IS A POLITE SOCIETY0 -
Anything is better than nothing!
Where do you live (i.e., a subdivision)? Don't kill your neighbors/family. New construction and windows don't stop the misses very well.
With that in mind...a shotgun comes to mind!
A buddy who went through a tactical/home-defense program at one of the local gun clubs said a 12 gauge with #7 1/2 or #8 shot was dreadful for the unfortunate SOB on the receiving end! At close range it is slug-like, and a little further out; it will mince their inards to the point of no repair! Imagine the physician trying to reconstruct/repair hamburger in the emergency room. I don't think it would work. [xx(]
On the revolver/automatic question...definetly revolver. Simpler is better.0 -
Take the one that you enjoy shooting (most likely the .45ACP) and practice with it and make it second nature to use it (when needed, hopefully never)with confidence. If you don't like the recoil from the .357 Mag, don't use it!
Like previous said, make sure that the family knows what to do if there would be an unwelcomed guest in your house at 2:00 am. Don't forgot just because you have your family trained properly that small children will not go exploring when someone's back is turned or a small guest who hasn't been trained by you. Secure it by locking it up when nobody is around with a combination lock on a strong box that is attached to something.
The old sniper saying, "one shot, one kill" can give a new meaning when someone is killed or injuried wrongly.
Moose
"I will follow the path of others some of the time, but most of the time I prefer to make my own path." - Mike Moyle0 -
Homedefence with what you have on hand .45auto,.38 revolver....
a revolver is more dependable less likely to fail ...that would be first though... 2nd would be, is,which one are you more capeable to hit the target with, is your best bet...knock down power in the home in most cases, is not inportant i would guess that a intruder being shot at would 99% of time RUNNNNNNNNNNN ... me i perfer the .45 auto
for all the other reasons - flack ,power an knock down , i don't intend to miss [:)]
confused....but learning0 -
How many times can you squeeze the trigger on your 45 and be guaranteed to hit a fresh primer? Can you shoot your 45 from under a pillow more than once? The model 66 is the same gun the SEALS use for close in tactical work. Why? A revolver never jams. I love my 1911's and my Hi Power, but my home is defended by a Smith and Wesson model 36. I make it a point to keep current and accurate with it. I load it light 125gr safety slugs that will put a hurting on a person but a wall will take all the go out of them. I normally like shotguns for home defense also, but a person who uses a home defense weapon to maim a person will likely end up in jail too. HUNTING LOADS ARE FOR HUNTING. A shotgun with a 18in barrel and light hunting loads will make you look bad when a skillful lawyer gets ahold of it. If you use a shotgun load buckshot, and shoot to kill. A dead perp is a closed case, and cannot sue you. Its like anytime you shoot, Know whats behind your target and act accordingly.
James
Whats next? A ban on automatic transmissions?0 -
Asking someone else for the best home defense gun for your home is like asking someone if you should wear boxers or briefs. Go with what you are comfortable with. A timely well placed shot with a 45 semi, a revolver (preferably at least 357), or a shotgun
(00 or better) should give you the results needed to insure your safety.
And most importantly...
"Have a gun that works every time. All skill is in vein when an Angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket."0 -
I would go with the .45acp simply due to the fact that having fired both of them in an enclosed room myself, experience tells me that the .45acp is much more "pleasant" to fire off indoors. It is something that most don't consider, but perhaps they should. The .357mag has a very harsh and sharp report compared to the .45acp, and yes the .45acp has a pretty harsh report as well, especially indoors but it dosen't have the piercing sharpness of the .357mag. 
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If your going to use buckshot in a 12 gauge you may as well use a howitzer. I would hate to be your family or next door neighbor, depending on where you live. At least use a reduced recoil version if your going to suggest that.
Don't tell me someone is going to survive a well placed/close quarters hit from a 12 gauge hunting load anymore than a .357 or a .45! You clearly don't know what your talking about. A skillful lawyer is going to make trouble for you anyway. The best precaution is to do what you can to prevent having an intruder in the first place.0 -
I would go with the revolver. Fewer things to think about or remember. Just pull the trigger and if there is a problem pull again. My personal home defense gun is a S&W 629 w/ a 4" barrel, loaded with home defense 44 specials.
I had an incident a few years ago with a semi-auto that jammed or failed to fire and only one free hand. Hard to clear a semi-auto without both hands available.
Good luck and I hope you never have to use it.0 -
rsnyder - that was part of my reasoning for suggesting the .38/.357.
God Bless America and...
NEVER Forget WACO
NEVER, EVER Forget 9110 -
38 special +p is certainly adequate and I love the wheelgun. I find it slightly easier to stay on target with the semi-auto and the 45 ACP will certainly do the job. I think the lower maintenance for a wheelgun and the ease of use by others in a household might have something of an edge. You could of course avail yourself of an S&W 625 and have a full throttle load without excessive recoil and the ease of the revolver.
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead0 -
I hope that you never have to resort to a weapon to defend your home and family, but if you do, the most suitable (notice I didn't say "best") is the REVOLVER. There are two reasons.
First, the revolver is simple to operate in times of stress and in darkness. There aren't any safeties to worry about or delay your reaction. And, as others have pointed out, the revolver can be shot from under a pillow or when covered with something and continue to funtion. I was never much of a football fan, but I can remember the great coach of Ohio State, Woody Hays, say that when you throw the football, three things can happen and two of them are bad. Well, a semi-auto is the same way. When you pull the trigger with a semi-auto three things can happen and two of them are bad. Those aren't the kind of odds that I want to be dealing with in a crisis situation. When you pull the trigger on a revolver, it will either fire or it won't. If if doesn't fire, all you have to do is pull the trigger again. There are no jams to clear or safeties to consider.
Second, there are all sorts of things that will happen after you have used your weapon to defend home and family. After you've called 911 and the police have arrived. An officer will take you by the arm move you aside, explaining that he understands how this situation has been disturbing. Well, while they are putting that little chaulk line around the body, another officer will come along and gently and calmly ask if you're ok. Then he/she will ask you if you could answer a few questions. Somewhere in the course of thse simple questions, he/she will say something like "and where were you standing when you took the first shot, the second shot, etc." Then the officer will thank you and explain that another officer maybe along sometime to check up on you. Well, after they have the body removed and things are beginning to thin out, another officer will show up and ask if you're ok. Then, just as the other officer explained, this new officer will ask if it's ok to ask a few questions. And once again, somewhere during these seemingly innocent questions, he/she will ask "where were you standing when you took the first shot, the second, etc...." When these officers have to get back to the station, they will not only compare notes to make sure your story is consistent, they will compare their notes with the physical evidence. If, for example, they find an empty shell case in the basement, but you didn't mention shooting in the basement, you will probably be in for more questions that could possibly lead to indictment. With a revolver, there are no empties laying around to give the police and DA reason to be concerned. If you use a semi-auto, an empty may bounce off the dog as it runs outside during the confusion. Or maybe an empty gets stuck in the pants cuff of the perp. as he staggers outside. You told the offiers that you only shot inside the house when you believed your life was in danger, but there is any empty shell on your front lawn. How do you account for that? Suddenly it looks like you need to spend a whole lot more time with your lawyer.
One more point. Don't use +P or even handloads for home defense. Use some good quality, off the shelf ammuntion. Using anything else just gives the DA or the lawyer representing the family of the perp. ammunition during the trial. I can't begin to tell you the number of times I've heard some shyster ask, "and why exactly was it that you had to shoot my client with extraordinarily deadly bullets that you went out of your way to purchase/handload? Were standard bullets deadly enough for you or are you just that blood thirsty (meaning sick and demented)."
There are simply fewer worries and problems with a revolver. For these reasons, the revolver is the most suitable for home defense. Best of luck. Steve0
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