Guns for self defense?

Question

I am looking for a good, small, light weight gun that I can use for home defense, and take it out with me when I need to. (I have my concealed carry permit). Any suggestions? I have a .38 snub nose and a .38 long, but they seem too heavy to carry around.

Answer 1

Really? I think you should get somthing light and accurate and although real bullets are cool and all but get somthing like a .22 short simi auto pistol but with rubber bullets. You ask Rubber bullets? are you a pansy? NO. The reason why is becuse rubberbullets although not deadly they atleast keep your *** out of jail. this is due to the fact that there is so much antigun out there that if you use real bullets that you get screwed in the end. This is due to the fact the family of the SOB will sue or the SOB themselves. This Ironically has happend. It is like being ripped off bya crack dealer then calling the cops on them. The person who whines the most gets the most. so take it from me you can carry a gun but are you fast enough to draw it? are you sure the person holding you up has a gun? If I shoot this SOB when he turns will he live to tell the police? and also beside the fact you really don't need a gun to do major combat with a 12yo carrying a poket knife you can at least not carry wads of cash around or what ever is so dear to you? Unless you live in Hell USA you really don't need a gun for personal Defence.

Answer 2

Like Super682 said. That snub is fine. There are many 38 loads available that will be an effective stopper especially with practice

With 38 +p (make sure your gun can take it, check with the manufacture or IM me) you should be able to use just fine. If you feel you need an autoloader, get one that fits. No matter which one you get...practice at least once a month till it becomes second nature when you shoot. You don't want to fumble in that kind of situation.

Below are a few pages of what is available in 38 special. I carry 38+p's in my magnum revolver for the wife to shoot. The 129 grain 38 +p hydrashok is a great choice. Not something you would want to shoot a steady diet of in a snub but in a pinch, I cannot think of many better loads.

Answer 3

Well, unfortunately a .38 snub nose is pretty light when it comes to guns. A .38 snubby compared to what some ppl carry like the 1911's or an XD sub-compact like I use is light. The XD's are very nice, there light weight, reliable, fit comfortably and there cheaper than a lot of others.

Home defense? Considering it's only used as a defense weapon and weight is of no concern, at least it shouldn't be when your looking for a reliable weapon to operate when most needed. Shotgun is preferred and best suited when it come to close quarters home defense compared to a hand gun. Shotguns for one don't have to be deadly accurate to be deadly. With the proper load and choke set to kill in close quarters you don't have to worry about being a little off. Especially when it's most likely going to be dark and your going to be a nervous wreck if god forbid the situation arises. And that's were you might want to think about getting a light fixed on that shotgun barrel. All though there is a lot of debate over the use of light when in a gun fight. Some experts argue light can give away your position when others argue that it helps to see and identify your target. So that choice is ultimately up to you the weapon operator. Be safe and shoot strait.

Answer 4

I too am a CCW holder and own maybe twenty handguns. My favorite concealed carry is rapidly becoming my old six-shot Colt Detective Special snubbie. Why? Because it rides so comfortably in an inside-the-pants Safariland holster that I forget I'm carrying it. I've also carried a Colt Python (4" stainless) in an inside-the-pants holster and even a full-size Glock Model 20 10mm in an inside-the-pants holster, but the weight of these becomes noticeable at the end of the day. I'm shopping for a better concealable holster for my Beretta Tomcat and for a stainless Ruger Security Six .357 Mag. w/4-n-1/2" barrel. I think the Ruger will be a good compromise between the lower-power Dick Special and the big Python n Glock.

I'd try finding a more comfortable holster for your snub nose. That might make all the difference in the world.

Best.

H

Answer 5

A .38 special is plenty. Use hollow points and there shouldn't be any problem. With good shot placement a .32 or even a .22 long rifle will do the job. Personally I wouldn't go less than a .32. I can hit what I plan to hit at 15 yards and under using the sights or natural point of aim. Just have her practice using the gun she wants. Remember most self defense shooting occurs in 20 feet or less. Often it is just a matter of a few feet.

Answer 6

If a .38 snubby is too heavy then your choices are really limited since most ones I can think of right off the bat are probably heavier than your 38. But, if you like the snubby, you can get "airweight" models. S&W makes a great Airweight but, If you are on a budget, Charter Arms makes a nice aluminum framed .38+p model in hammerless or traditional. I have one and it's a great undercover snubby and it's so light and comfortable you really can forget your carrying it. The only drawback is it's a 5 shooter, but if you want super light weight (about 11 or 12 Oz.) thats the weapon and the price is right, about half of what you'd pay for a new Smith.

Answer 7

I think you're good with the .38 snub because revolvers are reliable and the .38 special is a full sized cartridge that probably has the least amount of recoil. I also have a .38 snub and I enjoy it a great deal, but that's just me. If you're looking to upgrade though try a small 9mm like a Glock 26 or a Kel-Tec.

Answer 8

You should consider something with either an alloy frame or polymer frame. Anything steel-framed (unless it's a Charter Arms) is going to have weight. There are plenty of models to choose from and the list is too long to mention here. But .38, .380, and 9mm are three great calibers for ccw on a small frame gun. There is no great need to upgrade your caliber to a .357, .40, or .45.

Answer 9

You can't do much better than a .38 snub nose, you didn't mention which snub nose you have, if you have a S&W 642 or 442 that's about as light as you would want to go and still have command of the weapon.

Answer 10

I like the Springfield Armory XD sub-compact. It is light weighing in at 26-27oz depending on the magazine. I prefer the safety features on them over Glock as well as feel and fit in my hand. The cost of the XD is from 500 to 600 depending on the state, county and any taxes that they have. It comes with its own holster and most major companies make holsters for the XD Series.
Movie clip:
http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd_intro.php
Website:
http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?model=2

Taurus makes the Millennium Pro Series coming in at about 19oz give or take. The price is around 300-360. Website:
http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=MP1

The one I am looking at (just to own as I live in IL and cannot carry), is the Sig Sauer 239. It is a little heavier than the others above but Sigs are great firearms. Website:
http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=9&productid=71

My best suggestion is to go to your local gun shop and test a plethora of semi-auto possible CCW handguns.
Hope this helps and good luck and safe shooting....