What is the best home defense gun?

[optionT]

Im looking to purchase a gun strictly for home defense. I like the glocks and have been debating between a glock 9mm vs a glock 40.

[zap]

Well Biden told you which gun you should have ! Pay attention MR. ! Double barrel shot gun he said !

[Shami-Amourae]

I'm not a gun expert but I'll throw in my 2-cents.

I think something with a laser or a light is a must.

For a laser you can line up your target quickly. When you're under attack and in a stress you won't be able to react as fast or aim as good. Every split second would count.

For a light (and I mean the super high powered kind) it would be to blind the target, which would temporarily disorient them and allow you to get a clean slot in, or scare them off.

I have several guns for home defense in different locations of the house. I think its a good idea to have them in areas of the house where you may be when there is an attacker. My Ruger LCR (http://www.ruger.com/products/lcr/specSheets/5402.html) in 38 Special + P with the Crimson Trace Lasergrips is my "primary" home defense currently, but I have various pistols and a shotgun all over the house. I have a bias in favor of revolvers since that's my favorite handgun type, even though I own semi-autos too. Pump action shotguns with a high powered light would be a good option too, but you can't maneuver it as easily, and it's harder to hide and be easy to access. Lights on shotguns tend to be very overpriced, and sometimes cost more than the damn shotgun itself, which is probably why I still haven't purchased one.

--Some lasergrips here-- (http://www.crimsontrace.com/products/type/lasergrips)

You can get Lasergrips for a large variety of guns too. Consider that and/or a high powered flashlight attachment for your home defense weapon. Lasers are probably better for less experienced gun owners and lights are probably better for more advanced gun owners.

Again I'm no expert, I'm just sharing my opinion.

[Agrippa]

Im looking to purchase a gun strictly for home defense. I like the glocks and have been debating between a glock 9mm vs a glock 40.

I had the same problem, so I purchased both: but the debate goes on. Two extra rounds vs harder hitting. If I had to shoot one inside the house without ear protection I'd choose the 9mm.

One thing that I have noted is that 9mm dried up more quickly and completely than .40 in the recent run on ammo, so it looks like .40 wins in that regard.

If you get the .40 you can buy a drop-in barrel to convert it to 9mm (or .357 Sig), but you can't go the other way 'round. Another point in favor of the .40s.

[freespirit]

...or you could get one of these...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgnwO0o2ClQ

[Hitch]

Another vote for the LCR and the Glock 27. Both excellent choices for different reasons. Also, imo, having a flashlight and practicing with it is a must. If it's in the middle of the night, when burglars are out and about, you've got to know and identify your target.

If the Judge was legal in CA, that would be another fine choice.

[EE_]

http://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Misc_Images/DocGKR/Handgun_gel_comparison.jpg

http://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm

http://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Misc_Images/DocGKR/Handgun_expanded_JHP.jpg

[freespirit]

Another vote for the LCR and the Glock 27. Both excellent choices for different reasons. Also, imo, having a flashlight and practicing with it is a must. If it's in the middle of the night, when burglars are out and about, you've got to know and identify your target.

If the Judge was legal in CA, that would be another fine choice.

i'm not so well versed in CA's regulations... why is the judge illegal in CA?

[Dogman]

I am old school when it comes to short range home defense.

Imo nothing beats a short barrel (18 1/4")(like the extra 1/4" so no debate on legality) and stock cut down so the over all length is 30" shoot gun!

The only downside is the rather large holes that may need to be patched!

The downside of handguns and rifles is penetration, shots can/will go through several walls which may not be a good thing, depending!



Ammo shortage? There is no stinking 12ga ammo shortage! ;D

Edit: Had to measure the ones I had!

Nothing and I mean nothing sounds quite like a shotgun slide being racked to get attention in a hurry!

[Hitch]

i'm not so well versed in CA's regulations... why is the judge illegal in CA?

The judge is not on the CA approved gun list. Every gun that we are allowed to buy has to be on the list. It costs gun manufactorers quite a bit of money to pass all the requirements to get on the list. From my understanding, Taurus basically gave CA the middle finger and decided not to play that game anymore. So, no Judge for us here. Unless you are LE. Cops can buy whatever they want. There's usually a section in our gun stores with all the cop only guns. We are allowed to look and drool at them.

You can search the CA list here:

http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/

[EE_]

I am old school when it comes to short range home defense.

Imo nothing beats a short barrel (18 1/4")(like the extra 1/4" so no debate on legality) and stock cut down so the over length is 30" shoot gun!

The only downside is the rather large holes that may need to be patched!

The downside of handguns and rifles is penetration, shots can/will go through several walls which may not be a good thing, depending!



Ammo shortage? There is no stinking 12ga ammo shortage! ;D

Edit: Had to measure the ones I had!

Nothing and I mean nothing sounds quite like a shotgun slide being racked to get attention in a hurry!

Sorry sir, I never bought into the racking sound game. I think when you, or a criminal are in a tense situation, sounds don't register much. Now looking down the huge bore of a shotgun, that's a different story.
I'm a big fan of the Benelli M1 Super 90

[Dogman]

Sorry sir, I never bought into the racking sound game. I think when you, or a criminal are in a tense situation, sounds don't register much. Now looking down the huge bore of a shotgun, that's a different story.
I'm a big fan of the Benelli M1 Super 90 It does depend, I have seen people freeze or take off like the hounds of hell are after them after hearing the sound of a shotgun being racked. Usually when they do not expect it, the sound does tend to get attention when everything else is quiet, like in the dead of night and that is the only sound heard.

And yes the bore is frigging huge (looks like you can drive a semi through one ) if you are on the wrong end of one!

And yes Benelli makes great ones.

[midnight rambler]

I hate to burst the bubble of you Taurus Judge fans, but it is not really suitable for combat. A modern combat handgun is a semi-auto pistol with a double stack magazine in a caliber of no less than 9mm and it should absolutely be loaded with high performance personal protection specialty rounds. Anything less is inadequate.

BTW, I was talking to this woman recently and she related to me how she pulled a pistol on her daughter's baby daddy, she did not shoot him directly, he took the pistol away from her and then proceeded to beat the living shit out of her for an extended period of time. The lesson here is when you pull a gun on someone you better be ready to shoot, you don't negotiate or otherwise have a conversation.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvSZ_HQmZgQ

[EE_]

As far as defense handguns go, I'd say get what you're comfortable with...buy what you like.
I use to shoot all the calibers back in the 80's and 90's and it got a little crazy to have different brushes for cleaning and stocking ammo's.

I liked all the pretty guns and had many. Today I see handguns as tools having simplicity and function. That's not to say I still don't appreciate a beautifully crafted firearm, I do, but for me they end up being a safe queens, to look at and maybe fire 50 rounds a year...having to be careful not to scratch them.

As time when by, I started getting conscious of the expense of shooting, being that I was shooting a lot. Since then, I thinned the herd to just 4 calibers, 9mm, .22 LR, 12 GA. and 7.62 x 39. If I were to buy anything today, it would be a .308 and I would be done.

As far as I'm concerned there are only a few handgun calibers needed for defense, factoring in price to practice, ammo availability, ballistics and recoil... they are 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP and .38/.357. With today's bullet technology, Imo, everything else is novelty. .357 SIG and 10mm are fine rounds...I just don't have a need for them.

I chose the 9mm because I wanted to shoot a lot as cheaply as possible and still have a full power round.
I believe in having high round capacity too...the last thing I want to worry about, is running out too soon in a defense situation. Living in big cities I said to myself... self, "hey, there's a lot of fucking people here!...and they run in gangs."

More bullets = better
Bonded HP bullets and +P power rounds, brought the 9mm up to a very formidable defense round

[EE_]

It does depend, I have seen people freeze or take off like the hounds of hell are after them after hearing the sound of a shotgun being racked. Usually when they do not expect it, the sound does tend to get attention when everything else is quiet, like in the dead of night and that is the only sound heard.

And yes the bore is frigging huge (looks like you can drive a semi through one ) if you are on the wrong end of one!

And yes Benelli makes great ones.

I bet you've been in a situation where you experienced "tunnel vision"...the few times I have, the whole world fades out as you focus on the immediate situation. I'm not sure I'd even hear the racking if I were in that mode?

[Hitch]

I bet you've been in a situation where you experienced "tunnel vision"...the few times I have, the whole world fades out as you focus on the immediate situation. I'm not sure I'd even hear the racking if I were in that mode?

The tunnel vision response can also apply to hearing though too. It's basically the body focuses on the sense most needed for survival. In most situations that's our vision. But in a case where there's a bad guy loose, in complete darkness, I bet we'd all hear a pin drop. Hope I never end up in that situation. My most profound tunnel vision experience I thought the guy's gun was massive, afterwards, I was shocked it was just a small pistol.

[optionT]

Grea responses and insight by all, thank you! For being my first gun and being my primary home defense gun, it looks like I am leaning towards the 9mm glock. I called a few places and everything seems to be sold out in my area.

[Horn]

Well Biden told you which gun you should have ! Pay attention MR. ! Double barrel shot gun he said !

Don't forget to saw the barrel off to 16" to get around those tight corners in your hallway.

And put your weight behind it when you pull the trigger

[Hitch]

Good choice, sorry to hear that everything is sold out. Right now is a tough time to make purchases, both guns and ammo. You might need to go the internet FFL route. I've never bought over the internet, perhaps some folks can give advise on that option.

One other thing, some gun ranges allow folks to rent guns. There's one like this in my area. This can give folks the chance to try out different guns and find what fits them best.

[freespirit]

Sorry sir, I never bought into the racking sound game. I think when you, or a criminal are in a tense situation, sounds don't register much. Now looking down the huge bore of a shotgun, that's a different story.
I'm a big fan of the Benelli M1 Super 90

if you like that benelli, you're gonna love this!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnrzoK_0JEc/UIFcvWUKe5I/AAAAAAAAE6c/N3b03oWPvAI/s1600/vlcsnap-100337.png

...didn't go thru the whole gun list, but can you modify shotguns like this in CA?
this thing is a monster!

[midnight rambler]

if you like that benelli, you're gonna love this!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnrzoK_0JEc/UIFcvWUKe5I/AAAAAAAAE6c/N3b03oWPvAI/s1600/vlcsnap-100337.png

...didn't go thru the whole gun list, but can you modify shotguns like this in CA?
this thing is a monster!

The XRail number is very impressive, but is a failure on a tactical shotgun since it just doesn't handle well. A tactical shotgun should be as light as possible without a bunch of stuff attached to it, e.g. side saddle ammo holders or bandolier shell holders.