Posted on 01/04/2018 5:56:34 AM PST by w1n1
Guns are tools, and having the right tool for every task is ideal. Which is why most gun instructors will tell you that picking a home defense handgun may be different than having a concealed carry gun. Yes, there are some pistols that can be used for both roles, but some of these guns were designed small for concealment vs a full size 1911 .45.
Which brings us back to the original statement, if you’re going to choose a handgun for home defense, here are a few things you should look for.
Home Defense
Most home defense handgun size does not matter because you’re not going to carry it conceal. These home defense pistols will probably sitting on your nightstand or in the drawer next to your bed. So yes, by all means have those full frame cannons. (1911, .357, 44 magnum, etc..)
CCW
Now for the conceal, EDC carrier thats out and about. This is where the smaller pistols like the M&P Shield, Glock 26, Ruger LCP and snub nose revolvers come in.
These small pistols were made with the concealment and comfort in mind.
Most of these smaller pistols go perfectly with or without a jacket wear. Read and see the rest of the concealed carry guns video here.
this is not necessarily true. A lot of people who buy a gun for home defense go to the range to test it out once (if at all) then put in their bedroom and never fire it again. They also have little experience with firearms. For these people, especially women and smaller men, a cannon like a 44 magnum or 357 magnum is probably a poor choice. They probably can't hit the broad side of a barn with it and could easily end up bashing their own skull with it due to recoil if they don't know how to hold it right. For them a 38 revolver or a 9 mm MAY be the better choice.
What a ridiculous article !
In many ways!
Concealed carry are assumed to be subcompacts ? A larger frame is great for home defense ? Are bigger people breaking into your home than meeting you in the alleys ?
Everything about this is wrong. It seems they needed to submit an article before the deadline.
Not to mention whats on the other side of the wall you hit after missing the target.
A discussion for the ages, right here. Like being in the gun store when a new shooter walks in.
Everychoice could be wrong, every choice could be great. That’s why guns are relatively cheap and small. And you aren’t told you can own one or a few. Well, in some places you are but those aren’t America.
I digress. Shooters are exactly as unique as the firearm offerings out there.
Many of these “shoot once and store away” people are buying the wrong gun.. and they are buying the wrong gun exactly because of articles like these. My wife has “The right guns” but never carries because of the “Wrong carry”. Literally, more permutations than answers here.
A large well compensated 357 revolver will have less recoil than a small concealed carry 9mm like the LC9.
And for indoors shooting a 45 subsonic might be easier on the ears, especially out of a revolver like the Judge.
Sadly the nonsense of making silencers illegal precludes any other form of self protection
Pistols are a waste for home defense.
Go directly to a long gun or shotgun for your home defense needs.
If you are well trained and proficient, an AR or some such is a good choice, if you are not a shot gun is a good choice
Springfield XDS in .45 for daily concealed carry. XD in .45 for around the house. Frangible ammo in the house gun, Liberty Defense ammo in the street gun.
L
Small, easy to wield, aim, shoot, and overpenetration risks are minimized.
In my house, that could be anything from a S&W Ladysmith .357 magnum revolver or a Bond Arms Snake-Slayer, to a pump-action 12 gauge shotgun, depending upon which room I am in.
Sometimes I even open-carry my FNX .45ACP in my house - for no other reason than the fact that I like my FNX .45ACP.
Well, I was referring to his comment on purely home defense guns and was referring to a full sized 9mm like a Glock 17 or even 19 (which I don't think is all that "compact") Yes, you are correct, for pure home defense an ultra sub compact anything is a poor choice.
My carry weapons are larger than most people use.
Sig P220 Carry SAO (.45)
Sig P320RX (9mm) Full Size
So, Yes, both are great for both applications, without concerns for over penetration through multiple walls.
The article assumes you only have one gun. Why not have a shotgun, a full frame, a rifle, a small frame......
I agree! To me hands, my [uncompensated] 4" barreled S&W Highway Patrolman .357 magnum has about the same felt recoil as my Ruger LCP. And it is much more comfortable to hold in the hand than the LCP.
Nice guns, sir.
Well, there is a lot of debate about that among the experts. I tend to agree with your line of thinking and believe that a short barrel shotgun is the best, but there are many that believe a handgun is much more maneuverable, especially in tight places like hallways and doorways and this makes them better. I believe one should go with whatever they feel more comfortable with. They should spend some time at the range and determine what works best for them. The worst option is to buy a firearm, put it in a drawer with out testing it, and think you will be able to use it effectively when the time comes, if it ever does.
Thanks!
Must say, I replaced the trigger in the P320, as it was way too stiff for my taste.
The reason is this - you should train with your firearms regularly. If a firearm beats you up and is no fun to shoot, human nature being what it is you are going to find excuses not to shoot it. Generally speaking, the bigger the caliber, the higher the cost per round. You need to be able to afford regular range time with all your defensive weapons. Operating them should be second nature.
I generally carry a Glock G19 as my CC weapon. 9mm is relatively reasonably priced, offers decent stopping power, decent capacity in a concealable (for me) package. On my side of the bed is a Mossberg 12 ga pump loaded with slugs and #1 buck, and a full size 1911 loaded with JHP.
I train the most with the 9mm because that's the one I need the most work with. At home I would grab the 12 ga first and bring along the 1911 as a back-up weapon. When I practice with the 12 ga I absolutely love it. Bird shot is relatively cheap for putting shells through the weapon to practice basic operation. The slugs make satisfyingly large holes in the targets... Contrary to popular belief, I've never thought the 12 ga had that much recoil. Even with high-brass slugs, it's more of a shove than a kick.
Heck, now I want to go back to the range. I was there last weekend for a "pistol day" with my 9mm and a 38 revolver. Now I want to go back for a shotgun day... Maybe this weekend...
My son and daughter went shooting on Saturday - shotguns, AR’s and pistols. My wife exclaimed “What will I do if a robber tries to break in!!??”
“Um - there is still the shotgun behind the couch in the den.”
My son got my wife lessons and $200 towards a pistol of her choice for Christmas - so she won’t need to worry about weapons once she decides.
My son thinks some semi-autos would be okay for her. She’s not the strongest - I’m thinking a .38, and freepers have mentioned a larger .357 so she can carry .357, but practice primarily with .38.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.