Handgun for Home Defense

Only been here for a few months but for sure this sounds like the gun to get from everyone on this board.....

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JUDGE

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TAURUS JUDGE 45/410

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Can believe they rent such a powerful weapon.

Try the same caliber in different brands that will give you a good feel of how they handle.

Good selection there.

Exactly... there are a lot I want to try; I was just hoping that people on here could narrow it down to 4 or 5.

I would look at the springfield xd line and the glock line. If it will be used strictly for home defense I would get a full size pistol in 45 caliber. I would get one with a rail to attach a light and or lazer. Increase your chances of being successful if you ever have to use it. These are simple to operate types of weapons that go bang when you pull the trigger. Top gun is a nice indoor range as well if you have never been there

Pick any fullsize 9 off that list. I say while were having this conversation we might as well bring in the 9mm v .40 v .45 argument. I recommend the 9mm because the likely hood of an event ever happening is slim to nil. The "knock down power" you speak of will be irrelevant if all shots are placed properly at that range. Lastly, because 9mm ammo is half the price of .45 you will be more likely to go practice shooting. Your proficiency with the gun in the scenario you describe is fully dependent on your practice. Relying on "knock down power" to supplement your lack of skill with the tool is foolish.

You should be more open minded to a shotgun for HD because that is it's bread and butta. Unless you just want to get a handgun for the sake of getting a handgun and HD is the only reason your GF will allow it to happen because she wears the pants.

Having said that, I have nothing against .40 and .45. I recommend 9mm because he is a noob.

Propagandalf makes a great argument for the 9mm. I just bought a Glock gen4 9mm and I love it.

I was tossing around the idea of getting a .40 for "stopping power" as well. I bought mine at Hebert Guns during the Glock sale and they had a few reps there from Glock. The guy convinced me to get the 9mm because of the cheaper ammo, more bullets in the clip and he said with the advancements they've made in ballistics recently a hollow-point 9mm round has great stopping power.

Not sure if you are single or not but the thing that pushed me over the edge was the guy reccomended that I get a gun my wife would feel comfortable shooting in the event I wasn't home.

I choose the 9mm over the .40 because there is less recoil.

You say no shotgun but if you want a true home defense weapon that is the way to go...think of this...if you are asleep when someone comes in, what gun will you do better with...a pistol that you can't see the sights yet or a shotgun that if the pump doesn't get their attention, the wide pattern it provides will. Also think of her, unless she spends time with a handgun, the shotgun is best for her as well.

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I would change that to 9mm or 45. If choosing between 9 and 40 I go with 9 all day. Less recoil, more capacity, cheaper. 45 is has a balistic superiority that if you can handle it, it is worth it.

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That's a good point and I didn't expect the 5-0 to make it. Most law enforcement guys I know are in love with the 40, but it really doesn't fill any gap. FBI love child that has risen to fame without really doing anything better then other rounds. I suggested it because I have an unwarranted dislike of the 9mm!

I would go 45 all day long. That is, unless you can find a 46.

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Pick any fullsize 9 off that list. I say while were having this conversation we might as well bring in the 9mm v .40 v .45 argument. I recommend the 9mm because the likely hood of an event ever happening is slim to nil. The "knock down power" you speak of will be irrelevant if all shots are placed properly at that range. Lastly, because 9mm ammo is half the price of .45 you will be more likely to go practice shooting. Your proficiency with the gun in the scenario you describe is fully dependent on your practice. Relying on "knock down power" to supplement your lack of skill with the tool is foolish.

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Perfectomundo. 9mm with quality JHP ammo is all that is needed. If you want "knockdown power", then get a 12 gauge shotgun.

No worries. We are issued Glock 22s. I just bought a Glcok 17 4th gen. For the reasons I listed minus cost of rounds. Handguns are for defense. If I go to something were someone is armed and I'm pressing the issue, I'm carrying an AR.