Help Choosing a Home Defense Handgun

N

Naby

New member
Currently my only handgun is a 340 M&P that I carry and use for home defense. I am looking to get something else exclusively for home defense that has a larger frame for better handling. One of the most important considerations is the weight of the double action trigger pull. My wife has a lot of trouble with my 340 M&P, it is just too heavy for her to pull smoothly. I know the trigger weights of most handguns in single action mode are very light but I would prefer her to be able to handle our home defense gun in double action mode in case there is a situation where there isn't time to cock it. Not to mention it simplifies the thought and training process if one doesn't have to cock a weapon first in a self defense situation.

What are my options? I like the simplicity of revolvers but I'm concerned that they all have heavy double action triggers so I'll also consider semi-autos.

Thanks
 
i realize this is in the handgun forum. but i've always been pro shotgun for HD. but not all revolvers have a heavy double action pull. and the simplicity can't be beat. shop around, have your wife handle some.
 
Hand strength, semi auto pistols, choices...

From your posted statements you seem to have a problem where your wife's hand strength or gun handling skills may be a major issue.
If she can not safely fire a DA revolver she may also have big problems loading/unloading or shooting a semi auto pistol in either single or double action.
For home defense you may want to buy 2 firearms, a S&W MP .357magnum N frame(with a white light-laser aimer) for you and a smaller .38spl, .32H&R, .22magnum etc revolver for your wife.
A large frame M&P .357magnum with .38spl +P rounds could be fired 1 handed(by you) and can also use powerful magnum loads if required.
Your wife could also train or condition to improve her hand strength/physical skills to properly fire/use handguns.
It's important to know how to clear jams, reload, field strip and/or aim a weapon. Many new or unskilled firearm owners do not consider these factors.
 
Because they have smaller and lighter hammers, S&W J-Frames (your 340 is a J-Frame) and most other small DA revolvers tend to have heavier mainsprings and thus heavier DA triggers. If you already like and are familiar with S&W revolvers (a fine choice by the way), you might want to have your wife try one of the larger K, L, or N frames. These larger guns have larger and heavier hammers so their mainsprings don't have to be as heavy. S&W K-Frames in particular are known for have nice triggers and for fitting a wide variety of hand sizes. Good K-Frame models to look at include the 10, 13, 14, 15, 19, 64, 65, 66, and 67.
 
Take your wife to a decent sized gun store and let her handle some of the "usual suspects" -- Glock, S&W M&P, Springfield XD. I would suggest a full size 9mm. The triggers are double action weight but very manageable. They feel "squishy" to revolver shooters but they are pretty consistent. I have the S&W and it has interchangeable back straps for different sized hands. Let your wife try them out and see what she finds comfortable with.
 
Take your wife to a decent sized gun store and let her handle some of the "usual suspects" -- Glock, S&W M&P, Springfield XD.
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I agree with this, I'm confident that both of you would find the triggers very manageable, even pleasant/great especially given their middling price range (there are better triggers on lots of 1911's but for 2X or more the price of those 3).

The test for your wife is whether she can work the slides easily. If she has trouble with a DA trigger an auto's slide might be way too much, especially in a high pressure situation of NEEDING to rack the slide.

Caliber is another factor that needs careful consideration. I think a 9 is a little snappy in recoil, and that a 40 or 45 is at least within the same range, ie not any worse, while being more powerful. But a lot of that perception depends on the weight & size of the pistol, and just plain perception. She needs to do a bunch of range work to see how manageable shee finds them to be.

Maybe she'll find those calibers are all too much for her. In which case you need to have her try something lighter like a 380 or 32. I know there are tons of individuals who say those are inadequate, but the most important thing is to shoot something well. If shot well, good shot placement is in the realm of possibility. "Too much gun" might not even get fired in a tense situation, or certainly not well.

Something like a Sig P238 might prove to be just the thing, smaller slide is easier for smaller female hands to work, spring isn't as strong with the smaller caliber, and the trigger is quite good.

But start her with the Glock etal, just don't you force the decision, let it be hers since it's her tool.

If her choice isn't yours, buy your own....
 
I`ve been through it... women have problems with cambering bullets with the slides of semi autos and with the safeties.....If they have trouble when there is no threat what do you think it will be when there is one.... Revolvers and shotguns are the answer...or any firearm that fires when you just pull the trigger.... and honestly men have problems also.......Jim
 
I would think any S&W 38 spl with a 4 inch barrel would do. You should be able to find a nice 38 spl used that would fit the bill nicely. The reason I say a 4 inch barrel is the fact they are the most common. The 38 spl is the most produced revolver and you should have plenty to choose from.
 
I'm seconding bossman,,,

Any K-frame S&W chambered in either .38 Special or .357 Magnum will work very well.

Models 10, 15, and 19 are probably the most common out there,,,
I haunt gun auctions and the stainless versions (Models 64, 66, & 67) are going for less than $400.00

K-frames are six-shot, great triggers, and fit average sized hands very well,,,
Coupled with their inherent reliability and simple manual of arms,,,
It would be difficult to come up with a better HD handgun.

Lots of great guns out there by Ruger, Charter Arms, and other companies,,,
Some easily as appropriate and well performing as the S&W's,,,
But absolutely none are better than the S&W's.

JMHO

Aarond
 
Have you considered a qualified gunsmith trigger job on a revolver? I had one done and it made a world of difference for me. A female could easily feel more comfortable with a smoother trigger pull.
 
Thank you all for the great info. I am going to follow your advice and take her to a gun store and let her dry fire several different guns. I had already planned to do this but I wanted to narrow down the list so that we weren't there all day frustrating the clerk. You have all helped a lot in this respect.

Slides can be a problem for her also and I agree that this issue might make semi-automatics a liability in a stressful situation if the slide has to be racked to chamber a round or clear a jam. I prefer the simplicity of revolvers and that is the route I want to go if I can find one she can handle in double action mode. I will definitely check out the K frame revolvers.

She has shot several different handguns from 22 LR revolvers to 9mm semi-autos to 38 special +P rounds from a snubby (in single action mode) so her ability to handle recoil isn't a huge concern.

I have looked at 327 magnum (I'm actually interested in one of those myself) and 22 magnum revolvers but I'm concerned about the latter's stopping power. I appreciate all of the info, I will let you all know how it goes when we get around to visit our local gun shop.
 
I think the K frame S&W's are the answer as well ....but I suspect her issue might be more with how her hands fit the grips on the gun vs the trigger pull.

S&W model 19's and 66's are my personal favorites.

I help instruct a little ...and most ladies / and new shooters in general adapt very quickly - if the grips fit them properly. Many of the grips that come on guns / especially double stack semi-autos are just too big for smaller hands. A 4" barrel on the K frames seems to be one of the most comfortable for a lot of new shooters to handle ( not too small, not too long and intimidating ) - and shooting them in .38 spl is pretty easy / or if they want to go up to the .357 mag rounds.

Another gun I use a lot for instructing new shooters - is the single stack Sig 239 in 9mm. The stock grips are pretty thin / and its another gun that most new shooters seem to like / and its a DA/SA so it would fit your criteria. Again I keep the loads light - they don't need to be shooting 147gr +P stuff thru it .... 115 gr is plenty..and its pretty effective.

After all - if they can't hit anything with it ...its not fun / it has no purpose.
 
CT or Lasermax laser aiming unit(s)......

For your home defense or protection sidearms you may want to buy a Crimsontrace or Lasermax lasergrip. ;)
A bright green or red dot could assist either of you in a critical incident and a laser aimer may help your spouse train better at the range.
CT lasergrips are mostly red dots and are available in many frames/styles.
A green dot laser is more powerful but models are limited. :(
See www.Crimsontrace.com . They offer a free training DVD/product guide.
Clyde
 
Glock 19 or a 1911

The Glock has a softer trigger pull and is point & shoot, just like a revolver. They're actually simpler than revolvers, having many fewer parts.

Better yet, get a 1911. They are stored cocked & locked. Just thumb down the safety and the trigger pull is easy and short every time. Plus, you'll add an absolute classic to your arsenal.

The Glock is a classic too, just not as much fun to practice with.

My wife vastly preferred a full size 1911 to a 9 mm Glock. It was a perfect comparison too, because the Glock was 34, their competition model with the same external dimensions as a 1911.
 
Professional Glocks...

I highly suggest NOT buying a Glock or striker fired type semi auto pistol.

If your wife has a lot of problems with handguns a Glock may cause a AD.
Watch some of the Youtube clips of TRAINED sworn LE officers having discharges with Glock pistols.
A striker fired pistol is best for a handgun shooter with advanced skills or has used other weapons like a DA only or DA/SA first.
 
A striker fired pistol is best for a handgun shooter with advanced skills or has used other weapons like a DA only or DA/SA first.
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Just keep your finger off the trigger. No different than a traditional DAO.
 
Try a S&W model 64 revolver 4" barrel (.38 spl +p) or a 9mm Beretta PX4 Constant (C model). The Beretta PX4 Constant is a DAO with a lighter and shorter trigger pull than the D model DAO.
 
I'll join the S&W k-frame chorus here. In my experience, the midsize Smith revolvers in 38spl work very well for women shooters. No slide to rack, no safety to fumble with, just aim and squeeze the trigger. Models 10 and 64 with a 4" barrel would be excellent for your purpose.
 
Quote:
A striker fired pistol is best for a handgun shooter with advanced skills or has used other weapons like a DA only or DA/SA first.

Just keep your finger off the trigger. No different than a traditional DAO.
Click to expand...

That may sound good on an internet forum, and in a perfect world you'd be right, but we don't live in a perfect world. For someone who is a casual shooter, trigger discipline might wind up being less that perfect when something goes bump in the middle of the night. The longer, heavier trigger of a revolver or traditional DAO is much more forgiving of less-than-ideal trigger discipline than the short, 5.5lb trigger of a Glock. Glocks are fire for "gun people" but I think there are better choices for casual shooters.
 
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