Cosmodragoon
New member
Yes, noise is a real factor for inside-the-home defense. An idea I like is that a gun should fit its purpose. Inside the home, you don't need concealment as much as you do maneuverability and you can count on shooting indoors (ouch!). Ideally, you'd have a full-sized and suppressed high-capacity pistol or pistol-caliber carbine. Failing suppression, some electronic muffs stored next to your gun isn't a bad idea. You might not have time to grab them but if you do, you'll be glad in any caliber. Failing that, I still like higher capacity in say, a 9mm pistol or carbine. Failing that, a 6-7 round revolver with a 4-6" barrel would be ideal. Both .38 special and .32 H&R magnum can shine here (including when fired from revolvers in .357 and .327 respectively). There was a recent discussion about .32 S&W Long being quieter than the other choices mentioned and still vastly superior to .22 LR. The S&W Long can be fired from a .327 revolver as well.
Of course, we are checking down a list of ideals constrained by reality. The fact is that not everyone will have (or will immediately have) a dedicated gun for every purpose or scenario. Eventually, you might have multiple options and different CCWs for weather and wardrobe, urban vs rural, etc... If that day isn't today or this is a first purchases, you may want to prioritize a balance of home defense and range practice (including "plinking" and fun) for now. If it absolutely has to be a carry gun as well, you might compromise on a 3" revolver or the largest polymer-framed 9mm semi-auto that you can practically carry.
Of course, we are checking down a list of ideals constrained by reality. The fact is that not everyone will have (or will immediately have) a dedicated gun for every purpose or scenario. Eventually, you might have multiple options and different CCWs for weather and wardrobe, urban vs rural, etc... If that day isn't today or this is a first purchases, you may want to prioritize a balance of home defense and range practice (including "plinking" and fun) for now. If it absolutely has to be a carry gun as well, you might compromise on a 3" revolver or the largest polymer-framed 9mm semi-auto that you can practically carry.