Which handgun for home defense?

Which handgun for home defense?

  • .45 FNX-45 Tactical

    Votes: 46 30.1%

  • 9mm Beretta 92FS

    Votes: 54 35.3%

  • 10mm Glock G20

    Votes: 13 8.5%

  • .357/ .38 Model M&P R8

    Votes: 40 26.1%
  • Total voters
    153
  • Poll closed .
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No?

What about answering the door? Hard to conceal that carbine or shotgun.

Manuevering through tight hallways and doorways? Avoiding having the gun grabbed and taken away from you? Back-up gun to that shotgun/carbine?

That's 4 reasons, not zero. Here's another -- pistols take less storage space. That might not be important to most people, but I'm sure it's important to some.
Click to expand...

A typical 30inch carbine has practically the same distance from chest to muzzle as a pistol drawn out in an aiming position. Maneuverability is no issue.

If you're answering a door with a gun you're preforming home defense incorrectly.
 
I shoot revolvers better than I do semi-autos (probably because I simply like and shoot them more) so I voted for the S&W M&P R8. As a matter of fact, I've given serious consideration to that very revolver or the very similar 327 TRR8 as a bedside gun due to the capability of both to mount a light.

I'm quite fond of the .357 Magnum as a defensive cartridge and I think that many of its supposed disadvantages are overstated and/or easily avoided with careful selection of ammunition. Many decry the flash and blast of the cartridge but I find it, subjectively at least, to be much more tolerable when one selects the heavier 140-158gr bullets. I certainly find them to be no worse than a 9mm +P/+P+, .357 Sig, or .40 S&W using 165 gr or lighter bullets (not surprising since all of those typically run at similar or higher velocities than the .357 Magnum loadings I prefer).

Also, many fear overpenetration but again by selecting a bullet which expands aggressively (I particularly like the scalloped-jacket hollowpoints used by Remington in their High Terminal Performance line) that risk can be greatly mitigated. Also, what many people fail to understand is that with an expanding bullet, all else held equal, increasing velocity usually decreases penetration because it increases expansion and/or fragmentation

The limited capacity of the revolver is of little concern to me in a home defense gun because the handgun is only to be used as an up-close and personal "get the hell off me" gun. If I'm barricaded in my bedroom trying to hold off multiple attackers until the cavalry can arrive, the handgun will be set aside while I reach for the shotgun or rifle.

Finally, for me anyway, the cost of the revolver in question, while certainly substantial, is not problematic. I am fortunate enough to be at a place in my life where I can afford not only this gun, but another one to replace it should I have to. While I don't think one necessarily has to spend a lot of money to be adequately protected, if the attributes of this particular gun serve me better in defending my life and/or that of my loved ones then I think it's money well-spent. I'm also a little bit puzzled at the notion that this gun is ungodly expensive. In my area, the M&P R8 generally retails NIB for $1100-1150. While that's certainly not cheap, the black rifle crowd often spend just as much if not more on an AR-15 or certain types of AK derivative and nobody seems to bat an eye about it. If anything, the increased level of complexity and required hand-fitting of a revolver should better justify its price tag. Supply and demand I suppose.
 
there has been many documented home invasions with up to 3 people. I don't think you can give a revolver a blanket statement of having enough ammo for whatever may come. I think everyone should be prepared for at least 4 intruders at their home, although unlikely, it does happen. I think 8 rounds would be an absolute minimum, but better off with at least 10-12. for the streets, I think any 5 shot revolver would almost always be enough. but you do not know what people are planning when doing a home invasion, they could be staking your house and getting a crew and a u-haul together, the more the merrier in that situation so they can be out fast. that's just me, and that's how I see it, and that's what makes me feel comfortable....a full-size hi-cap(12-15) rounds. will I need it, probably won even need one round, but that mindset keeps me comfortable. the caliber is less important, just so long as I can spray and pray if I have to
 
I too voted for the FNX 45, with 15+1 on tap and a nice light on it it should be good to go. Second would be the 357 loaded with 38spls and a nice light.
 
What more could you want other than screwing on a suppressor to protect your hearing. :)

FNX-45-Tactical-SureFire-X400-Ultra-and-Leupold-Deltapoint-618x412.jpg
 
Some interesting statistics on defense scenarios,
http://thinkinggunfighter.blogspot.com/2012/03/self-defense-findings.html

These are averages, and obviously there can be unusual situations far out of the norm, but:

* Private citizens reload in approximately 0.5% of shooting incidents.
* Overall, shots were fired by the defender in 72% of incidents. The average and median number of shots fired was 2. When more than 2 shots were fired, it generally appeared that the defender’s initial response was to fire until empty.
* Handguns were used in 78% of incidents while long guns were used in 13%; in the balance the type of firearm was not reported. The most common size of handgun was the .35 caliber family (.38, .357, 9mm) at 61%, with most .38s apparently being of the 5 shot variety. Mouseguns (.380s and below) were at 23%, and .40 caliber and up at 15%.
* Multiple conspirators were involved in 36% of the incidents. However, there are no apparent cases of drivers or lookouts acting as reinforcements for the criminal actor(s) once shooting starts. Immediate flight is the most common response for drivers and lookouts at the sound of gunfire.
* The shooting distance in the vast majority of cases was slightly in excess of arm's length. At this distances, even .22s and .25s are highly immediately lethal.
* A revolver, even J-frame, is perfectly capable of dealing with almost all of the incidents. The ones which were beyond the capabilities of a five shot revolver would be best deal with by a shotgun, anyway.
* For those who do not practice, a revolver is far preferable to the autoloader because of the revolver's simpler manual of arms. Eighty per cent of gunshot wounds are self-inflicted. Guns are handled many times more than they are shot and so safe gunhandling qualities are much more important characteristics than its ability to be shot accurately and reloaded quickly. Revolvers are much less likely than autoloaders to AD in the hands of novices.
 
If there is zero reason to own a handgun for home defense, and if maneuverability is no issue, then why do ALL the police have handguns?

I'm sure you consider your opinions valid, and for you, they could well be, but the rest of the world thinks somewhat differently.
 
Interesting statistics, thank you. My brother and his wife were held hostage by two armed thugs, so I like to be prepared for 3 as worse case. I think if I was able to shoot at even 50% of my ability, I should be able to handle 3 guys with 9 shots. So for me to be comfortable, revolvers are out as a first line home defense gun. I do carry a revolver for cc though, because I feel you have a greater opportunity to leave the situation after dealing with one or possibly two aggressors
 
For me, none of the above mentioned in the poll.

I like fancy guns as much as anyone, but here in NJ (and probably most places), if you have to use it for home defense you're gonna lose it to the police. So I switched to the least expensive, reliable, easily replaceable gun I have. Plain 'ol G19.
 
I'll argue one point. That even the .22 & .25 auto are lethal at close range.
I've seen my share of dead people killed with the .22 & .25. I've also seen TWO men shot right through the heart at bad breath distance that didn't even know they'd been shot for a bit.
Saw one .25 auto bullet hit a girl in the blue jeans pants rivet at the pocket.
Bullet pushed rivet into her underwear, didn't penetrate the skin.
Saw a guy shot in the knee cap with a .25 auto and he limped to the E.R.
I'll keep my handguns because they are handy.:D
At defense ranges, between 3 & 6 feet most anyone that practices some can easily inflict deadly wounds on a gobblin pretty quickly with a handgun.
My bedstand pistol is an H&K USP .45 auto & next to that is an AR & 12 ga. pump.
I live alone in the country, no close nieghbors, am partially crippled and DO answer the door with a handgun (out of sight of course).
Around here if gobblins know you keep guns they will kill you & take the guns.
THEY knock on the door WITH a gun.
 
My home defense hand gun.

RIA 1911 TCM Commander.
Low recoil, 18 shots, blinds the attacker, 2000 ft./ second more devastating than the 45 any ammo. if you miss, the blast will knock him down.
 
The Beretta, and not from just those choices. The 92FS with 18 rounds of 124-grain +P Gold Dots is my nightstand gun.
 
92FS hands down for me, great gun, easy to hit your target, super reliable. I actually keep its slightly shorter sister the 9mm Cougar in my drawer.
 
Well, as stated, I depend on my Vertec but as of last Friday, I landed a stainless Italian model 92FS....so nothing beats two Berettas......;)
 
I picked the Glock, as I don't really like DA/SA and the FNX .45 is a bit big in my hands.

That said, all 4 are perfectly great firearms for the stated purpose.
 
Glock in 10mm would be nice, or you could even get a 9mm Dillon barrel for it and enjoy a 124 grain projectile moving at 1700FPS from a pistol barrel. Might come in handy if the BG happens to be wearing armor or some sort of ballistic vest. It's really not hard to get your hands on a cheap ballistic vest that'll stop projectiles from most common auto pistol cartridges.
 
home defense

I have to vote for 357/38 spec. I sold my semi's for 3 reasons.
1- Sometimes they jam and I don't care who you are or what you got. It's going to happen.
2- Older I get, the harder to lock and load.
3- Hard of hearing in one ear. No biggi.
 
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