What's a powerful -yet practical firearm for defense?

Question

I like power, but I don't think the .50AE deagle is a practical choice...

Answer 1

Shotgun. No question. Blows any handgun out of the water. If it is for home defense, no reason not to get one. Cheaper, easier to use, more potent, more accurate- get a short one so that you can go around the house and you'll be fine. The .500 S&W is more powerful than a .50 AE, actually, even a .454 Casull is more powerful actually. So power/size can be different. Just get a gun that you will be comfortable SHOOTING. Don't buy ANYTHING until you took it to a firing range and found out how it handled, the recoil, etc. You want this gun to be automatically deployed if you are defending yourself, hence you need to not have to think. A good revolver if you need a handgun is also an excellent choice- less maintenance, idiot proof, powerful.

Answer 2

Give me a 4 inch Heavy Barrel Model 64 Smith and Wesson 357 Magnum any day! A hollow point hits you and you aren't getting up! 45's aren't bad, but no range!

You can have the Glocks!

Mop, the police stopped using the 9mm as it had no stopping power and went to the 10mm. A 357 will put you on the ground with one hit. What is the point of firing several if the person keeps coming! I also have used the AK47 and found it better than anything we had! The M16 is garbage, the M-14 uses a 7.62 NATO round and id a nice weapon. The M1 was my favorite. Even though it weighed 9 1/2 lbs, it fired a 30-06, was about as accurate as you could find at long range and you could bury it in sand and ir would still work. The M16's were notorious for jamming in Vietnam if dirty!

Answer 3

I don't like the cylinders on revolvers. A .38 or 9mm semiautomatic is small and generally has a bigger magazine, and can be reloaded much more quickly.

Why people want to pack hand canons around mystifies me. The police favor the 9mm. A .38, I believe, can safely fire 9mm rounds, whereas a 9mm cannot fire .38 ammunition.

I just read Mopp's most excellent response. I have never fired a .50 caliber hand gun. I have fired a Sharp's .45 90 "canon." I have also fired a .45. One nice thing about the .45 is that I believe you don't actually have to hit someone with it--if fired at close range they'll probably just lay down or fall down from seizures. Imagine lighting an M80 firecracker and letting it go off in your hand. You essentially have only one shot, so you better hope you make the most of it.

Finally, if an intruder in your home is wearing body armor, perhaps you shouldn't be shooting at him. Ninety nine times out of a hundred I expect that means he also has a badge and a partner.

Answer 4

The best caliber is the one you can handle safely. Get to a good gun dealer and apply for a safety course in firearms. My personal belief is to be educated both in the law full use of deadly force and the fundamentals of firearm use. As for calibers the N frame heavy Smith and Wesson in .357 mag with a .38 +P Safety Slug loaded is ideal for a man stopper and a reduced over penetration. The Glaser round was designed for Air Marshals to not breach the fuselage of an airplane. Good luck, Warchild!

Answer 5

Mopp has a good point. Plus 9mm is a heck of a lot cheaper than 357, 45, or 50 cal rounds.

Glock 17 with extra clips?

Answer 6

Depends? home safety, or personal carry around safety?
Home safety I recommend a pump action 12 gauge shotgun. (the scariest sound in the world) Use bird shot, in close range (like in a house) can cut a man in half, but won't FUBAR your house too much. Plus you don't really have to aim; faster to just point and shoot. Pistol grip 16inch barrel. Good gun for home defence. Self carry...Rugger p41. Unless you like revolvers, then go with 357. you can use 38 rounds to practise with and 357's for the real thing.

Those of you who need to fire off a whole clip to hit someone, you need to take lessons. If you need more than 6 to get the job done you are helpless. 1 should do the job.

Answer 7

Well, I have to disagree because of ammunition. It's okay if you feel like loading your own shots, but I would choose somerhing in a 9mm or a .22 Might I suggest the Bushmaster MP9mm machine pistol. It is ideal for home defense. For carrying around I would recommend your very own 500lb low earth orbiting thermonuclear defense missle, lashed to your car is excellent as a deterrent force.

Answer 8

I like the .357 Magnum (a 12 gauge shotgun is nice, too). Police normally carry 9mm, which is really designed to have enough punch to stop someone, but not enough to pass through them or other solid objects.

Answer 9

For close quarters use 45 cal automatic. For longer range try .357

Answer 10

A large dog the best defense for a home.
However, I also carry (legally) a S&W 9mm...easy to carry and with FMJ ammo, has the ability to deliver maximum stopping power.