Vintage Pistol for Home Defense

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I have a 38 special S&W and a 38 special Colt that are both about 100 years old. They both function perfectly and I would have no trouble using them for HD. My Russian SKS is from the 1950's and has barely been fired; it would also do fine. I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 magnum and a Ruger Blackhawk 357 magnum that are both a little more than 50 years old. I shoot them both regularly and would trust my life to them, NP.

I happen to leave other firearms handy for HD, but as long as an old firearm is not worn, everything fits properly, and you replace the springs, I see no reason not to keep it handy for SD.
 
Not yet 50, but the pistol that I have had for just over 40 years is an Astra Constable in .380. Other guns I have inherited are older but aren't desirable as HD. These include a pre-68 Junior Colt in .25 ACP, a .32 ACP Colt that is about 95 y.o., and a Colt .38 that is ~100 y.o. The .32 isn't accurate as the barrel is worn out and the .38 is unsafe as the cylinder no longer locks up when cocked. I even shot some .38 Specials out of it, wondering why it was so inaccurate - until the gunsmith told me about the cylinder. RETIRED!
But I keep them as all were "inherited".
 
In my opinion, older, collectable firearms should be saved for shooting and enjoying once in a while and not be subjected to the rigors of being a defensive firearm.

Use a new, current manufactured firearm for self defense.

But, what ever floats your boat.

Of course, some handguns that I purchased in my youth, I do not feel they are "old". In reality, some of them are pushing 40 years old and should be afforded the retirement that they have earned.

(Side bar: I have a few Garands that are younger than I am. Geez, I'm getting old.:))
 
Not that I wouldn't trust it to function. But if you ever have to use the gun LE will take it from you and hold it until after the trial. I wouldn't want a family heirloom sitting in a police evidence room for years waiting for the trial to end. Then possible appeals.

I had a gun stolen over 5 1/2 years ago. It was recovered one month later in the possession of some guys selling drugs. They still have not gone to trial.
 
There are many fine vintage handguns that would excel at HD. I'm sure my 1917 revolvers, M1911 or 1911A1, my victory 38, colt super 38 and S&W 19 can take care of business today as well as the day they were made. The problem with these older guns is that they are just too darn VALUABLE for me to leave out of a safe (accessible) and I would prefer them to not be confiscated as evidence in the event that I actually had to use one. Plenty of modern reliable current production guns available that won't break the bank and would be replaceable if lost for any reason.
 
I choose not to use a vintage pistol in that role, as I can easily keep a more modern carry pistol handy. If a gun got fired in self defense and someone got shot it will wind up in police custody for who knows how long. I realize that a carry pistol is subject to this and accept that fact. So a carry pistol will also double as a home defense pistol. I have a 1916 P.08 German Luger that could be used for home defense but I don't like the idea of turning it in to the local police property room. Besides the fact that my carry pistols are the ones that I'm the most practiced and proficient and familiar with.

Exactly.
I have Garands, FN49's, M1 Carbines, etc., etc., etc. from when I collected military surplus rifles.
Have a Super Black hawk in 44 mag and a GP 100 in 357.
I have shot the above extensively and quite well, with the M1 carbine having been used in 3 Gun.

However, my home defense, competition and carry guns are all modern M&P's, as I shoot them A LOT and they hold anywhere from 13, to 18, to 28 rounds.
Home defense shotgun is 870 with 12 round capacity and is also my 3 Gun shotgun.

"Poo-Poo Hits The Fan" rifle is modern pistol caliber carbine with about 33 round capacity.
"Super Poo Poo Hits The Fan Rifle" is a AK-47 based PSL chambered in 7.62 x 54.
Previously, the M1 carbine with its 30 round mag served in the capacity the PCC does now.

I think too many times people are more hung up on being able to tell people they have "a really cool old gun they use" than what is actually the better choice.
 
I have used my 1920 luger as a carry/ nightstand a few times while I was moving. Only gun I could get to to. Non numbers matching shooter though. Also my 60s model 29 stainless 6" from dad. Use a p320c now because those are expensive...
 
Never use anything for self-defense you aren't willing to have the police take as evidence. Just my $0.02. The older stuff is great if you're shooting for fun or bumming around the woods.

Yup! I'd have no problem with using quite a few older guns from a practical standpoint. However, anything you use can (and here in MD, probably will) be taken by the police and may or may not come back to you in a timely manner or in the condition it left (most likely, it will not be well taken care of, and it may have police ID/case numbers etched into it). That is why most of my carry and HD guns are under $700 and none of them have any sentimental or collectors value. Those few that are more expensive, wouldn't be that hard to find to replace (once I had the money) and are used due to lack of less expensive options. So, for a vintage gun, while you aren't going to find a $200-250 police trade-in S&W M10 anymore, they are still everywhere and at somewhat reasonable prices so I could see a classic K-frame .38spl for home defense, and a Makarov is in the same boat, but with nearly any other old and potentially collectable gun I'd have to think twice.
 
as well as a French .32 over the years. If you do keep a vintage pistol or other on hand what is your preference?

I also have a French S.A.C.M. 1935A in which I reload for due to lack of ammo availability. While accurate, and reliable I do not keep it for home defense. However, I have a 1941 Mauser P-08 Luger that will feed anything including my reloads, hollow points etc. It has never jammed. I did keep that bedside prior to getting some of the higher capacity 9MM, and .45 ACP pistols that I have now. I do trust my life with it.
 
I have one pistol that I would NOT use for home defense. It's about 125 years old, belonged to my great-great-uncle, and needs a firing pin. Any of my other three dozen pistols, six dozen rifles, seven shotguns, two muskets, thirty-three swords, twelve axes and hatchets, ninety-odd knives, various blunt or heavy tools and objects, feet, fists and teeth would be used in defending my family and my home.
Age doesn't matter.
 
I have one pistol that I would NOT use for home defense. It's about 125 years old, belonged to my great-great-uncle, and needs a firing pin. Any of my other three dozen pistols, six dozen rifles, seven shotguns, two muskets, thirty-three swords, twelve axes and hatchets, ninety-odd knives, various blunt or heavy tools and objects, feet, fists and teeth would be used in defending my family and my home.
Age doesn't matter.

This 100 percent
 
Andrewdl007 asked:
...does anyone here use a vintage pistol (say over 50 years old) for home defense?

I'm not sure how old my Rohm RG-25 is, but I've had it for about 40 years.

And the 1911 I inherited from my grandfather was built during World War II.
 
the oldest I have is a cz 82 9 mak. works well and keeps on ticking. that's 36 years of service.
 
I'd have no problem trusting my 100 year old 1917 Army Smith to the job, but sentimental value is too high. I was gonna say I use a more modern pistol but then realized my Sig P220 that resides in my nightstand is pushing 40 years old.
The shotguns I have available for HD are a M12 faux trench replica and a Ithaca Deerslayer that are both 50+ years old I do have a couple newer shotguns available but their designs predate 1900 a rabbit eared coach gun and a 1897 Chinchester.
 
What does the age of a gun have to do with it's effectiveness? Whether it's 100 years old or only a few months, if it's in good operating condition you're good to go.
I think it has more to do with the value of the gun than anything else. If you use a firearm in self-defense, the police will take it. And in many jurisdictions you won't get it back, no matter how justified the shooting was.
 
As with others sentiments, nothing sentimental. My home and carry guns are the replaceable modern ones.
 
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