home defence

[bluebullet]

Looking to buy a good overall defence gun. Have looked into glock 17/19, smith and wesson mp, springfield xd's and the ruger sr9.Dont want to pay a arm and a leg just want idea of what people are carrying these days.Any idea's or opions would be very helpful. 

[2HOW]

Home defense and carry are different for me. I carry a PT-140 I keep a 1911 handy at home along with a pistol grip shotgun.

[pioneer]

You are going to get as many opinions as there are members.  We all have our favorites and swear by them.  I'd suggest you get your hands on the ones you are considering and see which ones fit.  Better yet, shoot them if you can. 

What works for me won't necessarily work for you. 

Here's mine, a S&W 457, .45acp. with XS 24/7 night sights and loaded with Federal EFMJ 200 gr. +P ammo.  (different ammo pictured) 

[Bill Stryker]

Bluebullet,

I don't know how experienced you are with automatics, but I would not rule out a revolver for home defense. I have a S&W M19 that has served me well for decades, including a tour in Vietnam. It has the advantage of being always ready and easy to operate. When I lived in Thailand my only gun was a S&W M36 which went every where with me.

I have also used a M1911, M1911A1, P226, P239, and a P220 as bedroom shelf guns.  I like them all but you still can't beat the S&W revolver at home. I don't think they still make the lovely M19 but there are good revolvers out there and you should at least consider them.

There are those who advocate a shotgun or some sort of carbine for home defense as well. I like the M1 carbine, based on experience with an M2 in combat. I would not feel bad these days with a Rock River AR, but it stays in the safe for use as a target rifle.

BTW at the moment my bedroom gun is a SIG P220R with night sights, laser max sights, and attached flashlight. But I am afraid the .45 might be too loud in the house.

You also need to think about muzzle flash wrecking your night vision.

Pioneer461 was right about opinions. Good luck in your quest and let us know what you wind up doing.

[texcaliber]

For me the Glock35 with Golden Sabers, mounted Insight LED weapon light, and a SureFire G2 LED under the Grip. I like the G35 a lot due to shooting it a lot in competition and NEVER failing to fire. NO KIDDING! Over 10k rounds without a jam is a gun i can trust my life with....................but..................... S&W1911 45PD w/ CTgrips and SureFire G2LED under grip works for me when i am dry practicing 1-2 hours a day with a 1911. There is not a poor choice in the guns your looking at.....but no .45's man......Unamerican dude!  accept this as fact............ Apple pie, baseball, .45's.

Hope this helps man.


Tex

[Sponsor]

[gunman1911]

It is not so much as what you choose its where,when, and who you choose to use it on.  What you choose to use is by how well it fits your hands, how well you shoot it, how well yo manipulate the controls, all in all its a personal choice. Go to a retailer and check out the options and go from there if they have a range where you can rent then you are ahead of the game. Choose wisely as this goes to be an expensive game. Stay safe.

[leatherman92]

I use a shotgun

[HAWKFISH]

For guns that don't cost an arm and a leg... hmm...   So many good choices these days. I would highly recommend Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P's, or Springfield XD's. I have owned all three. I prefer Glock bar-nun. M&P's would be a close second. Xd's are just about as good. This is my opinion of course because the Glock doesn't jam and I can count on when my life's on the line. I use Glock for home defense and for my carry guns too. I have for years. I primarily use Glocks in .40 caliber and 9mm. But the .45's and .357 sigs are good too. Umm the M&P I would trust just as much, however my shot groups are still always tighter with the Glock.  That would be my "affordable, yet just as effective" as other more pricey handguns.  Some prefer good shotguns and even AR's/AK's for home defense. And I can see times when they are effective for those purposes (i.e. if a group of bad guys show up at your doorstep or if you live out in the country etc.) But, you have to select the right ammo and know what you bullet's will do and their power range, so that you don't shoot through 3 rooms, out the side of the house/apartment/ whatever and then hit your neighbors or something. There are lots of good options as of right now (before everything gets banned and restricted).. so I would just get whatever I wanted/ felt confortable with etc. Get something that you are happy with. Everyone has their own preferences and ideas of course. Good luck! ..   

[Outlaw]

I plan on using an A-10 Warthog GAU-8 30MM cannon mounted in the living room pointed at the front door with a string tied to the trigger and my big toe. Well, maybe not; That would surely piss the wife off when I got up to pee in the middle of the night.     I guess I'll tie it to the front door knob instead.

These guys are right. Use what fits you, and the spouse if she may have to use it. Learn to shoot it well and confidently. If you won't be a frequent shooter, revolver's the way to go. No memory involved, just point and pull. Larger calibre recommended. If the bullet don't kill him, the noise will make him crap his pants and he'll run away in shame.  Here's hopin you won't have to....

Cheers,
J.C.

[tombogan03884]

I plan on using an A-10 Warthog GAU-8 30MM cannon mounted in the living room pointed at the front door with a string tied to the trigger and my big toe. Well, maybe not; That would surely piss the wife off when I got up to pee in the middle of the night.     I guess I'll tie it to the front door knob instead.

Will she give you grief about sweeping up 2000 casings in the morning ?

These guys are right. Use what fits you, and the spouse if she may have to use it. Learn to shoot it well and confidently. If you won't be a frequent shooter, revolver's the way to go. No memory involved, just point and pull. Larger calibre recommended. If the bullet don't kill him, the noise will make him crap his pants and he'll run away in shame.  Here's hopin you won't have to....
Cheers,
J.C.

On my Gunsite calender for March it says "Colt, the original point and click interface."