Handguns for Home Defense

[Dr.Rob]

I've used darn near every handgun I've owned for nightstand duty, from 22's (rifles and handguns) to 380's, 9mm's, 357's, 44's, 45's to shotguns and rifles.

When you think you need a gun.. like you are convinced someone is coming through your back door with ill intent.. you might find what you'd choose will change. What you take on a road trip and leave on the motel nightstand might not be what you'd opt for at home.

Whatever you choose, keep it simple, practice with it and keep it clean.

 

[oldrevolverguy]

Life is a journey as many of the responses allude to. As our circumstances change so will home defense weapons. I have always carried concealed at home. Typically a S&W 642 or Kahr PM9 with a reload.

• When my sons were underage we kept a pistol safe on each side of the bed. Typically there was a Glock 17 or 19 on my wife's side and a Glock 34 on my mine. The 34 had a laser/light attached and a handful of flashlights were immediately at hand for us both.
• Once my my sons were out of the house I added a Remingon 870 with extended magazine loaded with 7 rounds of S&B #4 buckshot under our bed. I also used an unsecure (not lockable) but covert enclosure to house a Glock 19 with spare magazine and flashlight downstairs.
• When our eldest moved his wife and two young children back in with us while he attended school out of state, the shotgun and the downstairs 19 went back in the safe.
• When I broke my dominate arm I substituted a 357 revolver for the Glock 34 because I was more comfortable shooting and reloading it with my weak hand only.

The selection and training in the use of the quick access safes, mounted laser/lights, flashlights are almost as important as the firearm selection and training. You are creating a home defense "system". You and your family must train with every component of the system and maintain each component meticulously to optimize your chance of surviving a home invasion. Components of the "system" must change as your circumstances change.

 

[Confederate]

I will not keep at the bedside (1) any derringer; (2) any pistol chambered in .25 ACP. .22 short, or .32 short; or (3) any handgun with very high sound pressure or great penetration, such as a .500 S&W. A .22 LR would not be on my list, but if it were all I had, it would have to do.

I agree with everything you said except the part about the .22LR. Obtaining a good home defense gun isn't difficult and it shouldn't break the bank, but I know several people who have been shot with the .22LR and I think it's one of the most underrated cartridges out there.

The great thing about the .22LR is that you can put a lot of lead in the air in a short amount of time. And if a .22LR connects, it can do a great deal of damage. One person I knew back in the 80s was shot from a little over a mile away with a .22LR. Some kids had stopped to test fire a .22 auto pistol in the middle of nowhere. They only fired a few rounds, but one of the bullets hit this guy as he was working on his house. He said it felt like he'd been stung by a wasp. It was a deep, burning pain that made him feel like was going to pass out. He was on a ladder at the time and he did pass out, but he called 911 and woke up in the hospital. He said the doctor told him he'd come "this close" to dying. They never caught the kids, and I can't blame them, really. It was in a state that zones out firing ranges almost everywhere, yet the liberal politicians say if someone has a gun, they should learn how to safely use them!

The thing about a .22LR is that it has enough power to punch into the human body, but not enough to exit it. It's also very accurate, fast and light. The Ruger Mark II is a gun I'd trust implicitly to trust the safety of my home with. My dad grew up in the country and said the adage about the .22LR is true about it being a "doctor's nightmare." It can go in here and end up there, and you need an X-Ray to track it.

The .25 pocket pistol is, of course, inadequate for home defense. But it has a place for personal protection. The thing about modern handguns is that nearly everything will work except the fringe areas. You mentioned the derringers, the .50 S&W and such, but look at everything else in between. You can walk into any gun store in the country and come out with something that will do the job, and you shouldn't just necessary rely on just what you've been given. A 10-shot Ruger Mark 4 should be more than adequate. Likewise, any .38, .357, .44, .45, 9mm or anything on the shelf could be pressed into duty for home defense

If money is a problem, a .22LR rifle like the Ruger 10/22 would be a good bet, especially with a 20-round magazine. It's inexpensive, reliable and fairly short. From an ensconced position, it would be an extremely good home defense weapon.

..

 

[Sig Bill]

Does a 32acp do the job in self defense?

 

[Kleanbore]

A 10-shot Ruger Mark 4 should be more than adequate.

Better than nothing, but I wouldn't call it "more than adequate" for defensive purposes.

I know of no knowledgeable people who would responsibly recommend a .22 LR handgun for self defense.

But again, if it were all I had, it would have to do.

The only time I have actually relied upon (kept loaded in an instance in which bad things seemed to threaten) a .22LR for serious business, I had a rifle with a 24 inch barrel.

It was what I had.

 

[Dr.Rob]

It's not my first choice but .22 from a rifle is far different than a 22 from a pistol. There are numerous gel and soap tests that show a staggering difference in rounds fired from a rifle than a pistol, particularly in hollow points like the CCI "Stinger".

 

[oldrevolverguy]

There was a period in my life when my home defense gun was a single shot 410. We use what we have based on our life situation at the time. I would not choose a 410 shotgun or a .22 when a 9MM or 12 gauge is available to me.

 

[Kleanbore]

There was a period in my life when my home defense gun was a single shot 410. We use what we have based on our life situation at the time.

Yep. I remember when my aunt kept what she referred to as her "little four hundred and ten" handy with a couple of shells nearby.

 

[Water-Man]

I am most comfortable with a .45 on my nightstand and an AR close by.

 

[vba]

My night drawer gun is pictured at the left as it is my fall winter carry. In the warm months it is my carry gun either a Glock 19 or 26.

 

[Confederate]

I know of no knowledgeable people who would responsibly recommend a .22 LR handgun for self defense.

Well, I knew an entire office full of Treasury agents who would. One day I asked them if they could only make do with one handgun around the home, which one they'd pick. Almost to a man they picked a Ruger Mark II, which caused my jaw to drop! The reason was because that was the gun I was thinking of but hadn't said. It turns out they'd all recently purchased Mark IIs (stainless).

One of my best friends worked in that office and they were all gun guys. I also knew a fellow who used to work for Ruger and who opened a gun store in a nearby community. I asked him one day if he thought a .22LR auto round would be enough to be used for self defense. He told me to go take a look at the ATF Museum in Washington, D.C. (which I did because I worked close by). Sure enough, they had Ruger Standard Autos all over the place. Mostly they were assassin's weapons. One was cut into a briefcase and set up so it could fire in a subway or bus. My favorite one was a 4 3/4-inch and designed to shoot through an overcoat. (Looking back, I'd like to have some in my collection.) The U.S. government favored the Rugers, while the Israelis used the Beretta 70S.

So don't sell the .22LR short. It was a top choice when you needed someone gone...for good. And the cool thing about these guns was how old and beat up they looked. They still looked like they had plenty of life left in them.

..

 

[Sig Bill]

I'd never scoff at the 22lr. Throughout history it had put many many in the graves.

 

[Pilot]

Currently have a CZ-75 9MM in the nightstand, and a USGI M1 Carbine next to the bed. Even though I live in a "nice", and safe area, we have had some home invasions with multiple assailants in the past. It is very rare, but it happens. One was with a elderly couple that was beat to near death. 38 Spl +p, and 9MM, are probably my minimums for HD, although I no longer have my revolvers. I will carry a .380, or 9MM Makarov on occasion.

 

[Sig Bill]

It only take ONE event to blow it all.

 

[everydefense]

Well, I knew an entire office full of Treasury agents who would. One day I asked them if they could only make do with one handgun around the home, which one they'd pick. Almost to a man they picked a Ruger Mark II, which caused my jaw to drop! The reason was because that was the gun I was thinking of but hadn't said. It turns out they'd all recently purchased Mark IIs (stainless).

One of my best friends worked in that office and they were all gun guys. I also knew a fellow who used to work for Ruger and who opened a gun store in a nearby community. I asked him one day if he thought a .22LR auto round would be enough to be used for self defense. He told me to go take a look at the ATF Museum in Washington, D.C. (which I did because I worked close by). Sure enough, they had Ruger Standard Autos all over the place. Mostly they were assassin's weapons. One was cut into a briefcase and set up so it could fire in a subway or bus. My favorite one was a 4 3/4-inch and designed to shoot through an overcoat. (Looking back, I'd like to have some in my collection.) The U.S. government favored the Rugers, while the Israelis used the Beretta 70S.

So don't sell the .22LR short. It was a top choice when you needed someone gone...for good. And the cool thing about these guns was how old and beat up they looked. They still looked like they had plenty of life left in them.

..

You are indeed correct about the .22lr's status as a common pistol of choice for assassins. However, one should be careful to note the differences in needs for an assassin versus a person carrying a defensive pistol.

An assassin gets to plan the time and method of attack. Noise is a factor, so the ability to use subsonic rounds as well as a small suppressor would provide an advantage (though even standard ammo without a suppressor would still be less conspicuous than a centerfire blast). Also, the very small size of the cartridge allows for compact pistol designs. As many have noted, the .22lr is notorious for its ability to penetrate the body but often has trouble leaving, bouncing around the rib cage or skull before its remaining KE is spent.

However, in my experience, rimfire ammo is suspect in terms of reliability ("does it go bang every time?) compared to any centerfire cartridge I've shot. This isn't an issue for assassins, as they typically would shoot no more than two shots before discreetly fleeing the scene, and if the first shot is a misfire, no one knows, because no one is expecting the shot in the first place (no good assassin would stand out without cover/concealment). For defensive use, however, reliability is paramount- IMO it comes second only to shot placement. In defensive use, you are typically caught by surprise, and acting essentially on muscle memory and reflexes- any stoppage is a critical issue that for most people (who haven't extensively/sufficiently trained to clear and reload) could prove fatal.

I have no doubt that a well-aimed .22lr will kill you- I have read more than once that more people are killed by .22lr than any other caliber (primarily due to .22lr weapons and ammo being so plentiful). However, I feel if you have any choice at all, I would strongly recommend a centerfire pistol due to reliability alone... 9mm vs .40 vs .45 is unimportant in my mind- use whichever you can shoot best.

 

[Kleanbore]

Mostly they were assassin's weapons. ...

So don't sell the .22LR short. It was a top choice when you needed someone gone...for good.

I'd never scoff at the 22lr. Throughout history it had put many many in the graves.

I would never choose a weapon for self defense because of how well it might serve as an assassin's weapon or on the basis of how many humans or animals have been killed by the type.

 

[SteadyD]

For quite a few years all I had was a single action 22 revolver under the bed. I was young and broke.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I prefer the maneuverability of a handgun over a long gun.

HK45 in the nightstand drawer for me.

 

[Sig Bill]

For quite a few years all I had was a single action 22 revolver under the bed. I was young and broke.

Yet you were not helpless.

 

[Confederate]

An assassin gets to plan the time and method of attack. Noise is a factor, so the ability to use subsonic rounds as well as a small suppressor would provide an advantage (though even standard ammo without a suppressor would still be less conspicuous than a centerfire blast). Also, the very small size of the cartridge allows for compact pistol designs. As many have noted, the .22lr is notorious for its ability to penetrate the body but often has trouble leaving, bouncing around the rib cage or skull before its remaining KE is spent. However, in my experience, rimfire ammo is suspect in terms of reliability

All valid points. However, a Ruger .22LR (or any other well made, reliable auto) can put 8-9 rounds into a target in less than four seconds. And in most cases they can easily be put into the head of a silhouette target, even rapidly. With that much accuracy and firepower, I suspect it could easily be used by a homeowner as a very robust self defense round. And when used with a quality brand of ammunition, it would be as reliable as one could realistically expect.

When I go shooting, I'm aware that many times there will be a box of "duds" seemingly brimming with .22LR rounds that didn't ignite. I've put my share of duds in the collection, but they're mostly Thunderbolts or some other cheap, dirty brand that's caked with wax (though companies are now polishing their ammo). If using any gun for self defense, I'd use a stellar brand of hi-velocity ammo. I've tracked many self defense shootings over the years and I'm amazed by the number of successful shootings with the so-called sub-calibers, including the tiny .25ACP and .22LR out of palm-sized guns.

That doesn't mean I would advocate the use of diminutive pistols, only that I've noted them and how many times they've resulted in the deaths of the assailants. It was only when I began noting the numbers of successful shootings and deaths caused by these smaller rounds that I began questioning the advice given by pundits to avoid them. That doesn't mean I'd recommend palm pistols for home defense use, but I'm a bit more open to carrying them in lower-risk situations. And I'd certainly have nothing against using a .22LR Ruger pistol or a rifle.


Beretta 70S is favored by Israeli agents.




Ruger Mark II is accurate and fast.


Unless one used a .22WMR (magnum) (top) I wouldn't recommend a SA
revolver. But when it can spit them out like the Ruger Mark II/III, I think the
use of .22LR as a home defense gun is fine.

..

 

[Confederate]

Does a 32acp do the job in self defense?

In many ways a .32ACP has the worst qualities of centerfire and smaller calibers like the .22LR. You only get about six rounds and the gun is usually small resulting in less accuracy and firepower. That said, my grandmother used it for years in a Colt revolver and convinced some aggressive bums to go bother other people.

I'd feel very confident with a .22LR pistol, but no, I can't recommend the .32ACP.



A cheap pistol like this Davis P-32 is heavy, unreliable and inaccurate.
It's also subject to spontaneous breakage. Even in a good revolver, the
.32ACP is a lackluster round.

..

 

[Blkhrt13]

I used to carry a 25 jetfire also a 32 tomcat. Neither beretta left me feeling naked. I usually carried them when I didn't want to print through my clothes or when it was too hot but for the lightest of clothes. Plenty of people forgot the memo and died from 22 lr. I was actually thinking about getting a ruger charger and a couple doubled up bx25 mags. Hard to argue with a hail storm of lead.

 

[Confederate]

I used to carry a 25 jetfire also a 32 tomcat.

I love the Beretta 25ACP and the .22LR. I don't mean I think they're the greatest for defense, but how can you not love them? Even if they're little more than a novelty (they're not...both have racked up their share of body bags), the fact they're so small, lightweight and work really appeals to me.


Beretta Small Fries

I have a Jennings J-22 that is very reliable, but only for about four magazines, then they begin jamming. If I take it apart and brush the grit out, it works again for another few magazines. It set me back fifty bucks.


Jennings J-22

..

 

[JohnBiltz]

All valid points. However, a Ruger .22LR (or any other well made, reliable auto) can put 8-9 rounds into a target in less than four seconds. And in most cases they can easily be put into the head of a silhouette target, even rapidly. With that much accuracy and firepower, I suspect it could easily be used by a homeowner as a very robust self defense round. And when used with a quality brand of ammunition, it would be as reliable as one could realistically expect.

When I go shooting, I'm aware that many times there will be a box of "duds" seemingly brimming with .22LR rounds that didn't ignite. I've put my share of duds in the collection, but they're mostly Thunderbolts or some other cheap, dirty brand that's caked with wax (though companies are now polishing their ammo). If using any gun for self defense, I'd use a stellar brand of hi-velocity ammo. I've tracked many self defense shootings over the years and I'm amazed by the number of successful shootings with the so-called sub-calibers, including the tiny .25ACP and .22LR out of palm-sized guns.

That doesn't mean I would advocate the use of diminutive pistols, only that I've noted them and how many times they've resulted in the deaths of the assailants. It was only when I began noting the numbers of successful shootings and deaths caused by these smaller rounds that I began questioning the advice given by pundits to avoid them. That doesn't mean I'd recommend palm pistols for home defense use, but I'm a bit more open to carrying them in lower-risk situations. And I'd certainly have nothing against using a .22LR Ruger pistol or a rifle.

View attachment 758804
Beretta 70S is favored by Israeli agents.



View attachment 758807
Ruger Mark II is accurate and fast.

View attachment 758809
Unless one used a .22WMR (magnum) (top) I wouldn't recommend a SA
revolver. But when it can spit them out like the Ruger Mark II/III, I think the
use of .22LR as a home defense gun is fine.

..

Have you considered the idea that so many die because the round does not stop them so people keep shooting and eventually they bleed out on their feet?

 

[Blkhrt13]

Have you considered the idea that so many die because the round does not stop them so people keep shooting and eventually they bleed out on their feet?

Possible