Independent George
New member
Well dang. Everything I wanted to say has already been said.
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Why a pistol for home defense?
- Thread starter U.S.SFC_RET
- Start date
OldMarksman
Staff
That would not be a sound basis for decision making.Anemic handguns have been stopping threats for many many years. Many times with one shot.
How one "feels" may be objectively supportable--or it may be due to ignorance and naivete.I have been known to carry my anemic hand guns and feel totally protected.
It's my opinion the defense of your home starts with securing your house. In my case my 3 inside dogs, let me know whenever people are outside the house far before the bad guy would start any type of entry.
Second, my bedroom doors are steel and secured at night, no one would know because they match the wood doors but no one can get through one. Plus I have a steel entry door to the hallway going to my bedrooms that is secure.
Third, I have a small opening that I can see down the hallway and if needed I can use a gun through.
I have a camera set up in all rooms that I can use from the bedroom.
So as it ends up I can use any gun I wish because I'm in control. "If the bad guy can't get to you, you have time to do what you need to do".
I know doing all this isn't fashionable in a gun forum because the gun isn't the main discussion but this can keep your family safe. Of course my guns are a important part of our security.
Second, my bedroom doors are steel and secured at night, no one would know because they match the wood doors but no one can get through one. Plus I have a steel entry door to the hallway going to my bedrooms that is secure.
Third, I have a small opening that I can see down the hallway and if needed I can use a gun through.
I have a camera set up in all rooms that I can use from the bedroom.
So as it ends up I can use any gun I wish because I'm in control. "If the bad guy can't get to you, you have time to do what you need to do".
I know doing all this isn't fashionable in a gun forum because the gun isn't the main discussion but this can keep your family safe. Of course my guns are a important part of our security.
I set up my Mossberg 500 to be as short as possible and still have a buttstock...18" barrel and Hogue 12" LOP stock.
It is very short to store, and to handle. It is loaded with #1 buck low recoil loads. That is what I want in hand if something is going down.
However, a G17 is most likely to be instantly available.
It is very short to store, and to handle. It is loaded with #1 buck low recoil loads. That is what I want in hand if something is going down.
However, a G17 is most likely to be instantly available.
It's my opinion the defense of your home starts with securing your house.
Definitely. I've got outside cameras covering all windows/doors and a security system that will go off if any window/door is broken/opened. I have seen criminals simply walk away from a house just because they noticed the sec camera and my alarm is so loud it would wake my neighborhood.
Don Fischer
New member
Because it's faster to deploy. Smaller and more maneuverable. I can use it with one hand. It has a laser on it so I don't even have to line up the sights. Mag change is fast. And if those first 31 rounds of rapid fire shock and awe don't get their attention, I can pick up the AR.
Di toe!
A handgun is sufficient to put someone out of their misery after my two large dogs are finished with them. (True, but facetious.)
My 12-gauge pump or coach gun, carbine, high power rifles, etc. are doubtless more effective than a handgun. But they are more awkward to handle in a crowded house, hard to stash in a hidden but handy location, and would be a nuisance to lock up and take back out on a daily basis.
My 12-gauge pump or coach gun, carbine, high power rifles, etc. are doubtless more effective than a handgun. But they are more awkward to handle in a crowded house, hard to stash in a hidden but handy location, and would be a nuisance to lock up and take back out on a daily basis.
For a lot of people, believing that "xxxx type of firearm" is best for home defense is like believing that a seat-belt on a motorcycle is a good idea. Once they "feel" it is better, there is nothing that will deter their ignorance.
There is no doubt that the shotgun is becoming less and less of a staple for the HD firearm choice and it has a lot of factors, many cloaked in ignorance (on both sides). IMHO, I'd rather someone has a handgun that they are well trained and proficient with than a shotgun sitting in the corner they never take to the range. Lack of training is the biggest threat to the average gun owner if it ever comes about that they need to use their firearm of choice in self defense.
The ONLY two ways a person in the Denver Metro area can regularly train with a shotgun is to 1. Join one of about 5 private ranges, 1-2 hours drive, set up stages and practice. (To date, I have NEVER seen anyone do this except LE) or 2. Shoot 3-Gun matches. The opportunity to practice regularly with a handgun or rifle is monumentally greater for the average person. There are at least 20 public ranges in the metro area where a person can go on the way home from work and get in a practice session. Some ranges also have simulators and Defense based scenarios and matches you can shoot (all SG unwelcome).
So, I really don't care what someone chooses as long as they practice and train with it on a regular basis. If you don't practice and train regularly, you are not really taking it seriously and it is just an academic discussion, so to me, your opinion is irrelevant.
There is no doubt that the shotgun is becoming less and less of a staple for the HD firearm choice and it has a lot of factors, many cloaked in ignorance (on both sides). IMHO, I'd rather someone has a handgun that they are well trained and proficient with than a shotgun sitting in the corner they never take to the range. Lack of training is the biggest threat to the average gun owner if it ever comes about that they need to use their firearm of choice in self defense.
The ONLY two ways a person in the Denver Metro area can regularly train with a shotgun is to 1. Join one of about 5 private ranges, 1-2 hours drive, set up stages and practice. (To date, I have NEVER seen anyone do this except LE) or 2. Shoot 3-Gun matches. The opportunity to practice regularly with a handgun or rifle is monumentally greater for the average person. There are at least 20 public ranges in the metro area where a person can go on the way home from work and get in a practice session. Some ranges also have simulators and Defense based scenarios and matches you can shoot (all SG unwelcome).
So, I really don't care what someone chooses as long as they practice and train with it on a regular basis. If you don't practice and train regularly, you are not really taking it seriously and it is just an academic discussion, so to me, your opinion is irrelevant.
U.S.SFC_RET wrote:
Why would you use a pistol for home defense?
In a home defense scenario, the threat will appear at short distance with little to no warning. This makes how quickly the gun can be accessed and how quickly it can be employed at short distances around obstructions paramount considerations.
Also, in several states it is a crime to store a gun in such a way that a child can access it - even if children are not regularly in the house - so the pistol in the biometric lockbox on the nightstand is legal while the AR-15 or Mossburg-500 lying under the bed makes the owner a criminal.
My dad always had a shotgun for home defense but only seen it loaded twice during the MLK riots and Police / Fire Dept strike. Us kids were told not to touch it and we didn't.
I live in a small 1 bedroom apt and handguns are easier to store and conceal , I keep my S&W .357 loaded or my EDC 9mm Shield, Dads old 12ga pump is put away in the closet.
I live in a small 1 bedroom apt and handguns are easier to store and conceal , I keep my S&W .357 loaded or my EDC 9mm Shield, Dads old 12ga pump is put away in the closet.
zincwarrior
New member
Indeed. We have shotguns in case of natural disaster. In contrast, I am almost always carrying a pistol.My dad always had a shotgun for home defense but only seen it loaded twice during the MLK riots and Police / Fire Dept strike. Us kids were told not to touch it and we didn't.
I live in a small 1 bedroom apt and handguns are easier to store and conceal , I keep my S&W .357 loaded or my EDC 9mm Shield, Dads old 12ga pump is put away in the closet.
Lets see, I have a few reasons.
#1. A pistol is always on me, unless I'm sleeping then its 2 feet away
#2a. If its a daytime invasion (or whatever) I'm looking to bail anyway, and my pistol can get my family out the door. Cops can deal with the rest.
#2b. If it is night time then I need an extra arm, as I would be focused on retrieving my son from his room and I can't do that with a long arm.
#3. I'd prefer to avoid disorientation from the light and sound of a shotgun or carbine in an enclosed space, pistol will be rough enough, but my longest shot in my house is... 10 yards max and I can point shoot that all day under a timer.
#4. If I really need something more there's an AK ready to rock in the safe, so my pistol just has to get me there.
That's not mentioning that nearly every instance I've seen/read with active defense had the bad guys running as soon as they come under fire anyhow.
But mostly, #1, my pistol is always on me and always ready.
#1. A pistol is always on me, unless I'm sleeping then its 2 feet away
#2a. If its a daytime invasion (or whatever) I'm looking to bail anyway, and my pistol can get my family out the door. Cops can deal with the rest.
#2b. If it is night time then I need an extra arm, as I would be focused on retrieving my son from his room and I can't do that with a long arm.
#3. I'd prefer to avoid disorientation from the light and sound of a shotgun or carbine in an enclosed space, pistol will be rough enough, but my longest shot in my house is... 10 yards max and I can point shoot that all day under a timer.
#4. If I really need something more there's an AK ready to rock in the safe, so my pistol just has to get me there.
That's not mentioning that nearly every instance I've seen/read with active defense had the bad guys running as soon as they come under fire anyhow.
But mostly, #1, my pistol is always on me and always ready.
#2b. If it is night time then I need an extra arm, as I would be focused on retrieving my son from his room and I can't do that with a long arm.
Great reason right there. That extra hand is the biggest plus to a handgun given a direct comparison to a long gun, even more so as compared to a pump gun.
Because when I leave the house, I want all firearms, except for the one I carry, to be locked up in case of a break in while I'm not at home. I'm not disciplined enough to lock the shotgun/rifle in the safe "every time" I leave, and my handgun goes with me everywhere.
+1 living rural I believe a home invasion a lower priority to walking in on a B&E and I don't want to run the risk of being shot with a SD long gun left out of the safe.
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Super Blackhawk
New member
First gun I would go to in a home defense emergency would be the one that I have placed strategically in the house... starting with my Mossberg M590A1
Although sound of my backup home defense firearms give me sense of comfort....
Beretta M9, Sig P320 40S&W and Ruger Super Black Hawk.
Although sound of my backup home defense firearms give me sense of comfort....
Beretta M9, Sig P320 40S&W and Ruger Super Black Hawk.
jackstrawIII
New member
Why I choose a pistol for HD
1. Ease of access
2. Maneuverability
3. Usability for my wife
4. Lack of penetration
5. The option for single handed operation
1. Ease of access
2. Maneuverability
3. Usability for my wife
4. Lack of penetration
5. The option for single handed operation
I have a quick access safe and a pistol with a light that fits nicely where I can get to it. I'm not running to another room to open my safe for a shotgun, most likely.
Also, I can more easily do things with my off hand, if I have a pistol vs a long-gun.
I will readily agree on the terminal ballistics inferiority of the pistol, but no choice is without consequences.
Also, I can more easily do things with my off hand, if I have a pistol vs a long-gun.
I will readily agree on the terminal ballistics inferiority of the pistol, but no choice is without consequences.