Best handgun for self defense and home invasion

[RustyShackelford]

Smart911.com ....

I'd stick with your simple "point & shoot" J frame.
Most lethal force events including home invasions go by what I call; the 3x3x3 rule. 3 rounds fired in approx 3 sec at a range of approx 3 feet.
Your S&W snub 5 shot will do well. Just keep it clean & practice as often as you can. Load it with a high quality, law enforcement type load; 158gr lead SWC-HP, Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P, Corbon DPX, MagSafe SWAT.

I'd add that you may want to see if your area/LE agency uses the www.smart911.com system. That may help you deal with a house breaker or thug. Smart911.com lets you or your family have detailed information available to the LE dispatcher so the patrol officers/deputies can respond quickly.
BTW; the firm does not sell or comply your personal information & you must update your records every 6mo or it's cut.
If your community doesn't use it ask your local sheriff or mayor/executive.

Rusty
PS; don't be scared by the TV news. Violent crime is down in most areas but to pack a small firearm for defense is a good idea. Stay safe.

 

[AK103K]

Most lethal force events including home invasions go by what I call; the 3x3x3 rule. 3 rounds fired in approx 3 sec at a range of approx 3 feet.
Your S&W snub 5 shot will do well.

A simple way to prove this out would be to get three or four buddies together with some air soft guns, and give it a try. You get five rounds in your gun and start from your favorite spot in front of the TV. If youre not always wearing your gun, then put it where you normally keep it. Game starts as they come in the door screaming.

You should come away with a real good idea of what you can expect in a more real world fashion.

 

[HexHead]

I keep a Colt DS in the top drawer of my nightstand as first line of defense. I have an HK 45 with Streamlight in the bottom drawer should I need to investigate a noise outside the bedroom.

 

[j1]

Gentlemen I thank one and all for taking the time to try to help me. Several offered choices I had not thought of. I have been reading this site for a long time and think that most members really try to help each other.

I do not like the idea of speedloaders for such a stressful situation but more than one firearm seems O K to me. Old saying is two heads are better than one. Thanks for the idea.

 

[sgt127]

You are a revolver guy, very good. I am too. But, more ammo may be a good thing in certain situations. And , there is always a good excuse to buy another gun.

With that said, go look into a Sig P226 DAK 9mm.

The DAK trigger is the same for every shot. A very smooth, consistent and light DA trigger. No safeties, no decocker, nothing. It acts just like a flat high capacity revolver with a superb trigger.

 

[weblance]

I like revolvers also, and have a bunch of them. If you are comfortable with them, great. I like the idea of several revolvers. BUT... I also like autoloaders, and my house gun is an FNX-45. I feel very comforted knowing I have 16 rounds of .45acp in my hand.

There are several comments in this thread that say a home invasion is far fetched. All you have to do is read the newspaper, and you will soon see that its not far fetched at all. The world is different today than it was 40 years ago. Good for you, to be aware of the threat, and for being prepared.

 

[Pointshoot]

j1 - - - can you give us a hint of what option you're leaning toward ?

Of course, each individual decides depending on their personal needs & circumstances.

Regards, - - -

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I keep several Ruger P-95's placed around the house plus pump shotgun behind the bedroom door---live in good area and have never been broken into.

As far as taking on multiple attackers--you need to catch them at choke point where it is at their peril to proceed

 

[Kleanbore]

First Things First

They only really useful firearm is the one you can access when the invaders are first upon you.

If they have tried the front door, assumed that no one is home, and kicked in the back door, you need to be able to get to your firearm before it is too late.

That has been the most common modus operandi in our area, and there have rarely been fewer than two criminal actors involved.

If they come in through the front--same thing. You need to be able to get to your firearm before it is too late.

In most cases they have come for valuables; in some, they have stumbled upon occupants. In rare cases that have wanted an occupant they can take to an ATM.

The likelihood is remote, but the potential consequences are severe.

Do not rely upon the widely held assumption that you will be in your bedroom, or that you will be able to get to your bedroom, in the rare event that your home is entered while you are in it.

Evaluate your floor plan and consider where you spend your time. I did that several years ago, and I came to the conclusion, which was very surprising to me at the time, that only way to mitigate the risk is to keep a firearm with me. It is really not inconvenient at all. I carry outdoors, why not indoors?

That is Step Two.

The first thing to do is to make your house less attractive to invaders. Strong doors, doors and windows not hidden from the view of neighbors, exterior lighting, thorn bushes..... And for heaven's sake, keep your doors locked.

What kind of firearm? That is really of tertiary concern.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Carry on your person. It'll save the extra seconds trying to reach your gun. Depending on your State, shoot toward the door as soon as anyone starts trying to force their way into the house. If they keep on kicking or trying to force their way in, shoot through the door 'cause whoever is trying to break in is out to hurt or kill you - PERIOD.

With that said, my rule nowadays is to carry a gun that allows you the most capacity on your person all the time. A 5 shot revolver my or may not be enough. It is always a roll of the dice. I have 16 rounds of 9mm on my hip most of the time I am at home. Even that may not be enough if the people kicking through the door are the former homeowners the HOA just evicted for not paying their assessments.

Out and about, I have 23 rounds of 9mm available to me. At the office, I have 5 whopping rounds of 22LR or 7 rounds of .380, depending on how I am dressed.

 

[gym]

Any dedicated handgun for home defense should be a high capacity gun with 15 or more rounds of at least 9mm. there is no reason not to have this as your home defense gun, as you have no idea who or how many people you will be facing, or how long you may be hold up, until help arrives.
Running out of ammo is really not something you want to do if you can avoid it. The same goes for carrying, you should carry the largest caliber with the most amount of cartriges you can comfortably handle. If that is a 380, with 7 rounds, or a ca with 19, that's up to you.

 

[skoro]

I welcome any advice.

Hang on to that Model 60 and get a couple of speedloaders stoked with good ammo within easy reach. Keep a powerful flashlight handy. If you still feel undergunned, maybe get a second revolver with an additional speedloader. Unless your home is attacked by a horde of rabid, drug-crazed NFL linemen, you'll be well prepared.

 

[BSA1]

My first question is why are you concerned about a home invasion?

Is this a sudden fear based on you hearing about it on the news, it happening to a friend, neighbor or relative or a rise in your community?

No offense, but the scenario you're proposing is pretty far fetched and rare.

Nationwide this is very true. Home Invasions has traditionally been low in America because of so many homeowners with firearms makes in a high risk crime. In my part of the country most “home invasions” are over drugs. If you are a drug user pay your drug dealer. If you are a drug dealer well, I have no advice.

Your best bet is layered defense. Deter criminals before they set their sights on your belongings. Get a good dog, a security system, and harden your entry points.

Absolutely. A firearm is your LAST line of defense. Start at the curb and work towards your house. Mow the grass, trim the bushes and trees, put up a fence. Harden your entry doors. Install a locking storm door and a steel entry door with long deadbolt locks. I keep my front storm door locked It isn’t all that hard to defeat but they will make a lot of noise in doing so. Then they have to defeat the locked steel door.

Multiple people in a break in is not uncommon, in fact its becoming more prevalent as criminals know that there is strength in numbers.

Must be regional problem. FBI stats says otherwise;

http://www.homeinvasionnews.com/home-invasion-statistics-and-definitions-from-the-fbi/

There is no magic gun or bullet, there is nothing wrong with a .38 Special revolver, even a 5 shot if you are able to place the shots accurately…..I some how doubt that more than 6 bad guys are going to storm into my house. In every police report I have read, after the first guy goes down the rest are running for their lives.

There is a lot to be said staying with what you know best. For me I use the gun I have used for 15 years, a big bore revolver. I have shot in CAS and CMSA for many years so the Ruger Vaquero is a natural for me. I keep it loaded with six rounds of Federal LSWCHP’s. Six rounds of 45 Colt make big holes and are easy to control when moving a 850 – 900 fps. My wife keeps a Police Positive 38 Special loaded with Hornady Critical Defense handy. Then we add a couple of shotguns and rifle to the mix.

Or just do as Kleanbore does and carry all the time.

 

[gym]

We had 1 here this month, "my development". An I experienced 1 in my own home that I explained several times in 1979, in NYC. You don't think it can happen to you until it does.

 

[ugaarguy]

The odds of a home invasion are low. The odds of needing to use a handgun in self defense outside the home are low. But, as someone here on THR once said, "It's not the odds, it's the stakes." So, considering what's at stake, j1 has a valid question. The recommendations of hardening the home are well advised, but best left for THR's Strategies, Tactics, and Training forum.

Since this is the Handguns: General Discussion forum, I'll go back to j1's question on recommended handguns.

I have been looking and think that a Sig in 9 mm ought to be a good choice. Most Sigs have hi capacity magazines.

SIG is one of many excellent choices. As noted above if you go with a SIG I'd get the DAK trigger in whichever model you choose. I prefer the light double action only pull of the DAK trigger over the DA first shot to SA subsequent shots transition of the DA/SA trigger. Outside of SIG every other major brand offers medium to full service size pistols in 9mm with 15+ round magazines. If you have a range local to you that rents handguns the investment of an afternoon and a few dollars to see what you shoot best and are most comfortable with is well worth it. If that's not an option, I'd still hit the local gun shops and handle as many 9mm semi-auto pistols as you can. There's bound to be something that fits you well, and that you're comfortable with the controls on.

 

[Hunter2011]

My opinion for what it is worth...
I live in South Africa. Here the norm are violent house break-ins daily. And they come with a lot of firepower in most of the cases. How does 4 armed men or more, all armed with fully automatic AK47's sound to you? https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=673767455994127&id=252832871420923 How can anyone think they are well armed with a snubby? Well, you can make it work...
They don't stick around after a gunfight starts. They also don't expect you to even have a gun on you. If you have a gun it is most likely in the safe. Only a very small minority of South Africans carry their guns on them.

So I believe that even though your house can be attacked by 4 guys armed with AK47's. You may still win the fight if you keep your cool, find cover to avoid being hit, and make your shots count. Even a 5 shot snubby can save the day under these situations. I read all the news, and every single time you shoot back, they try to get away as quick as possible. Not on farms unfortunately, but in town yes. They don't want to get in a shootout with the police. That said, a fully automatic rifle will be the most appropriate firearm to fend of these attackers. But how to license it? The criminals don't have to have a license. Even though a snubby might be good enough, there is nothing wrong to rather own a high capacity 9mm. You never know when you might need those extra rounds. You don't have to empty the magazine if only one or two shots are required.
My HD pistol of choice would be a Glock 17 with a 33-round magazine. That should be able to take care of anything.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Post #27; home carry.....

I'm not quite sure I understand the point of post #27.
In a real home invasion or break-in, Id doubt you wouldn't hear or be alerted to(by a pet, alarm system, family member, etc) of a major problem.
Having 4/5 subjects storm your house or property isn't unrealistic but you can be prepared in a short period of time even with "just a 5 shot snub".
As noted once a crook hears a gun go off, they'll flee.
Dogs are even better.
You may need to pet/feed/love them, but a good dog could be a "force multipler".

Some trainers & tactics instructors like James Yeager of Tactical Response, advise "home carry". Or carrying a weapon on your person 24/7 while on your own property(or until you go to bed at night).
I can see the merits of home carry & it wouldn't be hard with a simple S&W model 60 J frame but I don't think it's a real mandate either.
Unless a major threat is close. Like reports of break-ins or strange people lurking around your home at different times, then I would not home carry.
Buying a 15/20 round semi-auto pistol may seem comforting but unless you can learn to shoot it & can take care of it(field strip, clean, load-unload), Id keep the .38spl snub.

 

[fiftybmg]

Your choice of Sig is good.

If you are proficient with a revolver, you will like the Sig P250, it has a revolver trigger on it. The compact model in 9mm is easy-shooting, and can be a real tack driver.

 

[fiftybmg]

No offense, but the scenario you're proposing is pretty far fetched and rare. If you're comfortable with that weapon then I'd keep it. Most altercations involving a gun are ended without firing a shot, those where shots are fired are usually over after 1 or 2 shots are fired.

Now to actually answer the question. I don't want to start a caliber discussion, but kinda hard not to with the question posed. If increasing capacity is your goal its hard to beat a 9mm, adequate power for defense and the cartridge size allows for some fairly large magazines. Its honestly, a bit hard to recommend a gun without a price range or what features you like.

It will sound far fetched if you live in an area where all your neighbours have guns and know how to use them.

A general truth is that in the cities with the least freedom regarding personal arms, incidence of home invasion is highest.

 

[j1]

Two loaded revolvers is immediately doable. I may just buy a Sig eventually. More practice as always seems like a good idea. I love this board. Most people really care and try to help.

 

[DNS]

I'm a an LCR guy myself and a revolver fan in general so I'd stick with what you are familiar with. If a tap-rack is simply eating at you then the Glocks are obviously most PDs pick which says a lot.

My only centerfire auto is an SW Sigma which has been one hundred percent reliable and the gun I qualified with years ago. Smith replaced them with the SD series, darn near identical, and I've heard great stuff about them. Kinda hard to beat the warranty too.

 

[Hullraiser]

I think you've gotten your answer by around 3 to 1. The only points I would reinstate is a alarm system whether monitored or a home store noise maker is a must.
If you do need to pull the trigger on your 357 , after the first shot it's probably game over for intruder (s) to see how fast they can run away.
I do think you have a good excuse to go get you a nice Sig though. Just because! If you can try some would be best or you can just pick one out that feels & looks the best to you. I like all Sigs, but I'd never sell my Ruger security six either.

 

[PabloJ]

I am old and have been shooting revolvers most of my life. For self defense my primary handgun has been the S & W model 60. Five shots always seemed enough to me. Home invasion is a very different situation. The way I understand it a group of armed men kick down your front door and commit atrocities to you and your loved ones till you give them all of your money and valuables. My little mod 60 does not seem like enough gun to do the job. I have been looking and think that a Sig in 9 mm ought to be a good choice. Most
Sigs have hi capacity magazines.


What do most think of this choice? I welcome any advice. Thank you all.

Handgun wise if your fingers are long enough top choice would be FNH Tactical .45 with silencer and subsonic ball ammo from outfit like HPR. That is what one could consider pro spec setup.

 

[Gunslinger9378]

Home Invasion!

Dear Pablo,
All the home invasions I have heard of, the most prevelant weapons carried by the thugs seem to be knives, and crowbars. The last dual purpose: They can force your door with it, as well as beat you up with it!!! I would agree with the other Gentleman, who said stick with your .38 Snubbie. You KNOW the gun, are used to it, and these thugs are also usually cowards! They don't mind facing down an elderly man, but when it is pointing straight at you, even the muzzle of a .38 can be pretty daunting! Put a slug into as many of them as you can! Those that do not die at once, will be frced to seek medical aid, and the Doctors or Nurses will recognise a gunshot wound, and inform the police!
The police will in turn be delighted with you! It will be a Win/Win Situation!
Johnnie Roper,Alias:Gunslinger9378.

 

[btg3]

Changing from wheelie to bottom feeder is really NOT an issue. The choice is personal. Striker-fired polymer pistols are about as simple as it gets.

Relatively, reloading under stress is the bigger issue.

There have also been some interesting studies of counting shots under stress. (Seems it's hard to do the math. Hint: "click-click-click" is the wrong answer!)

Good advice in this thread -- just need to filter it with a bit of critical thinking.