SURVEY: What handgun for Home Defense?

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Guess I'm old fashioned :) My primary house gun is a S&W NY-1 Model 64 .38 Special. 4", round butt with matte stainless finish. Loaded with Federal 158gr Nyclads. Plus a couple of extra speedloaders in the drawer.

I like the simplicity of use if waking up groggy in the middle of the night, plus it's a gun that my wife can handle well.

'Course, I have an 870 HD loaded with Federal PD Buck under the bed also :)



[This message has been edited by General Tso (edited February 24, 2000).]
 
A Glock 20 with WW Silvertips, and a Glock 29 nearby.

An M1A with Hornady 110 gr TAP in case things get ugly.

Tom
 
Many logical, excellent choices. Personally, I love shooting my semiautomatics (Glocks, Sigs, Kimbers, Colts), but my at-the-bedside weapon is a five-inch barrel, full under-lug, all stainless, "N" frame Smith 627. It is superbly: reliable, accurate, lethal, and it offers a wide variety of defensive ammunition options.

That wide-range of loads is the primary reason I recommend a high quality (for example, the Ruger GP-100 series or the S&W 686 series), four or more inch barrel length, .357 magnum/.38 Special for home defense. From very hot and undeniable potent .357 magnum rounds to lower velocity -- but safer in many urban dwelling defensive scenarios -- .38 Special loads, a superior quality .357 revolver provides simplicity, accuracy, durability, dependability, and unequalled defensive flexibility through the selection of ammunition.
 
I keep a S&W M-686 loaded with .357mag Golden Sabers. My wife keeps an M-65LS with Cor-Bon .38spl +p's.

That makes the following total so far:

1st place:

Glock with 12 entries

2nd place:

1911 with 11 entries

3rd place:

S&W Revolvers with 10 entries

Honorable mention:

H&K: 4 entries
Beretta: 3 entries
FEG: 2 entries
S&W Autos: 2 entries
Ruger autos: 2 entries
Ruger revolvers: 1 entry
Taurus autos: 1 entry
SIG Saur: 1 entry
Walther: 1 entry

--Rich

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Nothing threatens freedom so much as self rightous ignorance.
 
*** S&W 686 ***

Last Friday I picked this gun up and took it to the range along with my 1911. Like it, like it ALOT. Later that evening my guns were laying out on my kitchen table (I have a routine where I let the barrels soak in Hoppes overnight while still put together), It was 2 A.M., I was folding laundry and watching "late night" something or other. All of a sudden there was a loud "thud" at my door, then rapid knocking. Only having .45 ammo available, I quickly loaded a mag, inserted it into the gun, cocked it, locked it, and opened the door. Fortunately it was a drunk next door neighbor who was at the wrong apartment. But after he left, I realized that in the time it took me to get my act together, someone could of easily broken down the door and got off a shot.

I am very happy with my .357 and will always make sure to have plenty of ammo for it.

- No mags
- No safeties
- Doesn't have to be cocked
- Can be safely stored with no risk of wearing out parts while loaded
- easy to use, just point and shoot.
 
Looks like S&W revolvers just tied the 1911's for 2nd place...

--Rich

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Nothing threatens freedom so much as self rightous ignorance.
 
I go for the most reliable gun in my collection--Ruger p94 in .40cal loaded with Federal Hydrashoks. In over 2,000 rounds it's never jammed, stove piped, or otherwise misfed a single round with any kind of ammo it's been fed. It's not my first gun to pick up and go to the range with (that'd be the CZ or the Walther), but it'd be the first gun I'd grab to deter an assailant. I can count on it to shoot straight everytime I pull the trigger.

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Triggers exist to be pulled... again and again.
 
HK USP Tactical - 230 gr Hydra Shocks or Kimber Custom Classic - (same as above) whichever is loaded or closer.

jjc2
 
USP9 loaded with Pro Load 147gr JHP.

Used to have the old P239 .357 SIG ready to go, then realized I'd end up deaf if I ever had to use it! ;)

Roon
 
Colt Officer's 1911 .45ACP; 230grn Cor-bon or Kahr MK40 w/nights sights; 135grn Hydra-shock.

If I have time to make it outta bed, SKS an 20 gauge are standing at the ready.

DaHaMac
 
Ruger old army stainless steel 44....takes awhile to get those caps on, but Ive been practicing with my speed capper,,,,,fubsy.
 
Well now, I guess it's according to what room I'm in. :)
In the nightstand is a S&W 915 /night sights/ and 16 115gr. +P's.
In the kitchen is a S&W model 60 / 3" / Win 158gr LSWHP.
If I have to go outside (I live in a remote area), I have either a 12 ga. Beneli 121-M1 / Armson OEG / Federal 00 Buck OR a Olympic CAR-15 / Dot sight / 25 rnd of FN ball.

Side note for folks with short AR's. Check your ammo for excessive muzzle flash! I've shot NORINCO ball at coyote's and the flash made it impossible to see the dot in my dot sight!

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Regards, Sharps.
 
I "Carry" at home. I don't want to be sitting on the can, picking my nose when the bad guy breaks in. He could take my gun off the coffee table, and shoot me. I usually have a S&W Mdl 60 or a 38 special Ruger SP101 in a shoulder holster or in a inside the pants holster or in one of those "spando" thingys around my waist.
 
Taurus 617 (357/7-shot) with 2 inch barrel follows me everywhere on or about my person at home -- bath, throne, bed, kitchen, dinner table, study. It's loaded with 125-grain JHP. Have a few speedloaders at the ready too, but I don't anticipate using them....
 
S&W 686 w/4" bbl, Performance Center Action Job, loaded with 125gr JHPs from Georgia Arms. Or a Mod 66 w/2.5" bbl, ported and action job by Mag-na-Port, same load.

Mike
 
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