Why a pistol for home defense?

Anemic handguns have been stopping threats for many many years. Many times with one shot. I have been known to carry my anemic hand guns and feel totally protected.
 
OldMarksman said:
A long arm may well be more effective than a handgun for defense. The issue is whether the defender can access it instantly from wherever he or she may happen to be \in the event of a sudden violent and forcible entry.

The idea of using deadly force to defend "property" is not a good one. It is unlawful in a all states but one, and is generally not a sound strategy in th one that does allow it under very limited circumstances.

The shotgun is not superior from that standpoint at household distances.

The results of that "simple experinent" tell us very little that is useful.
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The boldfaced text above is a key issue.

I actually experienced a "sudden violent and forcible entry" when someone started kicking our kitchen door down about 20-ish years ago. At the time, I happened to be awake and sitting in a chair about 20 feet from the door being kicked down.

My shotgun was in a bedroom closet at the other end of the house. I had to run to that end of the house to get to the shotgun, and then run back. By the time I got back, the door had given way.

At this point I didn't know if there was now someone in the house, because I was not able to see the door while I was running to get the shotgun. This was about 1:00 AM in a very obviously occupied home with lights on and 2 cars in the carport. Generally burglars looking for property don't break into occupied houses, so I was rightfully very fearful of our safety.

As luck would have it, it actually WAS a property crime - a smash-and-grab purse snatch of my wife's purse that had been sitting on the kitchen table, and the burglar had grabbed it and ran to his waiting getaway car and sped off.

But if it had been something else, I would would have been in a race with a bad guy behind me to get to that shotgun.

I still have that shotgun in the same closet, but ever since then, I have made sure that I will never have to take more than a few steps to be armed. It is much easier to wear a handgun on you, or have it stored nearby, than it is to carry a shotgun around.
 
I wonder if we haven't gone overboard on this "stopping power" fixation. If a particular caliber neutralizes the threat, it's good. As noted, anemic handguns have-and continue to stop threats, even in this drug using time.
For me-handgun, usually a revolver. A .357, 4 or 6 " barrel. Apartment dweller, perhaps 12 feet max.
 
Inside a home a weapon that can be used with one hand is a huge advantage. You need the other hand for other things. A handgun can be unseen, yet readily accessible. Not so much for long guns. My AR is close by but would require a few seconds more to get in my hands. A handgun is almost always within reach inside my home.

Shotguns are highly over rated, especially at closer ranges where the shot pattern has not had time to get bigger than 2-3". Might as well use a rifle with 1/6th the recoil and 6X more ammo available and every bit as effective.


. I filled up a sand bag to about 1/2 to 3/4 full and hung it on a wire and shot 7 rounds of 45 ACP into it. The sand bag might of rocked back an inch. 3 of the 7 rounds remained in the sand bag and 4 went through. So why would you trust your life to a pistol?
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When your home is invaded by sand bags this might be relevant. Any of the common handgun rounds loaded with the best available ammo will stop a human threat 85-95% of the time with a good hit. Long guns will provide more accuracy for longer ranges encountered outside the home. But offer only slightly better odds of stopping a threat.

The downsides such as having an intruder being able to grab a long gun away from you simply don't outweigh the advantages.
 
Tests show that when sandbags are a threat, 45 acp overpenetrates almost 60% of shots.:rolleyes: Doesn't sound anemic enough.

I agree with many. The advantages of handguns are many. Size, convenience, capacity, proficiency...to name a few.
 
Personally, I'd prefer choice #4 - a good dog that is alert and likes to chew on intruders.

To each their own and we are guided by our experiences in most cases. As far as pistols being "anemic" - well .. . . again that's based on personal opinion. If I could go back in time, then I'd tell those that I saw killed with a handgun that they shouldn't have died. But my experiences in working ambulance and fire rescue tell me something entirely different than what the next person may think.

Protecting property? Good luck with that one. Name one thing that you own that is worth taking a person's life over? Protecting you life or that of another when deadly force is employed against you or them, that's a whole different ball game but as much as I dislike "vermin" who want to steal from me, I don't own a thing other than y life that is worth using deadly force to keep.

If I were in open country where there were critters that could do me harm - four legged or two, I'd probably be more comfortable with a rifle that would take care of the largest critter - but that's in a situation of having to defend from an attack and if it were a bear that I walked up on in close quarters, a BIG handgun in close quarters would seem to me to be better than a rifle or shotgun where a swipe of a paw could strike the longer barrel and allow you to be finger food.

I'm really not trying to be "difficult" or "critical" - but a person can run all the tests they want, do all the planning they want and be as prepared and confident as they want - but until something like a home invasion happens in the middle of the night, nobody knows how they are going to react in the dark - or far that fact - even if it is during the day and it is light out. I know man who keep a full can of wasp spray close by "just in case".
 
Shotguns are terrible weapons for anything inside of a house. A 16" carbine is shorter and easier to use. I would chose a pistol over a shotgun and a carbine over a pistol any day for defending myself, my house and my property. Maneuverability has a lot to do with choosing a weapon for a fight inside of a building. I'm glad you have your definitive list of what weapon is perfect for what, if it works for you than go with it, but you may want to try something other than shooting a sandbag on a fixed range before you make such a definitive statement.
 
Because I can hide a pistol a lot easier than a shotgun? And as I always say: "A bullet to the head is a bullet to the head, no matter the caliber."
 
On TV I see police, FBI, etc searching a home with their handgun held way forward with locked elbows. I would not copy this technique. I might hold a flashlight out in front, but I would keep my handgun close to my body.

Am I wrong ?
 
The best self defense weapon is the one you have with you when the situation arises. I agree that a shotgun is most effective for home defense, assuming it is immediatly accesable when needed. I love my beretta 1301 with 9 rounds of buckshot but it is rarely at my side but my pistol is.
 
I hold my pistol close to my chest while moving and it only requres extending arms when ready. When I use a flashlight i do hold it close to my chin and extend wepon as needed.
 
The "pro handgun" camp has already covered a lot the points.. But I'll run them down again.

I like handguns for home defense because:

1. Handling
.. Tuck it in close for retention
.. Can easily handle with 1 hand leaving the other free for fending off a close attack, opening doors, flipping on light switches, using a phone, or shining a light.

2. Range is fairly irrelevant in my house.. if me and a BG stood at exactly the right spots I think the furthest shot would be some where around 30 feet.
In most cases The shot will probably be within 10-15 feet, I don't need a rifle to hit you at that distance, I don't even need sights.

3. Power.. again mostly irrelevant, bring a 50bmg if you want to rob my house.. my 9mm will still do plenty of damage at this range.. Im not gonna feel the least bit out gunned at 15 feet.

4. Simplicity in security, As someone pointed out having only your carry gun out means you can keep other guns locked up.. I too am to lazy to secure a long gun just cause im leaving the house.. solution? just use your carry gun assuming it's not some pocket gun it goes from Holster to bed side and back again.. no need to remember to lock it up before you leave home.

5. I shoot handguns more than anything, My primary carry gun goes with me to EVERY range trip, without fail, it ALWAYS gets some range time if I bring no other gun it's THAT gun.. Im comfortable with it, confident, I carry it every day, It's next to my bed while I sleep.. That's the gun im going to use.


So im very much in the handgun for home defense camp.. Having said that I live in a suburb, It's not the city but neighbors everywhere.. If I have to go outside say the back yard.. I'll grab a pump shotgun with #4 buck in it.
If mi dressed the handgun is still coming with me though.

If I had a lot of land Rifle would get the nod over the shotgun.

So to recap with me: Inside handgun king, Outside Shotgun king, Open land/country Rifle king.
 
Ever fire that shotgun in tight quarters, like a small house?
If you want to try it, double up your ear protection, and at least
open a window.

Try it first with that cheap, 20$ per hundred, low-brass birdshot.
Then think of what some hot-poo 00 buck would be like.
 
Why a pistol huh?

I suck with a rifle and/or shotgun.

I can do some pretty disturbing things with a handgun.
 
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