Dad is looking for a Nightstand duty gun.
- Thread starter lethaltxn
- Start date
DocCasualty
New member
Hi-cap, manageable recoil, straightforward manual of arms, ease of maintenance - sounds like a G17 to me. My EDC is a G26.
I am a big fan of SIG too (I have a P220), so for more money and if DA/SA appeals to him, then he should definitely check out their 9mm offerings. A little more involved MOA, but shot "one" is like having a DA revolver. No safety to worry about, etc. Why worry about rotating mags? They'll be good to go for years.
If money is an issue, then have him look at a Taurus PT92/99, a very good but highly underrated pistol (I've owned a PT99 since '92), though I would recommend a break-in period of a couple of hundred rounds, which you could help him with. Actually, I would recommend a couple of hundred rounds through any new purchase, regardless of make.
Personally and professionally, I don't think .40S&W sounds like a good caliber choice for him based on what you describe. It has a snappy recoil. I guess he won't be shooting it much and in the heat of the moment it might not matter much, but he would probably stay on target better with a .45ACP than a .40S&W. A G21 would give him hi-cap in .45ACP, but I still think 9mm would be a better fit for what you describe.
I think there are probably lots of good choices as others have recommended also. These are ones I am familiar with and think would fit what your dad is looking for.
I am a big fan of SIG too (I have a P220), so for more money and if DA/SA appeals to him, then he should definitely check out their 9mm offerings. A little more involved MOA, but shot "one" is like having a DA revolver. No safety to worry about, etc. Why worry about rotating mags? They'll be good to go for years.
If money is an issue, then have him look at a Taurus PT92/99, a very good but highly underrated pistol (I've owned a PT99 since '92), though I would recommend a break-in period of a couple of hundred rounds, which you could help him with. Actually, I would recommend a couple of hundred rounds through any new purchase, regardless of make.
Personally and professionally, I don't think .40S&W sounds like a good caliber choice for him based on what you describe. It has a snappy recoil. I guess he won't be shooting it much and in the heat of the moment it might not matter much, but he would probably stay on target better with a .45ACP than a .40S&W. A G21 would give him hi-cap in .45ACP, but I still think 9mm would be a better fit for what you describe.
I think there are probably lots of good choices as others have recommended also. These are ones I am familiar with and think would fit what your dad is looking for.
A Zoom, snap caps, ASP red guns, Ring-Blackhawk, training....
I'd add here that a few A Zoom rounds or snap caps and/or plastic training mags could be useful in skill training or being able to practice drawing, loading quickly during a high stress incident.
ASP sells red plastic guns that are useful and a few models(Glock 17, SIG P229, 1911a1 full size) are the same size/wt of a loaded handgun.
Ring makes a line of blue plastic models and Blackhawk sells bright orange & dark grey training guns. Prices range from $25-45.00. Blade-tech sells a bright yellow plug to use in semi auto pistols.
To me training aids are a better idea to prevent wear & tear on firearms and it's much safer too,
. Skill training and being prepared are very important for home protection. 400am is not the time to wake up, find & load a pistol, get a phone, call 911 and scramble around looking for home invaders. Stress, chaos and rapid events WILL take place in a real break-in.
I had a good friend/co-worker in the late 1990s have a drunk break into his house & charge up the stairs at 430am.
My friend(a retired US Army MP/E-7 & federal police officer; 083/GS-06) pulled his old Colt .38spl snub on the subject. His wife called 911 in a panic and his kids ran outside. The drunk was arrested and faced charges. No one was hurt in the incident but it shows why plans & training are so important.
I'd add here that a few A Zoom rounds or snap caps and/or plastic training mags could be useful in skill training or being able to practice drawing, loading quickly during a high stress incident.
ASP sells red plastic guns that are useful and a few models(Glock 17, SIG P229, 1911a1 full size) are the same size/wt of a loaded handgun.
Ring makes a line of blue plastic models and Blackhawk sells bright orange & dark grey training guns. Prices range from $25-45.00. Blade-tech sells a bright yellow plug to use in semi auto pistols.
To me training aids are a better idea to prevent wear & tear on firearms and it's much safer too,
. Skill training and being prepared are very important for home protection. 400am is not the time to wake up, find & load a pistol, get a phone, call 911 and scramble around looking for home invaders. Stress, chaos and rapid events WILL take place in a real break-in.I had a good friend/co-worker in the late 1990s have a drunk break into his house & charge up the stairs at 430am.
My friend(a retired US Army MP/E-7 & federal police officer; 083/GS-06) pulled his old Colt .38spl snub on the subject. His wife called 911 in a panic and his kids ran outside. The drunk was arrested and faced charges. No one was hurt in the incident but it shows why plans & training are so important.Lost Sheep
New member
Home safety is not just a gun in a nightstand.
The longarm part, though, I am in TOTAL agreement. See three paragraphs below.
Defense comes in layers. An early warning system is the best first choice. Irritating as they may be, a yappy little dog is a a great early warning device. A medium size dog (in my opinion) is a better companion and just as good an intruder detector. Geese honk madly when a stranger comes into the yard. Motion detector lights hooked up to lights AND siren can be adjusted to do well, also. You get the drift, yes? All this is useful and gives a GREAT deal of help BEFORE the deployment of deadly force is needed.
These early-perimeter measures are GREAT, when backed up by a firearm, but anyone on medications that may impair their response time or time-to-full-capacity (even in the imagination of a lawyer) is doubly served by such devices (dog, geese, motion sensors, entry detectors, etc.)
Home defense should be wide AND deep.
For someone physically compromised (and even those who are not), I suggest a 16 gauge (Why does everyone mention the 12 and 20, but never the 16?) or lightly loaded 12 gauge, or even standard or magnum 12 gauge is MUCH more controllable, manageable and accurate than ANY handgun, bar none.
Mainly suited for stationary defense, the shotgun is ideal for the urban or suburban situation where police 911 response time is acceptable and even better suited for rural situations. Exception, where ranges are beyond shotgun-effective distances, where a (semi-automatic) or true assault rifle or sub-gun would be better. But those situations are rare. The handgun is almost in every situation, a compromise that gives away a LOT to gain portability.
Please pardon my disjointed construction. It is late.
To sum up, my suggestion would be a Remington 870 or 1100, but either with REQUIRED practice and training. Mossberg 500 is more affordable, but the 870 has the endorsement of military and police armorers. Winchester's no slouch either, but I think more expensive.
Lost Sheep
Irrelevant whether you believe in it or not, or whether the diagnosis is correct or not. If the owner's abilities are compromised, the concern over limitation is real.tackdriver said:
I have a problem with this statement, too. I always suggest NO firearms if someone is not willing to train adequately, to consider the legal and moral implications of exercising lethal forces and to maintaining the insurance coverage commensurate with that weighty responsibility.tackdriver said:
The longarm part, though, I am in TOTAL agreement. See three paragraphs below.
Defense comes in layers. An early warning system is the best first choice. Irritating as they may be, a yappy little dog is a a great early warning device. A medium size dog (in my opinion) is a better companion and just as good an intruder detector. Geese honk madly when a stranger comes into the yard. Motion detector lights hooked up to lights AND siren can be adjusted to do well, also. You get the drift, yes? All this is useful and gives a GREAT deal of help BEFORE the deployment of deadly force is needed.
These early-perimeter measures are GREAT, when backed up by a firearm, but anyone on medications that may impair their response time or time-to-full-capacity (even in the imagination of a lawyer) is doubly served by such devices (dog, geese, motion sensors, entry detectors, etc.)
Home defense should be wide AND deep.
For someone physically compromised (and even those who are not), I suggest a 16 gauge (Why does everyone mention the 12 and 20, but never the 16?) or lightly loaded 12 gauge, or even standard or magnum 12 gauge is MUCH more controllable, manageable and accurate than ANY handgun, bar none.
Mainly suited for stationary defense, the shotgun is ideal for the urban or suburban situation where police 911 response time is acceptable and even better suited for rural situations. Exception, where ranges are beyond shotgun-effective distances, where a (semi-automatic) or true assault rifle or sub-gun would be better. But those situations are rare. The handgun is almost in every situation, a compromise that gives away a LOT to gain portability.
Please pardon my disjointed construction. It is late.
To sum up, my suggestion would be a Remington 870 or 1100, but either with REQUIRED practice and training. Mossberg 500 is more affordable, but the 870 has the endorsement of military and police armorers. Winchester's no slouch either, but I think more expensive.
Lost Sheep
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PoorSoulInJersey
New member
The best thing is to take Dad to the range, rent or borrow a bunch of guns, and see what he can comfortably shoot and operate (load, reload, unload, clear in case of jams, etc).
Mike Irwin
Staff
If your post has disappeared...
Well, quite frankly, I'd be shocked if you had to ask why.
Keep the discussion on topic and don't for a moment try to play Marcus Welby, M.D.
Well, quite frankly, I'd be shocked if you had to ask why.
Keep the discussion on topic and don't for a moment try to play Marcus Welby, M.D.
Nightstand gun
My wife has fibromyalgia. Originally she wanted a small gun. We bought a SW 340 PD (lightwt 357). She took a liking to my SW 686 with 4 inch barrel but thought it was a bit much for her. We checked out the SW 686 with 3 inch barrel. She liked the looks (wooden grips) and feel. That is now her nightstand gun. I have to admit I have shot it more than she has. I'm hoping she changes her mind about this one, I'm not below using her rejects.
My wife has fibromyalgia. Originally she wanted a small gun. We bought a SW 340 PD (lightwt 357). She took a liking to my SW 686 with 4 inch barrel but thought it was a bit much for her. We checked out the SW 686 with 3 inch barrel. She liked the looks (wooden grips) and feel. That is now her nightstand gun. I have to admit I have shot it more than she has. I'm hoping she changes her mind about this one, I'm not below using her rejects.
exphys2010
New member
Is there a reason for the .45acp or 9mm HC? Not being mean at all, just curious as to whether or not your dad already has other guns in that ammo, or if it is just a preference. Also, other factors play into HD in my mind such as type of living situation..... House or apartment, crowded neighborhood or very spread out, etc... I personally live in a relatively populated apartment complex, so I had to go with something that does not penetrate walls easily. I personally sleep with a Taurus Judge on my night stand, loaded with 2 Winchester PDX410 shells, 1 Federal Personal Defense 000 Handgun round, and a .45 LC Winchester PDX1 round (just in case). I know different people have different opinions about the Judge, but I personally love it, it is far more accurate than people give it credit for. To back it up I have a 12ga Maverick 88 HD shotgun loaded with #4 buckshot.
However, if you are looking for a .45 ACP HC or a 9mm HC handgun only, you cannot beat any 1911 model in .45 ACP, however these are pricey. But I think the Beretta PX4 Storm in .45ACP or 9mm, or the Stoeger Couger would be a safe bet, and they are reasonably priced.
However, if you are looking for a .45 ACP HC or a 9mm HC handgun only, you cannot beat any 1911 model in .45 ACP, however these are pricey. But I think the Beretta PX4 Storm in .45ACP or 9mm, or the Stoeger Couger would be a safe bet, and they are reasonably priced.