Home protection handgun advice
I'm looking for some advice on the best choice for a home protection handgun. I already have a Mossberg 500 12 ga pump for this purpose. Anyway, I kind of like the idea of an auto in 9mm or.40cal just for the firepower of having a 10-15 round capability. On the other hand, for a somewhat novice such as myself, an auto requires a number of steps to have it ready to fire and be safe in the process. A revolver in .357 mag is far simpler and therefore safer, but carries fewer rounds.
Is there a consensus out there? Thanks in advance.
Is there a consensus out there? Thanks in advance.
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You're bound to get a number of replies and opinions on this question. You've already got a good choice in the 12 ga. If you are the only user a .40 S&W semi-auto would be a good way to go--but perhaps not so good if others will have access to it, and be allowed/expected to use it if the occassion should arise; unless you make thorough familiarization a priority. A full house .357 Mag. has a lot of penetration (two or three walls worth) and could prove unnecessarily dangerous to others in the house. I vote for a two or four inch .38 special. 0 -
Check out a Taurus titanium. 7 shot in .357mag/.38special. You will not be disappointed. 0 -
I have a .40 for home protection. You say an auto would be a couple of steps? If you have a revolver one is in the chamber so why not chamber a round in your auto and just keep it on safe. If you have kids just be really careful how and where you store it. Get familiar with your handgun the last thing you want is to be protecting yourself with an unfamiliar handgun(especially at night). Good-Luck! 0 -
I would go with the semi-auto. You need something simple and reliable, yet safe. Most of the people I know like Glock for this reason. Access, though, might be an issue- Glocks do not have a conventional safety system. If you have children around, that could be dangerous.
Anyway, for self defense I wouldn't go with anything under .40 caliber. Now that's just an opinion. But I would want something with stopping power, especially if my life were in danger. You might look into getting some frangible ammo that will not be as likely to pierce walls.
" God is in His Heaven, All is Right in the World. "0 -
If you don't have a lot of handgun experience, go with a double action revolver in 357mag. Bullet choice should be dependent on your situation. Above all, with a handgun- Practice Practice Practice!
John
I might not always tell you the truth, but I will never lie to you!0 -
I agree with the firearms consultant,until you become 100% Handgun oriented I would buy a Double action only .357 mag,and use 125 GR Hollow Point Bullets.
Best!!!
Rugster
Toujours Pret0 -
I'd stay away from .357 or 9mm.....too much penetration for use inside the house.
.40 or .45acp in an auto or .44 Special in a revolver....excellent stopping power with minimal penetration.0 -
If you are looking for concensus on anything, I think you've gone to the wrong site. I always recommend a DA revolver for folks who are looking for simple, reliable, and usually low cost- although you did not mention that you were on a budget, home defence pistols. .357 is out of the question for a home defence gun, too much penetration and it takes a seasoned handgunner to handle it. You can load it with .38spl., but that is a marginal caliber at best.
I agree with Xracer and his choice of the .44 special. This is one of the most over looked home defence rounds, yet offers excellent stopping power and can be handled by most anyone with even minimal handgun experience. There are a number of excellent revolvers chambered for that round from Taurus. Excellent pistols at a fair price. The most important thing is to practice regularly. I can't tell you the number of home defence pistols I've sold which came back to me later, sometimes years later, which were never even fired! Someone buys the pistol, puts it in his sock drawer and forgets it. Later he decides to trade it in on something else, like a shotgun.
How much protection can you expect from a gun you've never fired?
I would not risk my life on it if the chips were down.
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing!"
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing!"
Mark T. Christian0 -
I recommend a sig sauer such as a p229 in 40 cal. And practice alot before being commited to using it as a defence weapon. Really only in a perfect world is there a safe gun. I dont know about the rest of you but I sure dont live in a perfect world. The owner of the gun must be responsible 100% of the time. Lots of politics in this, But thats just the way it is.
I like the sig sauer pistols because there is no saftey, It's allways ready to go.
ALLWAYS ACT AS THOUGHT YOU YOUR FIREARM IS LOADED. FOLLOWING THIS RULE AND THERE SHOULD BE NO ACCIDENTS.
Dont forget a good quality flashlight and renew the batteries on a regular schudule.
rOBERT0 -
Sigs don't have a safety? I carried the 226 and it had a safety I remember this because when I loaded it for work we would chamber a round De-cock and press check. In order to de-cock don't you need a safety? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
I do agree that Sig's are great handguns but maybe a little too pricey for someone just starting out.0 -
A lot of good ideas here on type and caliber to get. If more than one person is going to use this gun make sure it fits the hand of the shooter. A gun that fits will be easier to learn than one that is too big. You can run a little smaller gun easier than one that is too big. Above all practice, practice practice.
You can't miss fast enough.0
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