Weapons assessment

[cratz2]

Call it what you will, but I have a personal hangup when it comes to super hot loads potentially being fired indoors. If I were buying something as a specific home defense handgun, I'd absolutely want something that was intended to be subsonic... And a nice +p 230 Gr 45ACP or a even the hottest 180 Gr 40S&W loads are still subsonic... That's what I would personally go with if I decided to do with a handgun.

But all things considered, other than not having the shotgun on your person, the shotgun can be mighty persuasive, whether you need to fire it or just rack the slide.

The Universal Translator I believe some have called it.

 

[strambo]

I think you're armed well enough for home defense right now. It would be better to spend the $$ on any home defense accesories you may need, but not have yet. (good flashlight-surefire etc.-cell phone w/ charger in room, solid core door w/ good lock, electronic hearing pro which will amplify his sound & protect & preserve your hearing) Obviously there could be lots more on the list...

If you have a safe room/area, just wait behind cover with the 12ga, let him have it w/ the first shot then NY reload with the revo. Elastic shell holder on the stock as well.

Now if ya really want another gun (and who wouldn't) I'm in the pump, short-barrell 12ga camp

 

[444]

Wow. There are some excellent, well thought out posts on this thread.
I like the idea of keeping your present .38 handy and also buying a shotgun for more firepower. In my own home, this isn't much of an issue because my home is very small and no one lives here but me. I spend most of my time in one of two rooms and the shotgun is never far away. But, your situation is no doubt different, so you can carry the .38 and still have the shotgun available if you can get to it.
A note about being blinded and deafened by a gunshot. First of all, if I was empolying a gun in a defensive role in low light, I would want a light. I am not saying that it would be impossible for a senario to devolop where I didn't have a light, but I plan on using a light. My shotgun is equipped with a dedicated light/forearm so odds are, I will have a light. I also keep a Surefire three cell flashlight on my nightstand. So, that takes care of being blinded. When I turn on my light, my night vision is gone anyway. As far as noise, I have no experience being in a defensive situation. But I have fired large bore rifles at game animals. I never noticed the shot. All my concentration was on my sights and the animal. I have fired two and maybe three shots and have no recolection of hearing the sound of the shot. I dont' know if this translates over to firing a handgun in the house in a defensive situation or not, but I tend to think that it does.
As far as running a shotgun in the confined spaces of a house, I think that is a training issue. Police and military regularly use long guns in clearing houses. I have taken a few classes at a big name school where they teach the technique of the "indoor ready" position. They do say that it isn't always the best technique and at times it might be a good option to transition to your handgun for really tight quarters but as homeowner we probably are going to only have one gun, so this probably doesn't apply to us. But, you can manuver around your house with a shotgun and do well with it. If the senario dictates that you are going to stay in your bedroom behind a locked door, this isn't an issue. If you are manuvering through your house, it is only an issue at corners.

 

[ducktapehero]

I'm gonna modify my answer(I can do this right?) If you have to move around, I still suggest sticking with the 38. But if you plan to stay put in your room and wait for cops then get a pump 12 gauge.

 

[Baba Louie]

Given your choices of a 4" .357 or a 12 ga. pump (assuming each new in box) I'd go for the Mossberg 500 combo with the longer hunting/clay barrel and the shorter HD barrel since Big 5 has them on sale now and then for $219, and make up the difference in ammo. Thats gonna be around $100+ in various slug/shotshells depending on which mfg of the 4" .357 you're looking at. Then I'd practice, practice, practice.
CDNN has used S&W 3000 police shotguns for $159 if HD is all you're really wanting or needing.
Having said that, I'd really, more than likely, cruise the pawn shops around town and buy one of each used

 

[itgoesboom]

DuckTapeHero,

You can always change your answer, right up until the moment that a burglar breaks in.

I will still disagree with you about the handgun being a better primary if you have to move around.

It will be almost impossible for someone to take your shotgun away from you IF you are doing things properly. I live in a small apartment, with crowded halls, and I still can't imagine someone successfully taking the shotty away from me, without me lighting them up.

But when it comes down to it, to each his own.

I.G.B.

 

[ojibweindian]

Thank you all so much for your responses.

Based upon the observations I've read, I'll be going with the shotgun. Most of my HD plans involve holing up in a "safe room" and using my cell phone to call the cops. Because police response times around here easily exceed 45 minutes, I would feel more confident in 5 rounds of 12 gauge immediately on hand.

My wife would back me up with the .38 Special that we already have.