Which handgun for home defense?

Question

I know a similar question has been asked, but I would like to put some parameters around my question. I'm looking for a good handgun for home defense between .32 and .40 caliber, medium to large frame, and in the $400 to $600 range. My wife is a little jittery about guns and I'd like something she'd be more comfortable with. Any suggestions?

I should clarify a couple of things. First, I already own a Remington 12 gauge semi auto and am quite an accomplished shot with long guns, but I was looking for something a bit more portable. Also, my wife it not "afraid" of guns, her father was a hunter and she is quite comfortable around shotguns and rifles, but is unsure of how she would handle a pistol. Finally, I don't want this solely for her use - it needs to be a his and her weapon, so I do need to be concerned with both her and my needs.

Answer 1

Thankyou for asking your question

Many people ask this question all the time, they have long guns, but need a light a portable one. I think we all know a shotgun is the best. But, you want a backup or another gun a pistol is nice too.

I recommend for the expert and non-expert no matter who to consider the revolver. A smith and wesson lady smith. I carry this model even though I am a man, because it is a nice revolver. Mine is in .38 spcl and my main carry gun is a Springfield 1911 .45 GI. Anyways the revolver is really simple, no confusing safeties and that junk, no jams etc. The .357 mag are nice because they don't really kick that much and my wife can handle one, plus you won't really notice in a firefight, you could always put in .38 spcl and shoot the assailant a couple of times. Another caliber to consider is the .41 magnum as that is a really nice round, but I have it in a Taurus tracker with a longer ported barrel so I don't know what the recoil is like in a shorter firearm. The .44 spcl is a good round to consider too, for revolver, as it is a great heavy bullet, and if you handload you could always load reduced recoil loads that still have a lot of power.

If you wanted to go with a semi-auto...
They are great too, but make sure as with every gun you practice with it especially if it is you house gun. Practice in low light and around obstacles and on the floor in awkward positions, because that is how it will be used.

I don't recommend Glocks, I have had jams in them and think they are unsafe, I have heard of and tested the drop firings and feel more safe with my ****** and locked 1911. That is not a comparison of bad with bad, I feel really safe with ****** and locked I have seen 1911s dropped and the hammer bent and the guns don't go off unintentionally. The jams occurred with 9mm and could have been cheap ammo, but i don't like the feel of the polymer and the grip angle. Doesn't mean they won't do what they are intended to do. I would still trust my life to it, and I own one.I also feel the glocks sometimes have more recoil.

I would recommend the .40 s&w but outside of your preferences the .45acp is the best. I don't like the 9mm, heard lots of things from the military and police. The .45 is used by special forces, and now in my hometown most of the departments use .40 s&w. My friends son is going through the academy and they all use the .40 mostly due to the druggies. The 9mm just goes through them. The .45 does not recoil alot. That I think is a myth of the .45. In the 1911 models recoil is really nice and they point very well. If you go with a polymer or plastic pistol the recoil is worse in .45. I have had some 9mm cal pistols recoil more than a my 1911 for example.
Don't be scared though you can always get reduced recoil loads. I recommend the Sig Sauer pistols in .40 as they are really good, I also personally like best the browning hi-power. My Browning Hi-power is in .40, the hi-power is thinner than most hi-capacity 9mm/40s and points real well too. I recommend it for your wife and my wife loves it too, but I took it back :)
The 1911, hi-power, or sig sauer can be found used and some new for that price range, the sig sauers are more expensive but can be found used for cheaper. Probably the 1911 is the only one in that range (Springfield), but the hi-power might be found new. The revolvers definitely can be found in that range, with the plethora of smiths and colts around. I recommend Smith and Wesson or Taurus as I have always been pleased with them. I recommend the .45 or .40 in semi-auto and .44spcl or .41 mag or .357/.38 in revolver.

Remember a house gun shouldn't be light and handy for carrying, so don't worry if it is bulky or a bear to carry, just make sure you like the feel, and you shoot it without flinching, and your wife can shoot it too, then you should be good. My grandma was petite and she shot the .357 mag load in a small frame smith and wesson. You can get used to it and some actually like the recoil! If its a house gun don't worry about the caliber, get the ones I recommended the only reason for .32 or .380 is more for carrying. The .45 is the best caliber for staying in the target and not damaging stuff, even in fmj it tends to deliver all its power and stay in the target.

Just practice as a gun that sits around and no one ever uses it or knows how, or who didn't shoot it before, it won't do any good and the house will have many bullet holes or the suspect will get the gun because it was on safe. Just having the gun doesn't give you power to fight off all the forces of evil. (Just a reminder for all out there, to no one in specific.)
Just see so many people get one because they are in fear of some thing at the time, but they never use it and practice, and the thing goes away and they still don't practice.

Hopefully that helps you out a little bit!

Answer 2

I have been around guns all my life. I see them as a tool, just as many people do. A tool can do good and it can do harm.

Your wife’s fears of firearms are not unfounded. I think any shooter can look back through their memories and remember a story about one child shooting another or a kid who accidentally shot and killed themselves.

Why am I saying all this? I’m sure you realize owning a gun is a responsibility. While you have a goal (to protect your home), you also will have to take your wife’s fears and feelings into account.

That being said….

If I were to buy a new handgun, I would not get a 32 caliber. There really isn’t anything wrong with a 32. If you already own a 32, it is a gun you could defend your home with. However, there really aren’t any popular 32 caliber handgun rounds, thus ammo would be a little on the spendy side. The smaller diameter typically means lighter bullets. Heavier bullets are thought to cause more damage and have more “stopping power” (I say that they are “thought” to as the whole concept of stopping power is argumentative. Some people say it exists, some people say it doesn’t).

So rather than a 32 caliber, I’d go with the 40 caliber like you were thinking or a 9mm (roughly 35 caliber).

The 40 S&W round is a great compromise between power and recoil. The recoil is mild enough that most people cal tolerate it quite well and recover for a second shot quite easily. The downfall for this round is while it is a popular round, ammo can be a little expensive. The several policemen I know were issued a 40 S&W handgun from the department (one has a Glock, the other a Sig Sauer I believe).

I would also strongly consider the 9mm Lugar round. While the 9mm is a little light for my taste, it is a tried and proven round. It has been adopted by the US military, which should tell you something. Recoil is light and ammo is plentiful and cheap (due to military surplus brass and ammo). Pretty much every major handgun maker offers a handgun in the 9mm.

Other rounds to consider:

357 Magnum: The recoil can take some getting used to. There is power to take down an intruder and them some. If recoil is an issue, 357 revolvers can also be loaded with lower recoil 38 Special rounds. Doing this, you will reduce recoil drastically at the cost of penetrating power. However, keep in mind, two hits with a low power round is better than one miss with a high power round.

45 ACP: Again the recoil on the 45 ACP can take some getting used to, but I think it is still very manageable. Personally, I like the heavier bullets and the wide variety of cheap ammo.

The issue that needs to be addressed is to buy a revolver or an automatic.

A semi-auto handgun helps keep felt recoil down and typically are fed from a magazine, which means easy reloading if you have a spare mag or two. The downfall is that it has moving parts that can injure a person who is not familiar with handguns. Some models can require the hammer to be ****** back first, something a novice shooter might overlook in a high pressure situation. Finally, most are installed with a safety. While to experienced shooters each of these items won’t hinder them in the slightest, to your wife or a child that is trying to take someone down in self-defense, these are items that could mean the difference between life and death. The solution? Take your wife (and kids if applicable) out shooting. Show your wife that shooting can be fun. With some precautions, it can be a very safe activity.

As someone previously mentioned, a revolver is simplicity in itself. Most do not have a safety and most are double action (can be fired with the hammer back or forward). It is a matter of point and shoot. The downfall to a revolver is that there is usually only six shots and reloading can be a little slow (even with speed loaders).

As to the make/model to buy? Go to the gun store and figure out what make/model feels the best to you. Personally, I like Glocks for semi-autos. For a revolver, it is hard to beat a Ruger single-action or a Smith & Wesson double-action. Like cars and wine, it is all personal preference.

The choice is yours. Whichever round and model you buy, just make sure to practice. The best gun is worthless if you can’t figure out how to work it when you need it.

Personally, my home defense round of choice is a 12 ga. shotgun. Nothing wrong with handguns, I just use guns I have around the house for home defense.

Answer 3

If I were you, I would try to get her a Lady Smith, in a large caliber 5 shot revolver. 44 or 45. They are easy to handle, and probably the most reliable. Besides, if you need it for home defense, a large bullet with a slower fps will be more effective than say a 9mm. You want stopping power, and small cal.'s with high FPS rates have a better chance of allowing an invader to stay on his feet and do you harm. Besides, revolvers will never jam, and since there is no safety, you'll never need worry about fumbling to find the safety.

A revolver is your best option. I have revolvers, and automatics. But until you're comfortable with an automatic, a revolver will serve you best.


Oh, and a note to HUGE.....When someone breaks into your house, and is hurting your wife or children...maybe then you will want to own a firearm. But then again, if you have to ask why, maybe society would be better of if YOU didn't have a gun.

And to the answerer to lines down....How is owning a gun 'asking for trouble'?

Oh and to James Love....if you can point your finger...you can hit your target...If you can't use a handgun...you shouldn't own a shotgun...and if you don't know that...you shooldn't answer gun questions.

Answer 4

Since you are both shooters and will practice with your new purchase I would recommend a 9mm pistol. They are more accurate than 40 S&W. The 9mm has plenty of stopping power for self-defense and not as much recoil. So multiple shots are a lot easier to hit your target with.

As far as which model and brand that is going to be strickly up to you two. If you go to your local gun shop and handle as many different brands and models as you can and see which one feels the best to both of you. That would be the first step to buying the right handgun. If possible go to a local range that rents guns and rent the ones that felt the best at the gun store. That would be the final test to see which one feels the best under recoil.

The smaller the lighter the gun the more felt recoil. So don't choose one because it is light. Just like shooting long guns you get use to the wieght and will be glad you did not choose the light one.

Good luck and enjoy your time with a handgun.

Answer 5

I like all the advice on the .357 and using .38 Special for practice - with a twist:
I have a .357 and my wife has shot it on several occasions, always with practice .38 special rounds. I have not told her that the gun shoots a much more powerful round (.357). However, I am now on the road in a hotel room - and that gun is sitting in the nightstand by her bed with with hollowpoint .357 magnum bullets. If she ever needs to use it - and I hope she doesn't - she will be properly armed, trained, and confident.

I don't know about you guys, but when I'm hunting, the adrenalin gets going and I don't care that I am shooting 3 1/2" magnum shotgun shells that kick like a mule. I can only imagine that this effect is enhanced in a self-defense situation. In my opinion, the adrenalin pumping will more than overcome the difference between the .38 and .357.

Answer 6

I would go with 9mmluger in a full size (4.5 to 5inch barrrel) high capacity handgun. Heres the resons.
1. Cheapest centerfire cartridge to shoot.(lots of practice)
2.Very large selection of types/weights of ammo.
3.Not much felt recoil. If your wife is familiar with long guns she wont be overwhelmed with it.
I wold recomend a beretta 92 f, fs, or G. They are very accurate and even more reliable. I have put over 2,000 rds through mine without a single malfunction of any kind. They can be found used for around $300-$400 or even new for under $600. I use winchester 100pack ammo for practice($13.00 at walmart) and load up 147gr. win. silvertip hollow points for home defense /carry duty. A .40s&w has only marginally beter balistics, more recoil, and less rounds will fit into any given pistol.9mm beretta 92(15+1 cap.) beretta 96 40 s&w (10+1 cap.)
The most important factor in a gufight is shot placement. And the more practice you can afford/get will help.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

If you want your wife to learn how to use it and get over her fears, get a REVOLVER.

No gadgets or levers or parts that come out. Just load and fire. It's always there, ready to go. Autos can be intimidating for the non-mechanical person. Don't confuse the issue with what YOU want. You can get that once you've helped her overcome her fears.

Also, do your research on professional firearms trainers in your area and find one that's good with women who have unrealistic fears of guns. This one task will make ALL the difference in her attitude and it's well worth the money spent. She will come out of this training confident and excited.

Do not try and teach her yourself. Please trust me on this...... I've seen a lot of guys make this mistake and regret it.

I'd recommend a stainless .357 which you can use lighter .38 loads to practice with. S&W or Ruger or Taurus or Colt. Can't go wrong with a revolver and you can always trade-up later with little depreciation.

Answer 9

Get a nice sized .357 Mag revolver-one that fits both of you fairly well. Try out the different barrel lengths to find the most practical for your situation. Start out shooting .38 Specials then move up to 125 gr .357 Mags. The 158 gr bullets will really kick. JMHO

Answer 10

>Frank J< nice to see someone on here who actually knows what he is talking about...

Best handgun for "any" defense...

1-Any reliable handgun chambered for the 45ACP...One hit to the torso with a 45 and they will go down...You might well shoot someone many times with a 9mm, have them kill you, then crawl away to die hours later...The military carries 9mm because they would "rather" wound than kill, it takes far more men and resources to care for a wounded man than a dead one...You will also take note that almost all special forces units carry 45's...

My second and ONLY other choice would be a 44sp revolver...Such as the Charter Arms Bulldog>My 70 year old mother's carry gun, if she can handle the minimal recoil your wife shouldn't have a problem...